The 7 Best Cooling Mattress Toppers for Hot Sleepers

It might sound strange to want to feel "cool" when you're sleeping, but as any "hot sleeper" will tell you, it can be a game-changer when it comes to getting a good night's sleep.

Of course, you can (usually) lower the temperature in your room, but sometimes that's not enough.

Luckily, there are mattress toppers that can give you more direct relief from overheating (and they're generally more affordable than springing for a new cooling mattress).

In addition to providing an extra layer of comfort for a better sleep experience, certain mattress toppers are designed with specific materials that allow for heat to dissipate quickly and effectively, explains Peter Polos, MD, PhD, sleep medicine specialist and Sleep Number sleep expert.

In addition, many of these cooling mattresses have enhanced breathability, can pull moisture away from the body and even allow for air to circulate to prevent trapped heat.

If you're a hot sleeper who's prone to overheating or sweating excessively, you're probably looking for relief. That's why we reached out to sleep experts to share their top recommendations for the best mattress toppers out there for hot sleepers.

We reached out to various sleep specialists to better understand the specific features that make a mattress topper especially useful for hot sleepers. We chose our top picks based on the following criteria:

• Thickness
• Materials
• Temperature-regulating technology
• Effectiveness
• Price
• Availability

Find more info on how we choose and cover products here.

If you love the feeling of memory foam and are looking for the addition of cooling features, this is a great, affordable way to achieve that.

This cooling topper is made with 3 inches of that same memory-foam technology so many people love that responds to your weight, shape and your temperature to adjust to fit your sleep style effortlessly.

It's also made with a breathable knit cover that is machine-washable and has moisture-wicking properties to keep you cool and sweat-free throughout the night.

This budget-friendly topper is made from gel-infused memory foam, with a cover made from bamboo-rayon fabric. It provides 3 full inches of support and the cover is both removable and machine-washable, making cleaning a breeze.

It's also certified by CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX, so you don't have to worry about any questionable chemical smells.

Last, but not least, it comes with a 10-year warranty, which is pretty impressive given the price.

If you're looking for a cooling mattress that provides more softness than firmness, look no further than this topper from Layal.

It is a 2-inch-thick memory foam pad with copper-infused gel beads that help absorb your body heat and can keep you cool at night.

"In addition to its cooling properties, the copper gel is naturally antimicrobial," says Jordan Duncan, DC, a chiropractor at Silverdale Sport & Spine in Silverdale, Washington. "With its soft and comfortable feel, you can also expect a great night sleep on this topper."

If you're looking for the advantages of a memory foam mattress but aren't quite ready to splurge on the real deal, you can opt to add the comfort and airflow benefits to your existing mattress with this Nest Bedding Alexander Signature Cooling Topper.

It's made with a combination of gel-infused memory foam and cooling phase change material to help keep you cool and comfortable all night long, says Sunjya Schweig, MD, founder of the California Center for Functional Medicine. Plus, its breathable cover helps promote airflow.

In addition to its 2-year warranty, the company allows you to test the topper out for 30 nights to see how you like it before fully committing to your purchase.

This may be a splurge, but if you have a partner with a different preference when it comes to sleeping temperature, this may be your best bet to ensure a good night's sleep for you both.

The DualTemp individual layer can be added to any mattress model and brand and comes in three sizes: half-Queen, half-King and half-Cal King sizes.

"Active air technology delivers enhanced airflow throughout as well as increased comfort, with multiple temperature settings so you can sleep cooler or warmer," explains Dr. Polos.

One of the most innovative features is its timer, which turns off automatically in one-hour increments for up to nine hours.

"Set up is also simple: Place the DualTemp individual layer on top of your bed and tuck it in, and then cover with a fitted sheet and bedding to sleep at the perfect temperature," Dr. Polos says.

If you're living with chronic pain, sleep can be quite difficult. But this mattress topper from PlushBeds may help.

It's made from 100 percent natural latex, providing superior support and soothing pressure relief with 3 inches of thickness. Its optimized pressure point relief helps reduce pain in your shoulders, hips, back and knees, notes Dr. Schweig.

Additionally, the open-cell airflow design helps heat move throughout the mattress so you don't feel overheated in one single spot.

Saatva's cooling graphite mattress topper is an excellent option for hip sleepers, Duncan says.

"Infused with a layer of cooling graphite, this 3-inch foam mattress topper helps keep you cool while you sleep," he says. "It has a medium-firm feel, which limits motion transfer, and straps that hug the corners of the bed, which keep it from shifting at night."

Another perk of this mattress topper is that the foam is treated with Saatva's exclusive Guardin™, which helps prevent the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew.

Before you set out to buy the best cooling mattress topper, here are some important factors to keep in mind to help guide your purchase.

The good news is that a mattress topper is significantly more affordable than a new mattress; however, they can still cost you anywhere from about a hundred dollars to a thousand, depending on the size of your bed. As always, budget is an important consideration.

The majority of mattress toppers are made from memory foam, latex or down. Dr. Polos recommends looking for breathable materials — namely, gel-infused memory foam and latex — to help dissipate heat.

Plus, look for toppers that draw moisture away from the body and keep the sleeper dry and comfortable throughout the night.

The materials used for the mattress topper's cover are also important. Dr. Schweig recommends seeking out fabrics treated with cooling technologies or those with inherent cooling properties, like phase-change materials, as these can offer a pronounced cooling effect.

While it's a good idea to purchase a mattress topper that matches the size of your bed — e.g., full, queen, king or California king — it's also a good idea to consider depth.

"Each mattress topper has a depth to it, so you want to make sure your sheets will fit it," says Smita Patel, DO, MD, integrative neurologist, sleep medicine physician and founder of iNeuro Institute.

As with your sheets, you'll want to be able to clean your mattress topper. Optimally, you could purchase a mattress topper that comes with a removable and washable cover that facilitates easy cleaning, ensuring a hygienic sleep environment.

"This feature is especially beneficial for hot sleepers, as sweating can lead to bacterial growth or mold if the topper isn't cleaned periodically," Dr. Schweig says.