10 Best Cooling Pillows of 2025, Tested by AD Editors

Credit: architecturaldigest.com

Whether summer days are approaching or you’re a self-proclaimed hot sleeper, the best cooling pillows are the bedding essentials you need for a soothing night’s rest. Unlike standard bed pillows, these options boast airflow and breathability like no others. Plus, they’ll help keep you refreshed without having to invest in a whole cooling mattress or new A/C. But we’re not just going to talk about the accolades of a cooling pillow, we’re sharing our honest reviews about everything from gel-infused memory foam to moisture-wicking latex pillows after months—and even years—of use. We even sprinkled in some budget-friendly cooling pillows you can find on Amazon, complete with different firmness levels, that’ll help make night sweats a thing of the past.

Our Top Picks for the Best Cooling Pillows:

For consistency, all prices in this story reflect standard sizes.

The best cooling pillow, overall

Thanks to premier cooling properties, this Purple pillow is a game changer for hot sleepers. Just take it from contributor Kelsey Borovinsky. This bedding accessory was her first foray into latex pillows, and after sleeping on it extensively, she says it was not only breathable but it also held its shape for supportive sleep. “If you like a Tempur-Pedic type of pillow that is really solid and supportive or in the market for one to support other parts of your body, this would be a great option,” she says.

A refreshing memory foam pick

Combination sleepers, listen up. Senior commerce editor Nashia Baker considers herself a side and stomach sleeper and attests that she feels refreshed and comfortable no matter her sleep position with this memory foam pillow. “It has a structured build and feels slightly firm to the touch, but it shapes to my head when I lay down for a soft, cradling feel as I sleep,” she says, adding that its support helps keep neck pain at bay. “Another perk that caught me by surprise was its cooling gel pad that actually feels refreshing. It’s been a go-to when the weather heats up so I can comfortably doze off.” If you aren’t sure which side is doing the cooling, you can identify it by its “ocean blue” color. Baker adds that the pillow is responsive and needs a lot of force to even make it sink in, and she hasn’t noticed any flattening over the last year she’s used it.

Best for side sleepers

For those who sleep on their sides, like commerce director Rachel Fletcher, you’ll find this Naturepedic pillow supportive and comforting. It has a shoulder cut-out designed to prevent pillow-bunching or spine-contorting. Fletcher says that it leans softer and longer than other side pillows in her bedding arsenal, plus more. “[It’s] perfect for a taller person (I’m five-two, so most people are taller than me) as well as for someone who doesn’t like a super-firm pillow,” she says. “That said, it does come with extra fill in case you want to stuff it up a bit and increase the firmness.”

A luxe latex pillow

According to the Saatva site, their latex pillow offers “ultimate head and neck support,” and contributor Sydney Gore backs up these claims from her sleep experience. “I have some serious back issues and was surprised to wake up feeling more rested after the many nights I spent snoozing on such a luxurious pillow,” she says. Even though it’s steeper in price, she notes that these high-quality pillows are truly comfortable when put to the test. The organic latex material is naturally breathable to help regulate body temperature too.

Best down alternative

This down alternative pillow is such a favorite of contributor Madeleine Luckel and her boyfriend’s that she tries to “steal it all the time” just for herself. “The Original pillow is really nice. Somehow the pillow stays pretty cool and it really is at some indescribable sweet spot in terms of its firmness,” she says. “But the real key is that the pillow is thick enough to work perfectly as a stand-alone sleep piece.” Luckel adds that she usually sleeps with two pillows, so that’s really saying something.

The budget option

Rachel Wallace, senior entertainment editor, recommends this Buffy pillow to “anyone who is a fellow side sleeper, or anyone who likes a soft feel but craves support.” Made of natural materials like eucalyptus, the brand describes it as being incredibly breathable and even softer than down. When it arrived, Wallace thought it would feel too thin and plush for her taste, but she can confirm that it lives up to the hype. “I feel like my head is sinking into it and yet somehow my head remains supported,” she says. “My neck has been feeling great.” And for the affordable price, it’s an all-around win for a good night’s sleep.

More AD-approved cooling pillows

Cooling technology from graphite-infused gel leaves digital features editor Katherine McLaughlin impressed and refreshed. This bedding accessory is designed to feel soft and supportive, even more so than traditional memory foam. McLaughlin has had this pillow for over a year and says “it’s held up great—hasn’t gotten thinner or lost any of its plushness.” The high-quality Amazon pillow is often on sale for an even more affordable price too.

Memory foam—including that used in some of the best mattresses we’ve tested—unfairly gets a bad rap lacking temperature regulation. While some pillows can trap heat, this one is here to debunk the myth. This one gets its cooling effect from its breathable machine washable cover and patented Aero Foam Core. It’s also just as cozy. Calling it a “tiny bed,” commerce editor Audrey Lee says it helps relieve her shoulder and neck pain. “The Pillowcube is one of the longest (and most fruitful) relationships I’ve had with a pillow,” she says. “I’m notoriously picky when it comes to cushions (or rather my neck is) and I’ve never had a disappointing night’s rest with this one. The memory foam has softened just a touch over the years and it’s made it all the more comfortable (especially if you’re a side sleeper like me).”

With a makeup of memory foam and microfiber, you can consider this a hybrid pillow of sorts. Two AD staffers have this adjustable pillow from Coop Sleep Goods and love that it keeps its shape over time since you can add or remove the fill for just the right feel. Associate commerce director Lori Keong likes how customizable and “plushy they are to snooze on in all sleep positions,” while commerce producer Lauren Arzbaecher adds that they are “life-changing” for side and stomach sleepers like herself. “The memory foam and microfiber combo has helped with movement isolation so I don’t wake up with a stiff neck anymore, plus it just feels luxurious,” Arzbaecher adds.

Since AD PRO senior editor Mel Studach is pretty choosy when it comes to her bedding, the customization of this adjustable pillow immediately caught her attention. “I keep my shredded memory foam pillow pretty firm, and I’m so happy with the level of support and cooling comfort that it’s provided,” she says. “In comparison to other pillows I’ve had in the past, this one stands out not only for its customization, but also the fact that I have yet to have an uncomfortable night’s sleep or to wake up to soreness in my neck thanks to the firm support.”

How we tested

We tested all the best cooling pillows just like everything else across the sleep category here at AD Shopping by, well, actually resting on them. Our editors slept on these pillows for at least a month to see how their sleep was transformed, paying special attention to the factors below.

Cooling Technology: Special features like gel-infused pads make several of these pillows feel cool to the touch, while others feature add-ons like moisture-wicking covers. Otherwise, organic materials like latex are a great way to go since they are naturally breathable.

Material: Most of the picks on this list are made of memory foam, latex, or a blend of down alternative fills like foam and microfiber. All of the above are known for being cozy to snuggle up with at night, however, we paid close attention to options with machine washable covers, too, for easy maintenance.

Sleep Positions: Whether you’re a stomach sleeper or side sleeper, you’ll want to keep your sleep position in mind to make sure you don’t wake up with aches and pains. Like our Naturepedic pick, some pillows have a U-shape that contours around the body for side sleepers. We’ve included adjustable pillows in our list, too, so you can customize the fill and firmness level to meet your needs, no matter your sleep position.

FAQs

If you ask us, we say a unanimous yes. The key to finding one that actually feels cooling is to look out for phase change materials, which essentially means there’s a combo between a breathable design—like natural fabrics such as latex—and a moisture-wicking cover to help keep you from overheating.

If your pillow has a machine-washable cover, you technically don’t have to use a pillowcase. However, if you want added coverage for your pillow, opting for a cooling pillowcase made of a crisp material like percale can make it feel even more comfortable.