The 10 Best Cooling Mattresses for Hot Sleepers (2026) | WIRED

Overview

It happens to the best of us: You wake up in the middle of the night, clammy and soaked in sweat. If you’re a hot sleeper, a cooling mattress may be for you. Waking up sweaty and hot can be caused by several factors, like sleeping conditions, stress, excessive blankets, the wrong pajamas, and even eating spicy foods before bed. Hot nights can also equate to sleepless nights. According to a study from the Journal of Physiological Anthropology, heat exposure increases wakefulness and decreases time spent in deep sleep and REM sleep.

study from the Journal of Physiological Anthropology

Details

A cooling mattress is built specifically to help regulate your body temperature by being made of materials that optimize airflow and draw heat away from your body as you sleep. I (and some of my sweatiest colleagues) tested a myriad of cooling mattresses for at least a week each in our homes—to determine which worked best to beat the heat.

Be sure to read our other sleep guides, including the Best Mattresses, Best Organic Mattresses, Best Hybrid Mattresses, and Best Bed Sheets.

Updated August 2026: We've overhauled this guide with new picks from Bedgear, Helix, Brooklyn Bedding, Birch, Sijo, and Nectar. We've also updated links and prices.

Best Cooling Mattress Overall Photograph: Helix Sleep Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Helix Sleep Midnight Luxe

This is a crowd-pleaser—a medium-firm hybrid mattress that uses six layers to offer all the benefits of both foam and coils. Below the plush cushion top, there are layers of cooling gel foam to regulate body temperature and disperse heat, and then below are several denser foams for support. Individually wrapped coils on the bottom are zoned so that you have firmer coils in areas like your lower spine that need more support to prevent back pain.

The Midnight Luxe comes with a Tencel cover—a semi-synthetic fiber made from eucalyptus—that helps to circulate airflow and regulate temperature. Plus, there's an optional Glacio Tex Cooling Cover (

Helix Midnight Luxe ranges from

Glacio Tex cooling cover, Glacio Tex cooling cover with Cool Force Layer, Ergo Align Contour Layer

Lots of features designed to benefit side sleepers, which most people are for at least part of the night

Adaptable support for the lower back via pocketed coils

Customizations can quickly add up. Cooling features cost extra—anywhere from

Best Cooling Hybrid Mattress Photograph: Kat Merck Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling

I haven’t been the biggest fan of hybrid mattresses in the past. I’m a lifelong fussy sleeper and insomniac, and my body prefers soft and sinking, not firm and bouncy—the last hybrid I tested left me feeling like I was sleeping in the backseat of a ’79 Buick. However, the older I get, the more I’m accepting that sinking memory foam is not my friend. It makes it harder to move around at night, and as a stomach sleeper, it provides zero support for my spine. I tested the Aurora Luxe in Soft with the optional pillow top, and it’s the first hybrid I’ve ever tried that I actually like. The pillow top provides the memory-foam feel my body craves while the 8-inch zoned coils give solid support.

Despite arriving tightly compressed in a box, the Aurora Luxe eventually puffed up to an impressive 14.5 inches, and the silky navy blue cover lends a high end aesthetic. Hybrids run cooler in general due to the open-spring design, and the Aurora Luxe’s pillow top contains Thermo Phase “cooling foam.” Though, to be frank, this did not feel overtly cooling to either my husband or me during our three-week test. (The deep dimples on the top, however, do create some extra airflow.) Luckily, Brooklyn Bedding offers a 120-night trial, so you can decide for yourself (returns do cost $99). The Aurora Luxe tends to run firm, so although it comes in Soft, Medium, and Firm, the Soft is more of a medium-firm. I’d only recommend Medium or Firm if you’re looking for firm-firm. —Kat Merck

Brooklyn Bedding’s Aurora Luxe ranges from

Optional cooling foam, quilt foam, copper responsive foam, memory foam, Variflex transition foam, 8” zoned coils, base foam

Support of a hybrid with the softness of memory foam (with optional pillow top).

