Are you in research for the best cooling pillows for side sleepers?
After testing side-to-side over 25 options and making the comparison, we finally come up with the 7 top models rated on predetermined metrics of comfort, support, cooling properties, and durability.
To learn more about what we’ve found out, keep reading.
Here are the best cooling pillows for side sleepers you can buy in 2024:
- Best Overall: Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow
- Best For Back Pain: Dream Rite Shredded Hypoallergenic Memory Foam Pillow
- Best Down Alternative: Digital Decor Set of Two
- Best For Bad Neck: Plixio 2 Pack Shredded Memory Foam Bed Pillows
- Best For Allergy Sufferers: WonderSleep Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow
- Best For Spine: Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
- Easy To Clean: Avenco Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
| Best Cooling Pillow For Side Sleepers: Top 7 Picks | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow | Read Our Review |
Best For Back Pain | Dream Rite Shredded Hypoallergenic Memory Foam Pillow | Read Our Review |
Best Down Alternative | Digital Decor Set of Two | Read Our Review |
Best For Bad Neck | Plixio 2 Pack Shredded Memory Foam Bed Pillows | Read Our Review |
Best For Allergy Sufferers | WonderSleep Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow | Read Our Review |
Best For Spine | Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Pillow | Read Our Review |
Easy To Clean | Avenco Shredded Memory Foam Pillow | Read Our Review |
Best Overall: Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow
- Versatile – ideal for all sleeping positions and all sleepers, including the allergy sufferers
- Easy to clean – removable, machine-washable, stain- and chemical-resistant cover
- No shifting – made of high-grade memory foam
- Wish the poly gel fiber material was better
The Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow is the perfect combo of firm and soft that will help you sleep faster, deeper, and wake up with less soreness in the neck.
It is made for all sleeping positions and all sleepers, including the allergy sufferers.
The materials are what set it apart from other counterparts at the same price range, which is tested for completely chemical- and allergen-free. Additionally, it resists decently well to stains and fading.
Made of high-grade memory foam with poly gel fiber, it is comfortable, supportive to the head, and good at shape retention so, no shifting over time. And after many times of machine washing, the pillows still look like new, which is a big bonus.
| Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 6 pounds |
Pillow Size | 20 x 28 inches |
Inner Foam Material | 100% Poly Gel Fiber |
Outer Cover Material | 100% Cotton |
Highlight Features | machine washable cover; dust mite, mold, and mildew resistant; no-shift construction; |
Affordable, supportive without shifting, and comfortable. If that’s also what you are looking for in a cooling pillow, this is it.
Best For Back Pain: Dream Rite Shredded Hypoallergenic Memory Foam Pillow
- Provide a more personal and sensual night sleep – a mix of memory foam and 20% polyester fiber
- Keep head cool and breathable while sleeping – the cover is made from polyester and Viscose Rayon
- Easy to adjust the pillow’s firmness/softness – removable filling
- Have chemical odors
The special type of memory foam technology of this cooling pillow makes it a shining contender for back pain sufferers.
Aside from memory foam, it includes 20% polyester fiber. Compared to the ordinary types, this additional ingredient makes the product more personal and sensual to sleep extensively during the night with worry-free of back or neck pain the next morning.
Besides, the cover material is worth mentioning because it’s crafted from a mix of polyester and Viscose Rayon – the key element to keep your head cool and breathable.
The final plus is you can customize the amount of filling to your desired softness/firmness.
| Dream Rite Shredded Hypoallergenic Memory Foam Pillow Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 12.8 ounces |
Pillow Size | 16 x 7 x 3 inches |
Inner Foam Material | 80% shredded memory foam and 20% Polyester Fiber |
Outer Cover Material | 40% Viscose Rayon (from Bamboo) and 60% Polyester cover |
Highlight Features | hypoallergenic design; 40% Viscose Rayon (from Bamboo) and 60% Polyester cover; Removable filling; |
For people who are in the period of recovery from back surgery or suffering back pain, getting supporting bedding is a must. For you, we highly recommend this unique pillow.
Best Down Alternative: Digital Decor Set of Two
- Odorless – made from the highest-quality American sourced materials
- Safe and friendly for allergy sufferers - zero geese down or feathers, the virgin synthetic polyester fiber filling has no latex, lead, Phthalate, and BPA
- Wish it was firmer
Providing completely USA-made virgin synthetic polyester fiber filling with zero geese down or feathers, the Digital Decor Set of Two is best for people who are suffering allergies and asthma.
