We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Home Decorating Bedroom Decorating The 11 Best Cooling Pillows of 2024, Tested and Reviewed No more flipping to the “cool side.” By Melanie Fincher Melanie Fincher Melanie Fincher is a commerce editor with four years of experience writing product reviews and lifestyle content. She was the former SEO writer for Allrecipes, covering product reviews, cooking tutorials, and food news. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Jamie Fischer Jamie Fischer Jamie Fischer is a commerce writer for Real Simple. She has experience writing content for various digital publications including Parents, and is passionate about home, lifestyle, and beauty products. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 14, 2024 Fact checked by Emily Estep Fact checked by Emily Estep Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Her plant biology degree has a focus on sustainable agriculture, and she’s an expert on growing your own food, environmental sciences, and all topics relating to houseplants. Our Fact-Checking Process In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Final Verdict Our Testing Process How to Shop More to Consider FAQs Take Our Word for It What Is Real Simple Selects Real Simple / Lesly Bernal Hot sleepers or anyone in need of a better night’s rest may consider investing in a set of cooling pillows, which work by drawing heat away from the head and neck and increasing airflow. However, different cooling pillows do this by different means, some more successfully than others. Peter Polos, MD, says that your pillow “can have a physiological impact on our sleep quality—meaning that we might wake up more often throughout the night or not spend as much time in deeper stages of sleep that are needed to help us feel energized and refreshed the next day. If you find yourself constantly flipping your pillow to the colder side during the night, a cooling pillow might be a good option for you.” To determine the best cooling pillows, we’ve tested 117 different pillows over a span of several months, and evaluated them based on their quality, airflow, comfort, durability, and value. For expert advice on choosing a pillow, we consulted Dr. Polos. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Coop Sleep Goods The Eden Pillow at Amazon ($87) Jump to Review Best Budget: Himoon Cooling Pillows at Amazon ($23) Jump to Review Best Splurge: Purple Harmony Pillow at Amazon ($199) Jump to Review Best for Side Sleepers: Saatva Latex Pillow at Amazon ($185) Jump to Review Best for Back Sleepers: Turmerry Molded Solid Latex Pillow at Amazon ($72) Jump to Review Best for Stomach Sleepers: Sleep Number True Temp Pillow at Amazon ($110) Jump to Review Best Adjustable: Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow at Nest Bedding ($118) Jump to Review Best Latex: Sijo Clima Latex Pillow at Amazon ($120) Jump to Review Best Memory Foam: Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud Pillow at Amazon ($78) Jump to Review Best Down Alternative: Slumber Cloud Core Down Alternative Pillow at Amazon ($69) Jump to Review Best Overall Coop Sleep Goods The Eden Pillow Coop Sleep Goods View On Amazon $87 View On Walmart $96 View On Coopsleepgoods.com $96 Our Ratings Quality 4.8/5 Breathability 5/5 Support 5/5 Durability 5/5 Comfort 5/5 What Stands Out It can be adjusted to cater to any sleeping position. What Could Be Improved It may not feel dense enough for those who prefer a more solid foam pillow. The Eden Pillow performed flawlessly across the board in our testing. It stands out for its gel-infused shredded memory foam fill, which can be adjusted to meet your exact sleeping style. Stomach sleepers were able to remove fill so that the pillow didn’t strain their necks, while back and side sleepers were able to add fill until they reached the right loft for proper support. Unlike many gel cooling pillows, which feature a layer of gel somewhere in the pillow, this pillow is filled with gel-infused memory foam, which helps the pillow retain its cool-to-the touch sensation all night long without needing to switch to the other side of the pillow. We even found that the pillow’s cooling sensation could be felt through the pillowcase. And after six months of use, we noticed no changes in quality. The pillow comes with a bag of additional fill, as well as instructions on how to fill the pillow based on your sleeping position. Plus, it’s entirely machine-washable. There was a slight odor to the pillow upon first opening it, but that’s about the only negative to it we could find. In our testing, the comfort, adjustability, and