Are eye pillows good for you?

Eye pillows provide many benefits, including headache relief, relaxation, and cushioning during yoga as it gently presses on key acupressure points. They are also helpful for blocking out light during sleep and meditation. There aren’t any risks for using an eye pillow, as long as it doesn’t obscure your vision while moving around. If you choose to use it for temperature therapy, make sure you have it at a safe temperature and use it for an appropriate amount of time.

Can you sleep with an eye pillow?

Yes, sleeping with an eye pillow is safe. There are even eye pillows made specifically for sleeping. They come in weighted and scented varieties that may make it easier for you to fall asleep.

The 11 Best Eye Pillows of 2022

Eye pillows are small pillows designed to comfortably cover your eyes. They offer an easy way to cushion your eyes during face-down yoga positions. Because they block out light, they can also be helpful for meditation, sleep, and general relaxation.

Some eye pillows are fragrant, some are wearable—equipped with a strap—, and some can be microwaved or frozen. No matter how you use an eye pillow, it should be comfortable enough to achieve your desired level of relaxation.

When choosing an eye pillow, you should focus on the filling, the fabric, and the temperature therapy. Style may come into play if you plan on wearing it in public, but the utility of the eye pillow is most important.

Here are the best eye pillows on the market, according to our research.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Nolava Designs Lotus Weighted Lavender Eye Pillow at Amazon

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Best Budget:

DreamTime Inner Peace Eye Pillow at Amazon

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Best for Yoga:

Gaiam Relax Restorative Eye Pillow at Amazon

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Best for Meditation:

emiana Yoga Eye Pillow at Amazon

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Best for Sleep:

Koamask Weighted Sleep Mask at Amazon

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Best for Travel:

MZOO Sleep Eye Mask at Amazon

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Best for Puffy Eyes:

Asutra Silk Eye Pillow at Amazon

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Best Weighted:

nodpod Weighted Sleep Mask at Amazon

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Best Compression:

Brownmed IMAK Eye Pillow at Amazon

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Best Aromatherapy:

Bodha Aromatherapy Eye Pillow at Anthropologie

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For

Amazon

If you're looking for a classic eye pillow, you can’t go wrong with the cotton-covered Lotus Weighted Lavender Eye Pillow. Filled with flaxseeds and lavender buds, the pillow offers gentle pressure and puts off a subtle lavender fragrance.

Microwave the pillow to use it as a heating pad, or place it in the freezer to use as a cold compress. The pillow is designed to block out ambient light when in use, making it a great pick for yoga, sleep, and general relaxation.

Price at time of publication: $22

Amazon

The DreamTime Inner Peace Eye Pillow may be a budget-friendly buy, but it’s just as luxurious as any other eye pillow. It's filled with flaxseeds and natural herbs, and since it’s lavender-free, it’s a particularly great pick for those craving an unscented experience.

The pillow comes inside a plush velvet cover, which is zipper-lined so that you can adjust the filling to fit your pressure preferences. You can freeze the pillow overnight to use it as a cold compress, or leave it as is—either way, it can make a great addition to your bedtime or self-care routine.

Price at time of publication: $19

Walmart

The Gaiam Relax Restorative Eye Pillow is designed to cushion your eyes during face-down yoga postures, like cobra and child’s pose. The satin offers a cooling sensation and the rice, lavender, and flaxseed filling adds some fragrance.

Designed for an experience that triggers all of your senses, the eye pillow can be used as a regular yoga accessory.

Price at time of publication: $15

Amazon

Eye pillows can make a lovely addition to a meditation routine, but they're often designed to be used while lying down. A majority of meditations are done while sitting, but the Emiana Weighted Eye Pillow comes with an adjustable head strap, making it a good choice for any pose.

The pillow is double-sided—coated in velvet and cooling satin. It also has a lavender and flaxseed filling that offers gentle pressure on your eyes. Thanks to the flaxseed, it can be safely heated in the microwave or frozen in the freezer.

Courtesy: Amazon

Classic eye pillows are rarely suitable for sleep because they fall off when you toss and turn in bed. The Koamask Weighted Eye compress offers a solution with the addition of weighted beads and a velcro closure.

With fleece on one side and cotton on the other, the mask eliminates any itchiness you may experience with a typical sleep mask. It can also be frozen, which may help hot sleepers achieve a good night's rest.

Price at time of publication: $25

Amazon

Many eye pillows are filled with rice, seeds, or beads, but the MZOO Sleep Eye Mask is lined with plush memory foam, meaning it will still feel cozy and comfortable, whether you’re lying down or sitting up.

