The most dedicated athletes continuously push their bodies to the limits, and the harder you train, the more important a good night's rest becomes to your physical and mental health. On top of that, the high metabolism of athletes can make them hot at night, making it tough to fall asleep and stay asleep.
It can be easy to underestimate the role a mattress plays in sleep quality, but the last thing you need after a day of high-intensity exercise is a heat-trapping mattress that's tough on your body. (Being overheated at night can affect how much sleep you get, making it important to buy the best mattress for hot sleepers.) So if you're leading an active lifestyle, it may be time to whip your sleep hygiene into shape with the best cooling mattress that'll help you spring out of bed feeling recharged and ready to crush it.
The sleep review team at Mattress Advisor collaborated with the experts at ACTIVE, putting together a list of the 11 best cooling mattresses for hot sleepers and active people just like you.
Why Trust Us?
The ACTIVE Reviews Team is made up of fitness and wellness experts that include athletes, coaches, and certified trainers who bring years of knowledge and experience to each review. More importantly, each member of our team is a health enthusiast. Wellness may be our job, but it is also our passion. Therefore, we strive to bring you products that we trust and would personally use.
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MA Score: The Mattress Advisor Score is a weighted score that takes into account 14 different factors related to the mattress' performance, function, and convenience, as well as the brand's social responsibility.
Here's OUR FAVORITE cooling mattress for athletes.
The Helix Midnight Luxe takes top prize as our recommended cooling mattress for athletes. A common problem with mattresses is that body heat can get trapped in the top layer and surround you in sweat. This hybrid's breathable cooling cover maximizes airflow while a gel-infused memory foam layer also absorbs heat. By moving body heat away from you while you sleep, you're less likely to have annoying night sweats and stay at an optimal sleeping temperature. Even cooler (literally), the Helix Midnight Luxe contains a layer of pocket-wrapped coils, supporting your body with the cushion of a foam mattress while maintaining the breathability of a spring mattress.
BUY: Helix Midnight Luxe, Queen, $1,749
The Best Cooling Mattresses for Athletes - Our Top Picks
- Best Cooling Mattress for Side Sleepers: Helix Midnight Luxe
- Best Cooling Innerspring Mattress: WinkBeds
- Best Cooling Mattress for Athletes: Bear Hybrid
- Best Cooling Mattress for Back Pain: Saatva Classic
- Best Cooling Mattress for Couples: Nectar
- Best Cooling Hybrid Mattress: Brooklyn Aurora
- Best Cooling Mattress for Back Sleepers: DreamCloud
- Best Affordable Cooling Mattress: Cocoon Chill
- Best Organic Cooling Mattress: Avocado
- Best Cooling Memory Foam Mattress: Leesa
- Best Luxury Cooling Mattress: Tempur-Pedic LUXEbreeze
Best Cooling Mattress for Side Sleepers - Helix Midnight Luxe
Specs
- Mattress Advisor score: 8.9/10
- Mattress type: Hybrid (foam and coils)
- Firmness: Medium
- Trial length: 100 nights
- Warranty: 10 years
A common problem with mattresses is that body heat can get trapped in the top layer and surround you with sweat. This hybrid's breathable cooling cover maximizes airflow while a gel-infused memory foam layer also absorbs heat.
By moving body heat away from you while you sleep, you're less likely to have annoying night sweats (especially if you toss and turn) and stay at an optimal sleeping temperature. Even cooler (literally), the Helix Midnight Luxe contains a layer of pocket-wrapped coils that support your body with the cushion of a foam mattress while maintaining the breathability of a spring mattress.
What We Like
- Side sleeper pressure point relief
- Comes with a cooling pillow top
- Great for back pain
What We Don't Like
- Pricier
Read the full Helix Midnight Luxe mattress review here.
Best Cooling Innerspring Mattress - The WinkBed
Specs
- Mattress Advisor score: 8.9/10
- Mattress type: Hybrid (foam and coils)
- Firmness: Soft, luxury firm, firmer, plus
- Trial length: 120 nights
- Warranty: Lifetime
Nearly every feature of the WinkBeds mattress was designed to keep you cool at night—from its breathable cover and gel-infused foam to its two internal coil systems that move body heat away from you. As an added perk, the WinkBeds mattress also gives you top-notch comfort and support, which is great if you're an athlete who tends to suffer from some aches and pains in the morning. Plus, its impressive durability means you'll get your money's worth for a long time.
What We Like
- Multiple firmness options to choose from
- Good for combination sleepers
- Extremely durable, backed by a lifetime warranty
What We Don't Like
- Sub-par pressure relief
- Not ideal for couples (lacking in motion isolation)
Read the full WinkBed mattress review here.
