Allergy sufferers will no doubt be familiar with the horrible sensation of waking up with a blocked nose, itchy eyes and a sore throat, or even having their sleep disturbed by these symptoms, which is where the best anti-allergy pillows can help. For many people, the biggest allergy trigger is the common household dust mite, and pillows can quickly become a favourite spot for them to multiply.
Anti-allergy pillows are designed to be as resistant as possible to these pests, helping to keep you symptom-free overnight. Certain pillow materials are better suited to allergy sufferers, as Holly Shaw, clinical nurse advisor at Allergy UK, explains, “Synthetic and polyester-filled pillows are practical because they’re easy to wash regularly and dry thoroughly. But the most important feature from an allergy perspective isn't the filling material itself; it's how well the pillow can be kept clean and free from allergens. Washable pillows are also particularly useful if the manufacturer's instructions allow washing at 60C, as this higher temperature helps remove the house dust mite allergen.”
I’ve been testing sleep products for the past six years, so I’m well placed to advise on comfort and support when it comes to pillows. But for this review I also assembled a team of allergy sufferers (thanks, friends and neighbours) to find out which pillows did the best job of easing some fairly severe allergy symptoms. Want to wake up sniffle-free? It obviously goes without saying that all the pillows featured here improved allergy symptoms, so read on to find out what pillows I recommend.
Read more: Best mattresses, tested
The best anti-allergy pillows for 2026 are:
- Best anti-allergy pillow overall: Cuddledown zeromite hygienic washable pillow: £39, Cuddledown.co.uk
- Best budget anti-allergy pillow: Richard Haworth hypoallergenic clusterfill pillow: £13.58, Richardhaworth.co.uk
- Best memory foam anti-allergy pillow: Rem-Fit bamboo charcoal pillow: £50, Rem-fit.co.uk
- Best anti-allergy pillow for neck pain: Panda hybrid bamboo pillow: £89.95, Pandalondon.com
Read more: Best memory foam pillows, tested
Cuddledown zeromite hygienic washable pillow
Best: anti-allergy pillow overall
Why we love it
- Can be washed at high temperatures to kill dust mites
- Reasonable price
- Soft and comfortable
- Improved allergy symptoms from the first night
Take note
- Needs frequent fluffing up
All four of my allergy sufferers gave the Cuddledown zeromite hygienic washable pillow full marks, with improved sleep and no symptoms in the morning reported across the board. Oeko-Tex certified (so it’s been proven to be free from harmful toxic chemicals and substances), the pillow is made with a polyester fibre filling and a soft microfibre quilted casing that can, remarkably, be washed at up to 95C. I tested this claim and am pleased to report that it survived the temperature with ease, but you’ll need to do a fairly firm reshaping afterwards as the filling tends to bunch up.
It has a soft to medium feel and mimics the plump feel of down. I think it will suit most back and side sleepers, but the loft is likely to be too high for a stomach sleeper, while some side sleepers may feel that the height is still slightly lacking. The microfibre cover also might not be the best choice for very hot sleepers, but for most allergy sufferers this is a fantastic choice that should help to improve symptoms from night one.
Key specifications
Buy now £39, Cuddledown.co.uk
Richard Haworth hypoallergenic clusterfill pillow
Best: budget anti-allergy pillow
Why we love it
- Look far more expensive than the price tag would suggest
- Ideal for side sleepers
- Improved allergy symptoms from the first night
Take note
- There were a few loose threads around the edging
Chances are you might have slept on a Richard Haworth pillow before, as the brand primarily serves the hotel industry. That means the prices are kept low, but the quality belies the fact that it costs less than £15. A smooth cotton cover combined with a fine dernier polyester fill gives this pillow a slightly firmer feel, which still has plenty of comfort and bounces back into shape quickly after being slept on.
I’d say side sleepers will be most drawn to this pillow as the loft is a little high for others and for allergy sufferers, the ability of the pillow to survive washing and tumble drying is a big plus point.
