Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Style

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The 10 best cooling pillows for hot-blooded sleepers

By

If you’re tired of waking up sweaty in the middle of the night, it may be time to consider investing in a cooling pillow. These miraculous products lower the temperature around your head, neck, and shoulders, so you fall asleep faster and experience a deeper, more restful slumber, free of uncomfortable heat. Finding one that works well for you can be a bit of a chore, though, so to make life easier we’ve rounded up all of the best cooling pillows on the shelves right now. We’ve also found the best sheets to keep you cool too so you never overheat while in bed.

At a glance:

  • Best for neck pain:

    Xtreme Comforts Kool-Flow Micro-Vented Bamboo Cooling Pillow

  • Best contour for side sleepers:

    CR Comfort & Relax Ventilated Memory Foam Contour Cooling Pillow

  • Best airflow design:

    Perfect Cloud Ventilated Memory Foam Cooling Pillow

  • Best travel pillow: Malouf Z Travel Cooling Pillow
  • Most durable: Tempur-Pedic Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling Pillow
  • Best support for all sleep positions:

    Casper Foam Pillow

  • Best hotel quality: The Saatva Pillow
  • Best pressure relief:

    Weekender Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Pillow

  • Best value add-on: Coop Home Goods Bamboo Cooling Pillowcase
  • Best add-on for migraines, night sweats, and hot flashes: Cool Care Technologies’ Cooling Pillow Mat –

Best for neck pain: Xtreme Comforts Kool-Flow Micro-Vented Bamboo Cooling Pillow

Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re shopping for cooling pillows, you’re going to come upon tons of pillows wrapped in bamboo covers. That’s because bamboo is naturally breathable and can wick away moisture much better than other popular pillow covers, like those made with cotton.

Recommended Videos

Xtreme Comforts’ pillow, made with Kool-Flow memory foam, is hypoallergenic and resistant to pests like dust mites. This pillow is filled with shredded memory foam. If you’re looking for optimal cooling, shredded memory foam is the way to go over loaf memory foam pillows, as the smaller pieces allow increased airflow and ventilation.

  • Type of filling: Shredded memory foam.
  • Care: These pillows are fully machine washable. Wash in cold water and dry on low setting. You can also remove and wash just the cover if you prefer.
  • Size: Queen.
  • Cost:  $55.

Related

Best contour for side sleepers: CR Comfort & Relax Ventilated Memory Foam Contour Cooling Pillow

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Side sleepers, here’s a pillow that was made just for you. Contoured pillows are perilous for stomach sleepers and back sleepers, who need something relatively flat and supportive for their backs rather than necks. Side sleepers, however, can often strain their shoulders at night trying to keep their neck from collapsing into the pillow and mattress. That is, if they don’t have a lofty enough pillow.

CR Comfort & Relax has a contoured pillow that will help side sleepers feel comfortable and supported from the top of their heads down to their shoulders. We might not notice it, but our heads are quite heavy; after buying a pillow that gives your neck a little love at night, your neck and upper back soreness will be gone in no time. This pillow also has wide holes punched through it, which is great for side sleepers, who tend to sleep hot.

  • Type of filling: Memory foam.
  • Care: If odor is noted at unboxing, air pillow out for 20 minutes. Pillow must be stored in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Spot clean pillow with damp cloth only. Do not place memory foam in the washing machine.
  • Size: Standard.
  • Cost: $35.

Best airflow design: Perfect Cloud Ventilated Memory Foam Cooling Pillow

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Amazon’s exclusive Perfect Cloud memory foam pillow is super lofty, which makes it another great choice for side sleepers. With ventilated memory foam and a knit cover made to wick away moisture and improve airflow between you and your mattress, you’re getting double the cooling power between your pillow and cover. This pillow is made with Visco foam and mesh trim, designed specifically for side sleepers who need extra cooling at night.

  • Type of filling: Memory foam (visco-elastic foam).
  • Care: This pillow can be spot cleaned only. Use only water or water with mild detergent. Rinse well and squeeze gently to release any water. Air dry. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat.
  • Size: Standard.
  • Cost: $53.

