Best Cooling Pillows In 2022
Cooling gel pillows are a must-have for anyone who suffers from night sweats. If you just can’t seem to get cool and comfortable, even with ceiling fans and the air conditioner on full-blast, cooling pillows can keep you from waking up drenched in sweat. The best cooling pillows combine optimal temperature control with superior head, neck, shoulder, and spine support. With a wide range of memory foam firmness and plenty of cool gel action to choose from, there’s a cooling pillow for everybody on our list. They say that you spend one-third of your life asleep; why not make it as comfortable as possible?
The Best Cooling Pillow
1Dream Rite Wondersleep Series Memory Foam Cooling Pillow
Our top pick for the best cooling pillow is the Queen-sized Dream Right Wondersleep Series Memory Foam Pillow. It boasts a breathable fabric for a refreshing night’s sleep, while the adjustable foam filling helps you find the perfect support for you. It delivers overall body support by molding to the shape of your head and neck, giving you a superb personalized feel. Furthermore, the stylish plush design is soft, offering quality relaxation that few others can.
This sleep accessory does have a slight odor when you first open it. However, this dissipates quickly enough. Speed up this process by throwing it in the washing machine before your first night’s sleep.
Queen-sized
Breathable fabric
Adjustable foam filling
Overall body support
Molds to your body
- BrandDream Rite
- ModelMB000295
- Weight12.8 Ounces
Stylish plush design
Machine washable
Quality relaxation
Slight odor for the first few days
2Weekender Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Cooling Pillow
The Weekender Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Pillow is available in three sizes to suit all bed shapes. Constructed using top-quality memory foam, you’ll feel at ease the instant your head touches this pillow. Its pressure-relieving properties deliver excellent satisfaction and will eliminate those painful morning aches. However, its neck support is not as good as the spine alignment. It also comes with a temperature-regulating gel that keeps you cool as you’re nodding off, ensuring you can get to sleep faster than usual.
The ventilated design ensures a refreshing sleep experience, while the soft material makes you feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud. Whether you need a good rest for an early start or are looking forward to a lazy late morning, this is the pillow for all occasions. Combine it with some of the best memory foam mattresses from our list for the best night’s sleep you’ve had in years!
3 sizes
CertiPUR US memory foam
Pressure-relieving
Temperature regulated gel
Ventilated design
- BrandWeekender
- ModelWKSS30GF
- Weight2 Pounds
Machine washable cover
Soft and supportive
Low odor
The neck support is not as good as spine alignment
3Niagara Sleep Solution Super Soft Bamboo Cooling Pillow
The Niagara Sleep Solution Super Soft Bamboo Cooling Pillow makes our list as one of the best bamboo cooling pillow options around. These soft and absorbent neck protectors deliver just what you need for a cool night’s sleep, offering breathability and a silky feel.
The anti-allergen fabric and anti-shrink design ensure a consistent and long-lasting performance no matter what. These babies are machine washable, and if you’re looking to extend the lifespan of your pillow, this could be the answer. By removing the damage that night sweats can bring, this is an essential option for anyone living in a humid area. Plus, the super-soft feel of a bamboo pillow brings comfort that few other fabrics can provide.
Soft and absorbent pillow protectors
Breathable cooling bamboo
Durable zipper
Anti-allergen fabric
Anti-shrink
- BrandNiagara Sleep Solution
- ModelB07DRGCWQG
- Weight15.2 Ounces
Machine washable
Extends pillow lifespan
Silky to the touch
Won’t cool as efficiently with some pillow styles
4Sleep Restoration Gel Cooling Pillow
The only option available as a 2-pack, this Sleep Restoration Gel Pillow is perfect for couples hoping to boost their sleep quality together. Or, if you want double comfort for yourself, this pillow set provides as much nightly support as possible.
