The 10 Best Cooling Mattress Toppers in 2023, Tested by Gear Editors
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THESE DAYS, it seems we all spend a lot of time and research and money in search of that elusive “good night’s sleep.” The irony is that many of us lose sleep over trying to sleep better. It’s not surprising when you consider how much goes into finding the perfect bedroom setup. From shopping for the best mattress to getting the lighting just right to keeping your bedroom at the perfect temperature, it’s all a bit much.
Read more: Men's Health 2023 Sleep Awards
But there’s one thing we’ve found that makes a bigger difference than almost anything else: A good mattress topper. More specifically, we like a good cooling mattress topper. The name is a little deceptive because cooling mattress toppers aren’t just for the warmest months of the year. They’re great in every season. The best cooling mattress toppers work to regulate your skin temperature, keeping you cool in the summer and comfortable in the dead of winter.
Modern mattress toppers are made with many of the same fabrics and technologies as actual mattresses. That’s great if you’re willing to invest in a good one, but it can make shopping for the right one confusing, to say the least. Have no fear! We’ve done the hard work for you by researching and personally testing dozens of top-selling models to see which ones come out on top. These are the 10 best cooling mattress toppers worth buying in 2023.
Best Bedding | Best Sheets | Best Air Mattresses | Best Mattresses for Back Pain | Best Cooling Blankets | Best Cooling Sheets | Best Cooling Pillows
When it comes to mattresses and mattress toppers, we’re huge fans of graphite because of its incredible cooling properties. Saatva’s Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper, in particular, features 1.5” of hypoallergenic natural latex that’s more durable, more breathable, and more consistent at regulating your skin temperature than synthetic materials like memory foam. It’s all wrapped in an organic cotton cover that’s breathable and moisture-wicking to keep you not only cool, but dry. Plus, it’s machine-washable, so you can keep your bed setup fresh.
If there’s one downside to this mattress topper, it’s the price. At roughly $450, it’s one of the most expensive in this year’s roundup. But with a premium construction that includes all-natural materials, a removable, breathable, machine-washable cover, and a generous 180-night in-home trial (with a full refund, if you’re not happy for any reason), we think it’s a steal. Add to that hundreds of excellent buyer reviews, and this is our hands-down pick for the best cooling mattress topper overall. And, if latex isn’t your thing, it’s available in graphite and memory foam options as well.
What do buyers say? “I have had this topper for several nights now and I have noticed that I no longer wake up in the morning with pain,” said one Saatva.com reviewer.
Read more: Best Mattress Topper for Back Pain
Decent mattress pads, especially cooling mattress pads, can be pricey. But Sleep Zone proves they don’t have to be. The brand’s Cooling Mattress Topper is just $30 (Queen) and features many of the features of competitor products that cost four to five times as much. This model is built with a dense spiral fiber fill with the feeling of goose down, so it’s super soft and fluffy. It’s topped with a thick brushed microfiber that’s like sleeping on a cloud. Plus, it’s all constructed with proprietary Nanotex Coolest Comfort Technology that’s temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking, so you stay cool and dry all night long. The entire design stretches to fit mattresses and bed setups up to 21 inches deep.
Between the amazing price and more than 14,000 five-star buyer ratings on Amazon, it’s easy to see why this is an Amazon’s Choice for the best mattress topper. Some buyers note that it’s not as deep as advertised, and it does feel like a budget mattress topper. But, seriously, did we mention the queen-sized version is less than $30 (on sale)? It also includes free shipping and free return shipping, which is like getting a risk-free, in-home trial.
What do buyers say? “Too hot at night? BUY THIS! This is the BEST cooling mattress pad we have tried! It keeps our bed MUCH cooler,” said one Amazon reviewer.
Read more: Best Mattresses on Amazon
Point blank: Eight Sleep's Pod 3 Cover changed the way Deputy Editor Christian Gollayan has slept forever. "I'm a very hot sleeper, and Eight Sleep's high-tech cover has stopped my night sweats even on the hottest evenings," he says. The secret sauce to Eight Sleep's Pod Cover is its Smart Hub that pumps water through the cover and on top of your mattress to cool your bed up to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. For a subscription fee, the Pod 3 Cover can also has auto-temperature tech, which changes throughout the night based on your sleep pattern. Plus, the Pod 3 tracks your sleep throughout the night and gives you a sleep score the following day, which is pretty similar to the Oura Ring's interface.
