- We’ve spent more than 2,000 hours researching and testing sleep products and more than 150 hours testing pillows specifically. We’ve also consulted more than 20 sleep experts to make our recommendations.
- Our testers evaluated more than 50 pillows, and recorded our findings on a 20-question standardized testing form to identify standout features and services, document any issues with each product, and describe our personal experience with each product.
- We pay close attention to specific considerations that were identified by respondents in our two sleep surveys, one of 600 general customers and another of 600 higher-weight sleepers (250 pounds or more). The considerations we identified include price, features, and sleeping position.
- We evaluated factors like materials used to help aid breathability, loft, contouring, and how well pillows work for different sleep styles.
- Learn more about how we test the best cooling pillows.
Key takeaways
- The Luxome LAYR is our pick for the best cooling pillow overall for its ability to regulate temperature and its suitability for all sleepers since it offers adjustable firmness and loft.
- Based on more than 2,000 hours of testing and our surveys of 1,200 mattress and pillow owners, we found that the best cooling pillows are made with materials like cotton, bamboo, gel-infused memory foam Memory foam that contains small gel pods designed to draw heat away from the body. , latex, and down or down alternatives.
- The best cooling pillows can cost anywhere from $49–$297 or more, depending on construction and materials.
Many elements go into getting a good night’s rest, and choosing the right pillow is one of them. While the best mattresses help relieve pressure and keep your spine neutral, pillows help support your head and neck to ensure they’re both aligned with your spine. While a good pillow should support your head and neck, it should also be cool enough to prevent you from overheating. Aside from being uncomfortable, overheating at night can interfere with your sleep quality, which can impact your mood and mind the next day.
“Staying cool at night is essential because our bodies naturally lower their core temperature during sleep, helping us fall into deeper, restorative stages,” says sleep specialist Chelsea Perry. “When you overheat, it disrupts this process, causing restlessness and lighter sleep. To avoid this, try using breathable sheets, a cooling pillow, and keeping your bedroom thermostat set between 60–67 degrees,” she explains. Recent research has even shown that cooling pillows are associated with sweating less, increased sleep quality, and feeling more cool, comfortable, and rested in the morning.
Our Handbook Team tested dozens of pillows to help find the best cooling pillows for your sleep needs. We evaluated factors like temperature buildup, the outer cover material, the inner filling, price, and comfort to choose our top picks. Keep reading so you can make an informed decision on the best cooling pillow. Hot sleepers may also appreciate our review of the best cooling mattresses.
5 best cooling pillows of 2024
- Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow: Best cooling pillow overall
- Birch Organic Pillow: Best cooling pillow for side sleepers
- TEMPUR-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Dual Cooling Pillow: Best cooling memory foam pillow
- Cozy Earth Silk Pillow: Best cooling pillow for night sweats
- Brooklinen Marlow: Best budget cooling pillow
Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow: Best cooling pillow overall
Why the Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow is our pick for best overall
The Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow is our choice for best cooling pillow overall for its multiple cooling features and adjustability. It’s wrapped with a cooling bamboo cover that helps wick away moisture and keep you from overheating. It also comes with three adjustable inserts made with a mix of cooling gel memory foam and a soft, down alternative. The inserts are also made with 100 percent cotton for a cool, breathable sleep experience.
Who may want to use the Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow: People looking for a customizable sleep experience who like the contouring feel of memory foam.
Who may want to avoid the Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow: Shoppers on a budget and those who prefer not to have to adjust their pillow to reach their desired loft or comfort level.
Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow tester insights
Overall, our testers feel the Luxome LAYR is a very comfortable pillow, and say it the down-alternative layer feels plush yet supportive and the gel-infused memory foam feels firm but responsive. We give it a 4.5 out of 5 overall for comfort, which makes it a great pick for those who want a good mix of contouring and support. Our testers feel the pillow performs well in cooling, saying it doesn’t heat up at all after lying on it for five minutes.
