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It’s a fact that when the temperature is cooler in the room, you sleep better. Plus, there’s nothing like the feeling of being cozy under the covers while the rest of the air around you is a bit more frigid. That said, when the summer heatwaves set in, sometimes, no matter how high you run the air conditioner at night, you still feel hot and sticky—especially if said unit isn’t that strong. This is where investing in cooling sheets, cooling pillowcases, and a cooling mattress topper comes in handy.
"Ultimately, a mattress topper's main function is to provide the sleeper with a better night's rest. Toppers can also help with temperature regulation for those who tend to sleep too hot (or cold)," Saatva's Vice President of Product and Merchandising Byron Golub explains. Our team is full of hot sleepers who have tested countless cooling sleep aids, including this nifty smart topper that has built-in fans, so when it came time to round up our favorites, we had plenty of thoughts.
Ahead, we share our favorite cooling mattress toppers, which range in prices and sizes, so you can find one that suits your needs. Whether you’re looking for a king-size topper that adds extra plushness to your bedding setup or a cooling pad that softens the tossing and turning motion from your partner, we found the most worthy options for your wallet, below. Many of these toppers were personally tested by our editors, too, so you know they’re worth adding to your cart.
Best DealYou may know Pottery Barn for its furniture, but we swear by the brand for its bedding accessories, too. "I run warm and hate the idea of sweating or feeling 'sticky' in bed" Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner says. "This Pottery Barn mattress topper is an excellent buy for someone who would fall into the same camp. Plus, it's not only cooling, but it's quite plush, so if you like a softer, sink-in feel, you'll love this thing."
It works by absorbing body heat, which in turn produces a cooler feel. The topper itself is constructed with premium high-loft hypoallergenic fiber fill that is designed for long-lasting support and comfort. "I have had it for just under two years and haven't noticed that quality start to degrade at all. It's definitely a keeper," Cherner adds.
Cooling Materials: Heat-absorbing technology | Sizes: Twin XL, full, queen, and king | Sleep Trial: 0 days
Zinus mattresses are a House Beautiful favorite, so rest assured that we tested the brand's toppers too, and approve of them. "I bought this cooling mattress topper for one of the guest bedrooms at my parent's house because the bed is rock hard—like my back hurts from sleeping on this thing," Senior Commerce Editor Marina Liao says. "I decided to try the Zinus brand after reading one of our editor’s review of her mattress, and thought this topper was well made. I opted for the two-inch option, and the high-quality foam took no time at all to fluff up. I actually just unrolled it out of the box and slept on it the same night! While I didn't find it to be that cooling, even with the A/C on, my husband, on the other hand, loved the denser cushioning it provided and said he didn't feel hot on it. I also loved that neither of us could feel each other getting up from the bed because the topper also has good motion isolation."
Cooling Materials: Green tea and charcoal-infused memory foam| Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king | Sleep Trial: 30 days
The way a mattress topper looks doesn't really matter because it's covered by your sheets and blankets, but we love a swirled design as much as anyone. This one also comes with more options than a lot of the mattress toppers on our list: Choose between two-, three-, and four-inch thicknesses; six sizes; and a topper or a topper with a cover. This particular topper is ventilated and infused with a cooling gel that both captures and distributes heat, which creates a breathable and cool sleep experience. One reviewer said, "I look forward to going to bed and taking naps because this is so comfortable and the foam stays cool. I haven't gotten overly warm at all. This topper was a true lifesaver."
Cooling Materials: Cooling gel | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king | Sleep Trial: 0 days
The first thing you'll notice about this Saatva cooling mattress topper is how comfortable it is, thanks to the three-inch layer of memory foam. After spending some time in bed, you'll quickly realize that it also feels cool to the touch. How, you might ask? It's infused with cooling graphite. And because it's made of thick memory foam, it reduces motion transfer, so if you toss and turn, your partner will be able to sleep through it. The topper is also covered in naturally breathable and moisture-wicking organic cotton that's finished with an antimicrobial treatment.
