The 9 Best Cooling Mattresses of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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Wake up feeling refreshed—not overheated—with these picks
The Spruce / Lecia Landis
Fact checked by Yoona Wagener
If you’re a hot sleeper who is sick of tossing and turning throughout the night and waking up unrefreshed and sweaty, it may be time to look into cooling sleep products, more specifically, a cooling mattress. According to sleep consultant Kelly Murray, cooling mattresses “can help reduce the heat retention that often leads to discomfort and disrupted sleep," especially if you tend to sleep warm. Murray adds, "As a result, you experience a more restful and rejuvenating night's sleep.”
After speaking with Murray to better understand cooling mattresses, how they work, and who should look into them, we began scouring our testing insights of over 40 mattresses to find ones that performed well in terms of breathability and coolness. We researched the best cooling mattresses on the market and read through countless customer reviews, too. The result is our compiled list of mattresses that accommodate a range of sleep styles, price points, and material needs so you can get rid of that old, hot mattress.
Best Overall: Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress
What We Like
Soft yet supportive for all sleeping positions
Excellent airflow
Expands in minutes with no off-gassing odors
Ten-year warranty
What We Don't Like
Pricey
The combination of excellent support while still providing comfort and cooling features helped to solidify Casper’s Nova Hybrid mattress as our pick for the best overall cooling mattress. This hybrid mattress features Casper’s Airscape technology, which is a perforated, breathable foam, to direct heat and moisture away from the body. Underneath the foam, resilient springs work to promote both airflow and durability. In testing, we found the mattress ideal for hot sleepers—we noted the impressive airflow on the first night. We sent it home with a restless, hot sleeper, and they confirmed that they no longer woke up feeling overheated or sweaty after regularly sleeping on the Nova Hybrid.
In terms of comfort, we found in testing that this option has a soft, plush feel on top, but its several layers of CertiPUR-US-certified foam provide the ultimate support. One perk of this mattress is the Zoned Support design, which has extra support under the hips, waist, and lower back. We found that this pick allowed us to sleep comfortably on our back, side, and stomach, and it also has great edge support, so you can feel confident purchasing this mattress in any size.
After removing it from the box, we found that it expanded in just five minutes, and we didn’t note any off-gassing odors during our testing. Nothing is perfect, though, and the steep price tag of this mattress may be inaccessible for some shoppers. Another downside to such an exceptionally comfy mattress: You might struggle to get out of bed in the morning because it's so cozy. (Don’t say we didn’t warn you!)
Price at time of publish: $2,295 for a queen
Material: Polyurethane foam, coils; polyester, cotton, rayon, and lycra cover | Sizes: Twin XL, full, queen, king, California king | Thickness: 13 inches | Firmness: Medium firm
If a mattress is made with CertiPUR-US certified foam, it means the foam has been tested by a third-party laboratory and met certain standards around durability, emissions, and content. The foam is manufactured without a specific list of materials that might negatively impact the air quality or environment, including ozone depleters and formaldehyde.
Best Budget: Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress
What We Like
Memory foam provides a cloud-like feel
Designed to prevent odors
100-night trial and ten-year warranty
What We Don't Like
Can take a few days to expand
Lower weight limit
Might be too soft for some
At a fraction of the cost of competitors and with exceptional features, Zinus’s Memory Foam Green Tea Mattress is proof that you can get a cooling night of sleep without having to break the bank. With three layers of cushioning yet supportive foam, this option is also designed with comfort in mind.
The top layer of Zinus’s Memory Foam Green Tea Mattress is where the bulk of the cooling occurs. The memory foam is infused with natural green tea and purified charcoal for an added feeling of odor-reducing freshness. Beneath that, the brand’s comfort foam makes you feel like you're laying on a cloud, and finally, the high-density base aids in promoting pressure relief while offering edge support. All Zinus’s foams are CertiPUR-US certified.
Some things to be aware of with this mattress are that it will take up to 72 hours to fully expand back to its shape upon arrival. Additionally, it has a weight limit of 500 pounds for sizes above a twin, which is lower than other options on our list. It also has a plusher feel that some people find to be too soft.
