- Price: $445 for a queen-size mattress topper before discounts
- Material: Graphite-infused memory foam
- Mattress topper height: 3 inches (“)
- Trial period: 180 nights
- Shipping: Free shipping
- Warranty: One year
- Offers financing: Yes
Best Cooling Mattress Pads Reviewed in 2024
Key Takeaways
- Our pick for the “Best Overall Cooling Mattress Pad” is the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam mattress topper, which feels cool to the touch and helps regulate temperature.
- A strong cooling mattress pad will include materials that naturally regulate temperature, like copper or gel-infused memory foams and latex.
- The mattress pads listed in this roundup range from $75–$650, depending on the materials used, brand, and size.
- It’s important to make sure the mattress pad’s level of firmness works for your preferred sleep position and body weight.
- Hot sleepers may want to pair a cooling mattress topper with a cooling mattress for the best results.
Night sweats are usually related to fairly common causes, like menopause, mood disorders, and obesity, to name a few.
“Night sweats are episodes of intense sweating that happen during sleep, often soaking through clothes and sheets. They can be triggered by various factors, like hormonal changes, infections, certain medications, or underlying health conditions,” said Chelsea Perry, DMD, founder and owner of Sleep Solutions in Westborough, Massachusetts.
Sometimes, night sweating can be caused by an even easier problem to fix—the materials and thickness of your mattress. By choosing a mattress pad with naturally cooling materials in its construction, you can sleep cooler for longer without worrying about night sweats.
In this roundup, we reviewed four mattress pads that may help keep you cool. Keep reading to see our top four choices and to find out which cooling mattress pad will work best for your body type and preferred sleep position.
Best cooling mattress pads in 2024
- Saatva Graphite Memory Foam: Best Overall Cooling Mattress Pad
- ViscoSoft Reflex Gel: Best Affordable Cooling Mattress Pad
- Layla Memory Foam: Best Firm Cooling Mattress Pad
- Avocado Eco Organic Latex: Best Organic Cooling Mattress Pad
Saatva Graphite Memory Foam: Best Overall Cooling Mattress Pad
Our expert take on the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam mattress pad
We chose the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam mattress topper as our best overall cooling mattress pad because of how well this mattress topper works for almost every kind of sleeper. This mattress pad scored a five out of five on our support tests, showcasing its ability to keep sleepers uplifted and stable during the night, regardless of their body weight or sleep position. This mattress pad also scored a five out of five on comfort, so it works well for sleepers who need additional pressure relief around sensitive areas, like the lower back, shoulders, and hips. Plus, our testers found that this mattress pad feels cool to the touch and was helpful regulating their temperature while they lay on it.
Our tester on the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam mattress pad:
“There aren’t many, if any, mattress toppers that could be considered ‘one size fits all,’ but Saatva managed to get close here. This mattress pad worked well for all of our testers’ sleep positions and body types, which is rare.”
Our mattress expert’s take
Who may love it
- Sleepers who move around during the night and don’t want their mattress pad slipping out of position
- Eco-conscious shoppers who want a mattress pad that uses organic, antimicrobial materials
- People who want a mattress pad that is going to last
Who may want to avoid it
- People on a budget
- Those who are sensitive to “packaging smells”
ViscoSoft Reflex Gel: Best Affordable Cooling Mattress Pad
Our expert take on the ViscoSoft Reflex Gel mattress pad
During testing, the ViscoSoft Reflex Gel mattress pad scored a four out of five for cooling. Our testers said it was cool to the touch, and the gel-infused memory foam helped to keep their temperature regulated during the night. This mattress pad also works well for higher-weight sleepers, as the dense memory foam helps to contour the body, especially with the 3-inch model. But it’s important to note that memory foam can sag over time.
Our tester on the ViscoSoft Reflex Gel mattress pad:
“Given that this topper is good for various sleep positions and body types, while maintaining support (at a really good price), it’s a product that many can get behind.”
Our mattress expert’s take
Who may love it
- Budget-conscious shoppers who want an affordable mattress pad
- Back sleepers who need a mattress pad that is able to keep their spine in neutral alignment
Who may want to avoid it
- People who dislike a chemical smell when they open packaging
- Those who want more luxury features in a mattress topper
Layla Memory Foam: Best Firm Cooling Mattress Pad
Our expert take on the Layla Memory Foam mattress pad
This firmer mattress topper may be helpful for stomach sleepers and higher-weight sleepers who want to add more support to a mattress that feels slightly too soft. We also found this supportive for back sleepers for all body types, but lighter-weight and average-weight side sleepers may want to choose a softer pad. While this topper isn’t cool to the touch, it contains copper gel-infused memory foam that our testers said helped regulate their temperature so they didn’t experience any overheating.
Our tester on the Layla Memory Foam mattress pad:
“On this firm mattress pad, the lower back is supported and there’s just a slight bit of sink.”
Our mattress expert’s take
Who may love it
- Stomach sleepers who need a firmer mattress pad to keep their hips lifted in line with their shoulders for healthy spinal alignment
- Back sleepers who prefer a firmer feel to their mattress
- Higher-weight sleepers
Who may want to avoid it
- Budget-conscious shoppers
- People looking for a mattress pad that they can test for more than a month
- Sleepers looking for a plush, soft mattress pad
Avocado Eco Organic Latex: Best Organic Cooling Mattress Pad
Our expert take on the Avocado Memory Foam mattress pad
This eco-friendly mattress topper with multiple certifications has a soft, cushioning feel. It provides a lot of sinkage, so lighter-weight sleepers especially will benefit from it. We caution higher-weight sleepers to opt for something firmer, as this is likely too soft for their needs. While average-weight back and side sleepers may like this pad’s pressure relief, the sinking at the hips may be a problem for people with back pain.
