The best cooling pillows of 2025, tried and tested

CNN

14-05-2025

The best cooling pillows we tested
Best cooling pillow: Coop Sleep Goods Eden Cool+ Crescent Pillow
Best budget cooling pillow: Sijo FluffBase Eucalyptus Pillow There's a science to getting a good night's sleep.
Between nailing the perfect temperature, having cozy pajamas and bedding, and creating overall serene vibes, the most important ingredient is often the perfect pillow. And sometimes, a warm pillow can completely derail a good snooze session. It turns out, there's no need to toss and turn, wondering how to get to the cool side of the pillow.
Whether you're dealing with night sweats, experiencing hot flashes or struggling to find your pillow's sweet spot, cooling pillows can make all the difference in your sleep quality. That's why I tested and reviewed a range of cooling pillows to find the ones worth the price. Here's what I discovered.
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By combining cooling gel-infused memory foam and microfibers, the Coop Sleep Goods pillow offers great support for your neck and head while staying cool to the touch all night long. I loved that the pillow was adjustable, making it a great pick for back, stomach and side sleepers.
Sijo FluffBase Eucalyptus Pillow
Soft without feeling too squishy, the Sijo FluffBase is made with a cozy down alternative that remained cool and fresh throughout the night. At only $60, I thought this was a solid, allergy-safe pick for a cooling pillow. I'll be honest — I live in a tiny studio apartment that tends to get hot. Like, really hot, to the point where I often have to crank up my air conditioning in the throes of winter. Thanks to my unpredictable radiator and small space, staying cool at night is hopelessly futile. Even though I'm a naturally cold sleeper, I've been looking for a cooling pillow that can keep my head cool in my stuffy apartment, especially as summer approaches.
Although I tested a range of pillows, Coop's dreamy, adjustable pillow completely changed the game for me. It was the only pillow that came with filling (making it great for all kinds of sleepers) to build a dreamy, tailored sleep setup — and it stayed cool to the touch night after night. Many a CNN Underscored writer has tested and raved about iterations of the Coop pillow, and all have come to the same conclusion: It's like a built-in climate control system for any kind of sleep environment.
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The cooling outer layer did feel soft and crisp to the touch, without ribs or patterns, unlike others in my testing pool. The pillow stayed cool throughout the night, even in my warm studio apartment. How so? With gel-infused memory foam and breathable microfibers, the 'stuffing' dissipates heat, meaning the hottest of sleepers can cool off using this pillow.
I loved that this pillow is adjustable — all I had to do was unzip, add or remove fill, and fine-tune it to my perfect level of support. I appreciated the customization of it all, especially as a petite back sleeper who struggles to find cervical pillows that fit my frame. The Coop pillow is also CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold certified, so I can sleep easily knowing I'm resting on a clean, safe and skin-friendly product.
I'm pretty picky when it comes to pillows, especially the materials they're made from. I thought Sijo's FluffBase was a solid pick for the price, considering pillows can get pretty pricey. It's soft without being overly squishy, and the recycled polyester fiber fill stayed evenly distributed throughout the night, without any lumps or flat spots by morning. The pillow is impressively breathable too, crafted with a 100% Tencel Lyocell fabric shell with the same fiber inside. The silky-soft cover did feel cool to the touch, and I appreciated that it was hypoallergenic for those with the sniffles, like myself.
I went with the medium support option, and it's been consistently comfortable whether I'm sleeping on my back or side. I noticed the fill didn't shift or compress much, so the pillow kept its 'fluffy' shape while still feeling light and cushy. It's also engineered to gently contour to the head and neck, which felt especially supportive around my shoulders and upper back. While I wouldn't call it life-changing, it's thoughtfully made, it's low-maintenance and it delivers on comfort and cooling abilities.
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For anyone concerned about allergens, this pillow is a smart choice. It's certified hypoallergenic and made with a barrier against dust mites, pet dander and pollen. It's also Oeko-Tex certified, meaning it's been rigorously tested for harmful substances and is free from toxic chemicals and dyes. That extra peace of mind, combined with hotel-quality comfort, makes the FluffBase a worthwhile option for a healthier, cooler night's sleep.
After narrowing down my list to the most popular pillows and brands, I tested the pillows by sleeping on each one for at least two nights. I paid close attention to how well each pillow regulated temperature, how breathable and cool the materials felt and whether I woke up feeling overheated or sweaty. I also noted overall comfort, ease of cleaning, construction quality and adjustability options.
Here's how I evaluated each cooling pillow, with stuffy sleepers in mind.
Comfort
Comfort level: I slept on each pillow for at least two nights and noted how comfortable each was when I got into bed at night and when I woke up in the morning.
Adjustments: I noted if it was possible to easily adjust the filling of each pillow.
Cooling ability
Outer layer: Upon initial touch, I took note of how cool the outer layer of the pillow felt.
Time of cooling: I made sure to evaluate if each pillow stayed cool throughout the night, not just within the first few minutes of using them.
Durability
Shape retention: It's no secret that pillows can become lumpy or flat, so I took note of each pillow's shape after sleeping on it for several nights.
