We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Sleep Products The Best Cooling Pillows, Tested and Reviewed These picks will help prevent overheating while keeping you cool and comfortable all night. By Sarah Bradley Updated on May 02, 2024 Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD Fact checked by Rich Scherr Print Verywell Health / Joy Kim Cooling pillows are an easy way to help your head regulate your body temperature while sleeping. Constructed with breathable, moisture-wicking, foam—or latex-based materials, these pillows work inside and outside to keep your head cool, often utilizing unique airflow designs and gel layers to prevent overheating. Our editors spoke to top sleep experts, researched dozens of options, and tested 28 cooling pillows for at least one week, each in different sleeping positions, to find the best cooling pillows for a better night's rest. We assessed the pillows' performance based on quality, temperature/airflow, comfort, durability, and value. Then, our Medical Expert Board reviewed this article for medical and scientific accuracy. Materials to Look For in Cooling Pillows Experts recommend looking for materials like latex, foam, buckwheat, and gel inside the pillow. Solid memory foam layers benefit from ventilation holes, while shredded foam or synthetic fill pillows naturally offer protection against heat-trapping. On the outside of the pillow, you may want to look for covers made from bamboo cotton or polyester, which tend to have strong moisture-wicking properties. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Coop Sleep Goods The Eden Pillow at Amazon ($87) Jump to Review Best Overall Runner-up: Slumber Cloud Core Down Alternative Pillow at Amazon ($69) Jump to Review Best Budget: Himoon Cooling Pillows at Amazon ($23) Jump to Review Best for Side Sleepers: Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology at Amazon ($125) Jump to Review Best for Back Sleepers: Saatva Latex Pillow at Amazon ($185) Jump to Review Best for Stomach Sleepers: Purple Harmony Pillow at Amazon ($179) Jump to Review Best Latex: Sijo Clima Latex Pillow at Amazon ($120) Jump to Review Best Memory Foam: Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud Pillow at Amazon ($70) Jump to Review Best with Gel: Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow at Amazon ($80) Jump to Review In This Article Expand Materials to Look For in Cooling Pillows Our Picks We Also Tested How We Tested What to Look For Our Experts FAQ Why Trust Verywell Health Best Overall Coop Sleep Goods The Eden Pillow Coop Sleep Goods View On Amazon $87 View On Walmart $96 View On Coopsleepgoods.com $96 Our Ratings Quality 4.8/5 Breathability 5/5 Support 5/5 Durability 5/5 Comfort 5/5 Pros Adjustable loft Filling includes cooling gel Structured gusset Cons Slight odor that dissipates with time You may need to readjust the filling after washing and drying Why We Recommend It The best cooling pillows keep your sleep surface cool all night long and promote ultimate comfort, and that’s just what we discovered when we slept on our best overall pick, the Coop Home Goods Eden Pillow. Everything about this pillow is designed to help you get a better night’s sleep, from the soft, well-constructed outer cover to the adjustable gel-infused memory foam filling. We loved how adjustable this pillow was during testing. Not only does the pillow stay cool throughout the night without needing to be flipped over, but it can also be used by more than one type of sleeper because the filling is adjustable. Because each piece of filling is infused with cooling gel, this pillow maintains its temperature better than pillows we tested with cooling cores made of latex, like the Saatva. Not only is the entire pillow washable, but it fluffs up nicely after washing and even feels cool right out of the dryer. Thanks to its flexible comfort and commitment to cool, the Eden was a clear frontrunner for our best overall pick. Keep in Mind There was an initial odor that dissipated at time. Also the pillow is washable, but you may need to readjust the fluff after. Fill Material: Memory foam, microfiber | Cover Material: Viscose rayon, polyester | Sizes Available: Queen, king Verywell Health / Joy Kim Best Overall Runner-up Slumber Cloud Core Down Alternative Pillow Slumbercloud View On Amazon $69 View On Slumber Cloud $55 Our Ratings Quality 5/5 Breathability 5/5 Support 5/5 Durability 5/5 Comfort 4.5/5 Pros Easy to wash Promotes airflow Cons Not adjustable Why We Recommend It The Slumbercloud Core Down Alternative Pillow came in a close second place. We found the Slumbercloud to be a cool-to-the-touch option that's not too hard or soft and that washes up beautifully, maintaining its shape, size, and loft. Where temperature and airflow are concerned, the Slumbercloud performs exactly how you want it to: we didn't have to flip the pillow over at night to find a cool surface during testing. The pillow promotes plenty of airflow while sleeping. In fact, one of our editors, who describes themself as "picky about pillows," had nothing but good things to say about how comfortable the down-alternative fill is and how easy it is to follow the directions for washing. Even after washing, the pillow maintains its size and fluff. It fits easily into standard pillowcases and requires minimal fluffing or adjustment. It helped us fall asleep faster, making it a