Written by Tony Klespis, Staff Writer
We’ve all heard about people flipping their pillows over to the cool side in the middle of the night because the pillow got too warm. Not everyone wants to do this every night, however. So, if you’re thinking, “I wish there was a pillow that stayed cool all night long” you’re in luck.
I put together a list of the best cooling pillows, each with different materials and features so they can meet a variety of needs. From luxury to value, latex to memory foam, there’s something for everyone.
Our Verdict: What’s the Best Cooling PIllow?
One of the best cooling pillows I’ve tested also happens to be one of the most luxurious ones. The Cozy Earth Silk pillow combines bamboo viscose and a silk fiber fill that is incredibly breathable and stays cool all night long. The bamboo cover wicks away moisture, leaving sleepers feeling cool and dry while they sleep. Both materials are incredibly durable, so while it’s a bit of a splurge, it should last several years with good care.
The Best Cooling Pillows of 2024
Here are our top picks for the best cooling pillows:
- Cozy Earth Silk Pillow – Best Luxury Cooling Pillow
- Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex – Best Value Cooling Pillow
- LUXOME LAYR – Best Memory Foam Cooling Pillow
- Saatva Latex – Best Cooling Latex Pillow
- Birch Living – Best Cooling Pillow for Back Sleepers
- Coop Sleep Goods Eden Pillow – Best Adjustable Cooling Pillow
- TEMPUR-Cloud Cooling Pro – Best Cooling Gel Foam Pillow
- Sleep Number True Temp Pillow – Best Hypoallergenic Cooling Pillow
How We Choose Our Products
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed over 100 sleep accessories, using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing to establish easy-to-understand scores. In addition to an overall score, we measure subscores for support, cooling, durability, trial period, and warranty, and more.
When composing the list of the best cooling pillows, I specifically looked at the pillows’ ability to stay cool, be it from specific infusions or materials. Pillows that feature gel-infused memory foam or contain highly breathable materials like cotton and bamboo are ideal for hot sleepers. Many of these pillows on this list scored particularly high on their cooling factors because of this, and therefore were contenders for the list.
Video Review: Best Cooling Pillows of 2024
Best Luxury Cooling Pillow – Cozy Earth Silk Pillow
Cozy Earth Silk Pillow
The Cozy Earth Silk Pillow is filled with soft silk and covered with a material made out of naturally cooling bamboo viscose.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.90 / 5
Our Expert’s Take
For some, investing in their sleep is serious business and they want to sleep in luxury. Cozy Earth immediately comes to mind for those that don’t mind splurging on their bedding. Cozy Earth combines both bamboo and silk to create a pillow that stays cool all night long. The silk is actually inside the pillow — a 100% Mulberry silk fill that’s made exclusively for Cozy Earth. This gives the pillow a soft, cushioning feel while still being supportive.
The outer cover is made with bamboo viscose, which is soft and silky smooth. The silk and bamboo work together to keep you cool while you sleep. The bamboo is breathable and moisture-wicking, helping you stay cool and dry, and the silk doesn’t trap body heat.
What We Love About the Cozy Earth Silk Pillow
- This pillow is made with materials that don’t trap a lot of heat. The silk fill is very breathable and the bamboo cover is moisture-wicking. This combination of features means you’ll feel cool and dry.
- The Mulberry silk fill is designed specifically for Cozy Earth and really makes this pillow feel luxurious.
- Cozy Earth offers a 10-year warranty on all its products. Not all pillows come with warranties, and if they do they are usually only one year long
What to Keep In Mind About the Cozy Earth Silk Pillow
- While this the best luxury option on my list, keep in mind that this does mean it has a luxury price tag. While it is occasionally discounted and Cozy Earth does offer financing, the full price is a little over $250.
- During my tests, the silk fill didn’t compress as much as memory foam and down typically do. I found that the pillow was too tall for stomach sleeping, so if you’re a strict stomach sleeper, you’ll want to find something thinner.
Read my full Cozy Earth Silk pillow review.
Best Value – Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow
Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow
Brooklyn Bedding’s Talalay Latex Pillow is a supportive and pressure relieving blended latex foam pillow. It has a ventilated core and removable soft knit cover. It comes in two loft options, making it a good choice for any sleep position.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.70 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
It’s worth investing in your sleep, but you also don’t want to break the bank. The Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex pillow is a good, affordable option for budget-minded shoppers. At full price, the pillow costs under $100, but it gets even better because Brooklyn Bedding often includes this pillow in seasonal discounts. So, if you’re shopping at the right time, you can get a good deal.