Our testers feel the cooling bamboo cover is constructed well with high-grade stitching on the outer casing, a nice design, and a thick finish along the edges.
Sleepers who prefer an adjustable sleep experience should appreciate being able to mix and match the three inserts that come with the Luxome LAYR. One of the inserts is made with gel memory foam, another is made with a down alternative, and the third is made with a mix of shredded gel memory foam and a down alternative. You can mix and match the inserts to your firmness and height preferences, and even remove some of the shredded memory foam for a more customized feel.
Since the LAYR is so adjustable, it works for a variety of sleep styles and people of different body weights. While the pillow is ideal for side and back sleepers of all weights, we also think it’s a good fit for light-weight (less than 130 pounds) and average-weight (130–250 pounds) stomach sleepers and light-weight and average-weight combination sleepers People who sleep in multiple positions throughout the night. For example, a person might be a back-and-side sleeper or a stomach-and-back sleeper. .
From one of our Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow testers:
“I customized the pillow using the soft down alternative insert and the medium firmness down alternative with shredded gel-infused memory foam insert. The pillow felt room temperature when I first laid down, and after five minutes I didn’t feel any heat buildup on my neck.”
Birch Organic Pillow: Best cooling pillow for side sleepers
Why the Birch Organic Pillow is our pick for best for side sleepers.
The Birch Organic Pillow is our pick for best for side sleepers since it provides the right loft and firmness levels to ensure these sleepers keep their neck and spine aligned. Side sleepers need a pillow with the right height so their neck doesn’t crane upward or slope down, and the Birch Natural is a good fit due to its medium loft. It also has a medium firmness level, so it won’t compress easily. Its breathable, shredded latex and cooling cotton helps regulate temperature effectively.
Side sleeping is the most common sleeping position according to our proprietary survey of 600 mattress owners—47 percent of respondents identify as side sleepers, with the next most popular position being combination sleepers (22 percent of respondents).
Who may want to use the Birch Organic Pillow: Side and back sleepers looking for an all-natural, hypoallergenic, and eco-friendly pillow.
Who may want to avoid the Birch Organic Pillow: Stomach sleepers on a budget.
Birch Organic Pillow tester insights
We think the Birch Organic Pillow is a great natural cooling option due to its GOTS-certified The leading textile processing standard for organic fibers worldwide. This means it has been ethically sourced and monitored during the production process. organic cotton cover and shredded Talalay latex Light and airy natural rubber material with excellent cushioning and temperature regulation properties. fill, which is naturally breathable. We think back and side sleepers will fare best on this pillow since our testers feel their neck is supported equally in both of these positions. Stomach sleepers may feel it’s too high for their neck to align properly with their spine, and it may not be soft enough for their needs.
Because the latex is shredded in the Birch Organic, you get a somewhat customizable sleep experience since you can mold the pillow around your head. While this may be an appealing feature to some, other sleepers who prefer a solid block of foam may not like the way the malleable feel.
Plus, sleepers who want to be able to wash their pillow easily should note the Birch Organic is spot-clean-only and can’t be thrown in the washing machine.
For more information on other pillows for side sleepers, see our review of the best pillows for side sleepers.
From one of our Birch Organic Pillow testers:
“I think this pillow is great for cooling. The organic cotton cover is breathable, which lets air circulate out of the pillow. The shredded fill also promotes breathability, and the latex fill helps maintain a naturally cool temperature. Plus, the wool wrapped around the latex fill provides moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating effects.”
TEMPUR-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Dual Cooling Pillow: Best cooling memory foam pillow
Why the TEMPUR-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Dual Cooling Pillow is our pick for best cooling memory foam pillow
We chose the TEMPUR-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Dual Cooling Pillow as our best pick for cooling memory foam since it’s made with 100 percent memory foam, and provides a good balance of pressure relief and support. Tempur-Pedic is known for its memory foam pillows and mattresses and is a leader in its category. The brand uses its own proprietary memory foam, and this pillow is designed to offer a more cooling sleep experience than TEMPUR-Pedic’s other pillows.
