Table of contents

• How we selected finalists to test
• Why you should trust us
• Compare the best smoke detectors
• Who needs a home smoke detector?
• Important features to consider
• How we tested
• Top pick bundle: First Alert + Kiddie First Alert – SCO501CN
• Other finalists we tested
• The bottom line

How we selected finalists to test

As is the case with hard-wired smoke detectors, battery powered units come in a large price range. Battery powered smoke detectors provide virtually all of the safety of a hard-wired system without the inconvenience and expense of construction and the need to connect to a central security panel. The market for these types of units is dominated by First Alert and Kidde, and both of these manufacturers also have several highly rated models online. Our screening involved a four-step process:

1. Screen for units below $50, with a target range of $25-$35 per unit. Most of the benefits of buying a unit above $35 relate to integrating units with complete home monitoring systems. The essential protective features needed from a smoke detector are available in many units in our target price range. Two outliers were selected (including one higher priced unit from Honeywell) in order to include a range beyond the two dominant manufacturers.
2. Screen for average online consumer rankings as a function of rating and number of reviews; we sought out units that were very well-liked by consumers and we explored the Q&A section of the reviews to determine whether the units held up to scrutiny from verified purchasers.
3. A review of the literature relating to residential smoke detectors.
4. Identify units that cover the spectrum of useful features: interconnectivity for installing multiple units in a home, hush buttons, long life (lithium) batteries and the option to link to a home security panel that in turn notifies the local fire department in the event of a fire (Honeywell – 5808W3).

While there are units that combine both types of sensors in one unit, consumers can be prone to disabling the entire unit as a result of false alarms (typically arising from the ionization sensor), which clearly defeats the entire purpose of early smoke and fire detection. With battery powered units, the entire functionality of the unit depends on whether the battery works properly.

If you are the type of person who is vigilant about setting and resetting alarms, then a unit that touts its capability for detecting both smoke and fire like the Universal Security Instruments – SS-770 might work well for you. However, installing two types of units is the optimal way to go for most people. The inclusion of a CO detector with a fire and smoke alarm is an added benefit. The “false alarm” dilemma also applies to units with integrated CO detectors: disabling the unit due to a false alarm will render the premises unprotected.

In terms of understanding the critical issue of battery life and when to test batteries, a subreddit discussion on batteries and nuisance alarms is quite helpful. Some of the problems relating to false alarms — such as units sometimes going off in the middle of the night — underscores the importance of having a silence feature for nuisance alarms, particularly for larger homes that require multiple units scattered in different locations throughout a house.

Although we did not test any units that have a voice-silencing feature, there are (pricier) smoke detectors that do have it.

Why you should trust us

We reviewed specialist fire protection publications, public and private fire-related research sites and interviewed subject matter experts to understand the essential aspects of home fire protection and the specific features needed to protect one’s home.

One of the most important, if not the most important aspect of installing battery operated smoke detectors is to perform regular battery checks. Absent working batteries, an individual alarm is worthless and a network of linked alarms is seriously compromised.

Combined with the propensity for consumers to disable alarms, the use of battery powered smoke detectors relies as much on consumer maintenance as it does on the equipment itself. It is also important to keep any smoke detector — battery or hardwired — free of dust and debris to ensure reliable performance.

We spoke with Steve Ferraina, a veteran firefighter for the City of Los Angeles who spoke about the importance of maintaining batteries: “While a hardwired system is optimal, it’s understandable that this type of system is not feasible for everyone. If you use battery-powered detectors, it helps to have a built-in reminder — like an automatic order — to check your units.”

Like many experts, Meiche believes that both photoelectric and ionization sensors need to be used in tandem, and if a consumer elects to use a battery system, separate units are the way to go. Ferraina also notes that more expensive is not necessarily better. “We used to give away smoke detectors for free. And as you’d expect, they were on the basic end of the spectrum. But the department would not have given them out if they weren’t excellent units.”

Field testing smoke detectors is by definition a hazardous endeavor that should be carried out in a controlled setting. The NIST, a division of the US Department of Commerce, is involved in promoting innovation and competitiveness for domestic businesses. The NIST sponsors research papers relating to domestic fire alarm performance, along with establishing performance metrics to inform the development process for products and reduce the incidence of nuisance alarms.

In a NIST technical note Results From a Full-Scale Smoke Alarm Sensitivity Study, T.G. Cleary and A. Chernovsky tested both photoelectric and ionization alarms in a variety of scenarios that varied fabric type (cotton and polyester,) ignition type (smoldering versus flaming), fire location and ventilation. They created a full-scale set at the NIST that included a smoldering sofa and created a matrix for response times under eight different smoldering scenarios.

Overall, the dual sensors performed the best in this study, but the findings for the single alarm types are quite important: the photoelectric sensor units significantly outperformed the ionization units for smoldering scenarios, while the opposite was true for flaming scenarios. Although a dual unit can perform as well or better than co-located separate units, the propensity for operator negligence in terms of replacing batteries makes it more sensible to go with single sensor units.

In 2012, the NBC television network affiliate in Dallas/Fort Worth performed a smoke alarm test with a smoldering sofa. The photoelectric sensors they tested took less than twenty minutes on average to trigger the alarm, while the ionization units took nearly three minutes longer on average — enough extra time for the fire to have already become free burning. In reviewing the results of the test, Don Russell, a professor at Texas A&M noted that in some instances, ionization smoke detectors are simply too slow to respond to a developing fire.

Compare the best smoke detectors

Product	Price	Sensor Type	Interconnect Capability?	Carbon Monoxide Detector?	Battery Type
A. First Alert - SCO501CN	$$$	Photoelectric	Yes	Yes	AA
B. Kidde - RF-SM-DC	$$$	Ionization	Yes	No	AA
C. Universal Security - SS-770	$$	Photoelectric	No	No	AA
D. First Alert - P1010	$$$	Photoelectric	No	No	Lithium
E. Kidde - KN-COSM-BA	$$$	Ionization	No	Yes	AA
F. Honeywell - 5808W3	$$$$	Photoelectric	Yes	No	Lithium

Who needs a home smoke detector?

The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) estimates that there are 2,300 fatalities annually that occur in approximately 365,000 residential fires in the US. Having working fire alarms in a home is estimated to cut the risk of fire death by approximately one-half.

It is crucial to recognize that smoke alarms do not extinguish a fire, but merely detect the presence of a fire or potential fire. The principal function of a smoke alarm is to alert the occupant of danger and to allow them sufficient time to escape unharmed.

Lifesaving home safety

Smoke alarms are essential for home safety; they provide early detection that can prevent damage to property and life-threatening fire and smoke conditions. We probed the literature for recommendations about the safest approach to procuring and installing fire alarms.

As a life safety product, fire alarm testing is performed in settings where simulated fire and smoke conditions are created. The majority of research has therefore been conducted by government agencies such as NIST and NFPA, in addition to universities.

Property protection

The use of smoke alarms is regulated at the state and municipal level, and every jurisdiction has its own regulations pertaining to new construction and existing dwelling units. Additionally, many insurance companies mandate smoke (and CO) alarms as a precondition for providing home insurance. FEMA provides a current list of state-by-state requirements and guidelines for using home smoke alarms. In addition, both First Alert and Kidde provide regulatory information on their home sites.

New construction compliance

For new construction, many states require smoke detectors to be hard-wired to a home’s electrical system, while battery powered units are sufficient for existing dwellings. In most cases, transferring property in instances where there is a lender involved will require that a home is equipped with functioning smoke detectors.