Like the Cuddledown above, the Richard Haworth rated highly with my sneezing and wheezing test panel, with everyone reporting an improvement in symptoms after sleeping on them. The only slight drawback to this pillow was a slightly rough finish that meant I found a few loose threads in the border stitching, but for the price, there’s very little to complain about.
Key specifications
Buy now £13.58, Richardhaworth.co.uk
Rem-Fit bamboo charcoal pillow
Best: memory foam anti-allergy pillow
Why we love it
- Choice of heights to suit all sleeping positions
- Adaptive memory foam that cushions the sleeper
- Improved allergy symptoms from the first night
Take note
- Memory foam isn’t for everyone
If you love the hug of memory foam, these Rem-Fit bamboo charcoal pillows could be the perfect fit, particularly as they’re available in two different lofts with heights of 8cm and 12cm to choose from. My younger 10-year-old tester absolutely adored the low-loft pillow, reporting that it gave her plenty of sink-in softness, as well as leaving her without any sneezing fits in the morning.
The advantage of the different lofts is that the Rem-Fit pillow covers all sleeping positions, while the added touch of bamboo and charcoal helps to keep sleepers from overheating. There is a polyester cover, but it uses the brand’s Re-ax technology, with fibres that wick sweat away as you sleep.
I was also particularly impressed with the five-year guarantee against defects in workmanship or materials (as long as you use a pillow protector) , which is exceptionally generous for a pillow. However, do note that memory foam is a bit of a marmite fabric, and some sleepers may find it a bit too cloying overnight.
Key specifications
Buy now £49.99, Rem-fit.co.uk
Devon Duvets folding wool pillow
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Best: innovative anti-allergy pillow
Why we love it
- Innovative design to suit a variety of sleepers
- Good temperature regulation
- Ethical production techniques
- Improved allergy symptoms from the first night
Take note
- Folding the pillow up is a little fiddly
- Pricey
This Devon Duvets folding wool pillow is a clever little invention. Made with British wool, the pillow unfolds into three sections that look like a mini duvet. These can be folded up to create a traditional pillow shape, or you can roll one section to provide extra neck support. As someone who is a combination sleeper and is prone to neck ache when side sleeping, I found this an absolutely superb addition, with the rolled section providing all the support I needed to avoid aches and pains.
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Like all wool bedding, there’s a slightly sheepy smell to start with, but that will fade quickly. Unless you’re allergic to wool, which my testers weren’t, this is another fantastic option for allergy sufferers, with good results reported all round.
I also loved the fact that you can unfold the pillow to refresh it and clean it, meaning you really can get rid of far more dust mites. Do note that wrestling the pillow into its case isn’t the easiest job in the world – this is an area where practice definitely makes perfect. It also gets bonus points for the lovely lavender sachet included in the packaging and the fact that all wool can be traced through the British Wool supply chain.
Key specifications
Buy now £89, Devonduvets.com
Woolroom deluxe washable wool pillow
Best: adjustable wool anti-allergy pillow
Why we love it
- Comfortable for all sleeping positions
- Allergy UK certified
- Adjustable fill
Take note
- Wool can clump if you don’t spend time reshaping it
As a combination sleeper, I often struggle to find pillows that can adapt to both sleeping on my back and side, but Woolroom has nailed it with the wool in its washable pillow providing support and sinkage where needed. You can also adjust the fill here by removing some of the wool but if you want extra filling, you’ll have to buy that separately.
Out of the bag, the pillow has a medium firmness but you can, of course, tweak this as needed. I appreciated the fact that the pillow is made with fully traceable British wool and loved the extra wool quilted into the cotton cover, which makes it even more softer and inviting.
The Woolroom deluxe washable pillow has the Allergy UK seal of approval and it was again a hit with our allergy sufferers. However, I found that the pillow needed a fair amount of attention paid to it, as the wool tended to clump up a little bit and needed delicate separating by unzipping the cover and pulling it apart inside.
