The Best Cooling Mattresses for Hot Sleepers
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It happens to the best of us: You wake up in the middle of the night, clammy and swimming in sweat. If you’re a hot sleeper, a cooling mattress may be for you. Waking up sweaty and hot can be caused by several factors, like sleeping conditions, stress, excessive blankets, the wrong pajamas, and even eating spicy foods before bed. Hot nights can also equate to sleepless nights. According to a study from the Journal of Physiological Anthropology, heat exposure increases wakefulness and decreases time spent in deep sleep and REM sleep.
No matter the cause, a cooling mattress is a great first step in combating a sweaty sleep. A cooling mattress is built specifically to help regulate your body temperature by being made of materials that optimize airflow and draw heat away from your body as you sleep. A cooling mattress can really make all the difference in avoiding overheating and getting a restful night’s sleep.
I usually run hotter than most—for better or worse, I'm not one of those waifish people who are perpetually cold. I (and some of my sweatiest colleagues) tested a myriad of cooling mattresses for at least a week each in our homes—to determine which works as advertised to beat the heat. These are the best cooling mattresses I've tested. All prices listed are for queen size.
Be sure to read our other sleep guides, including the Best Mattresses, Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers, Best Organic Mattresses, Best Bed Sheets, Best Bed Frames, and Best Sleep Trackers.
Updated March 2024: We've added the Bedgear H Performance, Wolf, and Awara Premier Luxury Hybrid mattresses, and moved the Wayfair 10.5-Inch Plush Cooling Gel Mattress and Wayfair Sleep 8-Inch Medium Cooling Gel Memory Foam to honorable mentions. We've updated prices throughout.
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What to Look for in a Cooling Mattress
When shopping for a cooling mattress, here are a few things to consider:
- Composition: Opt for mattress materials designed to promote airflow, which will help prevent heat buildup. Many mattresses are infused with gel or copper, which are designed to dissipate heat and keep you cool. A hybrid mattress combines the best of both worlds by using a coil support system under a foam, latex, or polyfoam comfort top. Hybrid mattresses tend to retain less heat than all-foam mattresses because they have a layer or two of springs to help dissipate heat.
- Cover fabric: Consider mattresses with covers made from moisture-wicking fabrics and phase-change fibers to draw sweat away from the body. Breathable fabrics include bamboo, Tencel lyocell, and synthetic fabrics, which are engineered to help regulate body temperature. Perforated cooling covers further amplify airflow between your body and the fabric. We find quilted tops help too, since they have ridges and valleys that allow air to escape.
- Airflow: With proper airflow, the heat you generate overnight is properly conducted through the mattress. Hybrid mattresses with individual coils help with this, but many mattresses marketed for their cooling benefits have other tricks.
- Firmness: While the debate of soft versus firm mattresses is a personal preference, your choice can play a crucial role in the way your body traps heat. Softer mattresses tend to envelop your body, leading to increased heat retention as your body sinks into the surface. Conversely, firmer mattresses provide better support and allow for more air circulation around your body.
- Photograph: Molly Higgins
Best Overall Cooling Mattress
Bedgear H Performance MattressEvery Bedgear mattress I’ve tested is extremely cooling and comfy and is a super fair price for the quality. This H Performance Mattress is no different. Like the others, it’s literally cool to the touch, with a swirly-design silky Ver-Tex cover that wicks away moisture and regulates temperature. (The H4 is medium firm, and the H6 is medium plush.) The sides of the mattress are made from Air-X panels that are netlike, which further aid in air circulation. This hybrid mattress uses pocketed coils at the bottom for support and multiple layers of memory-like foam up top.
The mattress is constructed with adaptive gel foam and high-density memory foam, which are super comfy and aid in pressure relief. There's free shipping to the Lower 48, and if purchased through Bedgear’s website, the mattress is covered by a 10-year limited warranty. You can choose from medium-firm or medium-plush, and there's also a split head option. This cooling mattress is the most consistently cooling bed I’ve tested, it feels more expensive than its price tag, and it has replaced my original mattress—that’s how much I love it.
The price ranges from $1,619 for a Twin to $2,609 for a Split Head California King.
