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Feeling warm can be delightful if you’re at the beach or picnicking in the park, but if you tend to overheat while you’re in bed, it can rob you of some quality rest. To keep you comfortable, the best cooling mattress toppers for hot sleepers are made from breathable and temperature-regulating materials like cotton and bamboo, or they’re infused with gel to fend off heat. Plus, they come in a range of styles, from fluffy down-alternative to supportive memory foam.
As a general rule, you’ll want to stay away from heat-trapping materials like polyester, unless you’re dealing with night sweats — in which case, polyester offers superior moisture-wicking capabilities, and when paired with cooling sheets, may help keep you comfortable and dry. If you’re just dealing with heat though, it’s best to opt for materials like bamboo, which naturally regulates temperature and stays cool to the touch, or cotton, which offers lots of breathability.
If you’re interested in the soft support of a memory foam topper be advised that this material does tend to retain body heat. To keep things from getting toasty, opt for memory foam toppers infused with cooling gel or charcoal, or designs with open-cell structures that promote airflow. (Hot tip: Memory foam options are arguably the best mattress toppers for side sleepers, as they contour to shoulders and hips to reduce pressure points and align the body.)
In a hurry? These are the best cooling mattress toppers for hot sleepers:
1. A Basic Bamboo Mattress Pad: ExceptionalSheets Bamboo Mattress Pad
2. A Cooling Gel Pad: Cool Care Technologies Cooling Pad
3. A Gel Memory Foam Topper: Sure2Sleep Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
4. An Egg Crate Gel Memory Foam Topper: Zinus Swirl Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
5. A Bamboo Charcoal Memory Foam Topper: Lucid Bamboo Charcoal Memory Foam Mattress Topper
6. A Waterproof Mattress Protector: SafeRest Hypoallergenic Waterproof Mattress Protector
7. A Down-Alternative Topper: Sleep Zone Temperature-Regulating Mattress Topper
8. A Waterproof Cotton Topper: DROVAN Waterproof Pillow Top Mattress Topper
Your rest is precious and it’s not worth losing a minute of it to a hot bed, but you just might find that the best mattress toppers for hot sleepers will keep you cool and comfy all night long.
1A Basic Bamboo Mattress Pad For Hot Sleepers
This cooling mattress pad is lined with a breathable bamboo rayon cover, and it even includes a built-in skirt to hug the rim of your mattress for a secure fit. Filled with hypoallergenic down-alternative, it provides extra support within the cushion. However, it isn’t waterproof. Still, the topper is also available in six sizes for different bed types.
According to a reviewer: “Got a new foam mattress – like it but it gets hot – this topper keeps me cool and adds just the right amount of softness.”
- Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
2A Gel Pad With Cooling Properties
- Also available on Walmart, $64
When you need a really cool option, try out this portable gel mattress topper which uses gel to disperse heat evenly to keep you cool. The pad can be used in one of two ways: under your sheets (where it stays cool for two to three hours), or over your sheets, where you can sleep directly on it and experience a briefer, but more immediate and intense feeling of coolness. You don’t even need to put it in the fridge or freezer to make it cold again; simply place it in a cool spot to recharge. It’s available in two sizes: one for your body, and one for your pillow.
According to a reviewer: “Must buy for hot sleepers. [...] Writing this review as I lay upon this awesome purchase! Great for cool downs, for summer, hot sleepers. I’m SO HAPPY I bought this.”
- Available sizes: Body mat, pillow pad
3A Memory Foam Topper Infused With Cooling Gel
Memory foam mattresses can trap a lot of heat — but this memory foam topper is infused with gel that’s specifically designed to keep you cool. In fact, the open-cell structure of its gel mixture lets air flow freely while still providing the great support of memory foam. Like other memory foam selections, it conforms to your body while you relax, so you get totally customized support. This pad is available in 2- and 3-inch options. With 21,000 ratings on Amazon and an overall 4.6 stars to date, it’s practically a sure bet.
According to a reviewer: “This mattress topper works great. It’s not too hot, keeps the body nice and cool, (for those of us, like myself, who get [too] hot when we sleep, this is an added bonus). Another great thing about this is, during the cool weather, if you want a bit more firmness in a mattress topper, along with comfort, the temperature affects this topper quite positively!!! It stiffens up a bit during cold temperatures, all on its own, and adds much more comfort and support, without feeling like you’re sleeping on plywood.”
- Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
- Available thicknesses: 2 inches, 3 inches
4A Gel Memory Foam Topper That Optimizes Airflow
- Also available on Home Depot, $57
This cooling topper is also constructed with gel-infused memory foam, but its textured top is designed to promote air flow even more. It's super breathable and adds extra cushioning while you sleep. This option is available in four thickness options: 1.5-inch, 2-inch, 3-inch, and 4-inch. Plus, it boasts more than 23,000 ratings on Amazon so far.
According to a reviewer: “We have a Zinus memory foam mattress and we decided to try this for a little extra cushioning, even though the mattress is great. It works well and gives good support and isn’t hot.”
- Available sizes: Twin, full, queen, king
- Available thicknesses: 1.5 inches, 2 inches, 3 inches, 4 inches
5A Memory Foam Topper Infused With Bamboo Charcoal
- Also available on MattressFirm, $130
This mattress pad is also made with cushiony memory foam — but unlike the others, it uses bamboo charcoal to absorb moisture and regulate the temperature. It’s also made with ventilation holes for extra breathability, which will ultimately help keep you cool at night. The topper is even hypoallergenic and available in three thicknesses — 2 inches, 3 inches, and 4 inches — to suit your needs.
According to a reviewer: “This memory foam topper is great! [...] The one I had previously from a different manufacturer would have me wake up multiple times during the night because I’d gotten too hot. I do use mine with a waterproof cover and I’m still not hot at night. I'm a side sleeper and would wake up with hip pain without the topper. I now don’t wake up with the hip pain either.”
- Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
- Available thicknesses: 2 inches, 3 inches, 4 inches
6A Hypoallergenic & Waterproof Mattress Protector
- Also available on Walmart, $36
If you’re looking for one of the best cooling mattress pads that also offers top-grade protection to your mattress, this is the one. Not only is it waterproof and hypoallergenic, but it keeps your mattress safe from moisture, bacteria, and dust mites — but it also breathes to keep you cool. It’s made with cotton terry, and it’s even lined with a TPU layer that makes it waterproof. The topper comes with a fitted sleeve to help it stay in place, and it’s available in six sizes. Just keep in mind that this option won’t add loft and padding the way the other picks will.
According to a reviewer: “I have two of these now. I ordered a Queen one a few years back and it was perfect. It keeps the underlying mattress in good condition and it keeps you cool when sleeping on it. Washing this one was a breeze and I chose to line-dry it instead of tossing it in the dryer. The queen one has held up very well and I decided to purchase the same branch when upgrading to a King mattress. Very happy with the purchase.”
- Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
7A Cooling Down-Alternative Mattress Topper
This fluffy, cloud-like topper is made with moisture-wicking and cooling technology to keep you comfortable all night long. The spiralized microfiber filling mimics the effect of goose down for an ultra-plush sleep surface, and it’s made from polyester for sweat-wicking power. Just as good, the cover is brushed for softness and made with 40% cotton for breathability. You can even choose from two colors: this gray hue or a crisp white.
According to a reviewer: “I was looking for something reasonably priced to help keep me cool at night. I was waking up sweating too many nights. I fell in love with this the first night I slept on it. In addition to keeping my body temperature balanced all night it’s soft and cushy. It added just a little extra something to my already incredible tempurpedic mattress. I’m glad I tried this out. It’s the best mattress cover I’ve ever owned.”
- Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
8A Waterproof Pillow Topper Made With Cooling Cotton
This fluffy mattress pad is constructed with breathable cotton to keep you cool and ventilated all night long. Below the quilted layer of cotton is a layer of plush microfiber fill, followed by waterproof thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), which means the topper is both cooling and waterproof — so you don’t have to worry too much about spills. This topper is available in seven different sizes to cover a variety of mattress types, and they each have an extra-deep pocket of 21 inches, too.
According to a reviewer: “Great product. Soft, padded, comfortable, and keeps you cool.”
- Available sizes: Twin, full, full XL, queen, super queen, king, California king
Studies referenced:
Solorio-Ferrales, K., Villa-Angulo, C., Villa-Angulo, R., Villa-Angulo, J.R. (2017, May 3). Comparison of regenerated bamboo and cotton performance in warm environment. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1665642317300391
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