• If you sleep hot, dread warm summer nights, or suffer from night sweats, a cooling mattress topper can help to regulate your bed’s temperature for a better night’s sleep.
  • Our top pick, the Therapedic Tru-Cool 3-inch Serene Foam Performance Mattress Topper, offers a combination of cooling and other valuable benefits, like reduced motion transfer, to help you get to sleep and stay asleep.
  • If a mattress topper simply won’t get the job done and you need to make a bigger upgrade, check out our guide to the best mattresses.

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night to desperately kick off your covers and wait as the cooler air washes over you? Do you dread getting into bed in the summer, knowing that your mattress is going to be uncomfortably warm? Whether you’re someone who just sleeps hot or needs to get better sleep during warm weather, investing in a cooling mattress topper can make you more comfortable and help you to sleep through the night.

When your bed isn’t working for you, buying a mattress topper can help to correct some of the issues at a more affordable cost than you’ll see if you buy a new mattress. They can refresh an older mattress, or they can add cushion, breathability, or cooling properties to a newer mattress that you don’t want to replace.

These mattress toppers – as opposed to mattress pads or covers – offer significant cushion and padding in addition to their cooling properties. Some are thicker than others, so you’ll want to think about how much height they’ll add to your bed when deciding which product is right for you. Also be sure to consider whether you’ll like a topper that’s firmer or softer, since everyone has different preferences.

The mattress toppers in this guide all offer some sort of cooling effect. For the best results, pair them with breathable sheets and comforters, and try to lower the temperature of your bedroom before going to bed. The National Sleep Foundation states that the ideal bedroom temperature is between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s easier to both fall asleep and stay asleep when your room is cool.

Buying a mattress topper can be a challenge since you can’t try them out and most stores don’t carry a wide selection for you to feel and inspect in person. We have researched and ranked the following toppers according to their cooling effect, their benefits, such as washable covers and reduced motion transfer, their price, and their overall performance, taking the guesswork out of your purchase.

Here are the best cooling mattress toppers:

Prices and links are current as of 6/29/20. We removed our pick for the best for pain relief because of stock issues. We added a new pick for the best on a budget. We also added a selection of related buying guides.

The best overall

Not only does the Therpedic Tru-Cool 3-Inch Serene Foam Performance Mattress Topper feature cooling technology, but it also reduces motion transfer.

Cooling technology can go a long way in helping you to sleep more comfortably, but it's not the only factor in getting a good night's sleep. The Therapedic Tru-Cool 3-Inch Serene Foam Performance Mattress Topper is our top pick because of the multiple ways it keeps you comfortable at night.

TruCool cooling technology helps to keep this topper comfortable, even on hot nights, and the Serene Foam allows heat to dissipate quickly, contributing to your cool sleep.

The Serene Foam offers other benefits too. It has billions of microscopic air capsules that help to enhance the support that the foam provides while simultaneously reducing the pressure on your body. This is a valuable quality since pressure on hips, knees, shoulders, and ankles (depending on how you sleep) can lead to pain, stiffness, and sleep disruption.

This foam also reduces motion transfer, so you're disturbed less when your partner shifts around. The polyester blend cover is breathable and made of a double-knit performance fabric that is both soft and durable. The cover is also machine washable for convenience.

This topper is backed by a 5-year manufacturer's warranty and is available in twin, full, queen, king, and California king sizes. It's a good all-around choice that offers cooling properties plus features that enhance the overall quality of your sleep. This topper is endorsed by the American Sleep Association and is made in the US.

Pros: Cooling technology, reduced motion transfer, reduced pressure points for a more comfortable sleep, 5-year manufacturer's warranty

Cons: Foam can be spot cleaned only, 3-inch topper may add too much height to some beds

The best on a budget

Foto: Source: Amazon

The egg crate design of the Linenspa 2-inch Convoluted Gel Swirl Mattress Topper helps improve airflow while cooling gel beads disperse heat to keep you cool.

While most of the picks on our list rely on simply gel beads to keep you cool, the Linenspa Convoluted Gel Swirl Mattress Topper also integrates an egg crate design to improve airflow. Memory foam is known for getting notoriously warm overnight, and gel beads may not be enough to overcome that if you sleep particularly hot.

The improved airflow you get with an egg crate design means your entire body won't be firmly hugged by heat-retaining foam. But don't worry, the memory foam is still soft enough that it will cradle you as you sleep and reduce pressure points.

The Linenspa Mattress Topper comes in both a two-inch and three-inch thickness, but the two-inch design is much more budget-friendly. It will also sleep a bit firmer since there's not as much foam for you to sink into. If you prefer a softer feel, the three-inch design might suit you better, but it will be more of an investment.

It may actually serve you, in the long run, to opt for the three-inch topper, though. The three-inch design seems to be more durable than the two-inch topper. There are several reports of the two-inch topper tearing with repeated use simply due to how thin it is at troughs of the egg crate design.

Pros: Cooling gel-infused foam, egg crate design improves air flow, memory foam helps soften sleep surface

Cons: Two-inch topper is vulnerable to tearing

The best hypoallergenic topper

Foto: Source: Wayfair

The 3-inch Lucid Bamboo Charcoal Memory Foam Mattress Topper offers temperature regulation, moisture-wicking, and odor-reducing properties.

The 3-inch Lucid Bamboo Charcoal Memory Foam Mattress Topper takes a unique, natural approach to enhancing your mattress. This topper is infused with StayFresh bamboo charcoal, which gives it some desirable properties.

The topper harnesses charcoal's ability to reduce odor, which helps to keep the topper smelling fresh. Additionally, the bamboo charcoal infusion wicks away excess moisture, which helps to keep you cool and comfortable even on hot nights.

This mattress topper is also equipped with a PureFlow ventilated design, which maximizes breathability and airflow to help regulate temperature and prevent heat buildup. The moldable foam conforms to your body's curves while also eliminating pain on pressure points like elbows, hips, and knees.

The topper is naturally hypoallergenic, reducing bacterial growth and discouraging mold. It's backed by a 3-year warranty. The topper has CertiPUR-US certification, meaning it was made without the use of any harmful chemicals, so you can sleep well.

This mattress topper is available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king sizes.

Pros: Odor-reducing, moisture-wicking, ventilation maximizes airflow for temperature regulation, hypoallergenic, 3-year warranty

Cons: Can take a few days to fully expand after being unpacked, no cover included

The best luxury topper

Foto: Source: Amazon

Handcrafted with organic wool that's not treated with chemicals, the PlushBeds Luxury Wool Topper helps to regulate your bed's temperature year-round.

If you're looking for a truly deluxe mattress topper, the PlushBeds Luxury Wool Topper is a top-quality handcrafted option. The topper is filled with wool, so it's soft and plush, and you can take advantage of wool's natural temperature-regulating properties without relying on petroleum-based foams.

Because wool naturally regulates temperature, this mattress topper helps to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter, offering just the right amount of insulation.

PlushBeds uses wool that that Global Organic Textile Standard has certified as organic. Plus, PlushBeds manufactures its wool mattress toppers with environmental and socially responsible best practices.

The wool used is never chemically treated, whereas wool toppers by other brands may be treated with harsh chemicals or detergents. It's naturally non-allergenic and helps to minimize mold spores and mites.

While this mattress topper has a higher price point than others, it's also of a higher quality. The cotton exterior has a 400-thread count for a luxurious feel, and the topper is hand-tufted and hand-stitched right here in the United States.

This mattress topper is available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king sizes.

Of course, this is not the pick for you if you have a wool allergy.

Pros: Made with organic wool, handcrafted here in the United States, wool offers natural temperature regulation year-round, topper is non-allergenic

Cons: Higher price point than other mattress toppers, don't use if you have a wool allergy

The best for intense cooling

Foto: Source: Amazon

With pressure-activated cooling, the Cool Care Technologies Cooling Pad is versatile and portable, offering cooling comfort wherever you need it.

Unlike traditional mattress toppers, the Cool Care Technologies Cooling Pad exists specifically to provide cooling properties, rather than to add padding or cushion. But it's not going to cover your whole bed. This body pad measures 43.4 x 27.6 inches, making it ideal for personal use.

It's activated by pressure and offers cooling relief for up to three hours - plenty of time to fall asleep, or to fall back asleep after waking up in the middle of the night. This pad doesn't require water, electricity, or refrigeration. When it's time to recharge the pad, simply let it sit in a cool place for 30 minutes.

This pad also has an advantage over traditional mattress toppers in that it's easily portable. You can use it on the couch, in a recliner, or even while in a lounge chair outside for cooling relaxation.

Because the pad doesn't use water or electricity, it's safe to use in bed. You can lie directly on top of it, or place a sheet over it. For continuous cooling, invest in two pads so you can swap one out while the other recharges. For supercharged cooling, you can put the pad in the freezer prior to use.

Pros: No electricity, water, or refrigeration required; portable; recharges in 30 minutes

Cons: Cooling doesn't last all night, doesn't cover entire bed

Check out our other great sleep guides

Foto: Source: Brooklinen

The best sheets

Few would deny that at the end of a long, hard day, sliding into a comfortable bed outfitted with soft, smooth sheets that pamper your skin is one of life's greatest pleasures. After reviewing dozens of contenders for the best sheets, we've narrowed it down to our favorites.

The best pillows

A good pillow means a good night's sleep. We tested dozens of pillows to narrow down the choices to the ones you'll love best. From down pillows to memory foam and everything in between, here are the best pillows you can buy.

The best mattresses

A high-quality mattress will last for more than a decade, provide the right balance of comfort and support for your body type and sleeping style, and offer superb motion transfer isolation. In order to determine the best mattresses on the market, we put each mattress through an extensive range of tests. These are our top picks for the best mattresses.

The best mattresses for back pain

If you've suffered long enough with back pain, it's time to wake up to the advantages of a supportive, quality mattress. Choosing a new mattress can be a chore, however, there's no doubt about it. Here are the best mattresses for back pain.