If you’re a hot sleeper, you know the joy of laying your head on a refreshingly cool pillow, which is why many hot sleepers invest in a cooling pillow. The downside of a cooling pillow is that sometimes, the pillowcase can hinder the pillow’s ability to help you beat the heat. The coolest pillowcases can prevent this or even turn your regular pillow into a cooling pillow. The Brooklinen Classic Pillowcases won our pick for the best cooling pillowcases overall since they’re crisp, breathable and lightweight—but we’ve also researched and tried out several other candidates for the coolest pillowcases if you prefer a different material, style or price range.
The best cooling pillowcases offer your head a cool, comfy feel all night long.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILER
Cooling pillowcases are designed to allow air and moisture to escape so heat doesn’t build up. Some may also feel cool to the touch or even add cooling technology. All of this can help keep your head at a comfortable temperature, leading to a restful night of sleep without having to flip the pillow to find the cool spot. Below are our top picks for the coolest pillowcases.
A Crisp Percale Pillowcase With A Cool-To-The-Touch Feel
MOST POPULAR
Brooklinen
Brooklinen Classic Pillowcases (Set Of 2)
Material: 100% cotton | Cooling aspect: Percale fabric | Key features: Percale weave for a crisp feel, airy, envelope enclosure
Pros
Breathable
Available in 12 colors and patterns
Made with high-quality long-staple cotton
Cons
Not available in queen size
Prone to wrinkling
If you love bedding with a crisp feel, these percale pillowcases from Brooklinen may be for you. This is one of my favorite percale pillowcases I’ve slept on, because it’s crisp without feeling rough and doesn’t stick to the skin. The 270 thread count, in combination with the percale weave, make these pillowcases breezy and lightweight, helping to keep sweat away on a hot night. You also shouldn’t have to worry about your pillow slipping out of the case thanks to the envelope enclosures that tuck the pillow right in.
What the reviews say: One 5-star review says these pillowcases stayed “crisp and cool all night,” adding that they’re “excellent for hot sleepers.” Another writes, “Cotton is super soft and just perfect. Love that the pillow cases fold over, so your pillow is never sticking out.”
Waking up to flip your pillow to “the cool side” can disturb your sleep, but this pillow protector solves that problem with the brand’s Coolmax fabric. According to The Company Store, Coolmax fiber rapidly wicks away moisture to help keep you cool and dry. The cotton and polyester blend helps make this pillow protector soft and breathable while keeping your pillow clean.
What the reviews say: “Love these,” starts one review. “[They’re a] great fit and cooling.” Another reviewer writes, “I bought two of these along with the Cool ZZZ mattress topper because we tend to sleep hot (the sun hits our room early in the morning). These are a dream. Love them and I don't have to flip my pillow to keep cool. The fabric is great and washes well.”
Best Affordable Cooling Pillowcase
Bamboo That's Breathable and Wicks Away Moisture
Amazon
Bedsure Cooling Pillowcases (Set Of 2)
Material: 100% bamboo viscose | Cooling aspect: Bamboo fabric | Key features: Temperature regulating, moisture-wicking, 13 colors available
Pros
Silky-soft feel
Budget-friendly price
Helps wick moisture
Cons
Wrinkles easily
Pillow may slip out
Viscose from bamboo pillowcases can get pricey, but this Bedsure set of two is less than $15, making them the least expensive option on this list. These are 100% viscose from bamboo, so they feel soft and breathable—almost silky. Even though these sheets are inexpensive, they don’t skimp on features like being absorbent and wicking away moisture, keeping night sweats in check. I’ve slept on the Bedsure’s sheets made of the same material, which felt soft and dried quickly.
What the reviews say: “These are really soft pillowcases. Pleasantly cool to sleep on and the price is great as well,” writes one customer. “This pillowcase is simply amazing. It feels cool and silky each and every time you use it. So nice I had to buy another,” says another.
Designed to be used under a pillowcase which may diminish cooling
The Slumber Cloud Performance Pillow Cover is made with lyocell, which has moisture-wicking properties to keep you dry and cool. What makes this pillowcase stand out is the built-in Outlast technology, which helps regulate body temperature by pulling heat away from the body. This helps keep you at a comfortable temperature all night. This pillow cover features a zipper to prevent your pillow from slipping out, even if you’re among the wildest of sleepers. It’s worth mentioning that this pillow cover is designed to be used under a pillowcase, but it can be used on its own.
