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A Definitive Guide to the 5 Best Cooling Mattresses

Summary: This unbiased, in-depth review features the best cooling mattresses our team of Sleeping Ninjas could find on the market.

Disclosure: Sleeping Ninjas has an affiliate relationship with some companies where we get a small percentage of sales if you click over from our site.

For those who tend to feel hot while sleeping, you may find yourself tossing and turning all night. This can lead to physical and emotional repercussions.

If this is you, consider purchasing one of the best cooling mattresses. Selecting the right mattress may feel overwhelming. Below, we take a look at the best cooling mattresses on the market, as well as the features you will want to consider.

Sleeping Ninjas’ Picks for the Best Cooling Mattresses

Here’s a quick rundown of the best cooling mattresses reviewed below:

  1. Brooklyn Aurora
  2. DreamCloud Luxury mattress
  3. Winkbeds coolControl mattress
  4. Helix Custom mattress
  5. Casper mattress

The Best Cooling Mattress by Category

We have discussed the different materials and features found in the best cooling mattresses. Understanding these items can help you make an informed decision. Below, we list the best cooling mattresses available today.

best cooling mattress brooklyn aurora

Brooklyn Aurora: Best Cooling Mattress for Hot Sleepers

The Brooklyn Aurora is becoming an industry standard for luxury mattresses at affordable prices. The Brooklyn Aurora is made up of five distinct layers.

The top layer is made of a 1.5-inch copper gel that aims to draw heat away from the body. This is followed with Brooklyn’s patented 2-inch TitanFlex layer. This is a hyper-elastic, latex-alternative foam. After this, Brooklyn includes a 1-inch transitional layer of visco-elastic memory foam.

The fourth layer is made up of 1,283 coils, each individually pocketed, to allow for maximum airflow. The final layer is a 1-inch high density, base foam. The Aurora comes in soft, medium and firm. As a hybrid of foam, latex and coils, the Aurora maximizes coolness. With every layer being built with coolness in mind, the Brooklyn Aurora is the best mattress for hot sleepers.

Pros:

  • The Brooklyn Aurora is made in the USA.
  • Brooklyn also offers a 120-night trial.
  • The Aurora comes with the standard 10-year warranty.
  • The Brooklyn Aurora is CertiPUR-US certified.
  • You can purchase one of three firmness options when you buy the Aurora.
  • Buyers have raved about Brooklyn’s quick and courteous customer service.

Cons:

  • Some buyers have complained about prolonged off-gassing. (Off-gassing are fumes released by the mattress. While this is typical for the first week or so, it can take longer for certain materials.)
  • Some buyers feel that the “soft” model is more of a medium firmness.

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for the best cooling mattress on the market, take a close look at Brooklyn Aurora.


best cooling mattresses dreamcloud

DreamCloud Mattress: Best Budget-Friendly Cooling Mattress

DreamCloud takes comfort to a completely new level. Not only do they offer exceptional, quality materials, but also they do it at an affordable price. The DreamCloud is an eight-layer hybrid bundle of comfort.

It starts with a gel-infused memory foam to help contour and cool. The second layer is made of a quilted memory foam. The third layer is a hypoallergenic natural latex for added comfort, cooling and support.

Beneath this, a fifth layer of high-density memory foam adds more support. To help keep your back aligned, the sixth layer is made of a super soft memory foam to cradle your pressure points. A five-zone micro-coil layer supports this. A seventh layer of high-density memory foam forms a base layer. All of this is encased in a layer of a cashmere-polyester blended cover.

Pros:

  • DreamCloud offers an outstanding 365-night trial period.
  • The DreamCloud is CentiPUR-US certified.
  • The DreamCloud comes with an “Everlong Warranty.” This is the company code for “lifetime warranty.”

Cons:

  • The memory foam components may be a bit overkill. Buyers have complained that they make this mattress extremely heavy.
  • Memory foam is notorious for trapping heat. This mattress may not sleep as hot as other memory foam mattresses, but it is certainly not as cool as others are on this list.

The Bottom Line

The DreamCloud is another excellent candidate for the best cooling mattress.


best cooling mattress winkbeds

WinkBeds coolControl: Best Mattress for Innovative Cooling

The coolControl mattress by WinkBeds is truly innovative. First, let us talk construction. WinkBeds are hybrid mattresses. The first layer is made up of dual designer gel foam pads.

Beneath this, a pocketed micro airspring layer enhanced airflow and buoyancy. A lumbar support bad is added under the airspring layer for full back support. A layer of tempered pocket coils is nested inside of a perimeter support ring.

All of this is wrapped in a TENCEL cover. WinkBeds TENCEL cover is botanically based that provides an eco-friendly alternative to other types of materials. What truly makes WinkBeds stand out, however, is the optional coolControl layer.

With the coolControl, fresh air is pulled through the base. As it passes through the WinkBeds patented conduction process, it is heated or cooled. This air is circulated through the entire mattress. It escapes through the micro airsprings.

