From memory foam to smart toppers, we tested the best cooling mattress toppers on the market. Here are our top five picks.
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5 Best Cooling Mattress Toppers, Tested and Reviewed
On Sale
Best Overall Cooling Mattress Topper
The Company Store Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress Pad
Pros:
- Effectively cools
- Does not change the feel of your mattress
- Lightweight and easy to put on the bed
Cons:
- Very thin
If you love the feel of your bed but wish it was a smidge cooler at night, The Company Store’s cooling gel memory foam mattress pad is the cooling mattress topper you’ve been dreaming of. That’s because it keeps you cool without completely changing the feel of your bed.
This topper is made of pressure-relieving memory foam that molds to the shape of your body for ultimate comfort and support. It features a breathable knit top that’s infused with cooling gel to regulate your body temperature all night long. It also has panels that cover the entire mattress and tuck under the corners easily so you can rest assured that it won’t move during the night.
“This mattress topper had a nice cooling effect but it is quite thin,” says our tester Wendy Rose Gould. “It feels more like light pad that you’re sleeping on versus a dense topper. That said, I personally love my mattress so I appreciated that this one didn’t add a lot of excess.”
Gould also appreciated how easy it was to unpack this cooling mattress topper and put it on her bed. The whole process took her about five minutes. She also noted that there were no odors or off-gassing. All she had to do was put it on her bed, add her linen sheets and she was ready to hop in. “You can tell that a lot of technology and thought went into the design,” raves Gould. “It’s comfortable and it effectively cools you at night while providing a thin layer over your mattress.”
On Sale
Best Budget Cooling Mattress Topper
Amazon Basics Cooling Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Pros:
- Under $100
- Made of thick, cushy memory foam
- Mild cooling effect
- Compact packaging
Cons:
- Does not have a cover
- Takes a few days to fully expand
A restful night’s sleep is a dream come true. But spending a small fortune can be a nightmare. If you’re shopping with a smaller budget, then this Amazon Basics cooling mattress topper is for you. It has a simple design — it’s essentially a giant slab of blue memory foam — but effectively keeps you cool and comfortable all night long.
“It is definitely a great bang-for-your-buck option,” says Gould. “It’s a good choice for those seeking a quick cooling fix without dropping a ton of cash.”
On a scale of one to five, Gould gave this cooling mattress topper a 2 for firmness. “It’s thick, but it isn’t fancy,” she says. “It’s pretty airy and so it feels mushy. The thickness level was superior compared to other mattress toppers.”
While this mattress topper is thick, cushy and cooling, Gould didn’t like the fact that it doesn’t have a protective cover. The lack of a cover led her to question the topper’s longevity. “Without an additional protective layer it’s probably going to absorb more sweat and dirt over time,” she says. “However, it’s respectably durable.”
Once you add this cooling mattress topper to your cart, you can expect it to arrive at your door tightly rolled in a compact box. The topper itself is wrapped in a protective layer of fabric and an instruction manual is included. But you will want to heed Gould’s advice: “You do need to be careful when cutting this open,” she cautions. “The snug packaging requires some surgeon-level cutting.”
On Sale
Best Memory Foam Cooling Mattress Topper
Puffy Deluxe Mattress Topper
Pros:
- 2.5 inches of memory foam
- Offered in firm or soft feels
- Soft, cushy cover
- Elastic bands and corner pockets keep it snugly on the mattress
Cons:
- Cooling effect may be too subtle for very hot sleepers
If you enjoy snuggling up in body-hugging memory foam, then you’ll love this Puffy mattress topper. It’s made of 2.5 inches of pressure-relieving memory foam and is available with a firm or soft feel. And its ultra-soft cover is the icing on the, well, bed.
“I give this a 5 out of 5 for comfort,” raves Gould. “This was my favorite mattress topper by far. It has a moderate firmness, which I like, thanks to responsive memory foam and its soft, cushy cover.” In fact, Gould loved this topper so much that when she finished all of her testing, this is the topper she chose for long-term use. “I loved my bed before, but this somehow made it even more comfortable. I look forward to going to bed every night because of how comfortable it is,” she raves.
Gould describes this cooling mattress topper as well-made and comfortable with a nice, subtle cooling effect. She especially loved how it stayed put once on her bed. “It fits across the entire mattress and stays snug thanks to the elastic bands and corner pockets that tuck over each corner of the bed,” she explains. “That topper is going nowhere!”
Best Plush Cooling Mattress Topper
Bedelite Cooling Mattress Topper
Pros:
- Down alternative filling gives it a pillow-y feel
- Very nice cooling effect
- Has side panels that cover the entire mattress
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not as full or plush as shown online
Memory foam isn’t for everyone. If you prefer something more plush, this Bedelite mattress topper feels like a cloud on your bed. Down alternative filling gives this mattress topper a pillow-y feel while breathable cooling fabric keeps you comfortable. Plus, the long, sheet-like side panels on each side help it cover and stay on your mattress.