solid, cost-saving alternative to the Eden pillow. Keep in Mind The only reason this is our runner-up is because it isn't adjustable like our best overall pick. Fill Material: Down alternative fiber-fill | Cover Material: 100% cotton | Sizes Available: Standard, king Verywell Health / Joy Kim Best Budget Himoon Cooling Pillows Amazon View On Amazon $23 Our Ratings Quality 5/5 Breathability 3/5 Support 3/5 Durability 5/5 Comfort 3/5 Pros Good value for two pillows Maintains its loft Fluffs up in dryer Cons No noticeable “cool to the touch” feeling Why We Recommend It If you have more than one person in your house who needs a cooling pillow, you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to make everyone happy. In testing, we found the pack of two HIMOON Bed Pillows to be a supportive option, allowing plenty of airflow while sleeping. They work hard to maintain a neutral sleeping temperature and do a good job at doing so. If you want to bump up the chill factor, pair the pillows with a set of cooling sheets. In other features, the HIMOON pillows earned top scores in quality and durability; throughout our testing, they've provided stable support for side sleeping, with a loft that lasts through washing (and, speaking of washing, these pillows came out of the dryer looking fluffier than ever, so there are no issues there). Keep in Mind These pillows don’t feel as chilly as their competitors. Fill Material: Polyester, microfiber | Cover Material: Polyester | Sizes Available: Standard, queen, king The Himoon Cooling Pillows promote airflow during sleep and maintain their fluffiness even after laundering them. Verywell Health / Rachel Marek This pillow feels high-quality and supportive, but doesn’t feel cool to the touch. Verywell Health / Rachel Marek These pillows come as a set of two, making them a great value for individuals who tend to run warm at night. Verywell Health / Joy Kim Best for Side Sleepers Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology Casper View On Amazon $125 View On Casper View On Target $125 Our Ratings Quality 5/5 Breathability 5/5 Support 5/5 Durability 4/5 Comfort 4/5 Pros Substantial and well-made Holds its shape Cons Not adjustable Heavy Why We Recommend It You can’t beat the Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology for an ultra-cooling pillow for side sleepers. In our testing, this pillow was an overachiever in keeping us cool even when summer temperatures hit the 90s. We like that it’s a well-designed pillow made of multiple layers of foam that promote cooling and airflow. The Casper consistently impressed us across categories like comfort, durability, and value thanks to its substantial heft and weight, easily washable cover, and ability to keep its shape through use. We found it cool to the touch, and it didn’t seem to have any trouble keeping us cool all night. Keep in Mind Our only true caveat is that it’s not quite as tall as some other pillows, and since it’s not adjustable, you’ll need to make sure its height works for your body size and sleeping style. We think it's best for side-sleepers as we don't think it's as ideal for other sleep styles. Fill Material: Polyurethane foam | Cover Material: Polyester, spandex | Sizes Available: Standard, king Best for Back Sleepers Saatva Latex Pillow Saatva View On Amazon $185 View On Saatva $165 Our Ratings Quality 5/5 Breathability 4/5 Support 5/5 Durability 5/5 Comfort 4/5 Pros Hotel-quality pillow Fully washable Cons Not good for stomach sleepers Expensive Why We Recommend It While it's not for everyone, the Saatva Latex Pillow is a hotel-quality pillow that works well for back and combination side-and-back sleepers. It impressed us with its quality and durability, thanks to its multiple layers of construction, most of which are washable, and its lack of any chemical odor. In our experience, even for back and side sleepers, it took a few nights to get used to. But once we broke it in, we could sleep comfortably and—most importantly—it kept us cool all night long. We also think it's a good pick for snorers. Throughout our test, partners reported that back sleepers snored less! Keep in Mind While it's a great pillow with excellent quality and durability, it comes at a steep price—especially if you need a pair for your bed. This pick isn't ideal for stomach sleepers. The Saatva Latex Pillow feels high-quality and offers support ideal for back and side sleepers. Verywell Health / Rachel Marek This pillow’s solid construction and breathable cotton cover help the user stay cool throughout the night. Verywell Health / Rachel Marek This pillow is easy to maintain over time, as most of its layers are fully washable. Verywell Health / Rachel Marek Fill Material: Microdenier fiber, latex | Cover Material: 100% cotton | Sizes Available: Queen, king Best for Stomach Sleepers Purple Harmony Pillow Amazon View On Amazon $179 View On Purple View On Wayfair $199 Our Ratings Quality 5/5 Breathability 4/5 Support 5/5 Durability 5/5 Comfort 5/5 Pros Ventilated grid construction Maintains its shape Moisture-wicking cover Cons Expensive Why We Recommend It We had no trouble at all getting comfortable with the Purple Harmony Pillow—it is the perfect combination of squishy and supportive and keeps them cool all night long. Thanks to the jello-like interior, it earned top marks for comfort. It held its shape when we used it and never sunk down or required