Price at time of publish: $379 for a queen
Material: Memory foam, comfort foam, base foam; poly jacquard cover | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, short queen, king, California king | Thickness: 12 inches | Firmness: Plush
The Spruce / Katie Begley
Best Splurge: Purple RejuvenatePremier Mattress
Buy at Mattressworldnorthwest.com
What We Like
Very breathable materials and construction
Purple’s signature GelFlex Grid
Great edge support
100-night trial, ten-year warranty, and free returns
What We Don't Like
Might be too thick for some
While pricier than other options on our list, Purple’s RejuvenatePremier Mattress earns its price tag. The combination of comfort, technology, and materials help to create a night of sleep that is as cool as it is refreshing, earning the mattress high marks across the board in our testing.
In terms of cooling, the RejuvenatePremier is focused on breathability every step of the way. The cover is cooling and antimicrobial and features viscose for breathability. A layer of comfort foam helps to cradle the joints for added comfort and beneath that talalay latex works to promote temperature balancing.
This mattress also features two layers of the brand’s proprietary GelFlex Grid, a temperature-neutral material that not only works to provide support but also includes an open column design with thousands of air channels to draw heat away from the body. And of course, responsive coils also aid in promoting airflow while additional layers of foam work to provide edge support and added comfort.
In addition to the cooling, the GelFlex Grid flexes to be able to accommodate all different sleep styles while cradling pressure points and preventing sagging. While all of the features of this mattress combine to make it an exceptional piece of technology, they also add up creating a particularly thick mattress. Do note that for some people, 18.5 inches may be too high for them, especially if your bed frame is particularly tall.
Price at time of publish: $6,995 for a queen
Material: Latex, memory foam, GelFlex grid, coils; polyester, viscose, lycra, polypropylene, rayon cover | Sizes: Twin XL, queen, king, California king, split king | Thickness: 18.5 inches | Firmness: Medium
Most Comfortable: Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Breeze Luxe Breeze Medium Hybrid
What We Like
Top layers are designed for coolness
Contouring Tempur material
Hybrid construction
What We Don't Like
Expensive
While pricey, Tempur-Pedic’s Tempur-Breeze Luxe Breeze Medium Hybrid earns its higher price tag, thanks to four cooling layers and exceptional comfort throughout the mattress.
The top layer is the SmartClimate Cover, which draws heat away from the body. Beneath that, a heat diffusing layer absorbs excess heat, while the Pure Cool material beneath that also works to pull heat away from you. Lastly, the pressure-relieving material that is underneath all of these layers offers added airflow through ventilation.
Beneath all of the breathable layers is more than 1,300 double-stacked innersprings that ensure a responsive feel for any sleep position. This mattress also uses the brand’s proprietary Tempur material, which is specifically designed to conform to your body and offer pressure relief.
In addition to this mattress being pricier than many other choices on our list, there are a few other things that are worth being mindful of when considering purchasing one. For starters, the heavier nature of this mattress can make it a bit more tedious to put your sheets onto. Also, the foam does have a mild off-gassing odor, but this should dissipate rather quickly.
Price at time of publish: $5,599 for a queen
Material: Tempur material, innersprings; SmartClimate cover | Sizes: Twin long, queen, king, split king, California king, split California king | Thickness: 13 inches | Firmness: Medium
Best for Pressure Relief: Cocoon by Sealy Chill Hybrid Mattress
What We Like
Medium firmness
Supportive memory foam
Minimizes motion transfer
100-night trial and free delivery
What We Don't Like
Mild off-gassing odor
Heavy, hard to move
With highly pressure-relieving memory foam and expertly responsive coils, Sealy’s Cocoon Chill Hybrid Mattress is our pick for the best option for a cooling mattress that helps to alleviate discomfort.
The top layer of this mattress is a cover made of cooling yarns that are able to absorb and dissipate heat. Beneath that, the brand’s memory foam is able to help relieve pressure points while also promoting airflow, which is an issue faced by other memory foams on the market. And for couples, the layer beneath is a comfort layer designed to aid in eliminating motion transfer, all while over 900 coils aid in airflow promotion and edge support. In terms of overall feel, this mattress is more of a medium firm overall, which has been shown to be a good option for people with lower back pain.
Worth noting with the Cocoon Chill Hybrid is that it doesn’t feature any handles, and with the heavier weight, this can make it a bit tedious to move should you need to. Additionally, as can be expected with memory foam mattresses, this option may have a bit of an off-gassing odor upon arrival.
Price at time of publish: $1,389 for a queen
Material: Memory foam, coils; fabric cover | Sizes: Twin, twin long, full, queen, king, California king | Thickness: 12 inches | Firmness: Medium
Best Temperature Regulating: Layla Copper-Infused Memory Foam Mattress
What We Like
Copper gel draws away heat
Flippable design with different firmnesses
120-night trial and lifetime warranty
What We Don't Like
Not ideal if you like a very firm mattress
Layla’s Copper-Infused Memory Foam Mattress is a great choice with some unique features. For starters, this mattress is flippable to give you the choice between a firmer or softer side. What really helps to set it apart, though, is its usage of copper.
