If you regularly wake up feeling hot and sweaty at night, the best cooling mattress toppers can help you stay at a more comfortable temperature while you sleep—and they’re much more budget-friendly than buying a whole new mattress. Our top pick for hot sleepers is the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper, which is infused with graphite particles that help draw heat away from your body and features a breathable organic cotton cover.
The best cooling mattress toppers help prevent overheating and are considerably less expensive than ... [+] a cooling mattress.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailer
According to Lauri Leadley, president and clinical sleep educator at the Arizona-based Valley Sleep Center, cooling mattress toppers are designed to “dissipate heat and maintain a comfortable sleep temperature throughout the night.” They’re typically made from memory foam that’s infused with gel, graphite or copper particles for heat regulation, but some options also have cool-touch covers that are great for hot nights. No matter your sleep preferences, the following are the best cooling mattress toppers to help you sleep more soundly all year round.
This memory foam mattress topper from Saatva is infused with graphite, which according to the brand helps pull heat away from your body to keep you cool. Its cover is made from organic cotton, which is more breathable than other fabrics for a bit of extra cooling-oomph.
It’s CertiPUR-US certified, meaning the materials used are low in potentially harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other compounds that could be detrimental to your health. The certification also means that there should be minimal “new bed smell” with this mattress topper.
The whole topper is treated with antimicrobial botanicals—making it a great fit for hot, sweaty sleepers—even though we still recommend using a mattress protector. At 3 inches tall, it’s a decent additional cushion and is designed to offer body-hugging comfort. Saatva also offers a latex topper and a high-density foam option.
What the reviews say: Reviewers say this topper is plush and particularly great for making firm mattresses feel a little softer. They also say it stays cool. One reviewer says, “It does not generate heat at all.” Another adds it’s a “wonderful” cooling topper, saying, “My body gets hot and then the heat dissipates. Other cooling toppers didn’t work because the foam would retain the heat—not this one. I highly recommend.”
Two thickness options for different sleep preferences
Cons:
Needs 72 hours to fully expand
This mattress topper from Amazon Basics is significantly less expensive than the other options on this list, with most sizes clocking in at less than $100. It’s fairly no-frills, with just a single layer of CertiPUR-US gel-infused memory foam. It can make your bed feel softer, and the gel is supposed to provide cooling. However, reviewers say it can still be a little warm. Still, for around $60 this topper is tough to beat in terms of price.
You can choose between a 2- or 3-inch version depending on how much extra pressure relief you’re wanting.
What the reviews say: “It’s very comfortable, especially for the price,” says one reviewer. “The topper is very porous, thus allowing air circulation,” writes another reviewer. “I am delighted how well this design works. I’m hot natured and miserable on a ‘body-heated’ mattress. Thanks to the porous topper I’m repositioning less and sleep more soundly.”
Best Latex Cooling Mattress Topper
Organic Latex, Moisture-Wicking Wool And Multiple Firmnesses
Avocado
Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper (Queen)
Material: Organic latex and wool |Height: 2.8 inches |Trial: 1 year | Cooling features: Latex, wool layer, cotton topper
Pros:
Made from high-quality materials
Two firmness options for different sleep positions
Backed by a 10-year warranty
Cons:
Bigger investment than many other options
Avocado is known for its organic offerings, and this topper is no exception. The topper is completely organic and made from natural latex, which is known for its cool sensation. However, this option is significantly more expensive than most. It’s crafted from Global Organic Latex Standards (GOLS)-certified latex and Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS)-certified wool and cotton. It’s also Greenguard Gold certified. These certifications demonstrate that the Avocado topper is truly eco-friendly and also extremely low in potentially harmful chemicals. You can choose between plush or firm options. The brand recommends the plush for side sleepers and the firm for back and stomach sleepers.
