13 of the best cooling pillows to keep your temperature down this summer
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Choosing the best cooling pillows for you can make the difference between a restless night spent tossing and turning; and waking up feeling refreshed and prepared for the day ahead. No doubt a summer duvet and crisp bedding helps, but a couple of cool pillows are the key to remaining comfortable all night long even amidst warm, balmy weather.
There are few things better in life than turning over your pillow to the ‘cold side’ and being hit with that refreshing sensation and instant calming effect. Crafted with super-clever technology, cool pillows will have you questioning how you ever managed without them. And, with temperatures set to rise over the coming months, what better time to invest in cooling bedding for sleeping easy in a heatwave?
Meet the expert:
- Hayley Thistleton, Sleep Expert at SleepSeeker.
SKIP TO: Do self-cooling pillows work? | What is the best cooling pillow in the UK? | What is the best cooling pillow in the UK? | What are the best pillows to stop sweating? | What can I do to make my pillow cooler? | How we tested the best cooling pillows | Our full reviews.
The best cooling pillows at a glance:
- Best cooling pillow, overall: SIMBA Hybrid Pillow, £109, Simba Sleep
- Best cooling pillow, runner up: Silentnight Cool Touch Pillow, £16, Argos
- Best value for money: 2pk Comfortably Cool Medium Pillows, £35, Marks & Spencer
- Best gel-infused cooling pillow: 500 Cool Gel Pillow, £49.50, REM-Fit
Do self-cooling pillows work?
Yes! The clue is in the name, but cool pillows help to keep you cool throughout the night. If you’re a hot sleeper or tend to wake up in a sweat, then a cooling pillow will definitely help. They lower the temperature around your head, neck and shoulders which, in turn, helps you to sleep a lot more soundly.
Some cool pillows are simply crafted from sweat-wicking or temperature-regulating fabrics, which will stop you from overheating or sweating, whereas others are designed with special technology and/or gel inlays which provide a constant cold sensation instead.
What is the best cooling pillow in the UK?
Silentnight’s Cool Touch Pillow features a pressure-activated cooling gel pad which helps to absorb excess body heat. It reinforces the natural signals your body recognises as ‘time to sleep’ by creating a colder environment which soothes and relaxes you.
If you want to share the love, Nectar’s Premium Foam Pillow Pair means that both you and whoever you sleep next to can experience a good night’s rest. The memory foam design is fitted with a quilted outer shell, plus Tencel cooling fabric and a breathable mesh border for active ventilation.
What is the best pillow material to keep cool?
Among the natural material fillings, wool and down are some of the best materials to draw heat out during warmer nights/for hot sleepers. On the flip side, if you prefer a memory foam or synthetic/fibre fill pillow, then look to latex memory foam as it promotes airflow around your head, neck and shoulders.
What can I do to make my pillow cooler?
Sleepseeker's sleep expert Hayley Thistleton told GLAMOUR, “Choosing the right bedding and pillow covers can help keep you cool at night.”
She explained, “Polyester tends to hold heat and is water-resistant, meaning if you sweat due to the heat the sheets could stick against your skin.” Our alternative suggestions? Cotton and modal textile blends, so we're looking to this Terence Conran pair from Very. Machine washable, in your choice of Oxford or standard sizes and coming in at a reasonable £45.
Hayley also mentioned that, “when it comes to bedding, light-coloured bedding offers better breathability.” She picked out natural fibres like cotton and linen for the warmer months and, as a final hack “for extra cooling,” she suggested, "freeze your pillowcases in the evening before getting into bed.” Genius!
How we tested the best cooling pillows
With warmer weather upon us, our GLAMOUR testers trailed a range of cooling pillows over a minimum period of 30 days, reviewing them each one on their performance. We looked out for how effective we found the cooling properties, compared firmness levels, and considered value for money when compiling our edit. We've tested as many pillows in our own homes as possible (and are currently working our way through the rest), outlining the standout features and drawbacks of each one so you can sleep comfortably throughout the night.
Want more sleep content? Of course you do. Encase your cool pillows in the best silk pillowcases to match your silk bedding, and treat yourself to some new pyjamas to enhance the whole experience. Check out our round-up of the best bed frames, best memory foam pillows, best pillows for side sleepers, best pillows for neck pain, pocket sprung mattresses, pillows for neck pain, anti-allergy pillows and mattress toppers, too. For more from GLAMOUR UK's Commerce Writer Mayola Fernandes, follow her on Instagram @mayolafernandess.
Always sleep on the cold side with our round-up of the best cool pillows below.