Available in both Queen and King sizes, this pillow boasts a no-shift construction that ensures total comfort throughout the night, minimizing pillow noise and keeping you soundly asleep. The luxury gel fibers guarantee high-quality cooling and deliver excellent temperature regulation. While this pillow isn’t our firmest option, that may not be a negative if you’re seeking a soft, cushy choice.
2 pack
Queen or King sizes
No-shift construction
Fade and stain resistant
Temperature regulating
- BrandSleep Restoration
- ModelRG-RGLPLW-2PK-K
- Weight8.4 Pounds
Luxury gel fibers
Natural breathable cotton cover
Non-toxic
Not as firm as other options
5Coop Home Goods Eden Adjustable Cooling Pillow
Our premium choice for the best cooling pillows is the high-quality and highly-satisfactory Coop Home Goods Eden Adjustable Pillow. It comes in three sizes and boasts a fully adjustable design to ensure total customization, regardless of how you prefer to sleep.
The gel-infused memory foam and microfiber blend provide a cooler sleep experience, while its edge-to-edge support differs from other options. This pillow feels both breathable and soft, thanks to its non-toxic and quality construction. There is a slight odor at first, which is typical of gel cooling pillows. If you want to ensure a good night’s sleep outdoors, be sure to pick your favorite camping pillow from our list.
3 sizes
Fully adjustable design
Gel-infused memory foam
Edge-to-edge support
Hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant
- BrandCoop Home Goods
- ModelCHG-ADJGMF-STD
- Weight3.46 Pounds
Safe, high- quality materials
Breathable and soft
Gusseted case for improved airflow
Initial smell not pleasant and can take some getting used to
6Perfect Cloud Dual Option Cooling Gel Pillow
The Perfect Cloud Dual Option Cooling Gel Pillow is available with three styles to choose from, and these are the Dual Option Cooling Gel, Diamond rest, and Double Air Flow options so you can find the perfect design for your sleeping needs.
Its quilted gel layer ensures a cool and comfortable sleep, and it helps to relieve nervous tension to provide a weightless and endlessly satisfying sleep experience. The medium-soft feel is just right for those who are looking for a pillow that stays cool throughout the night and mitigates any night sweat discomfort. You might find it too thin for your needs, however, especially if you are looking for top support. You can double up with another pillow to provide that every leverage you need if you feel you need it.
Stretch knit design
3 styles
Quilted gel layer
Removes nervous tension
Weightless sleep experience
- BrandPerfect Cloud
- ModelPC-GELZONE-SD
- Weight4.4 Pounds
3-year warranty
Medium soft feel
Stays cool throughout the night
May be too thin for some
7Columbia High Performance Extreme Cooling Memory Foam Pillow
Suitable for camping and home use, the Columbia High-Performance Extreme Cooling Memory Foam Pillow uses extreme cooling technology Omni-freeze and Omni-wicking to guarantee an excellent all-around option.
With this style, the high-quality memory foam provides a medium firmness that ensures a great night’s sleep, offering support for the neck and shoulders like few others. This updated design, however, loses some of the coolness that previous models provide, and this could be an issue if you’re out in the wilderness. Despite this, this pillow will still serve you well, even if it’s only at home. For more amazing products for your home, check out our selection of the best futons.
Extreme cooling technology
Omni-freeze
Omni-wicking
Breathable
Medium firmness
- BrandColumbia
- ModelB07HGR92M1
- Weight4.98 Pounds
5-year manufacturer’s warranty
High-quality memory foam
Support for neck and shoulders
The new design is not as cool as previous iterations
8Classic Brands Cool Gel and Memory Foam Bed Pillow
The Classic Brands Cool Gel and Memory Foam Bed Pillow is our best value pick for a good reason. This gel cooling pillow boasts superior pressure relief and ventilated memory foam to provide both support and breathability at a budget price.
Its hypoallergenic materials, with a 5-inch loft, proves both comfortable and supportive all night long. Machine washable covers help you keep these pillows in excellent condition. It is one of the heavier choices available, which may not be ideal for taking it on your travels.
