10 Best Cooling Mattresses to Improve the Quality of Your Sleep

Along with being super comfortable, a cooling mattress can even improve your sleep quality by helping you fall (and stay) asleep.

By Jennifer Walker-Journey
Updated on January 3, 2022
Best-Cooling-Mattresses
Courtesy of Merchant

Believe it or not, body temperature plays an important role in helping us fall (and stay) asleep at night. And it's more than just a comfort issue. "We know you get the most deep sleep in a cool bedroom," said Philip Gehrman, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and a member of the Penn Sleep Center. Chris Winter, MD, president of Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine in Virginia, previously told Health that the ideal sleep temperature is a cool 65 degrees, or somewhere between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit. Aside from helping to induce sleep, a cooler room can also improve the quality of sleep you get, while a warmer environment can increase the likelihood that you'll wake up throughout the night.

If you have night sweats or if you feel hot throughout the night, causing you frequent and frustrating sleep disruptions, the best cooling mattresses offer a simple solution when lowering the temperature in the room isn't doing enough (or isn't an option). Many mattress companies have taken on the issue of hot sleeping by developing cooling mattresses that are specially designed to absorb body heat so you can enjoy a more restful night's sleep. But which cooling mattress is right for you? Before you feel overwhelmed by the plethora of mattress brands available, we consulted the sleep experts at Mattress Advisor to compile a list of the 10 best cooling mattresses on the market.

The Best Cooling Mattress Pads for Hot Sleepers

Our cooling mattress recommendations:

The 10 best cooling mattresses

01 of 10

Best Overall Mattress: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora

Mattress Lifestyle Photos
Brooklyn Bedding

Earning high scores in Mattress Advisor's tests for both comfort and responsiveness, the Aurora Hybrid by Brooklyn Bedding is a hot sleeper's dream. Its cooling properties are what make this hybrid mattress a total knockout; it stays cool to the touch even weeks after unboxing. Made with a copper gel-infused foam and cooling gel beads, the bed's surface is designed to stay at an optimal 88 degrees, so it'll regulate body temperature and help you get a good night's sleep. The Aurora, which is manufactured entirely in the U.S., also comes in three firmness levels for a customizable feel.

,
  • Mattress Type: Hybrid (pocketed coils and foam)
  • Mattress Advisor Score: 8.9/10
  • Firmness: Soft (3/10), medium (5/10), or firm (7/10)
  • Trial Period: 120 nights

02 of 10

Best Cooling Mattress for Heavy Sleepers: WinkBeds EcoCloud

WinkBeds EcoCloud Mattress
WinkBeds

Finding a mattress that not only keeps you cool but also supports your body type is essential for a good night's rest. Supportive and durable, the WinkBeds EcoCloud Hybrid mattress evenly distributes sleepers' body weights, so larger sleepers can rest peacefully and comfortably. The EcoCloud mattress combines an innerspring system of pocketed coils with Talalay latex to relieve pressure points throughout the upper body while still providing a sturdy base for extra support. Mattress Advisor testers also recommend this bed for eco-conscious sleepers who are looking for a sustainable option that keeps them cool at night. Made with certified organic materials, the WinkBeds EcoCloud provides zoned pressure relief and sturdy edge support—great for plus-size sleepers who tend to sleep near the edge of the mattress.

While this hybrid mattress comes in at a higher price point than other models, its quality materials and superior cooling technology make it well worth the money.

  • Mattress Type: Hybrid (foam and coils)
  • Mattress Advisor Score: Coming soon
  • Firmness: Medium (5/10)
  • Trial Period: 120 nights
03 of 10

Best Luxury Cooling Innerspring Mattress: Saatva Classic

Mattress Lifestyle Photos
Saatva

Innerspring mattresses are some of the coolest around, and the Saatva Classic mattress is no exception. It delivers the contouring comfort of memory foam with the breathability and stability of individually wrapped coils. And when combined with the dual support coil system that promotes healthy airflow, the result is maximum cooling comfort. The Saatva also comes in three different firmness levels, allowing you to customize the mattress to your perfect feel.

Because the Saatva is made with high-quality support coils and premium foam, it's extremely durable, meaning it can outlast the 15-year warranty that comes with each mattress. Unlike most online mattress brands, Saatva offers complimentary white-glove delivery and set up—plus, the company will remove your old mattress so you don't have to lift a finger.

