Best Cooling Pillow for Side Sleepers Buying Guide
According to a study, 70% of people are side-sleepers. So, if you’re here to find out more information about the best cooling pillow for side sleepers, you’re definitely not alone. Side sleeping is a very comfortable sleeping position.
And according to some experts, the side sleeping position is beneficial to those who have bad backs because it helps ease the pain on the hips as well as in the lower back area. But in order to benefit the most from this sleeping position, you need to make sure that you’re using the right pillow, such as a cooling pillow.
The best cooling pillow for side sleepers is one that has a medium-plush loft but is not too high or too low. It should be able to properly support your neck, shoulders, and head. Remember that when you’re sleeping on your side, the curve of your neck and spine will be at the mercy of your pillow.
Therefore, a pillow that’s made of a contoured gel or shredded memory foam should be the right fit for you. It helps to align your spine so you will not wake up with an achy neck or back.
Do Cooling Pillows Work?
As the name suggests, a cooling pillow can help make you feel cool as you sleep. It regulates your body’s temperature by dispersing heat and wicking moisture away. These pillows are usually made from breathable materials, such as bamboo.
Since cooling pillows come with added cooling features, they are usually heavier compared to standard pillows. This is something you need to take into consideration before buying one, especially if you’re someone who sleeps with your arm underneath your pillow.
The best side sleeper cooling pillow should keep you comfortable and cool while providing the necessary support. Anyone can benefit from cooling pillows, even if you’re not a side sleeper. Those who suffer from certain conditions that make them feel hot as they sleep can benefit greatly from these pillows.
The temperature of our body tends to drop naturally when we go to sleep to help us rest better. But if we sleep with a hot body, it would be difficult for the body to naturally lower its temperature, making it impossible for us to sleep well. In addition, when our body overheats as we sleep, we wake up feeling sweaty.
Heat can definitely disrupt our sleep. To regulate the temperature of our body, our head releases some heat and we use the air in our surroundings to keep us cool. This is why it’s important to look for a memory foam pillow that’s capable of promoting airflow.
The foam tends to be denser compared to other pillow fillers. Using a foam pillow of poor quality will make you feel hotter and you’ll find it even more difficult to sleep. Not getting enough sleep can make you feel groggy in the morning. You’ll find yourself feeling drowsy the entire day and you won’t be able to focus on your work. This is why investing in the best memory foam cooling pillow is important.
Types of Pillows for Side Sleepers
You’ll find several different types of side sleeper pillows in the market today. They vary according to shape, size, and filler materials. But the best ones are those that are made from the following:
Memory Foam
The best thing about memory foam pillow is that it snaps right back into its original shape, which prevents it from getting flattened completely. This quality makes the memory foam go well with the contour of your body, which is why it’s so comfortable to use.
Shredded memory foam is a great choice since this bends easily compared to solid foam. The pillow also allows the air to move freely, which helps to better control the temperature of your body. For those who prefer their pillow to be extra firm, the solid memory foam core would be a great choice.
However, it should be something that comes with several ventilation shafts at the core and allows the air to circulate freely and prevent the buildup of body heat.
Gel-Fill
A gel refers to that gooey substance that you probably don’t want to end up in your bed. But a gel-fill pillow is not that liquid gel that you have in your mind. Instead, these are the microfibers of memory foam that has the excellent conforming ability.
Another great thing about the gel-fill pillow is that it’s hypoallergenic, low maintenance, and offers excellent support to your neck and back. But the downside of using the gel-fill pillow is that it’s very soft and may not appeal to some users. Also, it has a tendency to form clumps compared to the other materials.
Water-Fill or Buckwheat
Pillows that have fillable inner core such as the water-filled or buckwheat filled pillow provide the most ultimate body conformity feature. However, the disadvantage of getting a water-filled pillow is that it tends to make you feel hot because water naturally conducts heat. Thus, it gets warm as your body starts to heat up.