Cooling foam isn’t very cooling, but deep dimples and hybrid construction promote extra airflow.

Best Organic Cooling Mattress Courtesy of Birch Courtesy of Birch Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Birch Luxe Natural Mattress

The Birch Luxe Natural uses organic ways to promote cooling with naturally moisture-wicking materials and enhanced breathability—without the use of chemicals. It has an organic cotton cover, layers of New Zealand wool (a natural fire retardant), and pocketed coils for personalized support and motion isolation. The cotton cover pulls sweat away from your skin to quickly dissipate moisture, and the open-weave design promotes ventilation. The bed's GOLS-certified latex material is naturally hypoallergenic anti-microbal (so you can ensure you're having a healthy sleep), and also breathable for enhanced airflow. The wool is also a naturally hygroscopic fiber, meaning that it is designed to wick moisture away to increase overall airflow and breathability.

Birch Luxe Natural ranges from

Organic cotton cover, wool, organic latex, pocketed coils

Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), Green Guard Gold

Free via Fed Ex; white-glove delivery available for $199

120 nights; 30-day break in period required before initiating return ($99 shipping fee)

If you can’t commit to one way of sleeping, latex is the material for you

It’s highly responsive—bouncy—which makes it adaptable enough to move alongside you as you snooze

It has a “natural” smell to it … like wool fresh off the farm. It’ll go away in a few days, but heads up

Best Firm Cooling Mattress Photograph: Nena Farrell Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress (Firm)

The WIRED Reviews team holds the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress in high regard for multiple reasons. Some of our testers found it excellent for relieving back pain, thanks to pressure-relieving foams and zoned coils that support spine alignment. Testers have also noted that of the three firmness options on offer, Firm didn’t mess around when it came to delivering that unyielding feel.

The Bear Elite Hybrid has breathable, copper-infused memory foam and pocketed coils for airflow. There are two cooling covers available—you can opt for the standard Hydro Cool cover or the Celliant cover for an upcharge. Celliant textiles are engineered to help absorb heat and moisture while also facilitating better circulation for muscle recovery. We found this to be more or less the case during our tests, where the mattress earned accolades for its support and temperature regulation. So if you’re an athlete or looking to supercharge your sleep, you may want to consider the Celliant upgrade. —Julia Forbes

Bear Elite Hybrid ranges from

Phase change material (PCM) cooling cover, copper-infused memory foam, dynamic memory foam, pocketed coils

Arrives in a box within three to seven business days; white-glove delivery service available. Prices range from

Pressure-relieving foams and coils are great for relieving back pain

Cooling cover and copper-infused memory foam draw heat away

Celliant is supposed to promote muscle recovery, but the claims are shaky at best

If you’re opting just for a cooling experience, you can get away with the phase change material cover that comes on the standard model

Best Personalized Cooling Mattress Photograph: Molly Higgins Photograph: Molly Higgins Photograph: Molly Higgins Photograph: Molly Higgins Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Bedgear M5 Night Ice Performance Mattress

I've been testing mattresses for the Reviews team for almost three years now, and I always come back to Bedgear. I find its beds feel much more luxurious and cooling than the fair price point suggests. This modular, customizable model is from the brand’s new Night Ice line, which is specifically designed for hot sleepers.

Everything about this hybrid bed is designed for hot sleepers, with a top Bedgear-patented Ver-Tex instant-cooling cover, cooling active core, and cooling boost comfort layer, which all work together as a triple threat on the top layer to effectively dissipate heat. Plus, the sides have Air-X side panels, which are mesh vents to help increase airflow throughout the mattress. Like all Bedgear models I've tried, their proprietary silky blend is literally cool to the touch (and stays cool even during summer). Below is a perforated foam that is designed to react to your body, with conforming pressure relief and airflow channels with gaps and holes for increased breathability. Plus, the M5 is modular, meaning that you can choose the same or different levels of firmness on both sides (the model I tested had both medium firm and medium plush, and the split and differing firmness levels weren't noticeable). This bed is a bit of a splurge, but I find it strikes a great balance of adaptive support while staying cool all night long.