cooling ability of this pillow went unmatched, earning it our top spot. Sizes: Queen, king | Fill: Gel-infused shredded memory foam and microfiber | Cover: 60% polyester, 40% bamboo viscose | Return Policy: 100 days via manufacturer | Care: Machine-washable | Certifications: Greenguard Gold and CertiPUR-US Best Budget Himoon Cooling Pillows Amazon View On Amazon $23 Our Ratings Quality 5/5 Breathability 3/5 Support 3/5 Durability 5/5 Comfort 3/5 What Stands Out It isn’t as heat-retaining as most down alternative pillows. What Could Be Improved It may be a bit too lofty for some sleepers. Made from a down-like microfiber filling, this pillow is great for hot sleepers who want fluffy, hotel-quality pillows that you can sink into after a long day. Although we didn’t find this pillow to have an immediate cooling sensation, it did breathe well and didn’t absorb heat throughout the night, unlike other polyester pillows. Despite being a down alternative pillow, it didn’t lose much of its loft with use, even over months of testing. When it’s time for a refresh, it’s easy to fluff it back up by popping it in the dryer (it’s entirely machine-washable). It’s priced at under $30 for a two-pack, which makes it great for outfitting every room in your home. And it’s Greenguard Gold- and CertiPUR-US-certified to boot, which means it has met strict standards for emissions. We think this pillow would be well suited for back-and-side combination sleepers since it can be flattened or fluffed as needed, although stomach sleepers did find it a bit too lofty. Sizes: Standard, queen, king | Fill: Microfiber down alternative | Cover: Microfiber | Return Policy: 30 days | Care: Machine-washable | Certifications: Greenguard Gold and CertiPUR-US Real Simple / Lesly Bernal Real Simple / Rachel Marek Real Simple / Rachel Marek Real Simple / Lesly Bernal Best Splurge Purple Harmony Pillow Amazon View On Amazon $199 View On Wayfair $199 View On Purple Our Ratings Quality 5/5 Breathability 4/5 Support 5/5 Durability 5/5 Comfort 5/5 What Stands Out It has impressive “bounce back” and maintained its shape well after weeks of use. What Could Be Improved It isn’t entirely machine-washable. Latex pillows are known for their “bounce back,” and we found the Purple Harmony Pillow to be no exception. The pillow did an excellent job maintaining its shape and always sprang back up after we sat up. The solid latex core is topped with a honeycombed Gel Flex layer and wrapped in a moisture-wicking, breathable mesh—both of which prevented us from having to flip the pillow throughout the night. Plus, it significantly reduced our neck and shoulder pain; some of us even went as far as to compare the sensation to sleeping on a cloud. We were particularly impressed with this pillow’s ability to hold its shape, even after six months of use, and found it comfortable in both side and stomach sleeping positions. The pillow also comes in three different heights—low, medium, and tall—so you can choose which best fits your needs. According to the manufacturer, low is best for stomach and back sleepers, while medium and tall are best for side or combination sleepers. There’s no denying this pillow is an investment, but fortunately, it comes with a 100-day sleep trial and a one-year warranty, so you can be sure about your decision before you commit. Sizes: Standard, king | Fill: Talalay latex, Purple Grid (Hyper-Elastic Polymer) | Cover: 92% nylon, 8% spandex | Return Policy: 100 days via manufacturer | Care: Machine wash cover; spot clean pillow | Certifications: CleanAir Gold and CertiPUR-US Real Simple / Katelyn Chef Real Simple / Rachel Marek Real Simple / Katelyn Chef Real Simple / Rachel Marek Real Simple / Rachel Marek Best for Side Sleepers Saatva Latex Pillow Saatva View On Amazon $185 View On Saatva $165 Our Ratings Quality 5/5 Breathability 4/5 Support 5/5 Durability 5/5 Comfort 4/5 What Stands Out It has three layers for extra support, including a latex core, a down-like inner pillow, and an organic cotton cover. What Could Be Improved It is a bit thick and may be less comfortable for stomach sleepers. Our first impression of this pillow was that it looks and feels incredibly well made, with no loose threads or flaws. The pillow comes with three distinct layers: an organic cotton pillow cover, a down-like inner pillow made from microdenier fiber, and a shredded natural latex core. This unique combination provides the buoyant support of latex with the soft cushioning of the down alternative fiber, which makes it perfectly suited for side sleepers. Stomach sleepers found that the loft of this pillow propped up their neck at an