- Photograph: Molly Higgins
Runner-Up
Bedgear Sport Performance MattressThis affordable option from Bedgear is literally cool to the touch with its silky smooth top Ver-Tex cover that’s designed to reduce overheating. It has 1.5 inches of ventilated foam with vertically drilled holes to help increase airflow and maintain structure. It also uses Bedgear’s Air-X mesh fabric that has an open ventilation design that helps with continuous airflow and helps regulate body temperature. The ventilated React foam technology on top not only helps with pressure relief, but aids in air circulation. That silky Ver-Tex top definitely diverts heat away from your body (helping to stop overheating before you get warm) and was continuously cool every night I slept on it. This 10-inch bed ships free to the lower 48, has a 10-year manufacturer's warranty, and can be returned if opened within 30 days or, if unopened, returned within 100 days. With options for firm, medium, or plush, this mattress is versatile and budget-friendly. It's our top pick for Cheap Mattresses because of its super-fair price point.
The price ranges from $499 for a Twin to $1,599 for a California King, with prices further changing depending on firmness.
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- Photograph: Molly Higgins
Best Hybrid Cooling Mattress
Wolf 12-Inch Memory Foam Hybrid Medium Firm MattressThis 12-inch, USA-made medium-firm memory foam hybrid mattress has seven layers that really help the overall cooling effect. The top layer is a breathable stretch knit cover that helps with airflow, then there are textured, super comfy cooling gel memory foams. The gel-infused convoluted foam helps regulate temperature and provide cooling comfort. The bottom half has a layer of high-density plush support foam, then 8 inches of individually wrapped coils that help with support and low-motion transfer.
This USA-made mattress has a 101-night trial and a lifetime warranty and is compatible with a myriad of bases, including an adjustable option. It feels much more luxe than its super-low price and far exceeded my expectations. The top knit cover provides breathability, helping to regulate temperature, while the gel foams are comfy and cooling, and the wrapped-coil bottom provides even more space for airflow.
The price ranges from $749 for a Twin to $1,099 for a King, with prices further changing depending on firmness and height.
- Photograph: Molly Higgins
Best Organic Cooling Mattress
Awara Premier Luxury HybridThe Awara Premier Luxury Hybrid mattress is the elevated big brother to the similar Awara Natural, which was a top pick in my guide to the Best Cheap Mattresses. This mattress has a cooling wool and rayon blend quilted cover top, followed by a layer of sustainable GOLS- and FSC-certified organic foam, with coils on the bottom for spinal support and structure (including four handles for easier moving). The blend of foam and coils also helped to promote airflow, as all-foam mattresses can be too dense and make the sleeper hot. This 12-inch mattress is listed as a 6 on the firmness scale, with 10 being the firmest—it was slightly more firm than I usually like, but it was still comfortable. The edge support was pretty solid, although the mattress top tended to bubble up in certain areas. That silky wool-rayon blend on the quilted top and coil-foam structure helped increase airflow to maintain a cool temperature while sleeping. Overall, the mattress is well-made using solid, organic, and sustainable materials that helped to keep things cool. I really liked this luxe organic mattress. I just wish it were a tad more plush.
The price ranges from $799 for a Twin to $1,998 for a Split King, although the mattresses are often discounted.
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- Photograph: Jeremey Theron Kirby
Best Cooling Mattress for Couples
Bedgear Split Head M3 Performance MattressThe modular Bedgear Split Head M3 mattress is like a perfectly crafted puzzle. When ordering an M3, you and your sleeping partner don’t have to compromise on cushioning—you can each choose from four levels of firmness for each side of the bed. Adding to this personal touch is the bed’s split head, particularly advantageous when coupled with Bedgear’s adjustable base. (The base is jam-packed with bed-of-the-future features like motion-sensing LEDs, built-in Bluetooth speakers, and massagers.) As if all the bells and whistles weren’t enough, the M3’s cooling technology is extremely well thought out, right down to the mattress core. Perforated individually wrapped coils allow for increased air circulation, and the silky patented Ver-Tex cooling cover is equipped with air-ventilated panels, providing a refreshing, sweat-free slumber without sacrificing coziness. —Nicole Kinning
The price ranges from $1,899 for a Twin XL to $3,599 for a Split Head California King.
