There are few things more important for our health than a good night’s sleep and yet many of us struggle when it comes to getting a quality snooze.
Though disrupted sleep can be caused by a variety of factors, simply being too hot is one of the most common reasons people give for experiencing a restless night.
Whether you live in a warm climate, are experiencing night sweats or hot flushes, or just naturally run hot, investing in cooling technology may help to lower your temperature and keep you comfortable throughout the night.
Cooling pillows seem like a great solution, but do they actually work? US neurologist and sleep specialist and author of The Rested Child Dr Chris Winter, seems to think so.
“Most people sleep better in cooler temperatures, and mattresses, bedclothes, and pillows that are cooler help,” he told news.com.au.
“Ideally, sleeping in a temperature of about 65 degrees [Fahrenheit – which is around 18 degrees celsius] seems to be best.”
If you are looking to try a cooling pillow – and pillowcases – for yourself, we’ve rounded up a range of top-rated options for you to browse below, incuding the $55 pillow that has 5200 rave reviews.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
To help you find the best cooling pillow for your needs and budget, we asked sleep specialist Dr Chris Winter for their expert advice and recommendations on what to look for when buying a cooling pillow In addition, our shopping team read hundreds of customer reviews and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the best cooling pillow.
In this article
BEST COOLING PILLOWS
BLISSBURY Thin Stomach Sleeping Memory Foam Pillow, $54.99 at Amazon
What you need to know
Stomach sleepers, this one is for you. With its slim design, the mouldable phone pillow is designed to cradle your head even if you’re lying on your stomach. It’s made from memory foam infused with gel that also have ventilation. The pillow cover is also made from a light and breathable combination of bamboo and polyester.
This BLISSBURY pillow comes highly recommended by shoppers who call it “very comfortable. It has an average rating of 4.4 out of five stars from over 5200 reviews.
“This is hands down the best pillow I have ever had. It’s just the right height and firmness,” one reviewer wrote.
“It looks quite flat but because it’s fairly firm it doesn’t sink further. It’s not too firm to be uncomfortable. It has improved my sleep.”
CushionCare Cooling Gel Cervical Neck Pillow, $74.95 at Amazon
What you need to know
This pillow is included on our list for being both affordable and having over 1750 five star reviews on Amazon. It’s a cervical pillow, meaning it’s shaped to cradle your head for comfort and is ideal for side and back sleepers. Made from memory foam the pillow has a removable cooling gel pad for to keep you from getting too hot during the warmer months.
“I’m really surprised how much I love this pillow, it’s perfect support when sleeping on your back but also good for side sleepers,” one five star review reads.
“So far one of the best pillows I’ve ever owned,” another happy customer wrote.
Cooling Gel Top Memory Foam Pillow, $59.99 (down from $119.99) at Canningvale
What you need to know
The reversible design features a gel side for warmer nights and a memory foam side for cooler nights; helping you to maintain your optimum sleep temperature, no matter the season.
The low/firm pillow is suitable for both side and back sleepers and comes in a memory foam design that moulds to your head and neck to offer additional support.
The pillow also comes with a five year warranty and an impressive 100 day free trial, which allows you to test out the product and return it for a full refund if it’s not quite right for you.
One verified buyer was thrilled with her pillow purchase, commenting, “I love my pillow. It gives great support (more on firmer side) and the gel insert keeps me cool in the hot weather. I’m a side sleeper, so (this is) perfect for me.”
Emma Cloud Hybrid Pillow, $209.25 (down from $279) at Emma Sleep
What you need to know
This option is the perfect combination of a bouncy microfibre pillow and a supportive memory foam pillow. Carefully designed, this hybrid pillow is also adjustable allowing you to remove the memory foam core depending on your personal preferences. Made with 100 per cent cotton fabric and padded with breathable microfibres, this Emma Mattress pillow will keep you cool all night. You’ll score free delivery and returns with this purchase as well as a 100 night trial.
One reviewer praised the pillow for how comfortable it is: “I don’t have any neck stiffness … anymore. Perfect for side and back sleeping. Love how it’s adjustable – was able to remove a layer.”