uncomfortable angle. However, back and side sleepers found the pillow to provide plenty of support, and in some cases it even helped reduce snoring. After three months of nightly use, the pillow maintained its comfort and breathability. Both the inner pillow and the outer cover are machine-washable (just not the latex core), and they both held up well after washing and drying. The pillow comes in two different heights—standard loft and high loft—to accommodate all sleeping positions. The manufacturer recommends the standard loft for back and stomach sleepers, and the high loft for side and combination sleepers. The shredded latex is not adjustable, but the inner pillow can be removed to reduce the loft if needed. Sizes: Standard/queen, king | Fill: Down alternative and shredded natural latex | Cover: Organic cotton | Return Policy: 45 days | Care: Machine-washable cover and inner pillow | Certifications: Breathable Fair Trade (cover) Real Simple / Rachel Marek Real Simple / Rachel Marek Real Simple / Rachel Marek Best for Back Sleepers Turmerry Molded Solid Latex Pillow Turmerry View On Amazon $72 View On Turmerry.com $79 Our Ratings Quality 4/5 Breathability 5/5 Support 4/5 Durability 5/5 Comfort 4.5/5 What Stands Out It’s easily customizable with two loft heights and three firmness levels. What Could Be Improved It can be challenging to clean and take in and out of its protector. This durable latex pillow is designed for back and side sleepers, specifically those who get hot throughout the night. We found that the pillow did not retain body heat overnight, nor was it too hard or too soft on the head. This is most likely due to the perforated surface, which allows for better breathability. This pillow comes in two loft heights (4 or 5 inches), in addition to three different firmness levels (soft, medium, and firm), making it an impressively customizable pick. This is also a great choice for those seeking a more sustainable option. The latex core is GOLS-certified organic, and the organic cotton casings are made using eco-friendly farming methods. Turmerry also plants a tree with every purchase. Note that while the pillow protector was easy to zip and take off, it was challenging to shove the latex pillow back in and re-zip. Sizes: Standard, queen, king | Fill: Organic latex | Cover: Organic cotton | Return Policy: 120 days | Care: Spot clean only | Certifications: GOLS, GOTS, Oeko-Tex Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Best for Stomach Sleepers Sleep Number True Temp Pillow Sleep Number View On Amazon $110 View On Sleepnumber.com Our Ratings Quality 4.5/5 Breathability 4.5/5 Support 4/5 Durability 4/5 Comfort 4/5 What Stands Out The insulating technology removes heat when you're hot and retains it when you’re cold. What Could Be Improved The pile height decreased slightly after a few weeks of use. Like the Saatva pillow, the Sleep Number Classic True Temp Pillow is constructed with three distinct layers: a polyester cover, a down-like fiberfill, and a solid memory foam core. Both the cover and the fiberfill are treated with Sleep Number’s 37.5 technology, which reacts to your body temperature to regulate the pillow’s moisture and heat retention. This means that the pillow removes moisture vapor and heat when you’re hot and holds it when you’re cold. In our testing, the pillow did prove to be cool to the touch and breathable. We never woke up hot or felt the need to flip it to the other side. The pillow remained breathable but noticeably softened after six months of use, so if you prefer a very firm pillow, you may want to look elsewhere. However, the cover and fiber fill are machine-washable, so they can be refreshed as needed. It is important to note that we tested the Classic model, which is best for stomach and back sleepers. However, the pillow is also available in Contour, for side or back sleepers, and in Ultimate, which can be adjusted based on your desired height and support levels. All feature the same cooling technology. Sizes: Standard, king | Fill: Down alternative fiber and solid memory foam | Cover: 46% polyethylene, 31% 37.5 polyester, 23% polyester | Return Policy: 100 days | Care: Machine wash cover; spot clean foam | Certifications: CertiPUR-US Real Simple / Katelyn Chef Best Adjustable Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow Nest Bedding View On Nest Bedding $118 Our Ratings Quality 5/5 Breathability 3.5/5 Support 4.5/5 Durability 4/5 Comfort 4/5 What Stands Out The filling can be adjusted according to personal firmness and height preferences. What Could Be Improved It is firm, and may be less suitable for stomach sleepers or