Your body requires relatively cool environments for a perfect sleep. Every night you jump into your bed, your hope is to sleep luxuriously and uninterrupted. However, these expectations can turn into an illusion because the uncomfortable temperatures, hot flashes, and night sweats are always disrupting your sleep. If you are a victim of uncomfortable temperatures at night, maybe and just maybe you have not heard about cooling mattress pads. A cooling mattress pad/topper is a cooling product designed to ensure you are sleeping cool and dry no matter the weather.
What this means is that you will no longer be woken up by hot flashes and excessive sweating and this eliminates the need for a fan. According to a recent research, the most favorable sleeping temperature is between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit. And a good cooling pad will maintain your bedding temperature to this range. Therefore, by investing in a cooling mattress pad you are choosing to have healthier nights.
In this article, we will take you through types of cooling pads, their benefits, key features of a great cooling pad and the best cooling pads/toppers you can get from the market. Certainly, by the end of this article, you will be able to find one cooling mattress pad that works for you without any hassle.
What is a cooling mattress pad?
Simply, a cooling mattress pad is a pad that ensures to maintain a moderate to cool temperature in your bed to help you avoid heat build up and sweating issues.
A cooling mattress pad could be a mattress pad having a material and construction that enables the pad to absorb extra heat, exchange it with air through its open cells or gel infused construction. Or cooling mattress pad is a mattress pad having temperature regulating unit attached to it to keep you cool and flush out all the heat, giving you a moderate to cool bedding system.
All the same, it is important to note that modern day cooling pads/toppers are more advanced and can get costly. The advancement comes in the design and the cooling mechanism engineered in the pads. Some of these pads are fitted with fans which blow cool air up through the bed, some use a cooling technology called Outlast, while others use a liquid system to deliver the cooling effect…
(Note: Generally, there are some small differences between mattress pad and mattress topper, but it’s not noticeable here. So we’ll use “mattress pad” and “mattress topper” interchangeably in this article.)
Why is a cooling mattress pad (topper) important?
There are many benefits that come with a cooling mattress pad. Below are some of the benefits you are going to enjoy by owning a cooling mattress topper;
It ensures you remain cool and dry
The modern day cooling mattress pad uses a cool gel technology that dissipates heat to ensure your bed remains cool and dry. By suppressing sweating and heating up process it helps to keep your body cool and dry all night long for a quality night sleep.
Helps you to sleep calmly no matter the season
With a cooling mattress pad on your bed, you will be able to sleep calmly no matter the season what season it is because the cooling mattress pad is suitable for use in any season. This means the cooling pad will help you regulate the temperature of your bed according to your body needs even in summer to avoid overheating and resultant insomnia. Therefore, you don’t need to move away from your house for better sleep.
It is cost effective
The types of materials used in the manufacture of mattress play a significant role when it comes to the coolness of the mattress. The highest quality of materials is expensive and this pushes the cost of mattress much high.
But, buying a cooling mattress pad is a cheaper alternative than going out to get an entirely new mattress. And, a cooling mattress pad doesn’t sacrifice comfort for the cost you will still enjoy a comfortable night sleep. In addition, a cooling mattress pad will also cut more on utility bills as you will no longer need a fan.
It maximizes your comfort
A cooling mattress pad gives you peace of mind that you will have a consistent and uninterrupted sleep which is the best thing you can reward your body with. Because the pads will keep you cool and dry, it eliminates tossing and turning when asleep. In addition, the materials that make a cooling pad are not just for cooling but also add comfort. Therefore, purchasing a cooling pad will make your mattress feel more comfortable when sleeping on it..
But, do cooling pads really work?
Trying to sleep can be difficult if the bed is not providing the best temperature. While cooling pads seems to help you sleep better we know that you want to know whether a cooling pad will really keep you cool or not like every other buyer, which is fine. Well, the simple answer is “YES”.
All the same, it is worth noting that not every cooling pad or topper works for everyone. What this means is that we all have different preferences when it comes to ideal sleeping temperatures. For this reason, what makes your night comfortable may not deliver the same experience to someone else. Again, a cooling pad of your choice may not cool you the way you want it to each time depending on various factors that influence its effectiveness.
