To an innocent bystander (or, bysleeper in this case) buckwheat pillows might seem like a pretty simple and monotonous equation: pillow case + buckwheat hulls = buckwheat pillow.
Yet after six weeks of sleeping on six different buckwheat pillows, I beg to differ. While the composition of these pillows might seem minimal, a lot goes on behind the scenes to construct them to produce a restful night’s sleep. There’s the fabric, amount of hulls, scent, sturdiness, zippers, manufacturing location, and more, all of which goes into making a buckwheat pillow.
If you’re on the market for one, this article will break down some of my personal favorites when it comes to which will give you the best rest. Of course this is only my opinion, but after six weeks of sleeping on different pillows, here’s some of my top picks:
- Best overall: The Hullo Pillow
- Best for neck pain: ComfySleep
- Most affordable: Sobakawa
These were some of my personal favorites (more on them, and other top picks below), but first we must answer the question – why a buckwheat pillow in the first place?
Why buckwheat?
Buckwheat pillows are naturally very firm, with its nothing-but-buckwheat-hull filling providing a feel that’s both sturdy and moldable for your head. (So-long pillows that collapse in the middle of the night!) You can move the hulls to shape the pillow how you want it, providing relief for neck pain while aligning your spine.
All of these buckwheat pillows have zippers, too, so you can add or remove filling through its zippered opening to adjust the thickness based on your preference. There are are no chemical fillings in buckwheat pillows, meaning you’re not potentially breathing in harmful chemicals or toxins that are no strangers to mainstream foam and feather pillows. With proper care, buckwheat pillows can last up to 10 years. And for an average cost being around $50 (or even lower, we have a “best value” section below!), they’re a great investment for your bedroom.
Yet, that’s not to say that you should throw out all your pillows and replace them with buckwheat. Buckwheat pillows are extremely firm, so if you’re used to fluff and softness, these will take a lot of getting used to. Due to their hull filling, they can be a bit noisy due to them shifting every time you toss and turn at night. In order to clean them, you need to remove the buckwheat hulls, which add a few extra steps (and time) to the overall cleaning process.
Best overall
The Hullo Pillow: The Hullo pillow was my favorite buckwheat pillow. It was just the right balance of firmness yet softness, sturdiness yet lightness. The buckwheat hull to pillowcase ratio seemed perfect, too. All of the materials to make the pillow are carefully and thoughtfully sourced, and was the least noisy pillow out of the bunch. Read more in my full Hullo pillow review.
beans72 buckwheat pillow: beans72 came at a close second. The self-proclaimed “Rolls Royce quality pillows” is really apparent; the pillowcase is soft and well put together, and there is a generous amount of hulls inside (that you can easily remove). I also appreciate that it comes in seven different sizes. Learn more in my full beans72 pillow review.
ComfySleep buckwheat pillow: ComfySleep came in third place. It’s another solid pillow—firm, well put together, and contours nicely to your neck and back. I love that this is a family-operated business, too. The personalized packaging was a nice touch! Learn more in my ComfySleep buckwheat pillow review.
Best for neck pain
ComfySleep: ComfySleep is one of the best for head, neck, and spine alignment. Many reviews of ComfySleep talked about the pillow helping cure people’s neck pain. I sometimes have neck pain too, and found that after a few days of sleeping on ComfySleep, my neck was less achey.
Sobakawa buckwheat pillow: Sobakawa comes with instructions for the many ways you can use this pillow (aside from sleeping!) to help with body alignment. I found it great for driving and sitting at the office; the stiff, molding quality of this pillow really does help your body align in a natural and restful way. Read more in my Sobakawa pillow review.
Hullo Pillow: Being my top choice, it’s obvious one of the reasons the Hullo pillow was my favorite was because of its ability to combat head and neck pain. Once I found the perfect shape, my back muscles were able to completely relax, and stress on my spine disappeared.
Best value
Sobawaka buckwheat pillow: Sobakawa is hands-down the most affordable pillow option. Many buckwheat pillows start around $50. Yet Sobakawa is $24.99. If you’re new to the world of buckwheat pillows and want to try one out to see if it’s for you, this is your best intro option!
beans72 buckwheat pillow: beans72 offers many different sizes, and their smallest pillow (11″ x 16) is only $34.99. While this might be too small to sleep with every night, you can choose a larger pillow that fits your price range. Pricing options are always good when looking to invest in a new pillow!
Magnolia Organics Buckwheat Pillow: Magnolia Organics sneaked in as #3 for best value. At $45.75 for their small pillow, this one is slightly less expensive than the rest on this list. Yet, Magnolia Organics takes sustainability seriously and uses high-quality fibers, ethical partners, and organic everything when making their pillow. To me, that’s worth the price. Learn more in my Magnolia Organics Buckwheat Pillow Review.
Final thoughts
Overall, I don’t think you can go wrong with any of these pillows. Remember that buckwheat pillows really come down to preference. If you like really soft and fluffy pillows, buckwheat pillows might take some extra time getting used to. But I do think it’s worth a try! It’s helped me with neck and back pain, and I’m now a total convert. Give it a go, and do let us know what you think!
If you’re still looking for the right buckwheat pillow, check out all the brands we have reviewed!
- beans72 Organic Buckwheat Pillow Review
- ComfySleep Buckwheat Pillow Review
- Hullo Buckwheat Pillow Review
- Magnolia Organics Buckwheat Pillow Review
- QBedding Buckwheat Pillow Review
- Sobakawa Buckwheat Pillow Review
- Zen Chi Buckwheat Pillow Review
Laura Schwecherl
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