those who prefer a softer pillow. This shredded memory foam pillow is great for back or combination sleepers who need an adjustable yet supportive pillow. To adjust the pillow, simply remove or add more stuffing to reach your desired firmness and height. After six months of nightly use, this pillow still hasn’t lost its loft, and though it contours to support your head and neck, it’s easy enough to fluff back up to its original height. Do note that even with much of the stuffing removed, this pillow is fairly firm, so it’s likely not ideal for stomach sleepers. The pillow’s cover is made with a temperature-regulating fabric that holds up well to washing and drying. Most importantly, the Easy Breather pillow significantly reduced neck and shoulder pain over months of use, and we think its adjustability makes it just right for back sleepers who need a medium-firm pillow that will provide support without craning their neck. Sizes: Standard, queen, king, side sleeper | Fill: 70% shredded memory foam; 30% poly fiber | Cover: 49% Icecore, 49% polyester, 2% spandex | Return Policy: 30 days | Care: Machine-washable cover | Certifications: CertiPUR-US Real Simple / Rachel Marek Real Simple / Izzy Seely Real Simple / Rachel Marek Real Simple / Rachel Marek Best Latex Sijo Clima Latex Pillow Amazon View On Amazon $120 View On Nordstrom $120 View On Sijo Our Ratings Quality 5/5 Breathability 4.5/5 Support 4.5/5 Durability 5/5 Comfort 4.5/5 What Stands Out The pillow’s loft is especially supportive for side sleepers and people with neck pain. What Could Be Improved Since the latex material is bouncy, it may not be ideal for those who prefer sinking into a flatter pillow. Although this pillow doesn’t have an immediate cooling effect, it effectively absorbs heat away from the head and neck overnight. In fact, we never had to flip the pillow over to the “cooler side.” Made with a perforated latex fill and a Tencel lyocell cover (a eucalyptus-derived material), this pillow is both temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking. We found the latex to be soft and comfortable, yet it maintained its shape and bounced back as soon as we sat up, keeping us from sinking excessively into the pillow. Even after sleeping on it for six months, the pillow is still as fluffy as it was on the first day of testing. The temperature-regulating Tencel lyocell cover is naturally soft, cooling, and sweat-resistant, and the high loft provides the right amount of support for those with neck pain or side sleepers. Overall, we think this pillow strikes just the right balance of softness and support, while helping to dissipate body heat throughout the night. Sizes: Standard, king | Fill: Talalay latex | Cover: Tencel lyocell | Return Policy: 30 days | Care: Machine wash cover; spot clean core | Certifications: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex Best Memory Foam Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud Pillow Amazon View On Amazon $78 View On Wayfair $78 View On Wayfair $68 Our Ratings Quality 4/5 Breathability 5/5 Support 5/5 Durability 4/5 Comfort 5/5 What Stands Out The foam is moldable, supportive, and doesn’t lose its shape over time. What Could Be Improved It doesn’t come with a sleep trial. This is Tempur-Pedic’s most popular pillow, and it certainly lived up to the hype in our testing. We immediately took note of how luxuriously soft the pillow was—the manufacturer describes the feel as “extra-soft” and says it’s designed for back and stomach sleepers. And as it’s made of Tempur-Pedic’s solid memory foam, it molds to your head and neck to cradle and provide support. We found that no matter how many times we adjusted positions throughout the night, it always molded to accommodate. In terms of breathability, we did not have to turn the pillow over throughout the night and found that it remained crisp and cool all night long. Although memory foam is not machine-washable, the pillow comes encased in a polyester knit cover that’s fully removable and machine-washable. The pillow can also easily compress and roll up for on-the-go use or easy storage. In short, this is a breathable pillow that’s soft and plush while still providing enough support for back and stomach sleepers. And after six months of use, it hasn’t lost its shape. For some, it has even decreased neck pain as well as the amount of time it takes to fall asleep. However, Tempur-Pedic does not accept returns unless the product is damaged or defective, meaning there’s no sleep trial. But it does come with a five-year warranty. Sizes: Standard | Fill: Solid memory foam | Cover: Polyester | Return Policy: No returns