What the reviews say: “I have been sleeping hot for the past few months, waking up soaked almost every night. These pillow covers are magical. I am sleeping feeling very cool and no more waking up in the evenings,” writes a customer. “I am impressed with the high-quality material and construction. My mattress and pillow covers are lightweight and breathable. I can feel the difference in temperature regulation versus my old covers,” writes another.
Best Linen Cooling Pillowcase
Lightweight Linen Makes This Pillowcase Airy
Buffy
Buffy Linen Pillowcases (Set Of 2)
Material: 100% linen | Cooling aspect: Linen fabric | Key features: Airy, lightweight, gets softer with each wash
Pros
Fast drying
Soft and not scratchy like some other linen fabrics
Made with chemical-free dyes
Cons
Not available in queen size
Many colors are sold out
Linen fabric is a popular choice for summer clothing and bedding due to its breathability, temperature regulation and ability to dry faster than other fabrics like cotton. But it can be used year-round if you want to sleep cooler. I was never a big fan of linen until I tried Buffy’s linen sheets. Unlike other linen fabrics that can feel scratchy, Buffy’s linen feels smooth thanks to the 100% long-staple linen fiber, which is the same linen used to make this pillowcase.
Linen is known for its inherent wicking properties and ability to absorb moisture, making these a great choice for anyone who sleeps hot or sweats at night. According to Buffy, they are lightened with safe and natural hydrogen peroxide and dyed with water-saving, toxic-chemical-free dyes. Nine colors are available.
What the reviews say: “I love these pillowcases and the whole hemp line,” begins one review. “They are soft and breathable, and make our room look super cute and rustic. Highly recommend.” Another reviewer writes, “Love the hemp pillowcases. They stay cool through the night and easy to maintain.”
Best Silk Cooling Pillowcase
Stay Cool While Keeping Your Hair Flawless
Slip
Slip Zippered Pillowcase (Queen)
Material: 100% silk | Cooling aspect: Silk fabric | Key features: Mulberry silk, cool-to-the-touch feel, lots of color and pattern options
Pros
Helps keep hairstyle fresh
Smooth and sleek feel
Breathable fabric
Cons
Standard size not available
Not sold in sets
Skin and hair enthusiasts rave about silk pillowcases. Wrapping your pillow in this luxurious material can help keep a new blowout looking fresh and many fans believe the material limits creases forming on your face as you sleep. In addition to these features, silk pillowcases feel cool to the touch, relieving hot sleepers when they lay their head down for the night.
The Slip pillowcase is made with high-quality 22 momme Mulberry silk. “Momme” is the term for silk’s weight. Values typically range from 19 to 25, and occasionally go up to 30—putting this pillow squarely in the middle and making it not too thick or thin. I’ve slept on a Slip silk pillowcase, and it was one of the sleekest feeling pillowcases I’ve tried. These are available in a wide variety of colors and patterns.
What the reviews say: “I love how cool the pillow stays and keeps me cool in bed,” says one review. “Plus, it’s great for my hair and skin.” Another reviewer writes, “It’s the best pillowcase I have ever had. I cannot go back to normal ones. Best investment in your sleep and skin you will make. I was having acne breakouts and bought this to help, I can say my skin has shown great improvement.”
Best Cooling Pillowcase On Amazon
A Dual-Sided Option That's Great For Year-Round Use
Amazon
Luxear Cooling Pillowcases (Set Of 2)
Material: Side 1: Arc-Chill fabric (80% mica nylon, 20% polyethylene); side 2: 100% cotton | Cooling aspect: Arc-Chill technology | Key features: Two-sided with one side made with cooling material, feels silk-like
Pros
Hidden zipper to keep pillow in place
Dual-sided pillowcase is good for year round use
Machine washable
Cons
Fabric style may not suit everyone’s taste
Some reviewers say zippers seem flimsy
This cooling pillowcase from Luxear is one of the most popular options on Amazon, with over 8,000 customers giving it a 5-star review. It’s made with Arc-Chill technology, and according to Luxear this technology absorbs body heat and moves it away from the body. Reviewers comment that the cooling side feels smooth and silk-like. The double-sided design is Arch-Chill fabric on one side and 100% cotton on the other, making it great for all-season use or those who like to switch between sides.
