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Need To Improve Your Sleep? The Best Cooling Pillows Can Help

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By Old House Journal Review Team
Last updated: 3 Mar 2023

Quality sleep is an essential part of being able to function optimally in everyday life. It can affect your efficiency at work, endurance to get through the day, and even contributes to disease prevention and mental health. 

One of the conditions for good sleep is met when the body reaches a thermoneutral state. This means it doesn’t have to regulate its own temperature. While ventilation and humidity are two of the most important factors to reach thermoneutrality, bedding also plays a significant role. 

We’ve searched out the ultimate cooling pillows in 2023 for better temperature regulation and enhanced comfort. Here are our top picks and tips on how to choose the right cooling pillow for your sleeping style. After all, happiness is…a good night’s rest.

Best Overall
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Nestl Cooling Pillow
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Adjustable Loft
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Supa Modern Cooling Pillow
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Medium-Soft Support
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Utopia Cooling Pillow
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Gel and Memory Foam Combo
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Classic Brands Cooling Pillow
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Leading Gel Pillow
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Tempur-Pedic Cooling Pillow
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Buying Guide for the Best Cooling Pillows

Although it is often overlooked as an important part of living a healthful life, sleep should be a priority for everyone. It is essential for mental and physical recovery, promotes healthy development in children, and influences moods and memory. 

As much as getting enough sleep is essential, the quality of your sleep is equally important. If you’ve already ensured the lighting and ventilation of your bedroom are optimized for sleeping, but still struggle to stay comfortable, a cooling pillow (otherwise known as a chillow) could just be the missing puzzle piece.

Types of Cooling Pillows

Water pillows

Water pillow cooling technology is either active or passive.

Passive water pillow cooling technology is effective initially when absorbing and distributing heat. The pillows generally have water, gel, or a special foam cooling layer. As the night goes on, however, the cooling effect can’t always be maintained. 

Active water cooling pillows regulate the pillow temperature by circulating water between the pillow and an accompanying pod. This allows your pillow to stay cool the entire night. Temperatures can be preset on a mobile app to cool as you fall asleep and warm progressively to wake you up in the morning. Some of these models have a motion sensor inside the pillow pad. These sensors will track your sleep, and give you insights about temperatures and settings that will work the best for you.

Gel memory foam pillows

Regular memory foam pillows have a remarkable ability to contour to the neck, head, and shoulders. These pillows do, however, tend to get and stay hot fairly quickly. To remedy this, manufacturers have added a padded gel layer. These added layers work by allowing the heat to be absorbed and circulated rather than building up.

Breathable pillows

Breathable pillows are made of different material types that allow air to flow easily through the filling.

Down feathers are a good example. They allow heat and moisture to evaporate and naturally stay cool. The downside (excuse the pun) is that they need to be fluffed to hold their shape. Pillows that have feather inserts instead of down may have small quills that can occasionally scratch or poke you.

Buckwheat pillows are a vegan and eco-friendly alternative with great breathability properties. When adequately stuffed they are supportive while allowing airflow. Note that buckwheat pillows are heavy and if untreated they can have an earthy smell; luckily, this smell will lessen over time. They are not particularly plush but offer good support and coolness.

Microbead pillows are a synthetic alternative. These small polystyrene balls are similar to what many bean bags are stuffed with. They are lightweight and don’t retain heat. Although highly breathable, your pillow will need to be well-stuffed to offer enough support. 

Combination cooling pillows

Many manufacturers combine various cooling materials to achieve comfort, cooling, and support. Some pillows incorporate a down layer over a memory foam center while others feature one cooling side made of ice fabric and one soft side for improved comfort. There are also gel-combination pillows that incorporate gel inserts over a memory foam core or gel beads together with memory fiber filling.

Must-Have Features To Look For in a Chillow

While many pillows can be labeled as being ‘cooling’, there are some important characteristics to consider to ensure you get the real deal. Read the product descriptions or labels and specifically look out for the following features.