unless defective | Care: Machine-washable cover | Certifications: CertiPUR-US Real Simple / Andrea Cable Best Down Alternative Slumber Cloud Core Down Alternative Pillow View On Amazon $69 View On Slumber Cloud $64 Our Ratings Quality 5/5 Breathability 5/5 Support 5/5 Durability 5/5 Comfort 4.5/5 What Stands Out It’s super soft and great for people who like to sink into their pillow. What Could Be Improved It’s not as supportive as other options. Even with all the fancy memory foam and latex pillows available, many still prefer the classic feel of traditional down that allows you to gently sink into the pillow. If you want to avoid down for ethical or allergy concerns though, the good news is that this down alternative pillow provides the best of all worlds: We found it allowed for plenty of air circulation, and did not once require us to flip it during the night. The down alternative fiber fill works in conjunction with the 300-thread count cotton cover to provide a breathable, comfortable experience. The NASA-approved “Outlast” lining fabric helps to absorb heat as the skin temperature increases and then releases it back as the temperature decreases to prevent chill. Both the pillow and the cover are fully machine-washable, and we found that the pillow retained its plushness and size after laundering. Choose between two different firmness levels based on your preferences and sleeping position: soft/medium and medium/firm. Sizes: Standard, king | Fill: Down alternative fiberfill | Cover: Cotton with Outlast lining fabric | Return Policy: 60 days | Care: Machine-washable | Certifications: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex Real Simple / Lesly Bernal Real Simple / Rachel Marek Real Simple / Rachel Marek Real Simple / Lesly Bernal Best Firm Casper Hybrid Pillow with Snow Technology Casper View On Amazon $179 View On Nordstrom $149 View On Wayfair $162 Our Ratings Quality 4.8/5 Breathability 5/5 Support 5/5 Durability 5/5 Comfort 5/5 What Stands Out It’s very firm and offers ample neck support. What Could Be Improved It is on the pricier side and a bit heavy. For those seeking both the soft feel and flexibility of fiberfill and the support of foam, this hybrid pillow offers a perfect balance. Casper uses its own proprietary cooling technology to create a cooling sensation and help draw heat away from the head and neck during use. According to the manufacturer, the pillow promises “12+ hours of cooler sleep”—and we can confirm that we were seriously amazed by its cooling ability. It felt like we were constantly touching the cool side of the pillow, even without flipping it over. This pillow is definitely on the pricier side, and its heaviness may be less ideal for those who like to lift and reposition their pillow throughout the night. However, its weight helps it maintain its shape without needing to fluff it, and its outer foam layer eliminates lumps. It’s impressively supportive, so suitable for most sleeping positions. Plus, the zip-off, machine-washable cover is convenient and easy to clean. Sizes: Standard, king | Fill: Polyurethane foam, recycled PET blowfill | Cover: 87% nylon, 8% spandex, 5% polyester | Return Policy: 30 day trial | Care: Machine-washable cover | Certifications: Not listed Real Simple / Julia Fields Final Verdict Coop Sleep Goods' The Eden Pillow was the clear winner in our testing, because it's made with a gel-infused shredded memory foam that proved to be extremely cooling in our testing. Plus, the shredded foam can be added or removed to suit your sleeping style, and the entire pillow is machine-washable. For a more budget-friendly pick, we found the Himoon Cooling Pillows to be surprisingly breathable, even with a down alternative fill. It comes in a two-pack, and, like our best overall pick, is entirely machine-washable. Our Testing Process To date, we’ve tested 117 different pillows. Before sleeping on each pillow for the first time, we measured the pillow’s loft, length, and width. Then, we placed each pillow inside an appropriately sized pillowcase to examine how well it fit. For pillows with adjustable filling, we followed the manufacturer’s instructions for adding and removing the filling according to our sleep preferences. To account for differing sleep preferences, we tested a variety of sleeping positions. During use, we noted whether the pillow felt cool to the touch, and whether it absorbed any body heat throughout the night. We also considered how supportive the pillow was for each sleeping preference. For machine-washable pillows, we washed and dried the pillow and/or cover according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and