After three months of testing, Gollayan says his sleep has improved tremendously. "The Pod 3 Cover has helped me sleep through incredibly hot summer evenings, and the sleep tracking feature helps me stay on top of my recover," he says. Our editors also love that Sleep Eight allows you to create custom temperatures for two sides of the bed, which is great for couples. Though one thing to note, it's quite expensive, but if you can afford it, Eight Sleep's next-gen features are worth the hefty price tag.
What do buyers say? "Early trainings, afternoon naps and full nights of deep quality sleep during a heatwave... for the first time in my life made possible by Eight Sleep," says one eightsleep.com customer.
Sijo Home’s AiryWeight Eucalyptus Mattress Protector has something no other mattress topper in our roundup does: A 100% waterproof design. Part mattress topper, part mattress protector, this model is great for adding both an extra degree of plushness and serious protection to your pricey mattress. The barrier is strong enough to protect against occasional spills (key if you like eating ice cream and red wine in bed—no judgment) or in home with pets, children, or both. It also boasts a quiet (read non-crinkly), hypoallergenic design. Most importantly, however, it’s built with TENCEL Lyocell (lingo for “eucalyptus fibers”) which is naturally soft, cool, and moisture-wicking. It’s sustainable, too, in case “eco-friendliness” is among your checklist of bedding considerations.
On the downside, because it’s technically a mattress protector, it’s much thinner than most dedicated toppers. Still, at just $80 (in queen-sized), we’re hard-pressed to find much else to dislike about this mattress protector/topper. It’s priced right with plenty of great buyer reviews and, with Sijo’s 30-day in-home trial makes trying this one out truly risk-free. If you’re shopping for a waterproof cooling mattress topper, this one is definitely worth a look.
What do buyers say? “Purchased this one and immediately noticed more cool temps when sleeping. It also has much more slack so it doesn’t tug at the ends of the mattress with use. HIGHLY recommend,” said one SijoHome.com reviewer.
This mattress topper from Subrtex relies on three inches of gel-infused memory foam for maximum cooling. With 3.5-pound density memory foam, it’s built with a ventilated design that’s breathable and works to release trapped body heat and regulate your temperature through the night. It’s all wrapped in a bamboo rayon cover that’s also cooling, plus it’s removable and machine-washable, so you can always keep your bedding fresh. It fits mattresses up to 12 inches deep and includes adjustable elastic straps for a snug, non-slip fit.
At around $100 (for a queen) and with more than 6,000 five-star ratings, this is one of the best-selling cooling mattress pads on Amazon. The most common quibbles we’ve seen are that, before the initial setup, it takes up to 72 hours to expand to its full size, and there is some smell from off-gassing—both of which are typical issues for memory foam bedding products. But with free shipping and free return shipping through Amazon, you can take advantage of a sort-of in-home trial before deciding if it’s right for you. It’s also available in 2-inch and 4-inch varieties, if the 3-inch model isn’t your speed.
What do buyers say? “Love this mattress pad, it is so comfortable. I really like the no-slip fabric on the back and the adjustable straps to go over the mattress,” said one Amazon reviewer.
Memory foam is notoriously one of the hottest sleep surfaces. Not so, however, with ViscoSoft’s 4-inch Active Cooling Mattress Topper. The copper-infused design features “phase-shifting” technology that’s surprisingly effective at whisking away trapped body heat and regulating even the warmest sleepers’ skin temperatures for a cool, comfortable night’s sleep. The luxurious construction adds a whopping four inches of additional height to your sleep surface. The included machine-washable cover makes for easy refreshing of your entire bed setup with your regular laundry routine.
