Whether you tend to overheat during the night or just like the sensation of a cool pillow on your cheek, the best cooling pillows will enable you to have a fantastic night's sleep. There's something calming and comforting about how cooling pillows quickly regulate your temperature - especially on a hot night. It will quickly become the best pillow to use when temperatures are high.
Whatever position you find yourself most comfy in, whether you're a side sleeper, back sleeper or front, stomach sleeper, it's important to find the right type of pillow that works for you and won't end up giving you neck and shoulder pain. We have even found the best orthopaedic pillows with cooling properties.
The best cooling pillows at a glance:
• Top pick: The Simba Hybrid Pillow - view on Simba
• Best Memory Foam cooling pillow: Coolmax® Contour Extra Firm Memory Foam Pillow - view on M&S
• Best orthopaedic cooling pillow: Cooling Cervical Memory Foam Pillow for Neck Pain Relief - view on Amazon UK
Although a cooling pillow might cool you down, be sure you're not sacrificing on comfort. After all, even if you're at the perfect temperature, if you're not comfortable, it's unlikely you'll get a good night's sleep. For example, if you are someone who needs a pillow for back pain then we have found a memory foam cooling pillow which will offer added support.
Top Pick
Credit: Simba simbasleep.com
With adjustable height and firmness, you can genuinely adapt this pillow to your sleep. It's ideal for a cool and comfortable sleep using the latest space-inspired temperature regulation technology.
Our review: " This pillow is fantastic. The right pillow can make all the difference for someone who suffers from their joints. This pillow is soft yet full. I usually sleep with two pillows but that wasn't necessary with this pillow. What I love about it is that it can be modified, so if you like a thinner pillow, you can remove the stuffing—making it a fantastic pillow that can be tailored to your preferences. The vented design means you can stay cool during the night and wake up feeling fresh. I cannot recommend it highly enough."
Pros
- Machine washable
- Supportive
- Great quality
Cons
- A more expensive option compared to some of the pillows on our list
| Composition: | Cover: 100% Better Cotton, with Stratos® finish<br>Comfort filling: 100% polyester fibres (Simba Renew Bio™)<br>Mesh border: 100% polyester fibres<br>Inner cover: 100% polyester<br>Nanocube core filling: 100% CertiPUR (R) foam + TCPP free |
- Nanocubes can be removed or added to achieve your desired level of firmness
- Mesh border for maximum air flow
- Hypoallergenic
Best Memory Foam cooling pillow
Credit: M&Swww.marksandspencer.com
Stay cool with this pillow from M&S. It's great for support and can be used and positioned in three different ways to provide the support and comfort you need.
Customer review: "great deal - just as I would expect from M&S. Definitely a cool comfortable pillow set."
Pros
- Perfect for side, back and front sleeper
- Firm pillow
- Pillows keep shape
Cons
- Some reviews mention the pillow had a strange smell when it first arrived
| Composition: | 100% polyester, <br>Outer 100% polyester <br>Filling - 100% polyester |
- Memory foam
- Luxurious Cool-max cover
- Non-allergenic
Best orthopaedic cooling pillow
Credit: Amazon Ideal if you suffer from neck and back problems (especially if you often wake up with aches and pains) this smart, doctor-designed pillow works to both cool you down and support your neck during the night using cooling gel.
Customer review: "I bought this pillow four months ago as I was suffering neck pain from an old rugby injury. I have been amazed at the results, my neck pain has gone and my sleep quality has improved considerably. It was strange at first as I have been used to soft feather pillows but after a couple nights I couldn't go back."
Pros
- Relieves cervical fatigue and pain, improve sleep
- Suitable for summer
- Comes with a pillow case
Cons
- Might be too firm for some sleepers
| Composition: | Memory Foam |
- Hiber-gel technology
- Biodegradable
- 100-night trial
- Maintains temperature of 15.4-19.4 degrees
Best firm cooling pillow
Credit: Argos www.argos.co.uk
The supportive memory foam wrap gently moulds around your head and neck to help relieve pressure and minimise any neck or back pain you might experience overnight. The soft Cool Max cover gently soaks up any moisture that hot sleepers experience ensuring your head is kept cool all night.
Customer review: "Very comfortable & quite cooling for the face when suffer with hot flushes as I do."
Pros
- Really affordable option
- Good for side sleepers
- Anti-allergy
Cons
- Best suited for side sleepers, so may not be as effective for front or back sleepers
| Composition: | Cover made from 100% polyester.<br>Filling made from 100% memory foam |
- Memory foam
- Firm pillow
- Suitable for side sleepers
- Sponge clean only
Best natural cooling pillow
Credit: AmazonThis pillow is a brilliant, natural alternative to feather pillows making it ideal if you suffer from allergies. Its medium firmness and breathable cotton fabric allow your skin to breathe during the night to prevent night sweats.