For small apartments that may only need to monitor smoke in one location, the Universal Security Instruments – SS-770 provides excellent ionization detection without an interconnect feature. Although the Universal unit is the most budget-friendly detector we tested (approximately $21/unit) it is the only one to use proprietary technology — Universal Smoke Sensing Technology — that detects both fast burning and smoldering fires. The Universal SS-901-2C uses a nine-volt battery versus the more commonly found AA batteries. The Universal would make a good companion to a photoelectric detection sensor that also uses a nine-volt battery.

Important features to consider

Like many home electronics products, smoke detectors are available with a dizzying array of optional features. While the essential purpose of a smoke detector is to make noise when smoke or fire is detected, there are many other options to consider. Our analysis of what consumers find most valuable includes the following features:

Power source: The choice is between battery-powered versus units that are hard-wired into an electrical system. Battery powered units do not require installing wiring behind walls and are far more convenient to install. On the flip side, it is essential to regularly check and replace batteries and to keep the units clean.

Type of sensor: Photoelectric sensors provide better detection for slow-burning, long-smoldering fires, while ionization detectors perform better in the event of fast burning, flaming fire. To safeguard your home, it is essential to have both types of units co-located at each required spot. There are many units that combine both types of sensors, but we do not recommend these in the even that they are disabled from nuisance false alarms.

Carbon monoxide monitor: Having a carbon monoxide monitor included in a unit adds some cost, but it is an essential thing to have. One of the units — either the photoelectric sensor or the ionization sensor should also include a CO monitor.

Smart detection for the location of fire and smoke: In the range of units that we tested, only one, our joint top pick First Alert model, provided a voice alert for the specific room location of a fire. For children or older people who may not respond as readily to a horn or beep alarm, this can be a desirable feature.

Silence buttons: Anyone who has a working fire alarm and cooks is aware that now and then, a non-life-threatening cooking mishap can set off a nuisance alarm. Having a silence button makes it easy to temporarily halt the alarm — or multiple alarms if they are interconnected — rather than yanking out a battery.

Hard-wired vs. battery powered

For anyone who is not buying or building a new home or undertaking a substantial renovation of their home, battery-powered smoke detectors are a sensible choice. Over time, digital and wireless technology have made battery powered smoke detectors as sophisticated as their hard-wired siblings. Features such as interconnection, voice alerts, programming specific areas of a home and remote home monitoring are available in higher end battery powered units.

While there are many benefits to having a hard-wired system, including the ability to connect to a remote home monitoring service to automatically dispatch emergency help, this type of system is installed primarily to comply with local building codes. While battery powered smoke detectors are at risk for operator negligence in terms of battery replacement, one major benefit is that they will continue to operate in the event of an electrical interruption in a home.

More sophisticated (and expensive) battery powered units like the Honeywell 5808W3 are designed to link to central security panels and are even used for commercial installations. In effect, the Honeywell is a battery unit for people who want the sophistication of a hard-wired smoke detector but who do not want to rip into their walls.

The Two Main Types of Smoke and Fire Detection Sensors

Photoelectric sensors work when smoke enters the alarm and deflects the light emanating from an LED beam. As the results of the Cleary NIST and NBC studies confirm, photoelectric sensors are more effective at detecting slow-smoldering fires, including fires that can smolder for hours before becoming inflamed. A common source of a slow smoldering fire is a cigarette butt left burning in a sofa.

Ionization detection works by having a tiny amount — typically measured in units called “kilo becquerels” — of the radioactive material Americium 241, that acts to ionize nitrogen and oxygen to create a small electrical current that in turn triggers an alarm. The main drawback for ionization alarms is that they are prone to false/nuisance alarms and are consequently also prone to being disconnected. However, for free-burning fires, ionization detectors are generally more responsive than photoelectric models.

In research focused on the topic of disabled alarms, a study of smoke alarms in rural Alaska homes found that the incidence of nuisance alarms in homes with ionization smoke detectors was eight times higher than for photoelectric alarms. The danger of nuisance alarms was manifested by the fact that ionization smoke alarms were almost 5 times more likely to be disconnected 6 months after installation compared with photoelectric alarms.

A Texas A&M study that took into account disabled alarms concluded that the probability of a fatality was 19.8% with ionization alarms when used exclusively, but only 3.99% with photoelectric alarms. Based partly on these findings, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the largest firefighter union in the world, supports legislation making photoelectric alarms a mandatory requirement for fire and building codes.

How we tested

Approach

Our testing involved basic, high-level testing in a non-laboratory (home) setting. Most extensive testing of smoke detectors involves either a university or institutional setting in which a highly controlled environment and scientific methodology can be employed.

Battery test

We inspected each unit out of the package to evaluate its convenience and basic design. The First Alert – SCO5CN came with two AA batteries already installed and immediately ready for testing. All of our tested units shipped with batteries included, which is good from a convenience standpoint, but leaves consumers guessing about how fresh they are.

Experts recommend that batteries should be replaced with an automatic reminder like being part of a battery shipping program or on one’s birthday. For long-life lithium batteries, it probably makes sense to check them once a year. Sealed units like the First Alert – “Atom” P1010 are designed to be discarded when they fail a battery test.

All of our units responded to the manufacturer’s recommended battery test by emitting a chirping or horn alarm.

Interconnecting and programming

Interconnecting smoke detectors allows for notifying occupants about a smoke or fire condition anywhere in their home. With linked (interconnected) units, if an alarm sounds in a bedroom, for example, all linked units will sound as well. Only the same model units can be linked.

Programming units generally refer to being able to assign a specific location to a specific alarm unit. In addition to triggering all the interconnected units in a home, programming provides a voice alert that denotes the specific room/location of a smoke or fire event.

All home smoke detectors have the basic functionality required to detect fire: when smoke or fire is sensed, an alarm sounds. Unit pricing is a function of added features, and the most important step up in pricing and functionality from basic units to more sophisticated ones is the capability for wireless interconnection. Basic units are generally in the $20-25 range per unit, while interconnectable units are more commonly in the $25-35 range like the First Alert and Kidde models we tested.

Another very desirable feature — especially for the more false alarm-prone ionization units — is to be able to temporarily silence a false alarm either through a voice command, pushing a button on the unit itself or either way. If you need to remove the batteries from a unit to silence it, clearly there is a risk that you will neglect to reinstall them and consequently not be protected.

We tested two units, the First Alert – SCO501CN and the Kidde – RF-SM-DC that can be linked with other (same model) units. The First Alert is easily set up by depressing the main test button in sequence with the unit to be added. In addition, there are preprogrammed locations that allow a user to select the location for any room in the house. In the event of a fire or CO event, all the units issue a voice alarm noting the location of the fire.

The wireless setup for these units is different. For the First Alert, additional units can be added by going through a sequence of depressing buttons on the “original” unit and subsequently on the units to be added. The Kidde unit employs a more robust technology that allows the user to set a dip switch panel on the back of the unit to a common pattern. If left in default mode with all the switches off, the units will connect with one another. As is the case with virtually all home smoke detectors, different brands and models cannot be linked with one another.

False alarm hush

Our two top picks each have silence buttons that deactivate the units in the event of a false alarm. The First Alert – SCO501CN cooperated right away (both programmed units quieted immediately once the button was depressed), while the Kidde – RF-SM-DC required depressing the button for about one second. This proved a bit tricky; letting go of the button too quickly made the unit cycle through its programming options, and holding it too long didn’t silence the units.

The cute little First Alert – Atom P1010 has a silence button that quiets the unit for 10 minutes. If the unit continues to send an alarm in a false alarm scenario, then it must be replaced since it is a sealed unit with a (long-life) lithium battery.

