How Do You Care For A Memory Foam Pillow
Memory foam pillows arent machine washable. So the first step for caring for a memory foam pillow is purchasing a pillowcase. Clean the case regularly to remove dead skin and dust mites.
Many of the pillows on this list come with a machine washable cover. For deep cleaning, a simple hack is to apply a layer of baking soda to the bare pillow, then vacuum it.
How Long Does It Take To Get Used To A Memory Foam Pillow
Memory foam pillows gradually mold around an individuals body. They might seem very firm, especially when a person first puts their head on the pillow and if they sleep in a cold room.
However, since memory foam responds to heat and pressure, a memory foam pillow will adapt to a persons body as they lie on it.
Some individuals may want to soften their pillows more quickly each night with an electric blanket, a heating pad, or by applying pressure. People get used to them after a few weeks of sleeping on them.
How We Rated The Cooling Pillows
4.8 to 5 stars: These are the best cooling pillows we tested. We recommend them without reservation.
4.5 to 4.7 stars: These cooling pillows are excellentthey might have minor flaws, but we still recommend them.
4.0 to 4.5 stars: We think these are great cooling pillows, but others are better.
3.5 to 3.9 stars: These cooling pillows are just average.
3.4 and below: We don’t recommend cooling pillows with this rating you won’t find any on our list.
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Who Should Use A Memory Foam Pillow
Simply put, anyone can benefit from the use of a memory foam pillow. Given the amount of time the average person spends sleeping, having that extra support to ensure the body and neck are in proper alignment helps prevent aches and pains.
Some healthcare professionals caution against using memory foam pillows if you have asthma or are sensitive to smells, as new memory foam pillows might have a slight chemical smell or dust mites before theyre used.
How Much To Expect To Pay For A Quality Cooling Pillow
Many cooling pillows incorporate expensive materials and proprietary technology, so it’s not surprising to see one that costs more than $100. Many of the options our testers favored were a little less expensive, but many were still fairly pricey. The most expensive option on our list was the Saatva Pillow, made with expensive latex material, at $165. The HIMOON Bed Pillowsour budget pickcame in at $20 for a set of two.
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Are Gel Pillows Good
The pillow world seems to be somewhat divided on whether or not gel infused into pillows helps keep it cool. Ive had some gel pad pillows work really well, including the TEMPUR-Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling pillow that offers the same gel panels at the TEMPUR-Cloud Cooling Pro pillow that made my list.Ive also slept on plenty of foam pillows that are infused with gel and havent really noticed a big difference with those. Therefore, I am hesitant to say definitively that gel is always a good idea with a pillow, it truly depends on the quality of the brand, the gel theyre using and how theyre using it!
Beautyrest Absolute Rest Pillow
The Beautyrest Absolute Rest pillow is full of shredded foam that you can remove to adjust the height. This makes it a win for all sleeping positions. It also has a cooling cover to keep you cool.
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Neck pain can make it feel like you didnt sleep at all. Many pillows now feature adjustable heights, and our favorite cooling pillow to help with neck pain is the Beautyrest Absolute Rest pillow.
This pillow has a removable fill, meaning you can adjust the height. If the pillow, as is, is too tall, remove the fill to find a height that works for you! Sleeping in a comfortable, neutral alignment will alleviate neck pain.
Hot sleepers can enjoy this pillow, too. The memory foam fill is shredded, which makes air flow much easier, and the cover is cool to the touch.
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How We Chose The Best Cooling Pillow
We consulted sleep experts like Cralle, Robbins, Heneghan, and Michael Breus, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist who specializes in sleep disorders. Additionally, we took recommendations from the Good Housekeeping Institute who tests countless products to ensure a fair and accurate representation of each item and reviewers who have shared some of their own insights.
Best Hypoallergenic: Woolroom Natural British Wool Pillow
Sniffles, itchiness, and runny nose won’t bother you anymore!
