How to buy the best anti-allergy and hypoallergenic pillows

If your mornings are plagued by runny noses, coughing, or sneezing, it could be that your pillow is triggering an allergic reaction. 

While there's a lot of conflicting evidence surrounding how allergens make their way into our bedding and how to prevent them, the NHS advises visiting a doctor if you feel you may have an allergy.

If you have been diagnosed with a dust mite allergy, the NHS recommends investing in barrier bedding covers, including anti-allergy pillows. For those who have a known allergy to materials such as latex or down, a hypoallergenic pillow is suggested.

We've compiled our best advice when shopping for an anti-allergy or hypoallergenic pillow to help ease your symptoms.

What is the difference between hypoallergenic pillows and anti-allergy pillows?

Some manufacturers and retailers seemingly use the terms interchangeably, but hypoallergenic and anti-allergy pillows are not the same thing.

• Hypoallergenic means that the pillow's material and filling aren't made of a known potential allergen, such as down or latex. If you are allergic to down, you may want to consider a hypoallergenic pillow - however allergens such as dust mites can still develop. 
• Anti-allergy means that the filling and case have been treated specifically with chemicals to combat dust mites. If you have asthma, eczema or rhinitis, you might find an anti-allergy pillow best – plus you can still get one that's made of feathers if preferred.  

When buying a pillow, you can tell the difference between hypoallergenic and anti-allergy pillows by looking to see if the pillow has been treated with a biocide to ward off bacteria and dust mites. 

Anti-allergy pillows will be labelled specifically as anti-allergy or anti-bacterial, and will contain a chemical like Lurol AM-7 or dimethyloctadecyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ammonium chloride (yes, that is the real name!). 

What are hypoallergenic and anti-allergy pillows usually made of?

While most hypoallergenic and anti-allergy pillows are made using a microfibre or hollowfibre synthetic filling, those aren't the only options you have when it comes to buying a pillow:

• Microfibre pillows tend to be the cheapest and most common hypoallergenic and anti-allergy option. They can be machine washed, but don't have a super long lifespan – we recommend replacing them every few years.
  
• Bamboo is good to consider if you're looking for a naturally sourced hypoallergenic material that prevents dust mites. Bamboo pillows are a lot more breathable than other pillows, which can help prevent dust mites from settling inside.
• Memory foam is typically made out of polyurethane, which isn't a suitable environment for dust mites to live in and is hypoallergenic. They're often the most supportive and last a longer time than other pillows. They can be too warm though, and some people dislike how dense they can be.
• Wool and cotton is another good choice if you're looking for something that's naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites. They are typically heavier than pillows made of other material, and are usually more expensive.

While these materials are resistant to dust mites, they can still can live within these pillows. If you're looking for an anti-allergy pillow, be sure to buy one that's specifically had its filling treated, or make sure to clean your pillow often.

What to look for in an anti-allergy pillow

If you're allergic to dust mites, getting an anti-allergy pillow that can be washed often is the best way to prevent dust mites from settling into your pillow. When buying a pillow, make sure it can be easily cleaned, or is machine washable – ideally at 60°C or higher as dust mites can be killed and their allergens removed at high washing and drying temperatures.

Secondly, make sure that the fibres on the protector or outer case are tightly woven. If you can see bits of feather or strands of fibres poking through the pillow, the outer casing likely isn't tight enough to prevent mites from entering.

Keep an eye out for which chemical the pillow has been treated with. While manufacturers aren't legally required to disclose what they use to treat their pillows, they will typically list which chemical an anti-allergy pillow uses to kill bacteria, fungus, or micro-organisms.

Finally, the most important thing to consider when getting any pillow is comfort. Getting a pillow specifically made for your sleeping type will help ensure you're comfortable throughout the night while you sleep.

Should I get an anti-allergy or hypoallergenic pillow?

It depends on what you're more allergic to: dust mites, feathers, down, or latex. 

The most common of the lot is an allergy to dust mites, but you can find out specifically what you're allergic to by visiting a GP for testing.

• If you're more affected by a pillow's materials, we'd recommend a hypoallergenic pillow. 
• If dust mites are what cause you the most trouble, we'd recommend an anti-allergy pillow.

Does a combination of dust mites and down leave you feeling rough? We'd recommend a hypoallergenic pillow that can be washed at high temperatures to kill any mites.

Should I sleep with an anti-allergy pillow if my partner is allergic to dust mites or feathers?

While it can depend on how allergic your partner is, we'd recommend playing it safe and picking up an extra hypoallergenic or anti-allergy pillow for yourself too.

It may seem a little over the top, but allergens in the same room can trigger reactions. 

We'd also recommend looking into anti-allergy and hypoallergenic duvets and sheets.

Read our reviews on the best pillows to find out which are best for front, side, and back sleepers.

