Best Cooling Mattress for Hot Sleepers

Human body temperatures naturally rise and lower over the course of a day, and different temperatures correspond with how tired we feel, how easily we fall asleep, and how soundly we stay asleep. Studies show that lower body temperatures overnight tend to promote better sleep, while higher body temperatures can interrupt the sleep cycle.

For these reasons, it’s important that people who tend to sleep hot opt for cooling mattresses. A cooling mattress can make the difference between a good night’s sleep and a night full of sweaty tossing and turning. Cooling mattresses are available at reasonable prices, too, so hot sleepers don’t need to worry about breaking the bank.

Keep reading to learn which mattresses are the best for hot sleepers. A variety of cooling mattresses exist, so you’ll want to pay attention to other mattress details to ensure you choose the best mattress for you. In this guide, we’ve outlined which mattresses are best for hot sleepers of different weights and sleep position preferences.

How to Find a Cooling Mattress

Keep reading to learn about mattress pricing, how your preferred sleep position affects which mattress will work for you, mattress types, materials used to construct mattresses, and more.

What is a Cooling Mattress?

Many people tend to “sleep hot,” or notice themselves wake up in the middle of the night feeling hot and sweaty. Some mattresses exacerbate this problem, while others ease it. Hot sleepers might want to seek out a cooling mattress to help them stay asleep throughout the night.

The term “cooling mattress” is used by many mattress manufacturers to indicate that there is something about the mattress’s construction meant to keep sleepers cool during the night. There are many ways in which a mattress can help you sleep cool. The term “cooling mattress” doesn’t refer to any single particular mattress part or system.

What to Look for in a Mattress

Finding a cooling mattress might be your top priority, but you’ll also want to consider other mattress features while shopping. A mattress that keeps you cool isn’t worth much if it causes you discomfort, or isn’t in your price range.

Mattress companies can make many claims and use overblown language when describing their mattresses. Instead of falling for marketing fluff, look past the fancy copywriting to determine what features the mattress has, and if it will meet your needs.

• Price: Cooling mattresses can be found across the price spectrum. Mattress price is usually a result of the materials used to construct the mattress. Higher-quality and longer-lasting materials cost more, though there are affordable high-quality mattresses available. Direct-to-consumer mattresses sold online are often less expensive, since the manufacturer isn’t paying for showrooms and additional staff.
• Sleeping Position: Your preferred sleep position will influence which mattress type and firmness level is best for you. For example, side sleepers often prefer softer mattresses that cushion their hips and shoulders. Back sleepers often prefer firmer mattresses that provide enough lumbar support. Of course, body weight greatly influences how soft or firm a mattress will feel to you.
• Mattress Type: There are many mattress types available, including all-foam, innerspring, hybrid (a combination of coils and other materials), airbed, and latex. Innerspring and hybrid mattresses tend to be more temperature neutral due to airflow through their coil layers. Memory foam comfort layers, whether in all-foam or hybrid beds, tend to trap body heat.
• Contouring: Contouring, also called conforming, refers to how much a mattress “hugs” the body. Memory foam is highly contouring and tends to trap heat. Many cooling mattresses are not highly contouring. For example, innersprings tend to be more temperature neutral and give a responsive feel.
• Quality Materials: For each type of mattress material, there are varying levels of quality available. The higher density a polyfoam is, the higher quality the foam tends to be. Higher quality polyfoam will be more durable and not as prone to developing body impressions. Natural latex tends to be higher quality than synthetic latex.
• Firmness Level: The mattress firmness scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest possible mattress and 10 being the firmest possible mattress. Firmness level is generally unrelated to a mattress’s cooling ability. Most people prefer mattresses in the 4.5 to 6.5 firmness range, though heavier-weight individuals often prefer even firmer mattresses.
• Pressure Relief: When a mattress provides good pressure relief, the sleeper’s weight is evenly distributed across the surface of the mattress. With poor pressure relief, the sleeper has points of greater pressure, which can cause discomfort or pain. If a mattress is too firm or if it sinks in too easily, sleepers will develop pressure points.
• Edge Support: Edge support refers to the firmness of a mattress’s edges when a person sits or lies near the edge of the bed. Strong edge support allows sleepers to use the full surface of a mattress without feeling at risk of rolling off. Strong edge support also makes getting in and out of bed easier.
• Temperature Regulation: Cooling mattresses excel at regulating temperature so sleepers don’t overheat during the night. All mattress layers can contribute to temperature regulation. Coil layers allow cooling airflow through the mattress. Special cover fabrics and foam comfort layer infusions can also help regulate temperature by absorbing body heat.
• Noise: Some mattresses make noise when people get on them or move around during the night. All-foam mattresses tend to be the most quiet, and can be virtually silent. Hybrid and innerspring mattresses tend to produce more sound due to their coil layers. Individually-encased pocketed coils are quieter than innersprings, however.

