It can feel amazing to break a sweat and clean out your system, leaving you feeling refreshed and healthy. Of course, this is preferable during the day, ideally in workout clothes with ample hydration at hand. Nobody wants to feel this way while they’re sleeping.
There are several reasons why people sleep hot or wake up sweating: drinking alcohol before bedtime, high levels of stress, taking certain medications, hormonal fluctuations like perimenopause, underlying medical issues, or sweating disorders, not to mention bedding or sleepwear that’s too hot. (1)
Your doctor can help you address the underlying causes of night sweats, but choosing the right mattresses can also help keep you cool at night. We created this list by testing over 60 of the best mattresses—our team of experts assessed their cooling features plus pressure relief, firmness, support, and more to bring you the nine best cooling mattresses of 2024.
Best cooling mattresses overall
We chose the Helix Midnight Luxe as our best overall pick. This mattress is Helix’s most popular option for a reason: it features individually wrapped steel coils for supreme breathability, zoned support to cradle the lower back, and your choice of a breathable TENCEL™ or GlacioTex™ Cooling Cover.
Our picks for the best cooling mattresses
- Best overall: Helix Midnight Luxe
- Best for back pain: DreamCloud Hybrid
- Best for couples: Nectar Premier Copper Hybrid
- Best for side sleepers: WinkBeds The Wink Bed
- Best luxury: Saatva Classic
- Best organic: Nolah Natural
- Best hybrid: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling
- Best for stomach sleepers: Bear Mattress Bear Elite Hybrid
- Best affordable: Emma Mattress Hybrid Comfort
Compare cooling mattresses
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| Helix Midnight Luxe | DreamCloud Hybrid | Nectar Premier Copper Hybrid | WinkBeds The Wink Bed | Saatva Classic | Nolah Natural | Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling | Bear Mattress Bear Elite Hybrid | Emma Mattress Hybrid Comfort | |
| Rating | |||||||||
| Price | $2,374 ($2,623with cooling cover) | $1,332 | $2,249 | $1,799 | $2,095 | $2,099 | $1,865 | $2,305 | $1,319 |
| Material | Hybrid (coils and foam) | Hybrid (coils and foam) | Hybrid (coils and foam) | Hybrid (coils and foam) | Hybrid (coils and foam) | Hybrid (coils and Talalay latex) | Hybrid (coils and foam) | Hybrid (coils and foam) | Hybrid (coils and foam) |
| Firmness | Medium | Medium | Medium | Soft, luxury firm, firmer, plus | Plush soft, luxury firm, firm | Medium | Soft, medium, firm | Soft, medium, firm | Firm |
| Trial period | 100 nights | 365 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 365 nights |
Best overall cooling mattress: Helix Midnight Luxe
Key product features
What you should know
Our sleep experts found that the Helix Midnight Luxe is the best overall cooling mattress, taking into account everything from its cooling features to overall quality and comfort. This hybrid mattress includes innerspring coils, which are naturally breathable, and two options for cooling covers.
- The Helix Midnight Luxe has a plush TENCEL™ cover, which feels breathable and cool.
- You can upgrade to the GlacioTex™ Cooling Cover for an additional $250.
- It has a 15-year warranty, whereas the original Helix Midnight has just a 10-year warranty.
- The pillow top makes the Helix Midnight Luxe softer than the original Helix Midnight, so we recommend it for back and side sleepers only.
- Its bouncy and responsive feel makes it ideal for sleepers who change positions often or are sexually active.
Why we like Helix Midnight Luxe as best overall
Research shows that staying cool through the night is better for sleep. The body’s core temperature needs to drop a certain amount to produce the sleep hormone melatonin. This may be why it’s so hard to sleep when you’re hot. (2)
The Helix Midnight Luxe does an excellent job of keeping you cool in several ways. First, this hybrid bed has a layer of innerspring coils. These allow air to pass through the mattress, making it feel breathable. Second, the plush cover of this mattress is made of Helix’s patented TENCEL™ material, which is naturally breathable and cool. If you sleep especially hot, you may want to spend the extra $250 on the GlacioTex™ Cooling cover to stay extra cool at night.
Our mattress testers tried out the bed without the added cooling cover and found that it slept plenty cool. They also enjoyed the extra cushioning the pillow-top cover provided.