By getting the best cooling product for you will get instant effects and most importantly the best night sleep you have ever had. Just ensure that the cooling product is made from a cooling material and that it encourages a good airflow.
The most important thing to ensure you are getting the real value of your money is to do a thorough research, filter through the multitude of cooling products out in the market and choosing that pad that you really think will meet all your requirements.
One thing not to expect from a cooling mattress pad
A cooling pad is not a complete opposite of a heating mattress pad, therefore no matter its quality, it will not cool down the bed to a specific temperature especially where climate change is the cause of high temperatures.
In a situation where your room is getting very warm due to external temperatures a cooling pad may not be effective in temperature regulation but turning the fan to full speed can help. The reason behind this is that a cooling mattress pad operates a simple mechanism of collecting excess heat from the body and then releasing it somewhere at the exterior. For this reason, the pad cannot dissipate the heat it is holding effectively when the room is already warm.
Top 3 types of cooling pads
The modern day cooling products come with advanced and elaborate cooling functions to make them suitable for a variety of situations. There are three common categories of cooling pads based on their cooling properties.
#Cooling mattress pads with active cooling effect
These are the types of cooling pads that come with a cooling accessory (fan) attached to them. In order for these cooling pads to function, the accessory must be attached to this pad. The best thing about active cooling pads is that the pads have a wide range of temperature settings so you can customize the pad to deliver your preferred level of coolness. Uniquely, these pads can also provide warming effect during winters. When it comes to cooling effect, active cooling pads is the best. However, these cooling pads are expensive and also require a consistent flow of electricity to keep you calm at night and this increases the utility bills.
#Cooling pads with passive cooling effects
These cooling pads are a little more different from the active pads. In other words, this is your typical gel-infused cooling pad. A passive cooling pad uses a patented technology made of specialized gel infused materials. The gel-infused in this pad traps heat and transfers it to the exterior of the pad. Again, these gel-infused materials are highly ventilated to make sure that excess heat is trapped and transferred to the surrounding environment keeping you cool and comfortable.
The advantage of these cooling toppers is that you don’t need any machine like a fan or an energy source to keep the temperature cool. Furthermore, soft and luxurious materials making these toppers also help in temperature regulation.
#Cooling toppers with semi-passive cooling function
Unlike the active and semi-active cooling pads, these pads require being frozen first for them to function. Refrigeration removes all the of heat the pad have had and replaces it with cooling effects which ensure you sleep calm and comfortable. However, the cooling effects of these pads do not last for long. Besides, regular refrigeration can be a bit of a hassle.
In conclusion, active cooling pads performs incredibly well and are the best if utility bills are not something to worry about. However, if you want something that will keep you cool without extra power bills, passive cooling pads is a great choice.
How to choose the best cooling mattress pad?
Many companies are producing the cooling mattress pads and this gives you endless options when it comes to choosing a cooling mattress pad that will work for you. For this reason, you may end up with a cooling pad that will not meet your needs as you expected if you don’t have the right information. But choosing the right cooling mattress pad should not be overwhelming provided you will consider the following factors;
#Material
This is the number one most important thing when selecting a great mattress pad because it not only affects durability but it also affects breathability, texture and overall comfort of the pad. There is a wide range of materials to choose from but the most common ones are cotton, wool, latex and gel-infused foam.
Wool stands out as the best for warm months as it is highly absorbent, this means it will absorb sweat and excess heat to keep you cool. Cotton is the thinnest option and the good thing about it is that cleaning is effortless as you just need to put it in the washing machine. But when it comes to durability, cotton is not something you can count on.
On the other hand, natural latex is the popular and one of the best cooling materials. Latex pads are well aerated and this ensures increased airflow. One thing that makes latex the best material is that it never changes it form as the room temperature changes. This ensures the ventilations remain open at all times for proper circulation.
