Gel Pillows are scientifically designed to stay cool. They have properties that disperse heat generated from your body into the air. This blog will try to uncover whether the cooling properties of gel pillows are true or if they are just marketing propaganda. So hop on and strap your seat belts. We are going to uncover the cooling secrets of gel pillows.
Introduction
Do you ever stay up all night in bed trying desperately to fall asleep, but something feels off? You flip your pillow for no good reason, and voilà, it feels like a cool breeze passing over you, allowing you to sink peacefully into your dreams. In your dreams, you don’t have to flip your pillow to make it cool. Here, your pillow is always cool. Sounds crazy, right? Well, not so much me. Let me introduce you to the gel pillow, the coolest pillow on the planet. The world is revolutionizing pretty much everything at such a rapid rate, so why flip your pillow every now and then in the middle of the night when it can just stay cool?
What is a Gel Pillow?
The gel pillow is a new kind of pillow that uses cooling gel, which regulates the temperature by reducing heat retention on the pillow’s surface. In a nutshell, the gel-infused pillow takes up heat from your body and transfers it away so that the heat never builds up to a level that bothers you.
Despite the name, the gel pillow doesn’t actually contain any fluid or gel, but rather it is made from a blend of shredded memory foam and gel-infused polyester fiber. The pillows come in many different designs in accordance with the type of gel used. For instance, some pillows have gel infusions within the filling, others might contain gel pods, while still others may have laminated layers of gel beneath the pillow fabric.
The lifespan of a gel pillow is around 2-3 years, after which it will need replacing. This timeframe is reasonably competitive as most pillows lose their qualities after three years of use. To be fair, the exact life of a gel pillow varies on the material used and its design.
What Do Critics Say?
We know that manufacturers assign different superficial qualities to their products to give them an edge in the market. They may enhance small, insignificant features of a product such that demand is created. These features look cool on paper but utterly useless in real life.
Some critics argue that similar marketing ploys have been used for gel pillows. They claim that these pillows have minimal cooling abilities. They are especially ineffective in warmer climates, such as those of Asia and Africa. They also argue that gel pillows have breathability issues. Once the pillow becomes hotter than usual, the heat seeps into the fabric of the foam, making it stuffy, hard, and ‘unsleepable.’
Reading these criticisms, I realized that people’s expectations of gel pillows were unrealistically high. Sure, you expect it to generate less heat, but it can never be a substitute for a good old air conditioner.
What Does Science Say?
Having further gone down the gel pillow rabbit hole, I came across many positive reviews. However, these were all personal anecdotes, so I decided to look for something more concrete: science.
According to scientific research, the head is usually hotter than the rest of the human body. When summer arrives, and temperatures skyrocket, the heat in your head is transferred onto the front side of your pillow. When you turn the pillow, the other side is cool, even though the temperature in the room remains constant. This is because the opposite side of the pillow has not come into contact with your hot head.
A gel pillow, using scientifically engineered cooling gel, absorbs heat from your head and disperses it away. The pillow tries to maintain a constant temperature around your head that is cool enough for you to sleep pleasantly. Data has shown that gel pillows can provide sleep up to three times deeper than the sleep you would have had while laying on a regular pillow.
Gel Pillows are ideal for hot sleepers. Their innate quality to transfer heat makes them the perfect fit for hot sleepers, who constantly toss and turn in their beds.
Pregnant women, too, can take advantage of the gel pillow’s cooling features. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that the body temperature of pregnant women should not exceed 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit or 39 degrees Celsius. By using gel pillows, pregnant women can take that extra step towards ensuring that their body temperature remains low.
Other Facts About Gel Pillows
Here are some other facts about gel pillows that you should be aware of before making a purchasing decision.
Hypoallergenic Qualities
Gel pillows have hypoallergenic qualities. This is because they are made from microfiber or memory foam, resistant to dust mites and other allergens. Hence, gel pillows become perfect companions for people suffering from allergies.
Gel Pillows Smell
Many chemicals are used during the production process of gel pillows. Some of these chemicals are volatile organic compounds (VOC), and when they break down, they give off gas. The off-gassing carries an unpleasant odor that is similar to drying paint. The smell may remain for a few days or even for a few weeks. Purchasers are advised to air out their gel pillows in a well-ventilated room until the smell dissipates. While scientific research has not shown any long-term health effects of VOC off-gassing, it is advisable not to come into contact with it. From my research, only high-end expensive gel pillows, usually found in luxury hotels, are relatively odorless.
Support
The gel pillow thrives in this department. According to reviews, the pillow does not sag under the weight of your head. Nor does it have too much loft, which can strain your neck. The gel infusion in the pillow increases its means of forming a supportive cradle. The pillow is lighter and less dense than the standard pillows allowing you to mold it to your head and neck. Less density relieves pressure points enabling you to have a comfortable night’s sleep. However, this support is only limited to back sleepers. People who tend to sleep on their stomachs or on their sides will find gel pillows uncomfortable due to their loft.
Gel Pillows at Mobius.
Gel Infused Memory Foam Pillow
Our state-of-the-art Gel Infused Memory Foam Pillow is made up of a mixture of gel and memory foam infused within the pillow fabric. It is designed with modern Air Cell technology, which provides better airflow and breathability. The gel is protected by a two-layered cover, of which the first layer can be removed and hand washed. We provide the cover in five different fabrics, namely: knitted fabric, bamboo fiber, velvet, tencel, and ice silk.
Gel Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
Our Gel Shredded Memory Foam Pillow is a rectangular-shaped therapeutic gel-infused pillow. It provides excellent support to your head, perfectly contouring your neck and shoulders. The mixture of gel and shredded memory foam allows the pillow to transfer heat quickly, giving you a cool sleeping experience.
Both of our gel pillows are recipients of more than six certifications, including CertiPUR-US certification. The certifications mean that external agencies have rigorously tested the pillow for its contents, emissions, and durability. Tests take place every year, ensuring that our gel pillows adhere to all safety standards. The certifications also mean that our gel pillows have minimum off-gassing VOCs, which makes them odorless.
Please feel free to contact us on our webpage. Our representatives will love to chat with you and answer any queries that you may have.
