“The fabric, or combination of fabrics, in a well-made pillow or cover keeps you cool and dry,” says Mary Helen Rogers, vice president of marketing and communications at The Better Sleep Council. “It regulates temperature and prevents moisture from piling between your pillow and your face.” If you’re looking to replace your pillow, this list has plenty of options to keep you cool while sleeping. To come up with this list of the best cooling pillows, we researched the category and tested 28 pillows every night for two weeks, evaluating them for fill material, support, firmness, and cooling technology to inform our product recommendations. Based on our research and testing, we selected the Coop Home Goods The Eden as the best overall cooling pillow because it earned perfect scores for comfort, durability, airflow, and value. Here are the best cooling pillows based on testing. Keep in Mind: There’s a slight smell to this pillow, which you might notice if you’re a stomach sleeper. This breathable pillow has a soft outer cover that’s cool to the touch, even when used with a standard pillow case. During testing, it felt cooler than other pillows we tried because it has gel infused throughout instead of just in the core of the pillow. Our tester didn’t have to flip it over during the night and never woke up feeling sweaty or uncomfortable. “I never have to flip my pillow, which is still the most impressive thing,” our tester said. “I used to flip my pillow multiple times a night and three months in using this one, I still haven’t needed to.” No matter which way you sleep, comfort is key in the best cooling pillows and this one receives high marks for its adjustable fill. The extra fill includes instructions for how much to add or remove based on your preferred sleeping position, so you can customize the pillow for the most comfortable feel. Finding a pillow that lasts after several nights of sleep and many washes is important. This one by Coop is machine washable and fluffs right back up after coming out of the dryer based on our tests. Despite a higher price than some of the other pillows we tried, the quality and performance put this pillow at the top of our list. Price at time of publish: $96 Fill Material: Cooling gel-infused memory foam and microfiber | Firmness: Customizable (add or remove fill) | Recommended for: Stomach, side, and back sleepers | Care: Machine wash cold and tumble dry low Keep in Mind: They lack the true cool to the touch feel of other cooling pillows, but they do have great airflow. Compared to other pillows we tried, these pillows do not feel very cool to the touch, but they do have good airflow which helps them keep a comfortable temperature during the night. With a soft cover, plump firmness, and high loft, these pillows are fluffy and supportive. When using this pillow during testing, we didn’t wake up with any aches or pains. These pillows are delivered in a vacuum sealed bag, so you’ll need to spread them out for a few days so they can fully expand. Price at time of publish: $21 Fill Material: Microfiber | Firmness: Firm | Recommended for: Side, back, and some stomach sleepers | Care: Machine washable, but do not bleach or iron Keep in Mind: This pillow may feel a little stiff at first until you adjust the fill. Nest Bedding offers recommendations on how much fill to add or remove whether you are a side, back, or stomach sleeper, but you may need to adjust the amount based on your own preferences and comfort level. When initially following the instructions not to remove any fill for side sleepers, our tester felt a little discomfort. However, the tester woke up without any neck pain after adjusting the filling. This pillow has an eco-friendly soft and breathable cover that helps regulate body temperature, but we noticed it doesn’t feel as cool when used with a pillowcase. The pillow maintains its shape well (even after washing) and conforms to your sleeping habits. You may notice this pillow feels a little stiff at first, but it adapts to your sleeping style over time. “My favorite thing about this pillow is it has not worn down yet”, said our tester. “It still forms to you, but you can fluff it back out, and it looks brand new, and the stuffing bounces back.” The adjustable fill makes it a great choice for all types of sleepers. Price at time of publish: $86 Fill Material: Foam and polyester fiber | Firmness: Customizable (add or remove fill) | Recommended for: Back, side, and stomach sleepers | Care: Only the cover is washable. Remove cover, wash it in cold water, and dry on low heat. Keep in Mind: This pillow may not be very comfortable for stomach sleepers because it’s tall and lofty, making it difficult to get a comfortable angle for your neck. Our testers said it looked and felt like a really nice hotel pillow. They didn’t find any loose seams, stray threads, or unpleasant odors, which added to its luxury appeal. During testing, we noticed this pillow is more comfortable for back and side sleepers. If you prefer sleeping on your stomach, it might be difficult to find a comfortable angle to support your neck since the pillow is so tall and lofty. Our testers also had mixed reviews regarding the cooling effect and airflow of this pillow. One tester said he never felt hot while using this pillow, and another tester said the bottom edge of the pillow felt a little hot during the night. Although the pillow cover is machine washable, it took multiple cycles to dry during testing. If you’re looking for an alternative to down or memory foam and don’t mind spending a premium price, this pillow is a good choice for back or side sleepers. Price at time of publish: $165 Fill Material: Microdenier fiber and latex | Firmness: Medium | Recommended for: Back and side sleepers | Care: Machine washable except for inner fill and dry on low Keep in Mind: This pillow felt a little thinner than others we tried. It has a 300 thread count cotton outer shell infused with NASA-approved Outlast technology to help regulate body temperature while you sleep. Falling right in the middle of the Slumber Cloud cool scale, this pillow felt cool to the touch before and after a night of sleep and didn’t have to be flipped over at all during the