- We spent over 2,000 hours researching and testing the top mattresses on the market and consulting with 21 sleep experts to compile our recommendations.
- Our testers evaluated over 100 models and recorded our findings on a 42-question standardized testing form to identify standout features and services, document issues with each product, and describe our personal experience lying on each mattress.
- We paid close attention to specific considerations that sleepers of all ages seek, as identified by respondents in our survey of 1,200 mattress owners. This included price, features, and the set-up process.
- We found that innerspring mattresses are naturally more cooling because of air flow through the coils, but temperature regulation in hybrid and memory foam mattresses can be improved with added cooling properties like phase change material or gel-infused foam.
Learn more about how we tested mattresses for cooling capabilities.
Key takeaways
- The Saatva Rx is our pick for the best cooling mattress because sleepers who run hot at night will appreciate the natural air flow encouraged by the individually pocketed innerspring coils and the added temperature regulation of the gel-infused lumbar support foam and cooling quilted cover.
- We chose the best cooling mattresses through over 2,000 hours of testing and the survey responses of more than 1,200 mattress owners. Our testers measured the temperature of each mattress, then laid on the mattress for five minutes, and measured the temperature again to record temperature changes. Anything less than 7.2 degrees increase is excellent, while anything less than 10 is considered good.
- Mattresses for hot sleepers can cost around $800 or over $4,300, depending on size, construction, and materials.
Overheating while you’re sleeping isn’t just uncomfortable, it can have a significant impact on your sleep quality. Research shows that temperature plays an important role in sleep, and if you’re too hot, you might find yourself waking up more frequently and feeling more tired the next day. But sleep is crucial to your mental health and regulation of emotions.
Turning the temperature down or using a fan can help, but you also might want to consider trying one of the best cooling mattresses. A cooling mattress can help keep you from getting too hot, resulting in a more restful and comfortable night’s rest.
While many mattress manufacturers tout cooling technology, not all work as efficiently as advertised. That’s where the Handbook Team comes in. We’re constantly researching and testing the best mattresses, as we learn about new models and updated technology. In our experience, these are the top 10 mattresses for cooling.
10 best cooling mattresses of 2024
- Saatva Rx: Best cooling mattress overall
- Saatva Classic: Best cooling innerspring mattress
- Helix Plus: Best cooling mattress for heavy people
- Nolah Original Hybrid: Best cooling mattress for side sleepers
- Bear Original: Best cooling memory foam mattress
- The WinkBed: Best cooling mattress for back pain
- The Nectar Memory Foam: Best value cooling mattress
- DreamCloud Foam: Best cooling mattress for stomach sleepers
- Cloverlane Foam: Best soft cooling mattress
- Emma Hybrid Comfort: Best cooling hybrid mattress
What to look for in a cooling mattress
- Cooling covers: Mattress covers made from natural materials, like cotton, wool, and latex, pull heat away from the sleeper. Because of this, they are naturally cooling.
- Breathable core: The core of your mattress can aid in temperature regulation if it is constructed with breathability in mind. The coils of an innerspring mattress, or a hybrid with an innerspring core, allow air to flow through the spaces within the mattress. Memory foam mattresses are known for trapping heat, but a ventilated option like hole-punched foam could help you stay cool at night.
- Temperature friendly upgrades: Some mattresses also have added properties created to improve the cooling capabilities of the model. Gel-infused foam is naturally cool-to-the-touch, and it is present in a number of mattress covers and memory foam layers. Phase change materials absorb heat, pulling it away from the sleeper so they remain comfortable while they sleep.
Best cooling mattress overall: Saatva Rx
Why Saatva Rx is our pick for best overall
The Saatva Rx is a hybrid mattress designed to relieve back and joint pain. While it does excel in those areas, we also think it’s a great cooling mattress. We put the Saatva Rx through our temperature test using a thermal gun to take the initial temperature of the mattress.