“It has a nice cooling effect and provides a very light layer of cushion underneath,” says Gould. “It enhances a mattress that’s already comfortable. My mattress is very comfortable, so the pairing worked well.”
Gould adds that while this cooling mattress topper feels more like a comforter than a dense foam, it’s not as full or fluffy as shown online. “In the pictures, this mattress topper looks very full. However, it’s not as thick or plush-looking in real life. It did get slightly better over a few days, but not nearly as fluffy as the pictures show.”
In spite of it not being as puffy as shown online, this mattress topper is still one of Gould’s top picks, especially given the affordable price tag. “This is a great option. Instead of the dense foam you sink into, this is essentially a puffy comforter filled with alternative down,” she raves. “The cooling effect is very nice — one of the best that I tried! It’s a good choice for those who want only a little extra cushion over their mattress and some cooling.”
Best Smart Cooling Mattress Topper
Perfectly Snug The Smart Topper
Pros:
- Has a built-in cooling fan
- Each side is customizable
- Has a warming feature
- Operates with or without the app
Cons:
- Expensive
- Has a hard mechanical box at the foot
Tech enthusiasts will love the Perfectly Snug Smart Mattress Topper. It has a built-in fan that cools or heats your bed and dual zones so you and your partner can sleep comfortably. There are three cool fan settings, as well as warm and hot settings, allowing you to find your perfect temperature.
“It’s definitely the most tech-y way to cool,” says Gould. “Whereas most mattress toppers rely on a cooling gel, this one cools you down with a fan built into the topper itself. The fan mechanism creates a cooling sensation through the night similar to a regular fan, but helps under the covers, too.”
This smart topper features a 3D mesh layer, which allows active air flow and a comfortable layer of memory foam, all wrapped in a soft polyester cover. It has two connection ports — one for each sleeper — that need to be plugged into a double-sided cord. The brand recommends downloading their app before use though you can use this topper with or without the app.
While this topper is sure to keep you as cool or as warm as you prefer, there are a few things you may want to consider. “I like that it provides a higher-tech experience, and that you can customize each side for either sleeper,” says Gould. “But you could feel the hard mechanical box at the foot of the bed. If you’re very tall this would be especially frustrating, but it’s still apparent in some sleep positions even as a short person.”
Like many smart products and bed cooling systems, this topper doesn’t come cheap. It starts at $1,399 for a twin size, so be sure to keep your eye out for sales.
What to Look for When Buying a Cooling Mattress Topper
- Cooling features: Many mattress toppers are made from memory foam or latex which can trap heat. Marten Carlson, a Mattress Expert and a Certified Sleep Science Coach at Mattress Clarity, advises looking for features like cooling gel foam, copper- or graphite-infused foam, or aerated foam. “While each of these materials works differently, they can all help maintain a temperature-controlled sleeping environment throughout the night,” he explains.
- Thickness: According to Nichole Mondshein, a Sleep Product Expert at Sleepopolis, the thickness of the topper you choose can also influence its cooling performance. “A thinner topper tends to be more breathable, as it allows for more airflow and prevents you from sinking too deeply into the material,” she explains. If you prefer something thicker, opt for a cooling gel option, recommends Mondshein. “The deeper you sink into the material, the more heat is likely to be trapped,” she says.
Why You Should Trust Us
At Family Handyman, our goal is to help you confidently shop for products that are going to enhance your home and your life. This especially applies to products that will help you sleep better. Our editors and testers have years of experience in the commerce world and have tested hundreds of sleep-related products, from mattress vacuum cleaners to cozy comforters and everything in between.
For this article, we also consulted Marten Carlson, a Mattress Expert and a Certified Sleep Science Coach at Mattress Clarity as well as Nichole Mondshein, a Sleep Product Expert at Sleepopolis. Carlson and Mondshein offered their expertise and valuable insights to help us select the best cooling mattress toppers.
How We Found the Best Cooling Mattress Toppers
We researched dozens of cooling mattress pad options, taking into consideration materials, features and price tags. Next, we consulted with two sleep experts to understand what which toppers will actually enhance your sleep experience. Finally, we sent our selections to our tester, Wendy Rose Gould. Gould slept on each mattress topper for a minimum of five nights, evaluating the firmness, comfort, durability and cooling properties of each one. She also took into consideration the packaging and setup of each mattress topper. Once she completed her testing, we compiled her findings into this comprehensive guide to help you find the best cooling mattress topper for your needs and budget.
FAQ
What to look for when buying a cooling mattress topper?
Our experts recommend looking for a thin mattress topper with features like cooling gel foam, copper- or graphite-infused foam or aerated foam.
Do you put a fitted sheet over a cooling mattress topper?
Yes. Most cooling toppers are designed to remain effective with a fitted sheet on top.
