9 of the best cooling pillows for a comfortable night’s sleep

Whether you tend to overheat during the night or just like the sensation of a cool pillow on your cheek, the best cooling pillows will enable you to have a fantastic night's sleep. There's something calming and comforting about how cooling pillows quickly regulate your temperature - especially on a hot night. It will quickly become the best pillow to use when temperatures are high.

Whatever position you find yourself most comfy in, whether you're a side sleeper, back sleeper or front, stomach sleeper, it's important to find the right type of pillow that works for you and won't end up giving you neck and shoulder pain. We have even found the best orthopaedic pillows with cooling properties.

The best cooling pillows at a glance:

• Top pick: The Simba Hybrid Pillow - view on Simba
• Best Memory Foam cooling pillow: Coolmax® Contour Extra Firm Memory Foam Pillow - view on M&S
• Best orthopaedic cooling pillow: Cooling Cervical Memory Foam Pillow for Neck Pain Relief - view on Amazon UK

Although a cooling pillow might cool you down, be sure you're not sacrificing on comfort. After all, even if you're at the perfect temperature, if you're not comfortable, it's unlikely you'll get a good night's sleep. For example, if you are someone who needs a pillow for back pain then we have found a memory foam cooling pillow which will offer added support.

FAQs

Do self-cooling pillows work?

The ideal temperature for sleep is 15.6 to 19.4 °C, so on those hotter nights, it's understandable why sleep is so difficult. Cooling pillows are designed to release heat more effectively than regular pillows and in turn, can help you sleep better, especially if you're someone who regularly wakes up all hot and bothered.

They work to wick away any moisture quickly but it's worth noting that they do begin to warm up after 10 minutes, in which time you should have hopefully fallen asleep!

What to look out for in a cooling pillow

Sleeping position - Be sure to opt for a pillow that will work for your ideal sleeping position. Whether you're after a pillow for front sleepers, side sleepers or back sleepers, the right pillow for your sleeping position will help give you the neck support you need and avoid any aches and pain in the morning.

Ease of washing - Sweating during the night is very common, especially in the summer months. It's important to choose an easily washable pillow. Alternatively, you'll want one with a removable cover that can be washed and used alongside a mattress protector.

Cooling technology - Opt for a pillow that uses smart, cooling technology to regulate your temperature and create a more stable body temperature throughout the night.

Is sleeping on a cold pillow good for you?

If you're someone who experiences hot flushes at night or generally feels the heat more when you're trying to sleep, you'll reap the benefits of a cooling pillow.

"A cooling pillow can instantly lower the temperature around your head, neck, and shoulders so you'll fall asleep faster and experience a deeper, more restful sleep," says Muse Sleep. They're designed to combat heat retention, creating a more breathable surface to prevent that dreaded warming sensation you get when you've laid on your pillow for too long. They'll absorb the ambient temperature, making your sleep surface feel noticeably cooler so you'll fall asleep faster and stay sleeping for longer.

Why do cold pillows feel so good?

Nothing beats the feeling of resting your head against a cold pillow, but why does it feel so good? REM-fit has the answer to why we prefer the cold side of the pillow. They state that keeping your head cool will help your body regulate its core temperature. If we heat up too much, our bodies try to dissipate the heat by pumping blood to our hands, feet and head. By transferring the heat through to the pillow, our bodies cool down and allow us to sleep more deeply.

How can I stay cool while sleeping?

If you're fed up with restless nights because you're too hot to sleep, we, with help from Casper, have got some tips on how you can stay cool while sleeping.

Take a warm shower or bath before bed

Taking a warm shower or bath before bed can lower your core body temperature. While your body temperature will initially rise, once you get out, your body will begin to cool down. On top of that, taking a warm bath or shower can also help you fall asleep faster.

Freeze a washcloth

One of the most common places people sweat is on their head and face, so it’s important to keep this area cool. In order to do that, freeze a washcloth before bed and use it as a cold compress when you’re trying to fall asleep.

Freeze a water bottle

Along with a washcloth, place a water bottle or two in the freezer. Before bed, take it out and use it as a cold compress. You can use it to cool off your face and neck, or you can place it in the bed around you to keep you cool.

Cool off pulse points

Cooling off your pulse points will expand the cooling effect to the rest of your body. To do this, use ice packs to cool off your various pulse points such as your ankles, wrists, the backs of your knees, and the crooks of your elbows.

Keep blinds shut throughout the day

Keeping your blinds shut during the day when it's hot will avoid letting in excess heat. Consider investing in blackout blinds to stop sunlight from coming in.

Lorna White is a Senior Digital Writer at Yours.co.uk and MotherandBaby.com. She was previously a writer at Yours Magazine writing features and news stories before joining the digital team. Lorna loves the great British countryside and likes to spend her spare time out and about in her home of Nottinghamshire walking her dog, Pippin.

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