6 Highest-Rated Buckwheat Pillows Reviewed for 2024

Buckwheat Pillow Buyer’s Guide

Buckwheat is a grain-like seed known as a pseudocereal and comes from a flowering fruit related to rhubarb and sorrel. While it’s commonly mistaken for a grain, it is completely unrelated to wheat and all of the grasses in the wheat family.

To create buckwheat pillows, the seeds go through a dehulling process and are thoroughly cleaned and dried. The outer hulls are hard and durable, resistant to heat and allergens. This makes them a natural alternative to feather and latex filling.

Sleeping on buckwheat takes some getting used to, as this material is extra firm and a bit noisier than what most people are used to. However, the hulls are very conforming and mold to the shape of the head and neck. This makes them a great option for anyone prone to muscle aches, frequent headaches, or neck pain.

What is a Buckwheat Pillow?

Buckwheat pillows are filled with the hard outer hulls of this flowering plant. Many have organic certifications and use a triple washing process to ensure that all of the dust and debris have been cleaned off. Some options feature a zippered casing, allowing for adjustability by adding or removing hulls.

History

Buckwheat cultivation can be traced back to ancient Asia, where it was commonly used as fodder grain, food, and to create traditional Sobakawa pillows. Sobakawa is a term used interchangeably to describe pillows made from buckwheat. These pillows have been prized in Asian cultures for their durability, stress-reduction, and cooling properties.

In Oriental medicine, having a cool head is an important element of physical and emotional health. In contrast, a hot head is believed to be caused by stagnation of the energetic flow of qi. While many other materials are prone to retaining heat and feeling increasingly warm throughout the night, buckwheat is praised for its ability to remain cool.

While these pillows still remain popular in Japan and other Asian countries, the rest of the world has fallen in love with them too. Buckwheat pillows offer a natural alternative to latex, down, and cotton fillings that can trigger allergies and lose their conforming properties over time.

Understanding the Benefits

Are you curious about what makes them so special? Exceptional support, moldability, cooling, and durability—it’s easy to see why they’ve become such a popular choice.

Hypoallergenic Properties

Most bedding is made with artificial materials and chemicals that can trigger an allergic response. Thankfully, this material is hypoallergenic and is even resistant to dust mites.

Organic

For those looking to avoid chemicals like herbicides and pesticides, organic certifications can bring peace of mind. Most buckwheat is grown organically and is environmentally-friendly.

Support and Pain Relief

When the head and neck are not in proper alignment with the spine, it can result in pain the following morning. This material is known for its ability to promote optimal alignment.

Read more: Best Pillows for Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain, and Back Pain

Lifespan

Most bedding has to be replaced after just a few months because it loses shape and is no longer supportive. Buckwheat is said to be one of the most durable fillings, with pillows lasting up to 10 years with proper care.

Sleeps Cool

If you are prone to overheating at night, then you know how important pillow cooling features are for a great night’s rest. Thankfully, this material naturally cools without requiring any additional chemicals. The hulls also create space for air to flow freely throughout, making the pillow cool and highly breathable year-round.

May Reduce Snoring

Snoring can be caused by the tongue falling back, blocking the airway. Having a firm, supportive sleep surface has been known to reduce snoring by promoting an open airway. Being able to adjust the loft can also help sleepers to find the optimal height for their body.

Additional information: Best Pillows for Snoring

Potential Cons

While many people love buckwheat, there are some potential cons to consider before making the switch. They’re minor but still important to be aware of.

Adjustment Period

Change is hard, especially when it comes to sleep. Buckwheat is a much firmer material than what’s found traditional pillows, and most sleepers go through an initial adjustment period as they get used to the feel. While this period can vary from person to person, it shouldn’t last longer than a couple of weeks.

Noise

The dried hulls are like tiny shells that can make soft crackling sounds as they rub together. Sleepers who change positions frequently throughout the night may notice it more. The noise tends to dissipate over time, but it may be disruptive to sleep when you are still in the adjustment period.