That said, the pillow top cover makes the Helix Midnight Luxe cushier than the original Helix Midnight, so it is likely too soft for stomach sleepers. However, it’s a great fit for side sleepers and most back sleepers. The Helix Midnight Luxe has been endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association. (3)
Our mattress testers also reported that the bed bounced a good amount. This is a positive for those with mobility issues or who change positions frequently, as moving around on the bed will be easier. It’s not great for sensitive sleepers who share the bed with a partner, though.
Ultimately, it’s still our favorite cooling mattress. To learn more about Helix, see our full Helix mattress review.
What customers are saying
On Reddit, customers praise the mattress for its comfort and quality. One Redditor with the username “Silversum1” says, “So far we love it. It has helped alleviate back pain we both have felt. I noticed I don’t wake up in the middle of my sleep anymore. The firmness feels good, but not too much pressure on the shoulders or hips. I suppose this is where their coil system really kicks in, and this really sold me.”
Another Redditor with the username “paramedic999” noted the off-gassing was a bit strong.
“My only real complaint is that the off-gassing was much worse then they described,” they begin. “I didn’t sleep on it the first week. Let it air out and crawled all over it to try to help. But overall very happy with the purchase.”
However one Redditor, “mielabelle2” complained that it made their backpain worse, stating, “I spent an entire week sleeping on hospital beds without as much pain as the Midnight Luxe.”
Specs
| Price | $2,374-$2,623 (with upgrades) |
| Material | Hybrid |
| Firmness | Medium |
| Warranty | 15 years |
| Trial | 100 nights |
Best cooling mattress for back pain: DreamCloud Hybrid
Key product features
What you should know
Our testers found the DreamCloud Hybrid the best cooling mattress for back pain after lying on it in various positions. This mattress was especially pressure-relieving when lying on the back and stomach, and it felt cool to the touch due to its cooling features.
- This hybrid bed has a layer of individually wrapped coils, which provide cooling airflow and spinal support.
- It also features cooling gel-infused memory foam, which won’t trap heat like traditional memory foam.
- This bed feels springy and bouncy, making it a good choice for those who often change positions.
- Even though it feels bouncy, our testers found it to have excellent motion isolation.
- It may not be firm or supportive enough for heavyweight sleepers.
Why we like DreamCloud Hybrid as best for back pain
Two things likely prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep: feeling too hot and back pain. Back pain can be caused by several underlying issues, including an injury to the spine, a strained muscle, inflammation, osteoporosis, and more. (4) Whatever the reason behind your back pain, the DreamCloud Hybrid may help minimize it in a few ways.
It includes a layer of individually wrapped steel coils that can move independently of each other. This helps promote healthy, comfortable spinal support throughout the night. The next two layers are made of memory foam, which makes for excellent motion isolation in this bed. The memory foam is also gel-infused, which means it won’t trap heat like many other memory foam beds tend to do.
This cooling feature of the bed may also help with back pain. It’s well-documented that cold therapy can treat inflammation and injury in the body. (5) While sleeping on the DreamCloud won’t feel like sleeping on an ice pack, the gel-infused memory foam will at least prevent heat buildup, which can exacerbate inflammation. (6)
Our testers felt like this bed was medium-firm, which research shows is the best firmness level for those with back pain. (7)
Our reviewers liked this bed best when lying on their backs or stomachs; it wasn’t as comfortable on their sides. They also noted that it may be too soft for some heavyweight sleepers who need more firmness and support.
See our comprehensive DreamCloud mattress review for more insights. Or, check out more of the best mattresses for back pain.
Specs
| Price | $1,332 |
| Material | Hybrid |
| Firmness | Medium |
| Warranty | Forever Warranty™ |
| Trial | 365 nights |
Best cooling mattress for couples: Nectar Premier Copper Hybrid
Key product features
What you should know
Our sleep experts found that the Nectar Premier Copper Hybrid was the best cooling mattress for couples due to its advanced cooling features, superior motion isolation, and excellent edge support.
- The cover of this mattress is infused with copper, which wicks away moisture and heat. It feels noticeably cool to the touch.
- It includes several foam top layers, including a dynamic transition layer, to absorb motion on the bed.
- People who purchased this bed report positive experiences with Nectar’s customer service.
- With all this bed’s advanced features, it is more expensive than many others on the market.
- It will likely feel too squishy for stomach sleepers to feel well-supported.
