Getting a good night's sleep is super important, even more so if you're pregnant, so to set yourself up with the best chance of a dreamy slumber, we'd recommend getting a cooling pillowcase, particularly as a pregnancy pillow. Otherwise, mix pregnancy with a British heatwave, and your chances of a well-rested night is pretty low.
Ditching the duvet is probably best at night, but you'll most likely want to keep your pillow, so investing in a temperature-balancing and cooling pillowcase is the best shout. Most cooling pillowcases feature cutting-edge technology that can adapt to the individual's temperature, keeping you cool during the summer and warm during the winter.
Pure cotton and silk pillowcases are the best fabrics that are both naturally breathable and moisture-wicking, making them perfect for keeping you cool even on the hottest of days. Whatever your budget and needs are, there's a cooling pillowcase for you, ready to help you enjoy a good night's sleep.
The best cooling pillowcases at a glance:
•Best for quality materials: Marks and Spencer 2 Pack Comfortably Cool Tencel™ Pillowcases - Buy now from M&S
•Best for style: Cult Beauty Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase - Buy now from Cult Beauty
•Best for a budget: Bambaw Bamboo Pillowcase – 2 Pack - Buy now from Amazon
•Best for gifting: The White Company Temperature Balance Quilted Pillow Protector - Buy now from The White Company
There are many cooling pillowcases available to buy, from high street retailer M&S to online stores like Amazon. You most likely already know what fabrics you do and don't like, so we've rounded up our top picks that include everything from cotton to silk and even bamboo.
Best for quality materials
www.marksandspencer.com
These cooling pillowcases from M&S are made from naturally breathable and moisture-wicking fabric to help keep you cool at night. With a 200-thread count and smooth fibres, these are luxuriously soft and will keep you comfortably cool all night long.
Review: "I have now converted my whole family to choose these sheets. They are so cool to sleep on. We love them!"
Another reviewer said: "Great silky texture to these pillowcases. Large enough for my husband's big pillow and washed beautifully."
Pros
- Tencel™ lyocell material
- Matching duvet covers and fitting sheets are available
Cons
- Some say that the colour may vary slightly
| Material: | 78% lyocell, 22% cotton |
- Comfortably Cool technology draws moisture away from the body, keeping you cool.
- StayNew™ technology
- Sustainably sourced Tencel™ lyocell
- 200-thread count
Best for a multipack
Marchpower cooling pillowcases are made of Q-Max 0.43 Japanese cooling fibre, which works to reduce skin temperature by two to five degrees almost instantly for quick cooling comfort. Cold on both sides, this pillowcase is great if you suffer from night sweats and perfect for tackling the unexpected British heat waves.
Review: "These seem to be popular right now, and nothing worse than overheating in bed. I have thick hair too, so gets very hot, the pillowcases are a good size, well made and a zipper which is great to hold the pillow in. "There are two sides to this, so make sure you use the right one the shiny side is the cooling side and even when you are really hot and put your head on this it instantly feels cool, not sure how it works, but it does, glad I tried them now makes summer and sleep a lot easier."
Pros
- 2 in a pack
- Anti-static material
Cons
- Material could be softer
| Material: | Cotton |
| Size: | 51 x 50 x 0.01 cm |
- Cool-to-touch technology
- 100% breathable cotton
- Hand and machine washable
Best for style
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
Continually praised for all its magic in the beauty world, silk pillowcases are also great for keeping you cool. Silk is a versatile and extremely breathable fabric. It can keep you cool during the summer months but also warm when it gets colder – it's the best all-season fabric! Although the cult BEAUTY SLIP Pure Silk Pillowcase is the most expensive pillowcase in our round-up, we can say it's definitely worth it for a great, cool night's sleep.
Review: "I mostly love this because my scalp doesn't get as sweaty as it used to, and although the number of pillow marks definitely decreased, there are mornings that I do have some on my face."
Pros
- Great for keeping your hair smooth
- Regulates the temperature naturally
Cons
- Only one per pack
| Material: | Long fiber mulberry silk |
| Size: | 20" x 30" |
- Made from 100% pure mulberry silk
- Gentle on skin and hair – wave goodbye to bedhead!
- Over 12 colours to choose from
Best for durability
www.marksandspencer.com
These soft standard pillowcases from M&S are made from pure cotton with a 250 thread count and a special Bodysensor™ technology, which keeps you warm when it's cool and cool when it's warm.
Review: "I washed these before use to remove the smell of the dressing that is used. The pillowcases are even softer once washed and are very comfortable against the skin."
Another reviewer said: "Very good quality and a good size. Would recommend."
Pros
- Broad range of colours to choose from
- 250 thread count
Cons
- Texture can make them difficult to iron
| Material: | Pure cotton |
- Body Sensor™ technology: keeps you cool when it's warm and warm when it's cool
- StayNew™ technology: longer-lasting colour and finish
- 250 thread count
Best for luxury
www.johnlewis.com
Another great silk pillowcase option from John Lewis, blissfully smooth and naturally breathable. Non-absorbent silk actively maintains skin and hair's moisture levels overnight to help minimise wrinkles and hair static.