In its foam, this mattress uses copper gel, which is highly conductive and enables it to draw heat away from your body. While memory foam can tend to trap heat, the usage of copper is able to alleviate this issue. It also doesn’t hurt that copper is antimicrobial, which aids in keeping your mattress fresher.
The copper gel in this mattress also creates a firming response when you add pressure to the mattress, enabling it to provide extra support where there is compression while also maintaining the comfortable cushioning that is associated with memory foam.
Do note with this mattress that it can take some breaking in. Fortunately, Layla offers a 120-night trial to give you ample time to make sure that it’s the right fit for you. Also, the “firm" side is approximately a 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale, which for some people may not be quite firm enough.
Price at time of publish: $949 for a queen
Material: Polyurethane foam, airflow foam, copper memory foam; polyester, viscose, rayon, and poly/lycra cover | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king | Thickness: 10 inches | Firmness: Soft/Firm sides
Best For Stomach Sleepers: Nectar Premier Copper Mattress
What We Like
Firm feel and contouring to support stomach sleeping
Copper fibers to draw heat from body
Forever warranty, and free shipping/returns
What We Don't Like
Too firm for some
Some off-gassing odor
Our pick for the best cooling mattress for stomach sleepers is the Nectar Premier Copper Mattress. The woven cover includes copper fibers which work to dispel heat while heat-absorbent polyethylene fibers wick away body heat.
Beneath the cover is a layer of memory foam that includes gel to not only provide expert contouring but to also adjust to your body’s changing temperature. Under that, a dynamic response layer uses CertiPUR-US-certified foam that aids in spinal alignment while promoting airflow.
The excellent contouring and resilience make this a fantastic option for stomach sleepers. The pressure relief in the shoulders, hips, and leg areas also helps to offer a comfortable, restful night of sleep. Lastly, we appreciate that it has a forever warranty, a one-year trial, and free shipping and returns.
One thing to be aware of with this option is that while it’s designed to have a medium-firm feel, some customers find it to be too firm for their needs. Additionally, it has a bit of an off-gassing odor—but don’t worry, that should go away within three days.
Price at time of publish: $1,299 for a queen
Material: Gel memory foam, transition foam, base foam; poly blend cover with copper | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king | Thickness: 14 inches | Firmness: Medium firm
The 11 Best Cooling Mattress Pads of 2023
Best for Couples: Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
What We Like
Excellent edge support
Medium firmness
Breathable cover
100-night trial
What We Don't Like
Heavier weight makes it harder to move
Might be too thick for some
For a cooling mattress that is ideal for couples, we don’t think you can beat the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress. When we tested this model, we found the medium firmness to be a great middle-ground that accommodates different sleep styles and positions, leaving both partners waking up feeling refreshed.
This option features a responsive foam comfort layer for cradling and contouring support, a copper gel memory foam layer for added contouring, and a layer of memory plus foam for support and stability. Beneath these layers are individually wrapped coils that aid in alignment and lumbar and edge support. All of these combined in testing to leave us waking up less due to discomfort.
In terms of cooling, the coils promote airflow and the Tencel cover is breathable. Or, consider upgrading to the GlacioTex Cooling Cover, which uses fibers with high thermal conductivity to pull heat away from the body, albeit at an additional charge
Some drawbacks that we found in testing this mattress include the heavier weight which makes it difficult to move, and the thicker profile can make it harder for some users (such as children) to climb in and out of.
Price at time of publish: $2,374 for a queen
Material: Memory foam, coils; Tencel cover | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king | Thickness: 13.5 inches | Firmness: Medium
The 10 Best Cooling Pillows of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Best Organic: Avocado Green Mattress
Buy at Avocadogreenmattress.com
What We Like
Certified organic latex, wool, and cotton
Breathable, moisture-wicking materials
Features handles
What We Don't Like
Latex can take time to break in
Mild odor at first
For a night of sleep that is as cool and comfortable for your body as it is for your mind, we love Avocado’s Green Mattress. Made with natural and certified organic materials, you can rest easy knowing that your mattress isn’t filled with chemicals.