then measured it again for any shrinkage or change in firmness. We also evaluated whether the cooling properties were affected by laundering. Finally, we learned the retail price of each pillow and scored its overall value considering a variety of factors, including its quality, airflow, comfort, and durability. We continued testing the pillows in our homes, evaluating their real-world performance after six months of use. How to Shop for Cooling Pillows Like a Pro Firmness and Loft Firmness and loft (or height) are key to choosing a pillow that will help you rest comfortably in your natural sleeping position: “People tend to overlook pillows, but they support sleepers from the shoulders up and play a key role in not only proper spinal alignment, but also comfort throughout the night,” says Dr. Polos. “Finding a pillow that’s also designed to fit the way you prefer to sleep is important.” What's most important is that your neck remains aligned with your spine, as opposed to tilting at an angle. Consider these general guidelines for what firmness and loft to look for based on your sleeping style: Side sleepers: Side sleepers will require pillows with the most height and firmness to fill the gap between the neck and the mattress for proper spinal alignment. Look for a medium-firm to firm pillow with a high loft.Back sleepers: The right loft and pillow height for back sleepers is going to fall somewhere in the middle, in order to keep your neck aligned with your spine without craning it forward or tilting it too far backward. Look for a pillow with medium firmness and height.Stomach sleepers: Those who sleep on their stomach should look for a softer, thinner pillow that won't prop the head up at an angle.Combination sleepers: Few people stick to just one sleeping position throughout the entire night, which can make finding the right pillow a bit of a challenge. If you sleep mostly on your back and side, a medium-firm pillow will accommodate those sleeping positions. Those who sleep on their stomach and side should look for something softer, yet still supportive enough for side sleeping. Fill Material Pillows can be filled with a variety of different materials, some more cooling than others. "To ensure that your pillow stays at just the right temperature throughout the night, you'll want something that has cooling materials built inside the pillow," says Polos. Here's a quick primer to the most common types of pillow fillings for cooling pillows: Shredded memory foam: Made with loose chunks of memory foam, this filling can be adjusted to fit your sleep preferences. Add, remove, or reposition the memory foam to create a pillow with the right loft and firmness for your needs. Shredded memory foam allows for more airflow, and is thus more breathable, than solid memory foam. These pillows make a great choice for combination sleepers who need a pillow that can be customized to their unique sleeping style (which is why our best overall cooling pillow pick is the Coop Sleep Goods Eden Pillow, an adjustable, shredded memory foam pillow). Solid memory foam: If you prefer a pillow with more structure that won't lose its shape, a solid memory foam pillow is a great option. These pillows provide the support needed to keep your neck and spine in alignment, particularly for side and back sleepers. Memory foam can be treated with cooling materials, like graphite or volcanic sand, that draw heat away from the body, too. Latex: Latex is similar to memory foam but is more eco-friendly, plus more springy and usually a bit softer. It's especially well-suited for hot sleepers because it's more breathable than memory foam, but still provides ample support. Like memory foam, latex pillows are available in either solid or shredded forms. Down alternative: This fill uses synthetic materials, such as polyester, to emulate the softness of real down. Although polyester is known to trap heat, many down alternative pillows are made with extra cooling technology to increase airflow and breathability. Plus, they make a great alternative to those with sensitivities to down products and those who want to avoid any animal-sourced materials. Gel: Not only does gel provide a cool-to-the-touch sensation, but it's highly conductive, so it draws heat away from the body. Gel is usually added to other fill materials, most commonly memory foam. Care Cooling pillows can be difficult to clean, particularly those made from solid foam or those with cooling gel layers. But if night sweats are a concern, regularly cleaning your pillow is important. Some pillows are entirely machine-washable, some have