Superior pressure relief
Tailored knit fabric
Ventilated memory foam
Neck, shoulder, and head support
Hypoallergenic
- BrandClassic Brands
- Model810880-6030
- Weight5 Pounds
Machine washable cover
Increased airflow
5-inch loft
One of the heavier options available
Cooling Pillow Buying Guide & FAQ
Features To Look For In Cooling Pillows
Before deciding which of these cooling pillows is right for you, here are the essential features to look for when shopping for the ideal fit.
Material - The material used is key to a successful pillow. There is a wide range of materials that various manufacturers can choose from, so knowing which combination of those materials will meet your needs is key to finding the pillow of your dreams.
A cool gel layer is arguably the most effective for cooling. If your basal temperature is less-than-toasty, a standard memory foam cushion may suit your sleep. Sure, this type of pillow may not offer the same degree of cooling but are notably more breathable than other foam-crafted competitors.
For you somewhat-toasty dreamers out there, a dual-sided pillow promises a pleasant balance of breathability and coolness overnight.
Fiber-Fill Type - Memory foam fills are popular due to their optimal support. However, not all memory foam designs are equal. Some fiber fills are shredded, which can feel lumpy. Conversely, there are also blocks of memory foam, which are only for those looking for something on the firmer end.
Ideally, a fiber-fill will distribute adequate support to your head, neck, and shoulders throughout the night.
Another option for firmness fans is the adjustable fill pillows, which allow you to add and remove additional fiber filling to best suit your needs.
Size - Cooling pillows range from Standard to Queen to King sizes, giving you the support you need while offering suitable mattress coverage.
Shape - The shape of your cooling pillow can have a direct effect on the overall comfort.
Most pillows come in the standard rectangular shape. However, contoured options, while sharing many similarities, will have indentations and ridges that offer better support for certain people. If you're looking for support rather than cooling, these could benefit you the most.
Sometimes, the shape will adjust to you over time, as the memory foam adapts to the shape of your head and neck for a more personalized and comfortable sleep.
Cooling Pillow FAQ
Q: What is a cooling pillow?
A: A cooling pillow uses gel or breathable material to regulate the body heat generated when you sleep. Unlike traditional down pillows that retain heat throughout the night, a cooling pillow will circulate the air more efficiently. By releasing any heat and distributing it away from you, you can enjoy a more comfortable sleep.
Most cooling pillows will stay cool just long enough for you to fall to sleep, which will eliminate much of your tossing and turning as you try to get comfortable. Higher-quality cooling pillows will remain cool for much of the night, which is ideal for light sleepers.
Most cooling pillows also come with breathable memory foam. Aside from providing a brisk and comfortable night's sleep, they also offer essential neck, shoulder, head, and spine support to relieve pressure and prevent aches and pains the next day. This, combined with the cooling design, encourages a refreshing sleep, giving you the chance to wake up feeling energized every day.
Ideally, cooling pillows are useful for hot sleepers as they eliminate the need to flip to the cool side of the pillow every half hour. As they provide supportive properties and features, they are also great for improving posture overnight.
Q: Do cooling pillows work?
A: What works for some people may not work for you, and vice versa. There are a variety of options for every kind of sleeper out there, but it may require some digging. In the end, the answer is "yes, they do," but one option may be better than another.
When choosing a cooling pillow, it's best to understand what you need from it. Otherwise, you may be disappointed. Factors including temperature neutrality, support, and pain or pressure relief will all impact how successful a specific cooling pillow is for you. If you find you have purchased a cooling pillow that doesn't suit your needs, don't give up hope, there remain a plethora of cooling pillows from which to choose.
When looking for a cooling pillow, it is best to consider your general sleeping needs and sleeping position. Sleeping on your side could mean a different pillow style than those who sleep on their stomachs or backs.
Sources:
- Do Cooling Pillows Work Work? - Smartify Life