WinkBeds coolControl allows owners to digitally program and control their personal sleep temperature. This means, for larger beds, if you and your partner sleep at different temperatures, each half can be set to match your preference. It comes in several firmness levels.

Pros:

  • WinkBeds are made in the USA.
  • The coolControl mattress is CertiPUR-US certified.
  • WinkBeds offer a 101-night trial period and 10-year warranty.
  • WinkBeds are truly innovative and ideal for those who like gadgets.
  • WinkBeds offer custom cooling and heat settings to ensure a comfortable sleep.

Cons:

  • Side-sleepers may find the coolControl annoying. If you sleep on your side, and your ear is directly above an airflow tube, you may hear the forced air.
  • This bed does not do a good job of preventing motion transfer.

The Bottom Line

WinkBeds is specifically designed around its cooling mechanism, making it one of our top picks for the best cooling mattress.


best cooling mattresses helix

Helix: Best Custom Cooling Mattress

Helix provides a completely customizable mattress. The Helix process starts with your individual Sleep Quiz. This quiz helps Helix to suggest optimum features that will give you the sleep you want.

The Helix is typically a hybrid design that includes foam, micro-coils, and high-grade poly foam. The quiz starts with selecting the size of your mattress and the intended sleep parties. (It includes gender, height, and weight for one to two sleepers.)

You can opt for a blend mattress or a dual comfort one. Blended will combine the desires of both parties throughout the whole bed. Dual comfort allows you customize each side. (Yes, you can select your specific side!) Your test goes on to allow you to specify your ideal features.

This includes firmness, your current bed, if you wake with pain, your current sleep issues, temperature, and more. The test takes just a few minutes and generates results almost instantly.

Pros:

  • This is a truly customized sleep. This makes it ideal for those who sleep with a partner.
  • Your Helix comes with a 100-night trial period.
  • The Helix has a 10-year warranty and is made in the USA.

Cons:

  • The edge support is not great on the Helix. If you sleep on the edge, do not expect the same sleep you would get if you slept centrally.

The Bottom Line

Helix wins for the best cooling mattress that is both customizable and hybrid construction.


best cooling mattress casper

Casper: Best Mattress for Neutral Spine Alignment

Casper is one of the biggest bed-in-a-box brands. The Casper Wave is designed to give you maximum ergonomically support. The Wave is made up of five foam layers. The first is 1-inch of a hypersensitive “Flo foam. This utilizes open cell structure to ensure airflow keeps a sleep cool.

The second layer is a 1.5-inch latex composite. This sits atop 1.5-inches of memory foam. (Casper placed the memory foam beneath the top two layers to ensure it cannot trap heat around your body.) The fourth layer is a 1.5-inch transitional layer.

To provide flexible support for hips, notches are cut into the bottom of this transitional layer. Strips of elastic polymer are inserted into these notches. This helps to ensure your hips are supported and your spine remains neutral. The final layer is made up of 5.5-inches of poly foam. To address contouring, precision-cut channels are cut into this foam.

Pros:

  • The Casper is both CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX certified.
  • Casper comes with a 100-night trial period.
  • Casper offers a 10-year warranty on its mattress.
  • Casper designs and assembles their mattresses in the USA.

Cons:

  • The Casper is priced higher than many other beds on this list. It is certainly more of a luxury mattress, as supported by the price tag.
  • The ergonomically based support is designed for the average person. If you are very small or very tall, this support may not align with your body.

The Bottom Line

The Casper is popular for a reason. Offering ergonomic support and multiple cooling features, it’s definitively a top contender for the best cooling mattress.

See also Sleeping Ninjas’s mattress comparison reviews of Leesa vs Casper, Casper vs Tuft and Needle and Casper vs Purple.


Understanding Your Sleep

According to the National Sleep Foundation, there are five main stages of sleep. These stages make up the natural human circadian rhythm. The first four stages fall into a non-rapid eye movement (NREM) pattern.

NREM stages make up 75% of your sleep cycle. N1, or Stage 1, is your light sleep period. During this time, the body is in a state that is between both alertness and sleep. This transitional period leads into N2, or Stage 2.

During N2, your body begins to become disengaged with its surroundings and you start to fall asleep. Your body temperature begins to drop at this point, while your breathing and heart rate remain regular.

N3, which is composed of Stages 3 and 4, are your deepest levels of sleep. As such, they are also the most restorative periods of your sleep cycle. During N3, your blood pressure drops, breathing slows, and muscles relax. This allows your circulation to increase in order to repair muscles and tissues. This restores your energy levels and releases vital hormones. For youths, this includes the growth hormone that is vital to their development.

A rapid-eye-movement (REM) cycle occurs after the NREM stages. During REM, the brain becomes active, providing energy to the brain and body. Your dreams occur during REM. Your eyes will dart around, but your body will become immobile. This is because your muscles are being turned off. REM sleep is similar to a computer “reboot”. In total, you cycle through your NREM and REM stages every 90 minutes.