As the name suggests, this pillow is made with a material called Talalay latex. It contains a single piece of this latex foam, and it has small holes throughout. This helps with airflow within the pillow, so it won’t trap a lot of heat. It comes inside a cotton cover that is also fairly breathable, which is why it landed on this list.
What We Love About the Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow
- The latex foam is perforated, making it easy for air to flow through the pillow and keep you cool.
- It’s offered in two different height options, low and high, making it fit all sleeping positions. Back and side sleepers do better with the high loft, while stomach sleepers do best with the low loft.
- When discounted, the pillow costs just over $60. When you compare it to the prices of other pillows on this list, this makes it a very affordable option.
What to Keep In Mind About the Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow
- Latex foam feels very bouncy and springy. It doesn’t have that slow-moving quality that traditional memory foam has, and it doesn’t feel fluffy like down or down alternative. If you’ve never slept on a latex foam pillow, this is something to keep in mind, especially if you prefer the feel of memory foam or down alternative.
Read my full Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex pillow review.
Best Memory Foam Cooling Pillow – LUXOME LAYR
Luxome LAYR Pillow
The LUXOME LAYR Pillow is a high-quality adjustable option that allows you to create your own comfort.
Our Expert’s Take
Memory foam has been known to trap heat, but some people love the slow-moving feeling it has. Luckily, the LUXOME LAYR memory foam pillow has a number of cooling features. First of all, the pillow’s memory foam layers are infused with gel, which helps dissipate body heat and keep you cool. Second, it has a cooling cover made from breathable and moisture-wicking bamboo viscose fabric.
It’s also really easy to adjust the pillow. There are three inserts: soft, medium, and firm. The medium and firm inserts are made of memory foam, while the soft is full of down alternative fibers. You can mix and match the inserts to find a height and firmness that suits your needs. As a general rule, side sleepers need thick and lofty pillows, while stomach sleepers need thin and flat pillows. Back sleepers typically do best with medium loft pillows.
What We Love About the LUXOME LAYR
- The memory foam inserts are infused with gel, which pulls body heat away and keeps you cool.
- The bamboo cover is breathable and moisture wicking, which also helps you stay cool.
- Because it’s adjustable, the pillow allows works for all sleeping positions.
What to Keep In Mind About the LUXOME LAYR
- While the adjustability is a key part of this pillow, finding that sweet spot will take some trial and error. For some, this might be confusing and take some effort.
Read my full Luxome LAYR pillow review.
Best Overall – Saatva Natural Latex Pillow
Saatva Latex Pillow
The Saatva Pillow has an organic cotton cover that is removable. Underneath is an outer pillow made up of hypoallergenic microfibers.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.80 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
Unlike polyurethane foam, latex foam is very breathable and doesn’t trap heat. The Saatva Natural Latex Pillow combines a cotton cover with down alternative fibers. These materials sit around a supportive, breathable shredded latex core. All this together means that this pillow shouldn’t trap a lot of heat.
This pillow feels super plush because of the down alternative, but the latex core prevents you from bottoming out of the pillow. It works best for back sleepers, who typically need pillows that have a balance of comfort and support. Saatva also sells this pillow in two loft options, with the higher option working well for side sleepers.
What Makes the Saatva Latex Pillow Stand Out?
- The combination of fluffy down alternative and shredded latex foam gives this pillow a soft and supportive feel.
- There are two height options available: standard and high. Back sleepers do best with the standard loft, while side sleepers should opt for the high loft.
- All these materials are not known for trapping allergens in your environment, so it’s a good hypoallergenic pick.
What to Keep In Mind About the Saatva Latex Pillow
- At full price, this pillow is around $165, which might be out of some peoples’ budgets.
Read my full Saatva Latex pillow review.
Best Pillow for Back Sleepers – Birch Pillow
Birch Organic Pillow
The Birch Pillow is an eco-friendly and sustainably made pillow that has an organic cotton cover and fill made with Birch Wool and Talalay Latex shreds. It will work for all sleep positions and needs to be spot cleaned only.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.10 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
In order to maintain the correct spine alignment and avoid neck pain, back sleepers will want to make sure their chins are in line with their chests at night. Mid-loft pillows, like this one from Birch, usually work well.
Plus, this pillow contains organic and eco-friendly materials. It features a breathable cotton cover, and on the inside you’ll find New Zealand wool that surrounds a crushed latex core. Both the wool and latex are breathable, and the wool is also moisture-wicking so you won’t sleep hot and sweaty. The crushed latex core provides a good amount of support, which is ideal for back sleeping.