Construction material

Both the type of material and the form of the fabric used have an effect on the cooling properties of pillows. For example, foam in a shredded form has a much better ability to promote airflow and dissipate heat than solid foam blocks or inserts. As previously mentioned, solid memory foam pillows tend to retain heat, which makes them hot to sleep on.

While gel, down, and microbeads are effective cooling materials, phase change materials are a little more technologically advanced.

Phase change materials can be spun into yarn, permanently enclosed in fibers, and mixed into insulating foams or coatings. They can be incorporated into popular fabrics such as acrylic, polyester, and viscose. This technology has even been used in precool vests for Olympic athletes.

In terms of bedding, the phase change material is designed to absorb body heat released during the night. Whether you are prone to night sweats or just generally sleep hot, the phase change material pulls excess heat away and stores it. As your body temperature lowers, it will release heat to maintain a stable and comfortable temperature.

Sleeping position

The height and firmness of the pillow you find most comfortable is often determined by your sleeping position. 

Side sleepers should opt for a higher pillow design that can fill the space between their neck and shoulder. Firm pillows are the optimal choice to maintain spinal alignment and minimize pressure on the neck.

Even though back sleepers already maintain a fairly neutral posture, it is important to choose a pillow that will prevent the head from tilting too far back or forward. A height that keeps the head level is the ideal option.

Stomach sleepers generally do better with thin pillows to keep their neck and head at the most comfortable level.

Pillows with cooling properties often feature a high to medium loft, however, down feathers and shredded foam quickly compress. A good way to remedy this is to get a pillow with adjustable filling.

Support

Pillows designed with cooling materials usually only offer medium soft to medium firm support. Memory foam pillows are firm to effectively support the neck and head, but they need to be dense to achieve this. This hinders airflow and retains heat. 

Pillows designed with shredded memory foam offer improved breathability while maintaining some of the supportive properties. If your first priority is to get a firm-support pillow, check the fabric breathability of various options and make sure to use a good quality moisture-wicking pillowcase.

Allergies

Allergies can cause great discomfort and ruin a good night’s sleep. Although volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are not a health threat in small amounts, they can cause irritation if you suffer from respiratory issues or allergies. To ensure that your pillow has low levels of VOCs, look for OEKO-Tex-certified products as well as CertiPUR-US-certified materials.

The Best Cooling Pillows You Can Buy In 2023

1

Nestl Cooling Pillow

– Best Overall
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Our leading choice when it comes to cooling pillows is undoubtedly this remarkable, supportive, and adjustable option from Nestl. This pillow has a double-whammy of sleep-enhancing features. It not only enhances temperature regulation but also offers memory foam support.

The pillow is filled with gel-infused shredded memory foam. Shredded foam has much better ventilation properties than solid foam pillows. The gel technology draws heat away from the body while the improved airflow promotes heat dissipation.

With a side-zipper design, you can remove foam to adjust the loft. This is especially useful for stomach sleepers. For all of these reasons, this pillow is at the top of our wishlist!

Pros
  • Easy-to-clean cover
  • Suitable for all sleeping positions
  • Made with sustainable manufacturing practices
  • Available in different sizes
Cons
  • Extra stuffing not included
2

Supa Modern Cooling Pillow

– Adjustable Loft
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These supportive cooling pillows from Supa Modern are great for stomach, side, and back sleepers. The shredded memory foam filling is adjustable so you can create a loft perfect for your sleeping style by adding or removing foam through the side zipper pocket. Although most people don’t require it, additional foam can easily be purchased as an add-on.

The gel-infused pillow has a double-sided cover. One side features cool-touch technology that dissipates body heat for better temperature regulation. The opposite side has a softer bamboo lining for those who don’t require the additional cooling but benefit from the memory foam support. 

Shredded foam and bamboo fabric both allow for better airflow than other materials, which further contributes to the cooling nature of the pillow.

