Best Cooling Pillows
Contents
If you ever thought, “Hey, it would be great if this side of the pillow would be as cool as the other side”, you’re not alone. Complaining about the pillow getting warm during the night is actually quite common. If your pillow is making your head sweaty and causes tossing and turning in your bed trying to find a comfortable position, it’s time to invest in a new pillow. A pillow that will stay cool all night.
PharMeDoc Memory Foam Pillow with Cooling Gel
PharMeDoc is another memory foam pillow that actually stays quite cool during the night. The cooling gel on one side of the pillow takes care of the heat. The pillow provides good neck support but it’s not a firm pillow, which makes it a great choice for side sleepers who don’t like firm pillows. Its removable cover is made from polyester and cotton and has a zipper so you can easily remove it for washing. Please note that as with every memory foam pillow, this one might have a certain smell right after opening the package and you might need to air it out for a day or two.
PROS
cooling gel actually works
- supportive, yet comfortable
- Affordable
CONS
- Chemical smell
- Too soft for some users
PharMeDoc’s cooling pillow impresses with its comfy and soft texture and zero heat spots. It’s also hypoallergenic, perfect for those dealing with allergies. This product gets extra points for its moldable shape, offering excellent support where you need it. Let’s read what customers wrote about PharMeDoc:
You can honestly feel the difference in temperature and a cool pillow helps me sleep better. I am constantly waking up through the night to flip my pillow over. No More!! The gel in this pillow is extremely cool and maintains that cool temperature all throughout the night.
I like the cooling gel insert. It feels cool to the touch and just feels so nice against your face. I suffer from migraines, and the coolness of this pillow really fells amazing on my head.
Perfect Cloud Diamond Rest Gel Pillow
Cloud Diamond is a memory foam pillow. It’s a two-sided pillow: one for cool and one for warm sleepers. While it’s a memory foam pillow, it doesn’t feel like one – the gel part makes it much softer and more comfortable than most memory foam pillows that need some time to get warm and give in.
PROS
Really comfortable
- Actually stays cool
CONS
- Pricey
- Not as durable as other cooling pillows
Many customers have found that this pillow helps them with neck and shoulder pain and since they started using this pillow, they no longer wake up sore. However, the material is not as durable as similar brands. It becomes misshapen when in use. Let’s take a look at what reviewers wrote about this pillow:
I slept better than I have in quite awhile. My face and neck did not get hot, but stayed comfortably cool, and because the pillow conformed so nicely to the shape of my face and head, I did much less tossing and turning.
To be honest, I never even found the regular ones very comfortable and they ALWAYS made me sweat. This one does NONE of that. I didn’t sweat..I didn’t toss and turn , looking for a more comfortable spot […]
Iso-Cool® Memory Foam Pillow
The pillow strikes a nice balance between supporting your head and neck and giving in (as some memory foam pillows tend to stay quite firm until they get warmer). Iso-Cool®’s memory foam material is available in a few models, so make sure you choose one that fits best your sleeping style.
PROS
Top-notch neck support
- Density does not change with the weather
CONS
- Too thick
- Not recommended to those prone to neck pain
We loved this pillow because of its consistency. Unlike other pillows that get too firm during winter or too soft during the summer season, Iso-Cool® memory foam pillow retains its shape regardless of the weather.
However, this is not the best choice if you’re prone to neck or shoulder pain. The pillow just doesn’t lie flat on the bed and the firmness/thickness may cause a stiff neck. Still, there are users who loved this pillow because of its firm support. Let’s take a look at what other people wrote about this pillow:
This Iso-Cool does not keep on warming up during long hour of sleep, seems like it will stop warming up, up to certain temperature.
As for the cooling, they seem to stay cool long enough for me to get to sleep, and I’m a very warm blooded person.
Cool Contour Memory Foam Pillow
The Cool Contour Memory Foam Pillow is another good choice when it comes to stay-cool pillows. It’s a two-layer pillow. The blue layer, the one you put your head on, is made of open-cell memory foam that helps with staying cool. Pillow’s material qualities help in relieving back, neck, and shoulder pain as it allows the muscles of the neck and shoulders to relax fully. It features a terry velour cover that’s washable.