Then, we had two testers lay on the mattress for five minutes and took the temperature again to see how much the temperature increased. It performed quite well, increasing by only 7.2 degrees. Anything less than 10 is considered good cooling capability.
Who should consider the Saatva Rx: Back sleepers and stomach sleepers who tend to run hot will likely find the Saatva Rx to be a comfortable choice,
Who should consider other options: Because of the medium-firm feel of this bed, side sleepers and light weight sleepers will typically prefer something that has a softer, plusher feel.
Saatva Rx tester insights
The Saatva Rx is a fairly tall hybrid mattress with a large section of coils. We think these coils play a key role in keeping the bed cool, as they allow lots of room for airflow. Plus, the Saatva Rx has an organic cotton cover—another breathable material that allows hot air to escape the mattress.
The Saatva Rx earned the top spot on our list, not only because it sleeps cool, but because it’s an all-around excellent mattress.
From one of our Saatva Rx testers:
“I didn’t expect the Saatva Rx to be comfortable for stomach sleeping since it provided such nice pressure relief for side sleeping. But I was pleasantly surprised to find my hips didn’t sink into the material. I think this is most likely due to the use of microcoils.”
This bed sports a simultaneously supportive and pressure-relieving feel, which is a win for many sleepers. It uses some unique design features, such as a layer of microcoils encased in foam and foam caps on the ends of the main coil section, to create that mixture of support and pressure relief. Thus, we think the Saatva Rx is a win for all three sleeping positions (back, side, and stomach), and it can work for many body types.
Best cooling innerspring mattress: Saatva Classic
Why Saatva Classic is our pick for best innerspring
The Saatva Classic is an innerspring mattress with a Euro top, meaning it’s primarily made of coils but features a quilted pillow top layer for comfort. We think the Saatva Classic is a great pick for cooling because of this construction. Since the bed is primarily made of coils, there is a lot of room for airflow within the mattress. That means hot air can escape instead of being trapped inside. Plus, the Saatva Classic performed well during the thermal gun test, only increasing by about 6 degrees.
Who should consider the Saatva Classic: Our testers rate it 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale, making it a good choice for back and stomach sleepers.
Who should consider other options: The Saatva Classic scores low in the motion isolation category of our testing, and we think couples sharing a bed would prefer another model on this list.
Saatva Classic tester insights
In addition to being our favorite innerspring mattress for cooling, we think the Saatva Classic is an all-around great pick for an innerspring bed. With three firmness options—Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm—sleepers can easily choose the right firmness level for their sleeping position and personal preferences. We tested the Luxury Firm model and rated it a seven out of 10 on the firmness scale, meaning it’s just firmer than average. While the Classic offers good responsiveness, which is good for changing positions, it has poor motion isolation, so it might not be the best option for couples. We think this model is especially good for back sleepers, as it provides sturdy spinal support.
From our tester
“The edge support on the Saatva Classic is so sturdy, I’d basically have to throw my body weight over the edge to roll off.”
From one of our Saatva Classic testers:
“The edge support on the Saatva Classic is so sturdy, I’d basically have to throw my body weight over the edge to roll off.”
Learn more in our Saatva mattress review.
Best cooling mattress for heavy people: Helix Plus
Why Helix Plus is our pick for best for heavy people
The Helix Plus is a hybrid mattress designed with higher-weight sleepers in mind. Sleepers who weigh 250 pounds or more generally need a more sturdy mattress than people who weigh less than 250 pounds. We like the Helix Plus for this group because it offers a firm and supportive feel that should keep this type of sleeper comfortable all night long.
Who should consider the Helix Plus: Sleepers weighing more than 250 pounds who are looking for a cooling mattress will find the Helix Plus to be supportive while helping them stay cool at night.
Who should consider other options: Lighter weight sleepers and side sleepers may find this mattress is too firm for their comfort.
