Best Cooling Gel Pillow [Review] in 2021
Last Updated on December 8, 2020
written by sleep expert Lauren Hall
Find the products quick - here are the review winners
WEEKENDER Gel Memory Foam Pillow
TOP CHOICE
Shredded Gel Infused Memory Foam Pillow
OUR PICK
Perfect Cloud Dual Option Cooling-Gel Pillow
RUNNER UP
You’re trying to sleep and your face is hot and sweaty, the pillow seems like it’s made of lava then you flip it and aaaaaaaah cooling relief. Wouldn’t it be nice if you didn’t have to though? Even if it’s not hot your pillow might not be giving you the right support for a good night’s sleep. There are three types of cooling pillows – traditional, natural, and memory foam, most of which can be bought with gel inserts to keep you cool. Traditional cooling gel pillows are just like a normal pillow, only with a cooling gel on one side.
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Natural cooling pillows don’t come with gels and are made with alternative materials instead. Memory foam pillows are made of a viscoelastic foam that is supportive and can be shaped, these are the most expensive types but since the foam reflects heat a gel insert is essential if you prefer a cool pillow. The reason your pillow feels hot when you’re trying to sleep is that your body temperature falls as you drift off, so since your pillow has probably warmed to your original body temperature it seems warm when it reflects that back
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Best Cooling Gel Pillow Reviews
WEEKENDER Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Pillow
With several options for two packs and King/Queen sizes, you can get something that will easily fit in with your bed. These are some of the cheapest memory foam pillows around (especially when you consider they’re about a tenth of the price of Tempur, one of the biggest names in memory foam. They’re designed with CertiPur foam that has a honeycomb shape to allow for better ventilation while still cradling and supporting your neck. Memory foam stops these pillows going flat since they will spring back into shape. These have a cooling gel insert on one side that also has a honeycomb design so that it doesn’t lose its shape and slip to one’s side.
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The gel adjusts to your body temperature as it changes to keep the cooling sensation going. The pillow is also covered in a spandex mesh and removable pillowcase that can be washed. It comes with a 5-year warranty and a 30-day guarantee, something most companies won’t offer for sanitary reasons.
Features:
– 24”x16”x5”
– Hex Cell Memory Foam
– Solid Foam, Firm
– Gel insert on one side
– Removable/Washable Cover
Pros
Excellent support and a significant loft this is ideal for side sleepers
This will work for front sleepers too
The chemical smell can be aired out
Cons
Requires thin pillowcase
Latest deal: WEEKENDER Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Pillow
MALOUF Z Shredded Gel Infused Memory Foam Pillow
With 5 different sizes available, including a travel pillow, this pillow from Malouf Z has the most options available. It’s actually made completely of a gel dough and shredded memory foam composite. Unlike solid foam, this is a little more “cuddly” which makes it better for stomach sleepers and more moldable. The foam is surrounded by the gel on all sides so you can flip the pillow and sleep anywhere on it you like. The foam provides good support with a medium softness and has a washable cover. The shredded design helps to prevent pressure points on the neck and head while giving total cradling. It’s ideal for stomach and back sleepers who want a pillow that doesn’t have a high loft.
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Features:
– 14”x6”x2.4”
– Gel Surrounded
– Shredded Soft Foam
– Removable Cover
– Washable Cover
Pros
Stays cool all over
Allows for ventilation
Gel acts as a barrier to the foam so you don’t have that nasty gassing off smell
Cons
Can become compressed and lumpy
Latest Deal: MALOUF Z Shredded Gel Infused Memory Foam Pillow
Perfect Cloud Dual Option Cooling-Gel Pillow
This is one of the most well-known names in pillows and while it’s not surrounded it does have gel inserts completely across one side of the pillow. The gel is partitioned into miniature pillows to give better cushioning and to stop it becoming compressed. The memory foam provides a medium solid support for head and neck without a particularly high loft. This is ideal no matter which angle you sleep at to help support your neck. It’s hypoallergenic and has ventilation holes to keep the foam cool. Both sides are slightly different so you can pick and choose which level of coolness you want when sleeping, or if it becomes too warm flip it to a cooler side which just has memory foam support. It’s designed to feel more like down which is softer than traditional memory foam and has a plush cover. It has quite a high loft and is very soft compared to the Equinox.
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Features:
– Hypoallergenic/Mite resistant
– Single Gel layer
– Removable cover
– 24”x16”x5”
Pros
Softer than most memory foam designs
The gel stays cool well throughout the night
It’s one of the few designs that are hypoallergenic
It’s tall enough to provide good neck support without being obnoxious
Cons
Too low for side sleepers
Latest Deal: Perfect Cloud Dual Option Cooling-Gel Pillow
Deluxe Home Gel Fiber Queen Pillow 2 Pack
These are one of the few gel pillows out there that are traditional fiber filled and not memory foam. It seems like everyone wants to jump on the memory foam bandwagon these days but they’re simply not comfortable for everyone. If you want a traditional pillow that’s simply cooler this is a better alternative. These are very soft and poofy which makes them better for cuddling and stomach sleepers. The fibers are hypoallergenic and anti-microbial with loft recovery technology to stop them clumping up and to allow better ventilation. They’re made in the USA and machine washable. While these are a bit larger than a standard pillow they will still fit into a normal pillowcase. This is actually a pack of two pillows so you’re getting two for the same price as one of the other memory foam designs.
Pros
With no gassing off period these are comfortable the first night and beyond
The fibers are stronger than poly and designed not to lump up though
The gel fiber allows for maximum ventilation inside the pillow
USA made which makes for better quality control and customer trust
Cons
Lacks some support which can make them poor for back and some side sleepers
Latest deal: Deluxe Home Gel Fiber Queen Pillow 2 Pack
5.
MALOUF ZZKKMPGL
Unlike the other Malouf, this also features a liquid gel panel on one side for extra cooling. It’s got a mid-loft that’s ideal for most sleepers but also comes in a higher loft option. It’s available in three sizes and has the same gel infused memory foam design. The doughier foam allows the pillow to be formed and shaped for comfort while still allowing ventilation inside. The Z gel top helps to distribute body heat better and stop it getting reflected back from the memory foam. These also include a 5-year warranty and have a soft removable velour cover that helps make the liquid feel less strange against your face.
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Features:
– Gel Dough Memory Foam
– A single Liquid Gel layer
– Removable/Washable cover
– Mid/High loft option
– 25”x16”x6”
Pros
The dough foam helps to provide comfort and softness
The gel does a good job creating a barrier between you and the hot foam
Softer than the molded foam of the Equinox
Unlike the fibers though, this does not lose its shape
Cons
As with other memory foam designs this does have a gassing off and it’s quite considerable
Latest deal: MALOUF ZZKKMPGL
Conclusion On The Best Cooling Gel Pillow
The best cooling gel pillow has to be the Malouf Z Gel Dough memory Foam + Liquid. You’re getting the best of both worlds with this as it’s a solid and supportive memory foam design that has gel inside and outside for maximum cooling. It’s not going to clump up like fiber filled pillows and it’s not going to feel like a brick like solid memory foam. It may take some getting used to from standard pillows but it’s much cooler overall and will keep you supported for a good nights rest.
Lauren Hall
Head of Content at Sleepedia
ABOUT
Lauren is Sleepedia's Head of Content and is a certified sleep therapist who loves her sleep. Lauren helps people to get back to those deep, dream-filled nights they once had by helping to identify problems with their routine and sleep setup. Whether it's a mattress or pillow, Lauren researches the best products in the industry to provide you with an in-depth review of everything you need to know to encourage your buying decision.
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