Best travel pillow: Malouf Z Travel Cooling Pillow

Image used with permission by copyright holder

What’s grosser than waking up in your own bed covered in sweat? Waking up on a plane covered in sweat. If you’re a frequent traveler who has a hard time regulating heat while you sleep, you need to give yourself a pillow that you can pack away so you can catch some Zzzs wherever you can. This pillow by Malouf Z is small, compressible and has a gel-infused foam material covered with a bamboo cover, which is soft, breathable, and hypoallergenic. It checks all the boxes for hot sleepers who travel a lot, and if you run off the sleep that you’re forced to take in 1-hour intervals while traveling, this is a small price to pay to feel more rested throughout the day.

Whether you’re going by plane, train, or automobile, a good travel pillow is a must for long trips. You can take your journeying to the next level with a compact cooling pillow like this one from Malouf.

  • Type of filling: Gel memory foam.
  • Care: Keep away from external heat sources. Cover may be removed and washed on gentle cycle with a cold water rinse. Tumble dry on low heat setting. The core must be spot cleaned only with mild detergent by hand. Do not soak.
  • Size: Parent.
  • Cost: $25.

Most durable: Tempur-Pedic Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling Pillow

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Tempur-Pedic knows what it means to sleep hot, and that’s why the company has invested so heavily in creating products that keep you cool, feel comfortable, and last a long time. Tempur-Pedic has an entire line of mattresses called the TEMPUR-breeze, so the brand is certainly no stranger to designing for the hot sleeper.

This pillow features gel and memory foam. Gel is a super popular material in sleep products, as it provides a lot of comfort plus packs tons of cooling technology. This might be an expensive pillow, but it’s also highly rated and hot sleepers will rejoice after spending a few nights with this model.

  • Type of filling: Memory foam with gel layers on both sides.
  • Care: Breathable cover is removable for machine washing and drying. The inner core can be spot cleaned only with water or water and mild detergent.
  • Size: Queen.
  • Cost: $166.

Best support for all sleep positions: Casper Foam Pillow

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Casper Foam Pillow is designed for optimal cooling benefits as well as support for all sleep positions. Providing perfect neck alignment via its core structure, cushy pampering from its plush outer layers, and superior breathability from its jersey knit cover, the Casper Foam Pillow offers everything a great cooling pillow needs, and then some. Enjoy it for Casper’s 100-night sleep trial and if you decide its not for you, return it for a full refund. Casper offers free shipping and returns, and the Casper Foam Pillow comes with a one-year limited warranty.

  • Type of filling: Memory foam.
  • Care: Removable jersey knit cover can be machine washed on the delicate cycle in cold water. Then dry flat with no iron. Do not use bleach.
  • Size: Standard.
  • Cost: $80.

Best hotel quality: The Saatva Pillow

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Saatva Pillow from Saatva is another favorite of ours, with its chic hotel quality alongside natural, eco-conscious materials and exceptional craftsmanship. From its moisture-wicking, organic sateen cover to its hypoallergenic cotton fill to its core of shredded 100% American Talalay latex, the Saatva Pillow emanates superior cooling quality. Made in the U.S., this pillow is also dust mite- and mildew-resistant, and is crafted from renewable sources. The outer pillow is 100% organic cotton and microdenier fiber, which is machine washable.

  • Type of filling: Core is 100% American shredded Talalay latex; pillow is 100% organic cotton with microdenier fiber.
  • Care:  To wash the pillow and cover, unzip, and remove the inner core of shredded Talalay latex (never wash the inner core). The outer organic sateen cover and organic cotton pillow are machine washable, but it’s only recommended to wash them twice per year and replace the pillow entirely after 36 months.
  • Size: Queen.
  • Cost: $145.

BUY FROM SAATVA

Best pressure relief: WEEKENDER Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Pillow

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Designed for the comfort of back, stomach, and side sleepers alike, the Weekender Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Pillow is a superb quality, affordable cooling pillow. Its ventilated design allows for maximum airflow while an infused cooling gel rests in a supportive core of dense memory foam. There are three different sizes available for your convenience. This pillow maintains a 4.4-star rating out of a possible 5 stars on Amazon after 6,788 customer reviews.

  • Type of filling: Memory foam.
  • Care: The removable cover is machine washable while the inner core is not.
  • Size: Standard.
  • Cost: $30.

