Finally, put night sweats to rest.
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Without buying an entirely new mattress, you can drastically improve the comfort of your bed: Add a mattress pad or mattress topper. Some mattresses can trap in heat, causing night sweats, especially as the temperature climbs higher during the spring and summer. Cooling mattress pads can make your mattress feel cooler and plusher. The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab tested 54 different mattress pads and toppers to find the styles that’ll actually help keep you cool all night long.
We make it easy to build your dream summer bed so you can get your best sleep by testing all types of cooling bedding like cooling comforters, cooling blankets and cooling sheets, along with cooling mattress pads and toppers. During our testing, our testers try out each style to give feedback on comfort, temperature regulation, ease of set-up and more. Then our Textiles Lab pros assess each style’s cooling features, such as perforated foam or cooling technologies like Outlast and 37.5 that help store and release heat to keep you at a more stable body temperature. Whether you're looking for the best cooling mattress pad for hot flashes or a mattress topper for night sweats, you'll find the contenders that rose to the top below.
At the end of this guide, you can read more about how we measure up cooling mattress pads and toppers in our Lab and consumer tests — plus everything you need to know to shop for your ultimate cool bed. Looking for more ways to sleep cooler? Check out our guides to the best cooling mattresses and best cooling pillows too.
"I would have been skeptical about buying this because I wouldn't have believed that it works – it's so slim and doesn't seem to have a cooling gel or anything you'd notice, but it really works!" said one impressed tester. Slumber Cloud, a past GH Bedding Awards winner, offers a traditional-style mattress pad that goes on your mattress just as easily as a fitted sheet — and it uses Outlast technology to keep you cool. That means the pad absorbs heat when you get overheated and releases it when you are too cold, preventing night sweats in the first place. With Outlast technology integrated into the Tencel cover and a plush down-alternative fill inside, it has a soft feel while wicking away moisture for extra cooling. Our testers loved this pick's cooling capabilities, with one saying it "substantially helped regulate my temperature and kept me cool through the night." One thing to keep in mind is that some noticed the pad has the potential to bunch up as they moved around in their sleep.
At an amazing price of just $40, this cooling mattress pad from Sleep Zone has over 14,000 Amazon reviews. The microfiber yarns are treated with NANOTEX cooling technology, which helps the material wick away moisture to keep you cool. Reviewers love the plush, quilted down-alternative pillowtop that feels like "sleeping in a cloud." Its deep-pocket design stretches to accommodate mattresses up to 21 inches, but a few online reviewers noted some shrinkage after washing. GH Lab pros cannot wait to put this style to the test. "It's so soft and comfortable," another online reviewer added. "I haven't slept so well in years."
If your mattress has lost the supportive feel you love, it may be time to consider a mattress topper that will transform your sleeping experience without having to purchase a whole new mattress. This style from ViscoSoft has two-inch, three-inch and four-inch thickness options and has over 12,000 Amazon reviews. The foam is perforated throughout to help dissipate heat and allow more airflow. Because of its memory foam material and substantial height, testers said it was a bit more challenging to unroll onto their bed and it took some time for the foam smell to fade. However, they appreciated the corner straps to keep it tight and secure once it was on and the supportiveness it added to their mattresses. "I like the way it conforms to your body while still providing support," said one tester. Another tester added, "This mattress topper added some much-needed firmness to my mattress for good back support." With high marks for comfort and support, we recommend this pick for those who prefer a firmer feel.
When it comes to mattress pads and toppers, most will set you back at least $100, but this topper comes in on the affordable side. This gel-infused memory foam version from Zinus is designed to provide the comfort of memory foam without storing heat like traditional foam toppers can. The foam is infused with gel that helps prevent a hot, stuffy feel, but GH pros weren't able to verify if the green tea infusion helped limit odors. Testers loved that it "never moved out of place" and was overall firm and supportive. One tester even said, "I felt like I was sleeping on a high-end mattress at a luxury hotel." You have the option to purchase this topper with a machine-washable cover, but it costs extra.
Perfect for couples who can never agree on being too warm or too cold, this electric mattress topper allows you to regulate the temperature on your side of the bed, while your sleeping partner can customize theirs. With both cool and warm settings controlled with a remote, the airflow technology changes the temperature of the pad, thanks to air flowing through small channels throughout the pad. You can also set the timer to automatically shut off if you do not want it running all night.
While this pick is definitely an investment, testers say that the comfort from Sleep Number products is "unmatched." This topper pairs perfectly with a Sleep Number mattress, but it also can be used with a mattress from any brand. Keep in mind that each side is sold separately, so to cover the entire mattress, you would need to purchase two. This pick is spot clean only.
To ensure your bed stays comfy — and dry, opt for a lined mattress protector with a plush surface. This mattress pad from Pottery Barn is waterproof to keep your mattress safe from spills and leaks, while the down-alternative fill makes it feel fluffier than most mattress protectors, although it does have less cushioning than the other picks on this list. Made with 37.5 technology that stores and releases heat throughout the night in both the outer fabric and inner fill, this option is designed to prevent night sweats.
