I’ve spent a long time researching the best bamboo pillows on the market, so I was very excited when my choice arrived at my door. The only downside was that it didn’t include a bamboo pillowcase!
My aim is to replace as many of my household products as possible with more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. That’s why I decided to do another deep dive to find, review, and rank the best bamboo pillowcases available online.
Cool and comfy sleep is here!
Every pillowcase in the Resort Bamboo range is made from 100% bamboo viscose. When shopping around, I found that there were many synthetic blends on the market. But I was seeking 100% viscose as these pillowcases have the cool and breathable properties that natural bamboo products deliver.
The moisture-wicking properties of these pillowcases make for a cooler night’s sleep as moisture and odor are drawn away from your skin.
Besides keeping your face and neck cool on those warm nights, the softness of the material is luxurious. That's because of the plush sateen finish.
For those of you, like myself, who enjoy changing up the color palette of the bedroom from time to time (sometimes you don’t need a holiday, just some new linen!) you will likely appreciate the variety of colors options that the Resort Bamboo Pillowcase range is available in. The four different colors - Almond Truffle, Blue Lagoon, Ivory, and Tahitian Breeze are easy on the eye.
If you're like me and you enjoy adding a splash of seasonal color and personality to your bedroom, then I highly recommend this range.
Bamboo is a more sustainable material but it’s not perfect and should NOT be used as a synonym for “eco-friendly”. Ultimately, it depends on the processes used but what we do know is that of the different types of bamboo processing, bamboo lyocell is the most eco-friendly option - resulting in minimal energy, chemicals and water wastage!
Lyocell is exactly what this pillowcase set is made of. Ettitude takes sustainability seriously, so it was amazing to get my hands on their 100% organic bamboo pillowcase set - and once I did it took a REALLY LONG TIME to want to let go.
This is because the material is uber-soft to the touch, honestly very close to the feeling of silk. The soft luxury of this set is an absolute winner in my book. The fact that it’s also good for the environment AND not one of the more expensive options make this an all-round winner as far as I’m concerned.
I also appreciated the little touch of pre-washing and providing the pillowcases in a cute little drawstring bag. They even made it from scrap fabric - as if their sustainable credentials weren’t stellar enough.
They come in a range of elegant looking colors namely, Feather White, Sand, Sage, Grey, Blue Nights, Starlight Blue, Cloud Pink, Starlight Blue Stripes, and Grey Stripes.
The cases are available in standard and king sizes.
The first thing I noticed about the Cariloha Classic Bamboo Pillowcase is the twill weave construction. It’s sophisticated and easy on the eye - you’ll want to make new friends just so you can give them a tour of your place and show off those gorgeous pillows.
But the Classic is not just a good-looker - it feels amazing to the touch too. The 100% bamboo viscose is soft against the skin. Even at the first touch I could feel the natural cooling of the bamboo fiber under my fingertips.
Three degrees cooler than cotton might not sound like a lot, but these are the margins that make all the difference between restlessness nights and deep satisfying sleep. This extra coolness, plus the natural breathability of bamboo, equals a better, more restful sleep.
You’ll wake up fresher because this pillowcase wicks away the moisture of night sweats, so it naturally dispels any odors.
You can get the Classic Bamboo Pillowcase range from Cariloha in standard or king size. It’s available in three different colors - Ivory, Sage and White. Just note - “white” is more of an “off-white” than a classic white.
Sustainability and luxury can go hand-in-hand. If you’ve got a budget and are looking for only the best, then the Caro Home Rayon From Bamboo Pillowcase set is the one for you.
I loved the sherry stitch finish on the cuffs of these pillowcases. It gives it that boutique chic flair. You may be able to find bamboo pillowcases with a higher thread count than the 250 t/c of this set of two, but there is some kind of alchemy going on with the plain weave of these pillowcases. To me, they feel plusher than the thread count as advertised.
Even though it feels as delicate as a fairy’s wings, these pillowcases are machine washable and safe to use in the dryer.
Of course, they also tick all the boxes in terms of giving you what you want from a bamboo pillowcase. The material is cool on the skin through the night, the fabric is hypoallergenic, and the pillowcase is breathable and airy.
This pillowcase set is available in six colors - Ivory, Black Pearl, Hemp, Sea Glass, Sky, and White. It also comes in two sizes - king size and standard.
Sometimes you can just feel the difference that a high thread count makes. The 100% bamboo viscose of Royal Hotel ABRIPEDIC Bamboo Pillowcases is tightly woven together and feels exactly like what the 600 thread count promises. It feels so silky, that I found myself absentmindedly touching the satin-feel material, just for the comforting feel of the silken cool textile under my fingertips.
The bamboo threads are densely packed together, adding to the moisture-wicking and cooling properties of this pillowcase. If you’re based in California (like myself) or other warm climates, this alone can really make all the difference to a night’s rest.
