A lavender pillow is a pillow with lavender oil or dried lavender added to it, so the scent stays near your face through the night. Some are memory foam, some are travel pillows, and some are heated neck wraps.
This guide covers what NCCIH and the NHS say about lavender and sleep, how the pillows differ, and which of the seven products here are actually lavender-scented.
General information, not medical advice; see a doctor if you have trouble sleeping for months, a skin or breathing reaction, or any health condition or medicine to check.
Lavender pillow basics
- NCCIH says it is unclear whether aromatherapy with lavender oil has benefits for anxiety, stress, some types of pain, sleep quality or insomnia, and that more high-quality research is needed.[1]
- NCCIH says aromatherapy with lavender oil is considered possibly safe but may cause headache or coughing, and topical lavender products may cause allergic skin reactions in some people.[1]
- The NHS says insomnia usually gets better by changing sleeping habits, and it includes having a comfortable mattress, pillows and covers.[4]
- Only the Malouf, Seedollia, Sutera and Sonoma products are lavender-scented. The Evolive and Smilease pillows are lavender-colored, and the Sleep Touch Lavender is unscented.
- Treat the scent as a pleasant extra, not a treatment.
Key Specs
| No. | Product | Type | Fill / material | Cover | Sizes | Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malouf Z Zoned | Pillow | – | Tencel lyocell mesh | Queen 29 x 16 in | – |
| 2 | Evolive Question Mark | Neck pillow | – | Velvet | 24 x 15 in | Spot clean |
| 3 | Sleep Touch Lavender | Shredded memory foam pillow | Shredded memory foam | Polyester and bamboo rayon blend | Queen | Removable cover, machine washable |
| 4 | Sonoma Lavender Classic | Heated neck pillow | – | – | 15 x 15 x 1 in | Removable cover, machine washable |
| 5 | Smilease Cooling | Pillow | – | Ice silk | Standard 20 x 26 in | Machine washable |
| 6 | Seedollia Lavender Cervical | Memory foam pillow | Memory foam | – | 3.9 in height | – |
| 7 | Sutera Zen | Memory foam pillow | Memory foam | – | – | – |
– = not stated by the maker. Specs as stated by the maker, not tested by us.
How Lavender Pillows Are Made
Lavender pillows add scent in one of three ways.
- Oil in the Foam – Lavender essential oil is blended into memory foam during manufacture. The Malouf, Seedollia and Sutera pillows work this way.
- Dried Lavender – A removable insert holds dried lavender buds, often with flaxseed. The Sonoma Lavender neck wrap uses an insert.
- Scented Cover or Spray – A spritzer or sachet adds scent to a plain pillow. The Malouf comes with a 2 ml spritzer.
NCCIH describes aromatherapy as the use of essential oils from plants, most often inhaled or applied diluted to the skin.[2] A foam pillow is the inhaled route.
What the Research Says About Lavender and Sleep
NCCIH says studies have been done on lavender for many conditions, but more high-quality research is needed. It says it is unclear whether aromatherapy with lavender oil helps anxiety, stress, some types of pain, sleep quality or insomnia, though some people report feeling a sense of improved quality of life.[1]
On aromatherapy for insomnia, NCCIH says it does not know whether it is helpful because little rigorous research has been done.[2]
NCCIH also says lavender might interact with some sedative drugs or herbs, and that little is known about its safety in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you take any medicine, talk with your health care provider before using lavender.[1]
How to Choose a Lavender Pillow
- Scent Source – Check whether the lavender is oil in the foam, dried buds or only a color name. Several pillows here carry Lavender in the name without scent.
- Support – Match the pillow to your sleep position. The NHS says to make sure your mattress, pillows and covers are comfortable.[4]
- Cover – The FTC says soft bamboo fabric is usually rayon or viscose, and that there is no evidence it is naturally antibacterial.[3] A removable, washable cover is easiest to keep clean.
- Size – Queen and Standard pillows are for sleeping. Neck wraps and shaped travel pillows are not.
- Sensitivity – If you react to fragrance, choose the unscented option or keep the scented pillow away from your face.
- Budget – Compare price against what you want from the pillow, not just the scent.
For a spray version, see our guide to lavender pillow sprays.
How We Chose These Pillows
These picks come from desk research. We compared product details such as materials, size, care and certifications. We did not test the pillows ourselves.
We looked at these factors:
- Scent Source – Lavender oil, dried lavender, or none.
- Type – Sleeping pillow, travel pillow or heated neck wrap.
- Cover – Fabric and whether it is removable.
- Size – Stated dimensions.
- Care – Washing directions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Lavender Pillows
- Do lavender pillows help you sleep?
NCCIH says it is unclear whether lavender aromatherapy helps sleep quality or insomnia, and it says more high-quality research is needed.[1] - Is a lavender pillow safe?
NCCIH says aromatherapy with lavender oil is considered possibly safe, and that it may cause headache or coughing. Topical lavender products may cause allergic skin reactions.[1] - Does a lavender pillow keep insects or dust mites away?
The sources we cite do not say it does, so we do not make that claim. - Is lavender safe in pregnancy?
NCCIH says little is known about whether lavender is safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.[1] - How do I wash a lavender pillow?
Follow the care label. Foam pillows usually need a removable cover wash and a spot clean, and a dried-lavender insert must stay dry. - What else helps me sleep?
