Best Cooling Pillows (2024), Expert Tested

What is a Cooling Pillow

A cooling pillow is specially designed with temperature-regulating features to help those who sleep hot achieve better rest. Cooling features vary among brands and can be included in the fill, cover, or both areas. Some pillows may feature cooling gel in the foam, particularly with memory foam, while others may use may utilize more breathable fabrics like cotton in the cover. These types of pillows can complement other cooling products like mattresses, toppers, and sheets.

Sleeping in a cold space is better for your quality of rest, so having bedding products that facilitate that would be a valuable investment in your health.

How To Choose A Cool/Cold Pillow

Cooling pillows come in many different designs, materials, and shapes. To help find the right pillow, you need to consider multiple product factors in addition to cooling features.

Price

The price of a pillow will be a significant factor for most shoppers, particularly those on a limited budget. Cooling pillows offer a more advanced design, and therefore, you are likely to encounter slightly higher prices than non-specialty pillows. Price varies, though, with some products below the 100-dollar mark and others well above it.

Additionally, the bigger the pillow size, the higher the price. While you may be concerned about paying a little more for this type of pillow, you should consider that it could have a positive impact on your quality of rest, which would make it a valuable investment since good sleep translates to better daily performance and overall health.

Sleeping Position

You should factor in your sleep position when pillow shopping. The reason for this is that certain pillows can be better for some positions, and you’ll want something that optimizes your neck alignment so you don’t wake up with any aches and pains.

For back and side sleepers, that’s usually a pillow with a medium-high loft and firmer support. Stomach sleepers, on the other hand, are better suited with flatter, softer pillows that ensure their head isn’t raised at an uncomfortable angle.

Adjustable pillows are a great option if you’re unsure or want the ability to customize your pillow. With an adjustable pillow, you can add or remove filling as needed to ensure a comfortable feel.

Cooling Properties

If you’re on this page, then cooling properties are likely a top priority. Cooling features are great for people who are prone to overheating at night or live in warmer climates.

Bedding companies vary in how they incorporate these features; they can be added into the fill, cover, or both. If this is important to you, look for pillows that explicitly say they have temperature-regulating properties. For those who are extra hot, having a pillow that has cooling mechanisms in both the fill and the cover might be the better option.

Firmness

Pillow firmness refers to how soft or hard the product feels as you rest on your head on it. Some people enjoy a pillow with more firm support that keeps their head lifted while others love the feel of sinking their head into a plush surface. While the ideal firmness will be unique to the individual sleeper, one way to help you narrow down options is to consider your sleep position.

Often, people who rest on their side or back like a firmer pillow that keeps their head and neck in better alignment, and stomach sleepers tend to opt for a softer pillow that sinks in more so their head isn’t raised too much as this could cause stiffness in the morning.

Pressure Relief

A pillow that contours the sleeper’s head and neck can deliver excellent pressure relief to alleviate tension in these areas. Pillows that typically provide better pressure relief have a soft to medium feel that still allows the individual’s head to sink into the pillow more. People who sleep in every position can benefit from a great pressure-relieving pillow, but back and stomach sleepers may want a pillow with a medium-firm feel so that the cradle is more of a gentle hug that still keeps their neck in good alignment.

Loft

Loft refers to how high or thick the pillow is, and it ranges from low to high. Selecting the right height is vital for ensuring good alignment; a loft that’s too high or low could leave you waking up with neck discomfort. That being said, it might be hard to know what’s right for you if you’re not able to test out the pillow in person. Generally, side and back sleepers should look at pillows with a medium loft while stomach sleepers should consider a low loft.

Another tip is to look at pillows with an adjustable fill, which gives you the added convenience of customizing your pillow’s height to your desired feel. You should also consider that the type of fill inside a pillow may affect the height, with some materials being more likely to flatten compared to others.

What Materials Go in a Cooling Pillow

Brands utilize an assortment of different materials to promote a cooler sleep space. These are located in the fill or the cover.

Internal Fill

• Latex – Latex is a great option because the material is temperature-neutral and won’t retain heat. Companies can manufacture synthetic or natural latex, though natural is the more eco-friendly option of the two. The primary factor to consider with latex is to make sure you don’t have an allergy to this material, as this could make matters worse. However, the material is hypoallergenic, so it’s great for keeping dust mites and bacteria at bay.
  

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• Memory Foam – Memory foam molds to the shape of your head and neck, relieving pressure points and providing firm support. They are denser and heavier than other types of pillows. Some contain shredded memory foam, which is lighter, more moldable, and tends to provide better airflow than solid foam, thus keeping you cooler. However, shredded foam is not as dense, so it may not give you the same level of support as standard memory foam.
  

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• Down and Down Alternatives – Down pillows are made using the inner features of geese and ducks. Though down is fluffy and soft, these pillows can be much more expensive than other options and some shoppers may feel they’re unethical because animals are used to make them. Down alternatives have grown in popularity as a more animal-friendly choice, usually containing cotton or a polyester fiber fill to provide a similar softness to traditional down. A down alternative pillow will also be cheaper, which is helpful for budget shoppers.
  