PROS
Best recommended for side sleepers
- Alleviates pressure points
- Excellent neck and head support
CONS
- Too firm for some users
- Issues with quality
Sleep Innovation’s cooling pillow alleviates heat spots and it’s perfect for side sleepers. The firmness is just enough to reduce muscle tension but it can get too firm for some who need softer support. Also, some customers are complaining about the overall quality of the pillow, with some saying that their pillows do not have a contoured shape at all. For this price point, we’d expect better quality. Despite some issues with the quality, these reviewers left glowing reviews on the cool contour cooling pillow:
The “cool contour” blue layer really seems to help keep you cool while sleeping. I used to wake up over heated even with the fan on and this has really made a difference.
n my opinion it didn’t actually effectively ‘cool’ my head however I found that it did not warm up during the night and remained consistently cool which was a relief.
Organic Buckwheat Pillow
This pillow is made and filled with just organic buckwheat hulls and natural cotton which is unbleached. The manufacturer says that common problems such as muscle pain, tension, headache, stress, and stiff neck caused by improper sleep could be relieved by using it.
PROS
Superior in comfort and quality
- Supportive
CONS
- Getting used to buckwheat pillows might take some time.
- Too firm for some users
Because it’s made from all-natural materials, it’s the perfect cooling pillow for those allergic to latex. The quality is quite impressive and there are no heat spots, offering exceptional comfort all night long! This pillow does a great job of relieving muscle tension while offering firm support. Our only gripe is the denseness of the texture, which could be off-putting to some. Let’s read what others wrote about this pillow:
This pillow breathes very well. Keeps cool at night.
So the pillow is infinitely adjustable, unlike other pillows. The hulls are also very stable so there is no bunching or fill-fatigue during use. The pillow doesn’t smell (chemical free) and it stays cool. The only thing to get used to is the sound as you lay your head on the pillow[…]
Xtreme Comforts Hypoallergenic Bamboo Pillow
This is a shredded memory foam pillow, which means you can rearrange the inner fluff of the pillow and make it a bit higher or thinner depending on your needs. Unlike other memory foam pillows, this one has a lot of giving and stays firm throughout the night. Those properties make it a good choice for a back sleeper. If you’re a side sleeper looking for neck support, this pillow might not be the best choice. This one comes with a bamboo cover which helps with keeping your head cool.
PROS
a lot of giving – good for back sleepers
- shredded memory foam – you can rearrange the filling
CONS
- Too soft
- Not recommended for side sleepers
This product is made from shredded memory foam to eliminate heat spots and promote better sleep. The bamboo covers boost airflow, ensuring that you stay cool and comfortable all night long. It’s a great pillow with an impressive moneyback-guarantee. Our only gripe is that this might not be the best choice if you’re looking for a cooling pillow that offers firmer support. Also, this pillow is quite pricey so you’ll have to invest if you’re after comfort. Let’s see what others wrote about this pillow:
These are wonderful, they smell great, they feel great and they really do keep cool.
I really do like that it keeps my head cool, even on hot and muggy nights, but I wish it was a lot thicker than it is so I can use it stand-alone.
Pillow mats
If you already have a pillow that you love and the only issue is that it gets hot during the night, consider buying a pillow mat. They can be used on pretty much any pillow and cost less than many great pillows and do a great job of keeping your head cool during the night.
Gel’O Cool Pillow Mat
Gel’O Cool Pillow Mat is one of the easiest ways to keep your pillow and head cool during the night. You can use it with the pillow you’re using right now, so you don’t have to search for a new pillow that’s both comfortable and stays cool. You simply make your current pillow “cool”.
PROS
use with your favorite pillow
- not water-filled
CONS
- The cooling effect lasts only for a couple of hours
The mat takes care of dispersing the heat and does a great job with that. If you want, you can make it work similar to an ice pack by throwing it into the fridge or freezer for some time. After getting it out of the fridge or freezer it will slowly warm up. This is not the best product if you live in warm, humid weather because the cooling effect lasts only for a couple of hours. Still, some Amazon reviewers gave a five-star rating on this product for its innovative material:
This thing really does what it says it does. No prep, no mess, no lies. The day it arrived, my husband put it in the refrigerator because he didn’t believe it would cool him down otherwise. He used it that night and enjoyed it.
It helps me sleep better, and I live in Alabama where the heat and humidity is always high in the summer. Plus I am glad it isn’t filled with water (no leaks to worry about.)
Cooling Pillow Tips and Buying Guide
Have you ever wondered why you flip over at night? One reason is to escape discomfort experienced when the pillow gets warmer. That is because you are designed like that.