The sophisticated Honeywell unit we tested can be hushed by depressing its test switch. In the hair dryer test recommended in the manual, the test switch silenced the unit.

Our Universal Security Systems model, the least expensive unit we tested, does not have a silence feature. Since it is an ionization alarm, albeit with Universal’s proprietary “Universal Smoke Sensing Technology,” it is likely more prone to nuisance alarms than photoelectric sensors.

Top pick bundle: First Alert + Kiddie

We recommend using two different units together as top picks.

The tandem of the First Alert – SCO501CN and the Kidde – RF-SM-DC battery powered smoke detectors provides complete home fire and carbon monoxide protection when co-located at required locations throughout a home. Co-locating these units, one with a photoelectric sensor for slow-burning fires and the other with an ionization sensor for flaming fires, provides redundant protection in the event that one of the alarms is disabled from the removal of a battery due to a false alarm, or in the event that the batteries die in one of the units.

Together, our two top picks allow a homeowner to set up as many units as required throughout a home and have security in knowing that a smoke or fire event in one location will alert everyone at once.

Top pick photoelectric unit: First Alert - SCO501CN

The First Alert - SCO501CN is a breeze to set up, install and program. This photoelectric unit with interconnect capability can cover everything from a small apartment to a large home and protect you from smoke, fire and carbon monoxide with voice notifications. We recommend that this unit is paired with the Kidde - RF-SM-DC, our top pick for an ionization sensor unit.

See Price at Amazon.com

Both of our top picks excel at their respective specialties: the First Alert – SCO501CN (photoelectric sensor) for detecting slow-burning, smoldering types of fires, like those that might originate with a cigarette butt in a sofa cushion, while the Kidde – RF-SM-DC (ionization sensor) is excellent at detecting fast burning flaming fires.

One of the key reasons we recommend the First Alert – SCO501CN is for its voice alert feature, which is more likely to wake a child versus a sound alarm. This unit is extremely well and extensively reviewed by consumers and has a very friendly user interface. This unit is simple to test, program and uses AA batteries that can be tested easily. And to top it off, it can be programmed to voice announce the specific (room) location of a fire.

Top pick ionization unit: Kidde - RF-SM-DC

The Kidde - RF-SM-DC is an ionization sensor wireless unit with interconnect capability that is very sensitive to detecting fast burning fires, and like the First Alert - SCO501CN is simple to set up, install and program. We recommend pairing it with the First Alert unit to provide complete home protection from fire and smoke events.

See Price at Amazon

While the Kidde – RF-SM-DC has a voice alert for the type of detection (fire or CO), it does not announce a specific location. However, it is a highly responsive ionization unit that pairs well with the First Alert because it also can be interconnected with other units. The Kidde is a natural partner for the First Alert – SCO501CN since it also uses AA batteries, and can be interconnected to multiple units throughout a home.

Our recommendation for both types of units — photoelectric and ionization — is reinforced by the official policy position of the NFPA, a leading fire protection educational and advisory association and learning resource. Along with the venerated consumer safety and compliance organization Underwriters Laboratory (UL), the NFPA’s official position is the consumers need both types of sensors in their homes. All the units that we tested carried one of UL’s certification marks. The inclusion of this mark means that representative products have satisfied UL’s requirements.

Key takeaways:

• The best protection comes from having two separate units — one using ionization sensor technology and the other photoelectric; both of our top picks function best with one another since they have complementary types of sensors.
• The photoelectric First Alert – SCO501CN has many features and functions just as well as more expensive hardwired units as long as batteries are checked frequently and the unit’s kept free of dust and dirt.
• The ionization Kidde – RF-SM-DC is a breeze to program and gives the security of very rapid alarms for fast burning fires.
• Programming for alarms to announce specific rooms/locations of a smoke or fire event is desirable, but not essential; the First Alert – SCO501CN has this feature.

Other products we tested

Universal Security Instruments – SS-770

The Universal Security Instruments – SS-770 scores high marks for plug-and-play simplicity in an inexpensive package. Lacking interconnect capability, the instructions, set-up and maintenance are relatively straightforward for this unit, although some reviewers have experienced a higher than normal incidence of false alarms. As expected for a lower price unit, there is no voice alarm or ability to silence the unit from voice or with a button on the unit.

First Alert – P1010

The First Alert – P1010 is an elegant little photoelectric smoke detector that uses a 10-year life lithium battery for a power source, and is the best-designed product in the category. The entire unit is approximately 1-¾” by 1-¾” and is barely visible, especially if it is mounted on a white wall. As with the Universal model, this unit cannot be interconnected and is recommended only for smaller dwelling units, and only if it is paired with an ionization sensor unit.

Kidde – KN-COSM-BA

The ionization sensor Kidde – KN-COSM-BA includes a CO detector, but does not have an interconnection feature. We like it for its easy battery replacement and push-button hush feature. For a small apartment that only needs fire detection in one location, the Kidde – KN-COSM-BA would make a good companion for a photoelectric unit that does not have an interconnection feature. When pairing ionization and photoelectric units, it makes sense to find units that use the same batteries to put them on the same change cycle.

Honeywell – 5808W3

The Honeywell – 5808W3 is in a somewhat different category from the other units tested in that it has the capability to be connected to a home monitoring system, such as the Honeywell 5800 series, that is connected to a local fire department. This photoelectric sensor is best considered for homeowners who are seeking to implement a whole home security system.

The Honeywell 5808W3 is the most expensive unit that we tested, and it can also be used for commercial installations with matching Honeywell monitoring receivers. It uses a 10-year life lithium battery, and the overall build quality is excellent.

In keeping with a unit that can cross over to commercial applications, the Honeywell has the least friendly user interface of all our tested models. The faceplate of the unit is a blank sheet of plastic with two LEDs, and to test the unit, a tool has to be inserted throughout the plastic housing.

The bottom line

First Alert touts itself as “America’s Safety Company” and is headquartered in Aurora, Illinois. It sponsors a fire safety initiative called “Safe Kids USA,” and provides smoke detectors at a reduced cost for low-income families. Kidde is a division of United Technologies, a large, diversified public company. The company roots can be traced back to 1917 when it produced the first fire and CO detection system for ships.

Although there are battery powered smoke detectors that can do everything in one package, we strongly recommend that consumers install two different types of units — one using ionization detection technology, and another using photoelectric technology — in each pertinent location in their home.

Our two top picks for a battery powered smoke detector, the First Alert – SCO501CN and the Kidde – RF-SM-DC represent two top performers from the dominant industry players in the smoke detector market. These units work well together since they employ different fire and smoke detection technology: photoelectric sensing for the First Alert and ionization for the Kidde.

We believe that consumers will be delighted with the First Alert – SCO501CN, a top performer for critical photoelectric smoke and fire detection. Its voice notification, interconnection capability and programmable, room-by-room functionality make this a cornerstone of your home protection strategy when combined with an ionization detector like the Kidde – RF-SM-DC.

Top pick photoelectric unit: First Alert - SCO501CN

The First Alert - SCO501CN is an outstanding battery powered photoelectric smoke detector that can be installed in multiples and programmed throughout a residence. It can protect you from smoke, fire and carbon monoxide by notifying a resident with specific locations of smoke or fire with a voice announcement. We recommend that this unit is paired with the Kidde RF-SM-DC, our top pick for an ionization sensor unit.

See Price at Amazon.com

Our top pick for an ionization sensor unit, the Kidde – RF-SM-DC, is ideal for detecting fast burning fires. Like the First Alert – SCO501CN, it is simple to set up, program and maintain, and together, they are excellent partners.