It’s also perfect for toddler, infant, and baby because the ingredients have no latex, lead, Phthalate, and BPA.
As made from the highest-quality American sourced materials, this pillow is odorless and durable.
Combining with a cotton hypoallergenic cover, it is also cool, loft, and breathable to keep you from awaking at midnight because of sweat.
| Digital Decor Set of Two Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 4.1 pounds |
Pillow Size | 17.6 x 10.8 x 7.5 inches |
Inner Foam Material | Virgin Polyester filling |
Outer Cover Material | Cotton Hypoallergenic Outer Fabric |
Highlight Features | Made in the US; Dust Mite Resistant and Down alternative pillow; a T200 thread count |
Seeking for the best down alternative pillow? Pick this!
Best For Bad Neck: Plixio 2 Pack Shredded Memory Foam Bed Pillows
- Eliminate migraines, insomnia, snoring, and neck and shoulder pains efficiently – shredded bamboo memory foam
- Sleep with better air circulation – infused cooling gel
- Not going flat
- Not ideal for people who love super-soft pillows
- Have an unpleasant smell
The bamboo memory foam is key to help these Plixio 2 Pack Shredded Memory Foam Bed Pillows bring home our Best Buy for Bad Neck award.
This special material is actually a shredded memory foam with a high loft to conform to your head and neck shape, and relieve pressure to your neck and shoulders. Therefore, it eliminates many sleeping problems like migraines, insomnia, and snoring.
The added infused cooling gel also helps you sleep with cooler feeling and more air circulation.
Another big bonus is it doesn’t go flat over time.
| Plixio 2 Pack Shredded Memory Foam Bed Pillows Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 3.33 pounds |
Pillow Size | 28 x 17 x 8 inches |
Inner Foam Material | bamboo memory foam |
Outer Cover Material | 60% Polyester / 40% Bamboo Rayon |
Highlight Features | have a high loft; ultra-plush, hypoallergenic bamboo pillowcases; |
Do your bad neck and shoulders stop you from getting a good night’s sleep? Don’t worry, the Plixio 2 Pack Shredded Memory Foam Bed Pillows will be your life-saver.
Best For Allergy Sufferers: WonderSleep Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow
- Help the nighttime allergies get better - Dust-resistant and contain no feather or goose down
- Easy to clean – removable machine-washable cover
- No kinks in the neck – shredded memory foam
- Have odors after unboxing
If your old pillow causes allergies to you, this will be an excellent alternative.
As made from dust-resistant cover and non-feather filling materials, it helps the nighttime allergies get better immediately, which has been endorsed by our testers who also have dust or feather allergies.
Besides, this hypoallergenic pillow is quite comfortable, supportive, and easy to customize the density.
The shredded memory foam filling provides therapeutic stress relief to help you wake up feeling more refreshed with no kinks in the neck.
| WonderSleep Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 1.5 pounds |
Pillow Size | 16 x 10 x 3 inches |
Inner Foam Material | shredded memory foam filling |
Outer Cover Material | 60% polyester and 40% Bamboo |
Highlight Features | Removable filling; 40% Viscose Rayon (via Bamboo) and 60% Polyester cover |
Not just help with the allergy symptoms, but the WonderSleep Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow also helps relieve pressure in the neck and back, which makes it best for allergy sufferers.
Best For Spine: Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
- More customization possibilities – provide adjustments for a springiness support level and firmness
- Deliver better structural support to the neck – shredded pressure-relieving memory foam
- Not go flat
- Have smell
- Not stain-resistant
With this cooling pillow, you’ve got more customization possibilities than the previous siblings.
We find that it has more comfort adjusted to your exact preference of springiness support level when compared to the previous Snuggle-Pedic Trillow. Besides, it can be adjusted for density.
Another thing making it stand out from the rest is it contours your cervical spine to deliver structural support of what the neck’s natural curvature should be.
Hence, it is ultra-comfortable and –supportive.
| Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Pillow Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 1.01 pounds |
Pillow Size | 17.4 x 6.2 x 6 inches |
Inner Foam Material | Eco-Friendly Biogreen & Certipur-US Certified Foam |
Outer Cover Material | 43% Viscose of Bamboo, 56.4 percent Polyester, .6 Percent Lycra |
Highlight Features | finely shredded proprietary foam |
We highly recommend the Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Pillow for people who usually wake up every morning with spine pain or who have cervical spine surgery. It will help you have quality sleep again.