Another good option is the buckwheat filling. Just like water, buckwheat tends to move fluidly since the grains are very tiny. This helps prevent uncomfortable knots from developing and results in a soothing and more comfortable sleeping surface.
Latex
Latex is firmer compared to memory foam. And although it has the ability to conform well to the shape of your body, it won’t get flatten out completely. Thus, it’s perfect for side sleepers because it offers excellent support to the spine and neck. However, for those who like shifting from side to stomach or back when sleeping, this may not be a good choice.
To help you find the best cooling pillow for side sleepers, we came up with a list of some of the best options on the market. Take time to read each of the cooling pillow reviews so you can decide for yourself if they are really worth it.
Made from shredded memory foam, the Coop Home Goods Eden Adjustable Pillow is truly the best cooling memory foam pillow out there. It has a natural fiber casing that offers increased airflow and keeps the pillow cool. Made from bamboo fibers that are breathable and hypoallergenic, this pillow is the perfect choice for those who have sensitive skin and are suffering from allergies.
The pillow’s quilted cover can be used as a standalone casing. It’s thick and soft on the skin while offering a protective layer on the pillow. A cotton pillowcase can also be used for this pillow. Since it relies mainly on the overall construction of the pillow and doesn’t come with any cooling properties, you’ll find that the heat retention abilities of the pillow will remain.
The Coop Home Goods Eden Adjustable Pillow is a fully adjustable pillow, and although it’s highly recommended for side sleepers, it can also be used by back or stomach sleepers. It’s very breathable and provides a variety of customized comfort. Above all, it prevents heat from being retained close to your body so you will feel cool and comfortable while you sleep.
Pros:
Fully adjustable and can conform to any kind of sleeping position
Ideal for those with heavy bodies
Washable
Cons:
If not washed right, has the tendency to get lumpy after a few uses
We believe that the PharMeDoc Memory Foam Reversible Pillow is the best cooling pillow for night sweats. It has a cooling gel, which is perfect for those warm nights. The cooling gel has a thermo-regulating effect that diffuses heat in order to provide you with a cooler and more pleasant sleeping experience.
Furthermore, the soft memory foam offers excellent support on the neck and head, which minimizes the painful pressure points and helps you maintain proper alignment on your spine as you sleep. This pillow is so comfortable that it has become the go-to pillow for women with menopausal symptoms.
The PharMeDoc Memory Foam Reversible Pillow comes with a removable pillowcase that’s hypoallergenic. It can be washed easily and quickly. If you read some of the reviews written for this pillow, you’ll find that most customers love it due to its comfortable and cooling qualities.
However, PharMeDoc advices customers to air out the pillow for 24-72 hours before use in order to eradicate the bad smell that it produces, which is usually the case for most memory foam pillows.
Pros:
Contoured memory foam pillow
Cooling gel effects
Easy to clean
Removable pillowcase
Cons:
Produces strong smell on first use
3 – Plixio 2 Pack Shredded Memory Foam Bed Pillows
Made from 40% Rayon and 60% Polyester, with Bamboo cover, the Plixio 2 Pack Shredded Memory Foam Bed Pillows is among the most comfortable pillows for side sleepers. The combination of rayon and polyester has made this pillow soft and comfortable enough on the skin.
Furthermore, the pillows have excellent moisture-wicking abilities, as well as antibacterial and hypoallergenic properties. Therefore, they are great for those with sensitive skin. Made with cooling shredded memory foam, these pillows are highly recommended for people that need the best memory foam cooling pillow.
However, they have the tendency to trap heat, which can sometimes make you feel uncomfortable. Nevertheless, Plixio uses special technology that can keep the memory foam cool during warm weather. The pillows come with breathable bamboo covers that enhance the pillows’ cooling abilities.
Many customers are satisfied with the Plixio 2 Pack Shredded Memory Foam Bed Pillows since they don’t go flat despite regular use. In fact, they can last for a few years, which is really a worthy investment. Furthermore, the memory foam is firm enough to provide excellent support on your neck and spine.