How to Choose the Right Pillow
Why Choose a Pillow that Stays Cool?
Have you ever wondered why you flip over at night? One reason is to escape discomfort experienced when the pillow gets warmer. That is because you are designed like that.
A good night’s sleep occurs majorly in the brain. Cooling it helps you sleep faster and more comfortably. A report by the School of Medicine of the University of Pittsburg showed that one of the primary causes of insomnia’s too much activity in the frontal lobes of the brain at night. As a result of the activity, the temperature of the brain rises and hence the sleeplessness.
Cooling your head, therefore, can help slow-down the hyperactivity allowing your brain to rest. Not falling asleep is a matter that can easily be resolved by just cooling off.
Before Choosing a Pillow
There are a few things to remember before you choose your new stay-cool pillow. First of all, make sure you choose a pillow that’s good for your sleeping style. Generally speaking, a thin one if you sleep on your stomach or back, or a higher one that supports your neck if you’re a side sleeper. Choosing a good pillow for your sleeping style is crucial because even if you would have bought the coolest pillow on Earth, you won’t get a good night’s sleep if it’s not comfortable for you.
Another important thing to remember is that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution here. If you’ll go into reviews of the pillows described below, you will learn that even the best pillows have some negative reviews in which people complain about the pillow getting warm during the night. That’s natural – a pillow that works for a group of people might not be that good for another group. Because of that, you should be prepared to buy a pillow, test it out for a couple of nights, and if it doesn’t do the trick for you, return it and choose another one. I’m sure you will eventually find one that you will be happy about. Maybe it’ll be the first one you choose, maybe the second or third one, who knows.
Types Of Cooling Pillows
There are many types of cooling pillows, each one varies in size, price, and materials. To help you choose the best cooling pillows according to your needs, consider these tips:
Standard Cooling Pillow
The label “standard” may refer to the size of the cooling pillow or the material. Standard sized cooling pillows measures about 20″ x 28″. On the other hand, the material of a standard cooling pillow is no different than that of a regular pillow, except it is infused with a cooling agent to disperse heat and eliminate night sweats.
Memory Foam
Memory foam is made from viscoelastic or polyurethane foam that molds to the unique contours of your body. This material offers firm support (particularly to the head, neck, and shoulders) but softens when exposed to body heat. Because memory foam is prone to heat spots, some are infused with gel.
Gel
Pillows with cooling gel are typically made from gel-infused, pressure-relieving memory pillow. Because memory pillow reacts to body heat and can make sleeping uncomfortable when humid, the gel infusion alleviates heat spots, keeping you cool and comfy all night long. For added comfort, some cooling pillows are made from shredded gel-infused pillows to improve airflow. The bad news, they can be pretty pricey!
Natural
These cooling pillows are made from all-natural materials, including buckwheat, millet, green tea, horsehair, kapok, shredded natural rubber, and hemp. Because these materials do not retain heat and promote better airflow, they are used as materials for cooling pillows. The only downside to natural pillows is that some may be allergic to its material.
Factors to Consider Before Purchasing a Cooling Pillow
Cooling Agent
The most important factor you need to consider when purchasing a cooling pillow is the cooling agent. Some cooling pillows are made from gel-coated synthetic materials while others are made with all-natural fillers that rely on improved airflow for cooling.
Materials
The cooling ability of a pillow depends on the material too! Some cooling pillows are made from synthetic materials, such as polyurethane, while others are made from natural fibers.
Sensitivity
Not all cooling pillows are created equal. Some may cause allergies. For instance, if you are allergic to natural latex, avoid pillows made from this material. The same thing goes for those sensitive to memory foam or husk-filled pillows. Memory pillows are also notorious for their off-putting chemical smell, which is a no-no for users with sensitive noses. That said, the unwanted odor should dissipate after use.
There are cooling pillows that are labeled “hypoallergenic.” If you are sensitive to some type of material, then we recommend choosing hypoallergenic pillows.
Summary
A 2013 study conducted by the Center for Disease Control shows that up to 48% of Americans agree that they are not getting sufficient sleep but less than 50% take a single specific action that can help them in getting better sleep. It is absolutely possible to change your sleeping habits if you are willing. Of course, you will not get to bed just one night and decide to have a good sleeping habit. Humans do not operate like computers or TVs. However, with a stay-cool pillow that does its set purpose all night, you will have made a big step into making your sleeping healthier and more productive.