Best Cooling Side-Sleeper Pillow

Paul Souliac
2026-03-19T07:08:53-07:00

Waking up in the middle of the night feeling overheated is a common problem, especially for side sleepers. The right cooling side-sleeper pillow can make all the difference, helping you stay comfortable and sleep soundly. A great pillow should support your neck and shoulders while actively drawing heat away from your body. If you're ready to stop flipping your pillow to find the cool side, we've reviewed the top options available. Discover the Best Cooling Side-Sleeper Pillow

Customize your comfort with the Scrumptious Side Sleeper Pillow, designed for personalized loft, better alignment, and all-night support.

What to Look for in a Cooling Pillow for Side Sleepers

Finding the right pillow involves more than just picking one that feels cool to the touch. For side sleepers, proper support and lasting temperature regulation are key.

Fill Material and Breathability

The inside of your pillow plays a big role in how cool it stays. Some materials trap heat, while others promote airflow.

Shredded Memory Foam: Unlike solid memory foam blocks, shredded foam allows air to move freely between the pieces. Many brands infuse their foam with cooling gel or copper to help pull heat away from your body.

Latex: Natural latex is known for its breathability. It has an open-cell structure that doesn't hold onto heat, making it a great option for hot sleepers.

Kapok Fibers: These silky, natural fibers are lightweight and airy. They are often blended with shredded foam to enhance softness and airflow.

Specialty Grids: Some pillows use a hyper-elastic polymer grid. This design creates hundreds of air channels for continuous cooling.

Cover Fabric

The pillow's cover is your first line of defense against heat. Look for fabrics designed for temperature regulation. Bamboo viscose, for example, is soft, moisture-wicking, and breathable. Other covers use phase-change material, which absorbs and releases heat to keep you at a comfortable temperature all night. You can learn more about pillow materials in our pillow analysis blog.

Shape and Adjustability

Side sleepers need a pillow that fills the gap between their head and the mattress, keeping the spine aligned. A pillow with a curve designed to accommodate your shoulder can prevent neck strain. Adjustability is also important. A pillow that allows you to add or remove fill lets you customize the height and firmness for a perfect fit.

Common Mistakes When Choosing a Pillow

A new pillow is an investment in your sleep quality. Avoiding a few common errors can help you make a choice you'll be happy with for years to come.

One major mistake is choosing a pillow with the wrong loft, or height. A pillow that is too high or too low will force your neck into an unnatural position, leading to pain and stiffness. Side sleepers generally need a thicker pillow than back or stomach sleepers. That's why an adjustable pillow is often the safest bet.

Another error is focusing only on the initial "cool-to-the-touch" sensation. Some pillows feel cold at first but warm up quickly as the night goes on. True cooling pillows use materials that actively manage temperature over several hours. For more tips on getting a better night's sleep, check out our sleep wellness articles. Finally, don't forget to check the return policy. It can take a few weeks to know if a pillow is right for you, so a generous trial period is a huge plus.

Top 11 Best Cooling Side-Sleeper Pillows

1. Honeydew Sleep - Best Cooling Side-Sleeper Pillow

Description (The Scrumptious Side Sleeper Pillow):

The Scrumptious Side Sleeper Pillow features a unique curve that cradles your neck and shoulders for ultimate comfort and perfect alignment. The proprietary fill delivers a luxurious feel and superior support, while alleviating neck and shoulder pain , a condition affecting 30% to 50% of adults. We spent years developing a pillow built to provide perfect alignment and support for your body every single night. Every aspect was meticulously and deliberately chosen for its ability to provide the best sleep possible, and to help you wake up pain free and full of energy , powered by sleep. Unlike traditional rectangular pillows, the unique curve of the Scrumptious Side Pillow was designed to support your neck and shoulders whether you are on your side or your back. The ribbon going around the sides maintains the pillow's structure perfectly, ensuring it doesn't taper at the edges or get higher in the middle , so you'll never roll onto the "flat part" during the night. The foam component is 100% CertiPUR-US certified copper-infused foam, which is far more effective at cooling than gel-based memory foam and has naturally antibacterial properties to keep your pillow fresh night after night. A discreetly hidden zipper lets you add or remove fill to customize the pillow height for your body , because nobody knows what you need better than you. Handcrafted by hand with love in California, USA. Turn down your nights to turn up your days.