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Best Medium-Firm Cooling Mattress
Leesa Legend Chill HybridI usually gravitate toward plush mattresses. I love a little give in my bed, which works best with my petite frame. Nevertheless, my sleep experience on the Leesa Legend Hybrid Chill mattress—marketed as a medium-firm feel—pleasantly surprised me. The Legend Chill delivered on support, and also had superb cooling qualities, so much so that I found I was significantly less restless at night, falling asleep almost the moment my head hit the pillow. The mattress’ quilted top layer feels ultra-luxe and is cool on contact. The breathable phase-change fibers draw heat away from the body and release it when your body is cooler to regulate temperature. The airiness is prevalent throughout the bed—right down to the coils, resulting in a deep sleep without sweat. I just might have converted to the medium-firm camp. —Nicole Kinning
The price ranges from $2,099 for a Twin to $3,299 for a California King, although the mattresses are often discounted.
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- Photograph: Jeremey Theron Kirby
Best Firm Cooling Mattress
Sealy Cocoon Chill Memory FoamAs soon as Sealy’s Cocoon Chill Memory Foam mattress is freed from its plastic wrapping, its surface is noticeably cool to the touch thanks to its exclusive phase change material, which works wonders at drawing and storing the body's heat. This all-foam mattress leans firm, making it well-suited for back and stomach sleepers. If you're a side sleeper looking for more body contouring, I’d suggest looking elsewhere. If you're a stomach sleeper looking for a firm mattress that’s also cooling, this one will do the trick. There was almost no motion transfer in my testing, allowing my husband and I to get up at different times without disturbing each other. —Nicole Kinning
The price ranges from $619 for a Twin to $1,389 for a California King, with prices changing if you opt for a hybrid mattress.
- Photograph: Molly Higgins
Best Medium-Soft Cooling Mattress
Wayfair Sleep 12-Inch Medium Cooling Gel Memory Foam MattressThis 12-inch mattress has four layers of hypoallergenic gel memory foam infused with green tea, using cooling technology and a breathable design to ensure you’re having a super-cool sleep. This medium-plush bed has two top layers of gel-infused memory and comfort foam to help with breathability and cooling; the next is 2.5 inches of super soft Zinus comfort foam; and the bottom thick layer is 5.5 inches of Zinus’ high-density base foam for more solid support. The top material is a breathable knitted cover to aid in airflow circulation from the many layers of foam below. The foam is all CertiPUR-US certified (meaning it meets all standards and is high quality), plus the bed has a 100-night trial and 10-year warranty. This mattress had the perfect balance of soft cooling with the memory foam, and the breathable knitted cover also helped with airflow. Most importantly though, I always slept coolly on this sleeper hit (pun intended).
The price ranges from $400 for a Twin to $600 for a King, although prices change often (and dramatically).
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- Photograph: Molly Higgins
Best Soft Cooling Mattress
Wayfair Sleep 14-Inch Plush Cooling Gel Hybrid MattressThis tall, affordable 14-inch plush cooling gel mattress features a top plush layer of gel memory foam to relieve pressure and help with airflow. The quilted Euro-top knit cover and sides promote continuous airflow around the mattress to keep the sleeper cool. The bed also features classic pocket coils below for structure and support, with layers of memory foams surrounding the coils (this helps with low-motion transfer, too). The mattress is also compatible with an adjustable bed base, has solid edge support, offers a 100-night trial, and has a 10-year warranty. I love a plush mattress, but it may be too plush for someone with a bigger body, since the first super-soft memory foam layer is on top of a coil system. I didn’t find it as super-cooling our top few picks, but this is very comfortable and surprisingly cooling for its plushness.
The price ranges from $400 for a Twin to $700 for a California King, although prices change often (and dramatically).
Best Super-Plush Cooling Mattress
Wayfair Sleep 13.5-Inch Medium Cooling Gel Memory Foam MattressThis 13.5-inch cooling gel memory foam mattress is listed as medium, but I’d definitely consider it super-plush. The top layer has 2 inches of gel-infused memory foam and 4.5 inches of comfort foam, and the bottom layer is 7 inches of high-density base support foam. Like other cooling Wayfair mattresses, the top has a breathable jacquard pattern and is green tea-infused to help with freshness and cooling. The top layers of memory foam are designed to mold to your body and help relieve pains and achy joints. This in-a-box bed also has low-motion transfer, a 100-night trial, and a limited 10-year warranty. Although the cooling effect is not as strong as our top pick (I think in part because of its sheer size), if you're someone who wants a super-plush bed that helps to wick moisture, then I’d recommend this behemoth.
