The Best Cooling Mattress Toppers, Expert-Approved and Editor-Tested
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Find relief and add comfort with these top-performing mattress toppers across multiple categories.
Health / Dera Burreson
Medically reviewed by Valerie Cacho, MDIf you sleep hot and aren’t ready to invest in a new cooling mattress, cooling mattress toppers can provide heat relief to extend the life of your current mattress. Essentially an extra layer of foam—often perforated or infused with gels—cooling toppers dissipate heat while improving your bed's comfort. As David Rubin, certified sleep science coach and product expert at TheSleepDoctor.com, notes, cooling toppers are great for people who find their current mattress too firm and want a softer, more contouring surface. And they can even help alleviate hip and shoulder pain. Board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon Rahul Shah, MD, also notes that individuals who have difficulty falling asleep may find that using a cooling mattress topper can significantly improve their sleep environment. And a better night’s sleep can positively affect your mood, body, and cognitive performance.To find the best cooling mattress toppers, we talked to the experts and tested 17 popular models in the lab, followed by at-home testing for six months. We evaluated each topper based on overall comfort and support, durability, impact on sleep quality, value, and cooling performance. A sleep expert from our Medical Expert Board reviewed the information in this article about cooling mattress toppers and how to select one for accuracy.Our Top PicksBest Overall: Casper Comfy Mattress TopperBest Gel: Amazon Basics Cooling Gel-Infused Firm Support Mattress TopperMost Comfortable: GhostBed Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress TopperBest Budget: Linenspa 2-Inch Memory Foam Mattress TopperBest Investment: Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt + Cooling 3-Inch Queen Mattress Topper The Editor’s TakeAs the Health Associate Editor of sleep and mattress reviews, I’ve spent the last two years testing mattresses, pillows, and more both at home and in our testing labs and writing and editing all of our mattress and sleep product reviews. While cooling mattress toppers are a great way to modify a firm or aging mattress without investing in a brand new one,they won’t always provide the exact results you’re expecting. We tested cooling mattress toppers at home with different types of sleepers—including hot sleepers and those who experience night sweats—and found promising results during the two-month testing period. Still, many of us needed to further modify our sleep environments when using the cooling mattress toppers, whether weadjusted their placement on our mattresses or slept on different kinds of sheets.We found that cooling mattress toppers can add additional comfort to your sleeping experience, but they’re most effective when you pair them with cooling sheets or other changes to your sleep environment. Some picks, like the Casper Comfy Mattress Topper, made us feel a real and immediate difference at night, but it's best to temper your expectations. Our experts recommend looking for latex or gel-infused foam when choosing a cooling mattress topper. — Jaylyn Pruitt, Associate Commerce Editor
Best Overall Cooling Mattress Topper: Casper Comfy Mattress Topper
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Why We Like ItFirm and supportive, especially while lying on our backs, the Casper Comfy Mattress Topper conformed to our contours beautifully while always springing back into position as soon as we left the bed. We noticed a marked increase in comfort when testing this topper on multiple beds. It helped breathe new life into our old mattresses and made a noticeable difference in sleep temperatures—keeping us cooler for longer, even while co-sleeping. We’d recommend this product to anyone needing relief from heat and a little more support from their mattress. It’s Worth Noting This topper is heavy and requires some effort to lift onto the bed, ideally requiring two people to put it in place. At three inches thick, it does not add life-changing levels of comfort if you have an overly firm mattress, but it is enough to extend the life of your aging mattress.Product Details:Material: Polyester weave cover and perforated memory foamThickness: 3 inchesCare Instructions: Spot clean onlyBest Gel Cooling Mattress Topper: Amazon Basics Cooling Gel-Infused Firm Support Mattress Topper
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Why We Like ItWith a near-perfect balance of plushness and support, this mattress topper added a supremely comfortable layer to an old, firm mattress. The three inches of gel-infused foam helped keep us in alignment while sleeping on our backs and stomachs. We loved that the cooling qualities of the gel lived up to the manufacturer’s claims. And we’ve enjoyed better quality of sleep through six months of testing. This gel mattress topper has rejuvenated a very old mattress to the point that we won’t need to buy a new one anytime soon.It’s Worth Noting This is a heavy topper and very difficult to move/maneuver with just one person. The exposed foam also looks a little ugly, so it would be worth investing in some kind of cover. Product Details:Material: Cooling gel-infused memory foam Thickness: 3 inchesCare Instructions: Machine-washableMost Comfortable Cooling Mattress Topper: GhostBed Memory Foam Topper