"I am a 69 year-old woman who has suffered with hot flashes and hot sleeping! I have tried everything: all cooling toppers, cooling sheets, blankets, and pillows, but nothing nothing works EXCEPT this wonderful graphite topper!" one reviewer said. "My body gets hot and then the heat dissipates immediately. Other cooling toppers didn't work because the memory foam would retain the heat...not this one! I highly recommend."
Cooling Materials: Graphite | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, and split king | Sleep Trial: 180 days
We're not entirely sure why this best-selling Tempur-Pedic find is on a retailer marketed to teens (as opposed to everyone) because it's so good and a crowd-pleaser to all ages. The brand didn't exactly spill the beans about what's making the topper feel cool, but one thing we do know is that it's in the fabric cover, not the filling. It's also dust mite- and allergen-resistant; and machine washable. Plus, because Tempur-Pedic was one of the first brands to jump on the memory foam bandwagon, this topper features the company's unique technology that reduces motion transfer and relieves sometimes painful pressure points. "I have slept on this for two nights and am very happy with its comfort and coolness. My sleep has improved and I am very happy about that," one reviewer noted.
Cooling Materials: Fabric cover | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, and king| Sleep Trial: 0 days
Here's the thing: There's an implication of basic when we're talking about a brand's "core" product, but SlumberCloud's mattress pad is next-level good and not at all boring. It utilizes not one but two layers of NASA-approved temperature-regulating technology (it's called Outlast) that regulates body temperature by absorbing heat when you're hot and releasing it back into the fabric when you're cold. Spacesuits do the same thing! There are also nearly 3,000 five-star reviews praising this thing. The most impressive reads, "I would buy this after trying it even at double the price. This is honestly the best part of the entire sleep system. It makes even my plush pillow top feels stiff without it! Cool sheets won’t help much if you are in a hot mattress, but this really does."
Cooling Materials: NASA-approved temperature regulating technology | Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king, California king, and split king | Sleep Trial: 60 days
If you're looking to save, this Buffy pick is a good option because the brand is currently having a 20 percent off sale. This topper is covered in the brand's super-soft signature fabric and filled with layers of recycled fibers that will give your mattress a more snuggly feel. The cover also absorbs moisture more efficiently than cotton does, to keep you feeling cool and dry throughout the night. One reviewer said, "This was a great addition to our mattress. It has made our bed more comfy and plush. It also cools so well that we didn't feel hot throughout the night."
Cooling Materials: Tencel lyocell fibers | Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king, and California king | Sleep Trial: 7 days
This mattress topper is as comfortable as it is cooling, courtesy of the dual-layer design. The bottom layer comprises a gel memory foam that offers pressure-relieving body support, and the top layer is a cool-touch fiberfill cover. It's also machine washable and antimicrobial, so you should never see mold or mildew. "Excellent product! I purchased a queen size to top a camper mattress. It made a world of difference for my sleep," one reviewer said. "Even the cover has gel cooling. I maybe should have subtracted a star since laundering is going to be harder because of having to remove the gel foam from the cover."
Cooling Materials: Fiberfill cover | Sizes: Twin and full | Sleep Trial: 0 days
Sijo developed its own patented blend of fibers with the specific intention of absorbing and distributing excess body heat. So, it is cooling you when you're hot and warming you when you're cold. The material is also hypoallergenic, waterproof, moisture-wicking, and environmentally sustainable. Sadly, the brand won't tell us the exact chemical makeup of this masterpiece, but we do know that it's a combination of TENCEL lyocell, a Mica nylon blend, temperature-regulating CLIMA fiber blend fill, and a recycled polyester skirt.
Cooling Materials: Cell Solution CLIMA cooling technology | Sizes: Full, queen, king, and California king | Sleep Trial: 7 days
How We Chose the Best Cooling Mattress Toppers
When I recommend bedding—especially bedding that's designed to do something specific, like cool you down—I always try to choose pieces I either own or have experienced enough to confidently recommend them. In this case, I recommended my own trusty cooling mattress topper because, after sleeping on it for nearly two years, I can attest to how great it is and how well it works. As for the remaining cooling mattress toppers, I asked editors for their favorites, and for any that didn't pass through our hands, I chose the most highly rated ones across the Internet.