Appearance: I also looked at the overall appearance of the pillow after sleeping on each one and noted if anything tore or broke in the process.
Cooling pillows are designed to regulate heat and wick away moisture so you can stay cool and wake up feeling like the best version of yourself. And who doesn't love that?
To pick the perfect cooling pillow, start by identifying your sleep style — side, back or stomach — and choose a firmness option that supports your neck and spine.
Look for breathable materials like gel-infused foam, shredded memory foam or lightweight down alternatives. If you'd like to cover your cooling pillow, opt for moisture-wicking, cool-to-the-touch covers made from Tencel or bamboo. You can go the extra mile and find pillows with adjustable fill, ventilation channels and hypoallergenic certifications for the ultimate night's sleep.
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Pluto's dreamy pillow is fully customizable online, made with a personalized CertiPUR-US certified foam core based on your sleep preferences. It's tough to beat a customizable pillow like Pluto's. Unlike the Coop pillow that comes with filling, it's easy to customize the Pluto pillow online, all from the comfort of your home. The 'core,' or filling, is engineered for optimal bounce and support that adapts to your body temperature without getting too firm or soft.
After sleeping on the plush Pluto pillow, I noticed it bounced back quickly and dispersed heat efficiently, making it a smart choice for comfort on warmer nights.
To get into the nitty-gritty of the materials, this pillow is Oeko-Tex certified, meaning it's filled with individually blown-down alternative microfibers. To break it down further, this means the fibers are hypoallergenic, all for a soft and breathable feel without clumping or flattening. If you choose to do so, you can also pick between two outer fabric options: a smooth, 350-thread-count cotton for breathability or a lightly quilted, cool-to-the-touch cover for a cozier, temperature-regulating finish.
Casper Hybrid Pillow
If you're looking for a pillow with that marshmallowy feel, the Casper Hybrid Pillow is the product for you. With a fiber core surrounded by layered foam, it delivers that squishy, sink-in comfort. Although not advertised as a cooling pillow, it did stay cold but ultimately warmed up over time. Despite this important drawback, I did enjoy the plush support of the Casper pillow.
I found the shape especially ideal for side sleeping, but it worked just as well when I shifted onto my back. The three-layer construction holds its form nicely through the night, while the plush knit cover adds extra coziness. It's also machine-washable, which makes keeping it fresh effortless. If you're after that 'just right' mix of softness and support, this pillow makes a strong case.
Slumber Cloud UltraCool Pillow
I'm not kidding when I say this is an out-of-this-world pillow. The Slumber Cloud UltraCool Pillow lives up to its name, thanks to its use of Outlast, a NASA-developed technology that actively regulates temperature to keep you cool all night. I was curious to see if the Slumber Cloud UltraCool Pillow could deliver on its cooling claims — and it did. Made with Outlast, a temperature-regulating fabric originally developed for NASA, this pillow stayed consistently cool without me needing to flip it over during the night.
I didn't wake up sweaty or overheated, which is a major win. I went with the medium/firm option, which offered solid support for my back and side, but there's a softer version too if you're a stomach sleeper. The fabric felt durable and smooth, and, overall, I thought it was a great choice if you run hot at night.
Threshold Firm Cool Touch Bed Pillow
I gave this firm pillow from Threshold a try, and for a budget-friendly option, it was a decent pick that offered more than I expected. The cool-to-the-touch quilted cover stayed cool through the night, and the firm fill offered solid support whether I was on my back, side or stomach. This pillow from Target's Threshold brand is hypoallergenic, machine-washable and low-maintenance, making it an ideal pick if you're looking for a pillow that doesn't require extra care but still feels fresh night after night. And even though it didn't blow me away or come with fancy features like NASA-engineered technology or adjustable filling, it pretty much got the job done — all for a mere $15.
The cover is made from a blend of 90% nylon and 10% spandex, which gives it that smooth, stretchy and noticeably cool-to-the-touch feel. For the price, it's a simple, supportive option that stayed decently cool throughout the night.
How do cooling pillows stay cool?
How do cooling pillows stay cool?
Cooling pillows use materials like gel infusions, phase-change fabrics and breathable fills to promote airflow, keeping you from overheating at night. Some also feature moisture-wicking, cool-to-the-touch covers and ventilated designs that regulate body temperature.
Will my cooling pillow work if I use a case?
Will my cooling pillow work if I use a case?
It depends. Most will work with a pillowcase, but the type of case you use matters. Avoid thick, heat-trapping fabric like flannel or low-quality cotton. To get the most out of your pillow, choose a lightweight, breathable and moisture-wicking fabric like high-thread cotton or bamboo.
What materials should I look out for in a cooling pillow?
What materials should I look out for in a cooling pillow?
Opt for cooling, gel-infused or shredded memory foam, breathable polyester fill or phase-change materials that regulate heat.
CNN Underscored has a skilled team of writers and editors with many years of testing experience to ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant, making sure we're recommending only the best products while considering the pros and cons of each.
Associate testing writer Carolina Gazal has tested and written about various products, from the products that have helped her get better sleep to the latest LED devices. For this article, she tested a range of cooling pillows in her stuffy apartment to find the ones worth the splurge.