Allergies and asthma often go together. The NHS says asthma symptoms can be triggered by something you are allergic to, such as pollen, dust, mould or animals.[4] The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) calls dust mites one of the most common triggers of year-round allergies and allergic asthma.[1]
You spend about a third of your life with your face on a pillow, so the pillow and its cover are worth a look. This guide covers what builds up in a pillow, what the health agencies advise, and six pillows that are in stock on the web US. For an even wider choice, see our guide to hypoallergenic pillows.

Allergies and asthma pillow basics
- Dust mites live in nearly every home, however clean, and they feed on the skin flakes that collect in bedding.[1]
- AAFA advises zippered allergen-barrier covers on pillows and mattresses, a weekly wash of sheets and blankets in water at 130°F or hotter, and new pillows every 2 years.[1]
- NIEHS recommends humidity at or below 50 percent and swapping wool or feather bedding for synthetic materials.[3]
- Encasings stay zipped, and your regular sheets and pillowcases go on top. An encasing is one part of an allergen avoidance plan, not the whole plan.[2]
- Of the six pillows below, only the Mission: Allergy is sold as a dust mite and allergen barrier. Pair the other five with a zippered allergen-barrier pillow cover.
Key Specs
| No. | Product | Type | Fill / material | Cover | Sizes | Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tempur Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud | Memory foam pillow | TEMPUR-Material | Quilted cotton, removable | Queen, 27 x 19 x 6.4 in | Cover is machine washable |
| 2 | Casper Essential | Down-alternative pillow | Down alternative | 100% cotton percale | King | – |
| 3 | Fern and Willow Premium Set | Down-alternative pillow | Gel down alternative, adjustable | – | 26 x 20 in, set of 2 | Machine washable |
| 4 | Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable | Memory foam pillow | Cross-cut memory foam and microfiber | Lulltra fabric | Queen | – |
| 5 | Mission Dust Mite Proof | Allergen-barrier pillow | ComfortFill microfiber, 20 oz | Tightly woven microfiber | Standard, 20 x 26 in | – |
| 6 | DreamField Bamboo Rayon Set | Shredded memory foam pillow | Shredded memory foam | 60% polyester, 40% rayon from bamboo | Queen, set of 2 | Cover is removable and washable |
– = not stated by the maker. Specs as stated by the maker, not tested by us.
Asthma and Allergies
An allergy is your body reacting to something that is normally harmless. The NHS lists house dust mites, pollen, animals such as cats and dogs, and foods among the common allergens.[5] Symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, wheezing and breathlessness.[5]
Asthma is a separate condition that affects breathing, and the NHS says it cannot currently be cured, although well-treated asthma should not cause symptoms. Triggers include exercise, air pollution, cold air and contact with something you are allergic to.[4] Not all asthma is allergic, so knowing your own triggers matters. A doctor can test for them.[1]
Asthma and Allergy Triggers in Your Pillow
- Dust Mites – These microscopic pests are about a quarter to a third of a millimeter long. They feed mainly on the skin flakes we shed each day, and they thrive at about 70°F and above and at humidity over 50 percent. Pillows and mattresses are where those flakes collect.[1] NIEHS says dust mites are a big source of allergens that can worsen allergies and asthma.[3]
- Down and Feather Fill – AAFA lists down-filled covers, pillows and blankets among the fabrics dust mites love.[1] NIEHS advises replacing wool and feathered bedding with synthetic materials.[3] If you are allergic to birds, a feather pillow is a poor fit anyway.
- Pollen and Animal Dander – The NHS lists pollen and pets such as cats and dogs among the common allergens.[5] Washing your bedding weekly and keeping pets off the bed cuts what collects there.
- Old Pillows – AAFA advises replacing pillows every 2 years, because pillows collect dead skin cells, dust mites and their debris over time.[1]
What Helps with Pillow Allergens
- Zippered Allergen-Barrier Covers – AAFA says the fabric has pores too small to let dust mites and their waste through, and it points to the Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly mark.[1] Cover every pillow and bed in the sleeping area.[2]
- Hot Washes – Wash sheets, blankets and pillowcases weekly in water at least 130°F. NIEHS gives a range of 130 to 140°F.[1][3] Even covered pillows can host mites in the bedding on top.[1]
- Dry Air – Keep humidity between 30 and 50 percent with a dehumidifier or air conditioner.[1]
- Air the Bed – Leave the bed unmade during the day so it airs out.[1]
- Medicine and Testing – Avoidance works alongside medicine. Antihistamines and corticosteroid nasal sprays treat symptoms, and a doctor can set up testing or immunotherapy.[1]
Features of a Good Allergies and Asthma Pillow

- Barrier Fabric or Cover – This is the feature with the most support from AAFA, so look for a pillow with a tightly woven allergen-barrier shell or add a zippered cover to the pillow you already like.[1]
- Washable Parts – A removable, machine-washable cover lets you do the weekly hot wash that AAFA advises. Check the care label for the maximum water temperature.[1]
- Synthetic or Foam Fill – Choose down alternative, microfiber or shredded memory foam over down and feathers.[1][3]
- Honest Cover Labels – Many covers sold as bamboo are rayon. The FTC says a textile made from bamboo cellulose is rayon, and any claim about natural antimicrobial properties needs scientific proof.[6] A rayon from bamboo cover is soft and breathable, but it is not a dust mite barrier.