Review: "I love these silk pillowcases they are cool in summer and warm in winter your skin is so well nourished by the silk overnight and so easy to hand wash and drip dry. Excellent value."
Another reviewer said: "If you are in any doubt, buy one. My hair has been so much more manageable since using mine, doesn't have to be washing every day due to "bed head". Cool to sleep on, feels luxurious and better for skin too."
Pros
- Moisture-repellent
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- No variation in size
| Material: | 100% Mulberry silk |
| Size: | L75 x W50cm |
- 19 momme silk
- Hypoallergenic and breathable
- Ultra-smooth feel
Best for a budget
This cool pack of two Bamboo pillowcases provides the best comfort for cosy nights. Bamboo fabric is naturally breathable and absorbent, which helps regulate the body temperature to keep it cool in summer and warm in winter.
Review: "I spent the hottest night of the year so far on these pillowcases, and it is the first time I had no sweat around my hairline or neck, so thankful I found these! Looking forward to buying a complete set. I have tried to take a photo which will show the softness of these pillowcases, but it is impossible. I usually tend to buy Supima cotton, I am absolutely blown away by the comfort and cooling properties of this item. I would put it on par with Supima cotton and go as far as to say it is softer and cooler!"
Pros
- Affordable
- Dries quickly
Cons
- Sizing may vary
| Size: | 75 x 75 x 0.01 cm |
| Material: | Rayon |
- Luxuriously soft and hypoallergenic
- Natural temperature control fabric
- Eco-friendly – bamboo is a naturally renewable resource
Cooling pillow protectors
Pillow protectors are a brilliant addition to any bedding set to keep your pillows protected from any stains, but some can also provide an extra layer of comfort and cooling properties while protecting your pillows.
Best for gifting
www.thewhitecompany.com
Not a pillowcase, but a great layer of extra protection and temperature balance, especially if paired with a cooling pillowcase, for the ultimate cool night's sleep. Designed with advanced technology developed by NASA, the 100% cotton fabric works to store excess heat until your body temperature decreases and then slowly releases the heat to provide a consistent temperature while remaining soft and comfortable. This Temperature Balance Quilted Pillow Protector is perfect for those who get too hot when they sleep. It adapts to the individual's body temperature and humidity, creating a constant microclimate throughout the night.
Pros
- 100 per cent cotton
- Spacious to allow for some shrinking
Cons
- Light colour, so may stain easily
| Size: | Standard W50cm x L75cm, Super King W50cm x L90cm |
| Material: | Cotton (filling), polypropylene (inner lining), 100% cotton with Outlast® coating (casing) |
- 100% Cotton with Outlast® coating – developed by NASA
- Adapts to each individual’s body temperature
- Machine washable
Best for protection
www.marksandspencer.com
Another great pillow protector option from M&S that promises to keep your bedding feeling fresh and cool. They're made with Hydrocool™ technology that quickly wicks moisture away from your body to aid temperature regulation.
Pros
- Anti-bacterial
- Treated filling prevents dust mites
Cons
- No zip closure
| Material: | Recycled polyester |
| Size: | 30" x 19" |
- Anti-allergy and antibacterial
- Temperature regulating
- Contains Hydrocool™ technology
How to choose a cooling pillowcase
When it comes to finding a cooling pillow case, aim for fabrics like silk or pure cotton, as they are not only moisture-wicking but naturally breathable too. If you're expecting, you may want to find a specific pregnancy pillow that will protect your body whilst keeping you cool on the hottest days of the year or if you're experiencing hot flushes.
Do cooling pillowcases work?
Yes, cooling pillowcases do work, particularly silk ones. Unlike synthetic pillowcases, a silk pillowcase is brilliant at regulating heat, which will not only cool you down but also prevent you from becoming sweaty and your skin from suffering breakouts. They are also hypoallergenic, so perfect for allergy sufferers and those with acne. Combine with a pillow sleep spray, and you should be ready for a lovely night's sleep!
Top tips for staying cool while pregnant:
• Upgrade your sheets – invest in 100% natural fibres, preferably cotton or linen.
• A dark house is a cool house – keep your house cool and relax in the dark ambience.
• Freeze your fruit for a refreshing snack.
• Invest in a spray bottle for instant relief on the go.
• Snack on ice chips!
How we test and choose recommended products
Our product recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers and the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists. Where we can, we also consult experts who specialise in that field to ensure you get the right advice along with the right product, and we listen to what you say as well.
Our thriving mum community on our Facebook group #mumtribe consistently provides great insights into which products mums like best and why, helping us highlight the products that will meet your needs.
For essential products, our annual Mother&Baby Awards shortlist the top products tested. Full reviews from our mum testers can be found on our product pages. The winners and runners-up for each category will also appear in our top picks article for that product, along with other products that were rated highly by our team.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who enjoys cooking and spending time with her many pets.