Helix Plus tester insights
The hybrid construction of the Helix Plus makes it a good cooling bed. The mattress has plenty of room for airflow, while the cover is made of Tencel, a fabric that helps with temperature regulation. Tencel is the branded name for lyocell, a more eco-friendly alternative to viscose, which is made from eucalyptus.
From one of our Helix Plus testers:
“As I lay on the Helix Plus mattress, I felt very cool. I didn’t notice any increase in heat on the parts of my body touching the mattress.”
Our testers found the Helix Plus quite firm, rating it an eight out of 10 on the firmness scale. However, it’s worth noting that the tester weighed less than 250 pounds. Since heavy sleepers have a higher weight, they may sink into the mattress’s material more. So it may not feel quite as firm to heavy sleepers.
In our temperature gun test, the Helix Plus only increased by about 7 degrees after two testers lay on the bed, which we qualify as good cooling capability.
To learn more about Helix, read our Helix review.
Best cooling mattress for side sleepers: Nolah Original Hybrid
Why Nolah Original Hybrid is our pick for best for side sleepers
The Nolah Original Hybrid is a win for side sleepers, thanks to its soft feel and great pressure-relieving capabilities. As the name suggests, the Nolah Original Hybrid is a hybrid of foam and coil layers. The coils offer plenty of support, while the upper foam layers keep things nice and comfy for side sleepers.
Who should consider the Nolah Original Hybrid: Side sleepers who are looking for a mattress that feels cool-to-the-touch will find this mattress comfortable.
Who should consider other options: Heavy sleepers, along with back sleepers and stomach sleepers of average weights, may find the plushness of the Nolah Original Hybrid to be too soft to offer the support needed to maintain a neutral spine.
Nolah Original Hybrid tester insights
When we ran the Nolah Original Hybrid through our thermal gun test, the temperature only increased by 5.7 degrees. This is a good result, showing the Nolah Original Hybrid doesn’t retain a high amount of heat.
From one of our Nolah Original Hybrid testers:
“My shoulders and hips sink in, but in an accommodating way, so that it’s offloading pressure.”
We also put the Nolah Original Hybrid through our pressure map test. The Nolah Original Hybrid showed overall low pressure, indicating that the foam layers are doing their job to relieve pressure on the shoulder and hip.
Learn more in our Nolah mattress review.
Best cooling memory foam mattress: Bear Original
Why Bear Original is our pick for best memory foam
The Bear Original is an all-foam mattress with a firmer feel. The bed is constructed with gel memory foam to promote cooling and features two cover options (both of which are great for cooling). By default, the Bear Original comes with a Tencel cover, but shoppers can upgrade to a Celliant cover for an additional fee. Celliant is a material that research has shown promotes blood flow, but we’ve also found it provides a cooling feel to the mattress.
Who should consider the Bear Original: The combination of motioning isolation memory foam with the cool-to-the-touch celliant cover will be just right for couples who run hot at night.
Who should consider other options: Because we found this mattress to be quite firm for a memory foam mattress, we don’t think it is a good fit for side sleepers.
Bear Original tester insights
For this review, we tested the Bear Original mattress with the Celliant cover option. Like every other bed, we ran the Bear Original through our thermal gun test and found the temperature increased by about 10 degrees, which may be higher than others in our list but still indicates that it provides good cooling. It can be tricky to find an all-foam mattress that keeps cool since foam naturally traps a lot of heat.
From one of our Bear Original testers:
“This is definitely firm for an all-foam mattress, which makes it great for different types of sleepers.”
Foam also has a reputation for being soft, but the Bear defies expectations there too. Our testers found the Bear Original quite firm, rating it as an eight out of 10 on the firmness scale. This makes it best suited for back and stomach sleepers, who do well with a firmer bed that can promote spinal alignment.
To learn more, read our Bear mattress review.