Top pick ionization unit: Kidde - RF-SM-DC

The Kidde - RF-SM-DC is a battery powered ionization smoke detector that is superb at detecting fast burning fires. Like the First Alert SCO501CN, it is simple to set up, install and program. The Kidde allows for installing multiple units throughout a home and has a very intuitive dip switch linking protocol. We recommend pairing it with the First Alert unit to provide complete home protection from fire and smoke events.

See Price at Amazon

The post The Best Smoke Detectors appeared first on Your Best Digs.

Table of contents

• The 6 rust removers we tested
• Best overall: Iron Out – Stain Remover
• Also great: CLR
• Other products we tested
• How we selected
• How we tested
• Types of rust
• Common methods for removal
• Important features to consider
• The bottom line

The 6 rust removers we tested

Best overall: Iron Out – Stain Remover

We were delighted to find that one of the spray products performed very well across the board. Iron Out – Stain Remover proved the best for a variety of surfaces, and it was particularly impressive at restoring our vintage chair’s chrome legs to almost showroom condition. It also quickly removed water stains from the door of our stainless steel refrigerator.

Iron Out’s packaging states that it’s specialized for bathroom, kitchen, carpet, and fabric stains, along with chrome and other surfaces. Combined with its stellar performance on chrome, we liked how Iron Out readily applies as a spray and wipes off after only a minute or two. With nearly 1,000 positive Amazon reviews, we were not alone in thinking that Iron Out is an excellent choice for a household rust remover.

With Iron Out, you get the best features of all our rust removers: simple application, speedy results, and the versatility to treat different surface types. Since it is a spray gel, Iron Out is simple to apply to vertical surfaces and does not drip excessively.

Top Pick: Iron Out - Stain Remover

If you need just one versatile rust-removal product for your home, we highly recommend Iron Out as a simple-to-use, spray-on gel product that works quickly on a wide variety of objects and surfaces. It's also one of the most affordable removers in our lineup.

See Price at Amazon.com

One slightly tricky thing about Iron Out is that the product instructions recommend wiping it off after a few seconds. In our experience, an application of between 60-90 seconds was optimal. It also helps to use a bit of elbow grease to achieve the best results. We obtained good results using it to remove rust stains on the front of a stainless steel refrigerator door, but we had to scrub vigorously and then leave the product applied for a minute or so.

Key takeaways:

• Iron Out sprayed on easily with very little overspray, and it was easy to wipe clean.
• It yielded positive results in a matter of minutes, as compared to some other products that require hours of treatment.
• Iron Out produces very little odor.
• We got spectacular results on the rusted chrome legs of a vintage chair.

Also great: CLR – Calcium Lime Rust Remover

One thing to look out for with rust products is the manufacturer’s recommended uses. The word “rust” tends to be applied to a broad range of surfaces besides metal, including some surprising materials like fabric. We appreciated CLR – Calcium Lime Rust Remover quite a bit, as it comes in liquid form and can be diluted to the appropriate strength as required by the job.

It is recommended that CLR be diluted with 50-percent water, but it can be used full strength on more stubborn stains. For our tests, we used CLR at full strength. CLR proved a consistent performer. It worked best on nuts and bolts and shined up the front of our stainless steel refrigerator nearly as well as our top pick Iron Out – Stain Remover.

CLR is a product that is more appropriate for surface rust stains like those found inside toilet bowls, tile grout and the calcium deposits found on showerheads and faucets. We liked that it can be used full strength for items like nuts and bolts, but can also be diluted into a more household cleaner for appliances like the refrigerator we tested.

Also great: CLR - Calcium Lime Rust Remover

CLR proved to be a versatile rust cleaner that nicely addressed the entire range of applications we tested.It can be used for small household appliances like coffee pots or teakettles, and also on surfaces like tile, vinyl and concrete. We liked how easy it goes on and sponges off, and it works in a matter of minutes.

See Price at Amazon.com

Another thing we like about CLR is that it is an EPA Safer Choice product, plus it has a pleasant citrus-like odor. CLR comes in liquid form and is packaged in a plastic jug. You need to transfer it to another container like a small plastic tub if you plan to dilute it or to apply it to a surface like a showerhead. If you use it full strength, you can simply use a sponge or rag and hold it to the mouth of the jug; but in our experience, CLR works best when the item can be fully submerged.

Like all of our tested products, CLR was easy to clean up with paper towels or a sponge, and it left little or no residue.

Key takeaways:

• CLR – Calcium Lime Rust Remover is Intended for rust stains on metal, concrete and other household surfaces.
• CLR can be applied either by submersion or surface application.
• You will typically want to dilute with water for ordinary stains, but it can also be applied full strength for tougher, hard-to-get-out stains.
• It does not contain oxalic acid or other harsh chemicals, and we found it to have a pleasant citrus odor.
• CLR is an EPA Safer Choice product.

Other products we tested

Aceros – Innosoft B570

Aceros – Innosoft B570 is something of a strange product. Touted as an “organic” rust remover, it contains sodium alkyl sulfonate, which can cause serious eye damage. In that sense, the “organic” label is misleading in that it suggests the product cannot be harmful.

Innosoft B570 is fairly simple to apply, but the surface should be horizontal since the gel can run down in a goopy mess if you’re not careful. For the more heavily rusted products we tested, such as our garden tools, Innosoft B570 didn’t quite have enough oomph to effect any change with a single application.

Evapo-Rust – Super Safe Rust Remover

Evapo-Rust – Super Safe Rust Remover is touted as an “amazing rust eliminator,” but it was just an average performer in our group, working best on our rusted weeding tool. It works best on items that can soak for the recommended one-to-twelve hours. On the plus side, Evapo-Rust is non-toxic, biodegradable, and does not contain any acids.

Star brite – Rust Stain Remover

Star brite – Rust Stain Remover is closer to an overall household cleaning product than a specialized rust remover. One of its principal uses is for cleaning fiberglass surfaces such as boats. In our testing, it worked decently on nuts and bolts and also performed fairly well at removing rust from our teapot. Star brite is a spray-on rust remover. While we did not have the chance to test Star brite on a boat, it is frequently mentioned in public forums as an effective boat cleaner.

WD-40 – Specialist Rust Release Penetrant Spray

WD-40 is a familiar brand to many people for its household lubricant spray. We tested its sister product WD-40 – Specialist Rust Release Penetrant Spray and loved how it can be applied in very tight spots. It worked incredibly well to stop a garage door from squeaking, and it aptly cleaned up our nuts and bolts, or even pruning shears. The drawback of this WD-40 product is that it cannot be conveniently applied to large rust patches or to irregular surfaces like teakettles.

If you’re looking to supplement a general-purpose rust remover with a product that specializes in loosening rusted nuts and bolts and eliminating squeaky hinges, then we highly recommend WD-40 – Specialist Rust Release Penetrant Spray.

How we selected

Rust is the common name for iron oxide, the combination of iron and oxygen expressed as chemical compound Fe2O3. The process of how rust works involves an electrochemical reaction involving an anode, cathode, and electrolyte. For those of you who skipped chemistry class, the first two are pieces of metal that give and receive electrons, and the last element is a liquid that helps the electrons move.

For our review, we began by identifying highly rated products from consumer and specialist sources and then screened product reviews for authenticity. We focused on rust removal products that are convenient to use, have a wide range of applications and minimize use of toxic chemicals. Our finalists were chosen based on three factors: the best for metal, the best spray, and the best liquid.

