Our Highest Quality Cooling (Cold) Pillow Reviews

When choosing pillows, most buyers find it hard to make the right choice. Everything could be so much easier – there’s so much out there, how do I decide? For this, you only need to consider some crucial points, and you should definitely take them to heart. With this cooling pillow guide, we will help you find the right product that suits you perfectly.

The benefits of a good night’s sleep are hard to exaggerate, and the problems associated with poor sleep are manifold. In the short term, lousy sleep can affect your effectiveness at work, restrict your cognitive ability and your motivation to participate in hobbies or sports. Furthermore, lack of sleep or sleep disruption can impact short-term memory and negatively influence your relationships with family, friends and colleagues and more.

Not only the number of reviews plays a role in the selection of the cooling pillow that is best for your needs, but also the voiced opinions per se. For this reason, it is highly recommended to look at the worst rating first and read precisely what has been criticized before moving on to the higher ratings.

When you are done, it mostly pays off to purchase your cooling cushion directly from the company website. So, stay with us to learn more about finding the best cooling pillow.

Also, see our overall best type of pillows.

Why Your Pillow Feels Hot at Night

Excessive sweating at night is a symptom that usually originates in the autonomic nervous system. Our psyche very much influences the autonomic nervous system. However, sleep disorders or even a nervous condition could be behind it. Therefore, as always, the advice: have yourself checked out, so that pathological causes can be excluded.

There are many reasons for nocturnal perspiration or nighttime sweating. One of the main reasons is undoubtedly persistent, harmful stress. The emotional exhaustion or anxiety often triggers the unpleasant nightly sweating attacks. When our mind does not calm down, and the entire organism is continuously under tension, more stress hormones are released. These activate the autonomic nervous system and can trigger increased perspiration.

However, unfavorable sleeping conditions can also be the cause. Look out for the healthy sleep trio: mattress – pillow and bedding – bedroom. If you don’t get them right, then the problem of sweating can be further compounded. Your bed should be dry and warm – and not damp and warm. Synthetic materials lead to additional heat accumulation.

The best-rated cooling pillow can go a long way – anything natural is right – what matters is breathability. Elevated temperatures and high humidity retention in pillows increase sweating. In any case, it is essential to look out for a holistic sleep-healthy solution.

Guide to Picking a Cool/Cold Pillow

Gel Vs. Water Based

Gel and water-based pillows are certainly popular when it comes to seeking out a cushion that keeps you nice and cool when you are asleep. However, these two bedding technologies have their proprietary advantages, and it is up to you to decide which one is most recommended for you.

Let’s start with water-based pillows – The number one attribute is probably the ability to adjust the pillow’s loft and firmness. You can do this by simply adding and removing water until you find the perfect height and degree of firmness that best supports your head and neck. Having said that, even though water-based pillows sleep cool, they can take on the surrounding bedroom temperature – not ideal in the summer.

Gel is frequently used in conjuncture with memory foam because of the material’s superior cooling properties. This synthetic substance conducts heat and removes it from the cushion. Stand-alone gel pillows do work well when it comes to sleeping cool, but they can be quite firm.

Breathability

Breathability is the single most important pillow characteristic if you want to sleep cool. The term describes nothing other than the pillow’s airflow – in other words, the cushion’s ability to remove hot air out into the atmosphere.

Different materials and design play a significant role here. We will look into them in more detail in the dedicated materials and design sections. But for now, let us focus on how you can discover the best-quality cushion that breathes cool.

You never want to have a sweaty head in bed again. And if you consider the fact that about forty percent of our body temperature escapes via the head, the importance of a breathable pillow takes on an entirely new meaning – have you ever thought why hats or caps are so effective in keeping us warm – now, you know why!

So, from now on, take special care to read the bedding product’s specs – anything that touts breathability and heat transference are worth a second look.

Materials

When it comes to the cooling pillow, there are simply so many different materials in the market. The brands that use them in their manufacturing process always tout their superiority and effectiveness for a cool and refreshing night’s sleep.

However, as with most things, specific materials work idally when it comes to breathability, heat transference and airflow. Be sure to pay particular attention to our materials section for more detailed information.