Best cooling mattress for back pain: The WinkBed
Why The WinkBed is our pick for back pain
When it comes to back pain, The WinkBed is one of our favorite mattresses to recommend. It’s a hybrid with a pillow top, but it’s so sturdy it feels reminiscent of traditional innerspring mattresses. This mix of support and comfort is ideal for keeping the spine aligned while providing some gentle contouring around the lumbar. Plus, it comes in three firmness options: Softer, Luxury Firm, and Firmer.
Who should consider The WinkBed: Sleepers who wake easily will appreciate the motion isolation of this mattress, especially if they share a bed with a partner.
Who should consider other options: Lighter people who prefer to sleep on their side likely won’t find this mattress soft enough to contour to their body.
WinkBed tester insights
We tested the Luxury Firm model of The WinkBed, and our testers rated its firmness as 6.5 out of 10, or medium-firm. This firmness could work well for many sleepers with back pain, while the Firmer model could be a good pick for those who want even more spinal support. When we tested pressure relief for back sleeping, our pressure map showed an excellent result—essentially no pressure buildup. This also shows that the pillow top works well to cradle the sleeper and relieve pressure at the back while still providing support.
From one of our WinkBed testers:
“My spine felt relatively straight and very neutral while lying on the WinkBed.”
We naturally put The WinkBed to the test with our thermal gun test. We expected it to perform fairly well since it’s a hybrid (with coils that allow lots of room for airflow), and it has a Tencel cover, which can help regulate temperature. The WinkBed only heated up by about 6 degrees after our testers lay on it, which is a good cooling result.
Best value cooling mattress: The Nectar Memory Foam
Why The Nectar Memory Foam is our pick for best value
The Nectar is an all-foam mattress with a medium-firm feel that offers great pressure relief. While foam is known for trapping heat, the Nectar Memory Foam includes gel infusions in the foam designed to draw heat away from the body and a cooling cover. Best of all, the Nectar is an excellent value option. A queen size is often less than $1,000 with discounts.
Who should consider the Nectar Memory Foam: Mattress shoppers looking for a cooling memory foam for less than $1,000 will appreciate the promotional discounts regularly offered by Nectar.
Who should consider other options: Stomach sleepers or heavy weight sleepers may find this model doesn’t offer the support necessary to maintain an aligned spine.
Nectar Memory Foam tester insights
After our testers lay on the Nectar Memory Foam, it only increased in temperature by about 8 degrees, which we qualify as good cooling capability. Because this mattress also scored high in motion isolation, it makes it a good one for couples because you don’t have to worry about excessive heat from two bodies or your partner’s movement waking you up in the middle of the night. But if you’re hoping to use the entire surface of the mattress, you might want one with better edge support. Our testers only gave this mattress a 2.5 out of five in that category.
From one of our Nectar Memory Foam testers:
“Laying on the Nectar mattress, I felt gently hugged by the materials.”
We also ran the Nectar Memory Foam through our pressure map test, and it showed minimal pressure in the side and back sleeping positions.
To learn more, read our Nectar mattress review.
Best cooling mattress for stomach sleepers: DreamCloud Memory Foam
The DreamCloud Memory Foam is an all-foam version of the brand’s flagship mattress, the DreamCloud. The bed features a cashmere blend cover and gel-infused foam for cooling. Our testers felt it had a medium-firm feel, making it a good choice for stomach sleepers.
Why the DreamCloud Memory Foam is our pick for best for stomach sleepers
When we ran the DreamCloud Memory Foam mattress through our thermal gun test, it performed well, only increasing by about 6 degrees after our testers lay on it. This is an especially good result for an all-foam mattress, which can often trap heat easily. The mattress also offers a supportive structure of dense memory foam that allows for enough give to feel plush and enough firmness to support the spinal alignment of stomach sleepers.
Who should consider the DreamCloud Memory Foam: Stomach and combination sleepers who prefer the plushness of memory foam but need enough firmness to support their spine in multiple positions.
