Heat is one of the most common sleep disruptors, and pillows are a significant contributor. Traditional memory foam and down pillows trap body heat against your head and neck — areas with dense blood vessels that release substantial heat throughout the night. If you're regularly waking up to flip your pillow to the cool side, that's a reliable sign your pillow's thermal properties are working against you.
Cooling pillows use several different mechanisms: gel infusions that absorb heat, phase-change materials (PCMs) that absorb and release thermal energy, open-cell foam constructions that allow airflow, and covers made from naturally cool fibers like Tencel or copper-infused fabric. Here are the best options across each approach.
What Actually Makes a Pillow Cool?
Before the list, it's worth knowing which cooling mechanisms are most effective:
- Phase-change material (PCM) covers: Absorb heat as they change state — genuinely temperature-regulating, not just initially cool. Most effective.
- Copper or graphite infusion: Conducts heat away from contact surface. Works well at initial contact.
- Gel beads or gel layers: Absorb heat initially but can reach saturation — better than nothing, not as good as PCM.
- Open-cell or shredded fill: Allows airflow through the pillow, preventing heat buildup. Most durable cooling method.
- Tencel/bamboo covers: More breathable than polyester. Passive cooling only.
The 10 Best Cooling Pillows
1. Purple Harmony Pillow — Best Overall Cooling
Fill: Talalay latex + Purple Grid | Cover: Mesh | Price: ~$159–$179
The Purple Grid top layer is the most effective passive cooling technology on this list. The open grid allows continuous airflow rather than just conducting heat away from the surface — the difference is that airflow cooling doesn't saturate. Talalay latex is naturally temperature-neutral. Available in low, medium, and tall loft. Worth the premium for chronic hot sleepers. Check current price on Amazon →
2. Coop Home Goods Eden Pillow — Best Adjustable Cooling
Fill: Shredded memory foam + microfiber | Cover: Tencel blend | Price: ~$80–$100
Shredded fill provides far better airflow than solid foam, and the Coop Eden's Tencel cover is measurably more breathable than polyester alternatives. The adjustable fill means you can dial down loft to reduce the volume of heat-retaining material. CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX certified. 100-night trial. The best cooling option that's also adjustable. Check current price on Amazon →
3. Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow — Best Budget Cooling
Fill: Gel fiber | Cover: 250 TC cotton | Price: ~$25–$35 (2-pack)
For budget-conscious hot sleepers, the Beckham gel fiber pillow delivers surprisingly good airflow through its cluster fiber fill. Not as effective as PCM or latex, but measurably cooler than standard polyester fills. Available as a 2-pack, machine washable, and one of the bestselling pillows on Amazon for good reason. Check current price on Amazon →
4. Derila Memory Foam Pillow — Best for Side Sleepers Who Run Hot
Fill: Ergonomic memory foam | Cover: Breathable fabric | Price: See current offer
The Derila's ergonomic butterfly design solves side sleeper neck alignment, and the breathable cover performs better than standard memory foam pillow cases for heat dissipation. For side sleepers where both support and temperature are issues, this is the practical choice. Check current price for Derila →
5. Saatva Latex Pillow — Best Natural Cooling
Fill: Shredded Talalay latex | Cover: Organic cotton | Price: ~$145–$165
Talalay latex is naturally open-cell, which means airflow happens throughout the fill rather than just at the surface. The organic cotton cover breathes well. Shredded construction improves on solid latex for airflow. A premium natural option for hot sleepers who prefer organic materials. Check current price on Amazon →
6. Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow — Best Hybrid Cooling
Fill: Shredded foam + fiber blend | Cover: Tencel lyocell | Price: ~$89–$109
The Easy Breather's combination of shredded foam and fiber creates a less dense fill than all-foam alternatives — more air pockets, better heat dissipation. The Tencel lyocell cover is one of the most breathable cover materials available. Good loft adaptability and a 30-day trial. Check current price on Amazon →
7. Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling — Best Phase-Change
Fill: TEMPUR material | Cover: Dual-sided phase-change | Price: ~$199–$229
The phase-change cover is the genuine differentiator here. PCM absorbs heat as it transitions between states, providing active temperature regulation rather than passive conduction. More effective than gel at sustained cooling. The TEMPUR core provides the support quality Tempur-Pedic is known for. A premium option for hot sleepers who also need firm support. Check current price on Amazon →
8. Sleep Number True Temp Pillow — Best for Consistent Temperature
Fill: 37.5 technology fiber | Cover: 37.5 technology fabric | Price: ~$119–$139
The 37.5 technology uses active particles derived from volcanic minerals that respond to body heat and moisture, absorbing and releasing thermal energy to keep the microclimate near 37.5°C (body temperature). One of the few fill technologies that works bidirectionally — warming when too cool, cooling when too warm. An underrated option for sleepers who fluctuate between hot and cold. Check current price on Amazon →
9. Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology — Best Mid-Range
Fill: Open-cell Airscape foam | Cover: Snow Technology phase-change | Price: ~$125–$145
Casper's Snow Technology combines open-cell foam with a phase-change cover — addressing both internal heat buildup and surface temperature. The foam is noticeably more breathable than standard memory foam. A well-balanced mid-range option. Check current price on Amazon →
10. Parachute Down Alternative Pillow — Best Down Alternative Cooling
Fill: Microfiber clusters | Cover: 400 TC percale cotton | Price: ~$59–$79
For hot sleepers who prefer the soft, cloud-like feel of a down-style pillow, Parachute's down alternative runs significantly cooler than actual down because microfiber clusters have more air space. The percale cotton cover has a crisp, cool hand feel. Available in soft, medium, and firm. Check current price on Amazon →
For a deeper look at how your pillow choice relates to overall sleep quality, see our guide on best memory foam pillows and take our free Sleep Score assessment to identify your biggest sleep disruptors.
About the author: Morgan Wells is a certified sleep analyst and wellness writer with over a decade of experience in behavioral sleep health. Learn more about Morgan.