Best Cooling Mattress: Tested by and for Hot Sleepers

If you’re in the market for a new mattress but aren’t sure about your ideal firmness level, Helix Sleep offers a wide selection of memory foam hybrid models designed for specific body types and sleep positions. We found the Midnight Luxe to be one of the brand’s most well-rounded models. The mattress is designed with a pocketed coil system that promotes steady airflow and helps the mattress maintain a comfortable temperature.

How It Performed

We found the support from the Midnight Luxe’s transitional layer prevented testers’ bodies from sinking too deep into the bed. Between this and the conforming memory foam layers, the mattress relieved pressure while still retaining some bounce, making it a good match for our team’s side sleepers who experience pressure buildup in the shoulders and hips. The pocketed coils provide a supportive base and also allow for steady airflow, reducing heat retention that may be associated with foam layers. Consequently, the Helix Midnight Luxe slept quite cool.

What It’s Made of

While standard Helix models may appeal to budget-minded shoppers, the Luxe series consists of thicker pillow-top hybrids equipped with extra features to enhance your sleep experience. The Midnight Luxe is the middle-of-the-road option, which our testers rated medium firm (6). The mattress contains two layers of memory foam beneath the pillow-top to give the surface a plush feel. A polyfoam transitional layer provides extra conforming as well as support. The support core is made of zoned pocketed coils, followed by a base layer of high-density foam.

The Midnight Luxe and other Luxe hybrids cost a bit more than standard Helix models, but all have reasonable sticker prices compared to the average hybrid. Helix Sleep also provides free shipping to all 50 states. The Midnight Luxe comes with a 100-night sleep trial and 15-year warranty.

Nectar offers an array of mattresses, but the Premier stood out to our testers for its higher profile and enhanced cooling properties compared to other all-foam models we’ve evaluated in our lab. The thick comfort layer makes this bed an especially good choice for couples who prioritize plush, comfortable sleep surfaces with strong motion isolation.

How It Performed

A top memory foam layer conformed closely to our testers’ bodies, resulting in excellent pressure relief. The mattress also performed well during our motion isolation tests, making this an attractive option for anyone who needs a bed that reduces sleep disturbances from their partner’s movement. Meanwhile, the denser polyfoam layers provided adequate reinforcement, especially compared to other all-foam beds we’ve tested. The balance of contouring and support appealed to the side sleepers on our team weighing at least 130 pounds, since they need cushioning in the shoulders and hips but still require support for the lower back.

What It’s Made of

The mattress is 13 inches thick with an all-foam construction that our testers rated medium firm (6). The topmost layer consists of memory foam infused with cooling gel and phase change material, both of which are intended to help maintain temperature neutrality on the bed’s surface. Next is a thin layer of firmer transitional foam, followed by a 7-inch base layer of high-density polyfoam that stabilizes the mattress.

Nectar ships free of charge within the contiguous U.S. The Premier comes with a generous 365-night trial and lifetime warranty.

Picking the right cooling mattress can be challenging for side sleepers. We’ve found that people who primarily use this position experience pressure buildup along the spine, so they need an adaptive mattress that promotes even alignment and cushions the shoulders and hips. Thanks to a combination of foam layers and breathable components, we think the WinkBed is a good compromise for side sleepers seeking a cool, comfortable, and supportive mattress.

How It Performed

We found the WinkBed to be both plush and robust – a rare combination for mattresses our team has tested. The foam layers molded closely to the body while the coils created a strong support system to prevent our testers from sinking too deeply. Thanks to the range of firmness options, sleepers in most weight categories on our testing team found a model that felt comfortable.

Motion isolation is another area where the WinkBed performed well compared to other hybrid models. The top layers absorbed movement effectively, and the coils didn’t produce much responsiveness. At the same time, the edges felt secure thanks to the zoned coil system, and none of us sank excessively when moving across the surface. Steady airflow through the coils and the moisture-wicking Tencel cover also earned the WinkBed positive marks during our temperature control tests.

What It’s Made of

The WinkBed is available in four firmness levels: medium soft (4), medium firm (6), and firm (7), as well as the WinkBed Plus option with a firm (8) feel. Standard WinkBed models begin with a layer of polyfoam quilted into the cover, followed by an additional polyfoam layer in the medium soft, medium firm, and firm models. The Plus has a zoned latex layer instead of a second polyfoam layer. We noticed gentle conforming from the quilted polyfoam, resulting in even weight distribution and reduced pressure buildup. The transitional polyfoam layer provides moderate cushioning while serving as a buffer between your body and the support core. The medium soft model includes an extra layer of polyfoam for added cushioning.