The price ranges from $500 for a Full to $650 for a King, although prices change often (and dramatically).
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- Photograph: Mattress Firm
An Option With an Innovative Gel Layer
Purple Restore Cool TouchMy husband is a hot sleeper who will never go without a blanket no matter how hot he gets. The Purple Restore Cool Touch mattress, an exclusive sold only at Mattress Firm, was a game changer. This 11.5-inch hybrid mattress offers excellent pressure relief and cushioning thanks to Purple’s distinctive GelFlex layer. This rubbery grid beneath the mattress surface has just the right amount of bounce—making it supportive and easy to get out of bed in the morning—but also gives you motion isolation that will help you avoid waking your sleeping partner. In my testing, I also found that the springy gel layer enhances the overall coolness of the bed, offering a refreshing sleep environment, especially when compared to foam-top mattresses that are more likely to trap body heat.
Beneath the GelFlex grid lies a dense and supportive polyfoam and pocketed cooling coils. But the true star of the show covers the mattress’s interior: a lightweight yarn-woven mattress cover, which remains noticeably chilly to the touch all night long. It comes with a 120-night sleep trial so if you still get night sweats or don’t like the feel of the distinctive grid, you can return it. —Nicole Kinning
The price ranges from $1,999 for a Twin XL to $3,998 for a Split King.
Other Cooling Options
There are a ton of mattresses on the market that claim to have cooling benefits. Here are a few others we tested and liked, but not as much as the options above.
Casper Snow Hybrid for $2,495: When you come across a mattress with a name that includes “snow,” your expectations for cooling effects are naturally high—and this mattress indeed lives up to that expectation. Structurally, this hybrid bed combines poly foam, memory foam, and pocketed coils, and provides targeted support at the hips, waist, and lower back to alleviate pressure, making it ideal for back and stomach sleepers. I noticed it came out of the box slightly misshapen from its packaging and emitted a faint plasticky scent. After about two days, the mattress was ready to go, the smell gone, and it had settled into its intended neat rectangle shape. —Nicole Kinning
Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid for $1,999: The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid is marketed as firm, and that's exactly what you should expect. Crafted with patented AirCradle memory foam, the mattress features concentrated cushioning in the center, strategically intended to support your lower back. Since I’m only 5'2," the middle-back cushioning didn’t hit where it intended to. Despite its firmness, I didn't find this mattress particularly exceptional, especially with its cooling properties. Despite incorporating a triple-phase LuxeCool system and cooling gel-infused memory foam, the cooling effect didn't stand out. —Nicole Kinning
Wayfair 10.5-Inch Plush Cooling Gel Mattress for $334: This cooling gel hybrid mattress is composed of five layers of various memory foams. The memory foam pillow top aims to relieve pressure points and help reduce motion transfer, and it has a breathable knit cover to aid in the cooling effect. The mattress is compatible with an adjustable base and has a 100-night trial and 10-year warranty. Although it doesn’t have as noticeable of a cooling effect as some others on this list, it’s a true plush mattress that uses cooling gel technology at an affordable price.
Wayfair Sleep 8-Inch Medium Cooling Gel Memory Foam for $204: This super-cheap medium-firm cooling mattress has 8 total inches of memory foam—the top layer of cooling gel, charcoal, and green tea-infused memory foams (to add with freshness and odor absorption), followed by a soft comfort foam on a durable high-density foam base. The top layer has a breathable, woven jacquard design which helps to keep the sleeper cool and reduces motion transfer. The layers of ultra-cooling gel and green tea-infused memory foams help with the cooling effect and keep any odors at bay. This super-inexpensive mattress delivers well above expectations, but there are better cooling options on our list.
BedJet 3 for $387: WIRED reviewer Christopher Null liked this climate-control device a lot (8/10, WIRED Recommends). This device uses a large blower under your bed to blast hot or cool air beneath your covers. If you like your existing mattress but find yourself sleeping hot, this could be just the ticket.
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