Key Features:

Unique Curved Design: Cradles neck and shoulders for perfect alignment

Proprietary Fill: Doughy and soft yet still supportive , unlike any other pillow

Copper-Infused Foam: Superior cooling vs. gel-based memory foam; naturally antibacterial

100% CertiPUR-US Certified Foam: Always made without formaldehyde or heavy metals

Adjustable Fill: Hidden zipper to add or remove fill for personalized height

Structural Side Ribbon: Maintains consistent height across entire pillow surface

Neck & Shoulder Pain Relief: Specifically designed to stop neck pain at the source

Side & Back Sleeper Friendly: Unique curve supports all sleeping positions

Organic Bamboo Pillowcase Included: Cooling, ultra-soft, and skin-friendly

Cooling All Night Long: Copper infusion keeps pillow temperature regulated

Washable Cover: Hidden zipper makes cover removal easy for machine washing

Handmade in California, USA: Family-owned, hand-crafted with care

Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified: All textiles safety certified

No Formaldehyde or Heavy Metals: 100% safe materials

Travel Size Available: Includes carrying bag for on-the-go sleep comfort

Tech Specs:

Fill: Proprietary copper-infused CertiPUR-US certified foam blend

Cover: Organic bamboo , cooling and ultra-soft

Certification: Oeko-Tex Standard 100 (textiles) + CertiPUR-US (foam)

Construction: Handmade in California, USA

Adjustability: Hidden zipper for fill customization

Available Sizes:

Queen: approximately 27" x 15"

King: approximately 30" x 17"

Travel: approximately 21" x 12"

Sleep Position: Side sleepers and back sleepers

Temperature: Cooling copper-infused fill, always cool to the touch

Warranty: 3-year limited warranty

Trial Period: 60-night money-back guarantee

Care: Machine washable cover (remove fill first); tumble dry safe

What's Included:

1 x Scrumptious Side Sleeper Pillow (Queen, King, or Travel)

1 x Organic Bamboo Cooling Pillowcase

Travel Size: includes carrying bag

60-night risk-free trial (free shipping both ways)

3-year limited warranty

Free nationwide US shipping on orders over $50

Customer Reviews Highlights:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This pillow has changed my life. I know that sounds hyperbolic but it's true." , Greg 🇺🇸

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I was floored by how much better I sleep now. The quality is incredible , the perfect mix of fluffy and firm." , Jonathan K. 🇺🇸

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Like Goldilocks, none were just right , until I found the Scrumptious Side Pillow. FINALLY!" , RL S. 🇺🇸

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This pillow is perfect for side sleepers like myself. I'll never go back to my old pillows again." , Michelle D. 🇺🇸

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Amazing support, super comfortable, and the pillowcase is so soft!" , Cecilia S. 🇺🇸

Rating: 4.8/5 ⭐ based on 587 verified reviews

Shop The Scrumptious Side Sleeper Pillow

2. Coop Home Goods

The Eden Cool+ from Coop Home Goods is designed for hot sleepers seeking adjustable comfort. It is filled with gel-infused shredded memory foam and microfiber clusters, allowing for good airflow. The pillow's cover uses a special fabric intended to feel cool on contact and maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the night. Users can add or remove the fill to achieve their desired height and firmness, making it a versatile option for different body types.

Key features: Gel-infused memory foam, adjustable loft, cool-touch cover.

Pros: Highly customizable, good airflow from shredded fill.

Con: The cover's cooling effect may feel most prominent initially.

3. Layla Sleep

The Layla Kapok Pillow combines shredded memory foam with light, airy Kapok tree fibers. This blend creates a soft yet supportive feel that is more breathable than traditional memory foam. The cover is woven with copper fibers, which are known for their cooling and antimicrobial properties. The pillow is adjustable, with a zipper that allows you to modify the amount of fill to suit your personal preference for loft and density.