Best Cooling Mattress for Athletes - Bear Hybrid
Specs
- Mattress Advisor score: 9/10
- Mattress type: Hybrid (foam and coils)
- Firmness: Medium-firm
- Trial length: 365 nights
- Warranty: Lifetime
The team at Bear set out from the very start to design a mattress geared toward athletes. It crossed the finish line in glorious fashion with its Bear Hybrid. With its blend of cushioning foam and responsive coils, it does an incredible job of keeping your lower back supported as you sleep. Meanwhile, its cooling gel layer and quilted cover pull heat from your body, making this one cool and supportive mattress for anyone with an active lifestyle.
What We Like
- 1-year sleep trial and lifetime warranty
- Excellent lumbar support
- Great for back, stomach, and combination sleepers
What We Don't Like
- Not ideal for side sleepers due to lack of pressure relief
- Couples may feel their partner's movements
Read the full Bear mattress review here.
Best Cooling Mattress for Back Pain - Saatva Classic
Specs
- Mattress Advisor score: 9.3/10
- Mattress type: Hybrid (foam and coils)
- Firmness: Plush soft, luxury firm, firm
- Trial length: 180 nights
- Warranty: 15 years
For athletes contending with back pain, the Saatva Classic is the mattress that can help you fight it off for good. Its built-in lumbar support layer reinforces the middle of the bed to prevent your hips and lower back from sinking. Meanwhile, two layers of coils adapt to your body to support you as you move around while still letting air easily flow through.
This mattress is also a great choice for anyone with a higher-than-average body weight (we're looking at you, bodybuilders).
What We Like
- Multiple firmness options to pick from
- A high-quality mattress that offers a hotel-style feel
- Works for all sleeping positions
- Extremely durable and well made
What We Don't Like
- Lacking in motion isolation; not great for couples
Best Cooling Mattress for Couples – Nectar
Specs
- Mattress Advisor score: 8.5/10
- Mattress type: Memory foam
- Firmness: Medium-fir
- Trial length: 365 nights
- Warranty: Lifetime
The Nectar mattress is a well-rounded foam mattress that does two things exceptionally well: It moves heat away from you and keeps your motion transfer to a minimum. So, if you sleep with a partner, you can rest peacefully as they move around. That's why it's our top pick as the best cooling mattress for athletic couples. It contains five foam layers that relieve common pressure points beneath shoulders, hips, and legs—no matter your sleeping position. It also provides good support for edge-of-the-bed sleepers, making it a solid (yet, supportive) choice for anyone who tends to toss, turn, or move around to every corner of the bed.
What We Like
- Ideal for side sleepers; excellent pressure relief
- Excellent motion isolation appeals to couples and co-sleepers
- Affordable price point
What We Don't Like
- Some hot sleepers may prefer a cooler bed made with coils
Read the full Nectar mattress review here.
Best Cooling Hybrid Mattress - Brooklyn Aurora
Specs
- Mattress Advisor score: 8.9/10
- Mattress type: Hybrid (foam and coils)
- Firmness: Soft, medium, firm
- Trial length: 120 nights
- Warranty: 10 years
The Brooklyn Aurora offers a level of coolness you'll be hard pressed to find from its fellow hybrid mattress peers. Its cooling technology consists of gel beads that liquefy at higher temperatures, which makes its top surface quite literally cool to the touch. It also features a patent foam layer that contours to your body and gives you targeted pressure point relief.
Coils also work to support your body atop the mattress while letting body heat flow away from you, so you'll keep the night sweats at bay, support your body, and maintain the perfect sleeping environment all night long.
What We Like
- Multiple firmness options to pick from
- Great for back, stomach, and combination sleepers
- Responsive feel makes it easy to change positions
What We Don't Like
- Not ideal for side sleepers
Best Cooling Mattress for Back Sleepers – DreamCloud
Specs
- Mattress Advisor score: 9.1/10
- Mattress type: Hybrid (foam and coils)
- Firmness: Medium-firm
- Trial length: 365 nights
- Warranty: Lifetime
Are you a back sleeper hoping to find a mattress made just for you? The DreamCloud is not only well suited for your sleeping style, but it keeps you cool all night, as well. It boasts a five-layer design with a quilted top layer and a secondary gel foam layer that absorbs and transfers heat away from your body. The mattress also helps evenly distribute your weight to eliminate pressure points, and it keeps your spine in neutral alignment while easily adjusting to your movements—which is especially helpful if you tend to move around a lot in your sleep.
What We Like
- Works for all sleeping positions
- 1-year sleep trial and lifetime warranty
- Comes with a cashmere cover
What We Don't Like
- Some couples or co-sleepers may be feeling their partner's movements
Read the full DreamCloud mattress review here.