Of the three rust removal techniques — mechanical, conversion, and direct application — all of our products fall into the last category.

In very broad terms, household rust removers are designed to work in one or two simple applications. They can be divided into products that are intended exclusively for metal and products with a wider range of applications such as vinyl, ceramic tile, fiberglass, and even carpet and fabrics. We sought out the best representatives for both these categories.

How we tested

The first part of removing rust from household products is to assess the type of rust you’re dealing with. Stable rust and pitting rust are the most common forms found in a home. We tested our products on tools, surfaces, and appliances to determine the best overall performer.

All rust products, even the simplest spray-on products, require a reasonable amount of preparation to protect your hands and eyes. We tested a range of product types, including sprays, gels and liquids, and found ourselves liking the sprays the best for ease of applications.

After reviewing product instructions and optimal applications, we identified six products that provided a sufficient range of surfaces and types of rust. Not all products are created equal, so we targeted a minimum of four surfaces for each product. The six finalists can be broadly grouped into metal-specific products and nonmetal products for treating surfaces such as ceramic tile, vinyl and fiberglass.

Metal-focused rust removers:

Aceros – Innosoft B570 : good for appliances and steel

Iron Out – Rust Stain Remover Spray Gel: good for fabric, tile, and tools

WD-40 – Specialist Rust Release Penetrant Spray : good for nuts, bolts, locks, and chains

All-around rust removers:

Star brite – Rust Stain Remover: good for fiberglass, vinyl, and metal

CLR – Calcium Lime Rust Remover: good for surfaces and appliances

Evapo-Rust – Super Safe Rust Remover: good for equipment, hardware, and tools

The test surfaces included the following:

• Steel work table (stable rust in patches)
• Garden tools (power washer nozzle, shovel, weeder, and rakes; included a mix of stable and pitting rust)
• Nuts and bolts (pitting rust)
• Teapots (water stains)
• Chrome chair legs (stable rust)
• Stainless steel refrigerator (water stains)

The products were applied according to instructions. Where a range of application times was given, we used the midpoint time. Where possible — for example, on the work table — we applied simultaneously multiple products to compare performance. For other rusted objects, such as workshop tools, we applied each rust remover separately.

Outdoor furniture and tools

Old tools never die, they are just left outside to rust. Rust and associated stains can be found everywhere: Tools, surfaces, bikes, cars, and furniture are common victims. Most rust is treatable to some extent, and fortunately, there are excellent household products to help get the job done.

Our steel work table presented the biggest challenge. None of the four products we tested on the table did an effective job in cleaning the table legs. Even Evapo-Rust – Super Safe Rust Remover, which was left applied overnight, did not have much of an impact on the table legs (other than to darken them somewhat).

The table was our most “industrial” representative with heavy-gauge steel and a painted surface that was likely applied electrostatically. Heavy-duty products with painted or coated surfaces will typically require a two-step approach that requires removing the finished surface first and then applying the rust remover. We tested our products on the table to see if they would improve the overall rusted appearance without it turning into a major project.

Our garden-tool category was a bit of a mixed bag. We used four tools with stable and pitting rust: a shovel, a weeder, and two rakes. The Evaporust, probably due to it being a liquid for which total immersion is possible, took most of the rust off the weeder’s tip after it was partially immersed in a bucket. We also applied Aceros – Innosoft B570 to our rusted shovel with a wet sponge as recommended. It did a credible job of cleaning the rust from the shovel and giving it an overall darkened appearance.

One area where all our finalists “shined” was removing pitted rust off nuts and bolts. With very small objects, complete immersion is quite practical. We saturated paper towels and then rinsed and wiped down the nuts and bolts. While all the products did an excellent job, the WD-40 – Specialist Rust Release Penetrant Spray was perhaps a bit better, pretty much as we’d expected from a product that touts nuts and bolts as a specialty.

Our two rakes were so heavily rusted that it was hard work for the two products we tested on them, CLR and Iron Out. Both products darkened the rakes, but the metal remained rusty. CLR, which we applied at full strength, narrowly outperformed Iron Out on this test.

Indoor appliances and housewares

Moving indoors, we tested our products on common appliances: a refrigerator, a stainless steel tea kettle, and a steel pour-over kettle. For the refrigerator, we selected the four products that matched the assignment: Innosoft, Iron Out, CLR, and Star brite. We divided a zone of the water-stained refrigerator door into four distinct areas and applied our products per manufacturer instructions.

Once again, Iron Out – Rust Stain Remover Spray Gel performed the best, bringing back a nice shiny surface and removing the water stains almost entirely. CLR – Calcium Lime Rust Remover also did an excellent job polishing out the water stains.

We then checked back in 48 hours to see if there was any “ghosting” or residual markings where the original stains had occurred. The presence of such marks would suggest that the rust-removal products had worked topically but had not penetrated the surface. Very little ghosting was evident from the sections treated with Iron Out and CLR. Star brite, and Innosoft also worked fairly well on the refrigerator but did not quite restore the shine as much as the other two products.
=”Lineup of rust removers on wood” width=”2619″ height=”1805″ />

Product	Cost	Primary Use	Form
1. Iron Out	$	Bathrooms, kitchens, appliances, laundry, and water softener maintenance	Spray Gel
2. CLR	$	Calcium, lime and rust stains	Spray
3. Aceros	$$$	Stainless steel and appliances	Liquid
4. Evapo-Rust	$$$	Tools, antiques, and cookware	Liquid
5. Star brite	$$	Fiberglass, Vinyl, Metal and Painted Surfaces	Spray
6. WD-40	$	All purpose	Spray

Types of rust

While rust conditions might all look alike to the untrained eye, there are subtle differences in the nature of how rust occurs, even within the confines of a small tool like a wood plane. An ideal sample of different types of rust includes four variations: stable rust, flash rust, flaking rust, and pitting.

Stable rust: Occurs over long periods of time and tends to be uniform in appearance. In certain cases, like uncoated steel building panels, stable rust is considered to be a desirable aesthetic effect.

Flash rust: Results from water occurring at one spot. Flash rust is frequently bright orange in color and can occur in as little as six hours.

Flaking rust: Can actually take up more volume than the metal it displaces and is often found in transitional areas where a coating ends.

Pitting: Results from trapped moisture and is commonly found in the cavity areas of tools and furniture.

Common methods for removal

Rust removal is a broad topic that includes a wide range of techniques for cleaning metal and other materials where surfaces have become tarnished, stained, and tainted with oxidized metal (aka rust). Dealing with rusted metal objects and surfaces can be addressed with three basic techniques:

Mechanical methods: Grinding, sanding, and scouring.

Conversion methods: Preventing the further spread of rust by using chemical solutions to convert the rust into a protective barrier.

Direct application: Soaking, spraying, or wiping a removal product onto the surface.

In addition to metal, the word “rust” is commonly used to describe discoloration from hard-water stains and reactive stains that appear on nonmetallic surfaces such as porcelain, stone, wood, brick, concrete, fiberglass, and vinyl. The rusty stains in bathtubs and toilets are common examples of nonmetallic rust.

The reality of rust is that it is tricky to figure out. Many household items have patches of rust intermingled with painted or other coatings. This was the case with the steel table that we tested. It had painted legs with the paint worn off in patches and with rust in-between. Our overall experience with the four (only four of our six were used on the table) rust removal products was that most of them darkened the rusted area but did not affect the paint. For heavy-duty cases like this, a more labor-intensive process using a paint stripper and/or a chemical rust remover is required.