Woolroom has stuffed its Natural pillow with the finest balls of British wool to build this cooling pillow. But, temperature regulation wasn’t the only thing Woolroom tried to achieve with this one.
What was also their goal was to create a 100% natural and completely hypoallergenic pillow to combat seasonal allergies and common household allergens like dust mites or mould. And, sure enough, they did just that.
But, wool isn’t the only thing that makes this pillow 100% natural and hypoallergenic. It’s the cotton cover, too.
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there might be some initial wool smell upon unpacking.
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A Memory Foam Pillow Thats Comfortable For Everyone
Amazon
This memory foam pillow from Sealy is made with all kinds of sleepers in mind. A molded interior provides a little give when you rest your head, whether youre sleeping on your side, back or stomach, but not so much that you get lost in your pillow. A plush knit cover lends extra padding and can be easily unzipped and tossed in the washing machine in case of spills. The standard size pillow easily slides into a queen pillowcase.
Who Shouldnt Buy A Cooling Pillow
If you find yourself truly uncomfortable at night, we think a cooling pillow will be worth the investment. However, if youre on a budget, you might want to consider a gel pad as a cheaper alternative, or perhaps some cooling sheets with more breathable materials.
Those looking for easy maintenance might want to check out other options as well. Not all cooling pillows have convenient washing and drying methods, and if this is important to you, then it could be worth sticking to a regular pillow or trying other cooling accessories.
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The 8 Best Cooling Pillows For Summer This Year
Temperatures have already reached new highs this summer, with the U.S. having just experienced its hottest June on record. While many families have decided to crank up their air conditioners to combat the heat, cooling bedding from mattresses and mattress toppers to pillows and sheets can be a great way to avoid sweaty and uncomfortable summer nights without raising your electricity bill. And if your upper body gets particularly hot , a pillow specifically designed to be cooling could be a worthwhile investment.
Cooling pillows typically come in cooling gel-infused memory foam or are branded as hybrid, with one side thats usually made from foam, Amanda Kruel, vice president of soft goods at Mattress Firm, explained in our guide to pillows. Much like other cooling bedding, a good quality cooling pillow should be moisture-wicking and breathable to ensure cool air is reaching your body and your body temperature is regulated.
However, as temperatures climb and more fabrics on the market claim to sport cooling properties, it can be a feat trying to find the right cooling pillow for you. To help, we rounded up some highly rated and expert-recommended cooling pillows to shop for this season.
Who Is A Cool Gel Memory Foam Pillow Good For
When it comes to sleep accessories, we all have our own unique needs and preferences but our experts here at Mattress Advisor have found that the following groups tend to benefit from gel pillows the most:
- Side sleepers: Many gel memory foam pillows are orthopedic and made out of a solid piece of foam this helps align the spine and alleviate pressure points along the back, neck, and shoulders.
- Allergen-sensitive sleepers: There are many types of common pillow fills that can trigger allergies. Thankfully, most gel-infused memory foam pillows are hypoallergenic.
- Pregnant sleepers: Not only do pregnant sleepers sleep hot, but they also tend to sleep on their side, so they are the perfect candidates for cooling gel pillows.
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Faqs About Your Cooling Pillow
We didn’t want to let you go until we’ve covered every single topic and cleared up some potential confusion. On that note, let’s try and answer some of the most valuable and commonly asked questions we could scrape together.
No. The whole point of a cooling pillow is not to do this. With that in mind, some of these are double-sided, so you will have to flip them – just not during the night or to stay cool.
You remove the pillowcase from the pillow, read the care label, and wash it accordingly. If the entire pillow is machine-washable – simply repeat the whole process.
It is usually the combination of several materials and fabrics that make up a solid cooling pillow. But, if we had to choose our winners, we’d say phase-change technology for the insides and bamboo for the pillowcases.