Why we like Nectar Premier Copper Hybrid as best for couples
Some couples find their sleep suffers when they sleep in the same bed. The top reasons for sleep disruptions include stealing the covers, tossing and turning, snoring, and sleeping with the TV or lights on. While a mattress can’t help with things like the TV, it can help mitigate how much tossing and turning affects you.
One of the main reasons our testers deemed the Nectar Premier Copper Hybrid the best cooling mattress for couples was its ability to isolate motion extremely well. This means when your partner tosses and turns, it’s less likely to affect your side of the bed.
Our testers found its advanced cooling features, like the heat-wicking copper fibers in the cover and the cooling, antimicrobial Euro Top, make this choice ideal for couples who share a bed. It felt noticeably cool to the touch and unlikely to trap heat, even with two people sleeping next to each other.
Our testers also mentioned that this bed would probably feel too soft for stomach sleepers or those who are very heavy because of the soft Euro Top. However, when lying on their sides or backs, this bed felt gently cradling without feeling like they were sinking into it.
Since this bed only comes in one firmness option, if you tried it and it felt too soft, you might send it back and try the original Nectar Hybrid. The original won’t have the advanced cooling features that this one does, but it will be a bit firmer.
For more information, read our full Nectar Premier mattress review. Or, discover more of the best mattresses for couples that you and your partner will love.
What customers are saying
On Reddit, customers praise Nectar for having affordable mattresses that have helped improve their quality of sleep.
“I was surprised by how comfortable it was,” begins a Redditor with the username “Positive_Nebula_2079.” “The store marked it “super-firm” but it felt like a cushy, supportive sponge cake. The Nectar mattress stitching and presentation seemed rudimentary – but the price was low and it felt VERY comfortable, in my “non-expert” opinion! I love a firm (stomach sleeper) but cushy mattress (for side sleeping).
Another Redditor loves Nectar so much they bought another mattress for their RV, stating their “significant other and pups are happy too.”
Everyone’s experience with mattresses is different, however. Like “sljean17”, a Redditor who experiences poor sleep with their Nectar.
“I have been sleeping on this mattress for nearly a year now and am in some of the worst back pain of my life. I’m quite certain it’s from the mattress as I go to sleep fine and then wake up in intense pain, tossing and turning throughout the night.”
Check out our other top picks for the best mattresses for couples or read our full Nectar mattress review.
Specs
| Price | $2,249 |
| Material | Hybrid |
| Firmness | Medium |
| Warranty | Forever Warranty™ |
| Trial | 365 nights |
Best cooling mattress for side sleepers: WinkBeds The Wink Bed
Key product features
What you should know
The Wink Bed by WinkBeds is available in four firmness options: Softer, Luxury Firm, Firmer, and Plus. Our reviewers tested the Luxury Firm model and found it to be the best cooling mattress for side sleepers because of its soft Euro-pillow top and firmer support beneath.
- The Wink Bed includes a lower layer of innerspring coils and top layers of gel-infused foam, making for a supportive bed.
- Though it doesn’t trap heat, it doesn’t have advanced cooling features, so it may not be the best choice if you sleep especially hot.
- The Luxury Firm model feels relatively firm, at about a seven out of 10.
- While this bed is a great choice for most back and side sleepers, we’d recommend a softer model for those with joint pain or injuries.
- This bed is made with high-quality materials and has a lifetime warranty, so we feel it’s a great overall value.
Why we like The Wink Bed as best for side sleepers
WinkBeds has become one of the better-known names in the bed-in-a-box world due to its high-quality materials and overall excellent value.
We chose this bed as the best cooling mattress for side sleepers because it feels supportive for the spine. When lying on her back and side, our mattress tester reported that her body felt “lifted” and that her “spine was aligned with little sinkage in the hips and lower body.”
That said, the Luxury Firm version she tested isn’t especially soft, even though it does come with a plush Euro-pillow top cover. Our tester noted that she felt supported and comfortable but didn’t feel like the bed was all that contouring. This means the Luxury Firm is probably a better fit for side and back sleepers who don’t live with joint pain. If you have joint pain, you might opt for the softer model. (7)
This bed is made with high-quality materials, and our mattress reviewer said that it certainly felt that way. It includes a soft Euro-pillow top with gel-infused foam, a moisture-wicking TENCEL™ cover, and individually wrapped innerspring coils. These materials allow for excellent airflow through the bed, and while it doesn’t necessarily feel cool to the touch, it shouldn’t trap heat either.