Best Cooling Add-ons

Best value add-on: Coop Home Goods Bamboo Cooling Pillowcase

Image used with permission by copyright holder

We discussed the benefits of bamboo above, so you already know what the deal is with this pillowcase. If you have a pillow you love and that’s super comfortable, doesn’t make you sore, and supports your neck and shoulders, you should try to make it work before ditching the pillow entirely. That’s where the Coop Home Goods pillowcase comes in; keep your super comfy pillow, just wrap it in a case that enables airflow, cooling, and extra comfort. Plus, you’re only spending $18 for a pillow that stays cool.

  • Type of filling: No filling.
  • Care: Machine washable and dryable, or you can air dry as well.
  • Size: Standard.
  • Cost: $18.

Best add-on for migraines, night sweats, and hot flashes: Cool Care Technologies’ Cooling Pillow Mat

Image used with permission by copyright holder

You’ve heard of heating pads and, yes, you can get a cooling mat, too. Just throw this 22-by-12-inch mat on top of your pillow and both sides will be the cool side of the pillow. If you want a cooler sleeping experience but you don’t want to feel like you’re sleeping on something too chilly, you can put the mat between the pillow and mattress and feel as the cool air flows upward toward you. The technology Cool Care Technologies has put in this pillow is unique; the cooling power is activated simply by pressure, and you don’t need to stick it in a freezer or plug it in. Just don’t use it for around 15 minutes and it will be ready for more use.

  • Type of filling: No filling; pillowcase is made with bamboo.
  • Care: Can be wiped off with a damp cloth.
  • Size: Pillow Pad size.
  • Cost: $30.

Editors’ Recommendations

21Oak Contributor
21Oak Contributor
Former Digital Trends Contributor
The 10 best pillows for stomach sleepers in 2020
coop home goods stomach sleeper 1024x10

Stomach sleepers take a lot of flack for their favorite sleeping position, but the truth is that it's hard to change the way you sleep. No matter how many times you may try to get comfortable enough to fall asleep on your back, you still find yourself on your stomach when you wake up. With that in mind, selecting the right stomach sleeper pillow is essential.

When choosing this type of pillow, stomach sleepers should remember that the thinnest and softest option is best, since larger options may force the head into an awkward angle, causing stress on the neck or shoulders. Stomach sleepers are said to need the least amount of pillow support of all sleeping positions, so thin and soft is ideal.

Read more
The 8 best down pillows for your ultimate comfort in 2020
best down pillows egyp 2 1024x1024

Everyone enjoys a great night's sleep -- but there are times when they can be difficult to achieve. That's why we love bringing you guides to the best mattresses, apps, and other great accessories to help you get some shut-eye. Of course, a central component of a great night's sleep is the spot upon which we rest our weary heads -- so we definitely can't leave out the best pillows on the market.

And, when you think of hotel-soft, clean, white pillows, what else do you think of but down pillows? Down, which is the bottom layer of a bird's feathers - hidden under the top layer -- beats out other pillow fillings for the softest and most comfortable pillow. Down pillows, if treated well, can outlast nearly every other pillow on the market, providing a cozy sleep experience for around 10 years. Plus, down pillows offer a lot of customization if you know what you're looking for. Whether you're a side sleeper who needs a higher loft or a stomach sleeper who needs a barely-there pillow, you can find the right pillow in down. If you're waking up in pain or with headaches, can't sleep through the night, or have a hard time falling asleep, the switch to a high-quality luxury pillow-like down might be the answer you need.
At a glance:

Read more
The 10 best pillows for back sleepers in 2020
best pillows for back sleepers saatva sleeper

If you're a back sleeper in need of a pillow, you may find yourself overwhelmed sorting through the numerous choices available. From feathers, down, and down alternative to memory foam, gel, latex, and more, modern pillows comprise a lot more than the basic varieties of the past -- so it helps to keep in mind the essential needs of the back sleeper.

Overall, back sleepers benefit from supportive pillows with a thin or average amount of fill to keep the neck in proper alignment. Having an adjustable fill level is optimal so they can add or remove as they wish. Memory foam is also popular with back sleepers, as is down or down alternative, as well as an occasional wedge pillow, particularly if snoring is an issue. Some people may find they actually have more than one sleeping position -- stomach, side, back -- or, at times, a combination of all three. For best results, back sleepers should consider our favorite pillows below.
Best pillows for back sleepers, at a glance

Read more