Do Cooling Pillows Really Work?

If you sweat at night or continuously overheat in bed, you can find relief by selecting the best cooling pillow for hot sleepers.

While there are many cooling technologies available such as mattresses, mattress protectors, and mattress toppers, pillows are a budget-friendly solution for hot sleepers or people experiencing hot flashes.

The ideal temperature for sleep is between 60 and 67 degrees. But not only is constantly adjusting your thermostat to a lower temperature more costly, sometimes it’s not enough if you retain heat or have night sweats.

A cooling pillow and a cool bedroom can instantly lower the temperature around your head, neck, and shoulders so you’ll fall asleep faster and experience deeper, more restful sleep.

If a pillow is labeled cooling, it likely wicks away moisture, dissipates heat and promotes increased airflow. When shopping for a pillow that cools, there are three major categories to consider: breathable pillows, gel memory foam pillows, and pillows with a phase-changing cover.

How Cool is a Breathable Pillow?

A breathable pillow is designed to circulate airflow through the filling and in some cases through the pillow's cover. Many pillows are promoted as breathable and will help you sleep a little cooler than you would on a pillow filled with synthetic fibers.

However, there are better options on the market if you're looking for something that will make a dramatic difference in regulating your body temperature.

How Cool is a Memory Foam Gel Pillow or Gel-Infused Pillow?

When evaluating cooling pillow materials, keep in mind that memory foam has many benefits.

Most importantly, memory foam provides more support than cotton or down-filled alternatives. More support means that you are less likely to wake up with neck or shoulder pain.

You may uncover in your research that memory foam pillows tend to heat up around the neck and shoulders. Gel memory foam was introduced to combat heat retention, create a more breathable surface, and prevent that dreaded warming sensation.

Typically, gel memory foam pillows feel cool initially, which can help you fall asleep faster, but they may warm up throughout the night.

How Cool is a Pillow with a Phase-Changing Cover?

Phase-change materials or PCMs were first introduced by NASA to absorb, hold and then release heat quickly. In the bedroom, PCMs are incorporated into pillow covers to absorb the ambient temperature, making your sleep surface feel noticeably cooler.

It's a difference you'll feel throughout the night as you switch sleeping positions, allowing you not only to fall asleep faster but to stay asleep longer.

Phase-changing materials are often used to cover memory foam pillows. Because the properties of the fabric are so unique, you should always check the care instructions before laundering to ensure that the cooling properties stay intact.

Washing or drying your cover on a high-heat setting can negatively impact the cooling effect.

Choosing a Cooling Pillow for a Child

Children generally sweat, a lot, especially during their deepest sleep cycle known as REM sleep.

While it is wonderful that children can get such great sleep, we still must monitor their body temperature and sweating throughout the night. A cooling memory foam pillow will help your child sleep in comfort and keep them cool.

What is the Ultimate Cooling Pillow for Hot Sleepers?

If you always flip your pillow to find the cold side, have night sweats, sleep with your feet outside of the covers or are regularly adjusting your thermostat to a lower temperature, a cooling pillow might help you find relief. If you're looking for a low-cost option, consider purchasing a breathable pillow.

For something that provides an average level of cooling comfort, opt for a gel memory foam pillow. To experience the most refreshing way to sleep, search for one with a phase-changing cover like the Muse memory foam pillow.

The Muse memory foam pillow is available in four different loft supports, allowing you to find the option that works best for your sleep position and body type.

The Muse Memory Foam Pillow is a standard size pillow, making it ideal for children and adults. A standard size pillow will grow with your child, especially if you follow proper instructions on how to wash a memory foam pillow.

The Muse extra low, low, medium and high loft pillows are all covered in a PCM that is designed with Diamond Breeze cooling fabric to keep you cool and wick away moisture. To find which pillow height will best fit your needs, take the Muse Mattress Quiz. To experience the cool-to-the-touch fabric that covers the pillow before beginning a 120-night sleep trial, request a free fabric swatch.