10 Best Cooling Pillows for Hot Sleepers in 2023
No pillow-flipping over here!
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There's nothing worse than experiencing a hot and steamy night of sleep (and obviously, no, not in the good, ~sexy~ kind of way). While there are many things that can help ease those sweaty nights—from a cooling mattress topper to crisp cooling sheets and even cooling pajamas (yes, they're a thing!)— it might be worth investing in a cooling pillow to add to your sleep arsenal. Although a pillow won't completely prevent you from overheating, resting your head on a more breathable, sweat-wicking fabric with cooling features will help you feel much cooler throughout
So, if you're tired of repeatedly flipping your pillow over throughout the night (same), a good cooling pillow might be what you need. That's why we did all the scrolling and testing for you to round up the best cooling pillows on the market for you to shop now—plus, all the tips on how to choose the right option for you.
Our top picks for the best cooling pillows in 2023:
Best Customizable Cooling Pillow
Coop Home Goods Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow with Cooling Gel
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Okay, ready to dive into all these amazing cooling pillows? Below, we've gathered 10 of the best cooling pillows worth your money. From a luxury graphite-infused pillow to a super soft cooling body pillow, your chill night of sleep awaits.
Pros
- Good neck support for back and side sleepers
Cons
- Much heavier than a regular pillow
I own this pillow, and I absolutely love it, which says a lot because I'm pretty picky. Not only does it have dual-sided cooling technology, but it's also made with perforated foam to help push heat out of the pillow. It also won't flatten or clump up over time, and features Casper's HeatDelete™ Bands to keep your head as cool as possible for 12 hours.
THE REVIEW: "I absolutely love the Casper Hybrid Pillow with Snow Technology. Keeps me cool every night. No more stiff neck or waking up sore. I’m able to get a full night's sleep. I feel so much more rested since using this pillow. Highly recommended brand that delivers exceptional end results."
| Fill type & cooling feature: | Memory foam with ventilation |
| Firmness: | Medium |
Pros
- Filled with 100 percent natural material
Cons
- Some testers noticed that it lost its shape over time
Presenting: this fan-favorite cooling pillow. Rather than your typical cotton, this cooling pillow is made with Kapok fibers, which are much lighter and have more room for ventilation. It's also filled with shredded memory foam instead of a thick layer, so there's optimal airflow and more comfort than your average pillow.
THE REVIEW: "Love the material, feels good, and doesn't seem to get as hot as my other pillows," one tester writes. "The Layla is low and firm enough to support my neck properly. I no longer wake up with a stiff or sore neck, and I've been sleeping much better overall," adds another.
| Fill type & cooling feature: | Shredded memory foam and natural fibers which are softer, lighter, and more ventilated |
| Firmness: | Medium-soft |
Pros
- Can remove or add filling to uniquely customize
Cons
- Some testers noted that it didn't have a pleasant smell when they first got it
Maybe you want a super soft pillow one night and a firmer one the next—you can totally do that with this cooling pillow. It's made with shredded gel memory foam fibbers for soft and cooling comfort, and it comes with extra filling, so you can add and remove as much as you'd like for your perfect pillow.
THE REVIEW: "You are getting a quality product, the pillow casing and zippers are sturdy. The foam inside is clean, even, and quality-looking foam. I've had other foam pillows and nothing looked as good as these pillows. It wicks away heat enough to stay cool."
| Fill type & cooling feature: | Gel-infused cooling memory foam |
| Firmness: | Customizable |
Pros
- Hypoallergenic, so safe for those with allergies
Cons
- It can be difficult to figure out which thickness you should get
Our Senior Shopping Editor, Kim Duong, LOVES this pillow. Here's what she had to say about it: "Purple calls this 'the greatest pillow ever invented,' and honestly? Hard agree. Not only is it supercooling, but it's also very responsive and supportive, which is great for someone like me who often tosses and turns (apologies to my boyfriend). I can feel it instantly contouring to my head and neck and giving me support wherever I need it, even when I'm in motion. So now neck pain is a thing of the past."
THE REVIEW: "The purple hyper-polymer material—whatever the grid material is—feels awesome. It's very squishy and gives the pillow some texture. The Talalay latex is very high quality, and provides a little bit of squish so you sink a little bit in before the support really kicks in."
| Fill type & cooling feature: | Ventilated latex, moisture-wicking mesh cover |
| Firmness: | Medium |
Pros
- Every part of this pillow has a unique cooling feature
Cons
- It is slightly larger than regular king pillows, so pillowcases are a snug fit, some testers say
Graphite is a great material for keeping your body cool at night. This luxe pillow has a shredded memory foam layer at its core and another memory foam layer infused with graphite to give you optimal comfort and support while keeping you cool.
THE REVIEW: "I had a really tough time finding the right pillow for myself, and I believe I may have finally found it. For the first time in many, many years I'm waking up without any pain in my cervical vertebrae."
| Fill type & cooling feature: | Graphite-infused memory foam and latex core |
| Firmness: | Medium |
Pros
- Pretty affordable compared to similar options on the market
Cons
- Testers say its quite heavy
Most cooling pillows will have a gel-infused technology where the cooling property is mixed into the pillow's filling. However, this Allswell pillow is designed with a gel sheet that covers the majority of the surface so your head can stay cool even if you toss and turn throughout the night.