night to reach a cool side. The best cooling pillows are easy to clean and do not lose quality after being used or washed. This one by Slumber Cloud kept its size, shape, and fluff without showing any signs of shrinkage after being used for a few weeks. It also fits nicely into a pillow case. Despite being thinner than other pillows we tried, this one has a down fiber fill that makes it feel very fluffy and comfortable. Our tester, who is a side sleeper, said she usually has to stack and smush pillows together to get proper support, but this pillow provided enough comfort on its own. This moderately priced cooling pillow isn’t too soft or hard, providing an ideal level of comfort for all types of sleepers. Price at time of publish: $79 Fill Material: Fiber | Firmness: Soft/medium (for stomach and back sleepers) and medium/firm (for side and back sleepers) | Recommended for: Side, stomach, and back sleepers | Care: Machine washable Keep in Mind: This pillow felt a bit heavier compared to others we tried. As a stomach and side sleeper, our tester felt comfortable sleeping in both positions when using this pillow and described the inner material as feeling like a mix between memory foam and “the most comfortable jello.” The pillow felt a bit heavier than others we tested but maintained its shape and fluffiness. Although on the expensive side, it’s worth the investment if you’re looking for a durable cooling pillow that lasts. “I sleep a lot better now that I don’t have to turn the pillow over constantly to feel that cool effect”, our tester said. “I rarely wake up sweaty, which is great.” Price at time of publish: $144 Fill Material: Gel and latex | Height: Low (stomach and back sleepers), medium (side and combination sleepers), and tall (side and combination sleepers) | Recommended for: Stomach, side, and back sleepers | Care: Machine wash cover on cold and air dry; spot clean inner core Keep in Mind: We noticed a faint odor from this pillow during the first two nights of testing. Made of quality materials like T&N Adaptive Foam (custom cut instead of shredded for more breathability), cooling gel beads, and graphite, this pillow effectively pulls heat away from your body. Similar to the Purple Harmony Pillow we tried, the foam has a soft but supportive and slightly bouncy feel “like memory foam and jello had a baby.” This durable pillow provides good support for combination sleepers and maintains its shape and loft after use. After three months of use, our tester noted that the pillow lost the firm support that it had initially. Sleepers looking for long-lasting sturdy support may be disappointed, but our tester has been satisfied with the pillow thus far, saying, “It is cool, comfortable, and thick enough to be supportive while still pliable for this combination sleeper to maneuver at night.” Alongside all the great qualities of this pillow, there are a few downsides worth mentioning. It had a noticeable odor for the first two nights of testing, and the pillow itself cannot be washed, just the cover. However, we still recommend it for its cooling properties, support, and comfort. Price at time of publish: $85 Fill Material: Foam | Firmness: Balance of firm and plush | Recommended for: Back, side, and stomach sleepers | Care: Machine washable cover Keep in Mind: It may be challenging to find the most comfortable pillow height for optimal neck support. When we tested it, the pillow kept its shape well and the memory foam bounced back fairly quickly, even after using it for three months. This pillow also stayed cool throughout most of the night, but our tester did have to flip it over a couple times to get to the cooler side. “This started out not being my favorite pillow, but it’s become my go-to”, our tester said. “It stays cool through the night, and the gel cradles my head in just the right ways.” We found this pillow to be heavier than others we tried, and one tester, who sleeps on her side and back, said it was difficult to get the most comfortable height—too high when piled on top of another pillow and too low when used on its own. Although it offered good head support, the height made it challenging to get the best neck support, which could be a downside after long-term use. That said, this pillow may be a better fit for stomach sleepers who need a thinner pillow. Our tester also noticed a faint rubber smell and saw some visible foam gaps after removing the pillow cover. Price at time of publish: $40 Fill Material: Memory foam and gel | Firmness: Medium | Recommended for: Not listed | Care: Machine washable Keep in Mind: If you tend to lay your head down aggressively, you may feel a little bounce from the latex insert in this pillow. After three months of use, this pillow hasn’t lost its bounce or shape. “I like that it never has to be re-fluffed and that the texture and bounce is still the same as the very first day”, said our tester. The latex fill provides great support and durability but adds a little bounce to this pillow, which you might notice if you lay your head down too hard. The cover can be removed for washing so the filling never got bunched, and the pillow maintained its loft and structure during testing. The quality and comfort of this pillow justifies a higher price than some of the other options we tried. Price at time of publish: $110 Fill Material: Latex | Firmness: Medium | Recommended for: Side and back sleepers | Care: Machine washable cover
Our Testing Process
We had a team of home experts test out 28 of the best cooling pillows for 14 nights. As part of our testing, we had our experts evaluate the pillows based on their quality, temperature/airflow (breathability), comfort, durability, and value. We measured each pillow’s loft, length, and width before and after a week of use and put each pillow in a pillowcase to see how well it fit. We also added or removed fill according to our sleeping preferences for pillows with adjustable fill. For machine-washable pillows, our testers washed and dried the pillows after a week of use according to the manufacturer’s instructions and recorded any changes, including level of support and comfort. We also evaluated how well each pillow retained its cooling property over time.