Pros:
Bamboo pillowcases are washable and hypoallergenic
Can be used for all sleeping styles
Queen-size pillows
Helps to alleviate some sleeping ailments
Made with shredded memory foam
The Milemont Memory Foam Pillow is a contoured pillow that helps to align your spine as you sleep, which relieves the pain in your head, shoulders, and neck, making it the best cooling pillow for neck pain. Thus, you’ll be able to enjoy a good night’s sleep and not wake up with pain in your body.
What’s great about this pillow is that it features the CertiPUR-US, a certified premium memory foam material that will conform to the pressure that it gets from your neck and head when you sleep. This material has been calibrated in order to provide a good balance of comfort and support to address the needs of the user.
The pillow has the perfect size for a standard pillow, offering exceptional comfort and good value for money. Although some customers complained of a slight odor when they first unpack it, the odor usually goes away after just a few hours.
Pros:
Comfortable and breathable
Double pillowcase
Double-sided design
Filled with premium memory foam
Cons:
Doesn’t seem to expand
5 – Columbia High-Performance Extreme Cooling Memory Foam Pillow
When searching for the best cooling pillow Amazon, you’ll find that the Columbia High-Performance Extreme Cooling Memory Foam Pillow is among those pillows that have been given high ratings by customers. That’s not really surprising since this pillow features an amazing cooling technology that provides ultimate comfort to the user during sleep.
These dual-sided memory foam pillows come with a breathable side that encourages air circulation, thanks to the Omni-Wicking technology. This feature allows for the perspiration to easily evaporate. The other is a stay-cool side that gets activated easily in order to provide a cooling surface through Omni-Freeze technology.
The High-Performance Extreme Cooling Memory Foam Pillow is a medium-firm and offers great support to your shoulders and neck. Thus, they are not only ideal for side sleepers, but also for back and stomach sleepers. The cover of the pillow is machine washable and the stuffing is made from premium quality memory foam.
Pros:
Breathable
Features an extreme cooling technology
Removes moisture
Offers a supportive and stabilizing effect
Cons:
Not the cheapest best cooling pillow for night sweats
Things to Look for When Shopping for the Best Cooling Pillow
When looking for the best pillow for cooling, here are some of the most important factors to consider.
Sleeping Habits
It’s rare for most people to think of their sleeping habits when shopping for a pillow. But you actually need to consider your sleeping habits when deciding the pillow’s density, firmness, and tension. For instance, side sleepers should opt for extra firm pillows.
But for those who sleep mostly on their back, medium-firm pillows will work best. For those who sleep on their stomachs, look for a pillow that can provide enough support to your neck. When it comes to this, the thin and soft pillows are highly recommended.
Design
When it comes to the design of your cooling pillow, you should think about your sleeping style. No matter how expensive the pillow is, if it’s not comfortable enough for you, then it’s useless.
If you’re a back or stomach sleeper, choose a pillow that’s thin and has a soft to medium-firm. But for side sleepers, you better go for extra firm pillows and those that are thicker because they offer better support on your neck.
To those who suffer from back, shoulder, or neck pain, the contoured cooling pillows will suit you best. These pillows feature a curved design that will conform to your back, shoulder, or neck. They help you maintain good posture while helping you stay cool at all times.
Material
The type of material that you will choose for your cooling pillow is very important as this will affect the pillow’s cooling abilities. Memory foam is a popular choice because it offers firm support and can work best for those who tend to suffer from neck or shoulder pains.
There are also cooling pillows that are made from cheaper materials. However, these types of pillows cannot be machine-washed. The well-ventilated gel foam is also a great option as it encourages air circulation.
It’s also important to inspect the outer fabric closely to ensure that there are no holes or broken stitching that could make the filling materials move out due to constant use.
Gel or Water Based
Some of the cooling pillows are equipped with external gel layer while others have water layer. They help absorb heat from your head and neck and will disperse it on the gel or water layer so you will feel cool and comfortable while you sleep.