Key features: Kapok and memory foam blend, copper-infused cover, adjustable.

Pros: Soft and airy feel, copper helps with temperature regulation.

Con: Kapok fibers can sometimes clump together and may require occasional fluffing.

4. Eli & Elm

The Eli & Elm Side-Sleeper Pillow features a unique U-shape design created to support the neck and shoulders. This ergonomic shape helps promote proper spinal alignment by contouring to your body. The fill is a mix of shredded latex and polyester fiber, offering a responsive and breathable alternative to memory foam. Latex is naturally durable and resistant to heat buildup. You can also unzip the liner to remove some of the fill and adjust the pillow’s firmness.

Key features: U-shaped ergonomic design, latex and polyester fill.

Pros: Excellent for neck alignment, naturally breathable latex.

Con: The unique shape may not fit standard pillowcases.

5. Purple

The Purple Harmony Pillow stands out with its use of a Purple Grid Hex layer. This honeycomb-patterned grid is made from a temperature-neutral, hyper-elastic polymer that allows air to flow freely. The grid is layered over a ventilated latex core, further enhancing its breathability. This combination provides soft, buoyant support without trapping heat. The pillow comes in different heights to accommodate various shoulder widths and sleep preferences.

Key features: Purple Grid Hex layer, ventilated latex core, moisture-wicking cover.

Pros: Exceptional airflow, pressure-relieving support.

Con: The grid texture may feel unusual to some at first.

6. Tempur-Pedic

The TEMPUR-Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling Pillow is designed for those who enjoy the contouring feel of memory foam but worry about heat. It features a solid block of TEMPUR material that adapts to the head and neck. What makes it unique are the layers of TEMPUR-Breeze Gel on both sides of the pillow. This gel layer provides a cool-to-the-touch sensation and helps draw heat away from the body. The 100% cotton cover is removable and washable.

Key features: Dual-sided cooling gel layers, TEMPUR memory foam.

Pros: Deeply contouring support, consistent cooling on both sides.

Con: Solid foam design is less breathable than shredded fill options.

7. Casper

Casper’s Snow Pillow is engineered with a multi-layered approach to cooling. It features a foam core with perforated holes for airflow. The pillow also includes a series of HeatDelete Bands that are designed to pull heat away from your head and neck throughout the night. The outer cover has a cool-touch coating that provides an instant cooling feeling. It is available in two loft options to better suit different sleeping positions and body sizes.

Key features: HeatDelete Bands, perforated foam, cool-touch cover.

Pros: Actively works to dissipate heat, feels cool on contact.

Con: The loft is not adjustable.

8. Pillow Cube

The Pillow Cube is known for its distinctive blocky shape, which is specifically made for side sleepers. The design aims to perfectly fill the space between the shoulder and head, promoting a straight spine. The core is made of high-rebound memory foam that provides firm support. Its cover is soft and breathable, with a cool-to-the-touch feel that helps regulate temperature. The Pillow Cube is available in different heights to match your shoulder-to-neck measurement.

Key features: Cube shape for side sleepers, high-rebound foam.

Pros: Excellent for maintaining spinal alignment, comes in multiple sizes.

Con: The shape is unconventional and may take some getting used to.

9. Saatva

The Saatva Latex Pillow offers a buoyant and responsive feel that is naturally cooling. It features a shredded natural latex core surrounded by a down-like microfiber outer layer. This pillow-in-pillow design provides both plush comfort and resilient support. Latex is an open-cell material, which allows for excellent airflow and prevents heat from being trapped. The cover is made from organic cotton, adding to its breathability and softness.

Key features: Shredded natural latex core, organic cotton cover.

Pros: Naturally hypoallergenic and breathable, buoyant support.

Con: Can feel bouncier than memory foam, which is a matter of preference.

10. Slumber Cloud

The UltraCool Pillow from Slumber Cloud utilizes Outlast technology, which was originally developed for NASA. This technology is infused into the fabric of the cover to proactively manage heat and moisture. It absorbs heat when you get too warm and releases it back when you start to cool down, helping maintain a balanced temperature all night. The pillow is available with either a down alternative or memory foam fill to suit different comfort preferences.