What We Love About the Birch Organic Pillow
- Birch acquired many certifications to prove that the materials used in this pillow are 100% organic and were sourced in an ethical and responsible way.
- The combination of wool and latex offers back sleepers a good amount of comfort and support.
- The pillow contains cotton, wool, and latex, which are all effective cooling materials.
What to Keep In Mind About the Birch Organic Pillow
- Most pillows have a way to either machine-wash parts of the pillow, or machine-wash the whole thing. Unfortunately, Birch recommends spot cleaning this pillow, making care more involved than just tossing it into a machine.
Read my full Birch pillow review.
Best Adjustable – Coop Sleep Goods Eden
Coop Eden Pillow
Filled with pieces of gel-infused memory foam, this pillow has a soft and luxurious feel.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.60 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
Adjustable pillows come in handy for those wanting to pinpoint their comfort level. It’s also a solid option for those who aren’t sure which pillow to choose. Coop Sleep Goods sells a few adjustable pillows, but if you want one with excellent cooling features, look at the Eden.
There are a number of things that help this pillow stay cool: gel-infused foam filling, a breathable cover, and a mesh gusset. The gusset allows air to flow easily through the pillow, and the gel-infused foam pulls body heat away.
Coop Sleep Goods gives customers an additional half pound of filling, so you can easily make the pillow thicker and more supportive if you want. It’s also easy to remove the filling and make the pillow more malleable and soft.
What We Love About the Coop Sleep Goods Eden Pillow
- It has three features that help it stay cool: gel-infused foam, a bamboo cover, and a mesh gusset for airflow.
- You can wash this pillow in the washing machine. Coop Sleep Goods recommends separating the cover and the fill.
- If you love the squishy, slow-moving feel of memory foam, this is a great choice.
What to Keep In Mind About the Coop Sleep Goods Eden Pillow
- It’s easy for the shredded memory foam and microfiber fill to spill out of the pillow when you adjust it. If you’re not careful, a mess can happen very quickly.
Read my Coop Eden pillow review.
Best Gel Foam Pillow – TEMPUR-Cloud Cooling Pro Pillow
TEMPUR-Cloud Cooling Pro Pillow
The TEMPUR-Cloud Cooling Pro encompasses height, support, and coolness all into a single pillow.
Mattress Clarity Score
3.90 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
Memory foam is an amazing invention, but it’s known to trap heat. One way companies innovated foam was by including gel, which can pull heat away from your body and keep the foam cool.
TEMPUR-Pedic’s Cloud Cooling Pro features the brand’s proprietary TEMPUR material which is surrounded by a layer of gel to keep the pillow from retaining heat. It stays cool to the touch because of the amount of gel sitting right underneath the cover.
It’s a medium-firm pillow, meaning you’ll be able to sink into the foam, but still get some solid support. This pillow also comes in two loft sizes, making it a great match for most back and side sleepers.
What We Love About the TEMPUR-Cloud Cooling Pro Pillow
- This pillow combines slow-moving memory foam and cutting edge gel to keep you cool and comfy all night long.
- The two loft options make it a good choice for side sleepers who need a tall pillow and back sleepers who need a medium loft pillow.
- TEMPUR offers an impressive five-year limited warranty on this pillow.
What to Keep In Mind About the TEMPUR-Cloud Cooling Pro Pillow
- Because the pillow is so thick, some lightweight individuals may find it to be too firm.
See what else I have to say about the TEMPUR pillows.
Best Hypoallergenic – Sleep Number True Temp Pillow
Sleep Number True Temp Pillow
With advanced cooling technology, the Sleep Number True Temp Pillow is a luxurious option. It has a plush and supportive feel, so it’s great for back and side sleepers.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.60 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
Hypoallergenic pillows are fantastic for those who deal with allergies, and The Sleep Number True Temp pillow is not only hypoallergenic — but also incredibly cooling.
Sleep Number’s True Temp Pillow has 37.5 active particle technology, which adjusts to your body temperature. When you start to get too hot, the pillow will pull body heat away from you.
This pillow comes in three different models, but my favorite of the bunch is the standard, which features plush down alternative, surrounding a perforated memory foam core. This gives the pillow a soft, plush feel.
What We Love About the Sleep Number True Temp Pillow
- The 37.5 active particle technology dissipates body heat, keeping you at a comfortable temperature while you sleep.