Odor

Buckwheat has a strong, earthy aroma that people usually love or hate. Similar to noise, this also dissipates over time but can be very noticeable at first. Airing the pillow out can help to clear the aroma if you’re not a fan of the smell.

Additional Considerations When Buying Buckwheat Pillow

Price and Affordability

Buckwheat pillows can range in price based on organic certification, size, and the cover. Most are in the range of $35-$75, making them affordable for sleepers looking for a natural and supportive option.

Pillow Weight

If you like to take your bedding with you when you travel, weight is an important factor. The density of the hulls puts them on the heavier side, with most ranging between 5 and 10 pounds.

Read more: Top Rated Travel Pillows

Firmness Level

This material is known for being on the firmer side, although density plays a role in the overall feel too. Most have the ability to add or remove some of the hulls, which can help with the loft and firmness. If you love a firm sleeping surface, then this may be an ideal choice for you.

Support and Ergonomics

Buckwheat is known for being highly supportive. These pillows are able to cradle the head and neck, molding to your natural shape. This helps to promote a neutral spinal alignment, making them an ergonomically-friendly option.

Sleepers who are prone to aches and pains often find relief from this type of material. Being able to conform to the head and neck provides the support that is needed for pain relief.

Sleeping Position

Sleeping position is an important factor when it comes to choosing a pillow. Stomach sleepers do best with a softer option that has a lower loft, keeping the neck and spine straight. Side and back sleepers prefer something a bit higher that can fill in the space between the head and mattress.

Most stomach sleepers find buckwheat a tad too firm, but it makes a great option for back and side sleepers.

Adjustability and Where to Buy

Adjustability is one of the most loved features because it allows you to find the optimal loft and feel for your body.

Buckwheat pillows are growing in popularity, but shopping online (Amazon perhaps?) is still one of the best ways to compare the features and find the best price.

Washability

Most of the zippered casings can be machine washed and dried. While the hulls should not be washed, they can be poured into a container and aired out while the cover is being cleaned.

Sizes

• Standard: Standard sizes are compact and convenient for children, twin beds, or travel. They are also one of the most affordable options.
  

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• Queen: If you have a Queen-sized bed, it’s only natural that you may want a Queen-sized pillow, too. These are a few inches longer than the Standard size and are also great for sleepers who like extra room to toss and turn.
  

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• King: The King size adds an impressive 10 inches to the Standard size. While this size is ideal for those with King-sized beds, they can also be used as a body pillow or behind the back for comfortable lounging while reading or watching TV.
  

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• Other: On top of the three traditional sizes, there are additional options available for buckwheat pillows.The original Sobakawa was a much smaller size and is still an option by many retailers. This is often referred to as “Japanese size” and makes a great compact choice for travel or use around the house.Cylinder shapes are also available and can be used in lieu of a regular pillow or between the knees.

General Availability

Compared to other types of pillows from our top-rated lists and beyond, these may be slightly harder to find. Many eco-conscious retailers carry natural bedding in stores, but the selection is often limited. Shopping online is the best way to find a wide range of options at the most affordable prices.

Frequently Asked Questions about Buckwheat Pillows

Is it good for all sleeping positions?

The firmer surface may not be the best option for stomach sleepers. People who sleep on their back or side tend to prefer the stability and conforming properties of this material. Being highly moldable and adjustable are also great features that combination sleepers love.

Are there bugs in these pillows?

Many people worry that a food-based filling will attract unwanted critters. Thankfully, buckwheat hulls that have been thoroughly cleaned with the seeds removed should not attract bugs or dust mites.

Are all buckwheat hull pillows organic?

Unfortunately, not all buckwheat hulls are organic. Many companies have chosen to use organically-sourced hulls in their products, but this is not always the case. If you are looking for a certified-organic product, be sure to check the description or speak to the company directly.