  • Mattress Type: Hybrid (memory foam and innerspring)
  • Mattress Advisor Score: 9.3/10
  • Firmness: Soft (3/10), medium-firm (6/10), or firm (8/10)
  • Trial Period: 120 nights
04 of 10

Best Cooling Mattress for Side Sleepers: Helix Midnight

Helix
Helix

The best mattresses for side sleepers are ones, like the Helix Midnight, that keep the spine in proper alignment. The bed is made up of a pocket-wrapped coil layer, which provides excellent zoned lumber support, and a gel memory foam layer for pressure-point relief. But what earns the Helix Midnight a spot on this list is its pressure relief score of 8.5 out of 10 from Mattress Advisor testers. The Midnight provides the right amount of cushioning at the hips and shoulders to help you maintain a healthy posture throughout the night. In addition to the Midnight, Helix features a wide array of mattresses to suit all kinds of sleepers—not just those who lie on their sides. Plus, the company uses CertiPUR-US certified foams, meaning they're free of harmful chemicals.

,
  • Mattress Type: Hybrid (foam and coils)
  • Mattress Advisor Score: 8.9/10
  • Firmness: Medium (5.5/10)
  • Trial Period: 100 nights

05 of 10

Best Luxury Cooling Mattress: Serta Arctic

Serta
Serta

If a regular cooling mattress isn't going to cut it for you, you may want to consider the Serta Arctic. Measuring 13.5 inches in height, this high-end mattress features four luxurious layers designed to keep you cool while offering a lavish sleep experience. A layer of plush foam is at the top, followed by two layers of gel-infused memory foam. At its base lies an extra dense foam core. And, true to its name, this bed features cooling technology in its construction: a phase-change material designed to absorb excess body heat. Phase-change material works by pulling heat away from the body and sending it deeper into the mattress so the topmost layers stay cool. One tester told Health that the surface of the mattress stays cool to the touch even months after unboxing, which contributed to its impressive 9 out of 10 cooling score.

And you'll still get the soft feel that memory foam fans love. Testers awarded it a 9.5 out of 10 for its pressure relief capabilities. If you're on a tight budget, though, you may want to steer clear. The price point of this bed puts it in the luxury category.

  • Mattress Type: Memory foam
  • Mattress Advisor Score: 8.6/10
  • Firmness: Medium-firm (6/10)
  • Trial Period for Returns: 120 nights
06 of 10

Best Cooling Mattress for Couples: DreamCloud

Mattress Lifestyle Photos
DreamCloud

Sleeping with a partner can stir up quite a bit of heat, so couples may be more comfortable on a cooling mattress—and the DreamCloud is an excellent choice. The DreamCloud's eight-layer hybrid construction combines the best mattress materials, meaning you can benefit from the pressure relief of memory foam without getting overheated. The pocketed coils at its base help promote airflow throughout the mattress, working to break up any heat retained by the comfort foam layers above. Plus, the DreamCloud is topped with a 2-inch super soft cover for even more breathability and coolness.

Having earned high marks in pressure relief and spine alignment from Mattress Advisor, the medium-firm bed proved it's a fit for all sleep positions. To top it off, a good score in motion transfer (8.25/10) ensures your sleep won't be disturbed by your partner's movements.

  • Mattress Type: Hybrid (memory foam, latex, and coils)
  • Mattress Advisor Score: 9.1/10
  • Firmness: Medium-firm (6.5/10)
  • Trial Period: 365 days
07 of 10

Best Cooling Mattress for Back Pain: GhostBed Luxe

Mattress Lifestyle Photos
GhostBed

The GhostBed Luxe is one of the highest-scoring mattresses that Mattress Advisor has ever tested. It uses a combination of phase-change material, cooling gel, and breathable fiber to help you stay cool and sweat-free all night. Its soft cover is even cool to the touch.

If you suffer from back pain, you'll especially like that this mattress delivers near-perfect spine alignment (it received a 9.25 out of 10 in the category) and offers great pressure relief where you need it most—at the shoulders and hips. Most online mattress brands can't compete with GhostBed's 25-year warranty, which is more than double the industry standard.

  • Mattress Type: Gel memory foam
  • Mattress Advisor Score: 9/10
  • Firmness: Medium (5.5/10)
  • Trial Period: 101 nights
08 of 10

Best Value Cooling Mattress: Nectar

Mattress Lifestyle Photos
Nectar

With its rare combination of softness, support, and pressure relief, the medium-firm Nectar mattress is one of the best (and most affordable!) beds on the market. Its breathable cover and gel-infused cooling layer help the Nectar achieve something that's quite a feat for a mattress with memory foam: a comfortable bed that doesn't sleep too hot.

Another rare quality for memory foam mattresses is responsiveness. Mattress Advisor testers told Health that the Nectar allows for freedom of movement, so you don't feel "stuck" in the mattress like other foam beds (it earned an impressive 8.5 out of 10 in the responsiveness category). Plus, with a lifetime warranty and one year sleep trial, you can rest assured that this mattress will keep you sleeping cool for many nights to come. Its affordable price is just the cherry on top!