There’s a lot to like with this model including the roughly $200-ish price tag that puts it squarely in the “midrange” of our roundup. With more than 200 mostly positive reviews, a thick, plush construction, and excellent cooling properties, this is arguably the best bang-for-your-buck cooling mattress toppers we’ve seen this year. Plus, the 60-day money-back guarantee is among the most generous we’ve seen, providing the perfect risk-free trial.
What do buyers say? “... better than expected. We sink in and it is more than supportive for all our sleeping positions, back, side and front. Cooling is just right for the both of us,” said one Amazon reviewer.
Avocado won us over with its almost obsessive commitment to the most natural bedding products, like their Eco Organic Mattress that won our 2022 Men’s Health Sleep Award for—wait for it—the best eco-friendly mattress. The Eco Organic Mattress Topper is no exception, with a construction that features no toxic chemicals or polyurethane foams. It’s instead made with 100% GOLS organic-certified latex, so it’s hypoallergenic, asthma-friendly, and naturally cooling too. It’s also durable, resilient, comfortable, and breathable. Plus, it’s wrapped in a machine-washable, organic cotton cover that helps cool and wick away sweat and moisture.
If buying natural, environmentally-friendly products is important to you—even when it comes to your bedding—Avocado is our hands-down pick for the most eco-friendly cooling mattress toppers. It’s not cheap at almost $500 (for a queen), but you can rest assured you’ll be sleeping on the safest and arguably best cooling mattress topper you can buy. Even better: It includes a generous 100-night in-home trial—so there’s zero risk to trying it out—bolstered by a 1-year warranty.
What do buyers say? “Great topper. Soft, great quality. Just what I needed to add to the mattress to soften it some,” said one AvocadoGreenMattress.com reviewer.
Even the best cooling mattress toppers could benefit from a little something more. That’s where powered cooling technology comes in. The BetJet 3 Climate Comfort Sleep System is a unique sleep solution that works to actively heat or cool you while you sleep. If you seriously struggle with regulating your body temperature during the night, this is for you. The design includes a pad packed with water-filled silicone tubes that connect to a powered “cube.” A built-in remote allows you to dial in the exact temperature you’d like your bedding to be—anywhere from 66 to 104 degrees. Though it doesn't have the sleep-tracking or auto temp-adjusting features of its pricier competitor, EightSleep, the BedJet is a more affordable alternative that still gets the job done. Plus, its one-size fits all cover makes for extra versatility.
There’s no doubt that this is a very effective cooling mattress topper—better than any non-powered option we’ve seen. But you’ll pay for it for it. If you have serious trouble maintaining an even temperature at night, however, it’ll be well worth the investment. BedJet does include a 60-night trial, so you can rest assured you’re getting some kind of risk-free window in case it doesn’t work for you.
What do buyers say? “I am so pleased with how well this keeps my whole body cool and not just my face," says one amazon.com reviewer. "I have found that the Biorhythm is excellent ... I haven't slept so well in a long time."
If you suffer from back pain and sleeping hot, you know it’s a challenge to find a bedding setup that alleviates both. Tempur-Pedic’s Tempur-Adapt Topper is designed to do just that. With a full three inches of memory foam, this is an option that adds serious height and luxury to your existing bed setup. Most importantly, it’s designed to compress under your shoulders and hips for maximum pressure relief. Out of the box, it sleeps a little warm, but the addition of Tempur-Pedic’s optional Cooling Topper changes the game. Together, the combo whisks away trapped body heat and moisture to keep you cool, dry, and comfortable all night long.
Like many Tempur products, the Tempur-Adapt Topper and Cooling Topper top out (get it?) at north of $500 (regular price for a Queen), making this one of the most expensive options in our roundup. But the company is famous for its pressure-relief bedding, next-gen cooling technology, and above-average durability. Plus, it ships free to anywhere in the contiguous United States and features an industry-leading 10-year warranty to boot. Unfortunately, Tempur-Pedic does not offer in-home trials for its mattress toppers.
What do buyers say? “Extremely comfortable with perfect support. Highly recommend. Great value for the money,” said one TempurPedic.com reviewer.