Best Affordable Cooling Mattress: Cocoon Chill
Specs
- Mattress Advisor score: 8.7/10
- Mattress type: Memory foam
- Firmness: Medium-firm
- Trial length: 100 nights
- Warranty: 10 years
You don't have to settle for a subpar cooling mattress just because you're on a budget. And the Cocoon Chill by Sealy proves you can have a quality mattress at an affordable price—without having to make a compromise. Your Cocoon Chill memory foam mattress will come with three foam layers, each one engineered from heavy, robust foam for increased durability and resiliency. You'll keep your body evenly supported, spine better aligned, and budget under control.
What We Like
- Excellent lumbar support
- Great motion isolation for couples
- Budget-friendly price point
What We Don't Like
- Some hot sleepers may prefer a cooler bed made with coils
- Those who don't like to sink into their mattress may find the Cocoon too plush
Best Organic Cooling Mattress – Avocado
Specs
- Mattress Advisor score: 8.5/10
- Mattress type: Natural latex with innerspring coils
- Firmness: Medium-firm
- Trial length: 365 nights
- Warranty: 25 years
For athletes who are conscious of their bodies and the environment, the Avocado is impeccable at protecting both. This is hands-down one of the most eco-friendly, high-quality mattresses we've ever reviewed. That's because it's sustainable without falling short on comfort—natural latex, organic wool, and organic cotton make up the core of this bed, all of which are toxin-free and certified to be healthy for you and the environment. Each Avocado mattress is processed in compliance with rigorous environmental standards, and its wool is organically sourced from India.
What We Like
- All-natural materials make the Avocado good for sensitive sleepers or sleepers with allergies
- Relieves back pain
- Comes with 1-year sleep trial
What We Don't Like
- Lacking in pressure relief
Best Cooling Memory Foam Mattress – Leesa
Specs
- Mattress Advisor score: 9.3/10
- Mattress type: Memory foam
- Firmness: Medium-firm
- Trial length: 100 nights
- Warranty: 10 years
Sometimes with all-foam mattresses, overheating and sagging can become an issue. That's out of the question with Leesa, which dispels any of the typical shortcomings you might expect to find. It sleeps exceptionally cool with layers that promote airflow and stop heat from getting trapped inside. Its cover is made from a breathable twill fabric, followed by a top layer made from polyfoam for added breathability. The bottom two layers support your lower back while also giving soft pressure relief.
What We Like
- Great for sleepers who love the feel of memory foam but sleep hot
- Extremely durable
- Ideal for couples
What We Don't Like
- Those who prefer the support of innerspring coils may not like this all-foam bed
Read the full Leesa mattress review here.
Best Luxury Cooling Mattress - Tempur-Pedic LUXEbreeze
Specs
- Mattress Advisor score: Coming soon!
- Mattress type: Memory foam
- Firmness: Soft, firm
- Trial length: 90 nights
- Warranty: 10 years
From the second you lie down to the moment you get up for your morning workout, the LUXEbreeze keeps you cool. It boasts an ultra-breathable design and four layers of cooling technology that work together to bring your sleep temperature down eight degrees, which is pretty significant if you live in a warmer climate or run hot. This is a high-end luxury mattress, so its price might be at the very top of your budget—but in reviewing the LUXEbreeze, we found that every single aspect of this mattress has been heavily scrutinized by its designers and engineered for a cool, deep sleep.
What We Like
- Luxury sleep experience
- Choice between two firmness levels
- Advanced cooling technology
What We Don't Like
- Not budget-friendly; most expensive bed on this list
How Cooling Mattresses Work
Cooling mattresses incorporate all types of materials that draw away or absorb what your body radiates while you sleep. These materials can be anything, including gel beads, phase change material that adapts to your temperature, minerals, polyfoam, and wrapped wire coils that let air circulate inside the mattress. Here's a quick rundown of the different types of cooling mattresses and some of the technologies they use to keep you sleeping cool.
Innerspring Cooling Mattresses
When compared to other mattress types, an innerspring mattress has an advantage in the temperature-cooling department because it tends to have the greatest potential for air circulation. For the coolest sleep possible, look for an innerspring design with individually wrapped wire coils, which create space for heat to move away from your body and escape through the mattress.
Hybrid Cooling Mattresses
A hybrid mattress can give hot sleepers the cooling airflow of an innerspring mattress with the comfort and support of memory foam layers. Heat gets trapped in certain foam materials, but many hybrid cooling mattresses incorporate technologies like gel-infused foams and cooling fabrics to alleviate this problem. In the case of gel memory foam, it can hold liquid gel or gel beads to actively remove heat from your body and either dissipate it or disperse it elsewhere.