But to give you a taste, we will have a brief look at the various materials available to bedding manufacturers:

• Latex (synthetic or natural) – durable, excellent surface adaptation and cool.
• Memory foam – superior contouring, softness but can get hot if not infused with gel or copper for example.
• Down – cozy, rich and variable – not ideal if you are allergic and they are high-maintenance.
• Cotton – natural, breathable, but bunch over time.
• Buckwheat and bamboo – natural, eco-friendly and sustainable sources – buckwheat are noisy and cotton bunches up.

 Design

After the material, the design plays the most crucial role when it comes to sleeping cool on your pillow. And bedding manufacturers know this. For this reason, they spent large sums of money researching and developing the best ways to optimize airflow and reduce heat retention in their pillows and mattresses.

Spoiler alert! We have some pretty nice designs for you in the product review toward the end of this article.

But first, back to design and what impact it has in terms of breathability.

• Open-cell structure based on different designs – Individual triangles, pockets or cells keep thing cool inside of the cushion (keep a look out for these).
• Shredded latex or foam in the design – Memory foam or latex are often shredded into small parts, sometimes called ‘noodles,’ to create an adjustable and breathable pillow. The empty spaces between the particles allow for the air to flow.
• Other naturally-sourced materials – Buckwheat fill, for example, is very breathable and offers excellent support, although noisy when you move.

Warranties

The warranty can come in very handy when you are on the lookout for a new pillow. The trick is not to only use this product guarantee as a promise to replace the product should it show any defects within a predetermined, contractual period.

Sure, it’s great to know that you will get a replacement alternative after a year if it fails to live up to its promise, but there are other benefits of an extended warranty that may be more enlightening.

We like to call it: ‘The Statement of Quality!’

What do we mean by that exactly?

Well, if a bedding manufacturer feels comfortable about the quality, durability, effectiveness, and longevity of say their cooling pillows, they are more than willing to provide an extended warranty. The main reason for this is that they know that in very few cases will they have to live up to the promise of replacing an item – that’s how good they think they are.

Maintenance

The maintenance of your cooling pillow is correlated to the material. Certain elements are easier to maintain than others. And it is an important criterion when it comes to your bed. Let’s face it, a lot goes on in the bed: we sweat, dribble, exfoliate tons of dander, loose hair, and if we sleep naked, then you can imagine what other stuff gets thrown into this tasty mix.

Your cooling cushion may have a less to deal with compared to your mattress, but nonetheless, you need to be able to keep it clean.

In general, materials like cotton and latex are pretty easy going – you can wash cotton up to 140 degrees, and latex pillows only need a decent wipe down, and they are good to go. Down pillows must be taken to the dry cleaners for washing, and they do tend to accumulate nasty stuff over time. Various foam types have anti-microbial and hypoallergenic properties and are easy to maintain.

Materials You Can Pick From

Natural Fibers vs. Synthetic

The world of pillows for a cool night’s sleep is full of different materials. We have had a small appetizer already, but now we are going to have a more in-depth look at what you, as a cooling pillow hunter, can choose from.

Firstly, you can make the distinction between natural and synthetic fibers. For some of you, your mind is already made up – ‘No way will I go for synthetic for my pillow; I am all-natural all the way:”

And that’s totally okay.

There is a plethora of outstanding natural and sometimes purely organic materials for fill or design in the market today. We already touched upon buckwheat as a tremendous natural cooling option for pillows. But there’s also bamboo, which is eco-friendly, from sustainable sources and exceedingly breathable. Or cotton and goose, duck or swan down as natural fibers for your pillow.

Moving on to the synthetic side of things, you will inevitably encounter microfiber, which is a form of high-quality polyester that promises the same plushness and cooling properties as down, albeit without the allergic propensity – we must admit that microfiber is a pretty cool synthetic solution.

For more synthetic materials, check out memory foam and synthetic latex in the following sections.

Memory Foam

As a material, memory foam is very popular for pillows. However, due to the viscoelastic nature of the material, many people have claimed that their heads get hot at night. The main reason for this is that the foam retains body heat so that it can shape to the contours of the body or in our case the head and neck.

This is where memory foam got its name – it memorizes the contours of the body or head for optimal cradling.

If you love memory foam for the above-mentioned reason, then you should look into cooling elements or design that improve breathability and airflow throughout the material – we are thinking of gel, a celled structure, copper or shredded foam.

