Tossing and turning all night can be a huge nuisance to your sleep schedule, but running hot can be not only uncomfortable but incredibly frustrating. If your cooling sheets aren’t cutting it or you find yourself constantly flipping your pillow to get to the ‘cool side’, you might want to try out a cooling pillow for some much-needed relief.
According to Dr. Alicia Roth, a clinical health psychologist who specializes in behavioral sleep medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, providing your body with a cool environment at night can help ease adjustment in body temperature. Many of our editors test out various pillows throughout the year and swear by cooling pillows for a good nights’ sleep. Below we have rounded up some of our editor’s favorite cooling pillows, award-winning pillows along with expert-approved picks.
What main feature you look for in a cooling pillow?
If you’re struggling with staying cool at night, Bill Fish, a certified sleeping coach, suggests looking for pillows with special cooling capabilities. “Make use of a PCM (phase-change-material) that is truly cool to the touch,” Fish tells us. “PCM control temperature by absorbing body heat and releasing it. Other pillow materials with cooling properties are gel or copper, which pull heat from the body. Wool, while it might seem warm, acts as natural insulation which pulls heat.”
Award-winning cooling pillows
If you love to sleep on your side, this bestselling, 2025 Shop TODAY Sleep Award-winning pillow is for you. Writer Emma Stessman tried it and shares that it has made such a difference in her sleep routine. She says, “A year later, I still use this pillow. Whenever I travel without it, I feel the difference in my neck. I would take it with me everywhere if I could!”
Writer Danielle Murphy appreciates how this adjustable Tuft & Needle pillow is. She says, “It is so hard for me to find a good pillow. I need it to be soft, but not so soft that it offers inadequate support.” The brand uses their own cooling technology and is made with breathable cotton. “This one is truly a Goldilocks product in that regard. It’s just really, really comfortable.”
This pillow is made with a fluffy filling called ‘lulltra’ that adjusts to your body and cools you down, according to the brand.
“I’ve been obsessed with these Coop pillows for years. You can adjust the amount of fluff inside to make it exactly what you want. The memory foam cradles your head so nicely,” says Shop TODAY producer Checka Ciammaichelli.
Your shortcut to editor approved picks
“I would give this pillow 10 gold stars if I could! Not only is it the softest pillow I’ve ever used, it is also great for back support (like when I’m sitting on my computer in bed),” says former associate editor Allie Wise.
The brand also shares that their cooling technology wicks moisture away three times faster than traditional pillows.
Help keep your neck comfortable and aligned with this pillow that uses breathable fill and moisture-wicking materials to keep you cool.
“This is the most comfortable pillow I’ve ever owned. It conforms to my head and neck shape while still offering support,” says senior editor and producer Julie Ricevuto.
Editor Vivien Moon was very impressed by this pillow when testing it for 2026 Sleep Awards. She says,“I love that you have the ability to take out the stuffing to tailor it to your preference which isn’t something other pillows offer (at least that i’m aware of?) so being in control of my comfort has made me side eye my other pillows.”
I [Shigo] also use this same pillow and love how breathable it is. I have not been flipping around my pillow to find a cool side since I have had it!
Purple calls this ‘the greatest pillow ever invented’ — and associate market editor Audrey Ekman agrees.
“I’ve yet to find anything quite like the unique gel grid material, which is strangely satisfying to the touch and doesn’t trap heat. It’s more than I’ve ever spent on a pillow, but given that we spend a third of our lives in bed and getting good sleep is so important, I think it’s worth every penny.”
“This is the only pillow I want to sleep on from now on because it’s soft yet incredibly supportive. I’ve noticed fewer headaches since switching to it, and I haven’t experienced any neck discomfort at all,” says writer Jannely Espinal.
The pillow uses temperature-regulating technology in its 350-thread count cotton cover to make sure you won’t get hot, per the brand.
“It’s cooling, weightless and the best pillow I’ve ever used. The brands signature Honeycomb GelFlex promotes an airy, bouncy feel which feels great,” said former production coordinator Camryn Privette about this plush pillow.
Editor and expert-loved cooling pillows
“You know that moment when you’re flipping your pillow over and over trying to find the cool side? This solves that,” explains Shop TODAY contributor Mahko Ndlovu. “It feels instantly cool when you lay down and helps keep you feeling comfortable all night long.”
There’s no wonder this pillow has taken over TikTok — it’s designed with different zones meant to support different types of sleep styles.
“It has two different heights in the same pillow too,” explains executive editor Adrianna Brach. “The lower side is good if you like less elevation for back or stomach sleepers. The higher side is best for side sleepers who need that neck and shoulder support.”
“This pillow from Brooklinen is made with cooling memory foam, so it’s perfect for people who run warm while they sleep,” says social media producer Dani Musacchio. “Aside from its cooling abilities, my favorite part about the pillow is that you can adjust its firmness with the zippers. Zip up both sides for extra support, unzip one side for medium support or unzip both sides for a softer feel. I’m a side sleeper who prefers a firmer feel, so I keep both zippers zipped up!”
If you wake up with a stiff neck or shoulders, it might be time to upgrade your pillow. This one has cooling abilities in it’s cover to help release trapped heat. Ricevuto calls this innovative option a “game changer.”
Recommended by the National Sleep Foundation for people who sleep hot, the “Eden” pillow is made with a cooling gel-infused memory foam to conform to your head as you sleep. It also comes with extra memory foam that you can add for a truly customized experience.
“I haven’t woken up with any neck pain since using this pillow and it puts me to sleep right away. The fabric feels soft and smooth, plus it feels cooling,” says Espinal.
The brand says it is supportive for both back and side sleepers so you don’t have to worry about discomfort.
Deputy partnerships editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil loves this pillow for its comfort level and cooling touch. “My husband lowkey stole this pillow from me and refuses to give it back ... it’s actually cool to the touch, and the cutout is so comfortable for side sleepers,” she adds.
It features a plus-shaped design to help support your head no matter how much you toss and turn.
If you like to snuggle when sleeping, this body pillow is a great option for you. It is made with self-cooling PE fabric and comes with it’s own cover.
“Since it is made from memory foam and viscose bamboo, you get a combination of cushioned support and a cooling sensation as you lean or wrap yourself around its arms. I love to sit it upright whenever I’m watching TV, or laying it flat for naps or deep sleeps,” says former associate editor Madison San Miguel.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers. Products for the best 100% wool, cotton and cashmere sweaters were chosen by Garlin and members of the Shop TODAY team based on personal experience with products from the included brands.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Alicia Roth is a clinical health psychologist who specializes in behavioral sleep medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, based in Ohio.
- Bill Fish is a certified sleep science coach and general manager of the National Sleep Foundation.
