If you’re unfortunate enough to be a hot sleeper, you’re already well aware of how it can impact your sleep. Waking up multiple times — or just never getting to sleep in the first place — can put a real downer on the day ahead.
A lack of quality sleep is an issue that a ton of people suffer from, and many of them are willing to throw money at the problem if it means getting a good night’s sleep. A recent CNET study found that US adults are willing to spend an average of $78 each and every month to improve their sleep.
Thankfully, there are ways to spend that money wisely. While cooling sheets and mattresses help disperse heat, adding pillows with cooling technology can make a big difference. We tested dozens of cooling pillows to find the best ones for you.
The best overall cooling pillow
The Casper Hybrid Pillow with Snow Technology made the top of my list due to its high-quality materials, comfort and truly cool-to-the-touch feel. The innovative materials used in this pillow include Casper’s unique Phase Change materials, HeatDelete bands and a CoolTouch Cover, all actively working to keep you cooler throughout the night.
I tested 25 cooling pillows from 20 top brands; the 12 pillows that made this list are the best cooling pillows on the market. I also included a few honorable mentions in case one of those might work better for you.
Best cooling pillows of 2025
How we tested the best cooling pillow
During my testing, I considered each pillow’s cooling sensation, material, feel, firmness, sleeper type, price and size. I then slept on each pillow for one to two nights (in addition to daytime-lounging testing). I’m a side sleeper, but I also tried different sleeping positions with each cooling pillow to determine the most comfortable sleeping position.
You won’t find a pillow that will stay ice cold for the entire night (at least not yet), these cooling pillows contain temperature-neutral materials that won’t retain any of your body heat. Some have a cool-to-touch feel that I’ve noted below, but be aware that the pillow won’t feel that cool all night.
It’s worth mentioning that the pillowcase you use will affect the cooling sensation of any pillow. If you’re a hot sleeper and use flannel or heavy material pillowcases, I suggest switching to silk, bamboo or cotton if you want the most out of your cooling pillow.
Other cooling pillows tested
Here are my honorable mentions. While these pillows didn’t make my initial list, I still wanted to highlight these five for some of their cooling features. One of these pillows might work best for you.
Factors to consider when choosing a cooling pillow
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Sleeping position
Different sleeping positions require different types of pillows. Stomach sleepers should look for softer and thinner pillows, while side sleepers need a firmer and higher pillow. Back sleepers require a pillow that is somewhere in the middle.
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Price
Pillows can be expensive. Oftentime, you can find a great foam pillow for around $50 to $100. Pillows with higher-quality materials (such as silk or bamboo) may well be over $150 or $200. Regardless, stick to your budget.
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Material
The best cooling pillows will be made out of latex, foam, silk, cotton or bamboo. Steer clear of pillows made solely of non-gel, non-perforated memory foam, as this material will retain heat.
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Height
Pillows with a high loft (about five inches) are made for side sleepers. If you are a stomach or back sleeper, look for pillows that have a low loft or height (under five inches).
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Size
While the average pillow comes in a standard size, you can often choose a queen or king size.
Best cooling pillows compared
Out of all the pillows that I tested, I found that the Casper Hybrid Pillow with Snow Technology is the coldest pillow on the market. It made the top of my list due to its high-quality materials, comfort and truly cool feel.
Yes, using a pillowcase is essential for maintaining your pillow’s longevity, by keeping your pillow clean and protected. If you’re worried that adding a pillowcase to your cooling pillow will lessen its cooling effects, take a look at some of the best cooling sheets.