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• Buckwheat – Buckwheat is a breathable product containing thousands of processed husks, which are not easily compressed, so they provide firm support. Since buckwheat pillows have no synthetic cooling agents, they are often hypoallergenic, meaning they can be an excellent choice for people with allergies to synthetic materials. Buckwheat models cannot be washed, as the hulls will become damaged, but if the cover is removable, you could wash that.
  

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• Gel or Copper – Many cold pillows come with gel or copper in the fill, particularly with memory foam. The cooling performance of the gel depends a lot on the quality of the model. Gel models are not machine washable; you can wash them by hand and leave them to air dry.

Cover Material

• Cotton – Cotton is popular for its breathability, which is why it’s often used in the covers of cooling pillows. Cotton can also be a more sustainable material, with more and more companies utilizing organic cotton in their products, including pillows. People who have allergies can also enjoy cotton since it is hypoallergenic.
  

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• Phase Change Material – Some cooling options come with a phase change material, or PCM, which regulates your body temperature. PCM fabrics are designed to cool you down when you’re warm, and heat you up when you’re cold. These materials are usually used in conjunction with memory foam, which ruins if machine-washed. Therefore, these pillows should only be hand-washed.
  

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• Bamboo – Bamboo pillows usually consist of a soft bamboo outer layer with a contouring memory foam interior. Bamboo doesn’t retain heat, so it’s helpful for breathability. Bamboo-made covers can usually withstand machine washings.

Advantages of Owning The Coolest Pillow

The Cooling Effect

While there are lots of pillows on the market offering maximum comfort, a cooling pillow goes a step further. They can provide ultimate comfort as well as more relaxing sleep. They do this by keeping you cool throughout the night so you don’t wake up hot and sweaty.

Save Some Cash

If you have to use the air conditioner overnight, chances are you are running up some big electricity bills. By using a cold pillow, you can significantly reduce how much you use the air conditioner, thus saving cash and the environment.

Variety

Cooling pillows are popular on the market right now and, as we have seen, they come in all shapes and sizes. That means, whether you are looking for one that is hypoallergenic, made with memory foam, gusseted or classic, there is going to be one to suit you.

Other Factors To Consider

Design

You should choose a cooling pillow for your particular sleeping style. You could get the best one on the market, but if it’s not right for you, your sleep will be affected.

First of all, if you are a stomach sleeper, a thinner, soft model will be a better choice for you. For side and back sleepers, slightly firmer and medium-high pillows are usually a better choice, as they provide better support for your neck.

For side and back sleepers with shoulder, back, or neck pain, there are many different types of contoured cooling pillows, which have a curved design that adapts to your head, neck, and shoulders. These can help you maintain good spinal posture while keeping you cool at the same time.

Warranty

When you get a pillow, you want to stick with it for a while, right? That’s why, when choosing a cooling pillow, you should check out the warranty on the product. This is an indicator of its quality. While pillows won’t have as long a warranty as a mattress, a decent warranty indicates it’s likely a better-made product.

Other Ways to Stay Cool at Night

Cooling pillows aren’t the only way to keep you comfortable at night; you can also invest in other temperature-regulating products to promote a cooler environment.

Accessories

• Cooling Mattress Pads – Mattress pads can provide added comfort to your mattress while also helping keep you cool. If you want a mattress pad but know you sleep hot, invest in a cooling pad specifically.
• Cooling Sheets – Sheets touch you directly when you sleep, making them an excellent way for you to feel immediate cooling while you sleep. Looking for breathable, cooler materials like cotton, bamboo, and Tencel.
• Cooling Mattress Toppers – Like pads, toppers can enhance the feel of your mattress, and many toppers are equipped with cooling features to promote better sleep for those prone to overheating.

Mattresses

Many companies understand the needs of hot sleepers, and as such, design their mattresses with special cooling mechanisms. In some cases, these are similar to what’s used in pillows, such as cooling gel in foam or cotton covers. Additionally, brands may utilize coils to further deliver airflow to the sleeper.

Explore our top picks for the best cooling mattresses.

Bedroom

There are different ways to keep your bedroom cool. Running the air conditioner or turning on a fan can get keep the room nice and cool. When temperatures start to drop, keeping the window open is also a more cost-effective way to cool down the room.

Pajamas

The pajamas you sleep in are another way to help you remain comfortable throughout the night. As you can imagine, bulky, heavier materials will likely make you warmer. Instead, opt for cooler materials like satin or cotton, and rather than wearing long-sleeve shirts or pants, swap those out for tank tops, t-shirts, and shorts.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cooling Pillows

Is There a Mattress Firm Cooling Pillow?

Mattress Firm does not have their own cooling pillow, but they do sell multiple cooling pillows from other notable bedding companies, such as Serta, Tuft and Needle, and Tempur-Pedic.

Does the Casing Matter?

While most of us prefer to place our own pillowcase over the cushion to protect it, this isn’t to say that the original casing doesn’t matter. While cotton is known to be a breathable material, Tencel and wool are also great options that can be eco-friendly. Others, such as polyester blends or nylon, may get in the way of a pillow’s cooling abilities.

Before buying, make sure you know what the casing is made from, and if it’s removable for easy cleaning.

Find Out More: Top Rated Pillow Cases