Sleep Products The 8 Best Cooling Mattress Toppers of 2023 Saatva's Mattress Topper is made of a 3-inch memory foam and breathable cotton By Elizabeth Yuko, PhD Updated on April 05, 2022 Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD Fact checked by Marley Hall Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Some people naturally “run hot” when they sleep, and tend to wake up sweaty. If you think that your mattress may be contributing to being uncomfortably hot at night, you may want to look into another option: mattress toppers. Brigitte Rozenberg, DC, a chiropractor practicing in Southern California says that mattress toppers can help people who are experiencing hot flashes from menopause or are sweating throughout the night. When looking for a mattress topper, make sure that it is comfortable and is made of breathable materials like cotton. We researched dozens of cooling mattress toppers and evaluated them for material, price, comfort, firmness, and available sizes. A sleep specialist from our Medical Expert Board reviewed the contents of this article for medical accuracy surrounding cooling mattress toppers and the efficacy of these additional bedding items. Here are the best cooling mattress toppers on the market. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Saatva Mattress Topper at Saatva Jump to Review Best Budget: Zinus Memory Foam Mattress Topper at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Side Sleepers: Tuft & Needle Queen 2 Inch Adaptive Foam Mattress Topper at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Back Sleepers: Sleep Innovations Memory Foam Mattress Topper at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Stomach Sleepers: Molecule AirTEC Mattress Topper at Onmolecule.com Jump to Review Best for Lumbar Support: Tempur-Pedic Mattress Topper at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Sciatica: PlushBeds Natural Latex Topper at Amazon Jump to Review Best Luxury: Birch Organic Mattress Topper at Birchliving.com Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQ Why Trust Verywell Health Best Overall Saatva Mattress Topper 4.8 Saatva View On Saatva Pros Comes with four elastic anchor bands to hold mattress in place 100 percent organic cotton cover 45-day return policy Cons Pricey May not last longer than three years This mattress topper is comfortable, cooling, and is made of breathable materials, which is why we chose it as our top pick. Made of three inches of graphite-infused memory foam, the topper limits motion transfer and contours to your body, providing relief to pressure points. The breathable organic cotton cover provides another way of keeping you from getting too hot at night. Plus, the reinforcing polyfoam base layer softly cushions the body, while still providing plenty of support. Finally, Saatva gives you 45 nights to sleep on the mattress topper and return it for free, in case it’s not the best option for you. Price at time of publication: $345 Material: Graphite-Infused Memory Foam | Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King | Thickness: 3 inches | Firmness Level: Medium-soft Best Budget Zinus Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper Amazon View On Amazon View On Home Depot View On Overstock Pros Excellent value Gel-infused memory foam Five-year warranty Cons Must unpack within 72 hours of arrival Slightly smaller than size of most mattresses If you’re looking for a wallet-friendly way to make your mattress not only more supportive but also cooler at night, this green tea cooling gel memory foam topper from Zinus is a great way to go. This is especially the case because it comes with a five-year warranty. The green tea helps keep odors away, while the four inches of cooling memory foam help keep you cool all night long, especially when paired with a set of breathable sheets. Price at time of publication: $129 Material: Cooling Gel-Infused Memory Foam | Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King | Thickness: 1.5, 2, 3, 4 inches | Firmness Level: Soft What the Experts Say “Pay attention to the thickness of a mattress topper. A thicker mattress topper provides more support, especially for heavyweight people, and can help alleviate pressure point pain on the hips and shoulders. The standard thickness is between two and eight inches. The downside to a denser mattress topper is the thicker they are, the hotter they can feel.” —Gbolahan Okubadejo, M.D., a spinal and orthopedic surgeon practicing in the New York City area Best for Side Sleepers Tuft & Needle Queen 2 Inch Adaptive Foam Mattress Topper 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon View On Target View On Tuft & Needle Pros Non-skid bottom Cover to prevent sheets from bunching Great value Cons Some may find it too soft Despite added features, has a tendency to slip This exceptionally soft mattress topper provides all the cushioning side sleepers need, while still managing to keep them cool. Made from open-cell foam, this topper is breathable, cushy, and supportive. Plus, with a 30-day return policy and three-year limited warranty, you can rest easy knowing that if something doesn’t work out, you have options. Price at time of publication: $250 Material: Memory Foam | Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King | Thickness: 2 inches | Firmness Level: Soft What the Experts Say “Someone should consider