Despite feeling like a million dollars, it’s surprisingly good value for money - something I really appreciated. For daytime display, these pillowcases come in a variety of colors that will fit the individual style of your bedroom and personality. Choose from a big range of colors - white, ivory, sage, taupe, teal, gray, aqua, canvas and sea.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for washing very carefully. These pillowcases can only be machine washed in cold water and like most sensitive fabrics, need delicate care.
The first thing I noticed about these Bedsure bamboo pillowcases is that they come in a wide variety of colors and sizes. All told, there are twelve different colors to choose from - aqua blue, beige, black, blue fog, dark purple, grey, ivory, misty lilac, navy blue, silver grey, teal, and white.
If you can’t find a match for your bedroom aesthetic I would seriously have to wonder what your bedroom looks like!
There are shades that have a bit more personality. The more adventurous shades, like dark purple, aqua blue, and navy blue feel like a splash of fun. The black option brings out the soft sateen velvety finish to the eye even before you’ve touched it. Even if you’re looking for something a little less stand out, the teal, white or ivory shades compliment a cooler look for your bedroom.
I also liked that you didn’t have to break the bank to get these pillowcases. Out of all the pillowcases I reviewed, these were the most budget-friendly.
These pillowcases are also available in three different sizes, standard 20 x 26 inches, queen 20 x 30 inches, and king 20 x 40 inches.
The Bedsure Cream Cooling Pillowcases are still cool to the touch, but they do feel a little bit thinner compared to the alternatives. To me, they feel a little less resilient than other more expensive pillowcases, creasing more easily and not being as stain-resistant as I would have hoped them to be.
All things considered, these are the pillowcases if you want a cooler alternative to traditional cotton pillowcases, especially if you’re on a tight budget.
If you’re looking to live a more sustainable lifestyle AND get the benefits of a cooler night’s sleep, then a bamboo pillow cover is a doubly good choice to live a healthier, greener lifestyle. Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants, so it’s easier to replenish the natural stocks of bamboo. Bamboo also uses far less water than what it would take to cultivate the same amount of cotton fabric.
For centuries it’s been known for its cooling properties in southeast Asian climates with hot humid tropical nights. Bamboo fabric is much cooler and more breathable than cotton, perfect to cool your skin all year round - particularly on hot summer nights.
Bamboo fiber is hypoallergenic, so if you’re like me and suffer from allergies, it’s a no-brainer to rest your head for eight hours on a fabric that counteracts any allergens and irritants.
Bamboo is also naturally antibacterial. This is one of the reasons why it grows so quickly in nature. Your skin benefits from this natural antibacterial guard that is present in bamboo. Many varieties of bacteria and bugs that would ordinarily thrive on a common cotton pillowcase are zapped by the antibacterial properties of bamboo fiber.
Bamboo pillowcases are also good for your skin because they are less of an irritant on sensitive skin than coarser fabrics. Because bamboo pillow covers are smoother, so this means less friction against the soft skin of your face, preventing inflammation and skin irritation.
A cooler night's sleep means less sweat clumping up your hair. The moisture-wicking properties of bamboo fabric means that the sweat and odors of your night’s sleep are much more easily drawn away from your hair. Sleeping on a softer surface means fewer knots in hair when you wake up. Even if it saves you two minutes on your hair in the morning, those morning hair minutes truly add up if you're in a rush!
Bamboo is a very sensitive material, so you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when you’re washing it. With every wash, your bamboo pillowcase will become softer and much more delicate.
Generally, you should treat bamboo fiber as a delicate fabric. When machine washing, you should select the “gentle wash” option. Stay away from washing it at high heat - anything above 30 degrees runs the risk of your bamboo pillowcase shrinking.
When you’re drying your bamboo pillowcase, avoid direct sunlight. If you’re using a dryer, use the “low heat” mode.
For all the benefits of bamboo for yourself and for the environment, why stop at a bamboo pillowcase set? I wrote a similar guide to bamboo pillows and also one for bamboo sheets. When it comes to beauty sleep - once you go bamboo you never go back!
They are very similar and all can be used in bedding. Essentially, bamboo viscose is made from the pulp of bamboo whereas rayon is made from bamboo cellulose. Both undergo chemical processes to achieve the final output.
Lyocell is also made from pulp but undergoes less chemical treatments, making it the most sustainable option. It uses less energy, the least toxic chemicals, and the water can be reused. What little waste leftover is not at all harmful for the environment.
Having tested a bunch of bamboo bedding and pillows, it dawned on me how important the pillowcase is. After all, that’s what’s touching your skin. The cooling effect of a pillow is greatly diminished by a pillowcase that isn’t up to the job.
You’ll be glad to know there are plenty of great pillowcases out there.
For me, I think I’ll continue to use the Cariloha Resort and Ettitude Bamboo Lyocell sets primarily. They make snoozing a real luxury.
And I sleep better knowing that my bedding is a little bit more environmentally friendly. Every bit counts.
Sweet dreams!
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