The cotton cover is breathable, and the wool layer is naturally moisture-wicking, which can help you stay dry at night. Latex itself can also help keep you from overheating since its less-dense cell structure makes it more breathable than synthetic foams. Avocado also offers a vegan mattress topper that doesn’t contain wool.
What the reviews say: “The latex topper is of excellent quality and adds a nice touch of firmness to the mattress,” says one reviewer. Another says, “I love that it’s naturally cool on your skin.”
Best Memory Foam Cooling Mattress Topper
Copper-Gel Foam In A Cooling Polyester Blend Cover
This plush mattress topper is made with memory foam infused with copper-gel beads, which are antimicrobial and temperature-regulating, according to the brand. It’s also encased in a cool-to-the-touch polyester blend cover, for an additional cooling sensation.
The foam in the topper is CertiPUR-US certified, so it’s low in VOCs and other potentially harmful chemicals. It has straps on each corner to help secure it to your mattress—though some customers say it still slides around a little. If your mattress feels too firm, this topper could help soften it up thanks to its cushy memory foam feel.
What the reviews say: “I've tried several different toppers for a cooler night's sleep and the Layla is by far the one that does what it is advertised to do,” says one reviewer. “Older women understand how difficult a night's sleep can be and this topper definitely helps me to sleep better.” Another reviewer writes: “One outstanding piece of foam and you don't get hot on it.”
Best Organic Cooling Mattress Topper
Certified Organic Latex And Wool Stay Naturally Cool
Earthfoam makes mattresses and bedding from organic latex, and this topper is crafted from latex with an organic wool layer. This mattress topper is designed to make your mattress feel softer without warming you up. Latex has more ventilation than memory foam (and is inherently cooling, as mentioned earlier), and wool is naturally sweat-wicking and breathable. It’s wrapped in a breathable, organic cotton cover.
The materials in this topper are certified organic by GOLS and GOTS and are also low in emissions, as demonstrated by the product’s Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification. The brand is Fair For Life certified, ensuring that Earthfoam sources fair-trade materials from sustainable, eco-friendly and people-friendly supply chains.
What the reviews say: One reviewer says, “[It’s] worth the money to know I’m on something comfy, sustainable and nontoxic.” Another says, “It has given me the support and comfort I was looking for and provided a more natural and organic alternative… I love it.”
The GhostBed Memory Foam Topper is made from 3 inches of CertiPUR-US certified gel-infused memory foam, which is designed to help dissipate body heat. Additionally, it contains grooves in several different patterns, based on natural weight distribution. This can help the memory foam better contour to your body and also keep air circulating.
This mattress topper has a deep pocket cover to help it stay on taller mattresses, and the top of the cover is made from GhostBed’s cool-to-the-touch “Ghost Ice” fabric, which is made from a blend of cooling synthetic fibers. However, there’s no trial period, so if you return this topper, shipping costs and a restocking fee would be deducted from your refund.
What the reviews say: One customer says, “The foam is not too firm nor too squishy, and the cover is very cool to the touch.” Another reviewer says, “In addition to the support it gives me, I don’t get too hot during the night.”
If you appreciate a firm mattress but still find it a little uncomfortable for pressure points like your shoulders and hips, this topper may be a good fit. It adds a little softness, but not so much that you feel like you’re sinking into it—thanks to Tuft and Needle’s structured memory foam. One Forbes Vetted editor who’s slept on a Tuft and Needle Mattress says the brand’s foams are quite firm and offer a great option for folks who prefer that sensation to a soft one. This memory foam is also less dense than other foams, making it more breathable and cooling.
Additionally, the topper is made from CertiPUR-US certified foam, and the entire topper is Greenguard Gold certified—so it’s low in potentially harmful chemicals and VOCs. All in all, we think it’s a great choice for anyone who wants a bit more cushion without making their mattress feel like a marshmallow.
What the reviews say: While reviews for this topper are overwhelmingly positive, it has mixed reviews on its cooling potential. One reviewer says, “Once I slapped this bad boy on I immediately noticed two things: the bed was a lot softer… and I was burning up.” Still, another reviewer says, “I think it helps keep you cool and provides additional comfort and cushioning.”