In a like manner, gel-infused cooling pads are great for temperature regulation. Like water, the gel absorbs a huge amount of heat and hold it before it starts to heat up. This heat is then transported away from the pad to the surroundings. In addition to this, the memory foam is highly ventilated to ensure proper circulation. The gel then transports the heat away from the body and distributes it to the rest of the mattress for greater airflow.
In summary, gel-infused memory and latex are the most popular and the best options for cooling pads/toppers. What makes these materials stand-out is their cooling mechanism which ensures increased airflow.
#Density
Mattress pads come with different density rating which runs from 3-5 just like the mattress toppers. Generally speaking, the density of the pad can affect the cooling abilities as well as the pad comfortability. A denser mattress pad will retain more heat due to lack of airflow and this causes heating up. A low-density pad is considered the best in regulating body temperature this is because it has proper airflow which prevents overheating.
Again, it is worth noting that dense mattress pads have less sink and therefore they will feel firmer and thicker, so if you suffer back pains or you are of a higher weight this could be a perfect option for you since it provides extra support. All the same, you will have to go by your own preferences in terms of comfort and cooling properties.
#Firmness
This is another important factor whose role in determining how cool you are going to sleep cannot be overlooked. The thickness of the pad determines the level of sinking. For softer pads, it means more sinkage. As a result, more material will wrap around your body causing heating up.
On the other hand, a firmer pad won’t sink and hug you like a softer mattress pad. Therefore, air can circulate easily between the pad and the body and this results generates a cooling effect. Given these points, a firmer cooling pad is better in combating heat issues than a softer mattress pad.
#Customer reviews
When shopping for the best cooling mattress pad it is important to first review what previous customers are saying about the cooling product before making a buying decision. In the customer’s review section, you will know if previous consumers of the same products were really satisfied or not. A good cooling pad should have great and positive reviews. However, keep in mind that it may not work the same way to you as it did to previous consumers, given that we have varied preferences. This will help you make an informed decision whether the cooling pad is worth the money or not. Make sure the cooling mattress pad of your choice has good ratings from the majority of users who have previously tried it.
Tip: on Amazon, to quickly find (almost all) reviews about how cool a pad/topper is, you can easily use the Search function on customer reviews page.
#Cover
Quite often, a cooling pad cover is mostly overlooked. However, the nature of the cover plays a significant role in determining how cool your bed feel. A good pad cover should have fewer materials. This means fewer materials get in the way through which air passes and this ensures better airflow in and out of the cover creating a cooling sensation. A thick cover means more material in the airspaces and this affects circulation. Such a cover tend to hold heat on the inner side and this will cause your bed to heat up.
Top 6 Best Cooling Mattress Pads/Toppers
How we found these best cooling mattress pads/toppers?
The market presents countless options to choose from but to find the best cooling product, we first asked ourselves what is it that we are looking for; a cooling pad or a good pad with cooling effect?
The cooling effect that the pad provides is the most important thing here, but, that’s not all. This means that attention must be paid to anything that can enhance the comfort of the bed. We picked one pad at a time and made sure that it is not only a cooling pad but also a good overall pad.
How we did it?
We took our research online with Amazon as our primary website because it makes the search for the best-selling products site and across all their niches incredibly easy.
First, we narrowed our niche category to cover the best mattress toppers out there. We want to make sure that we have a list of great pads, then looking for the cooling pads from the list.
Then, we niched down to cover the gel infused foam toppers, latex toppers and those with an advanced cooling technology.
Now with a more defined category, we picked the products and evaluated the unique features to determine whether it will be cool sleep on or not.
We didn’t stop here but we niched further by reading what previous customers are saying about the products. The importance of checking out customer reviews is that not everything that works for me will work for you. And again, what is a pain point to me might be comfortable to you. With this in mind, we only picked those cooling toppers whose unique cooling features could work for the majority if not all. On top of this, we learned the finer details that even the manufacturer didn’t write about yet could affect the quality of your sleep. At the end, our list had the following 6 products as the best.
Having done all these activities to find the best cooling pads/toppers we are certain that our top picks below are the best choices you can find from the market. Therefore, choosing any one of them, you can have a good and cooling mattress pad.