How We Chose These Pillows
These picks come from research. We compared the makers’ specifications, the The web product pages and buyer feedback, and we checked that every pick is in stock on the web US. We did not test the pillows ourselves.
We looked at these factors:
- Barrier Fabric – Whether the pillow has an allergen-barrier shell, or works with a zippered cover.
- Washability – Whether the cover or the whole pillow goes in the washer.
- Fill – Down alternative, microfiber, memory foam or cross-cut foam rather than down or feathers.
- Fit – The loft and firmness for your sleeping position, and whether you can adjust the fill.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Pillows for Allergies and Asthma
- Which pillow is best for allergies and asthma?
A pillow with a tightly woven allergen-barrier shell or a zippered allergen-barrier cover, in a synthetic or foam fill that you can wash. AAFA advises covers on all pillows and mattresses.[1] Of the pillows here, the Mission: Allergy is the one sold as a dust mite and allergen barrier. - How often should I replace my pillow if I have allergies?
AAFA advises replacing pillows every 2 years and mattresses every 10 years.[1]
Our Picks: Allergies and Asthma Pillows
Here are six pillows that are in stock on the web US. We hope you find the right pillow for your allergies and asthma.
We may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. This does not change your price.
1
Tempur Pedic® TEMPUR-Cloud Dual Cooling Memory Foam Pillow
The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud is a queen pillow made from one piece of extra-soft TEMPUR-Material, with a cooling gel layer on both sides.
- The medium profile suits side, back and stomach sleepers, and it measures 27 x 19 x 6.4 inches.
- The quilted cotton cover is removable and machine washable.
- The foam is CertiPUR-US certified, and the pillow carries a 5-year limited warranty.
2
Casper® Essential Down-Alternative Three-Chamber Pillow
The Casper Essential is a king down-alternative pillow with a three-chamber design that keeps the fill in place.
- The medium-soft feel works for side, back and stomach sleepers.
- The cover is crisp 100% cotton percale.
- You can fluff it back to shape, so it keeps its loft through the night.
3
Fern and Willow® Premium Set Gel Down-Alternative Pillow Pair
The Fern and Willow Premium is a set of two 26 x 20 inch pillows filled with gel down alternative, for side, back and stomach sleepers.
- A zipper opens the cover so you can remove fill to set the loft.
- The pillows are machine washable, and the seller says to air dry them thoroughly.
- Piping runs along the edge for a tailored look.
4
Coop Home Goods® Original Adjustable Cross-Cut Memory Foam Pillow
The Coop Home Goods Original is an adjustable queen pillow filled with a blend of cross-cut memory foam and microfiber.
- You add or remove fill to change the firmness, and an extra bag of fill comes in the box.
- The foam is CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD Gold certified.
- The Lulltra fabric cover is breathable, and the foam is new, not recycled.
5
Mission® Dust Mite Proof ComfortFill Allergen-Proof Pillow
The Mission: Allergy Dust Mite Proof is a standard pillow with a tightly woven microfiber shell that is sold as a dust mite and allergen barrier.
- Mission: Allergy states that Indoor Biotechnologies tested the fabric and that it blocks dust mite and animal dander allergens. Because the shell is the barrier, you do not need a separate encasing.
- The fabric is air and water vapor permeable, and the pillow is made in the USA.
- ComfortFill gives it a slightly firmer feel.
6
DreamField® Bamboo Rayon Set Adjustable Shredded Foam Pillow Pair
The DreamField Linen Bamboo Rayon Set is a pair of queen pillows filled with shredded memory foam, with a zippered cover of polyester and rayon from bamboo.
- The cover is removable and washable.
- You adjust the loft by adding or removing fill.
- It is made for back, side and stomach sleepers.
Index Table: Allergies and Asthma Pillows
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tempur Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud - Dual Cooling Memory Foam Pillow | ![]() |
| Tempur Pedic |
| 2 | Casper Essential - Down-Alternative Three-Chamber Pillow | ![]() |
| Casper |
| 3 | Fern and Willow Premium Set - Gel Down-Alternative Pillow Pair | ![]() |
| Fern and Willow |
| 4 | Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable - Cross-Cut Memory Foam Pillow | ![]() |
| Coop Home Goods |
| 5 | Mission Dust Mite Proof - ComfortFill Allergen-Proof Pillow | ![]() |
| Mission |
| 6 | DreamField Bamboo Rayon Set - Adjustable Shredded Foam Pillow Pair | ![]() |
| DreamField |
Sources
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). Dust Mite Allergy. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, New England Chapter. Allergy Control Products. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). Dust Mites. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- National Health Service (NHS). Asthma. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- National Health Service (NHS). Allergies. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC). How to Avoid Bamboozling Your Customers. Accessed October 27, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the article around AAFA, NIEHS and NHS guidance on dust mites, allergens and asthma, replaced the unsourced trigger percentages and the Poland and mold claims, rewrote all six product notes and added a disclaimer, a takeaways box, How We Chose and an FAQ
- Oct 2026: Replaced the Sources with six reviewed pages
- Oct 2026: Added a Key Specs comparison table and a Sources section
- Jan 2023: Published











