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We love summer for its poolside spritzes and backyard BBQs. But the one thing we could definitely do without this season? Hot, sticky nights. Indeed, if you’re a sweaty sleeper, you most likely wake up every morning thinking, when will it end? Luckily, this is a problem with a solution: You need a cooling mattress topper. Made from latex, wool or gel memory foam, these plush little toppers draw heat away from your body for crisper, more comfortable sleep. So below, find seven of the best cooling mattress toppers to make those hot summer nights significantly more bearable. THE BEST COOLING MATTRESS TOPPERS AT A GLANCE Best Overall: Saatva Graphite Mattress Topper Best Budget: Linenspa Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper Most Splurge-Worthy: Chili Ooler Sleep System Best Memory Foam: Casper Comfy Mattress Topper Best for Pain Relief: The Molecule AirTEC Topper Most Plush: Nelaukoko 3-Inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper Best Organic: Birch Organic Mattress Topper WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A COOLING MATTRESS TOPPER Materials: First and foremost, you want to make sure you’re choosing a topper with materials that can, uh, actually cool you. Spinal and orthopedic surgeon Gbolahan Okubadejo, M.D. tells Verywellhealth.com: “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.” To that end, if you’re searching for a memory foam topper that won’t trap heat, keep an eye out for buzzwords that include “gel-infused” in the description. Things like “gel-infused beads” and “phase-changing gel” can help draw heat away from the body and allow for a cool touch. Thickness: While the standard thickness of a mattress topper is between two and eight inches, you want to make sure that your topper will accommodate your sleeping style. A plush, contoured foam might be best for side sleepers, but a 2021 review suggests that medium-firm [feel] can help reduce lower back pain. “Pay attention to the thickness of a mattress topper,” cautions Okubadejo. “A thicker mattress topper provides more support, especially for heavyweight people, and can help alleviate pressure point pain on the hips and shoulders…The downside to a denser mattress topper is the thicker they are, the hotter they can feel,” he adds. Warranty and returns: Unlike mattresses, toppers tend to have less generous warranties and return policies. So, if you’re planning on splurging, be sure you’re reading the fine print. Most mattress companies will usually offer a 30+ day return period, but you’ll want to ensure that this applies to its toppers as well. If you’re ordering through Amazon, be sure to read the vendor’s specific policies. It’s also worth seeing if there’s a trial period, so you can return it for a refund if it doesn’t end up cooling. HOW WE CHOSE OUR PICKS FOR THE BEST COOLING MATTRESS TOPPERS
After researching the top-reviewed mattress toppers on the web, we vetted them based on what cooling materials they used, that it was at least three inches thick and whether it had a 30-day-plus return policy.
RELATED: The Best Cooling Pillows for Hot Sleepers of 2022
1. Saatva Mattress Topper Best Overall Pros: graphite-infused memory foam contours without trapping heat, provides pain and pressure relief, medium soft feel, 180-night sleep trial Cons: pricier than other toppers on the list
While most memory foam toppers are known to absorb and trap heat, Saatva’s latest model manages to eliminate this problem with a unique graphite construction. Its top layer is composed of memory foam infused with graphite—a material with natural cooling properties—and the moisture-wicking, organic cotton cover keeps the surface cool to the touch. One reviewer writes: “I have been going through menopause for years now and sleep with a fan on all year round. I toss and turn and wake up several times during the night… After sleeping with this topper, I no longer wake up [in a sweat]. I sleep through the night and notice when I wake up the next day; I don't feel like I am on fire. I still use the fan, but I am much, much cooler.” An added bonus? It also features a two-inch base layer of high-density polyfoam that prevents sinking while you sleep.
2. LINENSPA GEL-INFUSED MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS TOPPER Best Budget Pros: temperature-regulating gel beads, minimizes motion transfer, budget-friendly Cons: foam may sink over time
If the $90 price tag (for a queen) of Linenspa’s gel-infused memory foam mattress topper isn’t enough to lure you in, maybe the specs will. This baby delivers two or three inches of plush memory foam with temperature-regulating gel beads that provide you with a cooler surface to sleep on. The cushioning, meanwhile, is designed to touch pressure points for better spinal alignment. It also minimizes motion transfer, so you won’t wake up every time your partner rolls over.