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Why We Like ItSoft and plush, this mattress topper was so comfortable in every sleep position and superb for back sleeping. We found it easy to position on the bed, and it did not budge throughout testing. Though we initially didn’t notice a marked difference in sleep temperatures, we loved the breathability of the waterproof materials. Over time, we’ve definitely noticed the cooling qualities at work. We’ve also noticed a big improvement in sleep quality—staying asleep longer without changing positions. For a fraction above median price, the benefits delivered by this topper far outstrip the price tag. And in terms of overall comfort, it outperformed every other mattress topper we tried.It’s Worth Noting Through months of testing, we found very little to fault about this topper. To position it on your mattress, we’d suggest laying it in the middle of the bed and gently lifting and pulling the topper out toward the edges. Product Details:Material: Cooling gel-infused memory foam Thickness: 3 inchesCare Instructions: Machine-washable cover, spot clean coreBest Budget Cooling Mattress Topper: Linenspa 2-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
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Buy at Bedbathandbeyond.com
Why We Like ItSuper breathable, this mattress topper delivered top-shelf cooling qualities at an affordable price. We loved that it’s so lightweight and easily positioned by one person, and it didn’t budge an inch through testing. We found the topper provided excellent plushness and support while side and back sleeping. During testing, this topper had us falling asleep faster, and we noted a big improvement in overall sleep quality. As an inexpensive refresher for your current mattress or an extra comfort layer for a guest bed, we recommend the Linenspa 2-Inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper as a superb budget choice.It’s Worth Noting We tested the two-inch version of this topper and feel that the three-inch option would’ve taken comfort to another level again. Product Details:Material: Cooling gel-infused memory foam Thickness: 2 inchesCare Instructions: Spot clean onlyBest for Side Sleepers: Nest Bedding Cooling Topper
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Why We Like ItComfortable and supportive in every sleep position, this Nest Cooling Topper strikes an excellent balance of stability and cushioning to vastly improve the feel of a too-firm mattress. The foam molded to our contours to keep our spines aligned, even while side sleeping. The topper added an extra layer of cozy softness without being deep enough to create any sinking. All in all, it delivered enough plush cushioning to allow us to hold off replacing an existing mattress anytime soon.It’s Worth Noting Though this topper checked boxes on comfort and support, we didn’t find the cooling qualities very impressive for very hot sleepers. Over time, the topper shifted on the bed, and it’s challenging to move it back into position. Product Details:Material: Cooling memory foamThickness: 2 inchesCare Instructions: Spot clean onlyBest Investment Cooling Mattress Topper: Tempur-Pedic Tempur Adapt+ Cooling Mattress Topper
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Why We Like ItFirst impressions were that this topper would be too soft, but we found the foam conformed to our contours offering relief to pressure points in all sleep positions. We loved the removable and washable hypoallergenic cover. And the premium materials and feel of the topper—though not as cooling as we would’ve liked—justify the above-median price. While it definitely adds cloud-like softness to your sleep surface, it doesn’t add much structure, so we wouldn’t recommend it for use on soft mattresses. But if you’re looking for an extra comfort layer to revive an older firm mattress and don’t mind things soft, this Tempur-Pedic could be worth the investment.It’s Worth Noting This is a heavy topper and requires at least two people to position it on the bed. When placed on a soft mattress, this topper lacked the structure to offer additional support, and we experienced some hip pain after a few months of use on a softer mattress.Product Details:Material: Adaptive cooling memory foamThickness: 3 inchesCare Instructions: Machine-washable cover, spot clean coreBest Soft Cooling Mattress Topper: ViscoSoft Serene Hybrid Mattress Topper
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Buy at Viscosoft.com
