Nothing can ruin a solid night’s sleep quite like being too hot. If you have tossed and turned all night, only to wake up in your own night sweat puddle, you are not alone. Keeping your temperature regulated is a key piece of sleep hygiene, according to experts. Thankfully, investing in the best cooling mattress pads can be a great solution, helping keep you cool and comfortable throughout the night.
But what is the best temperature for sleeping, anyway? According to the National Sleep Foundation, the ideal sleeping temperature is somewhere between 60 and 67°F for most people. Having your cooling fan or air conditioner on doesn’t always cut it, though—which is why you might want to consider changing up your bed setup to help you achieve that sweet spot. There are cooling mattresses (as well as bedding and pillows!), but if you are not quite ready to invest in a whole new mattress, a cooling mattress pad or topper can help.
Meet the Experts: Chris Tattersall, shareholder and Managing Director of the Woolroom, and Lexie Sachs, Executive Director of Good Housekeeping Institute.
“Cooling mattress pads and toppers work by managing moisture around the body,” explains Chris Tattersall, shareholder and Managing Director of the Woolroom. The best cooling mattress pads and toppers vary in material and tech, from special moisture-wicking fibers to even gel-infused options, which can trap heat and draw it away from the body, leaving your body blissfully cool.
Not sure where to start? Below, we’ve rounded up the most top-rated and expert-approved picks to help you choose the best cooling mattress pads and toppers for you.
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Named one of our best mattress pads for back pain, this selection from Slumbercloud also tops the list for its cooling abilities. Made of proprietary TENCEL and PMCs that actually absorb heat and wick away moisture, it’s an excellent addition to the bed of any hot sleeper. Its lightweight alternative down filling also ensures that it is not too bulky to fit in a washing machine, too.
What a reviewer says: “I have not once woke up sweating since putting this mattress pad on my sleep number bed. I am sleeping much more soundly and longer without waking up in the night.”
Features at a Glance
| Sizes | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split-King |
| Material | Tencel with Outlast technology |
Pros
- Breathable
- Plush feel
Cons
- Mixed reviews about cooling capabilites
This extra cushioned memory foam isn’t just good for reducing joint pain, it is also infused with copper to help pull excess heat away and regulate temperature. Its breathable cover allows for maximum air flow so heat doesn’t get trapped, either. However, because of its thick plushness, Bear only recommends this particular topper for side or combination sleepers.
What a reviewer says: “A Bear Hug, that’s what my topper is! If you like comfy snuggling you’ll love a Bear Topper. Most toppers are hot and irritatingly uneven. Throw those away and buy a Bear! Guarantee you’ll want to hibernate longer. We are happily sleeping. Hats off to the topper!”
Features at a Glance
| Sizes | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King |
| Material | Copper-infused memory foam |
Though you might think wool is meant to keep you warm, it is actually great at cooling, too. This naturally temperature-regulating material can absorb excess heat and humidity throughout the night, says Tattersall. We recommend this pick from Naturepedic for its high-quality materials: GOTS-certified organic cotton sateen cover and organic wool fill.
What a reviewer says: “We love our daughters bed topper made with organic wool. It is soft and warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The cotton organic sheets fit over it perfectly. Thank you Naturepedic for providing us with organic, well-made, quaint bed products.”
Features at a Glance
| Sizes | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King |
| Materials | GOTS-certified cotton sateen and organic wool |
How to choose the best cooling mattress pads
✔️ Check the depth. “A key factor to consider is the depth of the pad or the protector, says Tattersall. “If one has a comfortable mattress, then a thinner layer such as a protector is really important as one does not want to lie into the pad too much as this can envelop the body and cause extra heat.”
✔️ Look for specific materials. In terms of materials, you can get a mattress pad or pillowtop that will add softness, or a thicker foam topper that will add more pressure relief and support, says Sachs. “If you’re looking to spruce up an old bed, a foam mattress topper is the way to go, but if you’re just looking to add a cooling feel then a thinner pad will work.”
✔️Consider cooling technologies. In terms of cooling technologies, most toppers have temperature-regulating features that help keep you at a comfortable temperature throughout the night, says Sachs. “They may not feel cool to the touch, but they store and release body heat to prevent you from overheating.” You can also find plug-in pads or toppers that circulate air or water through the inside to deliver a cool feel, she adds.
✔️Think about healthy sleep. Look for a mattress pad that is hypoallergenic and easy to clean to ensure a healthy sleeping environment, especially if you struggle from asthma or allergies at night.
How do cooling mattress pads work?
According to Tattersall, cooling mattress pads typically work by helping to manage moisture around the body. “This can be done either by using a wicking fiber that channels moisture away or by using natural fiber such as wool which absorbs excess heat and humidity throughout the night and then dispels this during the day,” he explains. Some other fibers with cooling or heat-absorbing properties including latex, graphite, and cooling gel.
How we chose the best cooling mattress pads
We consulted Chris Tattersall, shareholder and Managing Director of the Woolroom and Lexie Sachs, Executive Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute. We also pored through countless ratings, reviews, and product specs to bring you the best cooling mattress pads on the market currently.
Additional reporting by Tiffany Ayuda, Shauna Beni-Haynes, and Madeleine Haase.
Why trust us
For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.
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