- A breathable cotton cover and perforated memory foam maximize airflow.
- Sleep Number sells this in three differently shaped models, making it a fit for a range of sleepers’ needs.
What to Keep In Mind About the Sleep Number True Temp Pillow
- While you can remove the foam insert, this pillow isn’t really designed to be adjusted. Because of that, when it’s all put together, the pillow is too tall for stomach sleepers.
Read my full Sleep Number True Temp pillow review.
How to Choose the Best Cooling Pillow
We all want our pillows to be comfortable, but when selecting the best cooling pillow there are a number of other factors to consider! It all comes down to your sleeping position, how hot you sleep, and your budget.
Sleeping Positions, Loft, and Firmness
The proper firmness and loft is dependent on your sleeping position. If you have the wrong height for the way you sleep, it can affect your spinal alignment and cause discomfort. If you’re unsure about what pillow best matches your sleeping position, then we highly recommend an adjustable pillow. That way, you can customize the loft to whatever feels the most comfortable.
Side sleeping: To keep the neck aligned with the rest of the spine, we definitely recommend a pillow with a higher loft. These pillows will often seem fluffier and have a firmer feel.
Stomach sleeping: On the other end of the pillow firmness scale, opposite from side-sleeping pillows, are pillows for stomach sleepers. These sleepers should want a softer pillow and a lower loft. Unlike side sleepers, stomach sleepers do not want their neck craned upwards at night.
Back sleeping: These sleepers are likely going to want something in between the lower loft of stomach sleepers and the higher loft of side sleepers. Back sleepers are often most comfortable with a balanced feel, and because of this, they have some room to lean a bit one way or the other in terms of loft and firmness.
Combination sleeping: If you’re a combination sleeper and switch positions throughout the night, we highly recommend the adjustable pillows mentioned above.
One last thing to note is that the higher the loft, the more material in the pillow. This can create a denser construction and may trap heat more than pillows with a lower loft. Of course, we still recommend higher-lofted pillows to side sleepers and some back sleepers, but this is something to keep in mind.
RELATED: Best Mattresses of 2024
Cooling Materials
With so many options on the market, which material is truly the best for cooling? While there’s no one-size-fits-all choice, we do want to give you a guide for all of the most common cooling materials you’ll find in pillows.
Cooling Foams: In general, foam pillows are known to trap heat easily. However, companies have figured out ways to overcome this while still keeping the plush, comfy feel that so many people love. A cooling effect is often achieved by infusing another substance into the foam, such as graphite or even copper. Perhaps the most common cooling foam you’ll see out there is gel-infused foam. With infused cooling material, the pillow is able to maintain a cooler surface. So, your head, neck, and shoulder areas should remain cool as well. In turn, your body temperature lowers, and you shouldn’t find yourself overheating at night.
Phase Change Material (PCM): A pillow with Phase Change Material uses modern technology to not just make the pillow cool, but keep it cool throughout the night. That’s right, PCM is unique in that it works to stabilize the temperature of the pillow, and consequently, your body temperature as well. PCM achieves this by dissipating your body heat after absorption.
Latex: Eco-conscious shoppers and those with allergies should love the option of natural latex because it’s typically non-toxic, chemical-free, antimicrobial, and hypoallergenic. Hot sleepers should appreciate this material primarily because latex itself is naturally cooling and breathable. It should be noted that latex pillows often have a totally different feel than foam pillows; with latex pillows, you should get a bouncier feel that’s great for combination sleepers who like to change positions at night.
Down and Down Alternatives: Despite the fact that they are breathable, authentic down pillows are known to trap quite a bit of heat. That’s why down alternatives are a great material for cooling pillows; they tend to be far less insulating while still maintaining a similar feel of true down pillows.
Price
Cooling pillows are definitely going to be more expensive than your average pillow because of the technology and quality of materials used. You should expect to pay somewhere around $100 for a pillow that will keep you cool throughout the night.
Other Ways to Sleep Cool
If the cooling pillow isn’t quite enough to keep you from overheating, or if it’s a little out of your price range, there are many other products that should help you stay cool.
Accessories
Cooling Pads: Pads infused with gel or other substances are a fantastic option for those who don’t want to spend money on yet another pillow. Just slip the pad into a regular pillow (it goes on the side where you’ll lay your head), and the pad should help cool down the surface and consequently keep you cool as well.