Memory Foam Cooling Mattresses
While most memory foam mattresses are pegged for sleeping too hot (the foam layers tend to trap more heat), believe it or not, there are all-foam mattresses on the market that can sleep very cool. Many of them use gel-infused layers to promote more breathability and to help break up any heat retention. You may also see foam beds made with perforated foam, which means there are little holes poked throughout the layers to help increase airflow. Others also take advantage of minerals like graphite and copper, both of which are fantastic heat conductors. However, keep in mind that even the most cooling memory foam bed will typically still sleep hotter than a bed made with coils or latex, both of which are more breathable materials.
Latex Cooling Mattresses
Natural latex sleeps much cooler than synthetic latex, so keep that in mind if a latex mattress catches your eye. Synthetic latex can contain polyurethane foam and polyester, both of which trap heat. In contrast, all-natural latex is very porous, meaning it allows air to easily pass through your bed during the night. This breathability results in a noticeably cool mattress surface. There are two types to look for: Dunlop and Talalay latex are all natural and temperature neutral.
Will a Cooling Mattress Help My Performance?
Research has shown that sleep plays a critical role in physical training. The more high-quality shuteye an athlete gets, the better they can potentially perform. Sleeping cooler can be much better than sleeping warmer when it comes to maintaining or improving athletic ability—as cold as 60 degrees, in fact. So if you want to recharge, remain competitive, and reach peak performance, choosing the right cooling mattress is as vital as finding the right pair of running shoes.
Cooling Mattress Factors to Consider
Firmness
Athletes need a mattress that will help relieve pressure points and keep their spine aligned. Posture is just as important to maintain while lying down as it is standing up. Of course, athletes come in all shapes and sizes, so it's important to understand that while a firm or extra firm mattress might provide adequate neck, shoulder, back, and hip support for a professional bodybuilder, a professional cyclist might be better off opting for a medium-firm mattress instead. Factor in your weight and sleeping style when choosing the right level of firmness for you.
When it comes to cooling, generally the firmer the mattress is, the cooler the bed will be. That's because firmer mattresses usually incorporate coils into their design, which provide a firmer, more supportive feel. Coils help a mattress sleep cooler by leaving ample room for air to flow. Softer, more plush mattresses tend to sleep hotter, because they're usually made from multiple layers of foam, a material known to retain more heat.
Budget
Cooling mattresses run the gamut in terms of price, from affordable to higher end. But just because you find one you like at a bargain price doesn't mean you'll necessarily be missing out on quality sleep. Do your homework on all mattresses, regardless of price, to learn about the cooling technologies each one contains. You might be surprised how finely engineered some very affordable cooling mattresses are.
Cooling Sleep Accessories
Another tip for hot sleepers to get a good night's sleep? Make sure your sleep accessories are as cool as your mattress.
When it comes to sheets, you're going to want to select breathable materials like Tencel, linen, or lightweight cotton such as percale or sateen weaves. For pillows, it's best to go with cooling memory foam or latex. Traditional down or polyester pillows can sometimes sleep warm. Lastly, it's best to avoid layering up with blankets if you sleep hot, but if you absolutely must have a blanket for comfort, look for those made of lightweight cotton, Tencel lyocell, or linen. Heavy blankets made from fleece or wool might keep you feeling overheated even if you're resting on an otherwise cooling bed.
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FAQs About Cooling Mattresses
Do cooling mattresses really work?
Depending on the type of mattress, cooling mattresses can actually help improve your sleep if you're prone to overheating at night. It all comes down to what materials lie inside—the most breathable mattress materials are typically coils or latex (some hybrid beds combine both for ultimate breathability), so be sure to check a mattress' construction to make sure it promotes cooler rest.
And while memory foam can have a bad rap when it comes to cooling, some all-foam beds are breathable when cooling materials like gel, copper, graphite, or perforated foam are used.
It's also crucial to make sure you pair your mattress with breathable accessories. If you're resting on a cooling hybrid bed, but your sheets are made from a heat-trapping material like flannel, fleece, or heavyweight cotton, then you might still find yourself feeling a little stuffy. For the best results, pair your cooling bed with cooling accessories like Tencel, linen, or lightweight cotton (percale or sateen tend to be the most cooling) sheets.
Is a memory foam mattress hot?
Some memory foam mattresses sleep hotter due to the way they trap heat in instead of pushing it out like innerspring or hybrid mattresses with coils or latex would. However, many memory foam beds (including the ones in this list) integrate cooling layers in their design. This includes things like a gel-infused layer or perforated foam.
What mattress types sleep cool at night?
The best cooling mattress types are the ones that use coils or latex in their design. Latex is a naturally breathable material, while coils leave ample room for air to escape out of the mattress. Thus, an innerspring or hybrid mattress made from either material is your best bet for cooler sleep.