You also can’t wash the filling, which needs to be removed before the cover is washed on a delicate wool cycle. This does, however, make it far easier to fit into a smaller washing machine. Comfortable and adjustable to suit all sleeping styles, this is another good all-rounder with a big touch of luxury attached to its beautiful finish.
Key specifications
Buy now £74.99, Thewoolroom.com
Panda hybrid bamboo pillow
Best: anti-allergy pillow for neck pain
Why we love it
- Eases neck pain
- Ideal for side sleepers
- Great anti-allergy credentials
Take note
- Loft is too high for stomach sleepers and some back sleepers
The Panda hybrid bamboo pillow is a chunky beast at 13cm high, making it a particularly good fit for side sleepers. Its anti-allergy credentials are impressive. A quilted bamboo infused cover is backed up by memory foam, infused with both naturally hypoallergenic bamboo and charcoal. Panda has also included small channels in the foam to help air circulate, keeping your temperature regulated through the night. All this is backed up by both a 30-night trial and a stonking 10-year guarantee.
This was another big hit with allergy sufferers and its medium firm support provided plenty of comfort to side sleepers. However, it really won its place here thanks to its ability to reduce neck pain in side sleepers. Everyone who tested it who suffered with aches and pains reported improvement and I too found it very supportive where needed. However, because of its high, fixed loft, I think some back sleepers will find this pillow too high and stomach sleepers certainly won’t get on with it. But, for the right kind of sleeper, this is a real winner.
Key specifications
Buy now £89.95, Pandalondon.com
Homescapes pure mulberry silk blend pillow pair
Best: anti-allergy pillow for front sleepers
Why we love it
- Soft and kind to skin
- Naturally hypoallergenic
Take note
- Can feel a little slippery when lying on them
Silk is another great material for allergy sufferers, as it’s naturally hypoallergenic and washable. But pure silk can be extremely expensive, so these budget pillows from Homescapes are a great find. Mixing 50 per cent silk with 50 per cent polyester, which is also suitable for allergy sufferers, the pillows come with a beautifully soft 200 thread count.
Be warned, though, these pillows are very soft and, I felt, best suited to stomach sleepers. You could use both pillows together, but my husband felt they were a bit too slippery to do this successfully, although I didn’t have the same problem. But as pillows that are ideal for stomach sleepers can be particularly hard to find, these are a great pick.
My allergy sufferer who also has eczema found these pillows particularly soft and forgiving on the skin, and there was again an improvement in my testers’ allergy symptoms. These pillows did feel a little bit flimsier than some of the other options and, as I said, they won’t suit everyone. But they are exceptionally good value for money and lovely to sleep on.
Key specifications
Buy now £35.99, Amazon.co.uk
Soak & Sleep indulgent silk pillow
Best: silk anti-allergy pillow
Why we love it
- Great value for a pure silk pillow
- Ideal for back sleepers
- Naturally hypoallergenic and moisture-wicking
Take note
- Cover is slightly slippery
- Pricey
The Soak & Sleep silk pillow is another naturally hypoallergenic offering that impressed our allergy sufferers all round with its ability to reduce symptoms. Made with 100 per cent Tussah silk as the filling and a 300-thread count cotton satin cover, these pillows look incredibly high-end, with piped edges and double stitching to provide plenty of durability.
This pillow is slightly sleeker than many of the synthetic pillows on this list, but it still has enough loft to keep most sleepers happy. I felt it was particularly suited to back sleepers, with the pillow providing some initial softness as I lay on it, before a firmer core kicked in and gave me support and some gentle contouring.
Much as with the budget silk Homescapes pillows, there was a slightly slippery feel to the pillows. I didn’t find this off-putting but again, my husband wasn’t convinced. However overall, this pillow scored highly and I found it instantly comfortable from the first night I slept on it.
Key specifications
Buy now £80, Soakandsleep.com
Slumberdown anti-allergy pillow
Best: cheap anti-allergy pillow
Why we love it
- Choice of firmness options
- Good value for money
- Effective at relieving allergy symptoms
Take note
- Cover feels synthetic
They may be cheap and cheerful, but these Slumberdown anti-allergy pillows come with the Allergy UK seal of approval and are particularly good value, starting at £16.99 for a pack of two pillows with a soft firmness. Pay a pound more and you can pick a medium firmness, while two pounds more gets you a firm finish. The pillows are also available in a four pack.