Cooling Sheets: Cotton, bamboo, and Tencel are our favorite materials for cooling sheets because they’re naturally breathable. These materials are far better than other materials such as flannel, silk, and linen, which are prone to insulation and might make you overheat at night. For some incredible options, check out our roundup for the best cooling sheets.
Cooling Toppers: Foam toppers, though comfortable and cozy, can trap quite a bit of heat. That’s where cooling technology comes into play! Head on over to our article for the best cooling toppers for some of our favorite options.
Mattresses
If you’re willing to spend the money and need a major game-changer, then we recommend investing in a cooling mattress. Like pillows, mattresses are often made with cooling technology or have a very breathable construction. When used in tandem with other cooling accessories, we can almost guarantee that you shouldn’t have any problems overheating at night.
Check out our roundup for the best cooling mattresses for our top picks!
Bedroom Setup
Using a fan effectively is another way to create a cooler environment to sleep in. Turn ceiling fans counter-clockwise during hotter months, or face a fan out of an open window. It can also make a huge difference if you keep curtains closed during the day and turn off lights when you aren’t using them.
Lifestyle
Your lifestyle can impact your body temperature, and this can affect how hot or cold you sleep. We recommend working out in the mornings if you can and limiting physical activity in the evening to keep that body temperature low. Additionally, staying away from warm and spicy foods at the end of the day can help you from overheating.
Who Should Buy a Cooling Pillow
Truthfully, cooling pillows are great for almost anyone. There are a number of brands and models for every preference and sleeping position. Of course, a strictly hot sleeper should buy a cooling pillow for obvious reasons. Additionally, those who experience hot flashes or even those who just need something a little extra during warm summer months can benefit.
Who Shouldn’t Buy a Cooling Pillow
If you find yourself truly uncomfortable at night, we think a cooling pillow will be worth the investment. However, if you’re on a budget, you might want to consider a gel pad as a cheaper alternative, or perhaps some cooling sheets with more breathable materials.
Those looking for easy maintenance might want to check out other options as well. Not all cooling pillows have convenient washing and drying methods, and if this is important to you, then it could be worth sticking to a regular pillow or trying other cooling accessories.
Summary
The best pillow for hot sleepers is going to look different for everyone, but individuals who keep an eye out for ones that offer technology like gel infusions and cores with airflow promotion stand a good chance at sleeping cool all night long.
| Pillow | Best For |
| Cozy Earth Silk Pillow | Best Luxury Cooling Pillow |
| Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow | Best Value Cooling Pillow |
| LUXOME LAYR Pillow | Best Cooling Memory Foam Pillow |
| Saatva Latex Pillow | Best Cooling Latex Pillow |
| Birch Living Organic Pillow | Best Cooling Pillow for Back Sleepers |
| Coop Sleep Goods Eden Pillow | Best Cooling Adjustable Pillow |
| TEMPUR-Cloud Cooling Pro Pillow | Best Cooling Gel Foam Pillow |
| Sleep Number True Temp Pillow | Best Cooling Hypoallergenic Pillow |
The Best Cooling Pillows FAQs
What is the best pillow that stays cool?
There are some features in a pillow to look for that helps pillows stay cool.
- Breathable materials – those looking for a cotton cover, choose a percale weave over sateen because that will allow for more airflow. Moisture-wicking material or material designed for athletes are also great options.
- Cores that promote airflow – Usually solid foams will sleep hotter than shredded foam or other material that can be broken up or moved around like fibers; solid foam that is ventilated or contains gel, gel pads or Phase change Material can really help make a solid foam pillow cooler.
Are gel pillows good?
The pillow world seems to be somewhat divided on whether or not gel infused into pillows helps keep it cool. I’ve had some gel pad pillows work really well, including the TEMPUR-Cloud Cooling Pro pillow that made my list. I’ve also slept on plenty of foam pillows that are infused with gel and haven’t really noticed a big difference with those. Therefore, I am hesitant to say definitively that gel is always a good idea with a pillow, it truly depends on the quality of the brand, the gel they’re using and how they’re using it!
Are cooling pillows safe?
Yes! Pillows made with down are typically responsibly and humanely sourced. Companies that use down alternatives such as polyester or gel infused memory foam get certifications, like an OEKO-Tex certification, to ensure that no harmful chemicals or toxins went into the production of the pillows.
Can you wash a cooling pillow?
Truthfully, the answer is: it depends! Some pillows are fully machine washable, while others might be recommended to be spot cleaned only. Some companies might even suggest just tumble drying them. Regardless, always check the care instructions that the manufacturer provides you for the most accurate information on how to clean your pillow.
