Sobakawa Traditional Buckwheat Standard Size Pillow Organic Cotton with Natural Technology for Cool Sleep, Neck Support for Back and Side Sleepers or as a Meditation Cushion,White

The Sobakawa Traditional Buckwheat Pillow is filled with buckwheat hulls inside a natural cotton cover. It costs about $50 and has 4.2 stars from about 5,200 Amazon reviews.

Why buckwheat sleeps cool

Buckwheat hulls are small, hard and irregular. Packed together, they leave air channels all through the pillow, so heat from your head doesn't build up the way it does in foam. The listing says the hulls stay cool to the touch. In our cooling pillow guide, buckwheat is the type that runs coolest.

Neck support

The hulls lock together when you press into them, so you can push the pillow into the shape of your neck and it stays there. You can also remove hulls to lower the height, which helps match it to your sleeping position. Our best pillow for neck pain guide covers the heights that suit side, back and stomach sleepers.

The size

It measures 15 x 19 x 3 inches. That's smaller than a typical standard bed pillow, though the listing says it fits standard pillowcases. Check the dimensions against what you're used to before ordering. A queen version is also sold.

The cover is hand wash only. Never wash the hulls.

Who it's for

• Very hot sleepers who've tried "cooling" foam pillows and still wake up warm
• Side and back sleepers who like firm, moldable support
• People who move around at night and want a pillow that reshapes

Who should skip it

Anyone who wants a soft, squishy pillow. Buckwheat is firm and heavy and rustles when you move. Light sleepers may find the sound annoying, and most people need about a week to get used to the feel. Skip it entirely if you're allergic to buckwheat.

Alternatives

The Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow is softer and still breathes well thanks to its shredded foam fill. For a full rundown of the trade-offs, see our memory foam vs down vs buckwheat comparison.