machine-washable covers, and others are spot-clean or dry-clean only. Always refer to the manufacturer's specific care instructions for washing your pillow. Return Policy Like other types of bedding, pillows often come with a sleep trial, ranging from 30 days to 100, during which you can usually return them for a full refund. This is important, because even when you've done all your research, there's still no guarantee that the pillow will suit your specific sleeping style. Product Certifications You'll come across many different third-party certifications when shopping for pillows, but the most common are as follows: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex: When textiles are made, chemicals are used to process them, which can leave residual substances on the product. The Standard 100 label indicates that a product has been tested for harmful substances and proven safe. CertiPUR-US: Products made with foam—including pillows, mattresses, and furniture—must meet standards for content, emissions, and durability in order to receive the CertiPUR-US certification. All CertiPUR-US certified foams are made without ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP ("Tris") flame retardants, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and phthalates, and must have low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions for indoor air quality. Greenguard: Many household items, including pillows, can emit gasses in a process known as "off-gassing," which can then contribute to poor indoor air quality.The UL Greenguard Certification Program tests products for over 10,000 chemicals and VOC emissions. The Greenguard Certification indicates that the product meets strict standards of low emission levels, while Greenguard Gold-certification products emit even fewer VOCs than standard Greenguard products. Intertek Clean Air: Intertek's Clean Air Certification is another program that independently tests and certifies products based on their environmental impact and VOC emissions. The Clean Air Gold Certification is the highest certification handed out by Intertek. More Cooling Pillows to Consider Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow: This is a great foam pillow for the price, constructed from Tuft & Needle’s “Adaptive” foam, rather than latex or memory foam. We can’t say whether this material is better than other types of foam—all we know is that the pillow exceeded our expectations in terms of both cooling ability and comfort. However, it did have a noticeable odor for the first few days of testing, but it eventually dissipated. Cozy Earth Silk Pillow: If you can swing it, the Cozy Earth Silk Pillow is made from 100% viscose from bamboo with a Mulberry silk filling, making it naturally soft and cooling. But we did find this pillow to be on the softer side, and might not be to everyone’s preferences. Real Simple / Kaya Abrahamson Questions You Might Ask Do cooling pillows work? “One of the triggers to sleep is a cool environment,” says Dr. Polos, which makes cooling pillows particularly effective for getting enough sleep. In general, cooling pillows work to prevent heat absorption and retention by drawing heat away from the body and increasing airflow. Or as Polos puts it: “They remove heat and humidity away and continuously adapt to maintain your ideal microclimate, for comfortable sleep all night long.” Cooling pillows achieve these results through different means, ranging from cooling gel layers to breathable shredded foam, all with the goal of absorbing heat away from the head, neck, and shoulders. What type of pillowcase should you use with cooling pillows? For double the cooling power, use a cooling pillowcase constructed with breathable materials, such as bamboo viscose or lyocell, both of which are moisture-wicking and feature a cool-to-the-touch sensation. Cotton percale is another good option, as it’s extremely crisp and breathable. Take Our Word for It This article was written by Melanie Fincher, associate commerce editor for Real Simple with three years of experience writing product reviews and lifestyle content, and updated by Jamie Fischer, a commerce writer for Real Simple. To compile this list, we tested 28 different cooling pillows over three months and evaluated them based on their quality, airflow, comfort, durability, and value. For expert tips on what to look for in a cooling pillow, we asked Dr. Peter Polos, MD, PhD, FCCP, FAASM, sleep medicine specialist and sleep expert for Sleep Number. What Is Real Simple Selects? Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company. Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit