Convoluted: For greater breathability, convoluted pillows have an egg-crate design that allows air to flow freely throughout. For those who are very prone to overheat, this design enhances the benefits of cooling gel. Some feature tiny pinholes that allow trapped heat to escape. Customizability: The viscous nature of memory foam means manufacturers can mold it into virtually any shape, which is why it’s commonly used in orthopedic pillows. Unfortunately, some gel pillow manufacturers can use confusing marketing language to sell their pillows. Focusing on the following key factors and your needs can help you see past the hype and find the best gel pillow for your sleeping style. Support: One-piece memory foam pillows are usually firmer and keep their shape better than shredded memory foam pillows, which may need to be readjusted every time you switch positions. Traditional: Many people are looking for a traditional shape that is flat and even. This is a standard pillow shape that caters to most sleepers, but can also be infused with gel for cooling and contouring support. Traditional models come in different sizes like Standard, Queen, and King.

Price: While not the cheapest pillows out there, memory foam pillows offer a luxurious feel at a much lower price than natural or organic products. If you've been sleeping on your current pillow for more than a couple of years it's probably time for a new one, and our section on how to choose the best pillow can help you work out what you should be looking for. Beyond thinking about your sleeping style you should also take the firmness of your mattress into consideration; you'll want to balance out a firmer bed with a softer pillow, and vice versa.Combination sleepers– If you tend to change position a lot in the night you need a more versatile pillow to keep up with you. Look for something with a more responsive feel, and maybe even with an adjustable fill so that you can get it to your perfect depth. Do I want a reversible design? Reversible gel memory foam pillows feature one side with gel and one side without gel and are perfect for sleepers whose preferences vary each night. Similar to standard models, gel pillows come in many shapes and sizes. Knowing which to choose will depend on your sleep position and needs. Standard shapes are flat and even, while curved shapes cater to those with aches and pains.

Pillows aren’t usually accepted in curbside recycling bins, so you’ll need to visit a textile recycling center. When recycled, pillows are broken down into their separate components, with the material shredded or ground up for reuse in another item. While you’ll still need to wash your sleep pillow regularly and replace it every two years, a protector will do the majority of the heavy lifting for you when keeping your pillow clean. You should wash the protector monthly, or more often if you experience night sweats, dandruff or skin irritations. Noise: Memory foam absorbs movement and produces little to no noise, minimizing sleep disruptions to you and your partner.Heat Retention: Shredded memory foam pillows generally maintain a more neutral temperature, since the design leaves room for airflow between the pieces. That said, some one-piece memory foam pillows feature ventilation or cut-out channels that allow air to flow freely and carry heat away. Side sleepers– Look for a pillow with high loft and firm support to relieve pressure at the shoulder and help maintain a neutral spine position. Adjustable pillows with fluffable materials will also help you adjust the shape more easily to suit your position. As the term “gel pillow” refers to the practice of adding gel to a pillow instead of to a specific pillow type, there’s quite a lot of variation within this category. In the following sections, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of gel pillows and what type of sleeper is best-suited to a gel pillow. We’ll also answer some commonly asked questions about gel pillows and provide buyer advice on choosing the best cooling gel pillow for your situation. What to Consider When Purchasing a Gel Pillow

Over all, the pillow does feel like a good quality product for the price but the support it offers might not work for everyone. There is also a distinct odour, similar to most memory foam pillows but it will fade if you give it a good airing for a few days. Our sleep experts put together this in-depth guide to help you find the best gel pillow suited to you. » The Sleep Is the Foundation Gel Memory Foam Pillow contains solid memory foam infused with a cooling gel. It features a polyester inner liner and a quilted cover made of a polyester and bamboo-derived viscose blend fabric, both of which may be removed due to their zippered construction. The pillow is available in two standard sizes, both with a 5-inch loft and a medium firm feel. Durability: Memory foam pillows usually last three years at most, since the material eventually loses its ability to regain its shape. In-house, the GHI team put each pillow through the washing machine and assessed any impact on its performance.It’s not cheap, so you are looking at a serious pillow investment but if you get on well with it and your aches and pains go away, it'll be worth every penny. The cover is removable and machine-washable.

The most common types of gel pillows are solid and shredded memory foam pillows. Memory foam is a desirable pillow material because it contours closely to reduce pressure points, but many people find that the material retains too much heat. Adding gel beads or gel swirls can help curb this heat retention. Shredded memory foam pillows offer greater moldability and better airflow, while solid memory foam pillows hold their shape better. Each member of our testing team has extensive experience in the sleep product industry. We draw on our in-depth knowledge to bring you the most trustworthy pillow recommendations. This pillow is made up of a memory foam core and shell with a hollow fibre filling. The plus side is you will still get some support from the memory foam but with added breathability thanks to the hollow fibre, which will help you to keep cool. If you’re looking to try a pillow that offers more support, then this is a good introduction to memory foam as it is more of a hybrid option and comes with a reasonable price tag. What type of memory foam do I want? You have two options here – a solid foam pillow or one made of shredded foam. The solid foam pillow offers more pressure relief as well as closer contouring while the shredded foam pillow offers adjustable loft. Sleepers Who Enjoy High Loft: Most memory foam pillows are quite high, and shredded memory foam pillows can be stuffed to the brim to make them even higher. This makes them ideal for people who like a pillow with a high loft.Availability: Memory foam pillows are a popular product that you’re sure to find virtually anywhere pillows are sold. Unique Feel: Pillows with layers of laminated gel or gel pods on the outside present a jelly-like feel that’s not for everybody. While shopping for a new cool gel memory foam pillow, ask yourself the following questions to help narrow down your options: