Best Cooling Mattress Topper: Buyer’s Guide

Our editors recommend the Amerisleep Lift because you can choose from a soft or firm topper. Each option uses a different comfort foam, although they both feature Amerisleep’s HIVE® technology for targeted support and pressure relief.

The Comfort Lift contains the eco-friendly Bio-Pur® foam, a material that’s more breathable and responsive than traditional memory foam. Bio-Pur® foam snaps back fast so that you’ll feel supported as you move. If your bed feels too firm, the Comfort option can help you sleep better.

The Support Lift has Amerisleep’s Affinity foam, a material that offers firmer support. It’s an excellent addition to any mattress that’s grown soft over time.

HIVE® technology divides the topper into five support zones for your head, shoulders, back, hips, and feet. Under your shoulders and hips the topper is more flexible, creating a softer feel and increasing pressure relief. The topper remains firm under your head, back, and feet for better support.

Every Amerisleep Lift topper has a 5-year warranty and comes with free shipping.

SEE ALSO: Amerisleep Mattress Reviews

The medium-feel Balance Pad from Zoma is named for the equal amounts of support and comfort it offers. If your bed feels too firm or too soft, placing a Balance Pad on top can change its feel for the better. This 3-inch topper has a core of Reactiv™ foam inside a soft and ventilated cover.

Reactiv™ foam has an open-cell design to promote airflow, so there’s minimal risk of the pad overheating and interrupting your sleep. The foam contours to your body for a responsive feel, adapting to your movements while providing pressure relief.

The topper stays put on your mattress because of its non-skid fabric that covers the bottom. Thanks to this design, you won’t wake up to a topper that’s sliding over the edge of your bed.

SEE ALSO: Zoma Mattress Review

Cooling toppers that are also hypoallergenic are perfect for sleepers with asthma and allergies, and foam is especially hypoallergenic as its density keeps allergens from settling on the cover. We love the Viscosoft Active Cooling Copper Topper for its antimicrobial infusion and its removable cover, which makes it easier for sleepers to maintain a pristine sleep surface.

The topper is 4 inches thick, with a cover fabric made with phase-changing yarns to promote a cooler surface temperature. As we noted, this cover can be removed and machine-washed to keep its feel refreshing.

Inside the topper is two foam layers, with a comfort foam that’s 2 inches thick and a base foam that’s 2 inches thick. The copper infusion not only conducts ambient heat away, but also repels any microbes that might make a home in the mattress and cause smells or even sickness.

SEE ALSO: Best Hypoallergenic Mattresses for Allergies

With its breathable, pressure-relieving design and airy cover fabric, the Nolah Mattress Topper is one of the best accessories for keeping your sleep sweat-free. The foam is ready to conform to the body, embracing a sleeper’s curves to reduce tension, while the cover and foam structure ensure it stays cool.

The organic cotton fabric wicks moisture and heat away from sleepers, maintaining a temperature-neutral surface. The cotton fabric also feels gentle against the skin, establishing a crisp yet soft surface.

The fill of the topper is Nolah AirFoam™️, engineered to provide more pressure relief than traditional memory foam. Nolah AirFoam™️ is CertiPUR-US® certified, meaning the foam will experience minimal off-gassing and sidestep the “new mattress” smell that many find unpleasant.

The Nolah Topper also comes with elastic bands that slip over a mattress between 10 to 15 inches thick. These corner bands keep the topper from slipping and sliding from underneath your body.

The Nolah Mattress Topper ships free and includes a 30-day return policy and a 10-year warranty.

SEE ALSO: Amerisleep vs. Nolah Mattress Reviews

Latex foam has developed a reputation for being inherently cool, especially when compared to traditional memory foam. It can also be completely natural, while memory foam must be made with a portion of synthetic materials. We recommend the Saatva Latex Mattress Topper for any hot sleepers interested in an environmentally friendly topper.

Saatva offers two other toppers, a cooling 3-inch memory foam topper with heat-wicking graphite and a 1.5-inch thick dense foam topper. We have chosen to focus on the latex foam topper as an eco-friendly way to stay cool at night, though the 3-inch graphite memory foam topper is another excellent option for hot sleepers.

The materials of the topper are natural latex foam wrapped inside an organic cotton cover, both materials that promote coolness. The latex foam is further perforated to increase its breathability, helping air flow through the material.

The latex topper is relatively thin, standing 1.5 inches tall. This is excellent for any sleepers who want to avoid making their mattress too tall with their topper, as a too-high bed can make it harder to slide out of bed in the morning.

Saatva mattress toppers ship free and come with a 180-night trial period and a 1-year warranty.

Bear has cultivated a reputation for helping athletic individuals sleep better at night with restorative mattresses and high-quality sleep accessories. Every one of their bedding options is optimized for coolness and breathability, relying on airy and heat-wicking materials for greater comfort. Their topper, the Bear Pro, is our top recommendation for athletes who want to sleep cooler at night.

The plush memory foam material inside the topper can soften a too-firm mattress. It gives active individuals with demanding lifestyles a more pressure-relieving surface,

This mattress topper is also quite hypoallergenic thanks to the memory foam’s copper infusion. Copper is naturally antimicrobial, repelling bacteria and keeping mold spores from settling inside the topper. The copper infusion can also increase the foam’s responsive feel, creating support when pressure is applied.

The cover fabric has a circular knit that creates a smooth, silky surface with a breathable weave. The topper’s cover can be removed and machine-washed, letting sleepers maintain a clean, allergen-free surface.

The Bear Pro Mattress Topper ships free and comes with a 30-night trial period and a 3-year warranty.

Down is a popular material when it comes to comfort in toppers, pillows, and duvets. The material is also highly breathable, with clumps that freely allow air to flow between them. However, while many sleepers love the feel of down, the price tag attached can keep many from purchasing a down topper. So they turn to the budget-friendly fiberfill material, which feels like down without the costs.

The Helix Plush Mattress Topper is one of our top recommendations for a down alternative mattress topper that stays cool as you sleep. The cluster fiber fill is known as Revoloft™, designed to replicate the classically luxury feel of down. The Revoloft™ are springy and durable, providing

Aside from its soft feel, the Helix mattress topper has a skirt that lets it slip over a mattress up to 15 inches thick. This keeps the topper in place as if it were a fitted sheet, ensuring it won’t slide out from underneath you.

The topper relies on baffle box stitching, which creates individual pockets inside the cover to trap the fill in place. This stitching ensures the topper keeps its fluffy loft even after extensive use. The cover is largely polyester, though the surface is blended with bamboo viscose for natural breathability.

The Helix mattress topper comes with a 100-night sleep trial period and a 1-year warranty and ships free.

Latex is a desirable material in a cooling mattress topper, with a natural chill from its breathable structure. However, the expense of latex keeps many from investing in a geuine latex topper and instead they seek a budget-friendly alternative. When it comes to toppers that feel mimic latex’s responsiveness and pleasant feel, we recommend the Brooklyn Bedding TitanFlex™ Topper.

Brooklyn Bedding also offers a gel swirl memory foam topper, however, we have chosen to focus on the TitanFlex™ topper due to the three potential firmnesses that sleepers can select. This range of feels allows the TitanFlex™ topper to suit a wider range of sleepers than the brand’s plush gel foam topper.

The cool-to-the-touch feel of the Brooklyn Bedding TitanFlex™ topper comes from one of two cover fabrics. Shoppers can choose the less expensive organic cotton fabric for a simple, natural way of pulling heat away from the body. The upscale option is a luxury knit fabric with a circular weave that maximizes airflow.

TitanFlex™ is engineered to meld the feel of memory foam with latex’s bounce, and Brooklyn Bedding calls it “inherently cool” in contrast to traditional memory foam. It’s certified by CertiPUR-US®, a third-party organization that ensures the foam is produced without potentially harmful materials and with minimal traces of VOCs.