fluffing, and we loved that it sprung back into its original shape afterward. In terms of quality, we found the Harmony to be well-made, without any initial odors out of the box. And while the latex and polymer filling was a bit heavier than we were used to, we liked that its heft made the pillow seem stable, not flimsy. Keep in Mind Regarding cooling, we weren’t wowed but weren’t disappointed, either. Although there’s no noticeable cooling sensation when using the pillow, we had no issues overheating during the night. Also, there are cheaper options out there that perform similarly. Fill Material: Latex, polymer | Cover Material: Nylon and spandex | Sizes Available: Low, medium, tall in standard and king Best Latex Sijo Clima Latex Pillow Amazon View On Amazon $120 View On Nordstrom $120 View On Sijo Our Ratings Quality 5/5 Breathability 4.5/5 Support 4.5/5 Durability 5/5 Comfort 4.5/5 Pros Doesn't sag over time Soft and high-quality fabric Cons No noticeable “cool-to-the-touch” feeling Why We Recommend It The Sijo Clima Adaptive Latex Pillow scored similar marks to the Saatva Latex Pillow but with one important deviation that sets it apart as our best latex pick: overall value. While it's also more expensive, we think the Sijo Clima is worth the cost, especially since we think it will last for several years of use without sagging or becoming misshapen. This pillow impressed us regarding temperature, airflow, and comfort. While it’s not cool to the touch, it doesn't cause overheating or require flipping during the night. And night after night, it was super comfy (if not a little bouncier than most other pillows). That bounce is thanks to the latex core, which also gives this pillow its high durability rating. It didn't lose any of its lofts throughout our test, and its solid construction has convinced us it won’t need to be replaced anytime soon. Keep in Mind There wasn't a noticeable "cool-to-the-touch" feeling, but it still worked effectively. Fill Material: Latex | Cover Material: Tencel | Sizes Available: Standard, king Best Memory Foam Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud Pillow Amazon View On Amazon $70 View On Tempurpedic.com $89 View On Wayfair $66 Our Ratings Quality 4/5 Breathability 5/5 Support 5/5 Durability 4/5 Comfort 5/5 Pros Pillow adjusts to changing sleep positions Soft, luxurious construction Cons Heavy Why We Recommend It Memory foam pillows may not be everyone's preferred type of pillowfill. Still, the Tempur-Pedic Temper-Cloud Pillow really impressed us throughout our test: it is a luxurious, well-made pillow that remains cool throughout the entire night and easily adapts to our changing sleep positions. It earned top marks for temperature/airflow, comfort, and value. We have yet to find a reason to complain about how easy (and comfortable!) it is to sleep with this pillow. We didn't need to flip it over or adjust it during the night, no matter our sleep position. The pillow cover is soft and washes up nicely. Although it’s a bit expensive, we think it's a worthwhile investment considering how well we slept while using it. Keep in Mind Because it’s memory foam, the Temper-Cloud is heavier than the average pillow, but so far, that hasn't been a sticking point for us; if anything, it made us feel more confident in the pillow's quality and durability and its potential to last for a long time before needing to be replaced. Fill Material: Memory foam | Cover Material: Polyester | Sizes Available: Standard Best with Gel Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow Tuft & Needle View On Amazon $80 View On Tuft & Needle View On Target $100 Our Ratings Quality 4/5 Breathability 5/5 Support 5/5 Durability 4/5 Comfort 5/5 Pros Feels cool and stays cool with use Supportive Maintains its loft Cons Slight odor lingers for the first few days of use Only the cover is washable Why We Recommend It If you’re looking for a pillow that feels cool to the touch no matter how long you use it, we recommend the gel-based Tuft & Needle Pillow, which has a noticeable cooling sensation right off the bat and doesn't seem to absorb or transfer any of our body heat during use, either. Made with adaptive foam infused with graphite and cooling gel, this pillow maintains a distinct level of chill and promotes good air circulation, making it a stellar choice for a cooling gel pillow. In terms of comfort, it supports the head and neck through changing sleep styles and keeps its overall shape. We like that it's made from high-quality materials, fills pillowcases evenly and manages to be soft, supportive and slightly bouncy simultaneously. The combination of support and intense cooling makes it worth the investment. Keep in Mind It had a slight smell for a few days after opening the package. Also, only the cover can be washed, not the entire pillow. Fill Material: Foam | Cover Material: Tencel | Sizes Available: Standard, king Cooling Pillows We Also Tested Sleepnumber True Temp Pillow: The Classic is breathable and made from quality materials, but our testers didn’t think it was supportive enough for side sleepers.Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Memory Foam Pillow: It maintains a neutral temperature for sleeping. However, our testers noted that it compresses more than the average memory foam pillow and isn’t worth its price.The Company Store Cooling Gel Memory Foam Pillow: This pillow is reasonably priced, but our testers found it to be too stiff and bulky for comfort (and it didn’t fit easily into standard pillowcases, either). How We Tested the Cooling Pillows We tested 28 cooling pillows at home to see how they performed among key attributes. After the initial testing period, we've slept on our top-scoring pillows for nearly a year and are updating our reviews with notes on their continued performance. We assessed them based on the following criteria: Quality: We measured the loft's height before use and again after one week of use (and followed care instructions if the pillows were machine washable) to see if any notable compression or flattening had occurred. Temperature and airflow: We paid special attention to the pillows' breathability and ability to keep us cool while sleeping. We observed whether the pillows felt cool to the touch at first and how well they maintained that coolness; we didn't want to select pillows that had to be turned over during the night due to overheating or left us waking up covered in sweat.Comfort: We considered how well our heads and necks felt supported in our unique sleeping positions and how many times we woke up during the night to adjust our pillows. We also evaluated how easy or hard it was to adjust pillows with removable filling to get the right loft.Durability: We washed the pillows to see how they held up, how easily they cleaned, and whether they lost any supportiveness or comfort.Value: At the end of testing, we compared the pillows' performance to the price point to see whether or not the financial cost matched the value received. What to Look for in Cooling Pillows Firmness: Consider your body and head position, frequency of use, and any medical conditions, says Ashtaad Dalal, MD, sleep medicine and family medicine practitioner in Virginia. She adds that while firmness is all subjective, it's extremely important. Sleep Style: When choosing a pillow, consider your sleep style (e.g., side, stomach, or back). A cooling pillow must support your head, neck, shoulders, and back; how well it does this depends on how you sleep. Terry Cralle, RN, certified clinical sleep educator for the Better Sleep Council, says a stomach sleeper may prefer a thinner pillow, while side sleepers may prefer thicker ones. Some picks are more adjustable than others, which can help you make it perfect for your sleep style and ergonomic needs. Our Experts To help in the process, we consulted several experts, including: Terry Cralle, RN, certified clinical sleep educator for the Better Sleep Council Ashtaad Dalal, MD, sleep medicine and family medicine practitioner in Virginia Carleara Weiss, PhD, science advisor for Aeroflow Sleep Frequently Asked Questions Why do cooling pillows help you sleep better? Studies have shown that sleep is highly affected by temperature; sleeping in a room that’s too hot or too cold can make it harder to fall or stay asleep. The same goes for sleeping on a pillow that keeps your head too warm or too cold. Cralle says that cooling pillows are made with materials that give a cool or temperature-neutral surface, promoting airflow and detracting heat from the sleeper. That said, Cralle adds that others are more breathable and ventilated than traditional pillows, which can also draw heat away from you. How long do cooling pillows last? Dr. Dalal says that they can last anywhere from two to four years and that the durable materials help them stand the test of time better than traditional pillows. How do you clean a cooling pillow? Dalal says that many cooling pillows must be spot-cleaned because their materials aren’t compatible with a machine wash. You may want to use a removable and washable pillow cover—in addition to your pillowcase—to protect your pillow further and limit the need for cleaning. Finally, make sure that you read and follow the manufacturer’s directions for cleaning. They will give you specific tips on how to clean your pillow based on its materials. Why Trust Verywell Health Sarah Bradley has been writing health content since 2017: everything from product roundups and illness FAQs to nutrition explainers and the dish on diet trends. She knows how important it is to receive trustworthy and expert-approved advice about over-the-counter products that help you manage everyday conditions. Although she didn’t personally test the cooling pillows featured in this list, she has experience testing other personal care products for Verywell Health—and as a migraine sufferer, she understands the importance of finding a pillow that improves your sleep instead of keeping you up at night. 1 Source Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Radwan A, Ashton N, Gates T, Kilmer A, VanFleet M. Effect of different pillow designs on promoting sleep comfort, quality, & spinal alignment: A systematic review. European Journal of Integrative Medicine. 2021;42. doi:10.1016/j.eujim.2020.101269 By Sarah Bradley Sarah Bradley has been writing parenting content since 2017, after her third son was born. Since then, she has expanded her expertise to write about pregnancy and postpartum, childhood ages and stages, and general health conditions, including commerce articles for health products. Because she has been homeschooling her sons for seven years, she is also frequently asked to share homeschooling tips, tricks, and advice for parenting sites. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit