Best Cooling Mattress – Top 10 Highest Rated Products Reviews (2023)

A cooling mattress is a bed built with temperature-regulating materials that aim to prevent an uncomfortable excess of heat. The types of cooling materials in these mattresses can vary as much as the beds themselves. For example, memory foam is notorious for overheating, so many companies infuse copper, graphite, or gel to keep things cool.

Many companies also utilize the covers of their mattresses to convey cooling effects. From phase change technologies to moisture-wicking fabrics, these advancements help to keep sleepers chilled-out and cozy.

Our testers are trained to gauge a mattress’s cooling capability by looking at two key factors: how hot the mattress feels to them personally, and what cooling elements the bed incorporates.

When reviewing a bed, they’ll lay on its surface for an extended period of time and focus exclusively on the temperature and their comfort. They’re asked to note whether the bed becomes increasingly warm or stays relatively cool, as well as what areas of their body feel warmer than others.

They combine their notes from their personal experience with their knowledge of the mattress’s materials. A mattress that feels palpably cool and has multiple cooling features will achieve a high score, whereas a bed without many cooling elements and a poor cooling performance will be ranked lower.

Cooling mattresses with advanced temperature-regulation features will likely be more expensive than standard models, but for many hot sleepers, the perks are worth the investment.

If you’re looking to save on your mattress purchase, you might consider a few strategies. You could opt for an all-foam or innerspring cooling bed instead of a hybrid or latex mattress, as the latter two types tend to be priced higher. You can also track the calendar for discounts and deals around holidays such as Presidents’ Day and Memorial Day.

Finally, we recommend shopping for your mattress online. This direct-to-consumer model allows mattress companies to cut costs, resulting in more budget-friendly beds for shoppers.

Your primary sleeping position is an essential piece of information when you’re looking for a new mattress, whether or not you’re prioritizing cooling features.

If you’re a side sleeper, you likely need more pressure relief around your shoulder and hips. Beds with memory foam layers and a soft or medium firmness are ideal.

Back sleepers usually need a balance of pressure relief and support. Many back sleepers can snooze successfully on foam or hybrid models, but should stick to medium and medium-firm beds.

Stomach sleepers will typically enjoy the durable support of coils, though firmer all-foam models should still perform well. This group tends to need an overall firmer mattress than the others.

Lastly, combination sleepers need a responsive medium-firm that bed fosters easy repositioning and accommodates different postures.

Pressure relief is a top selling point for many people, especially side and back sleepers and those with achy joints. Memory foam and latex beds are great for pressure relief because they provide a gentle, cradling feel to mitigate pressure buildup. Memory foam might have a longer legacy in the mattress world, but latex can have superior cooling properties.

If you have your eye on a mattress with coils, a hybrid will be better for pressure relief than a traditional innerspring model. Hybrids have multiple foam layers on top of their springs, whereas innerspring models only have a thin layer of cushioning.

You might also want to look for a bed that targets a specific area with its pressure-relieving materials. If you’re someone experiencing hip pain, for example, you’ll probably need a bed with a much softer surface than a mattress made for back pain or neck pain.

The ideal mattress firmness for you can depend on your weight, sleep style, and comfort preferences. Luckily, a bed’s firmness doesn’t have too much of an effect on its cooling abilities, though you should always look into the differences in materials between the firmer and softer models of a given mattress.

The majority of mattresses come in a medium or medium-firm feel, which is the most universal preference in terms of comfort. This firmness level is usually best for average-size sleepers, combination sleepers, and those who lie on their back.

Softer beds are usually ideal for lightweight and side sleepers who don’t require as much support. Firm beds are best for stomach sleepers and heavier individuals, as they deliver increased support to ensure optimal spinal alignment.

Good edge support means the mattress won’t sink too much if you lie or sit on the side. This feature is usually a priority for couples, because it allows them to spread out across the mattress’s entire surface area. It’s also an important quality for people with mobility issues or those who frequently sit on the side of their bed to get ready for the day.

Many brands implement stronger foams and coils around the perimeters of their mattresses to keep the edges well-supported. These additions shouldn’t affect the cooling capabilities of the bed, and are simply another valuable aspect to consider.

When it comes to cooling, some mattress types out-perform others. Hybrid beds often win out, because they not only have coils that promote airflow, but they might also have cooling mechanisms in the comfort layers and cover.

On the other end of the scale, memory foam mattresses probably won’t keep you as cool as other models.

We’ll dive deeper into the cooling capabilities of each type of mattress in a later section.

If you sleep with a partner that runs hotter or colder than you, then it can be tough to find a happy medium in a cooling mattress. You may want to consider split king models that consist of two twin-XL beds pushed together, as each half could be customized to suit the sleeper’s preferences.

Generally, it’s easier to add heat to your sleeping setup than it is to dissipate it. With that in mind, you could also shop for beds that cater to the partner who more likely to overheat. The partner who sleeps cooler can then add blankets and other layers to their side of the bed as needed.