Key features: Outlast temperature-regulating technology, two fill options.

Pros: Proactively manages heat instead of just dissipating it.

Con: The technology works best when in direct contact, so a thin pillowcase is recommended.

11. Luxome

The LAYR Customizable Pillow by Luxome is designed for those who want complete control over their pillow's feel. It comes with multiple inserts of varying firmness, including a gel-infused shredded memory foam layer for cooling. Users can mix and match the inserts to create their ideal height and support level. The outer cover is made from bamboo viscose, a material known for being soft, breathable, and effective at wicking moisture.

Key features: Multiple customizable inserts, gel-infused foam option, bamboo cover.

Pros: Highly versatile and adjustable, breathable cover.

Con: Finding the perfect combination of inserts may require some experimentation.

How to Set Up Your Pillow for Side Sleeping

Once you've chosen a new pillow, it's important to set it up correctly. If you have an adjustable pillow, this is your chance to create a custom fit.

1. Start with the Full Fill: Begin by sleeping on the pillow as it arrived. This gives you a baseline for its height and firmness.

2. Assess Your Alignment: Lie on your side in your usual sleeping position. Ask a partner to check if your head and neck are in a straight line with your spine. If your head is tilted up, the pillow is too high. If it's dropping down, the pillow is too low.

3. Make Small Adjustments: Open the pillow and remove a small handful of fill at a time if it's too high. Fluff the pillow to redistribute the remaining fill evenly.

4. Test It Out: Sleep on the adjusted pillow for a few nights. It can take time for your body to get used to proper support. Repeat the adjustment process until you feel comfortable and wake up without stiffness.

For more updates and company news, you can see what's new in the House of Honeydew.

What Factors Influence Pillow Cost?

The price of cooling pillows can vary widely. Several factors contribute to the final cost, and understanding them can help you see the value in your purchase.

Materials: High-quality materials like natural latex, copper-infused memory foam, and advanced cooling fabrics cost more to produce than basic polyester or standard foam.

Technology: Pillows with patented designs, ergonomic shapes, or special cooling technologies like phase-change materials often have a higher price point.

Certifications: Certifications like CertiPUR-US (for foam) or GOTS (for organic cotton) show that the materials have been tested for safety and quality, which can add to the cost.

Adjustability: Pillows that allow you to customize the fill often cost more due to the more complex construction and extra fill provided.

Trial Periods and Warranties: A generous trial period and a long warranty are signs of a company's confidence in its product. The cost of servicing these policies is often built into the price.

Investing in a quality pillow like the Scrumptious Side Pillow is an investment in your health. Better sleep leads to better days.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the cooling effect in a pillow last?

The longevity of a cooling effect depends on the technology used. Pillows with cool-to-the-touch covers provide an immediate sensation that may fade as it absorbs body heat. Pillows with breathable fills like shredded foam or latex, or those with phase-change materials, are designed to regulate temperature all night long for a more consistent experience.

Is a firm or soft pillow better for hot side sleepers?

For side sleepers, support is more important than firmness alone. The pillow needs to be firm enough to hold your head up and keep your spine aligned. However, a pillow that is too firm can create pressure points. An adjustable pillow is often the best solution, as it allows you to find a balance between soft comfort and firm support that works for you.

Can I use a pillowcase with a cooling pillow?

Yes, you should always use a pillowcase to protect your pillow. To get the most out of your pillow's cooling features, choose a pillowcase made from a breathable, natural fabric like cotton, bamboo, or Tencel. These materials will allow air and heat to move through them, rather than trapping it against your skin.

How often should I replace my cooling side-sleeper pillow?

Most experts recommend replacing your pillow every one to two years. Over time, pillows lose their supportive qualities and accumulate allergens like dust mites. High-quality pillows made from durable materials like latex or high-density memory foam may last longer. If your pillow looks flat or lumpy or you start waking up with neck pain, it's time for a new one.

Customize your comfort with the Scrumptious Side Sleeper Pillow, designed for personalized loft, better alignment, and all-night support.