The 6 Best Cooling Pillows in 2026

If you run hot at night, the right pillow can help reduce heat buildup and night sweats. We tested the best cooling pillows to find the top options for comfort, temperature regulation, and spinal support.

May 29, 2026

Expert Reviewed

Product Resources

Victoria LurieSenior WriterWritten by:
Donya CurrieNCOA Associate Director, CommunicationsEdited by:

The Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow was our best cooling pillow overall because of its heat dissipation, comfort, and contouring. It wowed our testers by staying crisp during our heat gun testing.
The cooling pillows in our roundup cost between $75–$180 per pillow.
The most common trial period length for a cooling pillow is 30 nights, though some brands give you up to 100 nights.
Cooling pillows are often filled with microfiber, latex, or gel-infused foam.

NCOA supports everyone’s right to age well. So we take the time to research, test, and recommend products that can help you live a healthier life. We’ve spent more than 2,500 hours researching and testing mattresses and pillows to give you the most accurate product reviews. To find the best pillows, we:

Consulted with sleep specialists like doctors, occupational therapists, and physical therapists for guidance on choosing the best pillow
Put more than 25 pillows and mattress toppers through a series of 17 different tests at our in-house lab
Mystery-shopped more than 20 brands
Surveyed more than 2,000 older adults on their sleep quality
Interviewed experts on the importance of good sleep for older adults
Worked with older adult testers to evaluate pillows and get their opinion
Read thousands of verified customer reviews

We’re constantly testing new pillows and sleep products to give you the most accurate and up-to-date recommendations. Read more about our pillow review methodology.

Whether you’re managing menopause symptoms or have always run a little hot at night, a cooling pillow can help you turn down the heat—or at least stop retaining it. Like the best cooling mattresses, the best cooling pillows have materials that wick away moisture and help remove body heat.

Because neck and shoulder pain can lead to less-restful sleep, cooling pillows must juggle heat management with the spinal alignment and pressure relief all good pillows should provide.¹ We tested the best cooling pillows for spinal alignment, support, heat retention, and comfort. We also looked at how easy it was to follow the care instructions and keep these pillows feeling fresh. Below are the brands that rose to the top.

Our Top Pick

Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow

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The most-cooling pillow we tested
Responsive

High-quality materials

Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow

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Great for combination sleepers
Medium-firm

Adjustable loft

Silk & Snow Pillow

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Supports all sleep positions
More affordable price

Customizable

Best cooling pillows in 2026

Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow: Best Cooling Pillow Overall
Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow: Best Cooling Pillow for Side Sleepers
Silk & Snow Adjustable Pillow: Best Cooling Pillow for Night Sweats
Saatva Latex Pillow: Best Latex Cooling Pillow
Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Pillow: Best Adjustable Cooling Pillow
Luxome LAYR Pillow: Best Cooling Memory Foam Pillow

Comparing the best cooling pillows

Comparison Features	Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow Visit Sitefor Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow	Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow Visit Sitefor Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow	Silk & Snow Adjustable Pillow Visit Sitefor Silk & Snow Adjustable Pillow	Saatva Latex Pillow Visit Sitefor Saatva Latex Pillow	Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Pillow Visit Sitefor Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Pillow	Luxome LAYR Pillow Visit Sitefor Luxome LAYR Pillow
Score (out of 10)	9.7	8.1	9.4	8.7	9.7	9.3
Best for	Overall	Side Sleepers	Night Sweats	Latex	Adjustable	Memory Foam
Fill Material	Memory foam, microfiber down	Latex	Shredded memory foam	Shredded latex	Latex and polyester	Gel-infused memory foam
Loft/Adjustability	6”	6.5”	Adjustable, 9”	6.5”	Adjustable, 6.2”	Adjustable, 9.5”
Trial period (nights)	30	30	100	45	100	30

Top features of the best cooling pillows

We looked for the following features when choosing the best pillows for temperature regulation:

Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow: Best Cooling Pillow Overall

When we tested the Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow with a thermal gun before and after use, it showed the lowest rise in temperature of any pillow we tested. And our test team thought it felt crisp enough to give it a 5/5 for cooling. The “tri” in “Tri-Comfort” comes from its three adjustable firmness settings, making this pillow suitable for multiple sleep styles.