According to the reviews and customer testimonials, the problem is solved, and you sleep cool on your pillow and mattress.

Gel

For the larger part, gel is used as a supplement in memory foam products due to its cooling properties. The two materials work exceedingly well together, making many sleepers happy with the added cooling effect infused into the foam.

Of course, you have to keep an eye out for superior quality. You can determine this by buying from reputable brands with the customer testimonials and trade-related articles to match.

But what does gel do so well for sleepers who want to sleep cool?

First and foremost, gel disperses heat away from the head and neck through the conduction process, consequently ensuring a cooling effect in the pillow. The great thing with gel is that it is highly moldable and ideal for back and when you sleep on your side. If you sleep on the front, you may need something a little thinner and softer.

Also, gel pillows are very low-maintenance – they are maybe not machine washable, but a simple once-over with a damp cloth will do the trick nicely.

Multiple Materials

We had already touched upon multiple materials when we discussed memory foam infused with gel elements for a combination of cooling and body contouring in the cushion. And more and more manufacturers are opting to use multiple materials to incorporate the best of breed elements into their products.

Another word for these bedding items is the ‘hybrid’ product. One of the pillows we reviewed for this article is a hybrid mix of natural Kapok fiber from the tree and shredded memory foam – it’s breathable and very cooling.

Another way to go is a natural latex and bamboo fusion to create the perfect sustainability, durability, eco-friendliness, hypoallergenic properties and support. Or maybe a shredded memory foam and latex blend for cooling and contouring.

As you can see when it comes to the pillow, the cool options are almost limitless.  

Latex

Latex comes in two forms – you can choose from the all-natural latex sourced from tree sap via the Dunlop or water-based processes. There is even a name for certain natural latex types like Talalay latex for example. If you go down this route for your cushion, you are eco-friendly and all-natural all the way. Just make sure that you are not allergic to natural rubber.

Another possibility is synthetic latex if you want to save some money because its natural cousin is quite pricey. This form of rubber is derived from fuel-based elements through the vulcanization procedure. Synthetic latex boasts the same advantages as natural rubber, but you have to watch out for cheaply produced pillows that may off-gas and smell badly.

The number one thing about latex is that it is exceptionally durable, reactive, cooling and breathable. All in all, an excellent solution for pillows.

Why It’s Amazing to Own a Cold Style Pillow

No More Hot Nights (Cooling Effect)

We all love hot nights when it involves the other activity we do in bed that does not require sleeping. But when it comes to getting some quality shuteye, overheating in the bed is a definite no-no.

And fortunately, as we have already seen, you needn’t have to put up with sweating and tossing and turning anymore. So, say goodbye to your nocturnal turns through the house in search of a drink of water and some cool air on your skin because the ‘chllow’ is here to stay and be a part of your bedroom.

The advantages of the cooling effect of the pillow are many – for one, we all know that about sixty-four degrees are the best room temperature for sleeping. But if your cushion counteracts the external temperature, you will feel none of the benefits because of an overly hot head.

But what can you do if it is a swelteringly hot summer’s day and you do not have an air-con unit? The wrong cushion will basically stick to your head in these conditions. As we have seen, there are so many options out there for you to choose from that this will never be the case if you take action and are willing to part with a few bucks.

Restful Mornings

Wouldn’t you agree that there are few better things in life than waking up in the morning feeling rested, refreshed and ready to tackle the challenges of the day?

The right amount of quality sleep will do all that for you. But if you don’t have the proper bedding with cooling properties to support you in that quest, you will find it tremendously difficult to get anywhere near a bouncy and happy morning. Instead, you will feel as you did when you woke up in the middle of the night – hot and bothered.

Cooling pillows and breathable mattresses ensure that your mornings are the very best imaginable – you deserve it. If you pay attention to the right comforter and soft and plush sheets, you will be raring to go to bed every night because you know that you will get the recommended eight hours of sleep – no problem.

But we forgot one vital ingredient to make your mornings memorable – namely, the bedroom. We are not saying that you have to spend thousands of Dollars to revamp your room, just add a few touches here and there. Fresh air, a pleasant and soothing color, not too much clutter and more – you get the picture.