Who may want to use the TEMPUR-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Dual Cooling Pillow: Memory foam lovers who like contouring and want a firmer sleeping experience.
Who may want to avoid the TEMPUR-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Dual Cooling Pillow: Sleepers on a budget who prefer a softer pillow.
TEMPUR-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Dual Cooling Pillow tester insights
We think the TEMPUR-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Dual Cooling Pillow is a great memory foam pillow with a good mix of pressure relief and support. While sleepers will get the classic contouring feel associated with memory foam, they’re likely to experience it as more firm when they first lie on it.
And although memory foam has a reputation for trapping heat, this pillow’s memory foam core is wrapped in two gel-infused pads which help provide the support of a single block of memory foam while also offering the heat regulation effects of gel. And because the gel layers are on both sides of the pillow, you’ll feel the cooling effects no matter what side you’re using.
Since the TEMPUR-Cloud Dual Cooling Pillow has a high loft, it’s a great pick for side sleepers who need a medium-to-high loft pillow so their neck stays aligned with their spine. While the loft is on the higher side for back sleepers, the pillow compresses a good amount so these sleepers should be relatively comfortable on this pillow. Stomach sleepers will feel the loft is too high for their needs, and their necks will likely crane upward.
We also like that the 100 percent cotton cover is machine washable, which makes it easy to maintain.
But the biggest drawback of this pillow is its sleep trial—it doesn’t have one. TEMPUR-Pedic tends to offer shorter or no trial periods. If a sleep trial is important to you, we recommend trying the Brooklinen Marlow pillow, which contains a mix of gel-infused memory foam and a 365-night trial.
For more information on memory foam, see our review of the best memory foam mattresses.
From one of our TEMPUR-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Dual Cooling Pillow testers:
“I was impressed that the pillow feels cool to the touch and maintains a fairly cool temperature even after lying on the pillow for more than five minutes. I really appreciate that Tempur-Pedic put layers of cooling gel on both sides of the pillow, since I can feel the cooling sensation.”
Cozy Earth Silk Pillow: Best cooling pillow for night sweats
Why the Cozy Earth Silk Pillow is our pick for best cooling pillow for night sweats
The Cozy Earth Silk Pillow is wrapped in temperature-regulating bamboo viscose and filled with 100 percent Mulberry silk which is breathable and helps wick away moisture. People who sweat a lot at night will likely appreciate how well this pillow draws moisture away from their body and keeps them from overheating.
Who may want to use the Cozy Earth Silk Pillow: Stomach sleepers and people who like a softer pillow with a low loft.
Who may want to avoid the Cozy Earth Silk Pillow: Side and back sleepers who want a firmer pillow.
Cozy Earth Silk Pillow tester insights
Our testers say the Cozy Earth Silk Pillow showed excellent heat regulation after five minutes of lying on it. Overall, our testers feel the Cozy Earth Silk Pillow performs great for stomach sleepers in all weight categories who enjoy a soft pillow. They describe the filling as “malleable,” and say it gives a slight lift to the head and neck to ensure proper alignment with the spine. We think higher-weight (more than 250 pounds) stomach sleepers may experience the Cozy Earth Pillow as quite soft and flat, but will still be comfortable sleeping on it.
While light-weight (less than 130 pounds) back sleepers may feel the loft and firmness level is comfortable, average- (130–250 pounds) and higher-weight (more than 250 pounds) sleepers may feel their neck dipping and straining.
We love that the pillow offers a 100-night trial and a 10-year warranty for you to decide if it’s the right fit.
From one of our Cozy Earth Silk Pillow testers:
“I thought the Cozy Earth Silk pillow stayed quite cool as I tested it out. I didn’t notice it warming up at all as I laid on it, and it maintained a very comfortable temperature. My neck stayed aligned, and I liked the squishy, moldable feeling of the pillow.”