Our Top Pick

Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow

Best Overall

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Nectar mattress review
Earned 5/5 for comfort

High-quality materials
Most cooling pillow we tested

Fill material: Memory foam and microfiber down
Adjustability and loft: 6”
Firmness level: Adjustable
Free trial period: 30 nights
Cooling: Polyethylene cover
Shape: Rectangle

Pros

Adjustable firmness
Responsive surface
Supports all sleep positions
Retained less than 10 degrees of heat in our testing

Cons

Short trial period
Can’t adjust loft
Not machine washable
Cover can’t be removed

Why our testers chose the Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow as the Best Cooling Pillow Overall

The Nectar Tri-Comfort is the coolest pillow we tested. Its polyethylene cover is designed to remove heat and wick away moisture. And our testers found this to be effective. The pillow also has a memory foam and down-alternative microfiber filling, which one of our testers described as "soft and fluffy." Together these layers earned the pillow a 4/5 for materials.

When we tested the pillow with a thermal gun before and after use, the Nectar Tri-Comfort increased by just 8 degrees, one of only two pillows to do so. Some pillows warmed up double that amount. “I think this pillow would be a major win for hot sleepers,” one tester said. “I was wowed by how cool the pillow felt.”

A tester points a thermal gun at the Nectar Tri-Comfort pillow to measure temperature increase — The Nectar Tri-Comfort is one of only two pillows we tested to experience a single-digit rise in temperature.

Another big benefit of this pillow? The spinal support, according to our testers. Spinal support is a key part of promoting recovery and healthy sleep.² “Regardless of which sleeping position I was in, I felt like my head and neck were in line with the rest of my spine,” said one tester. The pillow is also adjustable in firmness, which makes it versatile enough to support all sleep positions.

Our testers did wish this pillow was machine washable. The Nectar Tri-Comfort is spot-clean only, which earned it a 3/5 for ease of care.

The Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow may not be right for these sleepers:

People who aren’t able to easily hand-wash a pillow: Cleaning and care is the only area the Nectar Tri-Comfort didn’t score highly in testing. Putting a pillow case on this pillow will prevent most stains. But if cleaning is your top concern, you might want to opt for the machine-washable (but still cooling) Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Pillow.

The Nectar customer experience

Trial period: 30 nights
Shipping: Free
Warranty: 1 year
Financing: Yes, through Affirm

Customer service

Nectar customer support is available seven days a week. You can contact Nectar customer service by calling 888-863-2827, emailing support@nectarsleep.com, or by using the website's live chat feature.

Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow: Best Cooling Pillow for Side Sleepers

Our testing found that the Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow's quilted lyocell cover helps it stay cool. Its breathable Talalay latex also supports your neck and head, adjusting when you move. When you roll from your back to your side, the pillow will bounce up to cradle your neck and spine.

Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow

Best for Side Sleepers

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Brooklyn Bedding mattress review
Responsive

Fits most sheet sets
Great for back and side sleepers

Fill material: Latex
Adjustability and loft: Not adjustable; low (4") or high loft (5")
Firmness level: Medium
Free trial period: 30 nights
Cooling: Breathable latex core and cotton cover
Shape: Traditional rectangle

Pros

Fits a standard pillowcase
Lyocell covering is breathable
Great pressure relief
Responsive latex support

Cons

Short trial period
May be too high for some stomach sleepers
Vague care instructions

Why our testers chose the Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow as the Best Cooling Pillow for Side Sleepers

Side sleepers create different pressure points when they sleep compared to back or stomach sleepers. Latex is responsive enough to offer proper head and neck support to side sleepers, compressing to fill the gap created at the neck and shoulders.

“Switching positions is very easy with this pillow,” reported one tester. “There is no shape that the pillow holds when you get up from whatever position you were in earlier.” For this, we awarded the pillow a 4/5 for experience. It missed earning the 5/5 because it’s not adjustable and is slightly too high (6.5”) for stomach sleepers.