⇢ Top 6 Best Cooling Mattress Pads (Toppers) in 2024
| Product | Cooling Technology | Thickness |
|---|---|---|
 Bamboo Mattress Pad - Extra Plush Cooling Topper | Breathable bamboo fabric | 1.5 inches |
 Gel Memory Foam Topper by Advanced Sleep Solutions | Open cell technology | 2 inches |
 BedJet V2 Cooling Fan | Cooling fan and Biorhythm sleep technology | -- |
 Milliard Gel Infused Memory Foam Topper | Open cell technology | 2 inches |
 Pure Green 100% Natural Latex Topper | Open cell technology | 1-2-3 inches |
 Iso-Cool Memory Foam Mattress Topper | Outlast Adaptive Technology | 3 inches |
Bamboo Mattress Pad with Fitted Skirt – Extra Plush Cooling Topper
When it comes to sleeping cool and luxuriously, this Bamboo pad is ready to change the way you sleep. This ultra-soft mattress pad is sewn with a Microplush fabric which breaths extra well. This superior breathability counterbalances the warmth of many mattresses to keep you cool all night long.
The high quality and soft materials that go into this topper make it feel so smooth and cozy under the skin to give you the unbeatable comfort, support, and relief after a tired day.
Another cool thing about this cooling mattress pad is the snug fit with a wide range of mattresses including innerspring, latex and memory foam.
This pad also comes with a unique elastic skirt that fit comfortably to mattress pads up to 18 inches thick. Additionally, the fiber filling of this pad is engineered to create balls of fiber. The balls pair to ensure the pad keeps its shape for a long time. In addition to this, the 160 thread count cover prevents the fill from moving around to avoid disrupting your sleep.
The fiberfill sewn in this pad features an exclusive and extraordinary fiber technology which makes it 100% hypoallergenic this makes it perfect for those with kids, pets, and allergies. Finally, but not the least this pad is made to last and if you are not satisfied with its performance you can return it and get your money back.
Pros
- The fabrics breathes extra well
- Fit snugly to a variety of mattresses
- Extra plush cover a luxurious sleep
- 100% product satisfaction guarantee
- It is hypoallergenic
- This topper is one of our top picks for the best mattress toppers.
Cons
- It falls apart in the washing machine
- Difficult to replace if buying outside the United States
- Short time warranty (1 year)
Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper by Advanced Sleep Solutions
If you are a hot sleeper this Ultra-Premium gel-infused topper can make a difference in the way you sleep. It has a unique open cell structure that is engineered with an innovative gel mixture.
This unique construction prevents the buildup of heat by improving air flow while dissipating heat to help you sleep cooler than any other conventional cooling topper. The unique blend of memory gel absorbs heat and transfer it to the exterior of the topper. It also provides the right amount of support together with ideal cooling softness.
If you want something to enhance the comfort of your bed, this topper adds a medium range softness to your existing mattress to ensure that you get the best night rest. On top of this, the innovative memory foam design and the low-density rating relieves pressure points and relaxes your muscle to ensure that you wake up feeling refreshed.
Moreover, the anti-sinking design of this cooling topper absorbs movement to ensure that you enjoy a peaceful night without disturbance.
For safety, there is nothing to worry about since the gel foam is produced in accordance to CertiPUR-US. Therefore, you can sleep comfortably knowing that the pad is free of Ozone Depleting Agents and other heavy metals. Needless to say, this topper is backed by a whopping 3-year manufacturer’s warranty. You may also love the 60-day money back guarantee should the topper fail to meet your needs.
Pros
- Super comfortable
- Open cell technology improves airflow
- Pain and pressure points relief
- The gel infused memory provides extra support
- Eco-friendly
- Minimum movements
Cons
- A chemical smell for the first days
- The return policy is expensive
BedJet V2 Climate Comfort for Beds
BedJet V2 is not a mattress pad but it’s a great alternative product that got a lot of good feedback from customers.