The Importance of Body Temperature

We noted that your body temperature drops during the N2 stage of your NREM cycle. On average, a typical human body will decrease temperature by two degrees while sleeping. (You will typically hit your coldest body temperature two hours before waking.) This is important because it affects your body’s healing process.

When you enter your REM cycle, your body shuts down and your temperature will rise. If you are unable to cool yourself throughout your circadian rhythm, you will become restless. Your body will be unable to fully restore itself.

What is a Cooling Mattress?

A cooling mattress is one that allows airflow to circulate through it. This helps to wick away any body heat that is transferred to the mattress. For many, overheating can lead to restless nights and over-exhausted days. But what elements are included in a cooling mattress?

Coils and Springs

Coil and spring elements are found in most of the traditional cooling mattresses. For the coolest coils, each spiral is individually wrapped. However, there are modals in which the coils or springs are wrapped together. (Most sleep experts recommend you opt for a model that has individually wrapped coils if you tent to sleep hot.) Coils and spring are often used in the support layer of your mattress. Various types of foam will be placed on top of this layer to increase comfort.

Latex

Latex is durable. Perhaps more importantly, it does not conduct heat. This means it will remain the same temperature regardless of the environment. In other words, it always feels exactly the same. Manufacturers who product latex mattresses all have their own take on aeration. This makes these mattresses incredibly breathable.

Bamboo

Yes, you read that right. Bamboo is becoming a popular mattress material. Bamboo does not conduct heat. It is also durable and naturally sourced. Bamboo is also naturally hypoallergenic, making it a great choice for those with allergies or breathing issues. Bamboo is generally considered to be extremely soft to sleep on.

Gel Foam

There are plenty of proprietary blends of gel foam on the market. Water conducts large amounts of heat before it becomes warmer. Gel conducts heat more slowly than water because of its natural properties. This means it can handle even more heat than water before it heats up. (Gel beads are not generally the bed for cool mattresses unless combined with other methods.) Graphite, copper and other gel-infused mattresses are ideal.

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses are not recommended for hot sleepers. These mattresses are notorious for heat retention. Memory foam mattresses are incredibly soft and viscous. They retain heat and have poor circulation. While this is wonderful for certain individuals, hot sleepers will be negatively affected. However, memory foam may be combined with other types of mattress materials. This can increase airflow in some situations.

What to Look For in the Best Cooling Mattresses

Now that you understand the science behind sleep temperatures and the types of mattresses on the market, you need to know what to look for. Advertisements can make any mattress seem like the coolest of the cool. However, below are several factors you should look at before buying a mattress.

Cover

A mattress cover is the fabric membrane that encases the various layers of materials. A non-quilted cover is typically cooler than its quilted counterpart is. Non-quilted covers are thinner and less expensive. This increases airflow. A quilted cover, however, is the more traditional looking of the two. If you purchase a mattress with a quilted cover, make sure you look at the materials used. If it lists low-density memory foam or a poly foam, it will sleep hotter than other types.

Density

Cooling mattresses typically come with some kind of pillow-like topper. This can be made of memory foam, gel foam, or some other kind of padding. The density of these layers will affect the ability for airflow to pull heat away from the body.

Durability

Your mattress needs to be durable. Mattress purchases can be costly. Buying a bed that is durable can ensure you get your monies worth. Look for a mattress that is expected to last at least 8 years.

Firmness

The softer the mattress, the most likely it will retain heat. The further you sink into a mattress, the more it will contour around your body. While this is great for those with back or hip pains, it is a disaster for hot sleepers. The deeper you sink into the mattress, the more it will trap heat around your body as well.

Material and Manufacturing Certifications

Materials certainly affect the natural cooling properties of a mattress. Materials affect breathability, heat conduction, and comfort. You may also note things like “CertiPUR-US certified” or “OEKO-TEX certified” in the descriptions of mattresses. These are various certifications a manufacturer can obtain proving they meet certain standards. These labels indicate environmental, chemical, and hazard regulations have been met.

Thickness

The thickness of your cooling layer is important. The thicker this area is, the more air it will allow to circulate through it. This airflow is vital to wicking away heat and cooling your mattress elements.

Trial

Most mattress manufacturers offer a trial period. This allows you a certain time to try out the mattress and return it. Most offer money-back guarantees if you are not satisfied, but some offer store credits or partial refunds only. On average, these trial periods are 120 nights, however, some offer longer timeframes.

Warranty

A mattress warranty will tell you a lot about its expected durability. On average, most mattress manufacturers will offer a 10-year warranty. A select few, however, will offer lifetime warranties. Make sure you read your warranty information to ensure you do not violate the agreement. (For example, some manufacturers will void a warranty if your mattress should become stained. A waterproof bed pad may help reduce the likelihood of stains.)

What the Best Cooling Mattress for You?

In the end, the perfect mattress is a decision only you can make. We all sleep differently. (In fact, just taking the Helix quiz will show you how different you and your partner sleep!)

For many, a hybrid mattress has become the ideal blend. The best cooling mattress should offer plenty of airflow, while still providing a comfortable and supportive sleep.