Tempur Cloud SmartCool pillow review: a hot sleeper puts it to the test

Price at time of writing: £139 | Buy now from Tempur, John Lewis or Bensons for Beds

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Our verdict

Sleeping next to someone who runs hot is not for the faint-hearted. In our house it means cracked windows in winter, duvet negotiations and the occasional passive-aggressive sigh at 3am. Our home is heavily insulated and the main bedroom sits up in the dormer, so once the heating’s on it can climb past 24 degrees without much effort. 

The pillow arrived in its own protective carry bag with the Tempur branding on

My husband David, 38, full-time worker, gym regular and father of two, is permanently warm, even in the depths of winter. If a pillow is going to be tested properly, it will be tested by him.

David has been sleeping on the medium Tempur Cloud SmartCool™ pillow for 30 days, including the run-up to Christmas when the heating was rarely off. The headline result is simple: his sleep has improved, he’s stopped waking up hot and sweaty, and he’s in no rush to give it back.

How we tested the Tempur Cloud SmartCool pillow

David tested the Tempur Cloud SmartCool™ pillow for 30 consecutive nights in a warm, well-insulated home. He’s predominantly a side sleeper and usually sleeps with his arm tucked under the pillow, occasionally rolling onto his back before being nudged back over for snoring. He sleeps hot all year round and had previously been using a much softer IKEA pillow with very little density or support.

His first impression was about firmness rather than cooling. As he put it, “it’s firmer than my previous IKEA pillow,” which immediately set it apart from what he was used to.

David has been sleeping on the medium firm pillow, but you can also choose a soft option

Does the Tempur Cloud SmartCool pillow improve sleep quality?

This is where the pillow really stood out. Over the course of the test period, David noticed a genuine improvement in how well he slept. Asked whether it had made a difference overall, his answer was straightforward: “it’s fair to say my sleep quality has improved.”

The firmer cool feel worked well for him, offering support without forcing his head or neck into an awkward position. Crucially, it hasn’t caused any aches or stiffness. “It hasn’t given me any neck pain, thankfully. It’s not a massive, flumpy pillow that hurts your neck – it’s firmer, and offers more support.”

Does the Tempur pillow regulate temperature? 

If you’re expecting an instant cool-to-the-touch moment, this probably isn’t that kind of pillow. 

David was honest about that from the outset. “I wouldn’t say it necessarily cools me down in an obvious, immediate way but I haven’t been waking up hot or sweaty like I used to… even when the heating has been on.”

In a bedroom that regularly creeps above 24 degrees, that’s not nothing. The difference showed up overnight rather than at bedtime, which for hot sleepers is arguably what matters most.

David didn’t wish to be photographed, so here’s my hand and our puppy trying the pillow out

The pillow’s pattern is slightly visible through our white bedding, but I suspect darker covers wouldn’t have this issue

How firm is the Tempur Cloud SmartCool pillow? Does it offer support?

The pillow feels noticeably dense and substantial, which David clocked straight away. That density translates into proper support and good shape retention, without the need for constant plumping or repositioning. 

It stays put under his head and doesn’t collapse overnight, which was a big step up from his previous pillow.

Sleeping position with the Tempur Cloud SmartCool pillow

As a side sleeper who keeps his arm under the pillow, comfort against the skin mattered. David could feel the textured pattern through the pillowcase but found it unobtrusive. “I sleep with my arm under the pillow, and I can feel the texture of the pillow’s pattern but I don’t wake up with markings on my arm or face, thankfully.”

The pillow also coped well with the occasional switch to back sleeping, without aggravating his neck or shoulders.

Compared to the Tempur Prima (the top one), the Cloud version is flatter and denser

Size, shape and how the pillow looks on the bed

This was David’s main frustration. The pillow is smaller than our super king pillowcases, which means it can slide around inside the cover. As he put it, “my biggest bug bear is that it’s smaller than our super king pillow cases, and so it tends to slip around in the cover and also there’s excess fabric, but this can easily be folded underneath. I don’t mind the smaller size pillow, though.”

It’s also flatter than my own pillows, which makes the bed look slightly lopsided when it’s made. Not exactly a deal-breaker, but worth knowing if symmetry matters to you.

How easy is it to clean the Tempur Cloud SmartCool pillow?

After 30 days, the pillow itself hasn’t needed cleaning. “I’ve not needed to clean it yet – my pillowcase has kept it protected from the usual sleep stains you often find on pillows.”

He was reassured by the easy-care cover. “Though I believe when needed, I can wash the removable cover in the washing machine at 40 degrees thankfully for easy care.”

With a zipped cover, it’s very easy to clean and maintain the pillow - but I worry what we’d have to do should the inner part needs cleaning

Final verdict on the Tempur Cloud SmartCool pillow

This won’t magically turn a roasting bedroom into a cool cave, but it does make nights noticeably more comfortable for hot sleepers. David’s final word was clear: “I’d definitely recommend it to someone else – especially to someone who overheats while they sleep, no matter the season.”

If you like a firm, supportive pillow that holds its shape, doesn’t leave you waking up sweaty and doesn’t punish your neck, the Tempur Cloud SmartCool™ is well worth considering. If you prefer something lofty, squidgy and oversized, it probably isn’t for you. But for one very warm, very sceptical sleeper, it’s earned its place on the bed.

About the author

Rebecca Roberts (aka Beccy) is our resident lifestyle expert with a practical focus on sleep, wellness and everyday comfort. She’s equally at home tackling frank, NSFW‑adjacent topics as she is road‑testing kitchen appliances, mattresses and vacuums that work for real parents. A former editor of LJMU’s Looprevil Press, she cut her teeth in journalism in 2010, earned a post‑grad diploma in Journalism and later led editorial at ExpatWoman in Dubai before joining Mumsnet. As a mum of two, she writes with the time‑poor, sleep‑deprived in mind - honest product reviews, realistic routines and products that make parents’ lives easier.

When she’s not at her desk, she’s probably product‑testing with her two helpers, corralling a PTA or walking her two dogs up and down country lanes.

About Mumsnet Reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.

All prices are correct at time of publication.

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