THE REVIEW: "I love this pillow! Stays cool through the night and did not stink when I opened the package. The pillow is quite thick but fits wonderfully in a standard-sized pillow case, even the ones that zip up. I quite like that the pillow is thicker than the other memory foam pillows on the market that I have seen."
| Fill type & cooling feature: | Memory foam with a layer of cooling gel |
| Firmness: | Medium |
Pros
- Feels hard as a rock when touched with your hands but when you lay your head down, testers note as though it feels like a cloud
Cons
- Some testers don't love the heavy weight, especially when they put their arm underneath it at night
If you're a side sleeper, your head is going to need all of the elevation and support you can get. This Tempur-Pedic pillow offers the brand's signature memory foam in a medium firmness to keep your head perfectly cradled with two layers of Tempur-Breeze gel on either side for an ultimate cool night's sleep.
THE REVIEW: "Love the cool technology! 10x better sleep! I need to upgrade my tempurpedic mattress to the same now!"
| Fill type & cooling feature: | Memory foam with gel layers |
| Firmness: | Medium |
Pros
- Ergonomic shape for maximum support
Cons
- Pillow is not returnable
In need of extra neck support? This contoured pillow is a great option for those who like to sleep on their side or back as it forms to your body's natural curves as you rest. It has a layer of cooling-gel technology and a washable cooling cover you can slip on and off with ease.
THE REVIEW: "After a couple of day, this ergo neck pillow, began to conform to me. I was able to lay down, and get comfortable, experience relief with the neck and shoulder pain/discomfort. My sleep has improved, my neck and shoulders are feeling better because of this pillow, and the secure, alignment it offers your head, neck, and shoulders is great."
| Fill type & cooling feature: | Memory foam with cooling gel |
| Firmness: | Medium |
Pros
- Can choose which level of firmness you want
Cons
- Some testers note that the pillow feels thin
Those who like to rest on their stomachs should look for a softer and more plush material, like a down-filled or down-alternative pillow. This down-alternative one feels just as plush as the real thing, thanks to its luxe Polysilk™ fiber-fill. Plus, it uses a premium NASA-approved Outlast® fabric to keep both sides of the pillow as cool as a cucumber.
THE REVIEW: "I have purchased so many cooling pillows tying to find one that actually works. This pillow keeps me cool all night! It also keeps its shape no matter how much I move around."
| Fill type & cooling feature: | Down-alternative with moisture-wicking technologies |
| Firmness: | Soft/medium or medium/firm |
Pros
- Over 7,000 five-star Amazon reviews
Cons
- Some testers say they had to remove a good amount of foam to make it more comfy
Who said cooling pillows were just for your head?? If you want to keep your entire body cool or just like to throw your legs over a pillow while you sleep, this is the one for you. It offers a breathable bamboo cover to help keep your body's temperature regulated throughout the night.
THE REVIEW: "Finally, a body pillow that's thick and soft and supportive, with adjustable filling. I'm super happy with it, and highly recommend a bamboo-viscose or genuine silk case for it to add to the cooling of the outer shell fabric."
| Fill type & cooling feature: | Memory foam with a breathable viscose of bamboo cooling cover |
| Firmness: | Medium/firm |
What to look for in a cooling pillow:
Ah, I know what you're thinking. Can't I just buy any ol' pillow that says it's "cooling"? Eh, you could, but there's soooo much more to consider. Obvi, you should look for a pillow that mentions a cooling component right away, but it's essential to also look into what kind of cooling technology works best for you and what kind of sleeper you are. Because what may work best for a side sleeper might not be the greatest for someone who sleeps on their stomach. Need more info? Let's get into it below!
Consider the material
True cooling pillows will use materials like latex and gel-, graphite-, and copper-infused fabrics to provide that cool-to-the-touch feel. These materials are all conductive, so they help draw heat away from your body and disperse it elsewhere. Other great options to look for are moisture-wicking fabrics, such as cotton and bamboo, that draw—you guessed it—moisture and sweat away to help keep you cool. Some of the most effective cooling pillows will have a variety of these fabrics and materials present in their filling or a moisture-wicking cover to help keep both you and the pillow cool at night.
And if you're a fan of down-filled pillows, just FYI: They tend to run on the hotter end of the spectrum, especially compared to other fillers like cotton or memory foam. Instead, there are some excellent down-alternative pillows that have cooling capabilities that offer the same support level as a down-filled pillow.
Know what position you normally sleep in
It's a fact: We don't all sleep the same, so it's essential to find the right cooling pillow that'll work for you. If the pillow doesn't work for your usual sleeping position or you feel flat-out uncomfortable, you're not going to get good sleep, and, thus, might end up overheating more.
For those who like to sleep on their side or back, you'll need more support than those who sleep on their stomach. If you tend to curl up on your side in the fetal position (hi, it me), it'll be best to reach for something that's relatively high in height and offers a medium to firm level of comfort to cause less strain on your neck. If you're more of a stomach sleeper, reach for something super plush and soft, like a down-filled pillow, to keep your head and face comfortable as you sleep.
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