The Brooklyn Bedding TitanFlex™ Topper comes with a 30-day return policy and free shipping.

Softer toppers are a popular way to restore a mattress’s feel, as many older mattresses may lose some of their springy cushion. The drawback to plush toppers, though, is that a surface that hugs the body is more likely to absorb ambient heat. If you’re looking for a soft and cool mattress topper, we recommend the memory foam topper from Layla.

The Layla topper is 2 inches of memory foam, a relatively thin profile for such a soft topper. The perfect design choice for sleepers who want to avoid raising their bed profile too high with a 3- or 4-inch topper, while still significantly softening up their mattress.

Yet, the Layla memory foam topper avoids feeling too soft, thanks to its copper infusion. The copper adds many different features that increase a bed’s comfort. The primary purpose is to provide a cooling cushion, as copper conducts heat away from the body.

However, the copper particles also gather underneath heavier parts of the body, creating more responsive support. Lastly, the added copper is also naturally antimicrobial, repelling bacteria and mold that might otherwise settle in the mattress.

The cover fabric is light and breathable, keeping air circulating through the topper. The fabric is largely polyester blended with viscose.

The Layla Memory Foam Mattress Topper comes with a 120-night trial period and a 5-year warranty.

The Slumber Cloud Core Mattress Pad is our recommended best overall cooling mattress pad. It boasts a 4 1/2 star average from over 2800 reviews and a nod from Good Housekeeping Magazine. This pad is great for those who want to cool the bed without a bulky topper.

Unlike many cooling mattress pads, this one absorbs heat, but also releases it if you’re too cold. This makes the Core Mattress Pad ideal for all seasons. This washable pad has two cooling layers made with Outlast® fabric. This fabric was designed by NASA for body temperature regulation.

The 300-thread count fabric is Outlast® viscose blended with cotton for breathability and easy temperature regulation. This mattress pad can slide over mattresses as thin as 5 inches and as thick as 20 inches. The topper has an elastic skirting with a unique 360-degree grip to ensure a perfect fit regardless of your mattress thickness.

The Slumber Core Mattress Pad comes with a 60-day return policy and a 180-day warranty.

The LEISURE TOWN Cooling Mattress Topper increases airflow for more breathability, all without breaking your budget. It relies on inexpensive cotton fabric encasing down alternative fibers, providing easy breathability without breaking the bank.

Down alternative has the feel of down, but it is hypoallergenic. Another plus for those with allergies? This topper can be washed in your home washer and dryer to eliminate dust mites. The LEISURE TOWN topper isn’t waterproof, so sleepers may want to pair it with a mattress protector.

The surface of the fabric cover is white cotton with a 300-thread count, a weave that promotes breathability and comfort. The underside is polyester, with a stretchy gusset that slips over the corners of your mattress.

We also love this cooling mattress topper for its deep pockets. This means it fits mattresses up to 21 inches thick.

The LEISURE TOWN topper ships free and comes with a 30-day return policy.

Who Should Buy a Cooling Mattress Topper?

The short answer: If you feel hot at night and other solutions have not worked and you are not ready to embark on the search for the best mattress, then you should buy a cooling mattress topper or pad.

The long answer is there are many reasons why people sleep hot. You may be a person who naturally “runs warm.” Other times, there are medical issues at play. Hyperhidrosis ¹ Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. See the source , hormonal hot flashes ² Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. See the source , sleep apnea ³ Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. See the source , and hypoglycemia ⁴ Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. See the source cause people to overheat during sleep. Certain medications, such as SSRIs, can cause night sweats ⁵ Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. See the source .

Your personal preferences and sleep environment play a role, too. If your bedroom is the hottest room of the house, a cooling mattress topper will help you sleep better. Some people can’t fall asleep unless they’re under the covers, even on the hottest days. A cooling mattress pad will help absorb any excess body heat.

It’s also possible you bought a heat-trapping mattress. Instead of investing in a brand new cooling mattress, try a breathable mattress topper, first. However, if you find a topper isn’t enough to help you sleep better or if it’s time to replace your mattress, look for one designed for hot sleepers.

What’s the best type of mattress for hot sleepers? We would recommend a gel memory foam, latex, or a pocketed coil or innerspring mattress:

• Best Gel Memory Foam Mattresses
• Best Latex Mattresses
• Best Hybrid Mattresses
• Best Innerspring Mattresses

Cooling Mattress Topper Materials

There are cooling mattress pads made from a variety of materials. Gel memory foam is a popular option that uses cooling gel to keep body temperature down. Latex foam is another popular alternative, as it’s natural, responsive, and pleasantly chill. See our latex vs gel memory foam guide for the pros and cons of each.

Cotton fabric, Tencel fabric, and phase-change materials are found in many mattress toppers because of their ability to wick away heat and then release it as needed. These toppers are highly rated by consumers.

If you prefer natural materials, look into down, wool, and bamboo cooling mattress toppers. Down alternative is a budget-friendly alternative made with synthetic fibers that enable airflow.

What’s the Difference Between a Mattress Pad and Topper?

If you’re looking for a cooling addition to your bed, you will find both mattress pads and toppers. A mattress pad is the thinner option of the two. Think of it as a mattress protector with cooling properties.

Mattress pads are usually less expensive than mattress toppers. They are easy to remove and machine washable. Because they have less cushion, cooling mattress pads are better for people who like a firm bed.

Mattress toppers are thicker than mattress pads. Many add a more plush feel to a bed, although foam mattress toppers can also add an extra layer of support for a firmer feel.

Mattress toppers are usually too big to launder in a home washer and dryer, making them difficult to clean. Still, it is possible to clean a memory foam topper outside of a laundry machine, and some pad-like toppers are machine washable.

Both of these options go under a waterproof mattress protector or a fitted sheet. Be mindful of this when buying sheets for your bed. You will need to account for the extra height in order for your sheets to fit.

Pros and Cons of Cooling Mattress Toppers

Before investing in a mattress topper, consider the advantages and disadvantages of using these bedding accessories.

Pros of Cooling Mattress Toppers

Mattress toppers are an affordable way to upgrade your sleep when your budget doesn’t allow for a brand new bed. For example, the comfort of a simple sofa bed can be massively improved with a futon mattress topper. Excellent for anyone living in a studio apartment on a tight budget.

But besides affordability, mattress toppers offer a few other benefits. We spend a third of our lives sleeping, so we want our beds to be comfortable. If your mattress is too soft or too firm, a topper lets you customize your bed to meet your needs.

For example, a firm mattress topper provides the support that some sleeping styles and heavier body types need. Plus, since firmer surfaces are less conforming than softer ones, they absorb less body heat and stay cool better at night.

Just like you can modify the firmness with a topper, you can change the bed’s temperature, too. Cooling mattress toppers combat body heat to keep you comfy.

Another perk to using a cooling mattress topper? A lower energy bill. If you’re not stuck cranking down the AC night after night just to keep cool, you won’t have such a hefty bill at the end of the month. While you may hesitate to invest in a topper due to price, these accessories are usually worth the money in the long run.

Cons of Cooling Mattress Toppers

One of the main complaints consumers have with mattress toppers are their tendency to shift. Some mattress toppers are held in place with an elastic band, but many are simply placed on top of your bed without any sort of reinforcement to hold the topper still.

Constantly shifting your mattress topper back in place can become inconvenient after only a short while, though there are hacks to keep a mattress topper from sliding.

Another downfall to cooling mattress toppers is all the false advertising. Many brands claim their mattress topper is cooling when they actually don’t contain any temperature-regulating technologies.

In order to sift through the bad eggs and find a high-quality cooling mattress topper, read each product’s description and look to see how their topper is designed to keep you cool. Do they mention plant-based foams? Cooling gels? Ventilated airways? Is their foam copper-infused to fight body heat?

When brands go out of their way to incorporate innovative technologies into their products, they make it known. If there’s a lack of specific information in a product’s description, it’s probably not your best option.

