Last Updated: January 2025 | Written by Sleep Better Expert Team
Quick Answer: The best cooling pillow—known as a advanced cooling pillow technology— is the Purple Harmony for its exceptional GelFlex Grid technology that promotes constant airflow. For budget shoppers, the Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow offers solid cooling at half the price.
If you sleep hot, you know the frustration: flipping your pillow to find the cool side, only to have it heat up in minutes. A true cooling pillow uses advanced materials and designs to dissipate heat continuously—not just for the first few minutes.
We tested 15+ cooling pillows with thermal cameras and real-world overnight tests. Here are the options that actually stay cool all night.
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Best Cooling Pillows at a Glance
| Pillow | Best For | Cooling Tech | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purple Harmony | Best Overall | GelFlex Grid | $$$ |
| Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Breeze Dual | Best Premium | Gel-Infused TEMPUR | $$$ |
| Coop Home Goods Eden Cool+ | Best Adjustable | Gel Memory Foam + PCM Cover | $$ |
| Casper Snow Pillow | Best Gel Cooling | Snowflake Cut Foam + PCM | $$ |
| Tuft & Needle Original Foam | Best Budget | Adaptive Foam + Gel | $ |
Detailed Reviews
1. Purple Harmony — Best Overall
The Purple Harmony is our top pick for cooling because the GelFlex Grid creates thousands of open air channels. Unlike solid memory foam that traps heat, Purple’s grid design allows continuous airflow around your head. Combined with the naturally temperature-neutral Talalay latex core, this pillow stays noticeably cool all night.
Key Features:
- Hyper-Elastic Polymer GelFlex Grid promotes airflow
- Talalay latex core doesn’t retain heat
- Moisture-wicking mesh cover
- Available in low, medium, and tall lofts
- No need to flip to cool side—it stays cool
2. Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Breeze Dual — Best Premium
The TEMPUR-Cloud Breeze Dual features cooling gel on both sides, so there’s always a cool surface. The TEMPUR material still provides the legendary pressure relief and support, just with enhanced temperature regulation.
3. Coop Home Goods Eden Cool+ — Best Adjustable
The Coop Eden Cool+ combines adjustable fill with advanced cooling features. The gel-infused memory foam helps dissipate heat, and the phase-change material (PCM) cover actively regulates temperature. Plus, you can customize loft by adding or removing fill.
4. Casper Snow Pillow — Best Gel Cooling
The Casper Snow Pillow uses a unique snowflake-shaped foam that allows air to flow between the pillow and your head. Combined with a phase-change material cover, it actively pulls heat away from your body.
5. Bear Pillow — Best for Athletes
The Bear Pillow features LOFT-X foam with Double Ice Fabric designed for active people. The cooling properties help regulate temperature during sleep recovery, and the responsive foam provides excellent support.
6. Layla Kapok — Best Natural Cooling
The Layla Kapok Pillow offers natural temperature regulation through kapok fibers and copper-infused memory foam. Copper naturally conducts heat away from your body, and kapok is more breathable than synthetic alternatives.
7. Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex — Best Latex
Talalay latex is naturally breathable due to its open-cell structure. The Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow offers excellent cooling through material alone, without added gels or phase-change materials.
8. GhostBed GhostPillow — Best Phase-Change
The GhostBed GhostPillow features a phase-change material cover that actively absorbs and dissipates heat. As you warm up, the PCM absorbs heat. When you cool down, it releases heat. This creates a temperature-regulating cycle.
9. Tuft & Needle Original Foam — Best Budget
The Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow uses adaptive foam with added graphite and cooling gel. At under $75, it offers impressive cooling performance for the price.
10. Sleep Number True Temp — Best Smart Cooling
The Sleep Number True Temp Pillow uses 37.5 technology that maintains the ideal microclimate around your head. The responsive particles actively work to wick moisture and manage temperature.
Cooling Pillow Technologies Explained
Gel-Infused Memory Foam
Gel beads or layers are added to memory foam to help conduct heat away from your head. Effectiveness varies—some gel foams cool initially but warm up over time.
Phase-Change Materials (PCM)
PCM materials absorb heat when you’re warm and release it when you’re cool, creating active temperature regulation. These are often found in pillow covers.
Ventilated Foam—known as a ventilated foam for airflow—
Holes or channels cut into foam allow air to flow through the pillow, preventing heat buildup. Combined with breathable covers, this can be very effective.
Breathable Covers
The cover matters more than most people realize. Moisture-wicking, breathable fabrics help prevent that sweaty feeling even if the foam core retains some heat.
Natural Materials (Latex, Buckwheat)
Some materials are naturally breathable. Talalay latex has an open-cell structure that promotes airflow. Buckwheat hulls create air pockets between each hull.
How to Choose the Best Cooling Pillow
- Consider your sleep position: Side sleepers need different support than back sleepers
- Don’t sacrifice support for cooling: The best pillow does both
- Check the cover material: Breathable covers enhance any pillow’s cooling
- Look for multiple cooling technologies: Combinations often work better
- Read heat-specific reviews: Look for feedback from verified hot sleeper—known as a solutions for hot sleeper discomfort—s
For more sleep optimization tips, see our guide on how to sleep better.
Do Cooling Pillows Really Work?
Yes, but with caveats. The best cooling pillows provide noticeable temperature regulation throughout the night. However, budget options often only feel cool initially before warming up to body temperature.
Key factors for effectiveness:
- Active cooling (PCM, grid designs) works better than passive cooling (gel infusion alone)
- Airflow-promoting designs outperform solid foams
- Cover material significantly impacts perceived temperature
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Natural ingredients • No prescription needed • 60-day guarantee
FAQ
What is the best pillow material for hot sleepers?
Latex (especially Talalay latex) is naturally the coolest pillow material due to its open-cell structure. For memory foam fans, look for heavily ventilated foam or grid designs like Purple’s GelFlex.
Do gel pillow—known as a gel-infused cooling pillow—s stay cool all night?
Simple gel-infused pillows often warm up within 20-30 minutes. For all-night cooling, look for pillows with active cooling technologies like phase-change materials or open grid designs that promote continuous airflow.
Are cooling pillows worth the extra cost?
For hot sleepers, absolutely. Quality sleep is difficult when you’re overheating. A cooling pillow can dramatically improve sleep quality, which affects everything from productivity to health.
Our Final Verdict
The Purple Harmony remains the best overall cooling pillow thanks to its innovative GelFlex Grid design that stays cool all night—no flipping required. For those on a budget, the Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow offers respectable cooling at an accessible price point.
Remember: the best cooling pillow still needs to support your sleep position properly. Don’t sacrifice spinal alignment for temperature regulation—the best options do both.
Related guides: Best Pillows for Side Sleepers | Best Pillows for Neck Pain | Best Pillows for Back Sleepers
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