A woman in a grey shirt lies on her side on the Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow with her back to the camera — The shredded latex fill helps the Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow support your neck and head when side sleeping.

During testing, the Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow took only 2.18 seconds to return to full loft (pillow height) after we dropped a medicine ball on it. Based on this, you can expect the pillow to quickly respond as you change positions.

As for cooling, the quilted lyocell cover works together with the shredded Talalay latex to promote airflow. Our thermal gun test revealed this pillow retained a little heat, rising 15 degrees during testing. This is still considered a fair amount of cooling, though you can use it with one of our best cooling sheets to maximize coolness from head to toe.

When we surveyed older adults about what they look for in pillows and mattress toppers, quality materials topped the list by a wide margin.³ If you feel similarly about quality, the Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow won’t disappoint—our testers were impressed by its composition. “I liked this pillow!” one tester said. “I think that it's made with high-quality materials.”

The Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow may not be right for these sleepers:

Stomach sleepers: While Brooklyn Bedding offers a lower-loft option for this pillow, stomach sleepers might experience neck strain. For a flatter pillow that’s still latex, we recommend the low-loft Saatva Latex option.

The Brooklyn Bedding customer experience

Trial period: 30 nights
Shipping: Free
Warranty: 3 years
Financing: Yes, Affirm

Customer service

You can contact Brooklyn Bedding customer service by calling 623-624-1222, emailing warranty@brooklynbedding.com or returns@brooklynbedding.com, or by using the website's live chat feature. Brooklyn Bedding is closed on New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Silk & Snow Adjustable Pillow: Best Cooling Pillow for Night Sweats

Silk & Snow made the list of best cooling pillows because it’s one of the most cooling pillows we tested, retaining only 11 degrees of body heat. It also received top marks for materials, support, and comfort, leaving our testers feeling “refreshed.”

Silk & Snow Adjustable Pillow

Best for Night Sweats

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One of the most cooling pillows we tested
High-quality materials

Good value
100-night trial period

Fill material: Memory foam and microfiber
Adjustability and loft: Removable fill, 9”
Firmness level: Adjustable
Free trial period: 100 nights
Cooling: Breathable cotton cover
Shape: Traditional rectangle

Pros

Supports all sleep positions
Machine washable
High-quality materials
Good spinal support

Cons

Won’t fit in standard pillow cases
Doesn’t come with storage for removable memory foam strips
Removable fill may pose a choking hazard for small children or pets

Why our testers chose the Silk & Snow Adjustable Pillow as the Best Cooling Pillow for Night Sweats

The Silk & Snow is machine washable, unlike some of the pillows on our list. If you experience night sweats, you know how important it is to be able to toss your pillow into the laundry in the morning. We did wish the washing instructions were a little more clear on setting and drying time. But it washed well after some educated guesses by our testing team.

In addition to its cooling capabilities, the breathable layers may help the Silk & Snow stay dry through the night. Its shreds of memory foam and microfiber are housed in a breathable cotton case and a luxurious duvet-type topper. “I can feel myself continuing to sink,” said one tester of the plush duvet. “When I slept on it throughout the night, I woke up feeling very refreshed.” That restorative feeling earned the Silk & Snow a 4.5/5 from our testing team for experience.

A female tester in a grey shirt evaluates the Silk & Snow for side sleeping — Our testers recommend the Silk & Snow pillow for combination sleepers because of how well it supports the head and neck in multiple positions.

Part of that experience score was the pillow’s cooling ability. Rising only 11.6 degrees during testing, the Silk & Snow is one of the most cooling pillows we tested. It’s also one of the most supportive pillows for combination sleepers. “I recommend this pillow to combination sleepers who like to toss and turn onto their side and back,” one tester said. “Sleeping throughout the night on this pillow was super comfortable for my shoulders and neck on both my side and back. It also helped get this pillow on our list of the best pillows for neck pain.

