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If you sleep hot, these cooling pillows will transform your nights

There's no need to flip over to the cool side with one of these on your bed
a neutral toned bedroom with white bedding.Photography: Mindi Cooke | Styling: Hayley Jenkin
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A good night’s sleep has been said to cure most of life’s problems but what happens when the problem is the fact you can’t seem to get a decent one? Come summer in Australia, sleeping soundly through the night can seem almost impossible as we toss and turn in the enduring heat.

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Whilst air-conditioning may seem the obvious fix, it can result in sky-high electricity bills which is something we all want to minimise where possible. Enter: cooling pillows.

Scroll down to check out picks of the best available so you wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day.

a cooling pillow on a velvet green bed in a beach home
Photography: Milly Mead | Styling: Kerrie-Ann Jones (Credit: Photography: Milly Mead | Styling: Kerrie-Ann Jones)

You might also like The best pillows for side, back & stomach sleepers, according to the experts

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Out top picks for best cooling pillows

The best cooling pillows for 2026

Best overall

Ecosa cooling pillow

Ecosa Cooling Pillow

$210 at Ecosa

Designed for all sleep positions, the Ecosa Cooling Pillow is perfect for those who toss and turn in the night, or sleep a combination of front, back and side. The pillow uses cool-to-touch fabric and a gel layer in an ergonomic, contoured design for spinal support. Covers are also removable and washable for easy cleaning.

Art & Science Memory Foam Cooling Pillow

from $179.95 at Sleeping Giant

The Art & Science memory foam cooling pillow is crafted using cooling jacquard fabric to promote airflow and provide a soft, premium feel for your head. The covers are also removable and washable, and the fabric is also OEKO-TEX certified which is ideal for sensitive sleepers or those with allergies.

MiniJumbuk Breathe Wool Cotton Quilted Pillow

MiniJumbuk Breathe Wool Cotton Quilted Pillow

from $129.99 $65 at Myer

This Australian made pillow is designed especially for those who tend to overheat in their sleep. MiniJumbuk Breathe pillows are filled with natural fibres (a combination of soft washed wool and cotton) that are naturally breathable and will help to improve airflow around the face.

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Dreamsuite ChillWeave Cooling Memory Foam Pillow

Dreamsuite ChillWeave Cooling Memory Foam Pillow

$259.95 at Sleeping Giant

This Dreamsuite pillow features cooling integrated knit jacquard fabric designed to draw away heat and to keep you cool throughout the night. It also uses memory foam technology to crable your head and neck comfortably, melting away tension in your body. The covers are removable and washable also for longevity and sensitive sleepers.

Koala Pillow

Koala Pillow

from $155 at Koala

Australian furniture brand Koala has made a name for itself thanks to its signature Koala mattress, and have now extended their range to include their gel-infused memory foam pillow which features a ventilated design to help encourage airflow throughout the entire pillow.

Best for back sleepers

Origin Coolmax Latex Pillow

Origin Coolmax Latex Pillow

$179 at Origin

Crafted from Tencel, a soft and breathable fabric made from responsibly sourced wood pulp, and a latex core, the Origin Coolmax Latex Pillow is the perfect addition to your bed for its maximum cooling and hypoallergenic properties. Latex pillows are designed to create constant air circulation, preventing heat and unpleasant odours. This pillow is recommended for people with allergies who desire a good relaxing sleep every evening.

Best for side sleepers

Dunlopillo Therapillo Cooling Gel Medium Profile Pillow

Dunlopillo Therapillo Cooling Gel Medium Profile Pillow

$219.99 at David Jones

With a memory foam base, this medium profile pillow gently contours to provide support to your head and neck, while the gel layer adds a cooling touch. It’s also available in two heights, medium and high, and has a 10-year guarantee.

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Canningvale Cooling Memory Foam Pillow

Canningvale Cooling Memory Foam Pillow

from $139.99 $69.99 at Canningvale

This pillows combination of contour-hugging support with shredded memory foam and a specialised cool-touch cover makes it a top choice for combination sleepers seeking a refreshing snooze. It is of a medium firmness and height profile for back and side sleepers.

Best for stomach sleepers

Macoda Pillow

Macoda Pillow

$150 $130 at Macoda

Finding the perfect pillow is crucial for a good night’s sleep. This memory foam pillow from Macoda has the perfect balance between comfort and support. Plus, the cool side of the pillow is lathered with a special glaze that keeps it, well, cool, so you can say goodbye to flipping your pillow over and over (especially during summer).

Ardor Cooling Memory Foam Lana Standard Pillow

$99.99 $49.99 at Temple & Webster

This super soft pillow from Ardor comes in a standard shape with a memory foam core, designed to ensure that you enjoy adequate support for your head, neck and shoulders while you sleep. Better yet, a removable jacquard cover makes it easy to clean.

How do cooling pillows work?

A cooling pillow is essentially designed to regulate your body temperature, keeping you cool at night through specific materials such as bamboo or a specially designed gel layer that effectively moderate and release heat. Many of these pillows also work to eliminate pains and prevent stiffness too.

What is the best material for pillows to stay cool?

Cooling pillows can be made of a few materials, often natural or gel-based in order to regulate your body temperature. Gels, for example, provide a cooler surface for you to lay on. However, once the gel is saturated with heat, your cooling pillow will no longer be effective. Luckily there are also natural alternatives, such as bamboo, cotton, silk, or natural latex, which are naturally breathable and moisture-wicking. Many of these pillows are also hypoallergenic for maximum breathability and comfort.

What are the key benefits of using a cooling pillow?

Cooling pillows have been known to increase sleep quality for those who suffer from heat and night sweats. Research conducted by the Sleep Research Society found that across 1175 nights of tracked sleep among 29 participants, using acooling pillow led to significant increases in REM sleep, overall sleep quality scores, and perceived restfulness, alongside reductions in night sweats and sleeping hot. Both objective data and self-reported feedback suggest the pillows cooler, more comfortable feel contributed to measurable improvements in sleep quality.

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