If we assume that you sleep on your pillow every day, all year long, most of these pillows should last you about three years. With that being said, that’s three years of phenomenal performance. You could easily get twice or thrice as much out of some premium cooling pillows.
No. If you look for an OEKO-TEX certified pillow, like we’ve advised that you do, you won’t end up with a pillow containing harmful substances.
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An Affordable Option Thatll Stay Cool Through The Night
Amazon
Finding high-quality pillows at a lower price can be a challenge, but this affordable option is surprisingly comfortable. Its constructed of shredded memory foam that can be customized to match your feel and height preferences. The cover is crafted from micro-vented polyester and viscose rayon derived from bamboo, for a soft, cooling feel during the night. Just unzip the cover for easy machine washing as needed.
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How We Determined Our Picks:
We tested several pillows, from generic brand varieties to the buzzy brands you keep getting Instagram ads about, to uncover which ones really kept us cool throughout the nightand felt comfortable to boot. We focused on a range of sleep styles and preferences , and kept price top of mind. Because that $220 pillow may be L-U-X-E, but if outfitting your house costs more than your mortgage, thats a problem.
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Best for Side & Back Sleepers
- Sleep Quality: 17/20
TOTAL: 91/100
If you want your head to feel perfectly cradledas in, feels-custom-fitted-to-your-skullthis is the pillow for you. It took a few minutes to slowly sink into the gel memory foam , but once I did, my head and neck felt comfortably aligned. It seemed to encourage me to sleep on my back, so I tossed and turned less during the night, and even on May summer nights in Floridas balmy summer heat, the cooling gel layer kept me from sweating or overheating. Due to its thickness and density, we wouldnt recommend it for stomach sleepers.
Cooling Gel & Innovative Technologies
Since there’s only so far you can go with airflow and organic fillings, pillow manufacturers have had to turn up the heat in their research facilities to try and come up with innovative cooling technologies for their pillows.
What most of them have come up with is either a cooling gel pad or some form of gel-infused foam. Some have experimented with latex, some tried to make the most out of bamboo, and others just looked for a way to perforate the foam to improve airflow and decrease heat retention.
However, once in a blue moon, we end up with breakthrough technology as Simba did with their Simba Stratos phase-changing solution found with several of their products including their memory foam pillow you’ll meet in just a second.
The point we’re trying to make here is you need to look for these cooling technologies and solutions if you want actual results. Just because the box says cooling doesn’t mean you’ll actually get to feel the breeze.
Instead of taking the manufacturers at their word look for the real solution they’ve implemented. That should give you a reasonably good idea of what to expect.
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Which Memory Foam Pillow Sizes Are Available
Memory foam pillows typically come in the following sizes, although the exact dimensions may vary by manufacturer:
- Standard : Standard pillows are the smallest and most commonly used size, and can be used on any size bed.
- Super Standard : Super standard pillows are relatively rare. With a length halfway between the size of a standard and a queen pillow, they may be suitable for any mattress up to a queen.
- Queen : Queen size pillows are commonly available as an alternative to standard pillows. They give a little more playing room to people who move around during the night, or who like to sleep with their pillow folded or scrunched up.
- King : In addition to providing plenty of room while sleeping, king pillows are also one of the most comfortable sizes to lean against while sitting up in bed. Most online bedding companies offer king size pillows.
- Body Pillow : Body pillows are long and skinny, meant to be cuddled against. These are most frequently used by side sleepers, who tuck them between the legs to keep the hips aligned and reduce strain on the lumbar area. Body pillows may also be an invaluable sleep tool for pregnant women, and can be a comfortable backrest when sitting.
Best For Back & Side Sleepers: Slumberdown Climate Control Pillow
Rest comfortably and forget about snoring and night sweats with this pair of pillows!
Slumberdown Climate Control pillow is one of the most affordable cooling pillows UK offers. You could probably buy a cup of coffee that’s more expensive than these two pillows combined. Oh, right, did we mention this is a two-pack?