SleepMaker Fusion Gel Memory Foam High Profile Pillow in White, $299.95 at Myer
What you need to know
Available in high, mid and contour options, the SleepMakers’ pillow combines a ventilated, gel-infused core with the moisture wicking properties of a Tencel case. The outcome is a soft, breathable pillow which provides both a cool sleeping surface and additional head and neck support.
Myer customers called it “comfortable and supportive” and claimed that it “keeps you cool especially when you get the hot flushes.”
Tontine Classic Cool Dry Comfort Medium Density Pillow, $36.48 (down from $72.95), at Myer
What you need to know
The pillow features a cotton japara cover and cooling fibre fill which, combined, creates a soft, moisture-wicking sleep surface. The pillow is machine washable for easy cleaning and comes with an antimicrobial treatment to inhibit the growth of dust mites, mould and bacteria.
Customers on the Myer site have said that the pillow “quickly reverts back to its original shape” and is “great value for money.” However, some have warned that the pillow is on the softer side, despite being labelled as medium density.
BEST COOLING PILLOWCASES
If a cooling pillow is a little out of your budget, or you simply don’t want to give up your favourite pillow, cooling pillowcases are a great alternative to help keep you cool at night.
Elegear Cooling Pillow Cases, $29.99 at Amazon Australia
What you need to know
Crafted from Japanese cooling sensing technology fabric, the set of two features a double-sided design made to absorb body heat and bring your temperature down by two degrees.
The stylish looking pillowcases are also breathable, easy to clean, and feature a hidden zipper design which allows them to stay in place all night long.
The Cooling Pillowcases have proven popular with customers, holding a 4.3 out of five star rating from more than 3000 five-star customer reviews left on Amazon Australia.
According to one happy buyer, “if you’re a person who suffers from menopause (or) night flushes then this pillow case has to be the best thing ever.”
Tontine Classic Cool Dry Pillow Protector, $26.48 (down from $52.95) at Myer
What you need to know
Made from premium cotton, the pillow protector’s fibres are designed to wick moisture away, while an antimicrobial treatment works to stop the growth of bacterial mould and dust mites; resulting in a cool and healthy sleep environment.
One five-star reviewer claims that the pillowcase is also a, “Great quality protector – double layered and quilted so the pillow is well protected.”
LUXEAR 2 Pack Cooling Pillowcases, $37.99 at Amazon
What you need to know
Crafted from Japanese cooling fibres, LUXEAR claims that the pillowcases can help drop the perceived temperature by two degrees; in addition to maintaining skin and hair moisture and preventing hair frizz.
The pillowcases also have an elasticity which allows them to fit both standard-size and queen-side pillows. Most impressively, LUXEAR offers a lifetime warranty on the pillowcases for all customers, making them a fuss-free buy.
One reviewer on Amazon Australia highly recommends the pillowcases, claiming, “This is the best cooling pillow cover I’ve tried so far! The material feels wonderful … If you do struggle with overheating at night then I would recommend giving this a go as you would notice the cooling sensation.”
WHAT ARE COOLING PILLOWS?
Pillows marked as “cooling” have been designed to both draw heat away from the head and prevent heat retention. These pillows can be broken down into three categories:
- Breathable pillows
- Gel memory foam pillows
- Phase-change pillows
Breathable options are crafted from materials that allow for more airflow through the pillow; effectively stopping them from retaining heat.
Gel memory foam pillows meanwhile work to disperse heat from the head and neck to keep your temperature down.
More Coverage
Phase-changing pillows offer a slightly different approach; using phase change material (PCM) to regulate your head and neck temperature, rather than just cooling you down. This makes it a great all-year-round option, as it can both cool you down and heat you up as it tries to maintain an optimal temperature for sleep.
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Originally published as Best cooling pillows for summer in Australia in 2023
Lauren ChaplinRead related topics:Best Of: SleepncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrGWcp51jrrZ7wqGcnKOfqsFwtM6mnGaZnpl6qK3RnZynZ5KasbO7zqZmqaGcoby4v46bnKysXZi8sLjIp55mqJmhubDDjqecsKtdqMGwvthomnJrYmWxc62Sm21rmWOYgnGylnGZbJtlmn9yhZZxb3E%3D