Brooklinen Marlow: Best budget cooling pillow
Why the Brooklinen Marlow Pillow is our pick for best budget cooling pillow
We chose the Brooklinen Marlow as our best budget cooling pillow since it costs only $49 for the standard size and $69 for a king. That’s less than half the price of the next most-expensive pillow on this list, the Luxome LAYR, at $120 and $150, respectively. We think the Marlow Pillow provides excellent quality at an affordable price, helps regulate temperature with its shredded gel-infused memory foam, and works for a variety of sleeper types.
Who may want to use the Brooklinen Marlow: Budget shoppers who want an adjustable sleep experience.
Who may want to avoid the Brooklinen Marlow: Stomach sleepers may find the loft too high, even at its lowest setting.
Brooklinen Marlow Pillow tester insights
Our testers feel the Brooklinen Marlow Pillow is an excellent pick for back and side sleepers who need a pillow with medium loft and like a pillow that provides a good balance of cushioning and support. Since it’s made with a mix of gel-infused foam and fiber, you’ll get a lot of contouring and temperature regulation, but the pillow is firm enough to keep the neck supported and aligned with the spine.
Sleepers can adjust the loft and firmness levels by zipping and unzipping the pillow, which either compresses it for a firmer feel and a lower loft or increases the loft and gives it a “fluffier” feel. While it’s not as customizable as some other pillows on the list, the zipper does provide sleepers with some flexibility.
The sides of the pillow where you can unzip them are aerated, which prevents heat from accumulating. The 100 percent cotton cover and gel memory foam also help this pillow maintain a cool temperature.
Stomach sleepers will have to zip the Brooklinen Marlow to get their desired loft to ensure their necks don’t crane upwards, so it may not be the best choice for them.
It’s also worth noting that this pillow isn’t machine washable.
From one of our Brooklinen Marlow Pillow testers:
“The fill is made of 80 percent shredded gel-infused memory foam, and I can feel the cooling properties when I lie on the pillow for five minutes. I love the support and three loft options built into one pillow.”
How we test and choose the best cooling pillows
The Handbook Team has researched 100+ pillows online and in person and hand-selected 50 pillows (and counting) of the best models to test. We’ve also interviewed recent pillow customers to understand the buying process and how their new pillows have impacted their sleep quality, physical health, and mental wellness.
Purchase pillows as mystery shoppers.
Lie on pillows in mattress testing lab and rank comfort.
Lie on pillows and rank firmness.
Lie on back, side, and stomach to find the best sleeping position.
Identify biggest areas of pressure buildup.
Measure pillow loft (pillow height).
Evaluate cooling capabilities by recording temperature differences.
Open the pillows and evaluate the materials of the cover, inner lining, and fill (the inside of the pillow).
First-hand testing experience
The Handbook Team hand-tests every pillow we review. We evaluate brands and models by recording our findings on a 20-question standardized testing form to identify standout features and services, document issues with each product, and describe our personal experience lying on each pillow.
For this review of the best cooling pillows, we focus on pillows made with materials like gel-infused foam, bamboo, and cotton for a cool and breathable sleep experience.
Pillow surveys and interviews
We pay close attention to specific considerations that sleepers of all ages seek, as identified by respondents in our surveys of 1,200 total mattress owners.
For example, we discovered that materials like conventional memory foam tend to trap heat and materials like cotton help wick away moisture. We use this information to prioritize certain criteria when selecting the best cooling pillows.
Objective and honest ratings
We use information from our surveys and expert interviews to determine the most important features in our brand and pillow ratings.
Learn more about our sleep products testing and review methodology.
How to choose a cooling bed pillow
When choosing a cooling pillow you’ll want to pay attention to the types of materials used. Look for covers made with 100 percent cotton, which helps wick away moisture and is naturally breathable. If you prefer a pillow made with memory foam look for gel-infused memory foam, which tends to be cooler than typical memory foam. You may also want to look for pillows with a shredded fill, which allows air to circulate more easily. Latex is another option for people who prefer foam—it’s also cooler than memory foam. Down and down alternatives also allow for more airflow compared with memory foam.