My friend who suffers with hay fever and also has sleep apnoea found these pillows particularly good for preventing her from getting bunged up overnight. She also felt this led to a slight reduction in her sleep apnoea symptoms, too. I particularly liked the choice of three firmness options, which allows you to pick the right one for your sleeping style. I plumped for the medium support that’s designed for back sleepers and these did a good job of supporting me.
However, the cover does feel pretty synthetic to the touch, and I felt that I needed both pillows due to them compressing quite quickly as I lay on them. But for the price tag, these do an excellent job at helping to relieve allergy symptoms.
Key specifications
Buy now £14.49, Amazon.co.uk
Brightr Nox vegan down alternative pillow
Best: adjustable anti-allergy pillow
Why we love it
- Fully adjustable medium loft pillow
- Two pillows for the price of one, plus extra fill
- Copper fibres help to reduce dust mites and allergens
Take note
- Only the medium loft pillow is adjustable
Brightr Nox’s vegan friendly pillow is the best adjustable anti-allergy pillow I tested. The pillow arrived vacuum packed (do be prepared for some off gassing and a little smell thanks to this) and once it was inflated, looked impressively high (it’s 28cm at its maximum). Open up the pillowcase though and inside you’ll find two separate pillows. There’s a low loft option that’s great for stomach sleepers and a medium loft pillow with zip. This means you can either take out some of the filling or, thanks to the extra bag of filling that comes with the pillow, plump it up further.
For my allergy sufferers, the copper fibres woven into the cover did an excellent job of helping to reduce symptoms, and studies have suggested that dust mite viability can be reduced by copper. I did think it was a shame that only the medium loft pillow could be adjusted – if you could adjust both, you’d have more options to share the pillow with a partner, as you can buy spare copper-infused pillowcases.
Brightr Nox says the pillow isn’t machine washable, so advises using a pillow protector. If you have severe allergy symptoms, you may want to consider other adjustable options. However if you have mild symptoms, the ability to fine-tune your filling and the various options means you’ll get a lot of pillow for your money.
Key specifications
Buy now £69.9, Amazon.co.uk
Your questions about anti-allergy pillows answered
What is the best anti-allergy pillow?
My overall winner was the Cuddledown zeromite pillow, which impressed all my allergy sufferers – helping them to sleep better and wake up symptom free. If you’re on a tight budget, the Richard Haworth hypoallergenic clusterfill is an absolute bargain for side sleepers (and there are other anti-allergy pillows by the same brand to suit other styles of sleepers).
How I tested anti-allergy pillows
I tested a large number of pillows to findthe 10 best options for allergy sufferers, with both my husband and me sleeping on each one to see how they felt and who they were suited to. I also assembled a team of allergy sufferers to test each one and report back on how their symptoms felt while using each pillow. I rated each pillow on the following:
What can make your allergies worse in the bedroom?
“For many people, it's not actually the pillow filling that's the main issue – it's what builds up inside bedding (pillows, mattresses and duvets) over time,” explains Jo Greenslade, managing director of Eczema Clothing, who provides specialist clothing, bedding and natural skincare to those living with eczema, allergies and sensitive skin.
“House dust mites are one of the most common allergy triggers in the bedroom, thriving in warm, humid environments and feeding on the skin cells we naturally shed. Their droppings are a major allergen and can trigger symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion and eczema flare-ups.”
Holly Shaw from Allergy UK also breaks down bedroom allergies further, “The bedroom can be a real hot spot for allergen exposure as it’s one of the rooms that people spend a lot of time in. If you are waking up with symptoms of a congested or runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose or eyes or with a blocked nose specifically in bed, then the house dust mite may allergen be a culprit, but you should also consider other allergens and irritants.” Shaw explains which items in the home can harbour dust mites:
“Old mattress and pillows: These can accumulate substantial amounts of house dust mite allergen over time. Mattress and pillow encasements can be very useful because they isolate the existing allergen.
