Millions struggle with overheating at night, impacting sleep quality and overall health. The mattress industry responds with a flood of “cooling” options, but performance varies wildly. This guide cuts through the marketing to present the most effective cooling mattresses available in 2025, based on rigorous testing by WIRED.
Honorable Mentions: Cooling Without Breaking the Bank
Many affordable and effective cooling solutions exist beyond full mattress replacements.
- BedJet 3 ($427): This under-bed climate control system blasts cool air beneath your sheets, offering a significant temperature drop without requiring a new mattress. Ideal for those who like their current bed but overheat.
- Wayfair Sleep 8-Inch Medium Cooling Gel Memory Foam ($400): This budget option delivers surprising cooling performance with gel-infused foam and a breathable cover, though it’s outmatched by higher-end models.
- Wayfair Sleep 12-Inch Medium Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress ($500): Offers a balance of cooling tech and affordability with gel infusion and a breathable knit cover.
These alternatives prove that effective cooling doesn’t always require a premium mattress investment.
Top-Tier Cooling Performance: High-End Options
For those prioritizing maximum temperature regulation, several premium mattresses stand out.
- Casper Snow Hybrid ($2,595): This hybrid combines polyfoam, memory foam, and pocketed coils to provide pressure relief and targeted support. It lives up to its name, delivering exceptional cooling. Minor initial off-gassing and slight shape issues upon unboxing were noted, but resolved within 48 hours.
- Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid ($2,049): Marketed as firm, this mattress delivers on that promise with its patented AirCradle memory foam. However, cooling performance was not exceptional despite the triple-phase LuxeCool system and gel infusion.
- Sealy Cocoon Chill Memory Foam Mattress ($919): Its phase change material actively draws heat away from the body, making it noticeably cool to the touch. The firm support suits back and stomach sleepers, but side sleepers may find it too rigid.
These models represent the upper echelon of cooling technology, though at a significant price.
Wayfair’s Cooling Lineup: A Mix of Price and Performance
Wayfair offers a wide range of cooling mattresses, varying in price and effectiveness.
- Wayfair Sleep 14-Inch Plush Cooling Gel Hybrid Mattress ($326): A plush option featuring gel memory foam and pocket coils for airflow. Its Euro-top promotes continuous circulation, though may be too soft for heavier individuals.
- Wayfair Sleep 10.5-Inch Plush Cooling Gel Mattress ($536): A balanced option combining cooling gel, memory foam, and a breathable knit cover. While not the most powerful cooling mattress, it offers solid performance at an accessible price.
- Wayfair Sleep 13.5-Inch Medium Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress ($550): Deep cooling gel layers paired with a breathable jacquard cover, making this a strong contender for hot sleepers.
Wayfair’s strength lies in offering cooling solutions across multiple price points.
Testing Methodology: WIRED ‘s Rigorous Approach
WIRED ‘s mattress testing is exhaustive. Reviewers sleep on mattresses for weeks, under various conditions, assessing cooling performance, edge support, motion transfer, and overall comfort. They intentionally test while overheating to accurately gauge effectiveness.
Key criteria include:
- Composition: Materials designed for airflow (gel, copper, hybrids).
- Cover Fabric: Breathable materials like bamboo, Tencel, or engineered synthetics.
- Airflow: The ability to conduct heat away from the body.
- Firmness: Softer mattresses trap more heat; firmer options allow better circulation.
Why Cooling Matters
Sleep temperature is a critical, yet often overlooked, factor in sleep quality. Overheating disrupts deep sleep cycles, leading to fatigue, impaired cognitive function, and long-term health risks. Investing in a cooling mattress isn’t just about comfort; it’s about prioritizing well-being.
The market is flooded with gimmicks. WIRED ‘s testing focuses on quantifiable performance, separating genuine cooling solutions from marketing hype.
WIRED donates or keeps test mattresses for long-term durability studies, ensuring ongoing, unbiased assessments.