As a hybrid model, the WinkBed uses pocketed coils for stability. These coils are designed to move independently from one another, creating a sturdy support system without generating too much bounce or motion transfer. Extra reinforcement along the perimeter helped prevent deep sinkage when our testers got in and out of bed.

WinkBeds offers free ground shipping throughout the contiguous U.S. and a 120-night trial period. All WinkBed mattresses are backed by lifetime warranties.

A mattress’ comfort level is a matter of subjectivity, but some beds are designed to feel comfortable for a wide swath of sleepers. We found the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is one such mattress. It comes in three firmness levels to accommodate different types of sleepers, and the hot sleepers on our team appreciated the Aurora Luxe’s cooling features.

How It Performed

The Aurora Luxe is designed with comfort in mind – just soft enough to cushion our pressure points, but supportive enough to prevent sagging. All three firmness options excelled at relieving pressure buildup during our testing, which is especially important for side and back sleepers. Sleepers under 130 pounds found the medium soft option most comfortable, while sleepers who weigh over 230 pounds found the best support from the firm bed. The medium firm option is appropriate for many weight categories, depending on your sleep position.

The cover fabric and CopperFlex foam are both infused with TitanCool, a phase change material meant to wick moisture from the body, dissipate heat, and maintain a neutral temperature. The coils also enable air to circulate and keep the bed cool.

What It’s Made of

The Aurora Luxe is available in medium soft (4), medium firm (6), and firm (7) feels. All options feature a top layer of CopperFlex foam. We noticed this foam conformed to the body but was also slightly responsive. Next is a layer of TitanFlex foam that feels firmer. The medium soft and medium firm versions include a transitional layer of gel-infused memory foam beneath these two layers, while the firm model uses TitanFlex foam for enhanced support.

All firmness options include a support core of pocketed coils that are zoned for extra support to the midsection. You can opt for an additional foam layer in the comfort system. This layer, known as the “Cloud” pillow-top, provides extra cushioning and may make the mattress feel slightly softer compared to models that don’t feature this layer.

Brooklyn Bedding provides free shipping within the contiguous U.S. Customers receive a 120-day sleep trial and are eligible for free returns after a 30-day break-in period. The bed is backed by a 10-year warranty.

Since uneven support and excessive sinkage can exacerbate pain from poor sleep posture, some sleepers require a mattress with extra reinforcement for their bodies that keeps them on an even plane. The Saatva Latex Hybrid has a luxury latex-over-coil design that delivered outstanding stability during our testing without sacrificing comfort or pressure relief.

How It Performed

The Latex Hybrid’s responsiveness and medium firm (6) feel best suited our back and stomach sleepers weighing between 130 and 230 pounds, but most sleepers who use these positions should feel comfortable. The latex offers gentle cradling to relieve pressure points, while the coils keep the body from sinking excessively.

Temperature control was one of the mattresses main strengths. The breathable cover and comfort materials naturally retain less heat, and the coil system ensures steady internal airflow. As a result, our heat guns detected minimal heat retention during testing. We also found the mattress to be a great choice for couples who prefer a bouncier surface for sex. Couples should feel comfortable moving across the full surface with little to no sinkage along the edges.

What It’s Made of

A layer of GOTS-certified organic wool gives the surface a bit of cushioning while acting as a natural fire barrier. Underneath is a layer of zoned Talalay latex that offers enhanced support to the lower back while cradling pressure points in the hips and shoulders. This layer also prevents your body from sinking too deeply into the coils.

Zoned pocketed coils make up the support core. Thicker coils are zoned underneath the midsection to prevent uncomfortable sagging and help you maintain healthy sleep posture. The coils rest on a base layer made from a blend of organic cotton and GOTS-certified organic wool. The mattress is encased in a breathable organic cotton cover.

All Saatva customers in the contiguous U.S. qualify for free White Glove delivery, which includes full assembly in your home and removal of your old mattress. Comparatively, most online mattress brands charge at least $100 for this service. Your purchase also includes a 365-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty.

Foam hybrids can be iffy when it comes to temperature control, especially those with softer comfort layers. The Casper Snow breaks from this trend thanks to proprietary cooling materials in its comfort system. This allows the mattress to deeply cushion the body, promote even alignment, and reduce pressure buildup — all while maintaining a comfortable temperature.