Some of the gel pillows are combined with memory foam to provide ultimate comfort. Remember that the gel’s cooling performance will mainly depend on the overall quality of the pillow.
Maintenance
It’s a good idea to choose a cooling pillow that is easy to maintain. Usually, the maintenance will depend on the materials that the pillow is made from. There are certain types of cooling pillows that can be machine-washed although most of these pillows require hand washing. It’s very important that you regularly wash the pillow and not only the cover in order to prevent the buildup of fungus and bacteria.
Warranty
Cooling pillows usually have a lifespan of fewer than three years. The pillow’s warranty is one way to determine its quality. As with anything, it is best to invest in a cooling pillow that has a long warranty so you’ll be able to make good use of it and your money won’t go to waste. These pillows don’t come cheap so getting a replacement from time to time is not very practical.
Coming from a company that’s been in the business of designing and producing the best pillows on the market, the SUPA MODERN Bamboo Pillow definitely deserves to be included in this list of the best cooling pillow for side sleepers.
Made with shredded memory foam, the pillows can be adjusted easily to adhere to your sleeping habits in order to provide customized support to your neck, shoulders, and head. This helps relieve pain and improves your sleep.
The pillow comes with a Bamboo pillowcase that’s made of 60% Polyester and 40% Viscose Rayon material. These materials help to enhance the cooling and comforting effects of the pillow while sleeping. With this pillow, you’ll enjoy better sleep at night and wake up to no sweat.
Pros:
Adjustable memory foam pillow
Covered with a 3-year warranty
Excellent cooling effects
Personalized head support
Of all the pillows we featured in these cooling pillow reviews, the Puredown Cool-Down Pillow is perhaps the most unique entry. Unlike the other pillows that rely mostly on the gel for their cooling surface, this pillow uses a different technology.
To help you stay cool during summer nights, it uses goose feather stuffing. Plus, its cover is made from ice silk fabric that enhances the cooling effects. You’ll get a set of two pillows when you purchase this product.
As for the pillow sizes, you get to choose from the Standard Size, Queen Size, and King Size. Featuring an excellent design that provides great support for your body, you’ll wake up feeling well-rested with these pillows and not feel a single pain.
The goose features used in the stuffing of the pillows are definitely odorless so you will not be disturbed on your sleep. Compared to other pillows that use a feather for the stuffing, the Puredown doesn’t need to be aired out first because the pillows are made with an invisible needle stitch.
Pros:
Two free pillowcases
The cover is made from ice silk fabric
Improves sleep quality
Invisible needle stitch
If you want to experience luxury comfort when sleeping in your own bed, get yourself one of these BedStory Pillows for Sleeping. These pillows have sufficient microfiber stuffing that offers excellent cushioning, similar to those pillows used in some of the world’s most luxurious hotels.
Thanks to the various materials used for the pillow, you’ll feel like you’re sleeping in a fluffy cloud. The materials are breathable and cooler, which prevents you from sweating during those warm summer nights.
With the BedStory Pillows for Sleeping, you can literally feel that your neck and head are fully supported without falling flat or sinking. The decent loft and height can work for all types of sleepers. Furthermore, the pillows help to relieve you from allergies, thanks to the skin-friendly materials used in manufacturing these pillows.
Pros:
Allergen-free
Cooling or plush side
Provides a cloud-like experience
Supportive comfort
Comes with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee
Featuring a premium adjustable design, the LIANLAM Memory Foam Pillow allows you to enjoy extreme comfort as you sleep on your side. The pillow features an outer cover and zippered inner.
You’ll have full control over your sleeping position because you can easily adjust the pillow according to the height that you prefer and your sleeping position as well. Simply remove or add foam fillings, depending on what you want. For those who want their pillow to be extremely fluffy, the manufacturer has also added extra memory foam to it.
The high-tech fabric used for the pillow is made of 40% Viscose Rayon derived from bamboo, combined with 60% polyester fabric. These materials offer excellent breathability, plus the cooling gel helps to draw out heat and maintain an ideal temperature all throughout your sleep.
