9 Best Cooling Mattress Pads and Toppers, Tested by Hot Sleepers
So long, night sweats.
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Upgrade the feel of your bed and help prevent overheating at night with a cooling mattress pad or topper. Cooling mattress pads and toppers either go on the bed like a fitted sheet or rest on top to add a plush top layer to your bed while wicking away moisture or absorbing heat to promote cooler sleep.
As the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab associate director, I tested 67 different mattress pads and toppers to find styles that'll actually keep you cool all night long, including passive and active cooling options. Active cooling options use technology to push air or water through to control the temperature of the bed, while passive cooling utilizes materials that increase airflow or absorb and release heat for temperature regulation. During our testing, hot sleepers try out each style to give feedback on comfort, temperature regulation, ease of setup and more. Because many brands overpromise on their products cooling capabilities, we also assess each style’s cooling features, such as perforated foam or cooling technologies like Outlast and 37.5 technologies. These are the coolest picks.
Slumber Cloud Performance Mattress Pad
Pros
- Features Outlast technology
- Easy to put on your bed
- Adds a soft, plush feel
Cons
- Some testers found it bunched under them a bit as they slept
Who it's best for: Anyone who wants to add cool plushness to their bed
"I would have been skeptical about buying this because I wouldn't have believed that it works — it's so slim and doesn't seem to have a cooling gel or anything you'd notice, but it really works!" said one impressed tester. Slumber Cloud, a past GH Bedding Awards winner, offers a traditional-style mattress pad that goes on your mattress just as easily as a fitted sheet — and it uses Outlast technology to keep you cool. That means the pad absorbs heat when you get overheated and releases it when you are too cold, preventing night sweats in the first place.
I use this topper on my bed and appreciate its soft feel that adds a protective layer to my mattress. It also never feels hot and is completely silent when I toss and turn. Our testers loved this pick's cooling capabilities, with one saying it "substantially helped regulate my temperature and kept me cool through the night." One thing to keep in mind is that some noticed the pad has the potential to bunch up as they moved around in their sleep.
Cover material: Tencel with Outlast technology | Fill: Polyester | Care: Machine washable
SLEEP ZONE Cooling Quilted Mattress Pad
Pros
- Moisture-wicking material
- Deep pocket fits up to 21-inch mattresses
- Ultra-soft and plush pillowtop
Cons
- Some reviewers noted shrinkage after laundering
Who it's best for: Budget shoppers who want a softer bed
At an amazing price of just $40, this cooling mattress pad from Sleep Zone has more than 12,000 Amazon reviews. The microfiber yarns are treated with NANOTEX cooling technology, which helps the material wick away moisture to keep you cool. Reviewers loved the plush, quilted down-alternative pillowtop that feels like "sleeping in a cloud."
Its deep-pocket design stretches to accommodate mattresses up to 21 inches, but a few online reviewers noted some shrinkage after washing. "It's so soft and comfortable," another online reviewer added. "I haven't slept so well in years."
Cover material: Polyester | Fill: Polyester | Care: Machine washable
ViscoSoft Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Pros
- Three thickness options
- Perforated foam for increased airflow
- 13,000+ Amazon reviews
Cons
- Some testers noted that it took a few days for the initial foam smell to dissipate
Who it's best for: Those who have mattresses in need of an upgrade will benefit from this supportive pick
If your mattress has lost the supportive feel you love, it may be time to consider a mattress topper that will transform your sleeping experience without having to purchase a whole new mattress. This style from ViscoSoft with over 13,000 Amazon reviews has 2-inch, 3-inch and 4-inch thickness options. The foam is perforated throughout to help dissipate heat and allow more airflow.
Because of its memory foam material and substantial height, testers said it was a bit more challenging to unroll onto their bed and it took some time for the foam smell to fade. However, they appreciated the corner straps to keep it tight and secure once it was on and the supportiveness it added to their mattresses. "I like the way it conforms to your body while still providing support," said one tester. Another tester added, "This mattress topper added some much-needed firmness to my mattress for good back support."
With high marks for comfort and support, we recommend this pick for those who prefer a firmer feel.
Cover material: Rayon | Fill: Memory foam | Care: Only cover is machine washable
Zinus Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Pros
- Under $100
- Gel-infused foam
- Testers gave high marks for support
Cons
- Machine-washable cover costs extra
Who it's best for: Memory foam fans who want to avoid a high price tag
When it comes to mattress toppers and pads, most will set you back at least $100, but this topper comes in on the affordable side. This gel-infused memory foam version from Zinus is designed to provide the comfort of memory foam without storing heat like traditional foam toppers can. The foam is infused with gel that helps prevent a hot, stuffy feel, but GH pros weren't able to verify if the green tea infusion helped limit odors.
Testers loved that it "never moved out of place" and was overall firm and supportive. One tester even said, "I felt like I was sleeping on a high-end mattress at a luxury hotel." You have the option to purchase this topper with a machine-washable cover, but it costs extra.