Bedgear M5 Night Ice Performance ranges from

Ver-Tex top cover, Air-X side panels, comfort layer, independent suspension unit, high-density foam base

30 days to return if opened; 100 days if unopened. $199 return fee

Modular design with interchangeable coils for enhanced personalization

Three layers of advanced cooling technology and perforated cooling React foam

Air-X chassis and air vents for airflow and circulation

Comes in several boxes with several layers that need to be assembled and zipped together

Best Value Cooling Mattress Photograph: Molly Higgins Courtesy of Bedgear Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Bedgear H Performance Mattress

Every Bedgear mattress I’ve tested is extremely cooling, comfy, and a super-fair price for the quality. This H Performance Mattress is no different. Like the others, it’s literally cool to the touch, with a swirly-design silky Ver-Tex cover that wicks away moisture and regulates temperature. (The H4 is medium firm, and the H6 is medium plush.) The sides of the mattress are made from Air-X panels that are netlike, which further aid in air circulation. This hybrid mattress uses pocketed coils at the bottom for support and multiple layers of memory-like foam up top. This cooling mattress is one of the most consistently cooling beds I’ve tested, it feels more expensive than its price tag.

Bedgear H Performance ranges from

Ver-Tex cooling cover, memory foam, pocketed coil suspension unit, side mesh

Best Temperature Changing Mattress Photograph: Leesa Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Leesa Legend Chill Hybrid

The Legend Chill delivered on support, and also had superb cooling qualities, so much so that I found I was significantly less restless at night, falling asleep almost the moment my head hit the pillow. The mattress’s quilted top layer feels ultra-luxe and is cool on contact. The breathable phase-change fibers draw heat away from the body and release it when your body is cooler to regulate temperature. The airiness is prevalent throughout the bed—right down to the coils, resulting in a deep sleep without sweat. —Nicole Kinning

Leesa Legend Chill ranges from

Cooling cover with phase-change fibers, memory foam, micro coils, pocketed coils

120 nights; must sleep on it for 30 days before requesting return

Phase-change fibers draw heat away from the body to regulate temperature

Best Infused Cooling Mattress Photograph: Molly Higgins Courtesy of Brooklyn Bedding Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Brooklyn Bedding Copper Flex Hybrid

This comfy bed features a gel foam top, with copper-infused memory foam under, and Variflex IQ memory foam that is specifically designed to conform to your body’s curves. (We also reviewed—and liked—the Copper Flex mattress topper.) The Copper Flex Memory Foam is infused with copper particles to help wick moisture and provide heat regulation and dispersal. Brooklyn Bedding claims that the natural antimicrobial properties promote a cleaner and healthier space to sleep. It's a little on the firmer side, but the comfy and cooling copper-infused pillow top conforms seamlessly to your body's pressure points.

Brooklyn Bedding Copper Flex ranges from

Best Cooling Mattress for Side Sleepers Photograph: Wired Photograph: Julia Forbes Photograph: Julia Forbes Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Nolah Evolution

The Nolah Evolution Hybrid supports side sleepers with spinal alignment and pressure relief, while also keeping them cool. When I’m not testing other mattresses, this is what I sleep on. I’m comfortable no matter if I’m on my side or stomach. These sleeping positions have very different support requirements; stomach sleepers need firm and unyielding support, side sleepers need cushy pressure relief. Nolah Evolution Hybrid can pull off both, with a pillow top that conforms around my hips and shoulders and zoned coils that keep my midsection boosted.