Pros:
Allows you to enjoy personalized comfort when sleeping
Suitable for all sleepers
High-quality certification
Stays cool at night
The Perfect Cloud Dual Option Cooling Gel Pillow does exactly what it promises. It gives you a comfortable sleeping surface that you will feel like you are sleeping in a bed of clouds. This dual-sided pillow comes with memory foam on one side and a cooling gel layer on the other. Both sides will cradle your neck and head as you sleep in it, which reduces pressure on your spine.
It provides enough support, allowing you to sleep comfortably on your side. In addition, the pillow has ventilation holes and features a gusseted design that makes it stay cool all throughout your sleep. What’s more, the pillow is hypoallergenic so it can work best for people who have sensitive skin and are prone to allergies.
Pros:
Cooling gel pillow
Improves sleep quality
Premium knit cover
Covered with a 3-year warranty
The manufacturer offers a 100% money-back guarantee
Cons:
Very soft edges
Top Pillow Positions for Side Sleepers
Aside from pillows that provide support to the head and neck, there are other types of pillows that a side sleeper might need in order to sleep better at night.
Here are some of them:
Back and Stomach Supporting Pillows
Although sleeping on the side is comfortable for most people, this can also trigger tension on your muscles as a result of having to stay in a position that’s not too stable unlike when you sleep on your back or stomach. Placing a support pillow on your back or front can help to make side sleeping even more comfortable.
The pillows can provide full support to your body without causing strain on your muscles. When it comes to the back or stomach supporting pillows, it’s important that you choose something that’s extremely firm so they will not get flatten very easily and lose their ability to support your body.
Pregnant women should consider getting a stomach-supporting pillow, especially if they feel pressure on their stomach as they sleep in a side position. Just like with choosing any pillow for side sleepers, it’s important that you look for a stomach-supporting pillow that’s firm and doesn’t collapse easily. Above all, they should be very soft on your tummy.
One of the special considerations when buying a body pillow for those who sleep on their side is to make sure that you choose the largest size possible. Most of the side sleeper pillows are sold in two or more different sizes, from Standard, Queen, to King-sized pillows. If you’re getting something for your back or tummy, choose King-sized pillows.
Hip Supporting Knee Pillow
Having a pillow in between your knees as you sleep on your side will help provide proper alignment to the hips. Remember that if your hips are not properly aligned as you sleep, your spine will be forced out of position and this could cause pain on your muscles and nerves. Choose a knee pillow that can provide enough comfort while strong enough to be crushed in between your knees.
Advantages of Cooling Pillows
Do cooling pillows work and are they really worth buying? To address your question, check out some of the advantages of getting a cool pillow.
Huge Variety Available
You’ll have plenty of options when it comes to cooling pillow and there will always be something that suits your needs. Whether you need something made of memory foam or one that’s hypoallergenic, you have plenty of choices.
Cooling Effect
Sure, you’ll find plenty of pillows that can provide maximum comfort as you sleep but they don’t have that special ability to give off a cooling effect. Thus, cooling pillows offer the ultimate comfort for a relaxing sleep at night. They will keep your body cool so you will not get disturbed as your body starts to heat up.
Saves You Money
Most people rely on the air conditioning system to keep them cool at night. But this also means having to pay expensive electricity bills. Thus, using a cooling pillow can help minimize your need to use the air conditioner. This translates to lower electricity bills.
When looking for the best cooling pillow for side sleepers, you should choose one that comes with features that will help you stay cool on your sleep while supporting your neck and head. We believe that the PharMeDoc Memory Foam Pillow with Cooling Gel Orthopedic Bed Pillow has these features, which is why it’s our number one choice.
The pillow features an embedded thermoregulating gel pad that disperses body heat and keeps you cool as you sleep. Furthermore, the pillow offers the right level of support to your head and neck, so you won’t have any aches and pains when you wake up.
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