Considering the quality of materials, the lifetime warranty, and the price of less than $1,800, we think The Wink Bed is an excellent overall value. It’s a great choice for most body types; however, lightweight sleepers should opt for a softer model.
See our full WinkBed mattress review to learn more. If this isn’t the right mattress for you, check out our roundup of the best mattresses for side sleepers to find additional choices.
Specs
| Price | $1,799 |
| Material | Hybrid |
| Firmness | Softer, Luxury Firm, Firmer, Plus |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
| Trial | 120 nights |
Best luxury cooling mattress: Saatva Classic
Key product features
What you should know
By blending zoned lumbar support with a luxurious plush Euro-top, the Saatva Classic delivers a resilient, premium mattress experience, ensuring outstanding support and pressure relief for every sleeping preference.
- The Saatva Classic uses natural, high-quality materials like organic cotton and plant-based thistle pulp instead of fiberglass.
- There’s room to customize this bed with two thickness options and three firmness levels.
- While it isn’t “cool to the touch,” it doesn’t trap heat.
- This bed should work for side, stomach, and back sleepers of most body types.
- Although it is relatively expensive, we feel it’s still a good value, as it comes with white glove delivery and a lifetime warranty.
Why we like Saatva Classic as best luxury
Saatva has gained a reputation as a high-quality luxury mattress. In fact, we recently rated it the best luxury mattress of 2024.
The Saatva Classic comes in two height options and three firmness options. It includes a plush Euro top and a sleep surface that should work well for most positions. Our mattress reviewers tested the luxury firm model and felt comfortable and supported on their sides and backs. They were slightly less comfortable on their sides. For side or lightweight sleepers, they suggested the plush model instead.
Saatva stands out as particularly luxurious due to its materials and free white glove delivery. It includes recycled steel coils, layers of pressure-relieving CertiPUR-US® foams, a breathable organic cotton cover, zero fiberglass, and a Euro-pillow top with lumbar supporting quilting. The coils are also zoned for support, meaning they are more concentrated beneath the lumbar area. Saatva is chiropractor-approved for back support. (8)
Our mattress testers noted that the bed felt supremely sturdy, supportive, and bouncy, and had excellent edge support, even when sitting directly on the edge of the bed. That makes it a great choice for those who change positions a lot, sexually active couples, or those with mobility issues. This also means it may be too bouncy for those prioritizing motion isolation.
Regarding cooling, our testers noted that it didn’t necessarily feel cool to the touch, but it certainly didn’t trap heat. The coils, responsiveness, and natural materials make for a breathable-feeling mattress.
Learn more about luxury mattresses through our full Saatva mattress review or our guide on the best luxury mattresses.
Specs
| Price | $2,095 |
| Material | Hybrid |
| Firmness | Plush, Luxury Firm, Firm |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
| Trial | 365 nights |
Best organic cooling mattress: Nolah Natural
Key product features
What you should know
Several natural mattresses are on the market, but our reviewers deemed the Nolah Natural the best in cooling for a few reasons. The recycled steel coils create a breathable mattress that feels airy, and the natural latex foam layers dissipate heat.
- The top layer of this mattress is made from Talalay latex, which doesn’t trap heat like traditional memory foam.
- Talalay latex is also bouncy, so when combined with the layer of springs, it makes for a very springy bed.
- This mattress’s natural, high-quality materials won’t create an off-gassing smell when you unbox it.
- Since the mattress is bouncy, it doesn’t have the best motion isolation.
- It is likely too soft for most stomach sleepers.
Why we like Nolah Natural as best organic
There are good reasons to consider buying an organic mattress, especially if you’re looking at mattresses with pressure-relieving foam. Most mattresses include memory foam, which, unfortunately, includes polyurethane (poly) foam. Studies have shown that many mattresses with poly foams can sometimes emit harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for years. These may lead to respiratory problems, trigger asthma symptoms, and could even increase the risk of cancer long term. (9)
The Nolah Natural doesn’t include any poly foams. Instead, this mattress uses natural Talalay latex, made from rubber tree sap. It also includes recycled steel coils, organic cotton, and wool.
Our testers noted that this bed feels luxurious and high-quality. Its firmness felt on the softer side of medium, so the bed felt best when lying on their backs or sides. On their stomachs, it wasn’t quite supportive enough for the hips. However, it may work just fine for lightweight stomach sleepers.