the materials of a cooling mattress topper. Natural breathable materials allow more airflow, which helps carry heat away from the body. Wool, cotton, latex, or open-cell foams are materials that draw away heat.” —Gbolahan Okubadejo, M.D., a spinal and orthopedic surgeon practicing in the New York City area The 7 Best Memory Foam Mattress Toppers for a Softer Bed Best for Back Sleepers Sleep Innovations Dual Layer Memory Foam Mattress Topper 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair Pros 10-year warranty Comes with two-inch soft quilted pillow top and two inches of cooling gel Top layer is machine washable Cons Off-gassing smell can be strong Some may find there’s too much “sink” If you’re a back sleeper and are stuck with a mattress that’s too firm for you, you might consider adding this mattress topper from Sleep Innovations, which manages to be both soft and supportive. Unlike most mattress toppers that can only be spot-treated, the two-inch pillow top cover is removable and washable—making it a great choice for people with dust allergies. Plus, it stretches to fit your bed like a fitted sheet, so you’re not dealing with keeping a piece of foam in place when you make the bed. Price at time of publication: $160 Material: Gel Memory Foam | Available Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King | Thickness: 4 inches | Firmness Level: Soft or medium support Best for Stomach Sleepers Molecule AirTEC Mattress Topper Courtesy of Molecule View On Onmolecule.com Pros Increased airflow Eco-friendly foam Cons Can slide off the bed Can be too firm Stomach sleepers are best off on a mattress (or mattress topper) that’s firm, so that they can rest comfortably and not completely sink into the bed. The Molecule AirTEC mattress topper manages to be both supportive and cooling, thanks to a layer of their AirTEC material that allows plenty of airflow, as well as a cooling cover. Price at time of publication: $200 Material: 100 percent polyurethane foam | Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King | Thickness: 3 inches | Firmness Level: Firm Best for Lumbar Support Tempur-Pedic Topper Supreme 3-inch Mattress Topper 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon View On Tempurpedic.com View On Wayfair Pros Washable cover 10-year warranty Cons Can slide around on the mattress May take a week or two to break in This mattress topper from TEMPUR-Pedic is made from the same supportive pressure-relieving material as their mattresses—perfect for those looking for lumbar support. And because it’s essentially a mini-version of their mattress, you can also use it for camping or as a bed for a guest. Additionally, not only is the topper’s cover removable and washable, it’s also dust mite and allergen-resistant. Price at time of publication: $399 Material: Proprietary TEMPUR foam | Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King | Thickness: 3 inches | Firmness Level: Firm Best for Sciatica PlushBeds Natural Latex Topper Amazon View On Amazon View On Plushbeds.com Pros Odor-free Hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant Anti-microbial Cons King and California king have a seam down the middle Can have slight imperfections in appearance since it is natural latex People living with sciatica need a mattress topper that helps relieve the pain radiating down their spine and into their hips and legs, and this natural latex option from PlushBeds is up to the task. It provides a “floating sensation” thanks to its ability to cushion your body, but still remain supportive. Meanwhile, the open-cell airflow design allows for better heat distribution. Price at time of publication: $288 Material: 100 percent natural latex | Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King | Thickness: 2 or 3 inches | Firmness Level: Soft, Medium, Medium-Firm, or Extra-Firm What the Experts Say “The PlushBeds Latex Mattress Topper is one that I would recommend to my patients. This topper has a two to three-inch thickness and provides pressure point relief for knees, hips, shoulders, and back. Also, because it is latex, it will allow you to sleep at a more comfortable temperature.” —Gbolahan Okubadejo, M.D., a spinal and orthopedic surgeon practicing in the New York City area Best Luxury Birch Organic Mattress Topper Birchliving View On Birchliving.com Pros 100-night sleep trial Handmade in the USA Non-toxic Cons Pricey Some find it too soft Those looking to splurge on a mattress topper and treat themselves to luxurious comfort should look into the Birch organic mattress topper. The combination of organic cotton, organic wool, and natural latex means that this topper is free from synthetic materials, meaning that it provides superior airflow and breathability. While it is on the softer side, it’s also supportive. Price at time of publication: $325 Material: Organic cotton, organic wool, and natural latex | Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King | Thickness: 3 inches | Firmness Level: Medium-soft What the Experts Say “The Birch Organic Mattress Topper is one I’d recommend. This topper is made from natural latex, wool, and organic cotton, and the wool layer allows you to regulate temperature. The organic cotton cover also wicks away moisture to keep you dry and cool.” —Gbolahan Okubadejo, M.D., a spinal and orthopedic surgeon practicing in the New York City area The Best Cooling