3. CHILI OOLER SLEEP SYSTEM Most Splurge-Worthy Pros: regulates body temperature with innovative technology, customizable temperature, no electrical wires, compatible with phone app Cons: expensive, requires connecting tubes at head or foot of the bed
If you’re looking for the crème de la crème of cooling toppers, you’ve found it. Chili’s hydro-powered Ooler mattress pad is the company’s most advanced sleep system with a control unit that allows you to customize the temperature (between 55 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit). It’s designed with a hydro-powered thermal pad that circulates water between your mattress and fitted sheet, and the temperature can be easily controlled by an app on your phone that features scheduling abilities and adjustable noise levels for uninterrupted sleep. “OMG. This purchase was a game changer. No more night sweats. I love that it can be programmed so that it cools down as you go to sleep and heats up as you wake. Totally worth the price!” one reviewer raved.
4. Casper Comfy Mattress Topper Best Memory Foam Pros: foam offers pressure relief, durable and long-lasting, 30-night trial, free delivery Cons: may be too firm for side sleepers
It’s no secret that Casper is a mecca for top-of-the-line, memory foam mattresses. But, as it turns out, the brand’s mattress topper is just as innovative. Designed with three cooling layers—including latex, graphite and memory foam—this topper uses AirScape technology to keep air circulating and dissipate heat, so you feel cool all night long. What’s more, it uses a signature base layer of memory foam that prevents sliding and can offer added support (which is a major plus for back sleepers). Basically, it’s everything you’d want in a memory foam Casper mattress with cooling capabilities—without the price tag.
5. The Molecule AirTEC Topper Best for Pain Relief Pros: open-cell foam maximizes airflow, eco-friendly, free shipping, 30-night return window Cons: expensive, no anchor method to keep the mattress topper in place on the bed
Need something that can soothe your aches and pains? This topper was awarded a whopping 97 points out of 100 in a PureWow100 review for its responsive foam, which provides the buoyant feel of latex with unprecedented airflow and durability. Editor Data Katz writes, “The quilted honeycomb cover is silky and surprisingly cool to the touch. Sure, the brand promises cooling technology, but because I was so focused on the support elements, I didn’t really care about the temperature regulation. But now that I’ve been sleeping on the Molecule for a few weeks, I can confidently tell you it not only really works but is extra nice for those of us who run warm. As for comfort, sleeping on the topper compared to my mattress was like night and day. In fact, I could actually get through the entire night sleeping on my left side (the doctor-preferred pregnancy position) without rotating. This is important because the rotating was inflaming my back even more and causing shooting round ligament pain. And best of all, my anxiety about going to bed and waking up in pain eased as my pain eased.”
6. Nelaukoko 3-Inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper Most Plush Pros: open cell ventilation and infused gel beads to prevent overheating, extremely plush memory foam, offers pain-relief, affordable Cons: not supportive
This writer is all too familiar with the feeling of waking up drenched in sweat. After weeks of research, I finally pulled the trigger on this mattress topper because it promised to combine cooling technology with a plush, memory foam feel. And my first reaction after one night with this guy? Wow. Presumably, this has something to do with the topper's open cell structure and infused gel beads, which encourage airflow and dissipate heat. It also includes ventilation that eliminates motion transfer and helps regulate body temperature throughout the night. The plush, memory foam has a ‘sink-into-me’ effect that literally feels like you’re sleeping on a cloud. If you’re looking for a cooling foam topper that doesn’t have that stiff, brick-like feel, I’d rate this guy 10/10.
7. Birch Organic Mattress Topper Best Organic Pros: GREENGUARD Gold and GOTS certified, 100-night trial period, 10-year limited warranty Cons: expensive, doesn’t offer pressure relief
With a 4.6 out of 5 rating and over 3,000 reviews, it’s no surprise that this topper is a best seller. Its latex, wool and cotton materials were chosen with high breathability and airflow in mind—and its soft composition offers the perfect amount of contoured plushness. “The combination of spring and wool is ideal! My body temperature stays cool and I don’t sweat at all during the night,” writes one reviewer. What’s more, its GREENGUARD Gold and GOTS certifications ensure that it’s 100 percent organic and free of harmful chemicals. Still, like with most organic bedding, this guy comes with a hefty price tag. But if you’re willing to spend, the manufacturer offers a 100-night trial period and a 10-year limited warranty (in case you change your mind).
RELATED: 16 Best Cooling Sheets for Hot Sleepers 2022
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