Popular anti-allergy and hypoallergenic pillows

Below, we've picked some options from well known brands accounting for a range of prices. We haven't tested all of these pillows, so be sure to read further reviews before you decide to buy.

Under £30

Silentnight Anti-Allergy Medium/Soft Pillow – 2 pack (typical price: £16)

Made with 100% hollowfibre, this anti-allergy two-pack from Silentnight is among the cheapest options for allergy sufferers. They're treated with easy-to-say anti-microbial Dimethyloctadecyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ammonium chloride, and can be machine washed and tumble dried.

We haven't reviewed these pillows – so we can't comment on how comfy or supportive they are. They're the most-reviewed anti-allergy pillow on Argos, and they're a popular choice for allergy-sufferers due to their affordable price.

You can compare prices below: 

M&S 2 Pack Firm Anti Allergy Plus Pillows (typical price: £29.50)

These anti-allergy pillows from M&S are treated with AEGIS, an anti-bacterial chemical that also prevents mould and odour. The core is made with recycled polyester filling and can be washed at 40°C and tumble dried.

We can't say how comfy or supportive they are since we haven't tested them. Out of the anti-allergy pillows M&S offers, these were the highest rated.

You can buy it direct from M&S for £29.50.

Under £50

Eve the Microfibre Shaper Pillow (typical price: £49)

This pillow from Eve is made with hollowfibre. Eve describes the pillow as 'squishable-firm' and it boasts a wedge shape that is supposedly good for most sleeping types.

While it's not specifically treated with a biocide, you can still machine wash the whole pillow, which should get rid of dust mites. Just know that you can't adjust it to your desired firmness.

Read our Eve Microfibre Shaper pillow review to see how well it supported our testers' necks and heads.

You can buy Eve's Microfibre pillow from major retailers below:

Under £100

Otty Deluxe Pillow (typical price: £69.99)

This bamboo memory foam pillow from Otty is a box-style hypoallergenic pillow with high walled sides that are meant to be more supportive and provide more lift than other pillows.

It hasn't been treated with anti-microbial chemicals, although the manufacturer alleges the infused charcoal filling helps prevent bacteria and dust mites. 

You can't adjust the firmness, but if you dislike the pillow you can return it for a full refund within 14 days. 

Read our Otty Deluxe pillow review to see if box pillows are as supportive as manufacturers claim.

You can buy the Otty Deluxe pillow direct from Otty for £69.99, or you can compare prices from other retailers below:

Panda Bamboo Hybrid Pillow (typical price: £89.95)

Bamboo is a good choice for allergy sufferers since it is hypoallergenic and can naturally prevent the growth of micro-organisms such as dust mites. The core of the pillow is also made of polyurethane foam, which isn't a desirable habitat for dust mites.

While only the removable cover can be machine washed, you can toss the rest of the pillow into a tumble dryer for a short time at a high heat to kill any unwanted mites. It's also a bit more on the expensive side.

Read our Panda Bamboo Hybrid Pillow review to see how well it compared to similar pillows.

You can buy the Panda Hybrid pillow direct from Panda for £89.95, or you can compare prices from other retailers below:

More than £100

Simba Hybrid Pillow (typical price: £109)

This hybrid pillow from Simba is made with hypoallergenic memory foam filling and is breathable, which prevents dust mites from settling. It's also highly adjustable – you're able to directly fill or remove the pillow foam with your preferred amount of filling.

However, it's the most expensive pillow we've tested – costing over £100. Luckily, if you end up disliking it you can return it within 30 days.

Read our Simba Hybrid Pillow review to see how our testers got along with it.

If you're set on this pillow, you can compare prices from retailers below:

How to prevent dust mites from building up in your bedroom

Even if you get a hypoallergenic pillow or anti-allergy bedding, there are still ways dust mites can infiltrate your bedroom. To further prevent them, you can:

• Vacuum and dust regularly: when you clean or dust, try to use a wet cloth or something that will actually pick up dust, instead of moving it around. A Best Buy vacuum cleaner is perfect for this.
• Clean your mattress: this can prevent dust mites from moving in and causing an allergic reaction. Read our guide on how to clean your mattress.
• Wash your bedding regularly: washing your sheets, pillowcases, and bedding protectors at 60°C or more can kill any dust mites. Be sure to follow the care label to avoid damaging your sheets.
• Try to keep pets off the bed: we love cuddling with our favourite furry friends, but dust mites can sometimes hitch a ride on our pets, where they will then make themselves at home in our beds.
• During pollen season, keep windows closed or use an air purifier: mites live in dust particles and pollen, so on days where there are higher levels of pollen in the air it may be worth closing windows until the pollen has passed. An air purifier can also help with this: read our advice on how to buy an air purifier.

Read our guide on the 5 most popular dehumidifiers with Which? members to help fight damp and mould.