Mattresses to Keep Night Sweats at Bay, Tested and Reviewed Final Verdict It’s difficult to pick one mattress topper to recommend, given that everyone has their own sleeping positions and preferences for firmness. The PlushBeds Latex Mattress Topper (view at PlushBeds) is great because it comes in four different levels of firmness, so you know you’re getting a high-quality topper and can pick the support that works best for you. The Saatva Graphite Mattress Topper (view at Saatva) is another solid option, with its medium-soft firmness and cooling graphite material. What to Look for in a Cooling Mattress Topper Before shelling out for a cooling mattress topper, keep an eye out for these features: Materials When it comes to temperature regulation, the materials a mattress topper is made of makes all the difference. While traditional memory foam tends to trap heat, there are a variety of other memory foam toppers formulated with gel, graphite, or other materials to keep you cool as you sleep. If you’re buying a mattress topper for the purpose of staying cool, checking the materials is a must. Warranty It’s not only mattresses that come with a warranty—some toppers do also. If you tend to go through mattress toppers quickly and find that they sag or indentations form soon after you purchase it, you may want to look into one that comes with a warranty. That way, if it doesn’t last as long as it should, you can get a replacement. Return Policy In a perfect world, we’d always be able to try mattresses toppers before buying them. But for a variety of reasons, this isn’t an option, leaving us guessing about whether we’re actually going to like the mattresses topper we buy online. For this reason, be sure to check the company’s return policy. If you’re ordering through Amazon, take a minute to figure out how returns for this vendor work. It’s also worth checking if the mattress topper comes with some sort of established trial period—like when you’re able to test it out for a certain number of nights and return it for a refund if it doesn’t work out. Frequently Asked Questions How do you clean your cooling mattress topper? Given that you’re sleeping on your mattress topper every night, it’s something that you’re going to want to clean periodically. Exactly what that process entails depends on how dirty it is. According to the Sleep Foundation, for routine cleaning, remove the mattress topper, put it on the floor, and vacuum it using a handheld attachment. Then, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda over the mattress topper, let it sit for at least eight hours, and then vacuum up the baking soda. For those that could use more of deep cleaning, combine equal parts water and distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle and spritz the mattress topper before sprinkling on the baking soda and following the rest of the directions above. Can a mattress topper help further alleviate back pain? Yes, it’s possible for certain mattress toppers to help alleviate back pain. “Sleeping on an old mattress can curve the spine, which can lead to chronic back pain or constant stiffness,” Gbolahan Okubadejo, M.D., a spinal and orthopedic surgeon practicing in the New York City area explains. “This happens because mattresses tend to lose their shape over time and form curves. The body then follows the curves, resulting in an abnormal curvature in the spine.” When a patient is experiencing back pain, Brigitte Rozenberg, DC, a chiropractor practicing in Southern California, discusses the kind of mattress they’re sleeping as part of the consultation. “When I diagnose, treat, and create a treatment plan for a patient, we always evaluate the sleeping posture and the mattress condition,” she says. “Adding a mattress topper can help alleviate back pain that is caused by having a mattress that is too soft or too hard.” According to Okubadejo, if the mattress is too soft, your spine is not supported well enough and can fall out of alignment. On the other hand, a mattress that is too firm can cause strain on pressure points in the hips, knees, shoulders, and back, which can cause backaches. “Mattress toppers add an extra layer of cushioning on the surface of a mattress, thus keeping your pressure points supported and preventing body aches,” Okubadejo says. “Also, if you have a mattress that is too soft, a topper can increase the level of firmness, and vice versa.” What the Experts Say “Every mattress will change its shape as it ages, and adding a mattress topper can help navigate through those changes. If the mattress becomes too soft with time you can add a firmer topper. If a mattress is too firm when you buy it you can add a topper to soften it up.” —Brigitte Rozenberg, DC, a chiropractor practicing in Southern California Why Trust Verywell Health As a seasoned health writer and editor—and someone with insomnia and occasional back pain—Elizabeth Yuko understands how much of a difference having the right mattress topper can make. She’s always on the lookout for new (and research-backed) products, techniques, and services that can help people cope with sleep difficulties, stress and other health challenges. 1 Source Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Sleep Foundation. How to clean a mattress topper. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? 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