If you have never known peace due uncomfortable temperatures at night. Sleep is going to be better with this BedJet climate comfort. For one thing, this 2-in-1 device is suitable for any size bed.
This BedJet comfort uses a biorhythm sleep cycle that stimulates you to sleep faster and enjoy sleep quite longer. On top of this, you will wake up more refreshed.
What makes this bed comforter stand out is the custom heating and cooling profiles of this unit that are set independently for every hour throughout the night.
Significantly, this BedJet eliminates the need to have an alarm system you only need to set up the wake-up temperature. Isn’t this great?
When it comes to cooling, this BedJet has a powered ventilation that instantly dissipates body heat and wicks out the moisture out of your bedding for an awesome cooling effect. It also has a special heat management mode that is proven to wick out moisture from the beddings thereby keeping you cool and dry. It is a perfect unit for hot sleepers and those who suffer hot flashes.
In addition, the BedJet comes with a unique oil aromatherapy diffuser kit that generates a therapeutic soothing effect and also freshens your sheets. For couples, there is a dual zone control for temperature upgrade so that each partner can customize own independent cooling or heating profile.
The magic in this bed comforter is out of this world, the included base unit comes with a quiet digital DC motor, wireless remote control, and a Bluetooth app. This means that you can control the unit from your iPhone, iPad or any Android device.
Pros
- Safer than electric blanket
- Provides an instant cooling relief
- Eliminates the need for an alarm
- Dual zone temperature controls
- Provides therapeutic soothing effects
- The biorhythm sleep cycle enhances the quality of sleep
- Mobile app for convenient and easy use
- Saves money on utilities
Cons
- It may be noisy and uncomfortable sometime
- You need to invest more money
Milliard Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper
The Milliard Gel Mattress is a premium topper that offers the perfect combination of comfort and support. When you sleep on this topper, it quickly contours to your body shapes to minimize tossing and turning, therefore you will never disturb your sleeping partner!
This premium gel topper is made of 2-inch thick and a luxurious 100% Gel Infused memory foam which offers a medium-firm thickness. This topper is a great way to revitalize an old or a new mattress. What is more about this topper is that the premium gel infused memory foam has a superior density and will not lose its shape.
The design of this topper is of its kind because this memory foam topper features an open cell technology. Each foam cell has microscopic pores that trap air inside. Sleeping on the topper compresses the cells spreading the trapped air to the adjoining cells, thereby dissipating any heat that your body emits. This generates a cooling effect that ensures you will not sweat when you are sleeping.
In addition, this topper has both orthopedic and therapeutic attributes, therefore, resting on this mattress is a great way to relieve stress, joint and muscle pains.
In the final analysis, you are going to love this topper if you are allergic or asthmatic since the Milliard topper is naturally hypoallergenic and anti-microbial.
Pros
- Open cell technology ensures cool sleep
- Provides extra comfort and support
- Naturally anti-microbial and hypoallergenic
- Excellent therapeutic properties
- Eco-friendly
- High-quality materials that ensure durability
Cons
- Slides over the bed
- May have memory foam smell when new
Pure Green 100% Natural Latex Mattress Topper
Pure green is perhaps the most reliable cooling topper when it comes to environmental impact. As it is name suggests, this topper is 100% natural latex. Unlike other toppers that contain synthetic latex and other cheap fillers, this topper is certified to be purely natural by the leading international testing institutions. This gives you peace of mind that you are sleeping in a safe and healthy environment.
Another cool feature about this topper is the unprecedented breathability this topper provides. This heat neutral topper contains millions of microscopic air spaces that ensure proper circulation so that you can sleep cool, dry and soundly.
More so this Pure Green latex mattress topper reacts instantly to the body shape to provide the right amount of support. It doesn’t sink, this means that it will maintain a contoured support throughout the night. The medium firmness also ensures you are enjoying a luxurious night sleep.
This topper also comes with a medium firmness that provides a balanced comfort and contoured support. This makes it suitable for any posture and style of sleep. However, the firmness of this topper does not change with temperature like the memory foam.
