Tired of waking up hot and sweaty in the middle of the night? Millions of people struggle with overheating while they sleep, which ruins their rest and leaves them feeling exhausted the next day.
The thing is that finding the best cooling pillow can completely change your sleep experience.
These specially designed pillows use smart cooling technologies to keep your head and neck at the perfect temperature all night long.
If you’re a natural hot sleeper, going through menopause, or just want better sleep quality, the right cooling pillow can help you wake up refreshed and ready to tackle your day.
Why a Cooling Pillow is Essential for Hot Sleepers?
If you’re a hot sleeper, tossing and turning because you can’t stay cool, a cooling pillow could change your nights. When your head and neck get too warm at night, it disrupts your natural sleep cycles and prevents you from getting the deep, restful sleep your body needs.
Cooling pillows work by actively reducing your body temperature and helping you reach better REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep stages.
These smart pillows regulate heat throughout the night, dramatically reduce uncomfortable night sweats, and improve your overall sleep quality. They use special technologies like cooling gel layers, phase-change materials that absorb excess heat, or breathable designs that boost airflow around your head and neck.
How Do Cooling Pillows Actually Work?
Cooling pillows use three main technologies to keep you comfortable all night. Gel-infused memory foam contains tiny gel beads that absorb and spread heat away from your head.
Phase change materials (PCMs) are special substances that melt slightly when they get warm, soaking up excess heat from your body. Ventilation zones and shredded fill create air pockets that let cool air flow through the pillow.
Many people wonder if cooling pillows stay cool all night long. The truth is, they don’t stay ice-cold forever, but they do stay cooler than regular pillows by continuously moving heat away from your head.
The best cooling pillows combine multiple technologies to give you the longest-lasting cool comfort possible.
Best Cooling Pillows
Here are the cooling pillows that consistently help hot sleepers get better rest. These top-rated options use proven cooling technologies and have earned excellent reviews from people who struggle with nighttime overheating.
1. Casper Hybrid Pillow with Snow Technology
Designed for long-lasting cool comfort, this innovative pillow features a CoolTouch Cover that delivers an instant refreshing sensation and HeatDelete bands that keep temperatures down for over 12 hours.
Its hybrid foam and fiber construction offers the perfect balance of soft, flexible comfort and reliable support. The outer foam layer resists clumping and flattening, ensuring consistent performance and no need for nightly fluffing.
What We Noticed: Testers noted the instant cool touch and lasting comfort from the HeatDelete bands. It stayed cooler than most for over 10 hours. Foam retained shape well, though some users found it too firm for stomach sleeping.
2. TEMPUR‑Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling Pillow
Featuring a dual-sided gel layer, this cooling pillow keeps you comfortably cool all night long. The adaptive TEMPUR material provides personalized support by contouring to your head, neck, and shoulders, suitable for all sleep positions.
With a medium feel and long-lasting durability, it maintains its shape over time. The soft, breathable quilted cover is removable and washable, making it as easy to care for as it is comfortable.
What We Noticed: Dual gel layers impressed testers with consistent cooling. The pillow molded perfectly to the head and neck. Heavier than expected, but it held shape well and felt especially supportive for back and side sleepers.
3. Coop Sleep Goods Eden Cool+ Pillow
Stay cool and comfortable all night with this dual-sided cooling pillow, designed specifically for hot sleepers. It features gel-infused memory foam and microfiber fill for 50% more airflow and effective heat dissipation.
The cool-touch cover and heat-wicking liner enhance the cooling experience. With adjustable fill and safe materials, it promotes deeper, drier, and more restorative sleep, reducing tossing and turning.
What We Noticed: Testers loved the soft yet supportive feel, plus the adjustable fill. Cooling was effective with the cover on, but less noticeable without it. It held shape during lab tests but showed minor cover wear after washing.
4. Slumber Cloud UltraCool Pillow
Made with NASA-approved Outlast fabric on both sides, this temperature-regulating pillow absorbs and releases heat for consistent comfort.
It’s made in the USA and certified by Oeko-Tex Standard 100, ensuring it’s free from harmful substances. Designed to manage heat even through a pillowcase, it’s also machine washable, making it easy to care for.
What We Noticed: NASA-approved Outlast fabric regulated heat smoothly, maintaining comfort even under pillowcases. Suitable for slightly low loft back and stomach sleepers. The cooling effect was gentle but consistent throughout the night.
5. Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow
The Easy Breather Pillow offers superior loft and customizable fill, perfect for all sleepers seeking extra support. Its four-way stretch fabric contours precisely to your head and neck for personalized comfort.
Made with premium, eco-friendly materials and breathable Icecore fabric, it promotes airflow and reduces heat and moisture. With a washable cover and compatibility with waterproof protectors, it’s easy to care for and built to last.
What We Noticed: Adjustable loft and breathable Icecore fabric provided excellent airflow. The fill remained evenly distributed throughout use, and testers noted a mild initial foam odor that quickly faded with airing, improving comfort quickly.
6. Purple Harmony Pillow
This pillow combines a honeycombed GelFlex layer and Talalay latex core to cradle and support your head and neck with no pressure.
Its ventilated latex, moisture-wicking mesh cover, and temperature-neutral Grid ensure continuous airflow for a cool night’s sleep. Durable materials keep its shape over time. Made in the USA with hypoallergenic, certified materials, it comes with a 1-year warranty for peace of mind.