Cover material: No cover | Fill: Gel-infused memory foam | Care: Machine-washable cover or spot clean only
Pros
- Moisture-wicking outer cover
- Soft foam
- Straps keep the topper secure
Cons
- Adds height to the mattress, so you may need deep-pocket sheets.
Who it's best for: Sleepers who love the sink-in-your-bed feeling and want motion isolation
Make your bed feel softer with the TEMPUR foam that contours to your body, offering unparalleled pressure relief. The whole topper is encased in a performance fabric designed to wick away moisture and is removable for easy laundering. The three inches of cushy foam is designed to be breathable to ensure airflow throughout, but does add ample height to your bed (you may need deep-pocket sheets if you already have a thick mattress). Plus, the straps keep this topper secure to the bed.
"It softened the firmness of our mattress, which almost immediately alleviated my hip and lower back pain," reported one tester. Another shared, "The topper feels cool to the touch." All testers agreed that this topper helped them maintain a comfortable body temperature (especially compared to previous memory foam toppers). GH mattress pros continue to be impressed with TEMPUR foam that offers excellent motion isolation and improved ventilation to prevent heat retention.
Cover material: Not listed | Fill: Memory foam | Care: Machine-washable cover
Pros
- Cooling and heating capabilities
- Adjust temperature easily with smartphone app
- High-tech features like vibrating alarms, sleep reports and auto-temperature adjustment
Cons
- Tester noted that she could feel the wires through the pad at times
Who it's best for: Smart tech users who want to maximize their rest at night
The Eight Sleep Pod Cover provides the ultimate high-tech experience to optimize your sleep. There are wires carrying water throughout the inside of this mattress pad so you can adjust its temperature from 55°F to 110°F for both heating and cooling capabilities, keeping you comfortable year-round.
It's a game-changer for couples: You can adjust the temperature on each side of the bed, so you can both have your dream sleeping environment. After using this pod, GH Editor Olivia Lipski said “I'm a hot sleeper and I didn't wake up sweaty once throughout the night while using this!”
It pairs with an app on your phone for high-tech features like auto-temperature adjustment, vibration and thermal alarms and sleep reports. “The alarm feature that vibrates to wake you up was fun to try (and definitely works),” according to Lipski. She also noted that she could feel the wires through the pad at times.
Cover material: Tencel | Fill: Foam layer, polyester/cotton layer and wires carrying water to heat/cool | Care: Machine washable
Pottery Barn SleepSmart 37.5 Waterproof Mattress Protector
Pros
- 37.5 technology
- Waterproof to protect mattress
- Combines comfort of a mattress pad with a protector
Cons
- Less cushioned than other picks
Who it's best for: Someone who wants to both protect their mattress and sleep cooler
To ensure your bed stays comfy — and dry, opt for a lined mattress protector with a plush surface. This mattress pad from Pottery Barn is waterproof to keep your mattress safe from spills and leaks, while the down-alternative fill makes it feel fluffier than most mattress protectors, although it does have less cushioning than the other picks on this list. Made with 37.5 technology that stores and releases heat throughout the night in both the outer fabric and inner fill, this option is designed to prevent night sweats.
Cover material: 80% cotton, 20% 37.5° performance polyester | Fill: 60% polyester, 40% 37.5° performance polyester | Care: Machine washable
Sleep Number DualTemp Individual Layer Mattress Pad
Pros
- Remote-controlled temperature settings
- Airflow technology heats or cools each side
- Testers loved the comfort of Sleep Number products
Cons
- Need to purchase two for each side of the bed
Who it's best for: Couples who disagree on their sleeping temperatures
Perfect for couples who can never agree on being too warm or too cold, this electric mattress topper allows you to regulate the temperature on your side of the bed, while your sleeping partner can customize theirs. With both cool and warm settings controlled with a remote, the airflow technology changes the temperature of the pad, thanks to air flowing through small channels throughout the pad. You can also set the timer to automatically shut off if you do not want it running all night.
While this pick is definitely an investment, testers said that the comfort from Sleep Number products is "unmatched." This topper pairs perfectly with a Sleep Number mattress, but it also can be used with a mattress from any brand. Keep in mind that each side is sold separately, so to cover the entire mattress, you would need to purchase two. This pick is spot clean only.
Cover material: 68% polyester, 28% polyurethane, 4% spandex | Fill: 100% polyester | Care: Spot clean only
Pros
- Fits mattresses up to 18 in. deep
- Cool-to-the-touch feel
- Waterproof lining
Cons
- Not as strong of a cooling effect as other picks, according to testers
Who it's best for: Anyone who wants a softer, plusher bed
Impressed by its pillowy feel, testers appreciated how soft and cushioning this Sijo pad felt, elevating too-firm mattresses. It's made with CLIMA fiber, which the company refers to as a phase-change material that stores and releases heat to help keep you cooler when you're hot and warmer when you're cold.