Important features to consider

Home rust removers are packaged and applied in a variety of ways. The most common applications are sprays, gels, and liquid (i.e., immersion) forms. Apart from considering the effectiveness of the product in question, we also delved into the features that consumers find most important.

Form of application: Rust-removal products come in spray, gel, and immersion form. The most convenient products are those that can be sprayed on the rust. Although spray-on application is easy, it can still be tricky knowing how much spray to use — but here’s a tip: The position of the rusted item is important. If you are spraying a vertical surface, the spray drips down the face, and it can be difficult to apply the product evenly. The best way to deal with this is to spray just a bit at a time and work it in as you go.

Toxicity: This was a key consideration in our product selection. Toxicity relates to both the impact on the individual applying the product and to the disposal of the product in the environment. We avoided products with oxalic acid, a comparatively abrasive and harmful chemical. Instead, we focused on products that did not require respirators and special handling, although we did use gloves to avoid direct contact with the skin during application (and we recommend that you do too). Some products, like Iron Out – Rust Remover, warn that burns can occur that might not immediately be felt. It is advisable that extra care be taken when using any rust-removal product.

Odor: Most of the products we tested had a fairly mild odor or no odor at all. If you are sensitive to odors, it is advisable to wear a respirator and safety glasses when applying rust removers. Since the products we tested were selected in part for being relatively environmental-friendly and nontoxic, none of the manufacturers recommended wearing a respirator during application.

Duration of application: The recommended time for application is noted on all products. For some products, there is a different prescribed time that depends on the severity of the rust and the type of surface treated. Of the products we tested, Evapo-Rust – Super Safe Rust Remover had the widest range of recommended application times.

Effectiveness based on a single application: For household use, a single application is desirable. Since even the simplest application of a rust remover entails a certain amount of care, mess, and clean-up, no one wants to go through multiple applications to achieve a good result unless it’s absolutely necessary.

The bottom line

An easy-to-use, nontoxic rust remover is a great item to have around the house to help with everything from unsticking locks, to improving the appearance of tools and equipment, to restoring metal and other surfaces to almost new condition. We tested six rust removers in gel, liquid, and spray form to determine ease of application and effectiveness of results.

Our favorite overall product was Iron Out – Rust Stain Remover Spray Gel, which worked extremely well on a rusty steel refrigerator door, a teakettle, as well as nuts and bolts. Another incredibly convenient product, WD-40 – Specialist Rust Release Penetrant Spray has a long nozzle designed to penetrate rusty tool parts and locks that need to be freed up. We think keeping both of these fairly inexpensive products around is a great idea.

The runner-up was CLR – Calcium Lime Rust Remover, which is effective on a variety of surfaces. However, as a liquid, CLR can be more difficult to apply than a spray, gel or spray gel, especially to vertical surfaces where it will drip down.

Top Pick: Iron Out - Stain Remover

Iron Out is an easy-to-apply household rust remover that’s perfect for tackling smaller jobs like polishing chrome or removing rust from tools.

See Price at Amazon.com

The post The Best Rust Removers appeared first on Your Best Digs.

Table of contents

• How we selected finalists to test
• Compare the best cooling pillows
• Who needs one?
• Important features to consider
• How we tested
• Best overall: Nest Bedding – Easy Breather
• Budget pick: Sleep Restoration – 1800
• Other finalists we recommend
• Other finalists we do not recommend
• The bottom line

How we selected finalists to test

There are a lot of pillows on the market, and the descriptive terms given to many pillows can seem bewildering to a consumer. Adjectives like cooling, comforting, relaxing, breathable and “iso” do little to convey the actual performance or specific attributes of a pillow.

We dug through Reddit, Amazon and consumer testing sites to cull a large list of available pillows on the market. We found that there are three pricing tiers for pillows that denote “cooling” benefits: These fall around $30-$40 at the lower range, $80-$100 at midrange and up to $150 at the very high range. Since very few of the pillows in the highest range had enough verifiable consumer reviews, we narrowed our focus on the low range, along with one pillow from the middle tier.

We further looked at which pillows were preferred for sleepers who identified themselves as back, stomach and side sleepers to ensure that we included the full range. For our four-person test group, we included sleepers who preferred at least one of these three positions for a significant portion of the night.

Compare the best cooling pillows

Who needs one?

Good pillows mean good sleep

The National Sleep Foundation maintains a database of sleep habits and preferences throughout the U.S. and is an excellent resource for learning about the fundamentals of getting a good night’s sleep. In a recent National Sleep Foundation poll, 93% of respondents rated the quality of their pillow and mattress as being important to sleeping well.

In his book Sleep for Success!, Cornell University professor Dr. James Mass describes how sleep is an essential component for academic and physical performance. He notes that a lack of sleep correlates with many debilitating conditions, including depression, obesity, skin conditions, cancer and the lack of ability to think and perform well. So what’s the trick to a solid night’s sleep? A good sleep mask or white noise machine can certainly help, but a more direct “head-on” approach is to find a comfortable pillow.

Few people take their preferred sleep position into account when purchasing a pillow. Relative to the expense of buying a new mattress, a pillow is a far less expensive alternative to rebooting a poor sleep experience. Signs that you may need to change your pillow include feeling overheated during the night and waking up feeling sore or stiff. Changing out your pillow is the first thing you should do to see if it helps you get uninterrupted sleep.

Cool is better for sleeping

Some of the tips on the National Sleep Foundation website are surprising. One that jumped out at us was that the ideal bedroom temperature for sleeping is between 60-70 °F, which seems quite a bit cooler than is customary. If staying cool is a major factor in getting good sleep, then having a pillow that keeps you cool seems like a sensible choice for most people.

Important features to consider

Fill material

Down: Down is made from goose or duck feathers and is commonly found in high-end hotel pillows. It offers good neck support and durability. Two drawbacks for down are its relatively high cost and that many people are allergic to it.

Bamboo: Bamboo is a natural plant fiber. It’s commonly found in pillows that are advertised as having cooling properties. Beware that many pillows that label themselves as bamboo actually use it only for the casing. Instead, they’re typically filled with shredded memory foam.

Memory foam: Memory foam is a support material that is fairly economical and also hypoallergenic. It tends to retain heat and can be too stiff or too squishy for some people.

Latex: Latex is a natural material that is good for neck pain and is easy to maintain. However, it is not moldable, has a short lifespan and tends to have an odor.

Down alternatives: Down alternatives offer good head and neck support, are not derived from animals and are available at a lower price point than real down. However, synthetic down is less fluffy than regular down and requires more maintenance.

Buckwheat: Buckwheat is a plant with grain-like seeds. This type of pillow allows air to circulate between the seeds. The seeds are actually the hulls (outer casings) of the seed pods. Because buckwheat pillows are filled with tiny individual seed hulls, the pillows can easily conform to the shape of an individual’s head and neck.

Cooling gels

Some pillows have gels running through the pillows in tubes or small pads. When you take the cover off a gel pillow, you can clearly see which face is the gel side. Other pillows incorporate gel into the fiber for the pillow filling itself.

Cover material

Most people use pillows with pillowcases, but some pillow covers are nice enough to use without a pillowcase as long as you wash them regularly. One thing to consider with cooling pillows is the way the pillow will be encased. A pillow will feel less cool if it is swaddled in a thick pillowcase or a decorative sham.

Design based on sleep position

Some pillows are designed for people who sleep in one particular position. Pillows with a deep indentation are designed for cervical support and are intended for people who experience chronic neck pain, as we discussed in our review of the best pillow for neck pain. Stomach sleepers will need a much shallower pillow than side sleepers since it is not desirable to have the spine pushed backward. If you sleep on your side, check out our review of the best pillow for side sleepers.