What the reviews say: “One side is satin-like and cooler than the other. The other side is a soft cotton stretch. [This is] the best cooling pillowcase I’ve found so far,” says one review. “These are now my favorite pillow cases and I won’t allow my husband to use the pillows with them on it. It’s always cool and I don’t sweat like I usually do on them. So soft and love that they zip up so the pillows don’t fall out. About to order a few more until I switch them all out,” says another.
Fastest Cooling Pillowcase
Like a Cooling Mattress Pad For Your Pillow
Coop Home Goods
Coop Sleep Goods The Cool Side Pillow Cover
Material: Side 1: 57% polyester, 43% polyethylene, Side 2: 60% polyester, 40% viscose rayon | Cooling aspect: Lulltra fabric | Key features: Thick quilted material, helps wick moisture, zipper closure
Pros
Two-sided fabric
Cooling side feels cool-to-touch
Jacquard weave adds a plush feel
Cons
Not available in standard size
Using a pillowcase may reduce cooling effect
Instantly cool your head and neck as soon as you lay your head on this pillowcase from Coop Sleep Goods. This pillowcase has two sides. One side is designed to keep you cool and the other to be cozy, so you can flip between sides as needed. The cool side is made with Coop’s signature Lulltra fabric, which has a silky feeling jacquard weave that gives it a cool and plush feel. Coop Sleep Goods suggests sleeping directly on the pillowcase for the best cooling effect.
What the reviews say: “I was always a very hot sleeper,” starts one review. “I always woke up drenched in sweat. The Cool Side Pillow Cover turned me into a cool sleeper. I no longer wake up all sweaty and actually pretty cold. This pillowcase works really well. [I] definitely recommend this pillowcase for hot sleepers.” Another reviewer says, “Really like the thickness of this. Keeps pillow cool but I also like that it adds a really substantial quilted layer of protection for the investment I made in my favorite pillow.”
Best Soft Cooling Pillowcase
The More You Wash This Pillowcase, The Softer It Gets
Sheets & Giggles
Sheets & Giggles Eucalyptus Pillowcases (Set Of 2)
Not only does this pillowcase keep your head cool, it is also extremely soft, as many reviewers endorsed. With each wash, the pillowcase gets softer and it’s hypoallergenic, according to Sheets & Giggles. The Eucalyptus lyocell fabric helps wick away moisture to keep you sweat free and helps balance your body temperature. Those with sensitive skin don’t have to worry about chemicals or irritants since it’s Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, which means the pillows have been tested to be free of many harmful chemicals. It’s also FKT certified, so they don’t release substances that irritate the skin or damage a person’s health.
What the reviews say: “These pillowcases are so soft [and] cooling without making me cold,” writes one customer. “I am obsessed with Sheets & Giggles sheets & pillowcases. They're cute, easy to clean, and don't get saturated with sweat,” says another.
Compared to Slumber Cloud’s Performance Pillow Covers, the Core Pillow Cover is not quite as cool, making it great for someone who doesn’t need as much cooling. These blend viscose and cotton with Outlast, so they’re soft, breathable, have a mild cooling effect and help regulate temperature. Due to the zipper enclosure, the pillow doesn’t slip out, even with the roughest tossing and turning. You can still keep your bedding matching since these are designed to be used underneath your existing pillowcase.
What the reviews say: “At first the pillow is cool for a few minutes then it does lose that chill, but it never gets too warm,” writes one reviewer. “This cooling pillow cover is great. I have tried some that are slippery and the pillowcase comes off. This one is like cotton on the outside but the inner side has the cooling,” says another.
When choosing the best cooling pillowcases, we thoroughly researched the market and relied on our knowledge from over a decade of experience with bedding and fabrics. In the end, we chose the coolest pillowcases that we’ve tried in the past from our favorites and brands that we’ve found to be reliable over years of testing hundreds of apparel and textile products.
When choosing the coolest pillowcases, we sorted through dozens of pillowcases online. We looked at popular cooling pillowcases and ones from well-known brands and scoured sites like Amazon that carry numerous options.