What to Know About Cooling Pillows Before Shopping
Fill Material
The inside of a pillow impacts things like comfort, support, and breathability. Most cooling pillows have latex, memory foam, down, or microfiber fill—and some are even infused with gel for more cooling power. A few models of cooling pillows also come with adjustable fill so you can add or remove fill until the pillow feels most comfortable for your sleeping preferences.
Support
When shopping for the best cooling pillow, support is one of the most important features. Find one that offers good head and neck support for your specific sleeping position so you don’t wake up feeling sore. “Pillows give your head and neck the support they need throughout the night, and by supporting your head, they promote healthy spine alignment,” Rogers says.
Cooling Technology
Most of the pillows on this list have some type of cooling technology designed to keep you cool while sleeping. This can include special features like an extra layer of gel or graphite. Keep in mind that some pillows have cooling technology throughout the whole pillow and others only have it in the core or cover.
Sleeping Position
You’ll want to consider your preferred sleeping position (back, side, or stomach) before choosing the best cooling pillow, as some are more comfortable for certain types of sleepers. The ideal pillow height, shape, and firmness level for a stomach sleeper may be different than that for a side or back sleeper. “The correct sleeping position mimics you standing with good posture, the head, neck and spin are aligned,” Rogers says. Stomach sleepers typically like flatter softer pillows (so their heads aren’t propped up too high), side sleepers may feel most comfortable with higher pillows, and back sleepers fall in between.
Other Cooling Pillows We Tested
Sijo Clima Eucalyptus Down Alternative Pillow
Although reasonably priced and easy to wash (the pillow and cover), the Sijo Clima Eucalyptus Down Alternative Pillow felt more like a regular pillow than a cooling pillow. The tester also found it a little too fluffy and that it didn’t offer enough neck support so she felt like she was sinking into the pillow.
Sealy All Night Cooling Pillow
If you prefer sleeping on your back and are looking for a budget-friendly cooling pillow, this one Sealy All Night Cooling Pillow could be a good option, but there are some downsides worth noting. This pillow is very soft and lofty, but it lacks support. It’s also fully machine washable, but testers found it felt lumpy after being washed.
The Company Store Cooling Gel Memory Foam Pillow
The Company Store Cooling Gel Memory Foam Pillow felt cool to the touch and maintained a neutral temperature throughout the night, which our testers loved. However, we found it to be too bulky and stiff, which took away from its comfort. We also had trouble fitting it perfectly into a pillowcase.
Your Questions, Answered
Do cooling pillows work with a pillowcase?
Yes, most cooling pillows fit into standard pillowcases. Some come with covers, but we still recommend using a pillowcase, too. Choose a lightweight, breathable pillowcase made of moisture-wicking materials like silk, bamboo, or cotton for the best results and to maintain the pillow’s cooling effect.
How long do cooling pillows last?
It depends what the pillow is made of. The more durable the fill material, the longer your pillow will last. It also helps to choose a cooling pillow with the right loft and firmness level for your preferred sleeping position. In general, “you should replace your pillow every two to three years,” Rogers says.
Who We Are
Erica Reagle is a freelance writer focused on interior design and the home. To write this story, she researched the best cooling pillows, important features to look for when shopping for pillows, and compared these findings with insights from our home tests. Erica is a new mom, so finding a comfortable pillow that will help her get a restful night of sleep is key. She also talked with Mary Helen Rogers, vice president of marketing and communications at The Better Sleep Council, for more cooling pillow insights.
What Is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they’re worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn’t an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products and we let you know that we got it for free to remain as transparent as possible about our picks. Looking for more products that have earned our BHG Recommends seal of approval? Check out our picks for everything from picnic blankets to humidifiers.