- 1/13
Best overall
Specifications:
- Type: Hybrid foam and fibre fill.
- Firmness: Adjustable firmness.
- Size: 70 x 45cm.
- Loft: Adjustable.
- Hypoallergenic? Yes.
Why we love it: With cooling technology through from the breathable cotton outer to the adjustable and breathable open-cell nanocubes, Simba Sleep's Hybrid Pillow is a top pick for functionality. Simba's Stratos layer provides temperature regulation when you lay your head on this pillow, meaning that at no point should you feel it overheat. It also features a mesh border for maximum airflow.
Save money on comfy medium-firm pillows with these Simba discount codes.
- 2/13
Best runner up
Specifications:
- Type: Cooling effect gel outer cover pad + memory foam pillow.
- Firmness: Not disclosed, but buyers have confirmed that it's a soft-medium pillow.
- Size: 76 x 46cm.
- Loft: 15.9cm.
- Hypoallergenic? Not disclosed.
Why we love it: Part of Silentnight's Wellbeing collection, this Cool Touch pillow features a pressure-activated, cooling gel pad which helps to absorb excess body heat so you can enjoy a blissfully cool night's sleep at a more relaxing body temperature – no pillow flipping required. It includes a two-year guarantee and is designed with buyers suffering from night sweats in mind, with dozens of buyers attesting to the five-star quality of the gel memory foam's performance.
Save money on pillows for the menopause with these Amazon discount codes.
3/13Best value for money
2pk Comfortably Cool Medium Pillows
Specifications:
- Type: Recycled polyester filling.
- Firmness: Medium.
- Size: One size.
- Loft: Not disclosed.
- Hypoallergenic? Not disclosed.
- Tested by: Mayola Fernandes, Commerce Writer.
Why we love it: Featuring a cotton exterior and polyester filling, these machine-washable pillows are an impressively affordable option for a pack of two. “I tend to get really warm at night, and these pillows are wonderfully breathable, it feels like I'm permanently sleeping on the cool side of the pillow," says Mayola Fernandes, Commerce Writer at GLAMOUR. “With a medium firmness, I found they strike the perfect balance between being supportive enough to sleep on while still delivering a that ‘sink in’ sensation," she adds.
4/13Best gel-infused cooling pillow
Specifications:
- Type: Visco elastic polyurethane foam with gel powders.
- Firmness: Firm.
- Size: 64 x 40 x 12cm.
- Loft: 12cm.
- Hypoallergenic? Not disclosed.
- Tested by: Lian Brooks, Audience Development Manager.
Why we love it: Designed to support optimal spinal alignment, REM-Fit's cool gel pillow provides excellent pressure relief which is ideal if you're looking for a pillow for neck pain. Alongside gel-infused memory technology, it uses Re-Ax® fibres that absorb excess heat away from the body. “As a side sleeper, I prefer a pillow that's firm while still being soft and plush to touch, and after testing this pillow for a month it's safe to say that it more than delivered on this front," says Lian Brooks, Audience Development Manager at GLAMOUR. “One pillow gave the ideal amount of head support, with the memory foam offering the perfect give without feeling like I was drowning in it," she adds. “I also found myself consciously noticing the cooling properties and finding it much easier to sleep through even amid recent warmer nights.” she says.
- 5/13
Best medium-firm support
Specifications:
- Type: Memory foam.
- Firmness: Medium-firm.
- Size: 60 x 40cm.
- Loft: 12cm.
- Hypoallergenic? Not disclosed.
Why we love it: Nectar Sleep are one of our favourite mattress brands, so it came as no surprise that its two pack of premium pillows offered buyers high-quality comfort for affordable prices. This pair features Tencel cooling material as well as a breathable mesh border to boost airflow.
- 6/13
Best eco-friendly pillow
Slumberdown Summer Cool Medium Support Pillow
Specifications:
- Type: Recycled fibre fill pillow.
- Firmness: Available in soft, medium and firm pillows to suit side, back and stomach sleeping positions.
- Size: 74 x 48cm.
- Loft: Not disclosed.
- Hypoallergenic? Non-allergenic.
Why we love it: If you often sweat throughout the night, then these pillows are for you. Not only are they cooling, helping you to remain a lower temperature, but they're also machine washable. An ideal choice for back sleepers, they promote proper back and spine alignment while also being an eco-friendly choice as they're made from recycled fibres.
Save when you shop for cool pillows with these Argos discount codes.
- 7/13
Best for air circulation
Specifications:
- Type: Foam and hollowfibre.
