The Best Cooling Pillow – Is the Hype Real?
How many of us have ever woken up in the middle of a warm summer night – hot and sticky, because our pillows were damp with sweat under our heads? It’s not a very pleasant feeling. And then we turn our pillows overlooking a cool spot, in the hopes of getting comfortable enough to go back to sleep.
As someone who has traveled a lot to tropical countries, I’ve definitely experienced this. And seriously, this happens even at home in the summer. Studies show that people sleep best when our rooms are cool, and so, nobody wants to sleep on a hot, damp pillow, right?
Well, I’ve actually got some good news.
Think about it – people are making pillows that they say will keep your head nice and cool all night long so that you don’t wake up in a sweat, and you can enjoy a wonderfully long sleep. I love this idea!
And so – I did my homework. This week, I researched all that I could about choosing Best Cooling Pillow just to see how they work. And it is fascinating, let me tell you. And the great thing is that they’re not just for people like you and me who wake up when we feel hot, but they have an added health benefit of providing relief to middle-aged women who suffer from hot flashes, and even better, people who have endured burns from radiotherapy.
I think that products that make people feel better deserve our time and attention.
Not One, Not Two, But Three Technologies
Imagine my surprise when I found out that there are three separate technologies being employed in the manufacturing of cool pillows.
Best Cooling Pillow technology: 1. Gel pillows
cool gel pillow
These pillows have a pad that contains gel or water. When your skin rests on the gel or water pad, it gets the cooling effect from the principle in physics called conduction.
Alternatively, if you love the pillow you have and don’t want to change it, you can just buy a thin gel or water pad that you can insert inside it – simply called a “cooling pillow insert”.
Some of these pillows have the cooling gel pads on one side, others have them on both – so if you’re someone who keeps flipping a pillow over to get to the cool side, you won’t have to do this anymore.
Best Cooling Pillow technology: 2. Pillows with phase-change materials (PCM)
The science behind these pillows is a little bit more complicated, but let me simply say that heat can be transferred from you and to you through PCMs. When they change from solid to liquid, or liquid to solid, the heat in your body is released or absorbed. Isn’t that amazing?
Best Cooling Pillow technology: 3. Pillows made from breathable materials
These pillows are either filled with materials that allow air to pass through easily, such as buckwheat or are constructed in such a way that allows air to pass through, for example, instead of a solid block of material, the pillow’s surface will have a grid of higher and lower foam parts. This also allows for dampness to evaporate quicker than with more solid pillows.
Let’s choose Best Cooling Pillow
Let’s take a look at five popular cooling pillows available on the market today.
1. The PharMeDoc Contour Memory Foam Pillow with Cooling Gel for comfortable neck support.
Amazon
It’s made of infused memory foam, and is contoured, which means the surface of the front part is not flat but has a high and low side. This is good for people with neck and shoulder pain problems and works for side and back sleepers. It’s got a cooling gel insert pad on the front side, which is cool to the touch.
Some people have found it to be more on the firm side, and so if you’re used to a soft pillow, it may take getting used to. However, the price point is excellent.
- Memory foam bed pillow with cooling gel technology diffuses heat to reduce tossing and turning at night
- Curved contour pillow design aligns spine and reduces pressure on your neck to relieve neck, shoulder, and back pain
- Choose from reversible pillow heights (4” and 5”) for a customized fit
- Removable pillow case for quick and easy washing
- Lifetime Manufacturer Warranty 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed Designed in California
2. The Sleep Better Iso-Cool Memory Foam Pillow
Amazon
This pillow uses PCM technology or Phase Change Material that can detect body heat. This means that when your body gets too hot, the pillow will absorb that heat, and vice versa.
So technically, this isn’t just a summer, warm weather pillow, but one that would work well in all types of weather. The PCM ensures that this pillow receives 400% more airflow than others, plus the 100% cotton pillow cover also helps keep you cool.
Some people though, feel that this pillow is too lightweight, and not thick or hefty enough. Others have complained that their heads sink a little too much, which means that it may not be a good pillow for people who have neck pain.