Yes, I read every single review to make sure that we're offering the best of the best. Of course, no cooling mattress has zero negative comments, but what may be a dealbreaker to some may be no big deal to others, so take any "flaws" with a grain of salt until you experience the product yourself. I also made sure that they came in a big price range so that everyone can find something that suits them and their hot sleeping needs.
What to Look for When Buying a Cooling Mattress Topper?
Materials: There are a few key factors to consider when buying a cooling mattress topper, the most important of which is the material. After all, the material is often most responsible for a topper's ability to cool, so it's worth some extra attention. "When shopping for a cooling topper, look for materials that promote air circulation and moisture wicking, like natural cotton, wool, and latex," explains Golub. "Some materials, like gel- and graphite-infused memory foam, dissipate heat by soaking up the thermal energy from your body and dispersing it throughout the surface." These are all worthy materials that will cool you down pretty well.
Thickness: "For too-firm or too-soft mattresses, it's important to look for thick mattress toppers (foam or feather) to give you soft, cushioned comfort," Russell Jelinek, the vice president of product development at Casper, notes. He's not wrong, but note that feather-filled toppers won't keep you cool unless the feathers are sealed within a moisture-wicking or temperature-regulating fabric cover. "Toppers are usually between one to four inches thick, depending on the material and the purpose of your topper," Golub adds. "One thing to note about thickness: Because a mattress topper can add a significant few inches to a mattress, some toppers may require extra-deep pocketed sheets." That small detail is often overlooked, so before you buy a topper, make sure to take a look at how much thicker it will make your mattress.
Free Trials: Free trials aren't as necessary a consideration as, say, materials used or thickness, but they're a nice bonus if you're on the fence. Luckily, quite a few of our recommended products come with a free sleep trial so that you can enjoy your topper without the commitment.
What Type of Mattress Topper Is Coolest?
As you may have gleaned, there are a lot of materials that can effectively cool you down if you tend to radiate heat at night, but one material in particular has managed to capture the attention of sleep experts: gel. "We have found gel technology to be most effective as a coating directly to a bedding layer rather than as embedded in foam," Jelinek says. How, though, does gel actually work? "Gel-infused memory foam toppers absorb heat from the sleeper over the course of the night, essentially cooling them down. The gel component of the foam allows for a greater heat-absorption effect than simple polyurethane foam can offer," Golub says. "Pairing this cooling ability with other features that help dissipate that heat, like ventilated pinhole designs and convoluted (egg crate) foam shapes, creates a true cooling system." Moreover, the presence of gel increases the thermal capacity of the foam layer.
Do Cooling Mattresses Really Work?
In short, yes. If we're going to get into it, though, we'll explain why. Of course, not all cooling mattress toppers are actually cooling; some really are just about the marketing, which can be said of everything. So if you want to be impressed by how cool a self-proclaimed cooling mattress topper can be, read the reviews and pay attention to the materials. If there aren't any that are known to cool you down, skip it. "Toppers with cooling features can help hot sleepers rest more comfortably by dissipating heat more effectively than conventional mattress toppers," Golub notes. "Cooling can come from moisture-wicking materials like cotton, wool, or poly-fiber; heat-absorbing materials like graphite, copper, or gel; holes that promote airflow; or a combination of these features."
Why Trust House Beautiful?
I have covered everything you could possibly put on your bed, including the softest sheets, best mattresses, and silk pillowcases. When it came to this story on cooling mattress toppers, I felt obligated to include my own mattress topper because I can confirm that it is extremely comfortable, plus other editor-tested picks. Otherwise, you can trust that I put hours of research into my curated list of the internet's most beloved options. Additionally, I tapped two sleep experts—Russell Jelinek, vice president of product development at Casper, and Byron Golub, vice president of product and merchandising at Saatva—for some expert advice on buying the best cooling mattress toppers, what makes them worth the cost, and more, so you can get all the necessary information before buying one.
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