The Silk & Snow Adjustable Pillow may not be right for these sleepers:

People who want a firm pillow: Our testers found the Silk & Snow rather plush, noting its squishy feel. If you prefer something firmer that still cools, you might appreciate the Brooklyn Bedding Luxe Cooling Gel Pillow.
Stomach sleepers: The loft on the Silk & Snow was a little high for our stomach-sleeping testers, who said they still enjoyed the pillow more than they expected in that position. But the Silk & Snow is also an adjustable pillow. You can remove most of the filling to make it flatter and more comfortable for stomach sleeping.

The Silk & Snow pillow customer experience

Trial period: 100 nights
Shipping: Free
Warranty: 3 years
Financing: Yes, Affirm

Customer service

You can contact Silk & Snow customer service by calling 1-877-672-2882, emailing hello@silkandsnow.com, or through the website's live chat feature.

Saatva Latex Pillow: Best Latex Cooling Pillow

One of the most plush pillows on this list, the Saatva Latex Pillow earned a 4.5/5 on materials from our testers. Our testing team loved the level of spinal alignment they could achieve on this “hotel-like” cooling pillow, which rose only 14.4 degrees during testing. “It feels soft and cool to the touch,” said one tester.

Saatva Latex Pillow

Best Latex

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Saatva mattress review
Luxe, “hotel-like” feel

Generous trial period
Available in multiple loft options

Fill material: Shredded latex
Adjustability and loft: Not adjustable; standard (4–5'') or high loft (6–7'')
Firmness level: Medium
Free trial period: 45 nights
Cooling: Breathable latex
Shape: Traditional rectangle

Pros

Can help support spinal alignment
Allergy-friendly
Solid cooling scores
Longer trial period than other brands

Cons

No storage for excess fill
Heavy to reposition
Most expensive pillow we tested

Why our testers chose the Saatva Latex Pillow as the Best Cooling Latex Pillow

The Saatva pillow's inner core is packed with shredded latex, a mildew-resistant natural fiber that's designed to breathe. This layer is surrounded by a plush fill and topped off with a washable cover made of moisture-wicking organic cotton.

“This pillow is made with very nice materials,” said one tester. “I would consider this a luxury pillow.” The care instructions for the Saatva Latex scored a 5/5 for being straightforward and easy to follow.

Latex pillows tend to be very bouncy and responsive. But that's not really the case with the Saatva Latex pillow. It has more of a soft, sinking feel, which causes the pillow to respond a little slower. During testing, the Saatva Latex took 18.25 seconds to somewhat return to its original shape. It lost 3 inches of loft during the test. “But it’s the right amount of sinkage to be comfortable,” said a tester.

The Saatva Latex pillow under a medicine ball — Once our testers dropped a medicine ball on it, the Saatva Latex returned mostly to its original shape after 18.25 seconds.

The Saatva Latex Pillow may not be right for these sleepers:

Sleepers on a budget: The Saatva Latex is the most expensive pillow we tested. If you’re looking for similar high quality and cooling capabilities that won’t break the bank, you might like the Silk & Snow, our Best Cooling Pillow for Night Sweats.
People who want an adjustable loft: Saatva offers you two height options for the Latex pillow, but you have to choose during checkout. The pillow is not convertible. If you want a cooling pillow that is convertible, get the Nectar Tri-Comfort, our Best Cooling Pillow Overall.

The Saatva customer experience

Trial period: 45 nights
Shipping: Free delivery
Warranty: Limited lifetime
Financing: Yes, through Affirm

Customer service

You can contact Saatva customer service by calling 860-452-3977, emailing info@saatvamattress.com, or through the chat feature on the website.

Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Pillow: Best Adjustable Cooling Pillow

Coop Sleep’s Adjustable Pillow was one of the most customizable pillows we tested. It impressed our testers by being consistently supportive for back and side sleeping. The Coop Sleep’s high-end materials earned it a 5/5. And our testers found the pillow didn't retain much heat in the night.

Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Pillow

Best Adjustable

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Customizable height and firmness
Soft, “fuzzy” cover

Doesn’t retain too much heat

Fill material: Latex foam, polyester fiber
Adjustability and loft: Adjustable, 6.2”
Firmness level: Medium
Free trial period: 100 nights
Cooling: Breathable latex
Shape: Traditional rectangle

Pros

Great pressure relief
Long trial period
Greenguard Gold certified for low emissions
Machine washable

Cons

Stomach sleepers may find it too high even at the lowest loft
Not cool to the touch

Why our testers chose the Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Pillow as the Best Adjustable Cooling Pillow

What makes the Coop Sleep Goods pillow adjustable is the same thing that makes it cooling: the microfiber and shredded latex fill. This fill mix is designed to be breathable, and our testers confirmed it cushioned them well during testing. They awarded the Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Pillow 5/5 for experience. “I give this pillow full marks,” said one tester. “Even when I take out some of the material, it’s soft and comforting. I like how you can mold the pillow around your head.”

The Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Pillow is not cool to the touch. But it doesn’t retain heat nearly as much as other pillows we tested. The pillow rose 12.1 degrees after use, according to our thermal gun. The pillow’s quilted cover is designed for airflow, as is its breathable fill. But testers described it as “fuzzy,” which may not feel as cool to some.

A thermal gun reads the heat signature of the Coop Sleep Adjustable Pillow — The Coop Sleep Adjustable Pillow rose only 12.1 degrees during testing.

Our testers gave Coop Sleep Goods a 5/5 for care instructions because the pillow is machine washable and the instructions are clearer than those of most competitors. “What really surprised me was that you can actually wash the inner filling, which typically is non-washable or spot-clean only,” said one tester.

The Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Pillow may not be right for these sleepers:

People who prefer a smooth sleeping surface: The Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Pillow’s fuzzy cover, while comfortable on the skin, might not feel as nice if you want something cool to the touch.
Stomach sleepers: While the filling and therefore the loft of the Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Pillow is adjustable, stomach sleepers might experience neck strain even after scooping most of the filling out.
People who don’t like clutter: The Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Pillow is adjustable only if you keep the extra fill shreds in a baggie somewhere so you can refill the pillow later. Otherwise, you’re stuck at the pillow loft you created when you scooped all the filling out. For those who want their cooling pillow to stay adjustable without creating clutter, get the Nectar Tri-Comfort, our Best Cooling Pillow Overall.

The Coop Sleep Goods customer experience

Trial period: 100 nights
Shipping: Free
Warranty: 5 years
Financing: Not available

Customer service

You can contact Coop customer service by calling 888-316-1886, emailing customerservice@coopsleepgoods.com, or by using the website's live chat feature.

Pillows act as the upper-spine stabilizer. The right pillow height keeps the head aligned with the neck and shoulders, preventing strain that can trigger nighttime awakenings.”

—Joseph Dzierzewski, PhD, Senior Vice President of Research and Scientific Affairs at the National Sleep Foundation

Luxome LAYR Pillow: Best Cooling Memory Foam Pillow

The customizable Luxome LAYR was our best memory foam pillow overall. Some types of memory foam can trap heat. But our testing found that for a memory foam pillow, the LAYR dissipates heat well. The pillow’s luxury feel and gel-infused cooling foam earned it a 5/5 with our testers for materials.

Luxome LAYR Pillow

Best Memory Foam

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Unique adjustable design
Machine washable

Uses gel-infused cooling foam

Fill material: Memory foam and down alternative
Adjustability and loft: Adjustable; 9.5''
Firmness level: Adjustable firmness
Free trial period: 30 nights
Cooling: Gel-infused foam and breathable fabric
Shape: Traditional rectangle

Pros

Easy to clean
Adjusts to three firmness levels depending on inserts
Free shipping

Cons

Unused inserts are easy to misplace
Shorter trial period than other brands

Why our testers chose the Luxome LAYR as the Best Cooling Memory Foam Pillow

The quality materials in the LAYR helped it become a top contender for best pillows for back sleepers. Those same materials—a down insert, a shredded foam insert, and a firm foam insert—earned it a 5/5 from our testers. “It has a super comfortable outer layer, to the point where I could sleep on this without a pillowcase,” said one tester.

Although the bamboo and natural viscose cover is meant to be cooling, we recommend adding cooling sheets to the equation, as the LAYR retained slightly more heat than some competitors. Our testers clocked a 17-degree increase, which is still less than a standard pillow might have warmed. You can also remove one of the LAYR’s several foam layers if you find it retaining too much heat for your liking.