Why We Like ItFor side sleepers and those who prefer a lofty, pillowy sleep surface, we found a lot to love about this ViscoSoft mattress topper. Though difficult to position this heavy topper on the bed, it stayed in place beautifully with no adjustment required. Once we were engulfed in its plush embrace, it was very difficult to get out of bed—in a good way. Despite its softness, with the quilted pad in place it offered enough support to cradle our shoulders all night in a side-sleeping position with no residual soreness the next day. Over several months of testing, we weren’t exactly sold on the cooling abilities of this topper. But we did look forward to bedtime, we slept more soundly and even found ourselves gravitating to the bed for super-comfy relaxation during waking hours.It’s Worth Noting When we moved this topper, the underside of the foam tended to "shed" snowy flakes which went everywhere. The queen-size topper was also slightly larger than our queen-size beds, so it hangs over the sides, which led to some of the foam cracking over time. We’ve also noticed the polyfill cover lost some of its initial plushness, so we have to regularly re-fluff it. And we’ve found it runs hotter than other toppers we tried, so we wouldn’t recommend it for its cooling performance alone. Product Details:Material: Memory foamThickness: 4 inchesCare Instructions: Washable cover padTrial Period: Yes, 90-day money-back guaranteeBest Memory Foam Cooling Mattress Topper: Zinus Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
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Why We Like ItIf you’re looking for an extra layer of sumptuous softness to transform the feel of an old mattress, this memory foam topper from Zinus could be it. Given its softness, we were also surprised by its support and found it relieved pressure points and evenly distributed weight for a sound night’s sleep. The extra layer dampened noise from the mattress, which limited partner disturbance while sharing the bed. Throughout testing, we stayed comfortably cool and enjoyed the supple support of the memory foam, which has continued to perform night after night.It’s Worth Noting During testing, when we tossed and turned on this topper it shifted a few inches over the edge of the mattress. The height of the foam meant we had to stretch our existing fitted sheets to their absolute limits to fit in place, so we’d recommend sheets with deep pockets. We also noticed some small tears in the surface of the foam, which didn’t affect the topper’s performance but may lead to durability issues through time. Product Details:Material: Cooling gel-infused memory foamThickness: 4 inchesCare Instructions: Not listedMattress Toppers That Didn’t Make Our ListSleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper: Though initially we were impressed with the comfort and support of this topper, it had a lingering odor that didn’t dissipate through time. It also felt hot to sleep on, and we experienced worsening night sweats during testing.Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper: During lab testing, this topper felt soft and supportive in all sleep positions. However, as we tossed and turned, it moved considerably. For the high-end price, we felt we’d probably investigate getting a new mattress instead.Lucid 4-Inch Down Alternative and Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper: We found the upper layer's “give” superb for side sleeping. Though we didn’t notice much improvement in terms of sleep temperature or quality, it was comfortable in all sleep positions (at least initially). After months of use, however, we found the topper had stiffened significantly.Our Testing ProcessOur testing process involved a lab test component, followed by at-home testing for periods of two and six months. In all, we tested 29 products: 17 mattress toppers and 12 mattress pads. During the lab testing, our editors rated each product based on first impressions of comfort in various sleep positions, compression after movement, detectability of an acupressure mat beneath the topper, and temperature changes. We also recorded the presence of odors, noise emitted through movement, ease of fitting sheets, waterproofing (where applicable), and overall perceived value. The lab tests also allowed us to test comparable products under lab conditions.During at-home testing, our editors evaluated each mattress topper after two and six months of use based on the following criteria:Comfort and support in real-world sleep conditions and all sleep positions.Impact on sleep quality over time.Durability, wear and tear, and any reduction of performance through use.Cooling performance, when measured against manufacturer’s claims.Any improvements that could be made to the product.And whether or not we would recommend each product based on the testing experience and retail price.Our Experts Prior to and during testing, we spoke with several sleep and spinal experts to help us understand what to look for in a mattress topper, and to inform our test methodology. Experts we consulted include:David Rubin, certified sleep science coach and product expert at TheSleepDoctor.comRaj Dasgupta, MD, Chief Medical Advisor, SleepopolisRahul Shah, MD, a Board Certified Orthopedic Spine SurgeonTypes of Cooling Mattress ToppersAs Dr. Dasgupta notes, when looking for a cooling mattress topper, it pays to keep it simple and practical with materials like gel-infused foam or latex, both of which are known for their breathability. And if allergies are a concern, look for hypoallergenic options.Gel-infused memory foam: Rubin notes memory foam offers great contouring and the feeling of sinking into your