The Nolah Evolution Hybrid has a couple of cooling options available. I have the standard model, which has an organic cotton and cooling fiber cover. If you need extra cooling, there is a cool-feeling Glacio Tex-fiber pillow top upgrade available. Be advised, if you go this route, you’re also essentially adding another layer of softness and pressure relief. Keep that in mind when picking your firmness level.

Nolah uses Air Foam (its own, supposedly more breathable version of memory foam) and gel-infused foam to prevent the foam layers from trapping heat. Pocketed coils enhance breathability, and there’s a mesh gusset for side ventilation. Altogether, it keeps me sleeping at a neutral temperature and fully supported. —Julia Forbes

Nolah Evolution Hybrid ranges from

Organic cotton or Glacio Tex cover, Air Foam Luxe memory foams, gel memory foam, Air Breath border gusset, pocketed coils

Arrives in a box as part of standard shipping; white-glove delivery available (mattress setup and old bed removal) for $225

Zoned coils and five foam layers for advanced pressure relief and lumbar support

Cool-to-the-touch cover is only available with a pillow-top upgrade

Best Cooling Mattress Under

This affordable option from Bedgear is literally cool to the touch with its silky smooth top Ver-Tex cover that’s designed to reduce overheating. It has 1.5 inches of ventilated foam with vertically drilled holes to help increase airflow and maintain structure. It also uses Bedgear’s Air-X mesh fabric that has an open ventilation design that helps with continuous airflow and helps regulate body temperature. The ventilated React foam technology on top not only helps with pressure relief but also aids in air circulation. That silky Ver-Tex top definitely diverts heat away from your body (helping to stop overheating before you get warm) and was continuously cool every night I slept on it. This 10-inch bed ships free to the lower 48, has a 10-year manufacturer's warranty, and can be returned if opened within 30 days or, if unopened, returned within 100 days. With options for firm, medium, or plush, this mattress is versatile and budget-friendly. It's our top pick for Cheap Mattresses because of its super-fair price point.

Bedgear S Performance ranges from

12-Inch Memory Foam Hybrid Medium Firm Mattress

The top knit cover provides breathability, helping to regulate temperature, while the gel foams are comfy and cooling, and the wrapped-coil bottom provides even more space for airflow.

This is another cooling mattress for couples, with four levels of firmness for each side of the bed for customization. Plus, it has perforated individually wrapped coils for increased air circulation and Bedgear's silky patented Ver-Tex cooling cover.

Split head allows sleepers to choose from four levels of firmness for each side of the bed

Firmer Mattress Topper with Cooling Gel Memory Foam

I find that I sleep hotter on plushier beds. This firming mattress topper has been a godsend—it keeps my spine aligned and limbs supported while the cooling gel memory foam wicks away moisture and provides airflow. I recommend it to my family and friends who want a cooling solution without having to buy a whole new mattress.

I’d consider this as more of a mattress protector than a pad. It’s made from moisture-wicking mica nylon and Tencel, which combine to help create a cooling fabric that regulates surface temperature. Plus, it's water-resistant.

These eucalyptus sheets are the silkiest, most cooling bedding I've ever slept on. They are soft, feel luxurious, and are extremely breathable. If you sleep hot, buy these now (I promise you won't be disappointed!).

This brand-new cooling comforter tends to slide because it's made of silky nylon, but it's super lightweight and perfect for a top cover during summer when a duvet is too hot.

Glacio Tex cooling cover, Glacio Tex cooling cover with Cool Force Layer, Ergo Align Contour Layer

Optional cooling foam, quilt foam, copper responsive foam, memory foam, Variflex transition foam, 8” zoned coils, base foam

Organic cotton cover, wool, organic latex, pocketed coils

Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), Green Guard Gold

Free via Fed Ex; white-glove delivery available for $199

120 nights; 30-day break in period required before initiating return ($99 shipping fee)

Phase change material (PCM) cooling cover, copper-infused memory foam, dynamic memory foam, pocketed coils

Arrives in a box within three to seven business days; white-glove delivery service available. Prices range from