Easy To Clean: Avenco Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
- Guaranteed quality – the filling is CertiPUR-US-certificated
- Cool and breathable – gel-infused technology
- Supportive and comfortable – shredded memory foam
- A bit pricey
If the maintenance is one of your biggest concerns when looking for a cooling pillow, just pick this.
While providing adequate softness, comfort, and support to your head and neck, its removable cover allows you to machine-wash and keep it refresh easily.
When in need, just throw it into the washing machine on cold.
Regardless, it cradles the tour head even when you move to your stomach/back then back to your side. They also include extra stuffing in the package so that you can freely adjust its density/softness level to your preference.
Firm but soft, it phenomenally balances between comfort and support to help you sleep better.
| Avenco Shredded Memory Foam Pillow Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 4.45 pounds |
Pillow Size | 16.7 x 7.8 x 7.6 inches |
Inner Foam Material | Shredded Memory Foam |
Outer Cover Material | Polyester Rayon |
Highlight Features | CertiPUR-US-certificated shredded memory foam; gel-infused technology |
Want a cooling pillow that’s not just comfortable and supportive but also easy to clean? Don’t hesitate to pick this!
How To Choose The Best Cooling Pillow For Side Sleepers?
Gel infusion or breathable filling materials
- They are also the two common ways to make you feel cooler during sleep. But the way they work is a bit different.
- Gel infusion commonly combines with memory foam for extra comfort and support. The way it works is absorbing body heat and then dispersing across the gel. A flaw is this cooling feel only lasts for 10 minutes as maximum, which means you should fall asleep within this period of time.
- The reason why it is well-loved is the decent comfort to the head, neck, and shoulder.
- Breathable filling materials don’t combine with cooling gel because it is naturally cool thanks to the air circulation properties, meaning that heat doesn’t build up inside these pillows.
- It keeps your head from sweating throughout the night and is also good at support the head and neck.
- These materials are generally latex, bamboo, or buckwheat.
- Their biggest flaw is the lack of comfort and no sink-in feel. They’re usually bouncy and firm.
Design
- It is important to pick the right pillow design for your sleeping position.
- For side sleepers, we suggest going for firmer and higher pillows for extra support to your neck and head in alignment with the back. According to that, there are two common options for you – latex/bamboo/buckwheat pillows and solid memory foam pillows with gel infusion.
Which Brands Make The Best Cooling Pillow For Side Sleepers?
Beckham Luxury
- As its name defines, Beckham Luxury is where you can find not just comfortable but luxurious pillows for the best night’s slumber. Their products have been streamlined to make sure to deliver the most exceptional quality to customers.
WonderSleep
- The starting point for this company was inflatable air mattresses and then expanded to other categories. What’s worth mentioning about their products is the top-notch quality, especially comfort and support to improve sleep quality.
Snuggle-Pedic
- This is probably the longest-standing company out of a bunch, with over 20 year’s developing pain-relief, comfort, and sleep products. We love that they use only USA-made components for their products, which ensures quality.
FAQs
Is there a pillow that stays cool all night?
No, there isn’t.
While the gel infusion just keeps its cooling feel for the first few minutes and then warm-up, the latex pillow is only good at breathability and air circulation. It keeps you from sweating, not cool up your head.
How long do cooling pillows stay cool?
10 minutes.
Do cooling pillows really work?
Yes, they do.
But take note that the gel infusion only works in the first 10 minutes once you lay down on it.
How do I keep my pillow cold at night?
To keep your pillow cold as long as possible at night, you can take advantage of a gel cool pad, a bed fan, or a cool-mist diffuser. Covering your cooling pillows with a breathable pillowcase is also a good idea.
Do you put a pillowcase on a cooling pillow?
Yes, you do. This makes the hygiene process simpler and easier.
Conclusion
These days, there is a multitude of different cooling pillows available, just as there’s an array of needs for the different side sleepers who count on them for more restful night’s sleep.
The options on this list are all the best cooling pillows for side sleepers. We picked them based on the most common needs, such as for spine, for bad neck, and for allergies.
Hope they are helpful for you!
Eugene WilliamsHi, my name is Eugene, the ultimate home enthusiast! I write buying guides and ideas on how to create a warm and welcoming home. Join me on my journey to make everyday in your house a staycation in the comfort of your own space!