Who should consider other options: Lighter weight side or combination sleepers may find this mattress too firm. Additionally, the DreamCloud Memory Foam only earned average scores for edge support, so it may be less desirable for those who share their bed.
DreamCloud Memory Foam tester insights
From our tester
“I didn’t feel my spine dipping or my hips sinking into the mattress. It was very comfortable for stomach sleeping. ”
One of our testers characterized the DreamCloud Memory Foam as offering a “gentle cradle,” meaning the surface of the mattress was comfortable but not so soft that their hips sank into the material. We think this will work for stomach sleepers, who don’t want to feel like they’re sleeping on a plank but still need that firm support for a neutral spine.
To learn more, read our DreamCloud mattress review.
Best soft cooling mattress: Cloverlane Foam
Why the Cloverlane Foam is our pick for best soft cooling mattress
The Cloverlane is a luxury foam mattress that comes in three firmness levels: Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm. We tested the Plush Soft version and found it lived up to its name—it was so soft and plush.
Who should consider the Cloverlane Foam: Sleepers who prefer luxury amenities, like white glove delivery and a plush, cooling cover.
Who should consider other options: If affordability is an important factor during your search for a mattress, the price of this luxury mattress may not fit within your budget.
Colverland Foam tester insights
With this bed’s gel-infused foams and breathable cooling cover, it’s not surprising the Cloverlane Foam only heated up by about 7.6 degrees when we put it through our thermal gun test.
From one of our Cloverland Foam testers:
“When I ran my hand across the mattress, the cover felt cool to the touch.”
Our testers felt relatively comfortable in all three sleeping positions on the Cloverlane Foam mattress, so even though it offers a softer feel, it could be a good option for many different sleepers. One tester particularly enjoyed how this luxury mattress contoured around their lower back.
Best cooling hybrid mattress: Emma Hybrid Comfort
Why the Emma Hybrid Comfort is our pick for best hybrid
The Emma Hybrid Comfort is a firm bed made with foam and coils from German mattress company Emma. Because of the firm feel, we particularly like the Emma Hybrid Comfort for back and stomach sleepers. It’s highly supportive, also making it a solid choice for heavy sleepers and couples.
Who should consider the Emma Hybrid Comfort: Back and stomach sleepers who are most comfortable in a firm mattress will appreciate the support this option provides.
Who should consider other options: During testing, we noticed this mattress doesn’t contour to the body, and we feel most side sleepers will find this uncomfortable.
Emma Hybrid Comfort tester insights
When we put the Emma Hybrid Comfort through our thermal gun test it only increased by about 8 degrees. With a tall coil section and open-celled foam, there’s plenty of room for airflow in this mattress.
From one of our Emma Hybrid Comfort testers:
“The Emma Hybrid Comfort uses foam and coils in conjunction to offer a good mix of comfort and support.”
Because it scored high in cooling, as well as in motion isolation, edge support, and responsiveness tests, we also think the Emma Hybrid Comfort is a great mattress for couples. The cooling ensures the bed doesn’t get too hot from the extra body heat of two people, while good motion isolation means you probably won’t wake each other up in the middle of the night with your movements. Edge support allows you both to use the entire surface of the mattress without feeling like you’re going to fall off, and the responsiveness makes it good for changing positions and sex.
Additionally, we chose the Emma Hybrid Comfort as our best cooling hybrid mattress because of how well it combines foam and coils. It has a large section of coils that provide strong support while incorporating two thinner layers of foam to ensure a comfortable sleep surface. Plus, it offers a budget-friendly price for a hybrid.
Read more in our Emma mattress review.
How we test and choose the best cooling mattresses
Adequate sleep is important to maintaining both your physical and mental health, with sleep playing a role in improving overall mood. The Handbook Team researched over 100+ mattress models and surveyed more than 1,200 mattress owners about what is most important to them in a mattress. Based on our research, we tested 31 of the best models.