Regarding temperature regulation, our testers noted that this mattress felt completely temperature-neutral, not seeming to trap their body heat. The bed contains a layer of breathable coils, the naturally cooling Talalay latex, and a top layer of temperature-regulating wool.
Overall, we think this is an excellent, luxurious-feeling natural bed for hot sleepers. It will be especially beneficial to side and back sleepers and those who love a bouncy mattress. If you prefer a bed that feels more “sinking” than bouncy, or your partner moves around a lot at night, you may consider a bed without latex.
Specs
| Price | $2,099 |
| Material | Hybrid (with latex) |
| Firmness | Medium |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
| Trial | 120 nights |
Best cooling hybrid mattress: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling
Key product features
What you should know
Brooklyn Bedding’s Aurora Luxe Cooling is our list’s best cooling hybrid mattress because of its advanced cooling technology and supportive innerspring coils. This makes it a great option for those who sleep especially hot.
- This mattress features a GlacioTex™ Cooling Cover, which helps remove excess heat during the night.
- For an additional $400, you can add a cooling cloud pillow top for a luxuriously plush feel.
- The bed’s top foam layer includes cooling fibers.
- This bed comes in Soft, Medium, and Firm.
- The hybrid design allows for better airflow and superior spine support.
Why we like Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling as best hybrid
For those who sleep especially hot, the Aurora Luxe Cooling might be just what you’re looking for. Rather than simply feeling temperature neutral, this bed feels cool due to its GlacioTex™ Cooling Cover and copper-infused Copperflex™ foam.
Our mattress testers tried the medium-firm option and found it comfortable in all sleep positions. It has zoned support, meaning the coils in this bed are more concentrated beneath areas that need more support, like the hips. Our reviewers could feel this, noting their hips didn’t feel like they were sinking down into the bed, even when lying on their stomachs. That said, heavyweight stomach sleepers may need a firmer mattress.
The firmness of the “medium firm” is about a 7 out of 10. If you prefer a softer feel, you can add a plush Cloud Pillow Top for an extra $400 or just opt for the Soft model.
One final thing to remember about the Aurora Luxe Cooling is that it is a substantial mattress. It is 13.25 inches tall (not including the pillow top) and weighs up to 145 pounds. Since white glove delivery isn’t an option, ensure someone can help you unbox and set up this bed.
Check out our complete Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe review for more insights. Or, view our picks for the best hybrid mattresses to find the best option for you.
Specs
| Price | $1,865 |
| Material | Hybrid |
| Firmness | Soft, Medium, Firm |
| Warranty | 10 years |
| Trial | 120 nights |
Best cooling mattress for stomach sleepers: Bear Mattress Bear Elite Hybrid
Key product features
What you should know
Our sleep experts found that the Bear Elite Hybrid is the best cooling mattress for stomach sleepers, considering its firmness, cooling features, and support beneath the hips. This hybrid mattress includes innerspring coils, which are breathable and supportive, and the right amount of firmness for all sleep positions.
- The Bear Elite Hybrid has three firmness levels: Soft, Medium, and Firm. We tested the Medium.
- It features zoned support, which keeps the hips elevated and supported, even when stomach sleeping.
- The memory foam is infused with copper to prevent overheating during the night.
- You can add an optional Celliant cover for extra cooling for $200.
- It has amazing motion isolation, which could also be great for couples.
Why we like Bear Mattress Bear Elite Hybrid as best for stomach sleepers
Most experts advise people to avoid sleeping on their stomachs since it’s hard on the spine and neck. (10) Sometimes stomach sleeping is the only comfortable position. If this is the case for you, you’ll want to ensure your mattress supports your spine and prevents your hips from dropping.
With its zoned support system, the Bear Mattress Bear Elite Hybrid does just that. Our mattress tester found that when she lay on this bed, her spine felt well supported and lifted in all positions, including when sleeping on her stomach.
“Even though this mattress was soft, my hips didn’t sink into the material, and my body felt lifted the entire time.”
Team Product Tester
Out of 10, this mattress was about a six in terms of firmness, so a solid “medium firm.” This is ideal for most sleep positions and body types, but our mattress tester noted that heavyweight sleepers might want to opt for their firm option. This bed excelled in spinal support, pressure relief, edge support, and motion isolation for light and average-weight sleepers.
In terms of cooling abilities, this bed comes with cooling copper-infused foam, airy innerspring coils, a breathable quilted cover, and an optional Celliant-infused cover for an extra $200. Overall, it felt “cool, airy, and plush.”