Best Cooling Mattress Topper For Couples
Keep Your Side Of The Bed At The Right Temp For You
Sleep Number
Sleep Number Dualtemp Cooling Mattress Layer (Half Queen)
Material: Polyester and spandex blend | Height: 1 inch | Trial: 100 nights | Cooling features: Forced air
Pros:
Only covers half the bed
Adjustable temperature settings
Built-in timer
Cons:
May shift around on the bed
Do you sleep hot, but your partner is always cold? This nontraditional mattress topper from Sleep Number might be the solution to your night sweats, with the added bonus of not freezing out your partner.
This topper covers just half of the bed and is connected via tubing to a machine that pushes cold air up and through the pad. Using the remote, you can set a timer on the topper to keep it on for up to nine hours. However, all temperature adjustments need to be made manually using the remote.
What the reviews say: “Now that the temperatures are approaching 100 degrees, [my husband] uses it to keep cool instead of running the AC at a lower temperature,” says one reviewer. Another says, “It keeps me cool at night and helps me sleep better.”
Best Thick Cooling Mattress Topper
Baffle Box Construction For Airflow And A Pillowy Feel
This mattress topper from Coop Sleep Goods has a baffle box construction, making it look like an extra thick quilted blanket. Coop describes it as “lots of tiny pillows.” Each compartment contains a blend of cross-cut memory foam and microfiber, which provides more airflow than a solid piece of dense memory foam—especially paired with the baffle box format.
Although there’s nothing uniquely “cooling” about this topper, it provides 5 inches of plushness and features good ventilation to help keep you from overheating. The foam is also CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold certified.
What the reviews say: “I immediately noticed that I don’t get as hot when I sleep,” says one reviewer. Another says, “My husband always complains about hot pillows, and I was afraid that the mattress topper would be hot—but not one complaint.”
Best Cooling Mattress Pad
A Thin Mattress Pad Made With NASA-Engineered Tech
Slumber Cloud
Slumber Cloud Performance Mattress Pad (Queen)
Material: Down alternative fill, Tencel cover | Height: 0.3 inches | Trial: 60 nights | Cooling features: Tencel cover
Pros:
Moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating properties
Can fit mattresses up to 20 inches tall
Machine washable
Cons:
Doesn’t offer any additional cushioning
Unlike standard mattress toppers, this mattress pad is designed for coolness—not for changing the firmness or comfort of your bed. At just one-quarter of an inch thick, it’s ideal for hot sleepers who are happy with the way their mattress feels otherwise.
It contains a thin layer of down-alternative fiber and a Tencel cover that provides moisture-wicking properties and helps regulate temperature thanks to the addition of Outlast phase change technology (which was developed by NASA). According to the Slumber Cloud website, this fabric is responsive to changes in your body temperature to keep you comfortable throughout the night. The fabric is also Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, so it’s low in VOCs and other potential contaminants.
What the reviews say: One reviewer says, “The Performance Mattress Pad has definitely helped keep me cool. My night sweats and hot flashes have decreased dramatically.” According to another reviewer, “It’s very comfortable and keeps us cool. The pad itself feels very cool to the touch.”
If you need extra support during the night, the Helix GlacioTex has a unique hybrid design that incorporates both steel microcoils and layers of comfort foam. The coils provide better support for your spine than memory foam alone, which may help those with back pain. This topper is available in both plush and firm options, so you can choose the one that works best with your sleep position, and it has thick elastic straps to keep it in place on the bed. Plus, to keep you cool at night, the topper is covered in the brand’s signature GlacioTex cooling fabric, which wicks heat away from your body and stays cool to the touch.
What the editors say: “This topper feels like a mini mattress,” says senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman. “It has a true cool-to-the-touch feel and a hybrid design that offers support and pressure relief to help alleviate back pain.”
Best Cooling Mattress Topper On Amazon
A Gel-Infused Foam Topper With Choice Of Thickness
If you want a topper to be delivered quickly, the Serta ThermaGel is an inexpensive option that qualifies for Amazon’s Prime shipping. This memory foam mattress topper is infused with gel particles that are designed to help dissipate heat during the night, preventing you from getting too warm. It’s also available in either 2- or 3-inch thicknesses, depending on how much cushioning you want to add to your mattress. The memory foam has a plush feel and offers pressure relief for your joints, but keep in mind that it doesn’t have any straps to keep it in place, so you likely want to put a tight-fitting sheet over it.
What the reviews say: “We had a crazy heat wave and the nighttime temps never dropped below about 80, even with all the windows and doors open,” writes one reviewer. “Sleeping on this topper didn't cause any discomfort—I never noticed feeling too hot or ‘swampy’ as some of these foam rubber toppers can do.”
Both the co-authors of this article, Forbes Vetted contributors SaVanna Shoemaker and Camryn Rabideau, have years of experience researching, testing and writing about sleep products. Shoemaker also lives in the hot and humid Southeastern U.S. and has developed a keen eye for standout cooling sleep products.
Mattress and sleep editors Bridget Chapman and McKenzie Dillon are certified sleep science coaches and prolific product testers. Together they’ve tested more than 100 mattresses and sleep products.
To find the best cooling mattress toppers, we looked at several factors including their materials, overall comfort, customer reviews and firsthand testing experience from our team.
For this list, each mattress topper’s ability to cool or at least prevent overheating was essential. That’s why we looked for features and materials that offer improved ventilation, airflow, temperature regulation and cooling sensations.
We also followed advice from Lauri Leadley, president and clinical sleep educator at the Arizona-based Valley Sleep Center, on the best materials for cooling: memory foam, latex and phase change materials (with the addition of some techy picks like the Sleep Number Dualtemp).
Lastly, we focused on products that are highly rated by customers like you for both cooling and comfort. Each of these products has an average of at least 4 out of 5 stars according to reviewers.
What To Consider When Buying A Cooling Mattress Topper
Here are a few factors to consider when shopping for a cooling mattress topper.
Cooling Features
There are different ways for mattress toppers to dissipate heat during the night. Gel-infused memory foam is a common material for cooling bedding, as the gel particles don’t retain warmth. This allows heat to escape and prevents the topper from becoming uncomfortably warm during the night. Copper- and graphite-infused memory foam options work the same way—the infused materials help prevent the foam from retaining heat from your body.
Alternatively, some mattress toppers offer cooling effects thanks to increased breathability. For instance, toppers made with steel coils or perforated latex promote better airflow, allowing warmth to escape.
Finally, some toppers have cooling fabrics to help with temperature regulation. These fabrics are able to wick heat away from your body and stay cool to the touch, keeping you at a comfortable temperature during the night.
Height
Most mattress toppers range in height from 2 to 5 inches. Any shorter, and they’re considered a mattress pad—which are typically made for protecting the mattress, not increasing your comfort.
Generally, a taller mattress topper can more dramatically change the feel of your bed. If you’re sleeping on a worn-out bed or one that’s too firm or soft, choosing a tall mattress topper at your desired comfort level can make a huge difference in how your bed feels.
Still, taller mattress toppers may be warmer, especially if they’re plush or cushiony. Generally, the more you sink into it, the hotter you get throughout the night.
Trial
Traditional mattress toppers can be surprisingly significant investments, ranging anywhere from $100 to nearly $1,000. Fortunately, most brands offer a home trial so you can test out the topper and return it for your money back if it’s not a good fit. These trials range from 30 days to a full year.
Still, home trials aren’t universal. Before you pay, you may want to check if the topper you’re purchasing has a home trial so you have the opportunity to return it if you aren’t happy.