- 100% Cotton cover with Outlast Adaptive Comfort material has microscopic PCM beads that absorb heat and feel cool, or releases heat and feel warm
- Visco-elastic memory foam filling in a plush, gusseted design meant to maximize comfort for side sleepers
- Side Sleeper measures 23 x 15.5 x 5 inches
- Made in the USA and Imported
- SleepBetter and Iso-Cool are registered Trademarks of Carpenter Co.
3. The Malouf Z-zoned Gel Dough Gel-Infused Memory Foam Pillow
Amazon
It’s got soft dough memory foam, where the holes are “zoned” strategically to encourage airflow.
The “soft zone” in the middle cradles the head, while the “firm zones” on the sides, top and bottom support the neck and head very well.
The pillow has temperature regulating gel foam as its cooling factor. One type also has bamboo charcoal for moisture regulation. One variant is even “lavender infused” to encourage good sleep.
Sounds pretty neat, right? Some have commented that the firm areas are a little too firm, and so it may not be the best for people who are used to soft pillows. The price is more expensive than other pillows have.
- GEL DOUGH formula creates a supple memory foam that conforms to curve for personalized support
- ZONED GEL DOUGH technology provides ultimate support
- Tencel removable cover with superior moisture-management properties aids in optimal sleeping temperatures
- Open cell construction helps pillow retain shape and resist lasting impressions
- Queen Size High Loft pillow measures 29 by 16 by 7 inches and comes with a 5-year warranty
4. Coop Home Goods’ The Eden Pillow
Amazon
This pillow is a certified bestseller, and so has been very popular lately. It’s filled with gel memory foam all cut into pieces.
It’s also adjustable, as you can remove or add as much of the filling as you like. Refill packs are available, and easy to use with the zippered pillowcase.
Part of the pillow’s popularity is that you can push the pillow into a position that’s comfortable for you – if you need more neck support you can have that, if you want a hollow for your head, you can create that with this pillow as well.
The cooling factor here is in the gel memory foam filling, which works really well since it promotes breathability.
- LOOK NO FURTHER, HOT SLEEPERS - Your search for the perfect adjustable pillow has come to an end. The Eden features our soft, gel-infused memory foam & microfiber fill blend for a cooler sleep experience and a gusseted design for edge-to-edge support.
- FULLY ADJUSTABLE, YOU ARE IN CONTROL – Experiencing pain, snoring or tossing and turning are all signs of sleeping wrong. Our unique adjustable design allows you to access the memory foam fill, which you can add or take off to suit your size, shape or sleep position. SLEEP RIGHT!
- IS YOUR PILLOW GREEN GUARD GOLD CERTIFIED? – Our Coop Home Goods Eden Pillows undergo strict, third-party lab testing and are CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD Gold certified to ensure safety and quality. No harmful elements here! IT`S 100% SAFE FOR YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES. Vegan & Cruelty Free – no animals were harmed in the making of this awesome pillow.
- WE CARE – ONLY THE HIGHEST QUALITY MATERIALS USED! - The case is made with proprietary Lulltra fabric, a blend of bamboo-derived viscose rayon and polyester that provides breathability and softness. Premium materials let you finally wake up refreshed. Unlike other pillows – we freshly manufacture our foam instead of using repurposed materials. A bonus ½ lb bag of fill is included with your order if you need a higher loft.
- YOUR BEST SLEEP EVER, GUARANTEED - You can now purchase with confidence. If you don’t fall in love within 100 nights (although we’re sure you will), contact us directly to return the pillow for a full refund, no questions asked. Each Coop Home Goods Eden Pillow also comes with a 5-year warranty. MADE IN USA.
5. The Relax Home Life Cooling Pillow
Amazon
“Premium Reversible Memory Foam Stay Cool Gel Pillow With Removable Cover” is its full name and descriptor. These pilots have cooling gel pads on both sides, and so you won’t need to keep looking for a cool spot, guaranteeing a peaceful night of sleep.
The pillow is also said to be extremely comfortable and has sufficient neck and back support. It also employs air-wicking technology to keep you dry all night, and so you don’t wake up drenched in sweat.
This pillow usually sells at quite a high price, but I have seen it on sale recently at less than $60.
Are High-End Cooling Pillows Worth It?
You know the expression, you get what you pay for, right? So, doesn’t it stand to reason that if you pay more for a cooling pillow, you get a better one?