The Cooling Ability of Different Types of Mattresses

There are multiple types of mattresses sold in the current mattress market. Different types of mattresses are able to keep sleepers cool throughout the night to varying degrees. Generally, mattresses that fall under each category are constructed similarly and share many of the same features.

Of course, there is still plenty of variation within each mattress type. Quality of materials, construction methods, and additional features of specific models will affect how good a particular mattress is for you.

Hybrid

Definition: A hybrid mattress combines aspects of multiple other mattress types. Most hybrid mattresses have a pocketed coil support core layer and comfort layers consisting of polyfoam, latex, or a mixture of materials. The feel of a hybrid mattress can vary quite a bit depending on the comfort layers’ material and thickness.

Highlight: The coil support layer in a hybrid mattress allows airflow through the bed, which helps cool sleepers by reducing the amount of heat trapped in the bed. As a result, most hybrids are fairly temperature neutral. Thick memory foam comfort layers could cause a hybrid mattress to trap heat, however.

Foam

Definition: Foam mattresses, also called all-foam or mixed-foam mattresses, are constructed with different types of polyfoam as both the support core and comfort layers. Many sleepers prefer foam mattresses because of the “hug” they generally give the body. The conforming properties of memory foam can relieve pressure and ease pain.

Highlight: Since foam mattresses can trap heat, mattress manufacturers often add in materials with cooling properties. For example, covers with phase-change material absorb body heat and transform it to a cooler temperature. Gel, copper, graphite, and charcoal are all infused into polyfoam comfort layers with the intention of cooling.

Innerspring

Definition: Innerspring mattresses also contain a coil support core beneath comfort layers made of polyfoam, latex, or other material. They differ from hybrid mattresses in that the comfort layers are thinner, and the support core makes up the bulk of the mattress’s thickness. As a result, innerspring mattresses usually feel bouncier and less conforming.

Highlight: One benefit of innerspring mattresses is that they tend to be naturally cooling due to airflow through their coil layers. Even innerspring mattresses that contain memory foam are cooling since the foam layers are relatively thin. Also, innerspring mattresses are generally less expensive than hybrid and all-foam options.

Latex

Definition: Latex has been created from the sap of rubber trees, and it relieves pressure while giving mattresses a springy feel. Some latex mattresses contain only latex in both the support core and comfort layers. Other mattresses incorporate latex layers with other materials, such as coils and polyfoam.

Highlight: Many manufacturers aerate their latex mattress layers, or drill holes into them, to allow for increased airflow. As air flows through the latex layer, body heat is dispersed so the sleeper stays cool. Generally, Talalay latex is more temperature neutral than Dunlop, but both types can be aerated.

Airbed

Definition: Airbeds contain air chambers that can be inflated or deflated to increase or decrease the mattress’s firmness level. Some airbeds allow different firmness levels on each side, which could appeal to couples. Note that an “airbed” is a long-term use mattress and doesn’t refer to inflatable mattresses used temporarily for camping or traveling.

Highlight: Airbeds are generally cooling due to their air chambers, making them a good choice for people who sleep hot. Some people report that certain airbeds can become too cool, however. Airbeds with thicker comfort layers will be less likely to have this problem.

Cooling Mattress Materials

Mattresses are constructed with a variety of materials. Some make mattresses more cooling and breathable, while others trap heat. People who sleep hot need to understand which mattress components are most cooling, so they know what to look for when mattress shopping.