Other Cooling Bedding to Consider

While a cooling mattress can keep a mattress from retaining too much heat, it’s not the only way to make hot nights more bearable. Dressing up your mattress with the best sheets for hot sleepers and other breathable bedding can make a significant difference without overspending.

• Best Cooling Sheets
• Best Cooling Pillows
• Best Cooling Weighted Blankets
• Best Blankets for Summer

Some types of sheets are better than others when it comes to staying cool at night. As a general rule of thumb, natural materials are more breathable than synthetic materials. Cotton, Tencel, and bamboo are three of our preferred materials for their lightweight, affordable designs:

• Best Egyptian Cotton Sheets
• Best Percale Cotton Sheets
• Best Organic Cotton Sheets
• Best Cotton Sheets
• Best Tencel Sheets
• Best Bamboo Sheets

FAQs

In this section, we answer the most common questions about breathable bedding and sleeping cool.

Do gel mattress toppers really keep you cool?

Cooling gel is a go-to material for brands aiming to create a temperature-neutral mattress or bedding accessories. However, there’s been debate over how effective cooling gel really is.

Cooling gels are infused in foams and often start out feeling cool to the touch. However, as you lay down on these foams, the gel infused throughout will begin to take on the temperature of the foam (and your body) surrounding it.

Meaning that while these gels work to cool you off when you initially climb into bed, they aren’t going to keep you cool all night long. If you tend to wake up in the middle of the night overheated, these gels probably won’t make a substantial difference.

How long do mattress toppers last?

Like mattresses, mattress toppers are built to last. While they won’t hold up for as long as a mattress will, most toppers have a lifespan of three to five years. Furthermore, many mattress toppers come with a warranty that lasts this long to help you get your money’s worth.

How can I cool down my mattress?

Unfortunately, there’s no simple trick to cool your mattress down without changing the bed foundation or replacing the bed. If your bed rests on a solid, flat foundation, switching it to something slatted can improve airflow through the mattress. However, this change doesn’t usually make a substantial difference.

If you’re looking to replace your mattress, choose a latex or hybrid mattress. Some memory foam mattresses are cooling, too— look for options made with plant-based foams for optimal airflow.

Beyond changing your mattress or its foundation, there are small changes you can make to get a cooler sleep. First, switch up your bedding. If you’re sleeping with flannel sheets,  choose bamboo or cotton instead. Cotton sheets are usually the best for all seasons, as they work to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Then, look at your pajamas. If you’re sleeping in sweats and a long sleeve shirt, you’re likely going to heat up at night. Textiles such as polyester are known to trap heat, so read the care tag to see what fabrics are in your PJs.

What type of mattress is best for hot sleepers?

Latex, hybrid, and plant-based foam beds are the best for hot sleepers. Latex and plant-based foams are less dense and thus trap less heat during the night. Latex is naturally cooling, too, so it keeps you sleeping at a comfortable temperature.

Hybrid or innerspring mattresses are great for hot sleepers, too, because their coils allow for increased airflow through the bed.

How can I stop myself from overheating at night?

If you’re a chronic hot sleeper, try these tips to get more comfortable rest:

• Turn your thermostat between 60 and 67 degrees, as research has found temperatures in the 60s are the most conducive for sleep.
• Swap your bedding for cotton, linen, bamboo, or Tencel sheets.
• Wear lightweight, airy pajamas.
• Replace your mattress with a latex, hybrid, or eco-friendly foam counterpart. Or, invest in a cooling mattress topper.

Conclusion

There is no shortage of options out there for people looking for a cooling mattress pad or topper. All these choices can make it difficult to select one to buy.

The reviews above are a good place to start. Having some solid choices to start with helps you cut a lot of options. Then, think about your own personal preferences. Do you need extra support? Do you like the feel of a plush, soft bed with lots of cushion? Are you looking for a hypoallergenic option? What is your budget?

Answering these questions will help you choose the best cooling mattress topper for you. The right topper can help you make the most of your bed until you’re ready to choose a new mattress.