The pillows I’ve listed so far have been in a reasonable price range, and so I decided to dig a little deeper to find pillows that are more expensive.
Why not live a little and splurge on some luxury pillows that may be more pricey, but when they come to you, they are actually cool to the touch. You know, there are some pillows that make use of technology so well that they actually feel like they just came out of a refrigerator.
That’s what I decided to look for. I said to myself:
Guess what, I found not just one but two pillows that fit this category! So apparently, there are two high-end, high-tech pillows that are battling it out for the title of The Best Cooling Pillow.
Let’s compare the features of each one.
The best of the best. So let’s cut to the chase – what do experts say are the best pillows designed for “hot sleepers”?
1. The Tempur Pedic’s Breeze Dual Cooling Pillow
Amazon
- Both sides have a gel layer
- Tempur pedic memory foam filling for that sinking in feel
- Comes with a cotton cover with a zipper, washable
- Cool to touch
- 5-year warranty
- Off-gassing (the gassy smell of memory foam, so your pillow needs airing before you can use it comfortably)
- No trial period
- Too dense or thick for some which make it better for side sleepers than back sleepers
- Inside is not washable
- TEMPUR MATERIAL - The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling TEMPUR-Breeze Gel Layer on both sides of the pillow helps to keep you comfortable during the night. Formed Tempur material precisely supports your head, neck and shoulders.
- PERFECTED FOR YOU - Tempur-Pedic pillows are made with pressure-relieving material, formulated by NASA, and perfected by us for a perfect night’s rest.
- 5 YEAR LIMITED - Adaptive TEMPUR material offers personalized support and alignment and returns to its formed shape after each use.
- WASHABLE & REMOVABLE COVER - Premium quilted cotton cover is soft and breathable and can be removed and washed.
- ASSEMBLED IN THE USA - The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling Pillow is intended for back, side and stomach sleepers. The Queen size measures 27" L x 19" W x 6. 4" H.
2. The Malouf’s Carbon Cool Omniphase Pillow
Amazon
- Phase Change Material on one side – which continuously regulates body heat and is cool to the touch (blue side)
- Graphite memory foam on the other side for breathability (grey side)
- Comes with a cotton cover with a zipper, washable
- The blue side is apparently very cool to touch, like it came out of a refrigerator, according to one reviewer
- Plenty of neck support
- 5-year warranty
- Slight smell at the start, but not terrible
- More expensive
While Tempur Pedic is a tried and tested name in the pillow industry, Malouf seems to be catching up quickly, with two of their pillows getting featured in this article.
I can imagine that the Dual Cooling Pillow does a great job, as do other Tempur Pedic products, but I must confess that I am truly intrigued with Malouf’s Omniphase pillow.
The fact that a reviewer said that the pillow felt “very cool like it just came from a refrigerator” made me extremely curious. I would love to try this pillow on a hot summer night, and be able to sleep well all night long!
By the way, the Malouf Carbon Cool Omniphase Pillow also comes in a travel-sized version, at 16 x 12 x 4 inches. Pretty neat, huh? Or should I say cool?
This means that if you and I fall in love with this pillow we can take it wherever we want to go. Its price is not cheap, but as I always, say, good sleep is worth it, especially when you’re traveling.
- Phase change material continually absorbs and releases heat energy to maintain an optimal sleep temperature
- Memory foam infused with tiny graphite particles that create a pathway to remove heat via conduction
- Supportive memory foam pillow has a ventilated design for maximum airflow
- Soft, moisture-controlling tencel mesh cover offers maximum exposure to the cool surface
- Queen mid loft pillow measures 16 inches by 29 inches with 6 inch loft; 5-year u. s.
And by the way, if you’re in the market for a new travel pillow, I wrote about the best ones here a few months ago. Check it out, and travel in comfort and ease! Not to mention, save yourself some neck and head pain in the process. You’re welcome!
So how about you? Are you curious to try out a cooling pillow? Have you ever found yourself in need of one? Or maybe you’ve actually tried one and want to tell me and everyone else all about it?
Leave us a comment below so we can all learn from each others’ pillow experiences. Or, if you have any questions about cooling pillows, let me know and I’ll answer you to the best of my pillow-abilities!
