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Cooling Pillowcases: Help Regulate Your Temperature

Danielle Mcleod

You have done your research and chosen the pillows and mattresses you feel are best suited to your needs, but what type of sheets and pillowcases should you choose for the most comfortable night’s sleep? This article explores the types of materials and fabrics you want to consider to lay your head down upon each night in order to feel that cooling sensation that so many crave.

Keep in mind that your bedding choices are only as good as the pillows and mattresses you choose when it comes to heat. Pillows in particular can be a source of heat entrapment, but advances in technology have allowed for excellent options to help draw and dissipate body heat (check out our article on cooling and temperature regulating pillows). Influence this cooling sensation with the perfect cooling pillowcases!

RankProductHighlights
#1Marchpower 2 Pack Cooling Pillowcase

  • Material: Patented cooling material/ Cotton and bamboo blend
  • Closure: Zipper
  • Sizes: Standard/Queen
  • Claims: Breathable, cooling sensation, hypoallergenic
#2Bedsure Bamboo Pillowcases Set of 2 

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  • Material: Bamboo
  • Closure: Bag style
  • Sizes: Standard/Queen/King
  • Claims: Cooling, hypoallergenic, odor and moisture resistant
#3LUXEAR Pillowcases 2 Pack Stretch

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  • Material: Patented Japanese Cooling material
  • Closure: Zipper
  • Sizes: standard/queen
  • Claims: cooling, good for hair, good for skin
#4ZIMASILK 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

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  • Material: 100% Silk
  • Closure: Zipper
  • Sizes: Toddler, Throw, Standard, Queen, King, Body
  • Claims: Hypoallergenic, cooling, good for skin and hair
#5Mayfair Linen Store Egyptian Cotton Pillow Cases

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  • Material: Egyptian cotton
  • Closure: Bag style
  • Sizes: Standard/Queen, King
  • Claims: Durable, soft, breathable, cooling

Types of Pillowcases

Be aware that pillowcases are never a one size fits all product and you should take care of pillow and pillowcase measurements to ensure you get the proper fit. Always check a pillow label, or measure yourself, and compare it to what the company or brand is offering in size.

Pillowcases also come in different styles to help fit your preferences. Make sure to know your terminology to avoid buying something you don’t like.

• Housewife Style Case

These cases secure your pillow using buttons, zippers, or an envelope style closure. These are the most secure pillowcases and also helps keep your pillow clean and avoids allergen build-ups.

• Bag Style

Bag style pillowcases are exactly as they sound. They have an open-end you can slip your pillow in and out of with ease.

• Oxford and Mock Oxford

These pillowcases use an envelope style closure, but have a 2 to 3-inch border around the pillow and generally are more decorative in nature.

Material Cooling Sensations Explained

Simple physics is what explains the cooling sensation you may feel when you lay your head down upon a cooling pillow or cooling sheet of material. These are certain types of fibers and synthetic infusions that work to help draw heat from your body via conduction. Many fibers also wick away moisture and dissipate it away which can create a cooling effect.

These are all basic physical scientific explanations that help transfer heat from your body to a cooler surface to help equalize the temperature. Convection is the heat of your body lost to the surrounding air, and evaporation is the loss of moisture from the surface of your skin. This is why your other bedding choices, as well as the sleeping environment, are all important to consider when controlling your comfort.

Taking these details into account, companies are able to utilize specific fibers and certain synthetics, like gel, to help design and create more comforting bedding products.

Cooling Fibers and Materials

Natural and synthetic materials can both be responsible for the promotion of cooling sensations. When creating a pillowcase that supports a cooler sleep experience, companies use some of the following options:

— Long Fiber Cotton

Long fiber cottons create tough, thin, and durable materials that are soft and breathable. They also help absorb moisture and is a very popular bedding option.

— Silk

Silk is naturally hypoallergenic and very resilient, smooth, and cool. It is an excellent option for both cool and heat insulation.

— Viscose

Viscose is naturally derived from cellulose fibers that are chemically treated to breakdown into a material that can be worked with. This includes things like rayon, lyocell, and modal which are smooth and cool to the touch, They are often blended with other materials.

— Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic fiber that has a good airflow due to the loose weave they are often used in. They can be infused with other cooling materials, such as gel, to help with heat conduction.

— Bamboo

Bamboo is broken down into fibers that can be woven into materials. They are antimicrobial and breathable, and very cooling. They are often blended with other materials to make them feel thick and plush.

Types of Weaves that Promote Air Flow

How your material is woven together can create not only a different texture, but also how well it breathes. These are some of the best weaves to consider:

— Percale

This is a common, plain, standard weave often used to promote breathability and last through heavy use.

— Jersey Knit

This is a soft weave that feels like a t-shirt. It is often cotton or a cotton blend and breathes well.

— Sateen

Sateen is a cotton blend that is woven to create a smooth, silky side, but has a slightly textured opposite side. It is soft and cool, and generally breathes well.

Thread Count and Air Flow

Higher thread counts aren’t always the best thing, and don’t necessarily reflect quality. High thread counts are definitely not your friend when it comes to airflow either. This term refers to how many threads are woven into the fabric in one square inch. The higher the count, the less room between the fibers, which makes it less breathable.

Much high thread counts also use thinner, low-quality threads to make it seem like it is a better option. For airflow, you want to stay in a 400 thread count or lower range, and look for long fiber options as they are of high quality and less is needed.

You might be wondering, what is the best sheet thread count? get our answer here.

The Best Cooling Pillow Cases We Could Find

These are some of the best options we could find. Backed by consumer reviews, they are popular choices and allow you to see the many materials and styles that can help you get a cooler night’s sleep. 

1. Marchpower Cooling Pillowcase for Hot Sleepers

SPECS:

  • Material: Patented cooling material/ Cotton and bamboo blend
  • Closure: Zipper
  • Sizes: Standard/Queen
  • Claims: Breathable, cooling sensation, hypoallergenic

Best Q-Max Cooling Technology Pillowcase

Advances in technology can result in some pretty cool stuff, including synthetic material blends that are designed specifically for a cooler night’s sleep. The Marchpower Cooling Pillowcase for hot sleepers is just that, a patented material that is designed to cool you in summer, and provide a comfortable surface even in colder weather. 

The dual surface design has a lightweight, airy woven texture with a bamboo and cotton blend opposition so you can choose the best comfort. Both are breathable and hypoallergenic, and are extremely durable for easy washing. The pillowcases completely enclose your pillow and boast a hidden zipper for a perfect fit. 

Who This is For

If you love the idea of a patented material designed for a cooler night’s sleep, and are impressed with the use of new technologies in relation to your comfort, this is the pillowcase for you. 

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2. Bedsure Cooling Bamboo Pillowcases

SPECS:

  • Material: Bamboo
  • Closure: Bag style
  • Sizes: Standard/Queen/King
  • Claims: Cooling, hypoallergenic, odor and moisture resistant

Best Cooling Bamboo Pillowcases

Bamboo viscose fibers are known for their soft texture and cooling properties. Hypoallergenic and comforting, these create a silky smooth texture against your skin, and provide amazing durability. Naturally odor and moisture resistant, they help wick away body sweat and let it dissipate away, leaving you feeling cooler. 

Available in many colors, these are a bag style case for easy on-off and laundering. Plus, they provide amazing air circulation all while offering a cleaner, more skin-friendly sleep surface. They also will not shrink or fade with laundering, and only become more comforting. 

Who This is For

This is a great option for anyone wanting a cooler sleep surface, but who also suffers from allergies or skin sensitivities. 

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3. LUXEAR Elastic Cooling Pillowcases

SPECS:

  • Material: Patented Japanese Cooling material
  • Closure: Zipper
  • Sizes: standard/queen
  • Claims: cooling, good for hair, good for skin

Best Elastic Cooling Pillowcases

Made from a patented Japanese elastic material, these are truly an advanced technological wonder. The fitted pillowcases have amazing stretch, and provide an incredibly silky smooth and cooling sleep surface. Certified by OEKO-TEX 100, this is a safe material that helps draw heat from your body to dissipate it away and allow you to have a more comfortable night’s sleep. 

Anti-static, the smooth surface is also healthy for your skin and hair, and keeps it from tangling or breaking. They close with a hidden zipper and offer a perfect fit and will not fade or shrink. One size fits both standard and queen pillows. 

Who This is For

Cool, sleek, and silky, this is a pillowcase that provides a cooling surface and unique design for your nighttime comfort. If you have concerns about your hair and skin, it is a healthy, supportive choice as well. 

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4. ZIMASILK 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

SPECS:

  • Material: 100% Silk
  • Closure: Zipper
  • Sizes: Toddler, Throw, Standard, Queen, King, Body
  • Claims: Hypoallergenic, cooling, good for skin and hair

Best Cooling 100% Silk Pillowcase

The ZIMASILK Mulberry Silk Pillowcase provides a 100% pure silk sleep experience and offers a 19 momme surface for durable and smooth comfort. Highly recommended by allergy sufferers and those with sensitive skin, silk has long been used for beauty purposes. It also provides an incredibly cool, smooth surface to sleep upon. 

Durable and long-lasting, these are offered in a huge array of colors and any pillow size you need for sleeping. The hidden zipper lays flat to avoid snagging in hair, and provides a perfect fit. Plus, the zipper closure keeps your pillow secure due to the slippery smooth surface silk offers. 

Who This is For

If you want a real silk pillowcase to match your decor, this is a great option. With multiple colors and a high-quality product, you will sleep both cooler and healthier with this choice. 

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5. Mayfair Linen Store 500 Thread Count Egyptian Cotton Sateen Pillow Cases

SPECS:

  • Material: Egyptian cotton
  • Closure: Bag style
  • Sizes: Standard/Queen, King
  • Claims: Durable, soft, breathable, cooling

Best Cooling Cotton Pillowcases

If you love the feel of cotton and prefer a more traditional material, the Mayfair Linen Store 500 thread count Eqyptian Sateen pillowcases are the perfect product. Made from a high quality, long thread cotton, these are a durable, soft and smooth choice that also provides excellent airflow and helps keep you cool. 

The quality stitching and material are durable and long-lasting, and only gets more comfortable with every wash. The bag style closure makes it easy to get on and off, and helps provide added airflow. Lightweight and comforting, these are an excellent cotton option made of the finest threads. 

Who This is For

This is the perfect cotton pillowcase for cotton lovers. Smooth, light, and breathable, it provides a cooling surface that is comforting and moisture-wicking as well. 

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Conclusion

If sleeping cool is a must, these are excellent options to consider for your comfort. Made from various materials, you can pick and choose the best for you to help create an environment free from heat sinks and sweaty discomfort.