Finally but not the least, the Pure green topper is extremely durable. In most cases, it will last longer than the underlying mattress. This product is our pick for the best latex mattress topper, we highly recommend it to everyone.
Pros
- Highly breathable
- Natural and hypoallergenic
- Environmentally friendly
- Pressure point and pain relief, good for back pain
- Ideal for any posture and sleeping style
- Durable and comfortable
- This topper is our pick for the best latex topper.
Cons
- Latex toppers are always more expensive than other types.
SleepBetter Iso-Cool Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Your sleeping experience might change by introducing the Iso-Cool Memory Foam mattress topper. This topper can enhance the comfort of any mattress instantly. This mattress topper has a 3-inch thick temperature sensitive memory foam to ensure you sleep cool and comfortable throughout the night. Needless to say, memory foam contours well to the body ensuring proper alignment of the spinal column.
Comfort is out of this world as the topper has 300 thread count which prevents the memory foam from moving around. Besides the cover is made of a high-quality 100% cotton and quilted with 11-ounces per square feet of polyester fiber fill to provide the right amount of plushness and comfort.
An Outlast Adaptive Comfort Technology is also engineered in this mattress topper. With this topper, you will enjoy a luxurious sleep as the adaptive technology helps to regulate the changing body temperature.
The Outlast Adaptive Technology wicks away heat to cool you and releases it back to warm you when the temperatures go down. Another cool feature about this topper is that it is suitable for those with asthma and allergies, the Iso-Cool mattress topper is hypoallergenic so you will rest in a safe environment.
Unlike other cooling toppers, the Iso-Cool mattress topper has a 15-inch TightGrip skirt that fit snugly to a variety of mattresses up to 20-inches thick. This means your topper will remain in its place all the night long ensuring you enjoy uninterrupted sleep.
Pros
- Outlast Adaptive Technology keeps you cool
- Spiral-spun polyester fillings provide great plushness
- Has pain relief attributes
- Machine washable cover
- Deep pockets that keep it in place
Cons
- May have smell (memory foam) when new
Conclusion
A cooling mattress pad/topper could be a practical solution to your sleepless nights. On top of this, it can improve the comfort of your bed and ultimately enhance your sleeping experience.
But when it comes to choosing a cooling product that will work for you, make sure to consider the type of material making your pad and the cover because they not only affect the airflow but can also make a difference to the comfort and texture of the topper.
Also pay attention to its density, customer reviews, and your budget. Furthermore, it is also important to find a cooling pad/topper that offers a luxurious sleep in every aspect, not just one that keeps you cool. Remember the goal is to end up with a product that will give you the best sleep experience.
Again, we hope that this ultimate guide can help you choose the best cooling mattress pad or the best cooling topper for your bed!
I would like to purchase mattress topper but I’m being refused.
Hi, what do you mean by “being refused”?
Hi have you ever tried buckwheat husk mattress/pillows?
Also bamboo “pads” for those that enjoy a hard surface — they look like little dominos strung/woven together, a very cool option. You can put it on the floor or a hard surface but also on a foam surface.
No, I haven’t try Buckwheat.
Thank you for sharing it with us!
This is the best article about cooling mattress pad, many useful information. Thanks for making such a details guide!
I also think that it’s a really great article about cooling mattress pad with lots of information. You gave up here a details guide and i think this is helpful for everyone who needed this. Thanks for the giving such a great details about cooling mattress pad.
Which cooling bed topper for nothing but night sweats and all over back pain?
I will choose the Gel Memory Foam Topper by Advanced Sleep Solutions or Pure Green 100% Natural Latex Topper.
These two toppers are cool and good for back pain.
What toppers can be used on a Temporpedic mattress?
All of above toppers can be used on your mattress, you just need to choose the right size.
My new memory foam mattress is making me too warm and I can not sleep. Which of the above is best?
It gets too hot in my bed, which topper/mattress will be best to purchase to reduce/stop the heat.
Are these washable? Otherwise would i use a cover of some sort?
These above toppers are all machine washable, except the Pure green latex topper (you have to buy the cover).