Allergies

Allergic sensitivities: Down and latex can trigger allergies for many people, while bamboo is generally a hypoallergenic material.

Hypoallergenic: The word “hypoallergenic” is not a scientific term, but a marketing term. Pillows do not actually block allergens, but certain materials, as noted above, are less likely to trigger allergies. For example, there are pillow covers that have pores so small that they block dust mites and other allergens from seeping through.

Price: You can get a good pillow for anywhere between $30 and $150, and when good pillows go on sale, there are bargains to be had. Based on our testing group and a review of other consumer testing sites, there are many high-quality pillows to choose from in the $40 range.

Certipur certification

Certipur is a nonprofit organization that tests bedding for the presence of toxins, including ozone, flame retardants, heavy metals, formaldehyde, phthalates and VOCs (volatile organic compounds). The evaluation committee is composed of scientists, academics, environmentalists and consumer advocates. A Certipur certification, in the form of a tag attached to a pillow, is evidence that none of the tested toxins are present.

Pillowcase

Any pillow’s comfort and performance will be affected by the type of pillowcase you use. For cooling pillows, heavier pillowcases and shams can negate any cooling or circulation benefit that the pillow has. Most cooling pillow manufacturers recommend you use a waterproof, breathable pillowcase with their products.

How we tested

The same technology and fabrics that are found in mattresses are also found in pillows. So in researching the best cooling pillows, it is necessary to cut through a lot of marketing hyperbole to determine what exactly goes into that thing you rest your head on every night.

Whether you are a side, back or stomach sleeper, a good pillow can mean the difference between a great night of sleep and a sweaty, restless struggle to get comfy. The market is flooded with pillows that promise a cool night’s sleep, and the price points vary a lot depending on materials and quality. Some pillows take it a step further and are tailored to sleep style: side (most common), stomach or back.

We focused on pillows that emphasized cooling properties. Actual cooling cannot be imparted by fabric, but the sensation of cooling can be experienced by promoting air circulation or from water. Water imparts a cooling sensation when it evaporates from the skin. Fabrics from companies like Techniche and its Hyperkewl line are soaked in water, which is released gradually during exertion.

One of our tested pillows, the Sleep Better – Iso-Cool, uses microscopic beads made from Phase Change Material (PCM) that is purported to have both cooling and heating capabilities. Its manufacturer, Carpenter Co., claims that the material — branded “Outlast Adaptive Comfort” — can adjust to a body’s changing temperature throughout the night.

A panel of three adults and one 12-year-old participated in our qualitative sleep test. The panel consisted of one dedicated side sleeper, one sleeper who uses all three positions (side, back and stomach), one sleeper who primarily side sleeps, and one sleeper who primarily back sleeps.

Primary test criteria

To ensure a level playing field in terms of pillow covers, we used a thin, waterproof cover made by Mastertex. Our four testers were given all six pillows to use for two nights each, and they were asked to evaluate the pillows based on the following categories.

Texture: Texture relates to the feel and tactile properties of the exterior of the pillow (whether it is rough, smooth or in-between), along with how easy it is to feel the filling through the pillow cover. In the world of cooling pillows, there are two prevalent fillings: shredded memory foam and gel-type fillings. For the latter, the pillow can use actual gel or gel fibers.

Ability to conform: This is a big determinant of pillow comfort. Some people want a very firm pillow that supports the entire weight of their head, while others want a pillow that can only be described as “squishy” and conforms around their head. Many people also want to make slight adjustments to their pillow to support their neck or chin.

Coolness: All of our testers spent several nights with each pillow. Then we asked them questions like:

• Did the pillow feel cool when you first lay down on it?
• If you woke up during the night, did you feel that the pillow was warm, cool or in-between?
• Did you feel that the pillow helped you sleep through the night because of its cooling properties?

Other test criteria

Support: Support relates to the overall sense of how the pillow props up the head and neck. We measured the resting and compressed height of each pillow, along with each pillow’s width and length. Our testing corroborated other tests in that side sleepers prefer a pillow with more depth than stomach or back sleepers.

Firmness: We compressed our pillows under a 10-pound weight to see how firm they were. The more they flattened, the less firm the pillows were. We found that the firmest pillows were best for propping ourselves up and reading in bed. Check out our review of the best book light here.

Odor: There is a variety of natural and synthetic fabrics that go into pillows, and some of them have quite a pronounced odor. We lived long enough with our test pillows to determine which ones, if any, retained their initial odors and caused off-gassing.

Compression: For the compression test, we used a 10-pound barbell resting on a wooden board to apply even pressure on each pillow.

We then tallied the pre-compressed height of the pillow and the height after compression. This gave us a sense of how much each pillow would compress when a person sleeps on it.

Heat retention: In order to get a sense of whether a pillow retained heat, we tested with a heating pad applied for three minutes. We took the temperature of the pillow before (baseline temperature) and after applying the heating pad. Then we recorded how long it took for the pillow to return to its original “resting” temperature.

Cleanability: Finally, we evaluated how easy it was to clean the pillows and whether it was possible to wash both the cover and the pillow itself. Cleaning pillows thoroughly entail three steps: (1) airing them out in the sun, (2) putting them in the washing machine, and (3) drying them with towels to expedite the drying process. To maintain fluffiness, putting tennis balls in the dryer bin helps.

Manufacturers are quick to note that pillows are hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, but all still pillows need to be cleaned to ensure that they perform as advertised for their useful life.

A few of our test pillows, the Perfect Cloud – Double Airflow as well as the Snuggle-Pedic – Ultra-Luxury and its twin Xtreme Comforts – Kool-Flow Adjustable, have a removable cover that can be washed separately from the pillow itself.

Best overall: Nest Bedding – Easy Breather

Our overall pick for the best cooling pillow is the Nest Bedding – Easy Breather. Chosen in part because using it was described like “sleeping on a cloud,” the Nest is light but firm to the touch. It provides a supportive but somewhat moldable form for side breathers and is compressible enough to appeal to back and stomach sleepers as well. Another nice thing about the Nest is that it did not come with any offensive off-gassing odors.

Our testing team’s consensus is that the Nest fills the sweet spot between support and comfort. Why? Well, for one thing, the Nest is unusual in that it is adjustable. The Tencel cover has a small zipper that can be opened to remove some of the pillow’s memory foam fill to create a custom height. We experimented with this and found that it worked perfectly. All it took was a bit of smoothing out to reduce the height of the Nest.

The pillow innards are made from shredded synthetic foam, and the cover is a combination of plant-derived lyocell and polyester. The Certipur-certified foam filling is made without ozone-depleting materials, flame retardants, mercury or lead, all of which can sometimes be found in other synthetic foam products.

Top Pick: Nest Bedding

We’re big fans of the Nest for its cloud-like qualities and perfect balance between fluffiness and support. We found it remains comfortable through the night, especially for side sleepers.

See Price at Amazon.com

The Nest scored particularly well for its overall feeling of luxury. Unlike a few of our other pillows, the Nest had no discernible odor. Although it was among the tallest pillows we tested before and after our compression test, the Nest molded nicely to our testers’ heads.

Our testers also thought the Nest felt cool throughout the night, and it returned to its baseline temperature in the midrange of our test group standings. And while the Nest is more expensive than some of our other tested models, its cover feels quite durable, which likely extends its lifespan and justifies the additional cost.

The Nest offers a lifetime warranty that covers the fill, cover and zipper. If the fill sags by an inch or more, if the zipper fails or if there are physical flaws relating to the cover itself, Nest will repair or replace the pillow.

