The 8 Best Cooling Pillows for a Good Night’s Sleep
Updated: May 29, 2024
Hot sleeper? A cooling pillow is the stuff dreams are made of.
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We’ve all been there: tossing and turning because you’re hot and constantly flipping over your pillow to find a cool spot. While this is a common complaint in the summer, it can be a year-round problem for some hot sleepers. Luckily, there’s an easy solution to banishing sweaty, sleepless nights forever: purchasing the best cooling pillow you can find. “If we’re too warm, it makes it harder for us to sleep,” says Christine Stevens, a sleep consultant based in Washington D.C. “Cooling pillows help to absorb heat from our bodies while we sleep.”
In addition to swapping out your regular bedding for a lightweight comforter and cooling bed sheets, a cooling gel pillow or cooling memory foam pillow can take your dreams to a whole new level. These little miracle workers are specifically designed to draw heat away from your body and increase airflow, which reduces heat retention and provides you with a colder surface to rest on. Once you’ve found the pillow of your dreams, check out the best weighted blankets, weighted eye masks, nontoxic mattresses and bed cooling systems for an even more restful slumber.
Best overall cooling pillow
Tempur-Pedic Breeze° Pro+ Advanced Cooling Pillow
Pros:
- Has dual-sided cooling gel
- Adapts to your head and neck
- Comes in two loft levels and two sizes
- Has a washable cover
Cons:
- Firm style may not be ideal for all sleepers
Out of all of the options available, this Tempur-Pedic cooling pillow gets our vote as the overall best cooling pillow for several reasons. For starters, you can get it in two different loft levels. The ProLo is 5 inches thick and ideal for back sleepers while the ProHi works best for side sleepers—since it promotes spinal alignment and prevents pressure buildup around the shoulders and neck.
Both options work some serious cooling magic. Their removable (and washable) covers are made of SmartClimate fabric that has a cool-to-the-touch feel, and the pillows themselves boast cooling gel layers that surround the foam, drawing heat away from your body and helping you stay comfortable on even the hottest nights. After you check this pillow out, read this review of the Pillow Cube—it’s a game-changer for side sleepers!
Best gel cooling pillow
Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillows
Pros:
- Crafted with a super plush gel fiber
- Hypoallergenic design for the sensitive sleeper
- Hotel quality at an affordable price
Cons:
- Soft style and high loft may not suit everyone
If the more than 150,000 five-star ratings on Amazon don’t convince you that this is the best cooling gel pillow on the market, we don’t know what will! As numerous happy customers note, these luxe, hypoallergenic pillows from the Beckham Hotel Collection are as comfy as the pillows you’d find at a fancy hotel—even though the $40 price tag is anything but bougie.
Five-star reviewer, Taylor, says, “I absolutely love these pillows. They actually feel like you are laying on a cloud. I have spent hundreds on brand-name memory foam pillows that failed to relieve my neck pain—these pillows made that pain go away immediately.” And here’s the clincher: They’re filled with gel-coated microfibers that promote cooling, as well as made with breathable cotton, so they’ll help regulate your body temperature.
Best memory foam cooling pillow
Coop Home Goods Eden Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
Pros:
- Customizable level of firmness
- Eco-conscious, vegan and cruelty-free
- Trial and warranty included
Cons:
- Slight chemical smell on arrival, which may be fixed with sunlight
Have you sworn off memory foam pillows because they’re dense, heavy and hot? Not so fast—you just haven’t met the right cooling memory foam pillow. Over 11,000 five-star ratings say enough about the Coop Home Goods shredded memory foam model. Kim C. writes it’s the only one she’s found that doesn’t retain heat: “As we all know, memory foam holds heat too well. I assumed all memory foam was like that, so I put up with it. I don’t get that at all with the Eden version. I’m a hot sleeper, but I haven’t had any issue with it at all.” (Speaking of, these other cooling products for hot sleepers are the stuff dreams are made of.)
This pillow’s cooling power lies in its gel-infused blue foam and microfiber blend, which you can customize depending on how firm you want it to be. It also comes with an eco-friendly and cooling bamboo-derived cover. Not only does it prevent overheating, it’s also CertiPUR-US-certified and Greenguard Gold-certified, meaning it meets rigorous third-party chemical emissions standards, so you won’t be snuggling up next to harmful chemicals. This USA-made pillow is so good, the company even provides a 100-night trial and five-year warranty for it. Psst—this ear pillow is a dream come true for anyone who likes to go to sleep with their earphones plugged in.
Best cooling pillow for side sleepers
Z Gel Dough L-Shape Pillow
Pros:
- L-shape design cradles side sleepers’ heads
- Supportive style provides neck and back support
- Dissipates heat to regulate temperature
Cons:
- Expensive
- Only available in one size
There’s a good chance you’ve never seen a cooling pillow like this one before, but if you’re a side sleeper, you should get acquainted with it—quickly. Made out of Dough memory foam and a cooling gel bead formula, this pillow boasts an L-shape design that provides head, neck and shoulder support—all things side sleepers need.
The ergonomic design eliminates the need for multiple pillows, and it can even be a helpful tool for expecting moms to sleep comfortably. Here are some other best pillows for side sleepers.
Most comfortable cooling pillow
Bear Contour Pillow
Pros:
- The cutout contours to the curves of the head, neck and spine
- Design works to alleviate snoring
- Made with Cool-to-the-touch ICE Fabric
Cons:
- Unique shape may take some work to fit into a pillowcase
This contour pillow from Bear is made with a fill that’s composed of plush down and alternative fibers, so heat won’t get trapped inside. To help keep the pillow even cooler, its cover is made of proprietary ICE fabric, which feels cool to the touch.