This mattress uses Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certified latex, a material that is resilient, durable, and, importantly, offers excellent temperature control naturally. This mattress also uses Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified wool and cotton. Kelly Murray, a sleep consultant, recommends wool for its ability to wick moisture and for its temperature-regulating properties. Lastly, cotton tends to be very breathable.
In addition to the excellent cooling properties of this mattress, you can expect a mattress that is great for all kinds of sleepers with its medium-firm feel. It also has 1,438 steel coils that aid in alleviating pressure points while contouring to your body’s natural curves. We also appreciate the attention to detail with this mattress—it’s needle-tufted by hand.
One thing to note with this option is that latex can take a little bit of extra time to break in. Also, latex can have a bit of an odor when it’s new, so be sure to let it air out.
Price at time of publish: $1,999 for a queen
Material: Latex, cotton, wool | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king | Thickness: 11 inches | Firmness: Medium-firm
Read Next: The 11 Best Mattresses of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Final Verdict
Our pick for the best overall cooling mattress is the Casper Nova Hybrid for its excellent support, impressive airflow, and CertiPUR-US-certified foams. If you’re in the market for something more affordable, we highly recommend the Zinus Memory Foam Green Tea Mattress for its cloud-like, CertiPUR-US-certified memory foam that’s constructed with green tea and charcoal.
How We Tested the Mattresses
We’ve taken home and tested upwards of 40 mattresses, evaluating each model on factors such as comfort and support. After sleeping on the mattress for weeks, we note if we noticed any improvements in our sleep quality. We also evaluate the mattress at the end of the testing period and note any changes in the way it feels, including any sagging. Finally, we consider the price point of the mattress in relation to the features it offers, and we give it an overall value score.
The Spruce / Hildara Araya
What to Look For in a Cooling Mattress
Type
Mattresses fall generally into a handful of categories:
Memory Foam: Memory foam mattresses are able to provide excellent contouring and cushioning. Additionally, if you are sleeping with a partner, memory foam can do a good job of absorbing movement so you won’t disturb one another throughout the night. It is worth noting that on its own, memory foam is not particularly breathable. “Although memory foam mattresses offer fantastic contouring and pressure relief, they tend to retain heat,” says Kelly Murray, a sleep consultant. “Traditional memory foam has a dense structure that can trap body heat, leaving you feeling warmer as the night progresses which can lead to night wakings.” So if a brand wants to make their memory foam mattress cooling, they will have to take extra steps such using perforated layers or infusing it with copper, like the Layla Copper-Infused Memory Foam Mattress (our Best Temperature-Regulating pick).
Hybrid: Hybrid mattresses, like the Cocoon Chill Hybrid Mattress (our Best for Pressure Relief choice, refers to mattresses that use both foam or latex in addition to a coil system underneath. This can have a handful of benefits. The springs can help to offset the added cushioning that comes with a foam mattress. The result is a mattress that is still supportive while offering pressure point relief. They can also aid in promoting airflow thanks to the coils.
Latex: Latex mattresses are often fairly breathable, thanks to latex’s open cell structure. As a result, latex can be better than memory foam at providing a cooler night of sleep—however, any mattress’s coolness will ultimately depend on how the mattress is constructed. Other benefits of latex include that it is more resilient and will thus have less of a sinking feeling than alternatives. Just keep in mind that some people find latex to be too firm and some people are allergic to it.
Material
Deciding on the proper cooling mattress material for you will come down to a number of factors, all of which have to do with your own preference. If you are someone who prefers more cushioned support, then a memory foam mattress like the Nectar Premier Copper Mattress (our Best For Stomach Sleepers option) may be right for you. If you move around a lot, you may want to look into a hybrid, as coils can add responsiveness to help you turn easier. Hybrids can also promote added breathability as the coils allow for airflow.
If you are someone who prefers organic materials, you’ll want to consider an option like the Avocado Green Mattress, which uses wool, cotton and latex. It’s also important to note that latex mattresses tend to be firmer than other common materials and can offer added support.
Thickness
When purchasing a new mattress, thickness is another feature to consider. The thickness of the mattress is the byproduct of all of the materials inside of it. So, if you are someone who wants added layers of memory foam or coils, you are likely to end up with a thicker mattress.
Murray tells us that the thickness of a mattress can impact its support and durability, stating, “Generally, thicker mattresses tend to provide better support and exhibit increased durability over time.” She also notes that sometimes larger people can benefit from thicker mattresses as they can accommodate the body weight and prevent sinking. Lastly, she tells us that people with back discomfort can benefit from thicker mattresses as they can aid in alignment and spinal support. If a thick mattress is your preference, we recommend the thickest option on our list, which is the 18.5-inch-tall Purple RejuvenatePremier Mattress, our Best Splurge choice.