How It Performed

Since the Snow is medium (5), it feels plusher and more adaptive than the average hybrid. These qualities made the mattress a big hit with side sleepers on our team weighing up to 230 pounds, many of whom remarked on the ample cushioning for their shoulders and hips. Our back sleepers in the same weight range also found the mattress comfortable. For most stomach sleepers, the mattress felt a bit too soft and some complained of excessive sinkage beneath their midsections.

In addition to sleeping quite cool, our tests show the Snow absorbs movement well and reduces a significant amount of motion transfer. As a result, you and your partner shouldn’t encounter too many sleep disturbances when the other person changes positions or tosses and turns at night. Pressure relief was another strong performance area for the mattress. Our body-mapping sensors revealed little to no pressure buildup for most of our testers in the range of 230 pounds or less.

What It’s Made of

The Snow’s topmost layer consists of AirScape polyfoam, a proprietary material with an open-cell composition. This ensures excellent breathability and minimal heat retention on the surface. Phase change material and HeatDelete bands embedded beneath the AirScape provide additional cooling and heat dissipation. The memory foam transitional layer adds extra cushioning, but this layer is zoned to feel firmer and more supportive around the midsection.

The support core contains pocketed coils encased in dense foam. These coils stabilize the mattress without generating too much motion transfer or affecting how plush the surface feels. Although the foam encasement is intended to reinforce the perimeter, our team noticed some sinkage during edge support tests. The cover is designed to feel cool to the touch.

Competitive pricing puts the Snow on par with the average hybrid model in terms of cost. Casper also offers free ground shipping anywhere in the contiguous U.S. and provincial Canada. Each order includes a 100-night sleep trial, and customers who choose to keep the mattress after the trial ends receive a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty.

The Nolah Evolution 15 is a hybrid mattress that combines the contouring features of foam with the strong support of a coil system. The result is a bed that excelled in our pressure relief tests, making it ideal for sleepers with back pain and other people who experience painful buildup at night.

How It Performed

The Evolution 15 earned positive reviews from testers who normally run hot during sleep. The foam layers are engineered to draw heat away from the body, and the coil system enables air to circulate. The bed is available in three firmness options, making it suitable for various sleep positions and sleep preferences. The side and back sleepers on our team preferred the plush and luxury firm options, which translate to medium (5) and medium firm (6) feels, respectively. Stomach sleepers appreciated the firm (8) option, since this sleep position requires a flat, supportive surface for proper spinal alignment.

What It’s Made of

At 15 inches thick, the Nolah Evolution 15 is a high-profile mattress with an adaptive comfort system. The Euro-top cover is quilted with foam, followed by a comfort layer of proprietary AirFoamICE foam. When our testers were lying on the bed, they found these two comfort layers offered above-average cushioning for a hybrid. Next is a firmer layer of polyfoam, which provides moderate contouring but also buffers you from the support core. Beneath the foam is an 8-inch pocketed coil system that offers targeted support to different areas of the body.

The Evolution comes in all six standard sizes, as well as a split king size for adjustable beds. Nolah ships mattresses for free within the contiguous U.S. Customers receive a 120-night sleep trial and may return the bed for a full refund after an initial 30-day period. The Evolution 15 comes with a lifetime warranty.

Mattresses with foam layers typically trap body heat since they adapt so closely to the body. The Layla Hybrid pairs cooling technology with steady airflow through the coil system, earning it high marks in our temperature control tests.

How It Performed

The mattress has a reversible design with a different feel on each side: medium soft (4) and firm (7). Most of our testers found a side that felt comfortable, regardless of their sleeping positions or body types. The softer side’s thick cushioning earned its highest ratings from our side sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds, as well as back and stomach sleepers weighing under 130 pounds. Meanwhile, the firmer side offered even contouring enjoyed by back and stomach sleepers weighing at least 130 pounds.

Both sides earned balanced reviews across our testing criteria with only slight differences in performance. The softer side’s thicker comfort system absorbed more motion, while the firmer side slept slightly cooler. Both excelled in our edge support tests, thanks to the reinforced perimeter.

What It’s Made of

Both sides feature a mixed-foam comfort system, but the softer side’s foam layers are slightly thicker than on the firmer side. They begin with an adaptive memory foam layer that closely contours to the body to relieve pressure. This layer is infused with copper gel meant to conduct and dissipate heat. Underneath is a polyfoam transitional layer that acts as a buffer between the comfort system and the coils.