Some pillows are constructed with built-in cooling technology which makes them breathable and cool to the touch, so look for those features when shopping for a cooling pillow.
Do cooling pillows work?
Cooling pillows work by allowing air to circulate through the pillow or by using cooling materials that wick away moisture and regulate your temperature. Pillows allow air to circulate through them by using mesh, air vents, or shredded fill.
If you sweat, look for materials like cotton or bamboo that help wick away moisture. If you just tend to sleep hot and don’t necessarily sweat, you’ll want to look for materials like gel-infused memory foam, latex, or down or down alternatives that will keep you from overheating.
Do they stay cool all night long?
Whether or not a pillow will keep you cool all night depends on the pillow’s technology and materials. Some cooling pillows are better than others at regulating temperature due to their construction. You may want to buy a pillow with a trial period to test it out and see if it stays cool long enough for your needs. We recommend a trial period of at least 30 days (all pillows in this review offer a trial period of at least 30 days except TEMPUR-Pedic).
What is the best material for a pillow to stay cool?
The best materials for a pillow to stay cool are cotton, bamboo, gel-infused memory foam, latex, down, and down alternatives.
Do you use a pillow case with a cooling pillow?
You can use a pillow case with a cooling pillow. We recommend using a similarly cooling and breathable material like 100 percent cotton or bamboo.
Our final verdict
We picked the Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow as our best cooling pillow overall for its quality construction, cooling technology, and the fact that you can adjust it to your desired loft and firmness. We love that it’s compatible with all sleep styles and that it provides sleepers the option of a contouring memory foam feel or a more plush feel with down alternative. We also like the Birch Organic Pillow for side sleepers, the TEMPUR-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Dual Cooling Pillow as the best memory foam option, the Cozy Earth Silk Pillow to combat night sweats, and the Brooklinen Marlow Pillow for those shopping for cooling pillows on a budget.
Overall, we found the best cooling pillows are made with materials like 100 percent cotton, bamboo, gel-infused memory foam, latex, and down or down alternatives. Sleeping with a cooling pillow will not only keep you comfortable and prevent overheating, but it can also help improve your sleep quality.
Compare the best cooling pillows of 2024
| Price | $120, $150 | $148.75, $173.75 | $199, $239 | $254, $297 | $49, $69 |
| Firmness options | Soft, medium, firm | Medium | Medium-firm | Soft | Soft, medium, firm |
| Material | Down alternative, gel-infused shredded memory foam | Birch wool and natural latex | Gel-infused memory foam | 100 percent long-strand Mulberry silk | Gel-infused foam and polyester fiber |
| Warranty (years) | None | 1 | 5 | 10 | 2 |
| Trial period (nights) | 30 | 100 | None | 100 | 365 |
| Best for | Side, back, stomach, and combination sleepers | Side and back sleepers | Side, back, and combination sleepers | Stomach sleepers | Side and back sleepers |
Frequently asked questions
Pillows made with cooling materials like 100 percent cotton, bamboo, gel-infused memory foam, latex, and down or down alternatives are the best cooling pillows. In this review, we choose the Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow as the best overall cooling pillow.
Pillows with a medium firmness level and a medium-to-high loft are the best for side sleepers to help keep their neck aligned with their spine. We like the Birch Organic Pillow as the best cooling pillow for side sleepers.
If you have night sweats you’ll want to look for materials that can help wick away moisture like bamboo or cotton. We like the Cozy Earth Silk Pillow as the best pillow for night sweats.
- Carmon, K., Danoff-Burg, S., Rus, H., Weaver, M., Upadhyaya, D., & Duvia Lara Ledesma. (2024). 1125 Use of a Pillow Designed to Help Users Feel Cool Improves Objective Sleep Quality and Perceived Sleep. SLEEP, 47(Supplement_1), A483–A483. Link
- December 2023. Pollfish. Mattress Survey. 600 respondents.