Sharing a bed with a partner also carries the risk of motion transfer throughout the night. If you’ll be sleeping beside someone, prioritize cooling mattresses with decent motion isolation.

This process can admittedly be a balancing act, as beds with springs have high cooling properties but aren’t as good at motion isolation as all-foam models. However, certain hybrid mattresses have perfected the art of limiting motion while simultaneously allowing for cooling airflow.

You won’t know if a mattress has an excellent cooling system from a 10-second touch of its surface or a quick nap; you have to sleep on it throughout the night. A bed may feel fine when you lie down initially, but you could still wake up covered in sweat at 3:00 a.m.

Thankfully, most online mattress brands offer prolonged trial periods with their products. These trial periods enable you to put a cooling mattress to the test for weeks or even months before you commit to keeping it.

Certain mattress types will keep you cooler than others. If temperature regulation is a major priority for you, then you’ll need to know how different mattress materials perform in this arena.

Springs and coil units encourage cooling because air can flow freely through them, keeping the bed’s overall temperature down.

Classic innerspring mattresses feature coils that are interconnected, and though they provide lots of bounce, they also heighten motion transfer.

These days, the best innerspring mattresses have pocketed coils instead of the interconnected spring unit. Pocketed coils are each wrapped in a separate fabric sleeve so that they can move and compress independently of one another, cutting down on motion transfer while preserving their support and cooling capabilities.

Memory foam retains a fair amount of heat, so in order to sell all-foam beds that keep sleepers cool, mattress-makers have had to get creative.

One common tactic is to infuse the foam with cooling gel. Another is to manufacture foam with an “open cell” design, which decreases the density of the foam and adds tiny, aerating pockets to its structure.

Other mattresses might have cooling covers, or boast phase-change technology that may help to dissipate excess heat.

If you’re considering a memory foam mattress but struggle with overheating at night, be sure to read up on the cooling features available. Different brands have different approaches to making their foams feel comfortable.

Hybrid mattresses incorporate both coils and foams into their design. They can therefore provide the cooling benefits of a spring unit while also offering the signature pressure relief that comes with foams.

The best hybrid mattresses will take cooling into consideration from their very first layer. Gel-infused foams, cooling covers, and moisture-wicking, breathable fabrics are common.

Because these beds tend to be cutting-edge, they’re often more expensive than simpler innerspring or all-foam models.

Latex is a type of foam that has more cooling properties than traditional poly foams. It doesn’t trap heat as much as memory foam, and its naturally breathable structure means that it retains a comfy temperature night after night.

Some latex mattresses are made with natural and certified organic latex foam, resulting in an especially eco-friendly product.

The downside to latex beds is that they’re slightly higher in price. However, their many benefits and overall durability make them a worthwhile investment.

The best temperature for sleep falls in the range of 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit. Some people may like their environment to be cooler than others, but keeping your bedroom’s temperature within this window should be conducive to achieving a good night’s rest.

The best temperature for a baby’s room, however, is a tad warmer: between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can track your bedroom’s temperature by feel or with a thermostat, and adjust it using whatever tools you have at your disposal, including air conditioning, additional (or fewer) layers, and fans.

There are many reasons why people overheat at night. From natural temperature changes to life stages and more, the reasons why someone may seek out a cooling mattress varies.

At night, our body temperature drops slightly to help initiate sleep. Add to that the fact that the temperature outside drops too. As a result, you may find yourself reaching for an extra blanket as you go to bed.

However, using extra covers isn’t a good idea. Eventually, they can make you so warm that you wake up during the night, hot and sweaty. Rather than putting on another blanket if you’re cold at first, give your body heat time to warm you up, which should lower the chances of you waking up hot.

Interested in exploring further? Visit our thermoregulation guide here.

Anxiety is also known to cause the so-called “nervous sweating.”. This is because your brain reacts to a certain feeling in a manner that intensifies blood flow and stimulates the increase of temperature. Feelings of anxiousness when you go to sleep can result in night sweats that make it harder to rest comfortably.

For More Info: How to Cope With Anxiety and Sleep

A huge part of keeping your body cooled off and at the right temperature is staying well hydrated. Some people may choose to have a beer or glass of wine before going to bed.

However, alcohol can easily dehydrate you, and while it may help you fall asleep initially, experts warn that it can lead to more disturbed sleep later in the night.

Therefore, avoiding alcohol before bed should improve your sleep quality and prevent nighttime sweating.

Learn More: How Alcohol Affects Sleep

The trick to finding an effective cooling mattress is to verify that it has certain temperature-regulating materials or features. Cooling beds should at least have one of these aspects, if not several.

The cover is the outermost part of the mattress, and therefore the closest layer to your body. Many mattress brands therefore incorporate temperature-regulating materials into their covers for an immediate cooling effect.