What We Noticed: The honeycombed GelFlex layer allowed superior airflow, keeping temperature neutral. The latex core offered a supportive bounce, which took some testers a few nights to get used to, but they felt comfortable afterward.
7. Avocado Green Pillow
This breathable pillow features a luxurious GOTS-certified organic cotton cover that keeps you cool and airy throughout the night.
Filled with GOLS-certified organic latex and organic kapok fibers, it offers soft yet supportive pressure relief for your head and neck. The zippered 233-thread-count Organic Percale cotton cover is machine washable, making it easy to care for while ensuring lasting comfort.
What We Noticed: Featuring an organic cotton cover and natural latex fill, this pillow offered breathable, eco-friendly cooling. It balanced softness with support well. Some testers noticed a brief earthy smell that faded quickly with use.
8. Cozy Earth Silk Pillow
This pillow features a 100% premium bamboo viscose fabric shell for a soft, breathable feel. Filled exclusively with 100% Mulberry silk, it offers consistent loft and luxurious comfort.
The filling is designed to stay evenly distributed, backed by a warranty against shifting, ensuring long-lasting support and a restful night’s sleep.
What We Noticed: Luxurious silk filling and bamboo viscose cover delivered softness and breathability. Cooling was subtle but effective at managing moisture, making it ideal for sleepers who want plush comfort over firm structure.
9. Buffy Cloud Pillow
This eco-friendly pillow features a soft TENCEL lyocell shell made from sustainable eucalyptus fibers and fluffy, BPA-free recycled PET fill that repurposes 24–30 plastic bottles.
Available in soft, medium, and firm options, it offers comfortable support for all sleep positions while absorbing moisture to keep you cool and dry. It comes with a three-year protection plan and has won multiple awards for comfort and cooling.
What We Noticed: Soft, down-like feel combined with a moisture-wicking eucalyptus shell. Cooling was mild but sufficient for moderate hot sleepers. It’s highly rated for eco-friendly materials and offers multiple firmness options.
10. Qutool Cooling Pillow
This cooling pillow features a double-sided design with ice-silky fabric for instant cooling and a soft, breathable bamboo-blend side. Its adjustable loft allows personalized comfort and firm support.
Made with CertiPUR-US certified gel memory foam and shredded filling for optimal airflow, it promotes cool, restful sleep. The machine-washable cover keeps the pillow fresh and comfortable night after night.
What We Noticed: The dual-sided design provided instant cooling on one side and breathable comfort on the other. The adjustable loft maintained its shape well. The machine-washable cover held up with minimal shrinkage after washing.
11. GhostBed Gel Memory Foam Pillow
This cooling pillow features patented phase-change material that adjusts to your body heat in real-time, keeping you comfortably cool throughout the night. Individually molded and aerated, it ensures continuous airflow for enhanced breathability.
The zippered cover is made with cool-to-the-touch Ghost Ice fabric, adding to the cooling effect. Designed in the U.S. and imported, it provides lasting head and neck support for all-night comfort.
What We Noticed: The Cool-to-touch Ghost Ice fabric and phase-change material effectively adapted to body temperature. Firm support maintained shape well, providing excellent neck alignment and lasting comfort for sleepers needing strong support.
12. Bedgear Night Ice Performance Pillow
The Night Ice Performance Pillow delivers 3X the cooling power with advanced airflow and temperature regulation from core to cover.
Its hybrid design blends adaptive React fill with cooling gel, offering a perfect mix of comfort and support. Designed to prevent overheating and promote restful sleep, it’s ideal for hot sleepers who want to stay cool at night.
What We Noticed: Provided strong cooling thanks to advanced airflow technology. React fill was responsive and supportive, especially for side sleepers. The pillow maintained loft and breathability after extended testing and use.
13. Sealy All‑Night Cooling Pillow
The Sealy All Night Cooling Pillow features bio-based HeiQ Smart Temp technology that responds to your body temperature to keep you cool throughout the night.
Its soft fabric and hypoallergenic fill provide lasting comfort while maintaining shape. Designed for easy care, it’s both machine washable and dryable. Backed by the Sealy Lifetime Warranty.
What We Noticed: HeiQ Smart Temp technology offered steady, comfortable cooling without being icy. The pillow held shape well after use and washed easily, making it an excellent budget-friendly choice for hot sleepers.
How to Choose the Right Cooling Pillow for You?
Finding the perfect cooling pillow doesn’t have to be confusing. By considering a few key factors about your sleep habits and preferences, you can narrow down your choices and find the ideal match.
- Sleep Position: Side sleepers need thicker pillows, while back and stomach sleepers need thinner ones.
- Budget: Cooling pillows range from $30 basic options to $150+ premium models with advanced technology.
- Allergies: Choose hypoallergenic materials like bamboo or latex if you have dust mite sensitivities.
- Firmness: Decide if you prefer soft, medium, or firm support for your head and neck.
- Material: Consider memory foam, bouncy latex, or breathable fiber fill based on your comfort needs.
Take time to think about what matters most to you. The best cooling pillow is one that matches your sleeping style and keeps you comfortable all night long.
That’s a Wrap
Choosing the right cooling pillow is easier when you know what to look for.
By understanding how these pillows work and considering your personal sleep preferences, you can make a smart choice that changes your nights. Remember, good sleep is an investment in your health and happiness.
The right cooling pillow will help you sleep more deeply, wake up less often, and feel more energized every morning. Ready to upgrade your sleep?
Share your cooling pillow experiences in the comments below – we’d love to hear what works best for you and help other readers find their perfect match.