Soft furnishings: Carpet, rugs, upholstered headboards, curtains, cushions and stuffed soft toys all provide reservoirs for allergens.
Pets in the bedroom: Even if your pet doesn't sleep on the bed, allergens can be carried onto bedding and furniture. Keeping pets out of the bedroom is recommended for people with pet allergy.
Pollen coming through the window or doors: This is particularly relevant during times of the year when the pollen count is high and hay fever season. Pollen can also get onto your hair when you are out and about and, if not washed out in the shower, may end up on your pillow.
Damp/mould: A damp bedroom, condensation around windows or visible mould can introduce another allergen. Mould spores can cause allergic rhinitis and can trigger asthma in susceptible people.
Dust being disturbed: Dry dusting, vacuuming and changing bedding can temporarily distribute allergens into the air. Damp dusting and a HEPA-filter vacuum can help contain and remove allergens.
Fragrances and cleaning products: These aren't allergens but can be irritants that trigger symptoms. Common culprits include perfumes, candles, room sprays, scented laundry products, sprays and cleaning chemicals, [which] can irritate the nose and airways and make someone who already has asthma or allergic rhinitis feel considerably worse.”
How to prevent allergies while you sleep
“The biggest difference often comes from reducing your overall allergen exposure,” says Greenslade. “Showering before bed will remove pollen from your skin and hair. Washing bedding weekly at 60C kills dust mites on it as well as removing other allergens, while keeping the bedroom cool, well-ventilated and as free from dust as possible can also make a noticeable difference.
“Pollen tends to be highest in early morning and early evening – so keep your windows closed then and open them during the middle of the day or in late evening.
“If dust mite allergy is a problem, allergen-proof covers for pillows, duvets and mattresses are one of the most effective ways to create a barrier between you and the allergens, regardless of whether your bedding is filled with down, feather or synthetic fibres. One way to work this out is that if you sneeze or have watery eyes only in the spring/summer this is likely to be a seasonal allergy to pollen, if it’s all year round it may well be a dust mite allergy.
“If you think your child might have a dust mite allergy, try not to put them on a bottom bunk and from time to time put their soft toys in the freezer (freezing or washing at 60C are the simplest ways to remove dust mites).
“It's also worth choosing breathable natural fabrics for nightwear and bedding as itching, overheating and sweating during the night can worsen symptoms and make sleep less comfortable.
“Finally, try to keep pets out of the bedroom if you're sensitive to animal dander, and avoid biological or fragranced detergents and fabric conditioners if you have sensitive skin or allergies. If you want soft clothes or bedding, try ironing or tumble drying them rather than using fabric softener.”
What makes a pillow hypoallergenic?
“A hypoallergenic pillow is designed to help reduce exposure to common allergens, particularly house dust mites, which are a common trigger for allergy symptoms such as sneezing, a blocked or runny nose, itchy eyes and asthma,” says Shaw. She says the key features of a hypoallergenic pillow may include:
Shaw adds that, “It is important to note that "hypoallergenic" does not mean allergen-free or guarantee that a product will prevent allergic reactions. Instead, it indicates that the product has been designed to minimise the presence or build-up of common allergens.”
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
IndyBest is The Independent’s product reviews section, where a team of experts tests sleep-related items over weeks, months or even years. IndyBest pros have tested everything from the best mattresses to the best duvets, and from top-rated silk pillowcases to the best mattress toppers. Their wealth of information and expert insights guide the product selection and testing process.
Jo Plumridge is an expert product tester with more than 20 years of experience, and has tested sleep products like the best goose down duvet covers as well as other home products like the best cylinder vacuums to the best shower heads for IndyBest. Her interests centre on interior design, sleep and photography, as well as home and tech products. For her review of anti-allergy pillows, each one was tested in her own home and with allergy sufferers.
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