You might see a couple of common terms as you browse cooling covers, such as Tencel, GlacioTex™, and Celliant. These are special materials with cooling and moisture-wicking properties.

Mattress covers can also be quilted or non-quilted. A quilted cover has a more traditional look and sews extra material (such as poly foam) into its first layer. These can run a bit hotter than non-quilted covers, which are thinner and often more breathable.

Although foam is a popular mattress material, its density can trap heat. This fact is especially true for memory foam.

To combat this drawback, manufacturers have started infusing cooling gel into the foam to help mitigate the heat. The gel works by absorbing excess body heat and then releasing it away.

Some companies utilize special gels that incorporate metals and other materials, such as graphite or copper. These substances help with cooling and may also have antimicrobial properties.

Phase change materials are primarily used in mattress covers. Phase change technology is designed to conduct heat away when the temperature goes above a certain mark. It then lets heat return once things cool down below a certain temperature.

This equilibrium is likely to be more comfortable for people who sleep hot and cold alike and is especially ideal for couples.

In addition to the mattress itself, you can utilize other bedding accessories and products to help promote a cooler sleep space.

A high-quality cooling pillow should prevent heat from accumulating so your head stays nice and cool through the night. Bedding companies can incorporate cooling features into the pillow’s fill, cover, or both.

Many cooling pillows use gel or shredded foam to mitigate heat, while others may use breathable fibers like buckwheat or bamboo. When paired with a breathable pillowcase, these materials can be all the more effective at temperature control.

Investing in a set of cooling sheets can be highly advantageous for people who sleep hot. Because you sleep directly against your sheets, you’re likely to feel their cooling effect immediately.

As you shop, look for terms like ‘breathable’, ‘moisture-wicking,’ and ‘thermoregulating.’ Additionally, you can count on specific fabrics—bamboo, Tencel, cotton, and Egyptian cotton—to offer a cooler sleeping experience.

Generally, mattress toppers are used as a means to enhance the mattress’ feel for extra support or cushioning. However, if you’re a hot sleeper, you can select a cooling mattress topper that’s designed to keep your bed cozily chill, particularly if you’re not yet ready to commit to a new mattress.

In some cases, the comforter or blanket you use may make you feel extra-hot at night, and changing things up could make a significant difference. These are also helpful during the summer months when the temperatures rise.

Look for materials like cotton, bamboo, Egyptian cotton, and satin when searching for cooling blankets.

Cooling mattress pads are a great solution for sleepers who want more cooling but can’t yet afford a brand new mattress.

A mattress pad is similar to a mattress topper, but tends to be thinner and not as impactful when it comes to changing the feel of the bed. Still, there are pads designed specifically for cooling that should be able to guard against extra warmth at night.

An electric cooling pad is another option. These pads are capable of reaching and maintaining the desired temperature quickly.

To achieve more comfort as you sleep, you can mix and match various strategies for making your bedroom colder.

• Use a mattress with multiple cooling elements in its construction.
• Purchase bedding made from naturally breathable materials.
• Outfit your bedroom with cooling accessories such as fans and AC units.
• Sleep in less clothing or lighter pajamas.
• Sleep with one foot or leg outside of the covers.
• Open a window to let cool air into the room.
• Limit light (and subsequent heat) by putting blackout curtains on the windows or keeping the blinds closed at night.
• Sleep on the lowest level of your home.

Yes, the cooling and temperature-regulating features inside modern mattresses can prevent too much heat retention and discomfort for many sleepers. Certain features may cause a notable cooling sensation, whereas other simply help your body to stay at a cozy temperature throughout the night.

You’ll probably find that you experience more pronounced cooling effects with some technologies over others, so experiment with various kinds of cooling materials and accessories to find the best mattress for you.

You can choose multiple ways to keep your mattress cool at night. Invest in products like a mattress topper, pillows, and sheets that are designed to promote cooling. Opening the windows, running a fan, and turning on your air conditioning can always help bring down the temperature of the room for easier sleeping.

The most breathable mattress materials are coils and latex. Coils allow air to flow through them, which keeps things breathable, and latex is naturally temperature-neutral. Memory foams infused with gel or copper or those that have an open cell structure are also cooler than traditional memory foams.

Yes, spring mattresses are cooler than memory foam. Spring mattresses are built with coils, and as mentioned, they foster airflow for enhanced cooling. Conversely, memory foam’s high density causes it to trap heat, though many manufacturers integrate cooling gels in the material to help with this.

If your partner runs much hotter than you but you share a mattress, you have a few options available to you.

• Purchase a split king mattress (two twin-XL beds laid side-by-side) so you can each customize your sleeping space while preserving closeness.
• Use different bedding for different sides of the bed. Maybe you need a lighter comforter and cooling sheets, whereas your partner wants a heavy quilt.
• Look into mattresses with adaptive cooling technologies or fabrics that respond to and dissipate body heat.
• Wear more or less clothing to bed according to how hot you feel when you wake up.