Memory foam is known for its contouring, which helps it support your neck and spine and provide better pressure relief. Our testers dropped a medicine ball on the LAYR to see how it responded. After 8.78 seconds, the pillow had risen to a height of 8.5 out of its original 9.5-inch loft. That speaks to how well the pillow can adjust to contour your head throughout the night.

All told, our testing team was impressed. “I thought this pillow was super neat and a comfortable choice for people who may not know what they like in a pillow,” one tester said, nodding to the way you can remove and interchange the layers.

A medicine ball is cradled on the Luxome LAYR — During medicine ball testing, the Luxome LAYR was able to regenerate in 8.78 seconds.

The Luxome LAYR Pillow may not be right for these sleepers:

Combination sleepers: The LAYR takes a moment to reset once compressed, which is not the best for combination sleepers. So if you change positions frequently in the night, you’ll feel a gap for a few minutes before the pillow contours to your new position. If you’re looking for a more responsive feel, get the Nectar Tri-Comfort, our best overall.
People who want a set-and-forget pillow: The LAYR rewards experimentation. If you have the time to tinker with the filling and follow the brand's configuration chart, you might unlock the best, most customized pillow experience of your life. But if you just want simplicity from your pillow, this might not be the best fit for you.

The Luxome customer experience

Trial period: 30 nights
Shipping: Free standard
Warranty: Limited
Financing: Yes

Customer service

You can contact Luxome customer service by emailing support@luxome.com.

What to look for in the best cooling pillows

The best cooling pillows have breathable covers and core materials designed to dissipate heat. Every pillow on this list was tested overnight by our testing team. Our testers evaluated the pillows for responsiveness, comfort, pressure relief, and—of course—cooling.

Cooling

We used a thermal gun to test whether a pillow retained heat. Our testers measured the temperature of a pillow before resting on it, and then took another temperature reading after use. Some pillows only rose in temperature by single digits. These pillows often achieve better cooling with gel-infused memory foam layers. Others use breathable fibers and quilted covers.

We also asked testers to indicate when a pillow felt cool to the touch before the tests, and if they felt like a pillow stored a bit too much body heat to stay comfortable all night. The coolest pillow we tested was the Nectar Tri-Comfort, which earned our spot as a top pick.

A thermal heat gun reads the signature of the Silk & Snow pillow — The Silk & Snow Pillow during a thermal heat test.

Pressure relief and support

Good pressure relief means a pillow supports your shoulders, head, and neck without creating pressure points in the night. Where you need more pressure relief depends on the position you sleep in.

Side and combination sleepers may need more support and pressure relief at the neck and shoulders, which is often achieved with a firmer, higher-lofted pillow.
For stomach sleepers, a flatter, softer pillow (or no pillow at all) is often best. This avoids lifting the head too much and straining the neck.
Back sleepers may require a medium-lofted pillow that can prop their head and shoulders up just enough for good spinal alignment.²

Adjustable pillows are a great option, as you can add or remove filling to get the best support and loft for your sleep position. But an adjustable pillow won’t help if you’re a combination sleeper who needs support that moves when you do. Responsive pillows are often best for combination sleepers. More on that below.

Loft retention and height adjustments

“Pillows act as the upper-spine stabilizer,” says Dzierzewski. “The right pillow height keeps the head aligned with the neck and shoulders, preventing strain that can trigger nighttime awakenings.”

Studies show that pillow height affects spinal alignment.⁴Adjustable pillows, which have interior filling or inserts you can remove to change the height (also called "loft") are a great way to get a luxury feel that’s tailored to you.

Adjusting the loft can also adjust the firmness in some pillows. This is especially true for the Nectar Tri-Comfort, our best cooling pillow overall. Pillow firmness changes how much the pillow cradles your head and neck.

Responsiveness

Lynn, a member of our older adult focus group, shared the following: “I have a very soft pillow that I don't use very often, but apparently I grabbed that one and went to sleep. And then I woke up and there's a hole where I had my head in this pillow.” What Lynn is describing is responsiveness, or the ability of a pillow to bounce back into shape when you take your head off it.