Memory foam seems like an odd choice for a cooling mattress topper. But Layla infuses its Memory Foam Topper with copper for maximum temperature regulation. It’s a famously good material for regulating temperature, plus it’s naturally anti-microbial and anti-bacterial. The two-inch-thick construction delivers great pain relief in key areas like the hips, shoulder, and back. It’s a design that also happens to work well for motion isolation, too, making this a great option for couples and partners who tend to wake each other during the night.
At roughly $349 (retail), Layla’s Memory Foam Topper is squarely in the midrange of our roundup. While it’s not quite on par with more premium alternatives (like Tempur-Pedic’s above), it’s an excellent option for anyone looking to “refresh” an older mattress and add serious cooling capability in the process. We also love the included 120-night trial and 5-year warranty, so you know Layla stands behind its bedding products.
What do buyers say? “This topper is soooo comfy AND it completely eliminated waking up in the middle of the night with hip pain! Highly recommend!!!” said one LaylaSleep.com reviewer.
Bedding is a very personal thing. What’s good for your best friend or your mom or your neighbor might not be right for you. So it’s no surprise that there is no one best cooling mattress topper; it’s all about what’s best for you. But there are a few common things to look for when shopping for the right one.
Cooling Capability
There are no scientific studies to prove that one material or bedding technology is the best at keeping you cool. But there is plenty of anecdotal evidence. For the most part, memory foam by itself is going to be the hottest sleeping surface. Thankfully, many bedding manufacturers integrate cooling technology (like copper gel infusion) into their memory foam mattress toppers to help maximize their cooling benefits. In our experience, natural latex is the best at regulating your body’s temperature, whether you sleep cool or hot.Thickness
Naturally, any mattress topper will add height to your existing bed setup. How much height is a matter of personal preference. In our experience, the thinnest models (2 inches or less) won’t seriously change your sleep experience. Cooling mattress toppers that are three inches or taller, however, can completely change how you sleep (usually for the better).
Price
Like every other type of bedding, cooling mattress toppers vary widely in price. The most budget-friendly models are available for less than $50. But many of these make lofty promises but are made with low-quality materials that are likely to leave you sleeping even hotter. Midrange models are typically priced between $150-300, depending on the size. The best cooling mattress toppers can run north of $500, but these often feature next-generation technologies to not only keep you cool but also provide a more comfortable, pressure-relieving sleep surface on top of your existing mattress.
Cleaning and CareCleaning mattress toppers and mattress pads can be a challenge, especially those made of memory foam. Some recommend only spot cleaning for the actual foam. Thankfully, most include a removable and usually machine-washable cover, making it easy to keep your bedding fresh and clean.
Warranties and In-home Trials
Ideally, the mattress topper you buy should include a risk-free in-home trial. Sixty days is good, but 100 nights is even better. Most companies ask that you try your topper for at least 30 days to determine whether it’s right for you. Just be sure that any manufacturer you’re considering also offers free return shipping. Otherwise, processing a return on a heavy and bulky mattress topper could get very expensive. Knowing your topper is backed by a decent warranty of at least two years is essential too. The best bedding brands stand behind their product, including mattress toppers, for five years or more.
Our sleep-obsessed writers researched and personally tested dozens of the toppers from some of the world’s best bedding stores for this roundup. We paid close attention to every feature and spec, including materials used, softness, durability, value, comfort, price, and how effective each one was at actually keeping us cool. We also considered options from some of our favorite and most trusted retailers, like Amazon and Walmart. The list above represents our honest picks of the best cooling mattress toppers worth buying in 2023.
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South Africa, and survived a near-miss great white shark attack in Mexico. His travel advice has appeared on the websites for Forbes, Travel + Leisure, CNET, and National Geographic. He loves the great outdoors and good bourbon, and (usually) calls Tulsa, Oklahoma home. Mike also enjoys speaking in the third person.
As Men's Health's Deputy Editor, Commerce, Christian Gollayan oversees all shopping content on menshealth.com. He relocated back to New York by way of Portland, where he was the Associate Managing Editor at TheManual.com. Christian's work has also been featured in InStyle, Food & Wine, the New York Post, and Tatler Asia.
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