Now you’re probably wondering about that cutout. It has nothing to do with the pillow’s cooling properties, but everything to do with comfort. This clever feature ensures that your shoulders and neck stay aligned with the rest of your spine when sleeping on your side. While you’re shopping, check out our Bear Mattress review and these other sleep products Amazon reviewers adore.
Best organic cooling pillow
Birch Organic Pillow
Pros:
- Eco-friendly, natural and ethical option
- Cruelty-free and sustainable
- Soft and breathable
Cons:
- Not as cooling for long, hot nights as some synthetic options
How does organic cotton, wool and natural latex sound? If you’re concerned about chemicals and looking for something eco-friendly, natural and ethically sourced, it should sound pretty good! Thanks to those ingredients, this sustainably sourced Birch pillow—which is Greenguard Gold-, GOTS-, OEKO-TEX- and eco-INSTITUT-certified—will keep you as cool as a cucumber. If you want to get technical, here’s how it works: Its core contains natural and shredded Talalay latex, and its outer chamber has organic wool (which is naturally cooling) to cushion it. Give this luxurious organic pillow the covering it deserves with one of these best silk pillowcases.
Best latex cooling pillow
Purple Harmony Pillow
Pros:
- Made of hypoallergenic ventilated latex
- Wrapped in moisture-wicking mesh material
- Has a 100-night trial and one-year warranty
Cons:
- Support wanes over time with prolonged use
Is this the greatest pillow ever invented? Purple sure thinks so, and actually calls the Harmony Pillow that on its website. We won’t disagree—and neither do the more than 8,700 five-star reviewers who love the innovative design of this cooling pillow. A hypoallergenic Talalay latex core is surrounded by its famous Purple Grid material, which comfortably cushions your head and neck. That special combo also provides loads of ventilation, which keeps the pillow from holding onto heat.
On top of that, this cooling pillow is also wrapped in a moisture-wicking Breeze Mesh material to keep sweat far, far away. While you’re busy dreaming of your new pillow, take a moment to check out our guide to finding the best hybrid mattress of your dreams.
Longest-lasting cooling pillow
Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology
Pros:
- Stays cool for 12+ hours
- Has three layers of supportive foam
- Designed to help keep your head and neck properly aligned
Cons:
- Expensive
- Not fully washable
This cooling foam pillow with Snow Technology from Casper brings a refreshing taste of winter to your bed—even in the heat of summer. With cutting-edge technology, including perforated foam, HeatDelete Bands and phase change material that works to expel heat, this pillow guarantees you a night of comfort. The ergonomic design ensures proper alignment of your neck and spine while you rest, and the pillow’s pleasant feel will keep you hooked night after night. For a full bedroom revamp, why not look into the best boxed bed for your sleep style?
What to look for when buying a cooling pillow
- Cover: Look for pillows that are covered with breathable, moisture-wicking materials like mesh, natural fabrics like bamboo and hemp or cooling fabric blends like Tencel.
- Fill: If you like a foam-based or fiber-filled pillow, make sure it includes layers of cooling gel or gel-infused memory foam. Natural latex pillows are another popular option, as latex is known for its breathability.
- Support: Determine if soft, medium or firm pillows give you the support you need to be comfortable.
Why you should trust us
With more than 15 years of experience as a national magazine editor for brands such as Parents and HGTV Magazine, I have extensive knowledge in home and cleaning topics. My work for Reader’s Digest, Better Homes & Gardens and other publications has allowed me to write about hundreds of different products, which has honed my ability to identify top-quality items. I bring a unique perspective and deep understanding of consumer needs to my writing, ensuring that my recommendations are both informed and practical.
For this article, we also consulted Christine Stevens, founder of Sleep Solutions by Christine. Stevens is dedicated to helping families find tailored sleep solutions that meet their unique needs. She understands the importance of selecting the perfect pillow as a crucial step in this process. With her expertise and experience in sleep solutions, Stevens provided valuable insights to help us identify what makes an excellent cooling pillow and select the best options on the market.
How we found the best cooling pillows
We understand the struggle of getting a good night’s sleep as a hot sleeper. That’s why our editors have rigorously tested various cooling products, including mattresses, mattress toppers, sheets, blankets, comforters and bed cooling systems. Pillows are just as important as mattresses for catching some quality Z’s. To identify the best cooling pillows, we consulted with experts, meticulously analyzed customer reviews, and, of course, slept on them ourselves to see how they stack up.
FAQ
How long do cooling pillows last?
This depends on the quality of the pillow and the quality of care. Latex pillows are known for their longevity, lasting up to 10 years. Down and feather pillows can last for several years if cared for properly (check out our guide on how to wash pillows the right way), while foam and synthetic fills have a shorter lifespan.
Memory foam pillows last longer than standard foam pillows, but again, their overall lifespan depends on the quality of the material and the quality of care. Pillow protectors will extend the life of your pillows by shielding them from natural oils and dust mites.
Do cooling pillows stay cold?
How long a cooling pillow stays cool depends on the specific pillow and how it is made. Gel or phase change materials absorb and store heat, creating a cooling sensation that lasts for hours. Other cooling pillows use breathable materials or a design that allows for airflow, causing heat to dissipate. These pillows will stay cold as long as the room is cold.
Originally Published: February 06, 2023