- Firmness: Medium-firm.
- Size: 70 x 40cm.
- Loft: 10cm.
- Hypoallergenic? Yes.
Why we love it: Kally Sleep are experts when it comes to the best bed pillows for everything from pillows for side sleepers to body pillows and even anti-allergy pillows. Hence why we weren't at all surprised to discover how great its cooling pillow is. It has a foam core filling, which is air-permeable and distributes a cool temperature throughout with the help of vents at the sides, and is surrounded by a cool-layer of hollowfibre, which helps to keep your body at an optimal temperature throughout the night. It also features a pure cotton cover that regulates the surface temperature as it absorbs heat changes.
- 8/13
Best anti-allergy buy
Slumberdown Cool Max Memory Support Firm Pillow
Specifications:
- Type: Memory foam with cooling properties.
- Firmness: Firm.
- Size: 74 x 48cm.
- Loft: Not disclosed.
- Hypoallergenic? Anti-allergy.
Why we love it: With a cooling cover that's wicking to keep moisture at a minimum and ensure your head is cool as a cucumber all night long, the Slumberdown Memory Cool pillow is suitable for both back and side sleepers. The memory foam wrap provides extra pressure-point support for sore shoulders and neck, and it's anti-allergy, too.
Save money on memory foam and shredded memory foam pillows with these Argos discount codes.
- 9/13
Best for back and side sleepers
Specifications:
- Type: Memory foam.
- Firmness: Medium.
- Size: 66 x 42cm.
- Loft: 13cm.
- Hypoallergenic? Not disclosed.
Why we love it: Our pick for back and side sleepers, this pillow provides ample support alongside cooling air holes for extra breathability and that dreamy fresh ‘cool side’ feeling. Delivery is within two days, includes a two year warranty and provides spinal support for sufferers of back and neck pain.
- 10/13
Best machine washable pick
Silentnight So Cool Pillow - 2 Pack
Specifications:
- Type: DuPont fibre fill pillows.
- Firmness: Medium-soft.
- Size: 69 x 48cm.
- Loft: Not disclosed.
- Hypoallergenic? Yes.
Why we love it: With special DuPont fibres help to keep you cool, calm and collected throughout the night, this Silentnight two pack is not only great value for money, but practical, too, with the whole thing machine washable (not just a machine washable cover). It's also hypoallergenic and adjustable, with the option to use one pillow for a soft, bouncy feel and two for a more medium-firm support.
- 11/13
Best for soft comfort support
TEMPUR® Comfort Cloud Standard Support Pillow
Specifications:
- Type: Visco elastic foam.
- Firmness: Soft comfort support.
- Size: 74 x 50cm.
- Loft: 14cm.
- Hypoallergenic? Dust mite and allergen-resistant.
Why we love it: A top pick if you're a hot body and you suffer from back, neck or shoulder aches, the TEMPUR Comfort Cloud is a great pressure reliever and, with its visco elastic makeup, it'll help to absorb any energy from movement and heighten your relaxation throughout the night. The visco elastic's open cell structure allows air to move freely, thus preventing heat build-up.
Save money on new pillow inserts to improve your sleep quality by checking out these John Lewis pillow offers.
- 12/13
Best memory foam
BedStory Memory Foam Cooling Gel Pillow
Specifications:
- Type: Memory foam.
- Firmness: Firm.
- Size: 60 x 40cm.
- Loft: 14cm.
- Hypoallergenic? Yes.
Why we love it: This cooling gel-infused memory foam pillow keeps your temperature regulated, diffusing excess heat and boosting breathability to minimise perspiration on your part. Support across neck, shoulders and upper back, as well as a tencel/microfibre fabric blend for extreme breathability. Plus, it's CeritPUR accredited.
Save money on the best pillows to go with the best mattress with these Amazon discount codes.
- 13/13
Best cooling wool pillow
Floks Luxury British Wool Pillow
Specifications:
- Type: Wool pillow.
- Firmness: Medium.
- Size: 50 x 75cm.
- Loft: Not disclosed.
- Hypoallergenic? Anti-allergy.
Why we love it: Sustainable and sensitive enough for buyers with eczema, Floks' wool pillows are squishy, have great bounce and, most importantly, are sweat and moisture wicking. Perfect for the warmer months ahead. Floks ensure that all the wool farmers involved in supplying their pillows' materials are paid a fair price, not to mention the pillows themselves are made within the UK to cut down travel miles/the finished article's carbon footprint. Lastly, being thermo-regulating they're perfect for year-round use no matter the weather.