Firmness
Mattress toppers are available at several different firmness levels. They’re a great way to make some minor changes to your mattress’s feel if it’s not quite where you want it to be. Firm toppers can add structure and support to soft mattresses, and soft toppers can help to relieve the pressure on your shoulders and hips caused by firm mattresses.
The best mattress toppers can breathe some new life into an old, sagging mattress. Still, remember that even the firmest or most cushiony mattress toppers usually can’t drastically change the feel of the mattress underneath. If you’re hoping for a drastic change, it’s best to choose the tallest mattress topper you can find or consider if it’s time to replace your mattress.
A final word of advice from Leadley: “Treat your mattress topper purchase as you would a mattress purchase—crucial for getting a great night’s sleep, and for your back and neck. You should choose one that offers the right amount of support for your body, level of comfort for your sleeping posture and room for sleeping.”
Materials
Memory Foam:Memory foam is the most common material among mattress toppers. “It has little spring but molds to the shape of your body,” Leadly says. Unfortunately, this can leave you feeling warmer at night—especially as your body sinks into memory foam as the night progresses. Some manufacturers remedy this by infusing their foam with cooling gels, adding vents or holes to improve breathability or crafting their toppers from shredded foam rather than one single piece of foam.
Latex: Latex is a natural rubber that is a good alternative to memory foam for people who prefer natural or organic options. It has a bit more spring than memory foam, and it tends to be firmer than most memory foam. You’re less likely to sink into it, which can help you stay cooler. Also, latex is naturally less dense than memory foam. It contains larger pockets of air and natural channels that can help improve airflow.
Cotton: Cotton is a common material choice for mattress pad covers. “Cotton is naturally cooling due to its breathability and ability to wick away moisture from the skin,” explains Leadley. “The fibers in cotton are loosely woven and have small gaps, which allows air to easily circulate through the fabric.”
Wool: Some natural mattress toppers contain wool. Although it has a reputation for being a warm material, wool is actually very breathable and sweat-wicking—making it a good choice to use in cooling mattress toppers.
Other Cooling Products For Your Bedroom
For the best temperature regulation during the night, you may want to pair your cooling mattress topper with other cooling products, all of which work similarly to regulate your body temperature.
Cooling pillows: If you’re always flipping your pillow over in search of the “cool side,” you may like the best cooling pillows, which maintain a comfortable temperature all night. They often have a gel layer or perforated design for better breathability compared to standard pillows.
Cooling mattresses: If a mattress topper isn’t enough to revive your old bed, you may want to consider buying one of the best cooling mattresses for your bedroom. They come with many of the same cool features as mattress toppers, but they provide better support for your body.
Cooling sheets: The best cooling sheets are often made from materials like cotton percale, bamboo or eucalyptus, which are all breathable and heat-wicking. They can help regulate your temperature during the night, even in the summer.
Cooling blankets: If regular blankets make you too warm, the best cooling blankets are more lightweight and breathable, so you can sleep underneath them without overheating.
How Do Gel Cooling Mattress Toppers Work?
Memory foam mattress toppers infused with gel are often cooler than those made from 100% memory foam. This is because gel has unique properties that help it to absorb and redirect heat from the body, keeping you cooler. Gel also feels cold to the touch, so it can help to keep the memory foam itself cooler as well.
What’s The Best Material For A Cooling Mattress Topper?
The best materials for cooling mattress toppers include “gel-infused foam, latex, or phase change materials,” according to Leadley. Phase change materials, like Outlast, help actively regulate temperature, while gel-infused foams draw heat away from the body. Latex and other natural materials also tend to have good airflow.
Is A Mattress Topper Good For A Bad Back?
A mattress topper can be good for a bad back, but it may not be as effective as purchasing a new mattress. (You may want to consider our list of the best mattresses for back pain.) If want to try a mattress topper first though, you may find a firmer mattress topper made from memory foam or latex is most helpful.