Customer review: "I have 2 issues with sleeping: (1) I always wake up with a "crick" in my neck and (2) I am a lady of a certain age who gets very, very hot (temperature wise!) at night at the moment. This BEAUTIFUL pillow has definitely solved both issues. We recently bought a wool mattress, which has helped enormously with the overheating, although not in the head region, hence the next step of buying a wool pillow. I bought the adjustable pillow, and thoroughly enjoyed unzipping it and plunging my hands into the beautiful sheep wool to "pouffe" it up before use - unlike other reviewers, I actually thought it smelled gorgeous! I didn't remove any wool, to keep it as full as possible. The pillow felt quite "squashy", but was actually very supportive. Problem (1) was solved! As for problem (2), the past few nights have been very hot and humid, but I didn't overheat or sweat nearly as much as I normally do. Problem (2) solved too! I would thoroughly recommend this pillow. I like it so much I'm about to order another 3 for my/my husband's double bed, and some for my daughters' beds too. It does seem to much nicer and healthier to sleep on/in/under natural fibres - we're definitely sold on the "wool" route ….."
Pros
- Hand-crafted from 100 per cent traceable British wool and organic cotton
- Moisture wicking
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Cannot be tumble-dried
| Composition: | 100% traceable British wool - Filling <br> |
- Suitable for side, back and front sleepers
- Hypoallergenic
- Adjustable
Best thermo-regulated cooling pillow
Credit: John Lewis www.johnlewis.com
This innovative pillow uses Outlast technology to ensure you experience a well-regulated climate throughout the night. It is plump yet lightweight, offering a medium-to-firm level of support.
Customer review: "Struggled for months with sore shoulders and neck with my last pillow so bought this based on recommendations from other side sleepers and have not regretted it. Really good support but feels soft and bouncy. The added bonus is that it doesn't make your head hot which was a big problem for me. Excellent buy and would definitely recommend."
Pros
- Perfect for back or side sleepers
- Temperature regulating
- Lightweight
Cons
- Some customers wished it was a little firmer
| Composition: | Outer: 100% Outlast cotton. <br>Inner: 100% treated polyester |
- Machine washable
- 100 per cent cotton outer
- Tumble dry on low
Best cooling pillow for comfort
Credit: Feather and Black www.featherandblack.com
There's no compromising on comfort when it comes to this luxurious, TEMPUR pillow. Using specially developed TEMPUR 'Extra Soft' material and a patented TEMPUR envelope containing thousands of TEMPUR micro cushions, you'll get a soft and comfortable night's sleep.
Customer review: "Amazing! Best night's sleep EVER. Aligns your spine, stays cool to touch, keeps it's shape and is so comfortable. A considered option due to the price but worth every penny. Would definitely recommend."
Pros
- Suitable for all sleeping positions
- Removable cover
- Extra soft material
Cons
- At a higher price point than other pillows
| Composition: | Unknown |
- Ideal for side and front sleepers
- Removable and washable cover at 40°C
- 3-year guarantee
Best adjustable cooling pillow
Credit: brightrwww.brightrsleep.com
Wanting a cooling pillow for you and a loved one? You can't do wrong with this duo. The graphene memory foam inside is a natural thermo regulator, which draws heat away, meaning you'll have a cooler and more comfortable sleep. The head and neck support provided is an added bonus.
Pros
- Contains premium copper fibres to protect you from allergens
- Ideal for those with sensitive hair and skin
- Recommended by Osteopaths
Cons
- The foam layer can only be spot cleaned
| Composition: | Luxurious Copper Pillowcase<br>Experience the ultimate in luxury with our Luxurious Soft Copper Pillowcase. This copper-infused, skin-friendly material offers unparalleled softness and antimicrobial benefits for a rejuvenating sleep.<br><br>IQillow 2 layer core<br>Designed for your personalized comfort, each Brightr Luna pillow features a 2-layer core that can be easily adjusted. For back sleepers, the medium loft layer provides ideal support, while front sleepers will love the low loft layer. Combine both layers for the perfect side sleeper pillow. The medium loft layer comes with a zipper, allowing you to add or remove filling to create your ideal pillow.<br><br>Signature Cooling Graphene Memory foam<br>Made with shredded graphene memory foam. It strikes the ideal balance of support and softness, complemented by our exclusive "cooling" technology that keeps you comfortably cool throughout the night. |
- Designed for side, back and front sleepers
- Medium firm to soft feel
- Removable inner pillow layers to adjust height
Best Queen-sized cooling pillow
Credit: Amazon 
Whether you prefer a firm pillow for side sleeping or a flatter pillow for stomach sleeping, this pillow can be adjusted to your preference. Available in standard and King sizes, as well as Queen, you'll be able to pick the perfect size to fit your bed so you can have a cooling night's kip.