The NHS suggests going to bed only when sleepy, relaxing for an hour before bed and keeping your bedroom dark and quiet. It says to see a GP if sleep problems last months.[4]
Our Picks: Lavender Pillows
Here are seven products to compare by scent source, type and size. We hope you love the products we recommend!
We may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. This does not change your price.
1
Malouf® Z Zoned Lavender Oil Infused Contoured Pillow
Currently unavailable
The Malouf Z Zoned is a Queen mid-loft pillow, 29 x 16 inches, infused with natural lavender oil, with a Tencel mesh cover.
- A zoned design supports the neck, and a 2 ml spritzer is included to refresh the scent.
- The cover is a Tencel lyocell mesh, and the pillow has a 5-year warranty against defects.
2
Evolive® Question Mark Question Mark Velvet Neck Pillow
Currently unavailable
The Evolive Question Mark is a curved neck pillow, 24 x 15 inches, with a 100% polyester velvet cover. Lavender is its color, not a scent.
- It is a lounge pillow for a couch, chair or travel, and it has a hand rest at the bottom.
- It ships vacuum-packed, so give it time to expand.
3
Sleep Touch® Lavender Unscented Adjustable Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
Currently unavailable
The Sleep Touch Lavender is a Queen size adjustable shredded memory foam pillow. Lavender is its name, and the pillow is unscented.
- The cover is 70% polyester and 30% viscose from bamboo, and it is removable and machine washable.
- The foam is CertiPUR-US certified and the pillow is GREENGUARD Gold certified.
4
Sonoma Lavender® Classic Microwaveable Lavender and Flaxseed Neck Wrap
Currently unavailable
The Sonoma Lavender is a microwaveable neck pillow that holds a removable insert of dried lavender buds and flaxseed.
- Heat it in the microwave or chill it in the freezer; follow the heating directions on the label.
- Wash the cover in cold water and keep the insert dry. This is a neck wrap, not a sleeping pillow.
5
Smilease® Cooling Cooling Ice Silk Cloud Pillow
Currently unavailable
The Smilease Cooling is a Standard size cloud-style pillow, 20 x 26 inches, with a quilted grid and a cooling ice silk cover. Lavender is its color, not a scent.
- The whole pillow is machine washable on a gentle cold cycle and can be dried on low heat.
- Fluff it regularly to restore its loft.
6
Seedollia® Lavender Cervical Lavender-Scented Contoured Memory Foam Pillow
Currently unavailable
The Seedollia Lavender is a contoured memory foam pillow, 3.9 inches high, with lavender essential oil blended into the foam.
- The dual-height wave shape is made for side and back sleepers, and airflow channels run through the surface.
- A TPU-coated inner cover lets you adjust how strongly the aroma comes through.
7
Sutera® Zen Lavender Oil Infused Memory Foam Pillow
Currently unavailable
The Sutera Lavender Zen is a memory foam pillow with lavender essential oil added to the foam and microchannel airflow through it.
- It is made for back, side and stomach sleepers.
- The size is not stated in the product data we have, so check it before you buy.
Index Table: Lavender Pillows
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malouf Z Zoned - Lavender Oil Infused Contoured Pillow |  |
| Malouf |
| 2 | Evolive Question Mark - Question Mark Velvet Neck Pillow |  |
| Evolive |
| 3 | Sleep Touch Lavender - Unscented Adjustable Shredded Memory Foam Pillow |  |
| Sleep Touch |
| 4 | Sonoma Lavender Classic - Microwaveable Lavender and Flaxseed Neck Wrap |  |
| Sonoma Lavender |
| 5 | Smilease Cooling - Cooling Ice Silk Cloud Pillow |  |
| Smilease |
| 6 | Seedollia Lavender Cervical - Lavender-Scented Contoured Memory Foam Pillow |  |
| Seedollia |
| 7 | Sutera Zen - Lavender Oil Infused Memory Foam Pillow |  |
| Sutera |
Sources
- NCCIH (National Institutes of Health). Lavender. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- NCCIH (National Institutes of Health). Aromatherapy. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC). ‘Bamboo’ Fabrics. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- National Health Service (NHS). Insomnia. Accessed October 27, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the article around NCCIH lavender and aromatherapy pages and NHS insomnia advice, removed the unsupported claims that lavender pillows relieve pain and migraines, improve breathing, repel insects and mites, or are hypoallergenic, replaced the dead FTC link, rewrote all seven product notes, corrected the Key Specs (three products carry the lavender name without a lavender scent, and one is a heated neck wrap), and added a disclaimer line, a takeaways box, How We Chose and an FAQ
- Oct 2026: Replaced unavailable products: SensoPEDIC Standard Pillow with Malouf Z Zoned Pillow; Samiral Memory Foam Pillow with Evolive Question Mark Pillow; Lucid Scented Pillow with Sleep Touch Lavender Pillow; Brookstone BioSense Pillow with Sonoma Lavender Classic Pillow; Perfect Cloud Bliss Pillow with Smilease Cooling Pillow; SensorPEDIC Wellness Collection Pillow with Seedollia Lavender Cervical Pillow
- Oct 2026: Removed Shluf Bamboo Pillow (unavailable)
- Oct 2026: Added a Key Specs comparison table and a Sources section
- Mar 2022: Published