First-hand testing experience
The backbone of our reviews here at HelpGuide is personally testing every mattress. During this testing, we look closely at the factors we feel are most important in a cooling mattress. This is done through independent evaluation guided by a 42-question standardized testing form that covers important features, documents our testing experience, and notes any potential issues with the mattress.
For example, we don’t leave temperature regulation ratings to our subjective experience, instead we were able to measure temperature by using a thermal gun. Each tester began by measuring the initial temperature of the mattress. Then, two testers spent five minutes lying on the mattress, measuring the temperature again after the time was up. Anything less than a 10-degree increase is considered good cooling capabilities, and we took note of which mattresses did and didn’t meet this standard.
Mattress surveys & interviews
While we believe our thermal gun provides an accurate picture of the temperature regulation of each mattress, we also know that some people are more sensitive to heat than others. Because of this, we surveyed 1,200 mattress owners about their day-to-day experience with these mattresses, including their overall comfort sleeping in the bed. We also included questions about price, features, and the set-up process. In addition to the survey, we interviewed real people to better understand the motivations behind shopping for a new mattress as well as the benefits of purchasing one.
It’s no surprise that comfort is a huge factor in quality sleep. We need to have a cool atmosphere to help lower and maintain a lower core body temperature during deep sleep. The quality, materials, and firmness of your mattress can impact comfort and temperature.
Teresa Denike, a board-certified clinical sleep education and founder of Sleep Better NYC
Objective and honest ratings
What you need to maintain your mental health could be vastly different from another person’s needs. Since sleep is such an important part of wellbeing, it is important that a mattress is tailored to each person.
We have also found that there are certain characteristics of a good mattress that are true for most people. With the help of survey results and the information we gleaned from interviews and consultations with experts, we were able to create a mattress scorecard that provided an overall rating for each model we recommend. Every model in this roundup scored a minimum of 8 out of 10 for their overall rating.
| Factor | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service | 15% | Customer care center hours, support options |
| Brand Reputation | 10% | Years in business, lawsuits & class actions against this company |
| Features | 20% | Size options, cooling features, firmness options, weight capacity, add-ons included (free sleep accessories) |
| User Experience | 35% | White glove delivery, CERTIPUR-US certifications, risk-free trials |
| Affordability | 20% | Price, warranty, promotions |
Learn more about our mattress testing and review methodology.
Our cooling mattress testing process
Purchase mattress as mystery shoppers.
Set up mattress in testing lab.
Lie on mattress and rank firmness.
Lie on back, side, and stomach to find the best sleeping position.
Place 10-pound ball in mattress center and measure sinkage.
Find biggest pressure points using pressure map reading.
Evaluate cooling capabilities by recording temperature differences.
Drop 10-pound ball onto mattress to measure bounce score.
Test motion isolation.
Test edge support.
Calculate composite scores.
How to choose a cooling mattress for a good night’s sleep
If you are someone who runs hot, you are likely familiar with the experience of tossing and turning at night because you’re struggling to stay cool. After testing and research, we chose the Saatva Rx as the best cooling mattress overall, but we know it might not be the best choice for everyone. If you are searching for a cooling mattress, we suggest looking at all of the mattresses in this list and considering the following before making your purchase.
Material
Any type of mattress may have added cooling capabilities, but some types are more naturally cooling than others. Before buying a new mattress, consider how the materials used can help or hurt temperature regulation.
- Innerspring: The materials and design of innerspring mattresses tend to help with temperature regulation. Because these mattresses are largely constructed of coils, air can flow easily through the mattress, which helps regulate the temperature of the mattress and the sleeper. See our full innerspring mattress guide.
- Memory foam: Memory foam mattresses have a reputation for increasing the temperature of sleepers because foam traps body heat. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t find a foam mattress that is also cooling. Instead, it typically means you have to seek out a model that has added features with cooling capabilities. See our full memory foam mattress guide.