Since all the materials used in the mattress are naturally heat dissipating, it was no surprise to our testers that this pad provided good temperature regulation.
Our tester on the Avocado Eco Organic Latex mattress pad:
“For those that enjoy the bouncy feel of latex, this mattress pad is spot on. It has that weightless feeling, and the soft cover is very nice to the touch.”
Our mattress expert’s take
Who may love it
- Lighter-weight and average-weight side sleepers who need a softer mattress pad for added pressure relief around their hip and shoulder
- Sleepers who need a responsive mattress surface to switch positions easily during the night
- People with allergies who need hypoallergenic materials
Who may want to avoid it
- Stomach sleepers who need a mattress that is firm enough to keep their spine in neutral alignment
- Higher-weight sleepers
- People who want a mattress with a removable cover
How we test cooling mattress pads
We test our cooling mattress pads for four main categories: temperature, support, durability, and comfort. Our mattress pads get a score of one out of five, with one being the worst and five being the best. These scores help us learn who these mattresses would work best for based on sleepers’ preferences, sleep position, and body weight.
But these are not the only categories we test for. We also look at preference-based categories, like the fit of the mattress pad, its off-gassing period, how eco-friendly the materials are, if the mattress pad is easy to clean, and its sleep trial and warranty. These factors aren’t always related to the mattress pad itself, but they can give shoppers a better look at the mattress pad brand as a whole.
By combining all of these scores together, and factoring in the price of the mattress pad and the buyer’s budget, it is much easier to determine which cooling mattress pad will work best for specific sleepers.
To learn more about our testing, review our sleep methodology.
We continuously test new mattress pads each month to make sure all of our information is up-to-date. When prices, materials, or other factors change, we make sure to update our content to reflect those updates.
How to choose a cooling mattress pad
Below, we’ve outlined three of the main factors to consider when choosing a new mattress pad, specifically for your body type and preferred sleep position.
Materials
When picking a new mattress pad, consider its materials and construction. First, some materials feel cooler than others. Many of the mattress pads included in this roundup use latex, gel, or copper in their construction—all of which are naturally cooling materials. Whether the materials are eco-conscious is another factor to consider based on your values, preferences, and needs. Many of the pads on this list use CertiPUR-US Certified, GOLS Certified, or GREENGUARD Certified materials, which means that they meet specific standards and don’t contain any harmful chemicals.
Thickness
A mattress pad’s thickness is important to the overall feel of your bed. Thinner mattress pads will have less impact on the original feel of your mattress, while thicker mattress pads will have more. A thin mattress pad can work if you want to make your mattress firmer. But if you want to make a firm mattress feel softer, you’ll need a thicker mattress pad.
Firmness
Firmer mattress pads are typically good for higher-weight sleepers and stomach sleepers who need a firmer surface to keep their spine aligned. But side sleepers and some back sleepers will need a mattress pad that offers more contour to relieve pressure around more sensitive areas, like the lower back, hips, and shoulders.
How do cooling mattress toppers work?
Cooling mattress pads are made with naturally cooling materials, like copper, latex, and gel-infused foam. These materials work to disperse body heat and regulate temperature throughout the night. Many of the mattresses in this roundup contain naturally cooling materials, which is why they have good cooling scores in our tests.
Compare the best cooling mattress pads as of 2024
Mattress pad type | Graphite-infused memory foam | Gel-infused memory foam | Copper gel-infused memory foam | Latex |
Mattress pad height | 3″ | 2″ or 3″ | 2″ | 2″ or 3″ |
Cooling | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Warranty | One year | Five years | Five years | One year |
Bottom line
Consider factors like firmness, materials, thickness, and cooling capabilities when shopping for a cooling mattress pad. It’s also important to keep in mind your preferred sleep position and body type. While the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam mattress topper is our best overall pick, this mattress topper might not work for your specific needs and preferences. If you prefer a memory foam mattress pad, opt for ViscoSoft, and for a firm option, consider Layla. If eco-consciousness is a concern, Avocado Eco might be the right mattress topper for you. Plus, we have also included information about the trial periods, warranties, and prices of these mattresses, so that you can make a decision that works for your timeline and budget. With all this in mind, you can find a mattress pad that keeps you both cool and comfortable.
Additional sleep resources
Frequently asked questions
There is no one material that is cooler than the rest, but a combination of materials can naturally wick moisture, regulate body temperature, or help dissipate heat from the bed. These include materials like latex, bamboo, gel, copper, and graphite.
Yes, cooling mattress pads can work, as long as they are created with the right materials. By using materials that are naturally cooling, these mattress pads can help remove heat from the bed and keep sleepers’ temperatures regulated during the night.
Yes, a cooling mattress pad can help with night sweats. While there are different reasons for night sweats, it can be caused by the material or thickness of your mattress or mattress pad. By using a mattress pad that is made with naturally cooling materials, the breathability and airflow in your bed can improve, which could reduce night sweats.
Have questions about this review? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.
Sources
- Bryce, C. Persistent Night Sweats: Diagnostic Evaluation. American Family Physician. Oct. 1, 2020. Found on the internet at https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2020/1001/p427.html
- American Osteopathic Association. Night Sweats. Nov. 18, 2021. Found on the internet at https://osteopathic.org/what-is-osteopathic-medicine/night-sweats