mattress. But if you're an especially hot sleeper, you might want to avoid memory foam (unless it has specific cooling properties) since it can heat up as you sleep. Latex or open-cell foams: For people who like things firm, a layer of latex can offer superb contouring without the sinking feeling. Plus, the natural open-cell structure promotes airflow and even draws heat away from the body. Phase-change materials (PCMs): PCMs change state (from solid to liquid or vapor) due to temperature variations, essentially storing some of the heat generated by your body while you sleep. Though they have been shown to improve thermoregulation, evidence so far suggests the benefits can be short-lived.Breathable covers: Several toppers we tested come wrapped in (often machine-washable) covers made from cotton or perforated fabrics that help dissipate heat. The added benefit of a covered topper is that you don’t need to find and fit your own cover, and it can help eliminate foam shedding from the core of the product.What to Know About Cooling Mattress ToppersMaterials: The mattress toppers that topped our categories were all constructed from memory foam, albeit with different layering, perforations, and infusions, including gels and even green tea. David Rubin notes that selecting a new topper can be a good opportunity to try a different material you've been considering (like latex), especially if your mattress isn't too old and in good shape. Just be sure to put a mattress protector over it since you can only spot-clean most toppers.Thickness: Consider your sleep position here. If you’re a stomach sleeper and prefer a firmer sleep surface, opt for thinner toppers with minimal sink. Side and combination sleepers often prefer more cushioning, so opt for the thicker end of the topper spectrum. David Rubin also recommends making sure you select a topper that will work with the pocket depth of your sheets, or you'll need to replace those as well. If your sheets can only accommodate 14 inches and your mattress is 12 inches tall, don't get a 3-inch topper. Easy to clean: While some of the toppers we tested have machine-washable covers, only one (the Amazon Basics Cooling Gel-Infused Mattress Topper) claims to be entirely washable. If spills and stains are an issue, especially for kids’ beds, look for waterproof options and/or wrap your topper in a waterproof cover to extend its lifespan.Trial Period and Warranty: Though new mattresses these days often come with 100-night or full-year trial periods, toppers don’t generally come with such generous terms. Same goes for warranties, so read the fine print before you buy. Of the range of products that topped our categories, the longest trial period on offer was 90 days.Your Questions, AnsweredWhat’s the difference between a mattress topper and a mattress pad? As David Rubin notes, “A mattress pad (1–2 inches) is much thinner than a topper and will not dramatically change the feel of a mattress. A mattress pad will add a little extra comfort – or could have a cooling material – and can serve double duty as a mattress protector in some cases. A mattress topper (1–4 inches) is designed to change the feel of your mattress, and is available in a wider variety of materials and thicknesses.”Do cooling toppers really work? As Dr. Dasgupta notes, “Cooling mattress toppers are great for people who get hot at night, have old mattresses, are pregnant, have health issues affecting their temperature regulation, or deal with allergies. Basically, if you’re struggling to stay cool while you sleep, one of these could really help you out.”Dr. Shah recommends cooling mattress toppers for people looking to cool their evening sleeping environment without significantly changing the room's ambient temperature. He cautions, however, that if you’re prone to significant night sweats, it’s important to check with a physician, as night sweats can signify other medical issues that may need more urgent attention.How long does a cooling mattress topper last? Short answer: three to five years, depending on how you maintain it. Longer answer: it depends on how often you use it, how often you move it, how heavy you are, and how well you maintain it. You’ll get the most use out of a mattress topper that’s added to a quality—not sagging or tired—mattress, as it’s not taking on so much of the work. Wash the cover regularly to eliminate dirt and bacteria, spot clean the core according to manufacturer guidelines, and you may be able to push your topper life through to your next mattress purchase.Who We AreSamson McDougall is a journalist, copywriter, editor and biology graduate. His work encompasses everything from web copy for science museums to sexual health articles for universities, info sheets for first-in-category pharmaceuticals to brand messaging for wearable touch therapy by neuroscientists. Samson is a walker, hiker, biker and surfer, and has multiple injuries to show for his active lifestyle. He is a side sleeper and has been prone to insomnia, but having children fixed that. For more Health.com news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Health.com.We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
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