Pocketed coils make up the shared support core, offering targeted support to the midsection to reduce uncomfortable sagging. A reinforced perimeter prevents you from sinking when lying or sitting near the edges. The cover is made from a stretchy polyester, rayon, viscose, and poly-lycra blend.

Layla ships free to customers living in the contiguous U.S. The Layla Hybrid is backed by a 120-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty against structural defects.

Sleeper Testimonial: ““I sleep on the ‘firm’ side of the Layla Hybrid, which means there is a thinner foam layer than the ‘soft’ side. As a result, the comfort layer doesn’t heat up as much, and the coils in the base do a great job of promoting air through the very core of the mattress. I slept on a memory foam bed prior to this, and the temperature neutrality on the Layla Hybrid has been a game-changer.” – Tom Ryan

Most mattresses that earn high ratings in our motion isolation tests have adaptive foam layers, and this can lead to an uncomfortable sleep temperature if the cushioning layers absorb excess heat. With the Bear Elite Hybrid, you get the best of both worlds. Thick foam layers prevent movement transfer when your partner changes positions at night, but we found the specialized cooling cover facilitates airflow while you sleep.

How It Performed

Elite Hybrid buyers choose from three firmness levels. During our tests, the Luxury Plush – a medium (5) model – earned the most favorable ratings from side and back sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds. This design offers the closest contouring and may sink a bit too much for sleepers who weigh more. The Luxury Firm (6) model was most popular among our side sleepers weighing 130 to 230 pounds and back sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds. The most balanced of the three, this model cushions and supports the body in equal measure. Lastly, the Firm (8) model provided excellent reinforcement for side sleepers weighing more than 230 pounds, as well as back and stomach sleepers weighing at least 130 pounds.

Temperature control is a defining trait of this mattress. This can be attributed to the Celliant-blend cover, which releases heat from the surface, as well as steady air circulation through the coil system and the breathable, copper-infused memory foam comfort layer. The Elite Hybrid’s other strengths vary by firmness level. The two softest models performed well during our pressure relief tests, while the two firmest options feel more secure along the perimeter and don’t sink excessively when you move across the surface.

What It’s Made of

A memory foam comfort layer and polyfoam transitional layer make up the Elite Hybrid’s comfort system. The memory foam is infused with copper, which has natural cooling properties. The polyfoam is divided into five different firmness zones. We noticed that this zoned design enhances support around the midsection – where people tend to carry extra weight – while gently cradling the head, shoulders, and legs.

The Elite Hybrid’s support core consists of pocketed coils over a high-density polyfoam base layer. Extra-strength coils along the perimeter provided pushback and decreased sinkage when our testers lied along the edges of the mattress or got in and out of bed. A cover made of Celliant-blend fabric encases the mattress. Celliant is engineered to dissipate heat on contact, resulting in a sleep surface that feels cool at all times – even on exceptionally hot or humid nights.

Bear offers free ground shipping throughout the contiguous U.S. Customers can opt for two free pillows with their purchase or choose a discounted sleep accessories bundle featuring two pillows, a sheet set, and a mattress protector. All mattress orders are backed by 120-night sleep trials and lifetime warranties.

The Leesa Original Hybrid is a thoughtfully constructed bed with multiple foam layers that provide cushioning, along with a coil system that delivers ample support. This balanced feel catered to many of our testers across primary sleeping positions and body types.

How It Performed

The multiple foam layers provided excellent pressure relief for our side and back sleepers who experience sharp pressure points in the shoulders, hips, and spine. Meanwhile, the polyfoam transitional layer and coil system offered enough support to keep our lower backs from sinking. The mattress is a good match if you weigh up to 230 pounds, but those who exceed this weight range may sink more deeply into the bed and not receive adequate support.

The Original Hybrid is somewhat bouncy due to the responsive transitional layer and coil system, and this makes the mattress conducive to sex. Steady airflow through the coils also kept the bed at a comfortable temperature throughout testing. Our heat guns detected minimal heat buildup on the surface.

What It’s Made of

The Original Hybrid has a polyester-blend cover and begins with a layer of memory foam, which contours closely to the body. Beneath is a polyfoam transitional layer that conforms more deeply, allowing the surface to cradle sharp pressure points. The support core consists of pocketed coils with a reinforced perimeter. The coils give the bed stability and moderate bounce. A layer of high-density base foam completes the hybrid design.

Leesa allows customers to try out the mattress for 100 nights. Returns made within this timeframe are eligible for a full refund following a 30-night break-in period. The Original Hybrid also comes with a 10-year warranty, and shipping to all 50 states is free.