The memory foam is designed to contour your face, giving you a custom fit that prevents light from sneaking in. Plus, the mask is fully adjustable—equipped with a buckle strap that helps it stay in place, whether you're sleeping, traveling, or meditating in an upright position.

Price at time of publication: $30

Amazon

Fully covered in soft silk, the Austra Silk Eye Pillow is luxurious, affordable, and free of toxic materials. Featuring a zippered exterior, you can opt for the classic lavender and flaxseed filling or the gel filling, simply by swapping one for the other.

The gel insert offers a cooling and soothing sensation, and if paired with the lavender buds and flaxseeds, will give you a scent-filled experience in addition to temperature therapy.

Price at time of publication: $22

Urban Outfitters

Crafted with four weighted microbead pods, the NodPod Weighted Sleep mask evenly distributes the mask weight across your face. It's lined with soft, cooling cotton on one side and warm fleece on the other.

The microbead filling offers a gentle, weighted pressure on your eyes, and the hollow ends will prevent the mask from getting in the way if you turn your head at night. Additionally, the jersey-knit exterior is machine-washable for easy care.

Price at time of publication: $34

Amazon

Designed by an orthopedic surgeon to provide relief from headaches, eyestrain, and sinus pain, this mask lends your eyes massaging comfort. It's filled with weighted beads and covered in soft, breathable cotton for a cooling effect.

Thanks to the ergonomic style, it conforms to your face, blocking out light and providing even compression. Plus, the elastic head strap keeps it secure, whether you're traveling, moving around, or sitting up.

Price at time of publication: $14.50

Covet + Lou

There are plenty of eye pillows filled with lavender buds, but the Bodha Aromatherapy Eye Pillow is filled with lavender flowers and chamomile flowers—a combination designed for restful sleep.

Included in the filling is buckwheat, which provides gentle pressure and texture. The soft linen and cotton cover is also made to keep the mask comfortable and cool.

Price at time of publication: $48

Amazon

If you prefer a fragrance-free option, this unscented eye pillow is a good pick. Filled with organic flaxseeds, the mask provides you with evenly distributed, gentle pressure. The brushed cotton exterior also comes in a variety of colors so you can customize it to fit your style.

Microwave- and freezer-friendly, the mask is perfect for those seeking temperature therapy. It also comes with packaging and care instructions, making it a good, hassle-free gift.

Price at time of publication: $19

Final Verdict

If you’re looking for a classic eye pillow, the Lotus Weighted Lavender Eye Pillow (view at Amazon) is a great pick. The pillow is cozy and subtly fragrant, and since it’s both freezer- and microwave-friendly, it's optimal for those in need of temperature therapy.

If you prefer an unscented eye pillow, the Eye Peacegoods Yoga Unscented Organic Flax Seed Eye Pillow (view at Amazon) is an excellent choice. The pillow is both freezer-friendly and microwave-safe. And you can choose one of nine colors to fit your style preference.

What to Look For in an Eye Pillow

Filling

All eye pillows are cushioned with something. Most are filled with flaxseeds, herbs, and fragrant lavender buds. But many others are filled with beads or gel. Consider when you plan to use your eye mask, and make sure the filling lends itself to the task.

Fabric

Many eye pillows come inside removable covers, and the covers can be made with soft cotton, smooth satin, or plush velvet. Opt for a textile that feels good to you, or choose an eye mask that comes lined with two different options.

Temperature Therapy

Eye masks may be microwave-friendly, freezer-friendly, both, or neither. If you plan to use yours as a heating pad or cold compress, double-check that it’s capable of being used that way. Warm eye masks are helpful for those seeking relaxation or relief from congestion and headaches. Hot sleepers are likely to benefit from cold ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are eye pillows good for you?

Eye pillows provide many benefits, including headache relief, relaxation, and cushioning during yoga as it gently presses on key acupressure points.
They are also helpful for blocking out light during sleep and meditation. There aren’t any risks for using an eye pillow, as long as it doesn’t obscure your vision while moving around. If you choose to use it for temperature therapy, make sure you have it at a safe temperature and use it for an appropriate amount of time.
Can you sleep with an eye pillow?

Yes, sleeping with an eye pillow is safe. There are even eye pillows made specifically for sleeping. They come in weighted and scented varieties that may make it easier for you to fall asleep.

Why Trust Verywell Mind

As a seasoned health and wellness writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them.