Ver-Tex top cover, Air-X side panels, comfort layer, independent suspension unit, high-density foam base

30 days to return if opened; 100 days if unopened. $199 return fee

Ver-Tex cooling cover, memory foam, pocketed coil suspension unit, side mesh

Cooling cover with phase-change fibers, memory foam, micro coils, pocketed coils

100-night trial (must sleep on it for 30 days before requesting return)

120-night trial (must sleep on it for 30 days before requesting return)

Organic cotton or Glacio Tex cover, Air Foam Luxe memory foams, gel memory foam, Air Breath border gusset, pocketed coils

Arrives in a box as part of standard shipping; white-glove delivery available (mattress setup and old bed removal) for $225

Mattresses are tested for at least a week, but in many cases for longer. I slept on the majority of these mattresses for half a month or more to really get a feel for the product. I tested them at different times of the season and with different types of sheets and bedding. I sat on the edges to test for edge support, jumped, and performed some other methods to test the bounce and motion transfer of the mattress. Perhaps most important for this guide, I was my normal, perpetually warm (and sweaty) self, and gauged more abstract things like my overall comfort at night, and how well I thought air flowed through the mattress, or how much heat was trapped in.

When shopping for a cooling mattress, here are a few things to consider:

Composition: Opt for mattress materials designed to promote airflow, which will help prevent heat buildup. Many mattresses are infused with gel or copper, which are designed to dissipate heat and keep you cool. A hybrid mattress combines the best of both worlds by using a coil support system under a foam, latex, or polyfoam comfort top. Hybrid mattresses tend to retain less heat than all-foam mattresses because they have a layer or two of springs to help dissipate heat.

Cover fabric: Consider mattresses with covers made from moisture-wicking fabrics and phase-change fibers to draw sweat away from the body. Breathable fabrics include bamboo, Tencel lyocell, and synthetic fabrics, which are engineered to help regulate body temperature. Perforated cooling covers further amplify airflow between your body and the fabric. We find quilted tops help too, since they have ridges and valleys that allow air to escape.

Airflow: With proper airflow, the heat you generate overnight is properly conducted through the mattress. Hybrid mattresses with individual coils help with this, but many mattresses marketed for their cooling benefits have other tricks.

Firmness: While the debate of soft versus firm mattresses is a personal preference, your choice can play a crucial role in the way your body traps heat. Softer mattresses tend to envelop your body, leading to increased heat retention as your body sinks into the surface. Conversely, firmer mattresses provide better support and allow for more air circulation around your body.

We have tested over 100 mattresses across all of our guides, like Best Organic Mattresses, Best Mattresses for Back Pain, and Best Mattresses You Can Buy Online, as well as for individual review. We talk with each other, discussing which mattress brands in general we're fans of, and which we aren't. Some mattresses are provided as review samples by the manufacturers, with the understanding that we don't guarantee coverage or type of coverage—we aren't paid for glowing reviews on products we think are just mid. We purchase and expense models we aren't able to get a sample of.

We try to test a range of mattress types, firmness, and brands to ensure we know what's out on the market, so we can best give you our honest, unbiased opinion on which mattresses you should spend your money (and one-third of your life sleeping) on.

We keep top picks for longer-term durability testing in our own homes and the homes of other staffers, friends, and family members, while other models are donated locally.

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Key Takeaways

• It happens to the best of us: You wake up in the middle of the night, clammy and soaked in sweat
• study from the Journal of Physiological Anthropology
• A cooling mattress is built specifically to help regulate your body temperature by being made of materials that optimize airflow and draw heat away from your body as you sleep
• Be sure to read our other sleep guides, including the Best Mattresses, Best Organic Mattresses, Best Hybrid Mattresses, and Best Bed Sheets
• Updated August 2026: We've overhauled this guide with new picks from Bedgear, Helix, Brooklyn Bedding, Birch, Sijo, and Nectar