Cooling (gel) pillows

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Lizard1977

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#303093 16-Jan-2023 12:03

I suspect I'm not the only one who suffers from "hot head" when sleeping, especially during summer. About 10 years ago I found an amazing pillow at Harvey Norman that had a cooling gel on one side, which was perfect for providing gentle cooling when falling asleep. But then about a year ago I discovered the gel pad had burst. At the time I went on a quest to find a replacement, only to find that HN don't stock anything like that anymore. I tried elsewhere, but failed to find anything like the one I had, and then eventually gave up. But now that the weather is getting hot again, I feel like I need to renew my search.

I've done some googling already, but nothing is really matching what I'm looking for. So once again I turn to Geekzone in the hope that someone out there might know what I'm talking about, or better yet can suggest something that will do what I'm looking for.

Reanalyse

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#3022021 16-Jan-2023 13:19

No "like for like" solution - ours was to install air-conditioning in the bedroom.

But have you thought about a pet cooling mat in the pillowcase.

Please don't think I am being sarcastic, just know they are jell filled and would perhaps work in a similar manner ?

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timmmay

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#3022023 16-Jan-2023 13:21

Given you've looked at everything available you can find, but you like one you had, perhaps you could post some criteria, a description of that you liked, and why the ones you found don't suit to help guide recommendations. You could also look on Amazon AU, shipping tends to be fairly reasonable.

After buying a bunch of expensive pillows I ended up with one from kmart that I like.

Lizard1977

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#3022026 16-Jan-2023 13:31

I find it really hard to pick a pillow, because it can be so subjective, and there's no effective way to properly test it until you buy and take it home. It's even more difficult when it's an expensive pillow. Even things like "size" are hard to nail down when it comes, because it can be "large", but how much it compresses and how much resistance it provides all affect the level of comfort. But I'll have a go to try and specify some criteria:

I like a reasonably firm pillow - at least, one that doesn't turn into a pancake, so that it provides a decent level of support. Thin, soft, feather pillows aren't great. My current pillow is a contoured memory foam pillow. I didn't pick it, it was what I had available, but it's been fine. I tend to use the sloping side of the pillow rather than the contoured side, but will sometimes flip it during the night, or even fold an end over to make it thicker.

As for the ones I don't like, with pillows advertised as "cooling", it's because there's nothing to indicate "how" the pillows are cooling. Some refer "hand-wavingly" to cooling fabrics, but that doesn't sound good enough to me. And paying nearly $300 for a pillow like that, I'd rather not blow a load of cash on something when it sounds like snake oil.

Axeman480

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#3022048 16-Jan-2023 14:22

I have been using one of these for years - hard to find in stock. Might be in the right price range .... to test.

Orthoright Cool Gel Pillow – Te Puke Furniture

Lizard1977

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#3022065 16-Jan-2023 14:58

Axeman480:

I have been using one of these for years - hard to find in stock. Might be in the right price range .... to test.

Orthoright Cool Gel Pillow – Te Puke Furniture

That looks pretty close to what I had, though the gel pad looks like it's "tiled." Do you feel the "tiles" when you use it, or does the pillowcase smooth it out? Also, it looks to be about the right thickness - how firm is it? Is it memory foam?

Lizard1977

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#3022068 16-Jan-2023 15:04

Lizard1977:

As for the ones I don't like, with pillows advertised as "cooling", it's because there's nothing to indicate "how" the pillows are cooling. Some refer "hand-wavingly" to cooling fabrics, but that doesn't sound good enough to me. And paying nearly $300 for a pillow like that, I'd rather not blow a load of cash on something when it sounds like snake oil.

To articulate this better, here's an example of a pillow that claims to be "cooling gel" but it's composed of 100% polyester, and the "gel" is actually "designed with small holes" for better breathabilty while you sleep.

Logan & Mason Cool Gel Memory Foam Pillow (White) - 42x67 | Buy online at The Nile

And then there's this one from the Warehouse which is "gel-infused" - sounds more like a cup of tea, rather than a cooling system - how do you have "gel-infused"?

Living & Co Pillow Supportive Gel Infused Memory Cluster White White | The Warehouse

neb

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#3022229 16-Jan-2023 18:28

Lizard1977:
And then there's this one from the Warehouse which is "gel-infused" - sounds more like a cup of tea, rather than a cooling system - how do you have "gel-infused"?

Living & Co Pillow Supportive Gel Infused Memory Cluster White White | The Warehouse

It's infused so you get a slight orange tang with notes of cinnamon and a hint of freshly watered French field.

It's really just a cheap way to avoid making an actual gel pillow, they mix gel beads into the PU foam before they cure it and then rely on the placebo effect to keep your head cool.

Axeman480

91 posts

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#3022239 16-Jan-2023 18:46

Lizard1977:
Axeman480:

I have been using one of these for years - hard to find in stock. Might be in the right price range .... to test.

Orthoright Cool Gel Pillow – Te Puke Furniture

That looks pretty close to what I had, though the gel pad looks like it's "tiled." Do you feel the "tiles" when you use it, or does the pillowcase smooth it out? Also, it looks to be about the right thickness - how firm is it? Is it memory foam?

Gel pad is smooth .There is a washable cover on the outside. Dimensions are 600mm x400mm , 100mm thick . Made from memory foam . I would say the Pillow is on the firm side.