- Hybrid: A hybrid mattress combines the responsiveness and comfort of memory foam with the support and bounce of coils. Because these mattresses have an innerspring core, there is more airflow than a mattress that is primarily foam. However, because they are layered with support and memory foam, they are not as naturally cooling as an innerspring mattress. See our full hybrid mattress guide.
- Latex: Latex is a foam alternative that is typically considered to be more eco-friendly because it is naturally derived from rubber trees. Unlike memory foam, latex is breathable, allowing air to flow through the mattress. This means it doesn’t trap heat as much as memory foam and these mattresses tend to be more naturally cooling. See our full latex mattress guide.
- Organic: An organic mattress uses natural materials that are GOTS and GOLS certified, so you know you can trust that these brands are accountable to official oversight when selecting materials. See our full organic mattress guide.
Sleeping position
The position you choose to be most comfortable at night can affect what you need from a mattress.
- Stomach sleepers: Stomach sleepers need enough support to prevent their hips from sinking into the mattress, and most will find a medium-firm to firm mattress to be most comfortable. See our full stomach sleeper mattress guide.
- Side sleepers: Side sleepers may experience pressure build-up on the shoulders and hips, but a softer mattress that contours to their curves can provide the plushness they need. See our full side sleeper mattress guide.
- Back sleepers: Back sleepers benefit from a mattress that is supportive enough to maintain a neutral spine, but provides some cushion to their lower back. See our full back sleeper mattress guide.
Sleeper’s body
Every body is unique, and each person will have their own set of comfort needs and preferences when they are looking for a cooling mattress. Body type, along with age and health conditions, are helpful considerations to keep in mind.
- Weight: Firmness in a mattress is subjective, and heavier people experience mattresses as being less firm than average-weight sleepers, while lighter people experience them as being more firm. See our full mattresses for heavy sleepers guide.
- Age: In general, smaller bodies will find mattresses to feel firmer and may prefer a softer mattress for comfortable sleep. It is important to keep in mind that plush or very soft mattresses aren’t safe for babies, who are at an increased risk for SIDS until they turn one. See our full mattresses for kids guide.
- Health conditions: Chronic pain conditions can make it difficult to get settled into bed, but supportive mattresses with excellent pressure relief can facilitate a good night’s sleep. See our full guides on mattresses for back pain and mattresses for hip pain.
Firmness
Sinking into a plush mattress may sound like a great way to end your day, but if you tend to run hot, a softer mattress may only increase your temperature as you sleep. If you think about how a soft mattress contours to your body, hugging you in material and padding, it makes sense that softer mattresses are associated with warmth.
The opposite is often true of firm mattresses. Sleeping on a firm mattress might feel more like sleeping on the bed instead of in the bed. This can increase air flow, acting as a cooling agent while you sleep.
Quilted covers
Quilted covers have long been a feature of mattresses of all kinds, with the added layers of fabric and the batting between them adding to the plush feel of the mattress. These covers can also contribute to the warmth of the mattress, and some materials tend to create more warmth than others.
A quilted cover is usually made of two kinds of fabric with batting in between. A combination of cotton and polyester is common in quilted covers, but some models use materials known for encouraging temperature regulation. Phase change material, which pulls heat away from the sleeper, along with latex and gel-infused foam, are all materials you might find in a cooling mattress with a quilted layer.
Price
The average cost of a queen-size cooling mattress is $1,843, with the best luxury mattress costing around $4,300. between $800 and $4,300. The size of the bed, luxury features, and materials used all play a role in the price. Because many only retailers of mattresses run promotions year-round, it is possible to find the best affordable mattress for your comfort needs.
Additional cooling features
Some mattresses are naturally cooler because of the materials used or the specifics of their design. Others can have added features that do more than regulate temperature, they actually have cooling capabilities. For example, since memory foam is notoriously bad at regulating temperature, some brands have taken to punching holes into the foam to increase airflow. Others have begun using gel-infused foam, which gives the mattress a cooler feeling. And phase change material, which absorbs heat, can be used to regulate temperature by pulling it away from the sleeper.