We also relied on knowledge from testing dozens of bedding items, like sheets, that have made us familiar with the pillowcases of those sets. Jamie Ueda, the author of this article, has an educational background in textiles. She has worked in product development and quality assurance at a home textiles company as well as Nike, and also have a degree in apparel and textile design and mechanical engineering.
We took specs and features into account to suit the various preferences and needs of users. We considered material, cooling aspects and key features such as zippered enclosures, certifications, moisture-wicking and more. Size options and colors were also noted.
We picked a variety of cooling pillowcases that meet different budgets, needs and personal preferences since there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
We also chose options that were highly rated and well reviewed if I didn’t have personal experience with the cooling pillowcases.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, our team of sleep experts has vast knowledge of sleep products and has tested dozens of cooling sleep products, such as best cooling mattresses, cooling blankets and more. Our stories are backed by extensive research, expert opinions and personal experience.
We used our years of cooling bedding testing experience to identify the top picks for this list, along with my previous educational and professional experience in textiles.
Sleep and mattress editors Bridget Chapman and McKenzie Dillon have years of experience testing and researching sleep products, including cooling sleep items.
To ensure this information is accurate and up to date, we regularly refresh this article with new insights and information. It was last updated June 2024.
What To Consider When Shopping For The Best Cooling Pillowcases
Pillow Type And Material
Cotton is one of the most popular materials used for bedding. It’s breathable and depending on how it’s woven, feels lightweight and airy.
Silk feels cool to the touch, is breathable and helps regulate body temperature. It feels extremely slick, and as a bonus, it helps keep your hair frizz-free.
Bamboo rayon or lyocell fabric is another popular choice for bedding due to its breathability and moisture-wicking capabilities. It also has a soft and cool-to-the-touch feel.
Synthetic options for pillowcases are usually polyester or microfiber. When these types of fiber are used in bedding, they often wick away moisture and dry quickly.
Outlast technology is incorporated into fabric and is commonly found in cooling bedding for its ability to release heat beyond airflow and moisture-wicking. It often feels cool-to-the-touch as well.
Ease of Care
Certain fabrics may require more delicate care such as washing them separately, using special detergent or laying them flat to dry. Check the care instructions before purchasing to make sure the care instructions can be followed to ensure the longevity of the pillowcase.
Design
Check if you’re buying a cooling pillowcase or pillow protector. Cooling pillow protectors are usually meant to be used underneath a pillowcase and the extra layer of fabric over the pillow protector may block some of it’s cooling properties. If you’re an extra hot sleeper you may want to sleep directly on the pillow protector or opt for a cooling pillowcase instead. Hot sleepers may also want to consider pillowcases with added cooling technology such as Outlast.
Cooling pillowcases with slippery fabric may cause the pillow to come out of the pillowcase, especially if you move around a lot at night. Consider design features such as an envelope enclosure or zipper. Also, take a look at the sizes available to ensure the right size. Some pillowcases may only carry a standard or queen size, in addition to king.
Thread Count
It’s not as common for cooling pillowcases to list thread count. However, if it is listed lower thread count pillowcases are more breathable but may be more see through. Higher thread count are thicker and feel more substantial.
What Is The Coolest Material For A Pillowcase?
All of the fabrics mentioned in this article are good for cooling. Over the years of testing sheets and pillowcases, I’ve found silk, lyocell and rayon (from bamboo or eucalyptus) feel the most cool to the touch. When combined with cooling technology, like Outlast, it feels the coolest. Fabrics with an extremely open weave (they look see-through or gauze-like) have excellent breathability, like thin linen sheets or cotton percale.
Are Satin Pillowcases Or Silk Pillowcases Cooler?
Silk pillowcases are cooler than satin pillowcases. Silk is a natural fiber and it’s known for it’s breathability and temperature regulating properties. Both can feel cool-to-the-touch initially, but satin fabric is made with synthetic materials, such as polyester, so it’s not as breathable, which means heat and moisture may build up throughout the night so it won’t feel as cool.
Do Cooling Pillowcases Work?
Yes, cooling pillowcases work, but they don’t actively cool you like an air conditioner. Instead, they use materials that help absorb and release heat through airflow, moisture-wicking and thermoregulating properties. Some cooling pillowcases include cooling technologies, like Outlast or others, which help pull heat away from your body and release it.
Other Cooling Mattress And Bedding Stories To Shop