Pros
  • The pillow cover is easily removable 
  • Available in different sizes
  • Great for relieving back pain
Cons
  • Extra stuffing must be purchased separately
3

Utopia Cooling Pillow

– Medium-Soft Support
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While these poly fiber-filled pillows from Utopia Bedding are not gel-infused, the light foam filling allows for better airflow and heat dissipation than solid memory foam pillows. The pillows offer the perfect support for those who prefer a little squish for comfort. The soft, plush feel is ideal for stomach and side sleepers.

The pillows are beautifully designed with a white outer lining and double-stitched color gusset. Gusset colors are available in blue, navy, gray, dark gray, and black. By placing the pillows in the tumble dryer for just a few minutes, you can re-fluff them to look brand new, even after months of use.

Pros
  • Design is stylish
  • The material will last for years
  • Suitable for all sleeping positions
  • Available in multiple sizes
Cons
  • No adjustable loft
  • The pillowcase is not easily cleaned
4

Classic Brands Cooling Pillow

– Gel and Memory Foam Combo
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This Classic Brands Cooling Pillow gives you the perfect combination of temperature regulation and spinal support. The memory foam responds to pressure and temperature to mold your shape. This relieves tension and supports your head and neck for optimal spinal alignment.

Open-cell memory foam technology promotes airflow since it is more porous than regular memory foam. The improved airflow from the open-cell design enhances body heat dissipation. The standout feature is, however, the cooling gel pad covering the top of the pillow. If you tend to sleep hot, this gel pad is a bonus feature you definitely want. With perfect temperature regulation and pressure relief, you’re up for a great night’s rest.

Pros
  • Breathable, moisture-wicking cover
  • Includes removable, machine-washable pillowcase
  • Naturally hypo-allergenic construction
  • Comes with a three-year warranty
Cons
  • Only available in one size
5

Tempur-Pedic Cooling Pillow

– Leading Gel Pillow
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The Tempur-Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling Pillow from Tempur-Pedic is ideal for someone who sleeps hot since it has cooling gel layers on both sides of the pillow. The pillow is made from a memory foam interior to relieve pressure on the neck, head, and shoulders and to promote spinal alignment regardless of your sleeping position. This will help prevent neck pain and tension headaches. 

While the memory foam offers support, it does not offer the cooling feature, which is why there are two large gel layers on either side of the pillow. The gel helps to draw heat away from the body and disperse it. The pillow comes with a premium, breathable quilted cover.

Pros
  • Good long-term shape retention
  • The cover is machine washable 
  • Available in queen and king size
Cons
  • Material is stiff

People Also Asked

Q: How does a cooling pillow work?

A: Cooling pillows are scientifically engineered with a specialized gel or foam layer to absorb and disperse body heat from your head, shoulders, and neck. They are also made from breathable materials for improved airflow. As the heat dissipates, you are left feeling fresher, cooler, and a lot more comfortable.

Q: Can I wash my gel cooling pillow?

A: This will vary from product to product. While some chillows are machine washable, others include a removable cover that can be machine washed. To make sure your pillow lasts long, follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions.

Q: Are cooling pillows safe?

A: Choosing a pillow that is OEKO-Tex and CertiPUR-US certified will help ensure that products are non-toxic. When purchasing a new pillow, be sure to let it air out for 24 to 48 hours before using it.

Q: How long will a cooling pillow last?

A: Your pillow's lifespan will depend on the type and quality of the fabric, as well as the amount of pressure applied when sleeping. As a general guideline, if you look after your pillow as per the care instructions it should last three to four years.

Q: Should I use a pillowcase with a cooling pillow?

A: Using a pillowcase is important to keep your chillow clean because the cover will absorb excess moisture or sweat. Be sure to choose a breathable, moisture-wicking fabric such as cotton or bamboo.

Bedding Bedroom
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By Old House Journal Review Team
The Old House Journal Review Team’s product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you restore, repair, update, and decorate your home. The content is created by The Old House Journal Review Team. The Old House Journal editorial staff is not involved. Old House Journal is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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