However, not everyone can benefit from a thicker mattress. If you can’t easily get into a higher bed or you already have a tall bed frame, you may want to avoid a thick mattress. In that case, consider opting for something slightly thinner, like the Layla Copper-Infused Memory Foam Mattress (our Best Temperature Regulating option), which is only 10 inches thick.
Firmness Level
Murray tells us that mattress firmnesses are not a one-size-fits-all solution, and it may take some trial and error to find what works best for you. She notes that your sleep position can play a role in determining what firmness is ideal for you. “Back sleepers usually benefit from a medium to firm mattress to maintain proper spinal alignment,” says Murray. “This ensures that your back receives the necessary support throughout the night.”
For side sleepers, Murray tells us that they “often find a slightly softer mattress more suitable. This allows for better cushioning of the shoulders and hips, reducing pressure points and enhancing overall comfort.” For side sleepers, we like the Zinus Memory Foam Green Tea Mattress.
And when it comes to stomach sleepers, Murray notes that a firmer mattress can help to prevent sagging and maintain alignment, which is why we like the Nectar Premier Copper Mattress for them.
Standout Features
Trial Period
Mattresses can often take some time to properly break in and get used to. Fortunately, most mattress companies have begun to offer a trial period to give you ample time to ensure that it’s the right product for you. On the shorter end, you can expect a 30-day trial, but some options, like Nectar Premier Copper Mattress, come with a full-year trial.
Warranty
Much like trial periods, warranties have almost become standard on mattresses, and you should be wary of brands that don’t provide them. They are a good way to protect you and your purchase. Many options on our list feature a ten-year warranty, which can oftentimes be the entire life of a mattress, but some brands like Layla Copper-Infused Memory Foam Mattress include a lifetime warranty.
Delivery
It has never been easier to get a mattress brought to your home- no longer do you need to go pick it up from a store or go to a showroom. Today, many mattress companies (including Casper) will send mattresses in a box for easier transport, so you can bring them your new mattress into the room you intend to use it in before opening it. Other brands (including Saatva) offer white glove delivery—with some brands, white glove delivery comes at an extra cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you choose mattress firmness?
When it comes to choosing the proper firmness of a mattress, it will come down to personal preference and sleep style. Ultimately you will want to find something that you enjoy, but as a starting point, the position you sleep in is a good place to begin.
As listed above, Murray recommends that back sleepers look into something that is more medium to medium firm to aid in spinal alignment. For side sleepers, she advocates something softer to aid in pressure point relief while cushioning the hips and shoulders. Lastly, she tells us that stomach sleepers should look into something firmer they won’t sink too far into.
What is the best material for a cooling mattress?
There are a handful of materials that are good for a cooling mattress, and one is not necessarily the best. Latex is a great temperature-regulating option. However, memory foam, when it has been designed with breathability and temperature transfer in mind, can do a good job of keeping you cool.
Additional materials that are great for promoting a cool night of sleep, according to Murray, include bamboo, Tencel, and wool. She says these materials “have inherent moisture-absorbing properties and facilitate airflow, which help in maintaining a cool and dry sleep environment.”
How much should a mattress cost?
Mattresses fall along a fairly vast spectrum of prices, with cheaper options costing around $400, and more expensive options costing thousands of dollars. The good news is that there are excellent options all along this spectrum, so you don’t need to break the bank in order to get a good night of sleep. When shopping for a mattress, don’t forget to factor in the cost of delivery of the new mattress and removal of the old one.
A mattress should cost whatever you are comfortable spending, so long as it meets your needs for a good night of sleep. Treat it as an investment in your general comfort and wellness, which it is. And if you can’t afford a whole new mattress, consider purchasing a cooling pad, new mattress topper, or maybe both.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Jack Byram is a freelance writer who covers all things sleep related. He has written numerous articles and spoken with countless experts to better understand what people need to achieve a great night of sleep and to make product recommendations. For this article, he spoke with sleep consultant Kelly Murray to better understand the effects that being hot can have on your sleep and to better understand how cooling mattresses work. Using Murray’s insight to guide him, Jack then scoured the internet to find a wide range of products across a spectrum of prices to make product suggestions.
What Is The Spruce Approved?
Here at The Spruce, we want to ensure we fully stand behind every product we recommend and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all these products ourselves, though occasionally, we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut.
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