Now, don’t let the price tag fool you. This is by no means a cheap product. It’s simply affordable.
Unlike the other cooling pillows on our list, this one’s actually quite pleasant for a stomach sleeper. Its hollowfibre Dacron filling is not only breathable but also quite soft and squishy, which is what stomach sleepers find most appealing.
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There might be some slight off gassing.
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Qutool Shredded Memory Foam Pillow $18455 At Amazon
If you suffer from allergies, youll know how difficult it can be to get a good nights sleep, especially since nasal congestion and other allergy symptoms often worsen during the night time. But thats why you should invest in this pillow from Qutool. Unlike other memory foam pillows on the market, this uses 90 per cent premium shredded memory foam and 10 per cent polyester fibre so air flows through easier and prevents sweating and breathability. It also has a cross-cut design, which prevents clumping and avoids causing an air-restricted feeling. Moreover, the skin-friendly cover is made from 40 per cent polyester and 60 per cent bamboo fibre rayon, which is the smartest fabric combination available for those with allergies.
The Zoma Sports Pillow
- Type: blend of shredded foam and polyester fill
- Available sizes: queen or king
- Pros: 10-year warranty, doesnt keep heat
- Cons: no trial period
This pillow arrives compressed, but it doesnt take long to expand to its full size.
Due to the seemingly lumpy texture of Zomas signature shredded foam, one Healthline editor was skeptical of this pillow at first. But once she put a pillowcase on it, she said she felt no lumpiness. The pillow is soft, fluffy, and works well for back sleepers.
Our editor also asked her partner, who snores at night, to test the pillow in order to provide a more diverse review. It altered the angle of his head just enough that he stopped snoring.
The pillow cover is made with a ventilated fabric and has moisture-wicking properties. With your purchase, youll get a 10-year warranty and free shipping.
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Why Trust The Spruce
Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer specializing in textiles and sleep products. She analyzed first-hand reviews from our home testers and referenced several peer-reviewed articles on the breathability and moisture-wicking properties of various fabrics, foams, and fill fibers. All of Theresa’s final picks are well-designed, easy to care for, effective in regulating body temperature, and ultimately a good value. Theresa has personally tested bedding products from many brands on this list, including Coop Home Goods, Marlow, Tuft & Needle, Saatva, and The Company Store. But as a side sleeper, her go-to is the Pillow Cube.
Logan Foley, managing editor at SleepFoundation.org provided additional information for this story, including insight into materials and cooling technologies. Helen Sullivan, APR, Fellow PRSA and Communications Counsel of the CertiPUR-US program, provided guidance on the toxicity regulations of cooling pillows.
Frequently Asked Questions About Memory Foam Pillows
How much do memory foam pillows cost?
How do I clean a memory foam pillow?
Some shredded memory foam pillows can be machine-washed, but most one-piece pillows are spot-clean only. Its important to note that memory foam can get moldy if not allowed to dry properly, so go easy on the spot-cleaning and try not to get the pillow too wet. Many memory foam pillows have removable covers that can be machine-washed.
Where can I buy a memory foam pillow?
Memory foam pillows are commonly available online as well as in many brick-and-mortar stores.
How long do memory foam pillows last?
The average lifespan of a memory foam pillow is 2-3 years, which is longer than down alternative pillows but not as long as down, latex, or buckwheat pillows.
Even the best memory foam pillows eventually lose their integrity. One-piece pillows start to develop permanent indentations, and shredded memory foam pillows become lumpy. While higher-density memory foam tends to be more durable than lower-density memory foam, the downside is that higher-density memory foam also traps more heat.
Regular cleaning and fluffing can help prolong the longevity of a shredded memory foam pillow. Since one-piece pillows are prone to developing mildew when wet, the best you can do is keep them as clean as possible and wash the pillowcase regularly.
Are memory foam pillows adjustable?
Do memory foam pillows off-gas?
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