Better Health

In the introductory words of this article, we already talked about the fundamental significance of quality sleep to your overall wellbeing and health. If you remember, we said that sleep affects your cognitive ability, your mood and your interaction with friends and colleagues.

But you will also remember that we used the word more at the end of the sentence – and yes, there is more. Sleep impacts your heart and reduces the chance of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, the brain recalibrates and stores memories during the night when it has the opportunity to benefit from the body’s relative calmness. But also, if you sleep well, you will get a boost to your immune system.

But none of that will happen if you rest your head and neck on a pillow that sweats more than you. We all know that if we get hot during the night that we will wake up and find it increasingly difficult to fall asleep again.

Another thing to consider is the menopause for women. Who wants those hot flashes amped because the cushion is a sweat generator instead of a soothing, cooling agent. Make sure you get 00-pillow to save the bedding world in your sleeping quarters – and it doesn’t have to be English, American will do just fine.

Top Cooling Pillow Reviews

Layla covers pretty much all of the bases when it comes to sleeping cool – think of anything from mattresses, pillows to toppers and Layla’s got it all.

And this brand has surely taken bedding ingenuity to the next level with their pillow. A mix of Kapok fiber sourced from the tree and high-quality certiPUR-US certified memory foam emulate the feel of traditional duck or goose down fill without harming a single bird. Your head will immediately feel the cooling effect, and your neck will love the supporting cradling.

And copper rounds off this global product offering with the highest level of heat conducting properties – the metal is almost as efficient as silver. That’s not it – copper also boasts anti-microbial, hypoallergenic and anti-inflammatory characteristics that make the Layla pillow one of the highest-rated in the bedding market today.

We also liked the soft and silky feel of the Kapok cover that was breathable and allowed for a cool and refreshing finish to the pillow.

The Nest Bedding Easy Breather gets all of the cooling inside of their pillows done with a blend of either shredded memory foam or latex. The pillow we are reviewing in this article is the shredded memory foam model that works perfectly regarding airflow, heat transference and comfort. The space between the particles is what allows the hot air to dissipate and exit the pillow.

This product manages to emulate the soft and plush feel of duck and goose down – it is almost the same, albeit without the tedious cleaning regimen and loss of shape known in the traditional pillows. Also, not a single bird has suffered in the manufacturing process, which is a real plus if you care for wildlife.

But what really works well is the fact that you adjust the loft of the pillow. Being able to alter the height makes the Layla ideal for any sleeper type. So, everyone can benefit from the superior cooling properties.

Purple does stand for not only the brand but also the stuff that makes the pillow work. In other words, the Purple trademarked design and technology allows for optimal head and neck support thanks to the high-quality and researched hyper-elastic polymer that adjusts and contours to the shape of the neck and head.

Not only that – this unique material makeup has a particular design of hundreds of little triangles that operate as a cooling channel for heat transference and added firmness for the edges – you will surely sleep cool with the Layla.

Although the pillow may look firmly molded and inflexible at first, you can buy a booster for an additional cost to increase and decrease the loft – it’s the top-rated for multiple sleeper types. And looks can be deceiving because this cushion is smooth to the touch and very comfy.

Our Final Thoughts

Choosing the right pillow is often not considered as necessary as a quality mattress. But as you have seen, this is just not the case. The cushion and mattress need to work together to achieve the top-grade results. Truthfully, what’s the use of a cooling mattress when it is combined with a pillow that makes you sweat – it’s money down the drain.

Together, we have discovered the importance of the right temperature in and around the bed when it comes to getting enough quality sleep. If your room is too hot and the bedding non-breathable, your chance of waking up the following morning feeling refreshed and relaxed are greatly diminished.

And we all know how important sleep is for our health and state of mind because we’ve all had a bad morning when we did not feel alert and well rested. It sort of sets the tone for the rest of the day.

So, as promised at the beginning of this article, we shared all our in-depth research of some of the cooling pillows that are the best to keep your head cool – both at night and when you wake up – no pun intended.

The rest is up to you – decide your budget, take a look at the products we reviewed for you and make a decision – the best of luck and sleep cool!

Read:

• Best Pillow for Side Sleeper With Neck Pain – Our Reviews & Ratings

Resources:

• What is “normal” sleep? – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0072506/
• Temperature for the Best Sleep: FAQ – https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/sleep-temperature