Customer review: "I’m not usually one for reviews but I had to give my thumbs up for this amazing pillow! For so many years I have been searching, suffering and testing to find the perfect pillow for me because I’m a hot sleeper and desperately needed something cold or cool! No more will I have to turn the pillow over in the middle of the night to find the cooler side or, seek out the thinnest coolest Cotten pillowcases to try and keep me cooler or worry about the pillow loosing it’s plumpness and going flat making it impossible to gat comfortable at night!"
Pros
- Molds to your body to protect your spine
- Add or remove our gel-infused visco elastic memory foam
- Greater air ventilation
Cons
- Some people may not like that they have to add and remove the inner stuffing to adjust the height
| Composition: | Foam, Memory Foam |
- Machine washable
- Hypoallergenic
- Adjustable height
What to look out for in a cooling pillow
Sleeping position - Be sure to opt for a pillow that will work for your ideal sleeping position. Whether you're after a pillow for front sleepers, side sleepers or back sleepers, the right pillow for your sleeping position will help give you the neck support you need and avoid any aches and pain in the morning.
Ease of washing - Sweating during the night is very common, especially in the summer months. It's important to choose an easily washable pillow. Alternatively, you'll want one with a removable cover that can be washed and used alongside a mattress protector.
Cooling technology - Opt for a pillow that uses smart, cooling technology to regulate your temperature and create a more stable body temperature throughout the night.
FAQs
Do self-cooling pillows work?
The ideal temperature for sleep is 15.6 to 19.4 °C, so on those hotter nights, it's understandable why sleep is so difficult. Cooling pillows are designed to release heat more effectively than regular pillows and in turn, can help you sleep better, especially if you're someone who regularly wakes up all hot and bothered.
They work to wick away any moisture quickly but it's worth noting that they do begin to warm up after 10 minutes, in which time you should have hopefully fallen asleep!
Is sleeping on a cold pillow good for you?
If you're someone who experiences hot flushes at night or generally feels the heat more when you're trying to sleep, you'll reap the benefits of a cooling pillow.
"A cooling pillow can instantly lower the temperature around your head, neck, and shoulders so you'll fall asleep faster and experience a deeper, more restful sleep," says Muse Sleep. They're designed to combat heat retention, creating a more breathable surface to prevent that dreaded warming sensation you get when you've laid on your pillow for too long. They'll absorb the ambient temperature, making your sleep surface feel noticeably cooler so you'll fall asleep faster and stay sleeping for longer.
Why do cold pillows feel so good?
Nothing beats the feeling of resting your head against a cold pillow, but why does it feel so good? REM-fit has the answer to why we prefer the cold side of the pillow. They state that keeping your head cool will help your body regulate its core temperature. If we heat up too much, our bodies try to dissipate the heat by pumping blood to our hands, feet and head. By transferring the heat through to the pillow, our bodies cool down and allow us to sleep more deeply.
How can I stay cool while sleeping?
If you're fed up with restless nights because you're too hot to sleep, we, with help from Casper, have got some tips on how you can stay cool while sleeping.
Take a warm shower or bath before bed
Taking a warm shower or bath before bed can lower your core body temperature. While your body temperature will initially rise, once you get out, your body will begin to cool down. On top of that, taking a warm bath or shower can also help you fall asleep faster.
Freeze a washcloth
One of the most common places people sweat is on their head and face, so it’s important to keep this area cool. In order to do that, freeze a washcloth before bed and use it as a cold compress when you’re trying to fall asleep.
Freeze a water bottle
Along with a washcloth, place a water bottle or two in the freezer. Before bed, take it out and use it as a cold compress. You can use it to cool off your face and neck, or you can place it in the bed around you to keep you cool.
Cool off pulse points
Cooling off your pulse points will expand the cooling effect to the rest of your body. To do this, use ice packs to cool off your various pulse points such as your ankles, wrists, the backs of your knees, and the crooks of your elbows.
Keep blinds shut throughout the day
Keeping your blinds shut during the day when it's hot will avoid letting in excess heat. Consider investing in blackout blinds to stop sunlight from coming in.
Lorna White is a Senior Digital Writer at Yours.co.uk and MotherandBaby.com. She was previously a writer at Yours Magazine writing features and news stories before joining the digital team. Lorna loves the great British countryside and likes to spend her spare time out and about in her home of Nottinghamshire walking her dog, Pippin.
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