We love that this cool-to-the-touch pick features a waterproof layer to help protect your mattress and can also fit mattresses up to 18 inches deep. One tester said, "it fits the bed perfectly and does not shift around. It is quiet and light, and easy to clean!" Some testers reported that the silky feel felt too slippery. Another user added, "It did cool the overall sleeping temperature. I did not have night sweats while using this as opposed to when I didn’t have it."
Cover material: Tencel and Mica nylon blend | Fill: CLIMA polyester | Care: Machine washable
How we test cooling mattress pads and toppers
Pros in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab have sent 67 different mattress pads and toppers to over 120 consumer testers to help us narrow down the top cooling mattress pad options. Testers provided feedback on comfort, support, ease of setup, feel and more. In addition to having testers try them out firsthand, GH fiber scientists reviewed product claims, cooling features and evaluated the construction of each pad or topper.
After sorting through hundreds of data points, GH pros chose these picks based on extensive testing and product claim review to ensure you'll find the best cooling mattress pad or topper for your bed.
How do cooling mattress pads work?
Many products claim to provide cooling benefits, but there are no set definitions of what "cooling" actually means. Therefore, brands can make these claims with nothing to back them up. GH textiles pros are here to help you shop for cooling bedding that will really work. Here's what to look for:
✔️ Cooling technologies: Threads treated with phase-change technologies store and release heat to keep you at a stable body temperature and provide real cooling effects. Opt for well-vetted technologies like Outlast and 37.5.
✔️ Smart features: The only way to actually adjust the exact temperature of your sleeping environment is with active cooling properties that circulate air or water through the surface of the pad or topper. You can set the exact temperature for a cool feel in the summer and more warmth in the winter. These are great options for couples as you can customize the feel of each side of the mattress separately. Note that these smart features tend to be pricey.
✔️ Temperature-regulating or moisture-wicking materials: While cotton’s soft, natural, breathable feel makes it popular in bedding, it’s not a very cooling material. Cotton holds onto moisture: It won’t wick away sweat during the night, so you’ll continue to feel sweaty, which can be uncomfortable and wake you up. Moisture-wicking materials like Tencel and lyocell/viscose pull the moisture away for a drier feel and more comfortable sleep.
What to look for when shopping for a cooling mattress pad or topper
In addition to cooling features, you should keep these considerations in mind when shopping for a new mattress pad or topper:
✔️ Stay-put design: A big complaint we hear from testers around mattress pads and toppers is that they shift during the night. Opt for styles with a stretchy bottom band or straps to keep it perfectly in place, even if you toss and turn.
✔️ Thickness: You may think that 'the thicker, the better,' but the height of a mattress pad or topper should be considered before purchasing. Make sure that you have sheets that can accommodate the new height of your bed with the addition of your topper. You may need to purchase deep-pocket sheets if the height of your mattress and topper combined is over 12 inches tall.
✔️ Firmness: Toppers and pads are available in different firmness levels from plush and cloud-like to firm and supportive. Your sleeping position can help inform what level of firmness is best for you. Back sleepers should opt for a firmer bed, while side sleepers need a softer feel to alleviate pressure on their hips and shoulders.
✔️ Washability: Some mattress pads are machine washable while others aren't, so make sure to check the care label. Most toppers aren't machine washable because they use thicker materials like memory foam. For toppers, look for machine-washable covers.
✔️ Waterproof: If you want to avoid having a mattress protector and a mattress pad, choose a style with a waterproof layer. This way, your mattress is still protected if you spill something on your bed.
What material is best for cooling mattress pads and toppers?
When thinking about which material is best for your mattress pad or topper, you need to consider how you want your mattress to feel. Do you want your bed to be firmer and more supportive? Do you want a plusher, softer, cozier bed? Here's how to choose the perfect material to upgrade your mattress:
✔️ If you want a plusher feel, look for fluffy materials like down, down alternative or wool. These materials have an airy, lofty texture that creates a cloud-like sleeping environment.
✔️ If you need more support and firmness, opt for more supportive materials like solid memory foam or latex that will conform to your body for proper spinal alignment. Gel-infused or perforated foams will help keep you cooler as memory foam is known to trap heat. Usually, foams are featured in mattress toppers.
Don't forget to consider the cover material of the mattress pad or topper. Tencel/lyocell and polyester are great at wicking away moisture if you experience night sweats.
What’s the difference between a mattress pad and a mattress topper?
Each of these pairs with your mattress to make your bed more comfortable, but they each have different design features and purposes.
✔️ Mattress pads add a cozy top layer with a little bit of cushioning. They go on the mattress like a fitted sheet.
✔️ Mattress toppers are usually thicker and offer even more cushioning. Resting on top of your mattress, some have straps to keep them secure and others are kept in place by your fitted sheet that goes over top.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Emma Seymour is the Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab associate director. She’s been at Good Housekeeping for over six years, overseeing Lab and consumer tests for all types of cooling bedding, including cooling sheets, cooling comforters and these cooling mattress pads and toppers. With a degree in Fiber Science and Apparel Design from Cornell University, she has extensive research experience and product quality assessment expertise.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
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