If we had to pick one thing that we did not like about the Nest, it’s that the cover unzips only a little bit to remove the filling for adjustment, and the only way to clean the cover is to remove the filling entirely. For a relatively expensive pillow, we think that the cover should be designed so that it can be cleaned separately without so much hassle.

Key takeaways:

• The Nest Bedding – Easy Breather scored high for feeling luxurious, moldable and not having any odor.
• It tied for tallest pillow before and after our compression test.
• It falls in the midrange for heat retention, returning to its baseline temperature in just under one-and-a-half minutes.
• The pillow feels cool throughout the night and doesn’t sag or require adjustment.
• For support and comfort, the Nest hits a sweet spot by offering a nice balance.

Budget pick: Sleep Restoration – 1800 Series Gel

Gel pillows incorporate liquid that creates an evaporative effect, which in turn promotes air circulation and a consequent cooling effect. The Sleep Restoration – 1800 Series Gusseted Gel Pillow is made with a filling composed of 100% gel fiber. The gel fiber delivered one of the lowest baseline temperatures of all the pillows we tested, coming in at 74 degrees.

Budget Pick: Sleep Restoration - 1800 Series Gel

For a comfortable, affordable pillow that can accommodate a range of sleep position preferences, we like the Sleep Restoration pillow. It felt plush from the moment our heads hit the pillow.

See Price at Amazon.com

Gel fiber is made to feel like down and offers a plush material that feels luxurious when your head rests on it. Of all our pillows, the Sleep Restoration felt the most comfortable right away. The gel fiber makes for an extremely smooth feeling pillow. Our testers found the pillow to be the plushest in our test group, with one tester calling it “super plush.”

Although the pillow is noted by its manufacturer as being stain resistant, we observed that it picked up smudges pretty quickly. It is also noted as being chemical-free, but this seems like a dubious claim based on the fact that its gel fibers are a manufactured synthetic material.

While the pillow is sealed, it is also breathable and easy to wash by putting the entire pillow in the washing machine. We machine washed the pillow on our EcoWarm cycle and put it in the dryer for 30 minutes, followed by another hour in the sun. Cleaning was fairly hassle-free.

The Sleep Restoration seems like a simple pillow at first, but it provides excellent, comfortable support and is the best option for stomach and back sleepers who need less height from their pillow. The compressed depth for this pillow measured 3-3/8 inches, the lowest in our testing group.

One potential pitfall with the Sleep Restoration is that a number of Amazon reviewers noted that their pillows arrived with mold spots. While these represent a small minority of the nearly 5,000 product reviews, it is something to be aware of.

Key takeaways:

• The gel fiber filling in the Sleep Restoration – 1800 Series Gusseted Gel Pillow feels luxurious and seems the closest to pillows found in nice hotels.
• The pillow does not have a removable cover but can put in a washing machine.
• The Sleep Restoration has a low height, which tends to be most comfortable for back and stomach sleepers.
• On the downside, in our heat test the Sleep Restoration measured the warmest and took the second longest to return to its baseline temperature.

Other finalists we recommend

Sleep Better – Iso-Cool Traditional

The Sleep Better – Iso-Cool Traditional was the Mercedes Benz of our test group; nice but perhaps a bit overbuilt. None of our testers thought that it was moldable, and some of them thought it was a bit undersized. It did seem to keep cool during the night, and it has a supportive shredded memory foam filling.

The Sleep Better touts its Phase Change Material (PCM) with the brand name “Outlast Adaptive Comfort” that senses changing body temperature. The material is comprised of microscopic beads that are alleged to absorb heat when it senses that the body is too warm, and to perform in the reverse when the body is too cool. The Sleep Better was the least tall of all our pillows, but our testers downgraded it for not feeling especially luxurious.

In appearance, the Sleep Better had the smallest overall dimensions. Its resting depth was five inches, and its compressed depth was three inches. As expected, it rated relatively high with our back and stomach sleepers. But one sleeper who is a part-time stomach sleeper noted that, despite its relatively small size, it was not moldable enough for her liking.

In terms of temperature, the Sleep Better was the poorest performer, taking over two minutes to return to its baseline temperature. Overall, the testers noted its temperature as average for the group.

Perfect Cloud – Double Airflow

The Perfect Cloud – Double Airflow is a nicely made pillow; it’s also one of our only finalists that has a fully removable cover that can be washed separately. This pillow is entirely synthetic with a 97% polyester cover and a filling made from 100% polyurethane foam. For at least one of our testers, this pillow struck a perfect balance between comfort and support.

The Perfect Cloud would have scored higher in our overall ratings if it was suitable for cleaning in the washing machine. The instructions recommend spot cleaning only, which seems odd considering the cover is easily removable. In overall design and sense of quality, the Perfect Cloud resembles our top-pick Nest pillow; and despite being almost an inch less in depth, it compressed to the same height when our 10-pound weight was applied.

Other finalists we do not recommend

Snuggle-Pedic – Ultra-Luxury

The Snuggle-Pedic – Ultra-Luxury Pillow has over 10,000 Amazon reviews that average 4.5/5. It is billed as an “ultra-luxury” pillow and is made with shredded memory foam filling combined with a bamboo cover. It was tied for being the tallest pillow at 6-1/2 inches. It did not perform all that well in our heat retention test, taking nearly a one-and-a-half minutes to return to its baseline temperature. Most of our review panel also agreed the Snuggle-Pedic was not very moldable.

The Snuggle-Pedic was one of our “double-identity” pillows — exactly the same as our Xtreme Comforts pillow. Both pillows had a sour odor that did not completely dissipate even after several days. On the upside, the Snuggle-Pedic cover can be taken off to wash separately.

Xtreme Comforts – Kool-Flow Adjustable

The Xtreme Comforts – Kool-Flow Adjustable Thickness Pillow is identical to the Snuggle-Pedic except for the labeling. Although the bamboo cover and memory foam materials of the pillow are exactly the same, the two pillows appear to be more fraternal than identical twins: The Xtreme comforts pillow was not quite as tall and performed a tad better in our heat retention test.

Our stomach and back sleepers noted that both of these pillows seemed too high and not suited to any position except side sleeping.

The bottom line

For an overall outstanding pillow that exudes quality and combines a high level of finish, support and comfort, the Nest Bedding – Easy Breather is our pick for the best overall cooling pillow. Along with the Perfect Cloud, the Nest exuded quality, especially in its brocaded cover. One thing to note is that the cover unzips only part way and is not intended to be removed and washed.

After testing our pillows, we concurred with the saying that there is no “best pillow” but rather a “best pillow for you.” Within our test group, there was a lot of discrepancy among reviewers. For example, with the Perfect Cloud’s pillow, there was one reviewer who rated it as their favorite and another who rated it their least favorite.

We were surprised to find that two of our pillows were exactly the same but branded differently: the Snuggle-Pedic and Xtreme Comforts. When shopping, it’s prudent to look at the exact specifications, including the measurements and materials, to make sure that you know what you are getting.

For an outstanding budget pick, we like the Sleep Restoration – 1800 Series Gusseted Gel product. Two pillows come in each package, which is generally available for about $70. The Sleep Restoration pillows are similar to hotel pillows — smooth, plush and pleasantly cool throughout the night.

(P.s. if you’re looking to up your comfort game even more, check out our review of the best bean bag chairs.)

Top Pick: Nest Bedding - Easy Breather

The Nest feels comfortable from the moment you lie down. It sits up fairly high and is probably best for side sleepers, but our back-sleep testers liked it as well.

See Price at Amazon.com

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