Tips for staying cool at night
Finding the best cooling mattress can certainly play a big role in helping you stay cool at night, but there are other adjustments you can make to avoid overheating. If you run hot, consider giving these tips a try.
- Change up your pajamas: The same rules for dressing for a hot day can apply to dressing for bed at night. A lightweight set of pajamas made from cotton, linen, or bamboo can help keep you cool. In general, knit fabrics are going to trap more heat, so we recommend you avoid these materials if you run hot.
- Buy better bedding: Natural fibers tend to have more breathability, and changing out your pillowcases and sheets for cotton, bamboo, or linen can help regulate your temperature while you sleep. A lower thread count also allows air to move more freely, so bedding with a 200 or 400 thread count may also help you stay cool.
- Create a cool sleep environment: Keeping the room where you sleep cool may require more than turning down the air. Installing a ceiling fan, or bringing an upright fan into the space, will help by keeping air moving. We have also found that black out curtains keep heat out, maintaining a slightly cooler environment.
Our final verdict
Our pick for the best cooling mattress overall is the Saatva Rx because of how it performed during our hands-on testing of this model’s temperature regulation. Using our thermal gun, we only observed a temperature increase of 7.2 degrees after a tester spent 5 minutes laying on the bed. Anything less than a 10-degree temperature increase is considered good cooling capabilities in a mattress.
In reviewing cooling mattresses, we wanted to be sure we weren’t recommending models based on cooling capabilities alone but on their overall performance across all of our testing categories. With that in mind, we feel the Saatva Rx is a great mattress across the board. When we used the pressure mat to see how the Rx distributed weight to avoid discomfort and pressure on the joint, we noticed very little pressure build-up and rated it a 4.75 out of 5. Because the perimeter of the mattress doesn’t compress or collapse under pressure, we rated it 5 out of 5 in the category of edge relief. The Saatva Rx was designed with sleepers with chronic pain in mind, and because of what we observed in testing, we feel it would be a comfortable choice for all sleep positions.
Saatva Rx is considered a luxury mattress, priced at $3,295 for a queen-sized bed, but it is regularly marked down to increase affordability. Lastly, Saatva Rx has excellent policies that rival most of the brands we’ve reviewed. White glove delivery and removal of your old mattress are included with each purchase, as a 365-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty.
Compare the best cooling mattresses of 2024
| Price | $1,995– $4,390 | $1,295–$2,790 | $811–$1,811 | $1,299–$2,798 | $898–$1,922 | $1,149–$2,049 | $1,149–$2,049 | $839–$2,178 | $1,199–$2,699 | $812–$1,649 |
| Cooling | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 3.5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Firmness | 6.5/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 5/10 | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 5/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Material | Hybrid | Innerspring-hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Foam options | Hybrid |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime | 15 years | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | 10 years |
| Trial period | 365 nights | 365 nights | 100 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 365 nights | 365 nights | 365 nights |
| Best for | Cooling overall | Cooling innerspring | Heavy people | Side Sleepers | Cooling memory foam | Back pain | Back pain | Stomach sleepers | Softness | Cooling hybrid |
Frequently asked questions
In our opinion, the best cooling mattress is the Saatva Rx. However, there is no definitive answer. The best cooling mattress for you may be different for someone else. It’s also important to take your sleeping position, weight, and personal preferences into consideration when choosing a cooling mattress.
There are many different components that can make a mattress a cooling mattress. Some mattresses feel cool to the touch by utilizing phase change material (PCM), polyethylene, or other cooling materials in the covers. Some are made with latex foam, which maintains a naturally cool temperature. Others simply have lots of room for hot air to escape the mattress, which is why we included so many hybrids on this list.
Some mattresses have cooling covers, which can make the bed feel cool by just touching it or lying down. Others use breathable materials in the cover, such as cotton, which allows hot air to escape.
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