The only real downsides to this bed are its size (14 inches tall and a whopping 110 pounds) and its price of $2,305. This price tag doesn’t come with white glove delivery, so you must independently set up the heavy mattress.
See our comprehensive Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review to learn more. Or, check out the best mattresses for stomach sleepers for additional options.
Specs
| Price | $2,305 |
| Material | Hybrid |
| Firmness | Soft, Medium, Firm |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
| Trial | 120 nights |
Best affordable cooling mattress: Emma Mattress Hybrid Comfort
Key product features
What you should know
After rigorous testing, our mattress reviewers named Emma Mattress’s Emma Hybrid Comfort the best affordable cooling mattress. It combines comfort, quality, and innovative temperature regulation, all for less than $1,400 (for a Queen).
- It provides excellent motion isolation, making it a great fit for couples and sensitive sleepers.
- It feels firm, uplifting, and supportive rather than plush or especially contouring.
- It is a great choice for back and stomach sleepers.
- The cooling materials and ventilated foam make this an ideal bed for hot sleepers.
Why we like Emma Mattress Hybrid Comfort as best affordable
It can be a challenge to find a cheap mattress that is also high quality, but the Emma Hybrid Comfort seems to have struck a good balance. This bed includes a bottom layer of innerspring coils zoned in seven sections to better support the spine. On top of that, it includes several layers of CertiPUR-US® foams designed to isolate motion and provide pressure relief. The topmost layer of foam is their patented breezy Airgocell™ Foam, which is designed to absorb heat and wick away moisture.
Our mattress testers gave this bed a 7.5 out of 10 in terms of firmness, describing it as “firm, on top feel with little sinkage.” Because of this, it was a better fit for back and stomach sleeping than side sleeping.
Some of the things that stood out most to our mattress testers were the Emma Hybrid Comfort’s excellent motion isolation, spinal support, and responsiveness. When they tested its motion isolation, one reviewer noted she could “barely feel any movement, even when the other person was jumping.”
The Emma Hybrid Comfort isn’t the best option for side sleepers due to its lack of give. It also may make noise when you move around on it. That said, at just $1,319 for a Queen, we still think it’s a great cooling mattress for the price. Plus, when Emma offers a deal (which they do often), you can get it for less than $1,000.
For more insights, see our full Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress review. Or, check out more budget-friendly options in our roundup of the best affordable mattresses.
Specs
| Price | $1,319 |
| Material | Hybrid |
| Firmness | Medium |
| Warranty | 10 years |
| Trial | 365 nights |
How we test mattresses
To come up with this list of the nine best cooling mattresses, we believe hands-on research is the only way to go. Our team, made up of certified sleep coaches, industry experts, and real-world consumers, tests each mattress and ranks it from one to five in each of these categories: support, edge support, motion isolation, bounce, pressure relief, materials used, company policies, overall value, and of course, cooling abilities. From there, our team narrows things down to our top-ranking picks– in this case, the nine best cooling mattresses.
Read our full mattress testing methodology for more information.
Performance (sleep experience)—30%
A high-quality mattress should feel like it’s designed to provide you with the best sleep of your life. They should also deliver on the promise of a great sleep experience. Our sleep science coaches assess various factors to reflect the functional aspects of the mattress and the user’s sleep experience. Here’s what we’re looking for:
- Temperature regulation
- Motion isolation
- Edge support
- Technology
Comfort and support—30%
Alongside the sleep experience, comfort and support are just as important for a healthy and restful sleep. A high-quality mattress should assist in providing relief with certain aches and pains a user may experience when sleeping. It should also help users wake up feeling energized and rested. Here’s what we’re looking for:
- Firmness
- Pressure relief
- Spinal alignment support
- Customization
Value—20%
Assessing value involves a meticulous examination of several key factors that contribute to a mattress’s worth. A mattress that is priced just within reach of its target audience, yet surpasses competitors in terms of materials, performance, and support, presents a compelling value proposition. However, value is not solely determined by the lowest price point. We also determine it by finding the balance between cost and the tangible benefits a mattress provides.
Customer experience—10%
Sometimes, the mattress can be great, but if the overall shopping experience wasn’t, that could easily put a sour taste in a user’s mouth about the mattress they just purchased. We put in the hours to determine how well the entire process of buying a mattress matches users’ expectations and what options are available when something goes wrong.