• Coils & Springs: Coils and springs are most commonly made of steel and used in a mattress’s support core. Because their layers contain so much open space, they allow for air to flow through the mattress, which cools the comfort layers above.
• Latex: Made from rubber tree sap, natural latex layers are generally cooler than polyfoam, but can trap heat. Talalay latex is known for retaining less heat than Dunlop latex. Synthetic latex tends to trap heat more than natural latex. All latex types can be aerated for breathability.
• Gel-infused foam: Some manufacturers infuse memory foam comfort layers with gel in an effort to promote cooling, but how well it works is debatable. Sleepers who tend to sleep hot might want to focus more on the mattress type than whether or memory foam layers contain gel.
• Basic memory foam: Basic memory foam is made of polyurethane. It conforms to the body in response to heat, providing a “hugging” sensation. Basic memory foam also tends to retain heat, so people who sleep hot might have trouble sleeping comfortably on it.
• Advanced memory foam: Scientists have worked to make basic memory foam more breathable and less heat-retaining. Advanced memory foam is the result of their efforts and often contains a pattern of small holes that allow airflow or gel-infused beads meant to promote cooling.
• Basic polyfoam: Like memory foam, polyfoam is made from polyurethane, commonly used in mattresses, and can trap heat. Basic polyfoam can be used both in a support core or as a comfort layer. It differs from memory foam in that it’s much less conforming.
• Advanced polyfoam: Advanced polyfoam, sometimes called open cell polyfoam, is an improvement upon basic polyfoam. This newer form of polyfoam contains small cells or air bubbles that increase the foam’s breathability and reduce heat retention. Mattresses with advanced polyfoam are more temperature neutral.

The Ideal Sleeping Environment for Hot Sleepers

Your mattress isn’t the only thing you should focus on when trying to find ways to sleep cool. Instead, consider your entire sleep environment. Many mattress and sleep accessories can help or hinder your efforts toward temperature neutrality.

Figuring out the ideal sleep temperature for your body is a step you can take toward a better night’s sleep. Then, opt for bedding items that will help support your goal of staying cool throughout the night.

What is the Best Temperature for Sleep?

There is no single sleep temperature that’s ideal for all people. Experts suggest that most adults’ ideal sleep temperature lies is around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. There are, of course, many people who fall outside of the norm.

Some people will find they prefer a warmer room, while others who sleep hot might find they need their bedroom even cooler. Individuals can experiment with different sleep temperatures to see what feels most comfortable to them.

Sheets

The sheet set you choose can greatly impact how warm or cool you feel throughout the night. Some sheets, such as those made of flannel, fleece, and heavyweight cotton, are designed to insulate and retain heat. These sheets aren’t a good option for people who sleep hot.

Other sheet types are more cooling, such as those made from lightweight cotton, linen, and Tencel lyocell. Lightweight cotton sheets are known for their breathability. They are often available in two weaving patterns: percale and sateen. Both are known for breathability, but percale is more of a crisp fabric while sateen feels smoother.

Linen is known as an exceptionally cool fabric, but it can feel rough to the touch. For that reason, manufacturers often pre-soften linen sheets, or create sheets that are a linen-cotton blend. Tencel lyocell is a fiber made from wood pulp that is naturally moisture-wicking and cooling. Most “bamboo” sheets are made from bamboo-derived lyocell.

Some cooling sheets contain synthetic cooling materials, such as Coolmax fabric or Outlast fibers. Coolmax fabric is a moisture-wicking and breathable polyester. Outlast fibers are temperature-regulating phase change materials that can be combined with other fibers and woven into fabric.

Pillows

There are many cooling pillows available today. If a traditional down or polyester pillow feels too warm, try a cooling pillow made of memory foam or latex. To make memory foam and latex more cooling, manufacturers either aerate the pillows to increase airflow, or infuse them with gel or other cooling materials.
Cooling pillows with air or water chambers are also available for sleepers needing to cool down at night. These are usually higher-priced, but effective.

Blankets

Some blankets increase body heat, while others cool. Blankets made of wool, down, fleece, cashmere, and heavy cotton are the warmest and should be avoided by hot sleepers looking to cool off.

Lighter, thinner blankets are cooler than heavier, thicker blankets. Naturally cool blankets are often made of lightweight cotton, a cotton blend, Tencel lyocell, and linen. All of these fabrics are breathable and less likely to trap body heat.

Some blankets are specifically designed to cool, such as those that contain Coolmax or 37.5 technology. Coolmax is moisture-wicking and breathable, while 37.5 fabric is designed to maintain an ideal body temperature.

Mattress Toppers

If you sleep hot on your mattress but aren’t ready to replace it, a mattress topper could help temporarily. A mattress topper is a layer of bedding that changes a mattress’s feel. Mattress toppers come in different thicknesses and materials.

Mattress toppers that contain memory foam are most likely to retain heat. Unless they are aerated and infused with gel, charcoal, or some other cooling element, they aren’t the best choice for hot sleepers. Similarly, down mattress toppers also tend to retain heat.

Cooling mattress toppers include those made with naturally-breathable wool, and those that use cooling technologies such as phase change material.