  • Mattress Type: Gel memory foam
  • Mattress Advisor Score: 8.7/10
  • Firmness: Medium-firm (6.5/10)
  • Trial Period: 365 nights
09 of 10

Best Organic Cooling Mattress: Birch by Helix

mattress toppers
Birch

Every part of the Birch by Helix mattress is meant to keep you cool: The organic cotton cover, organic wool batting, and natural latex all add up to a refreshing night's sleep that's good for your health and the environment. The mattress excels at pressure relief and is easy to move around on thanks to the bouncy yet cushioning effect of Birch's OEKO-TEX certified natural Talalay latex.

Helix Sleep crafted the Birch bed for eco-conscious sleepers after developing its line of standard and luxe mattresses, which are great for individuals who prefer a softer, less buoyant sleep experience. Every Helix model comes with a 25-year warranty and a 100-night sleep trial.

  • Mattress Type: Hybrid (latex and coils)
  • Mattress Advisor Score: 8.7/10
  • Firmness: Medium (5/10)
  • Trial Period: 100 nights
10 of 10

Best Cooling Mattress for Pressure Relief: Puffy Lux

puffy lux mattress
Puffy

While most memory foam mattresses tend to retain heat, the Puffy Lux manages to do the opposite. A gel-infused memory foam layer dissipates body heat to keep you and your partner cool, and an innovative temperature-regulating layer helps you stay sweat-free. A Mattress Advisor tester told Health that this technology earned it an 8.75 out of 10 in the lab for cooling.

As for pressure relief, the Puffy Lux scored a near-perfect 9.5 out of 10. The top layers of plush-soft foam aim to cradle your body in comfort, helping to relieve hip and shoulder pain. And thanks to its durable foam core, the Puffy Lux also works to maintain spine alignment (9/10).

  • Mattress Type: Memory foam
  • Mattress Advisor Score: 9.3/10
  • Firmness: Medium-firm (6/10)
  • Trial Period: 101 nights

What is a cooling mattress?

A cooling mattress is specifically designed to keep sleepers sweat-free. There's no single feature that makes a mattress cooling—in fact, the best cooling beds combine a wide range of materials—instead, the term relates to the construction of the bed as a whole rather than just one element.

For example, most people wouldn't consider a traditional memory foam mattress to be cooling since foam traps in heat. But a memory foam bed infused with gel and paired with perforated or open-cell foam could be classified as a cooling mattress because the materials promote airflow and work to keep sleepers cool throughout the night.

While cooling mattresses are a no-brainer for hot sleepers, they also work well for couples. Two bodies can stir up quite a bit of heat, and a cooling mattress will help keep you comfortable when things get steamy in the bedroom.

What to look for in a cooling mattress

One thing to keep an eye out for when browsing cooling mattresses is the presence of temperature-regulating materials, which are especially important for those who suffer from night sweats (a common side effect of menopause as well as some chronic illnesses and medications). These types of materials help absorb body heat so you can wake up feeling refreshed instead of sticky.

Best cooling mattress types

Different mattress types have different cooling capabilities. Here are a few examples.

Traditional memory foam mattresses are known to retain more heat than other types of beds unless they're infused with cooling gel, which absorbs and disperses excess body heat. In some cases, gel-infused memory foam can even be cool to the touch.

Innerspring beds made with pocketed coils are great for sleeping cool due to the spaces in between the coils, which allow more air to flow through.

Hybrid mattresses combine foam and coils. They often feel cooler than all-foam beds because the use of coils helps break up heat retained by the foam layers. Some hybrids mix coils with latex, which is a naturally aerated material.

Latex mattresses without the coils are also a top choice for hot sleepers because the latex won't trap in body heat due to it being a temperature-regulating material.

Cooling technology

Outside of mattress type, there are other add-ons that can amp up a bed's cool factor. Materials like gel and graphite are often infused into mattresses to enhance breathability. Some beds incorporate phase-change materials into their covers, which absorb and release heat. Foam layers can also come perforated, known as open-cell foam, which means they contain tiny holes designed to increase airflow.

Firmness

While firmness is a personal preference that depends on your sleeping style, it's also an important consideration for cooling. Softer mattresses typically contain more foam and tend to sleep warmer, meaning firmer mattresses sleep cooler because they usually incorporate more supportive (and breathable) components, like coils and latex. Medium-firm mattresses strike a happy balance that appeals to most sleepers and they contain a variety of materials that keep air flowing through the bed.

The Best Lighting, Bedding, and Sleep Products for a Better Night's Rest

Mattress Advisor's Review Process

Each mattress on this list was put to the test (literally) in Mattress Advisor's lab, which is located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Bedding experts spent over 1,200 hours evaluating and comparing mattresses using a 14-point testing methodology to determine the best cooling mattresses on the market.

While some of the factors tested are tied directly to performance, like responsiveness, edge support, and pressure relief, others are based around brand operations, such as customer service, shipping policies, and trial period. The Mattress Advisor team combines this proprietary methodology with in-depth interviews and customer experience to arrive at a weighted score out of 10.

Was this page helpful?