- Shipping
- Warranty
- Customer service
- Sleep trial
Health and safety—10%
It’s important to understand that a mattress is more than just a sleeping surface—it’s an environment where you spend a significant portion of your life. We meticulously assess critical aspects of mattresses that may directly impact your well-being and peace of mind.
Our factors in this rating include:
- Hypoallergenic materials
- Off-gassing and chemical exposure
- Safety certifications
Benefits of cooling mattresses
A cooling mattress can keep you comfortable, improve sleep quality, and positively impact your health. A recent study examined how sleeping on temperature-regulating mattresses impacted various stages of sleep. They found that men and women sleeping on cooler surfaces during the first half of the night had significantly improved deep and REM sleep. It also showed the participants had much better cardiovascular recovery when sleeping on the cool mattress. (11)
How to choose the best cooling mattress
The best cooling mattress for you depends on how hot you sleep. For example, if you tend to sleep warm but don’t wake up sweating or uncomfortable, a hybrid or innerspring mattress may do the trick. Mattresses that include springs allow for more airflow, whereas mattresses made entirely of foam tend to trap heat.
If you sleep especially hot, you may need a mattress with innerspring plus advanced cooling features. For example, some mattresses include gel- or copper-infused memory foam on top to help lower your body temperature. If you prefer a more natural bed, you could choose one with a Talalay latex top layer. It won’t necessarily feel cool to the touch, but this material shouldn’t trap heat through the night, either.
Remember to pay attention to the materials used in the mattress’s cover. Wool, organic cotton, and TENCEL™ are all quality, temperature-regulating fabrics that should help keep you cool through the night. Steer clear of polyesters and acrylics.
View our article on how to choose a mattress for more information.
Cooling tips for hot sleepers
Aside from replacing your mattress, there are other ways to keep cool through the night:
- Turn down the thermostat: Research shows that the ideal room temperature for sleep is between 68 and 72 degrees. (12)
- Close your blinds: If you don’t have air conditioning, close your blinds during the day to keep the room as cool as possible.
- Turn on a fan: If you have a ceiling fan, you can turn it on to create a breeze. If not, you can buy a portable fan that sits on the floor. This also creates white noise, which may be relaxing.
- Put a cold towel over the fan: If the fan alone isn’t cutting it, you can try soaking a towel in ice-cold water, wringing it out (so it’s not sopping wet), and then placing it over the fan. This creates a sort of “DIY A.C.” The cold air effect will be temporary but may be enough to help you get to sleep.
- Wear light clothing to bed: Natural and light fabrics like cotton or linen keep you cooler, whereas synthetic materials like polyester will heat you up.
- Use a dehumidifier: A dehumidifier may be useful to remove moisture from the air.
- Take a hot shower at night: This may seem counterintuitive, but taking a hot shower or warm bath at night can actually cool you down for bed if you time it right. The key is doing this one to two hours before bedtime to draw your body temperature to your extremities, dropping core body temperature and leading to better sleep. (13)
FAQs
What type of mattress is the coolest?
Hybrid and innerspring mattresses sleep the coolest at night. This is because they have a layer of breathable, innerspring coils that allow air to move through the mattress. Memory foam mattresses tend to sleep the hottest.
Do cooling mattresses actually work?
Cooling mattresses work and can help promote deeper sleep and even better cardiovascular recovery. (12) That said, if you have a condition that causes night sweats, a cooling mattress can’t cure this but may relieve you.
Is there a mattress that stays cold?
Mattresses with advanced cooling technology, like gel- or copper-infused foam and a cooling cover, should stay cool through the night. Brooklyn Bedding’s Aurora Luxe Cooling is a great example.
If you want a more natural mattress, go for one with latex. This material is sustainable and doesn’t trap heat like memory foam.
Should you put a mattress cover on a cooling mattress?
If you have a mattress with cooling technology in its topmost layers, you can use a mattress protector between the mattress and your sheets. This should be thin enough that you’ll still feel the benefits of the mattress’s cooling layers.
However, we’d advise against using something thicker than a mattress protector, like a mattress topper or pillow top.
Natalie Grigson
Fortune Recommends Sleep Writer
About Author
Natalie is a writer for Fortune Recommends with a deep passion for all things health and a fascination with the mysterious activity that is sleep. Outside of writing about sleep, she is a bestselling author, improviser, and creative writing teacher based out of Austin.