Responsiveness is key to continued pressure relief and spine alignment throughout the night, especially if you change positions. You don’t want your pillow frozen in one position. You want it to fluff up and shift to support your head and neck as you move them. Our testers timed how long it took the pillows on this list to return to their full height after dropping a medicine ball on them. Latex is generally a good option for high responsiveness.

What are cooling pillows?

Cooling pillows are designed to dissipate body heat as you sleep. Often, the best cooling pillows have quilted covers that are meant to wick moisture and encourage airflow. Cooling pillows also use materials like gel- or copper-infused memory foam, natural latex, or bamboo to better transfer heat instead of storing it.

Who should consider a cooling pillow?

Anyone who sleeps hot, experiences night sweats, or just prefers to stay cool may benefit from a cooling pillow. Couples in particular should consider a cooling pillow, as two sleepers create more body heat in a bed than one. Anyone experiencing menopause might also appreciate a cooling pillow. If you frequently wake up throughout the night feeling warm and uncomfortable, investing in new cooling sheets and a cooling pillow is a great place to start before making the leap to a new mattress.

The vast majority of survey respondents have bought a pillow online in the past 5–10 years, outpacing online mattress purchases.³

How to choose a cooling pillow

There is no best material for a cooling pillow because each pillow brand approaches cooling differently. But generally you’ll want to look for one of these:

Microfiber fill
Shredded latex
Shredded memory foam
Gel-infused memory foam
Quilted cover

Stomach sleepers need the least amount of fill because they need a low-lofted pillow or no pillow at all to achieve spinal alignment. We recommend the Nectar Tri-Comfort.

Side sleepers need a cooling pillow that’s able to support their shoulders and neck. These sleepers typically need a responsive pillow with a firmer feel or higher loft, which is why we recommend the Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow.

Most pillows are actually designed for back sleepers, so they have a wider variety of cooling pillows to choose from. Any pillow with a loft around 6.5 inches should help a back sleeper maintain better spinal alignment. Every pillow on this list either starts at that height or can be adjusted down to it.

How much do the best cooling pillows cost?

The best cooling pillows cost between $75–$180. Cooling pillows cost more than something you can grab off the shelf at a big-box store (which usually cost $25 or less). But they don’t necessarily cost more than any other type of specialized pillow. The Silk & Snow pillow is the most affordable cooling pillow.

Be aware of hidden fees when you're shopping for cooling pillows. All of the pillow brands on this list are transparent about prices, but some returns are not free. If you don’t love your Luxome LAYR, the company will charge you to return it.

Comparison Features	Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow	Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow	Silk & Snow Adjustable Pillow	Saatva Latex Pillow	Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Pillow	Luxome LAYR Pillow
Cost for a queen	$129	$172	$75	$165	$149	$180
Shipping costs	Free	Free	Free	Free	Free	Free on orders over $100
Warranty	1 year	3 years	3 years	1 year	5 years	Limited
Return fees	Free	Free	Free	Free	Free	Cost of shipping

Frequently asked questions

Do cooling pillows actually work?

Yes. Our testing proves that there are certain pillow brands out there that retain less body heat than others using moisture-wicking covers, latex, and gel-infused memory foam. These pillows may help you sleep cooler.

What is the lifespan of a cooling pillow?

Cooling pillows will last around 1.5–4 years. Some of the materials that make a cooling pillow feel cooler (latex shreds, microfiber fill) naturally compress over time.

Do you need a pillowcase for a cooling pillow?

That’s up to personal preference. Many of the best cooling pillows have a quilted cover designed to feel soft against the skin and promote airflow. But adding a thin pillowcase shouldn't counteract that breathability and may make the pillow easier to keep clean. Our testers also found that some of the best cooling pillows have fuzzy covers that might not be for everyone, and a pillowcase solved the issue.

Questions? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.

Disclosure

In This Review

Best cooling pillows in 2026

Comparing the best cooling pillows

Top features of the best cooling pillows

Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow: Best Cooling Pillow Overall

Pros

Cons

Why our testers chose the Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow as the Best Cooling Pillow Overall