Best Cooling Pillow for a Restful Night's Sleep

The Importance of a Cool Pillow for Better Sleep

A comfortable bed and a calm mindset are essential for good sleep, but there’s another factor that can significantly impact your rest: keeping your head cool. Pillows often trap heat, which can disrupt sleep, according to Dr. Eric Yeh, a physician at the University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and director of the Sleep Medicine Fellowship Program for Case Western Reserve School of Medicine.

Temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit “tend to be associated with more difficulties falling asleep and more frequent awakenings,” says Dr. Alon Avidan, professor of neurology and director of the UCLA Sleep Disorder Center. On the flip side, research shows that cooling the area around your head can help keep your body cool throughout the night, offering a simple, medication-free solution for hot sleepers, people with insomnia, and those experiencing menopausal hormonal changes.

To help you choose the best cooling pillow, we consulted sleep experts and tested a range of options. Two top choices are the Tempur-Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling Pillow and the Cozy Earth Silk Pillow, both of which offer support, comfort, and consistent cooling.

Best Overall Cooling Pillow

Tempur-Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling Pillow

This memory-foam pillow from Tempur-Pedic is known for its exceptional comfort and advanced cooling technology. It features cooling gel layers on both sides and high-quality ventilation, making it ideal for back, side, and stomach sleepers.

Pros: - Foam retains head shape longer than others - High-quality ventilation - Easy-to-remove cover for machine washing - Quickly pulls heat away from the head - Moderately priced for a top-quality pillow

Cons: - Heavier and bulkier than other models

The Tempur-Cloud Breeze Breeze Dual Cooling Pillow stood out during testing. In our heat retention test, it heated up less than other models and returned to its baseline temperature faster. While it is heavier and bulkier than some alternatives, the benefits of its cooling technology and supportive design make it a strong choice.

Runner-Up Cooling Pillow

Cozy Earth Silk Pillow

This silk-filled pillow offers a luxurious feel and natural breathability. Made from 100% mulberry silk, it is suitable for all sleeping positions and provides soft yet supportive comfort.

Pros: - Soft yet supportive - Naturally breathable - Suitable for back, side, and stomach sleepers

Cons: - Pricier than other models - Not as cooling as the top pick - Cannot go in the dryer

During testing, the Cozy Earth pillow performed well, though it wasn’t as cool to the touch as the Tempur-Cloud model. However, it didn’t feel hot throughout the night or upon waking, which is a significant advantage. The silk fill also maintains its shape over time, ensuring long-term comfort.

Other Notable Options

Slumbercloud UltraCool Pillow

Recommended by one of our experts, this down alternative pillow uses lightweight fabric that reacts to body temperature by removing excess heat. However, during testing, we encountered issues with washing, including an unbalanced load error and ripped seams.

Bedgear Cosmo Performance Pillow

This customizable pillow allows users to choose a size based on their body type and sleep position. While it feels cooler to the touch without a pillowcase, it didn’t consistently maintain a cool temperature despite its vents and "instant cooling technology."

How We Selected the Best Cooling Pillows

Our selection process involved consulting sleep experts, testing various models, and evaluating key factors such as comfort, cooling technology, and washability. We conducted experiments to measure how quickly pillows could shed heat and assessed user experiences over several nights.

Expert Insights

We spoke with three sleep physicians to better understand the benefits of cooling pillows:

• Dr. Alon Avidan, professor of neurology and director of the UCLA Sleep Disorder Center.
• Dr. Kenneth Sassower, attending neurologist and assistant professor of neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital.
• Dr. Eric Yeh, attending physician with the sleep department at the University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and associate program director for the Sleep Medicine Fellowship Program.

Their insights helped guide our evaluation of the most effective cooling pillows.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right cooling pillow can significantly improve your sleep quality. Whether you prefer memory foam, silk, or down alternatives, there are options available to suit your needs. By focusing on comfort, cooling technology, and ease of maintenance, you can find the perfect pillow to ensure a more restful night's sleep.