Impressed by its pillowy feel, testers appreciated how soft and cushioning this Sijo pad felt, elevating too-firm mattresses. It's made with CLIMA fiber, which the company refers to as a phase-change material that stores and releases heat to help keep you cooler when you're hot and warmer when you're cold. Be mindful that our testers didn't find the cooling effect as powerful as with the other picks so it's best for those who don't like their bed that cold. We love that this pick features a waterproof layer to help protect your mattress and can fit mattresses up to 18 inches deep. One tester exclaimed, "it fits the bed perfectly and does not shift around. It is quiet and light, and easy to clean!"
The Eight Sleep Pod Cover provides the ultimate high-tech experience to optimize your sleep. There are wires carrying water throughout the inside of this mattress pad so you can adjust its temperature from 55°F to 110°F for both heating and cooling capabilities, keeping you comfortable year-round. A game-changer for couples: you can change the temperature on each side of the bed, so you can both have your dream sleeping environment. After using this pod, Olivia Lipski, a GH tech editor, said “I'm a hot sleeper and I didn't wake up sweaty once throughout the night while using this!” It pairs with an app on your phone for high-tech features like auto-temperature adjustment, vibration and thermal alarms and sleep reports. The app costs $15–24 a month and is required for the first 12 months of purchase. “The alarm feature that vibrates to wake you up was fun to try (and definitely works),” according to Lipski. She also noted that she could feel the wires through the pad at times.
Wool has natural temperature-regulating properties: It'll cool you down in warm weather and keep you warm in colder temps. Testers were delighted that this 3-inch-thick, tufted topper from PlushBeds felt like "a big hug," making their mattresses so much softer than before. GH Institute fiber scientists love that this past GH Bedding Awards winner is made from quality materials like the GOTs-certified organic cotton sateen cover and the ethically sourced virgin wool fill, that is moisture-wicking and breathable. However, if you have any sensitivities to wool, this is not a good option for you.
A protector is designed to keep your bed safe from spills, allergens and everyday wear and tear. This cooling protector from Airley has a waterproof layer and is made with cooling Tencel that’s soft and helps wick away moisture for a cooler feel. All testers noted that this protector was quiet under their sheets and helped keep them at a stable body temperature. “I like that the mattress protector is comfortable and unnoticeable,” said one tester. “I couldn’t feel it under the sheets, no plastic-y sounds when moving.” A tester reported that “it felt cool and comfortable,” while another agreed saying, “It kept me cool and dry, which I loved.” Testers appreciated that this pad has labels on the long and short sides, so it’s easy to put on your bed. Because it has minimal cushioning, this protector will not significantly change the feel of your bed and is instead designed to protect your mattress.
Pros in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab have sent 54 different mattress pads and toppers to over 120 consumer testers, leading to hundreds of data points to analyze to help us narrow down to the options. Testers provided feedback on comfort, support, ease of set-up, feel and more. In addition to having testers try them out firsthand, GH fiber scientists reviewed product claims, cooling features and evaluated the construction of each pad or topper. After sorting through hundreds of data points, GH pros chose these picks based on extensive testing and product claim review to ensure you'll find the best cooling mattress pad or topper for your bed.
Many products claim to provide cooling benefits, but there are no set definitions of what "cooling" actually means. Therefore, brands can make these claims with nothing to back them up. GH textiles pros are here to help you shop for cooling bedding that will really work. Here's what to look for:
✔️ Cooling technologies: Threads treated with phase-change technologies store and release heat to keep you at a stable body temperature and provide real cooling effects. Opt for well-vetted technologies like Outlast and 37.5.
✔️ Smart features: The only way to actually adjust the exact temperature of your sleeping environment is with active cooling properties that circulate air or water through the surface of the pad or topper. You can set the exact temperature for a cool feel in the summer and more warmth in the winter. These are great options for couples as you can customize the feel of each side of the mattress separately. Note that these smart features tend to be pricey.
✔️ Temperature-regulating or moisture-wicking materials: While cotton’s soft, natural, breathable feel makes it popular in bedding, it’s not a very cooling material. Cotton holds onto moisture: It won’t wick away sweat during the night, so you’ll continue to feel sweaty, which can be uncomfortable and wake you up. Moisture-wicking materials like Tencel and lyocell/viscose pull the moisture away for a drier feel and more comfortable sleep. Wool also has great temperature-regulating properties, making it an excellent pick for both warm and cold weather.
In addition to cooling features, you should keep these considerations in mind when shopping for a new mattress pad or topper:
✔️ Stay-put design: A big complaint we hear from testers around mattress pads and toppers is that they shift during the night. Opt for styles with a stretchy bottom band or straps to keep it perfectly in place, even if you toss and turn.
✔️ Thickness: You may think that 'the thicker, the better,' but the height of a mattress pad or topper should be considered before purchasing. Make sure that you have sheets that can accommodate the new height of your bed with the addition of your topper. You may need to purchase deep-pocket sheets if the height of your mattress and topper combined is over 12 inches tall.
✔️ Firmness: Toppers and pads are available in different firmness levels from plush and cloud-like to firm and supportive. Your sleeping position can help inform what level of firmness is best for you. Back sleepers should opt for a firmer bed, while side sleepers need a softer feel to support their hips and shoulders.
✔️ Washability: Some mattress pads are machine washable while others aren't, so make sure to check the care label. Most toppers aren't machine washable because they use thicker materials like memory foam. For toppers, look for machine-washable covers.
✔️ Waterproof: If you want to avoid having a mattress protector and a mattress pad, choose a style with a waterproof layer. This way, your mattress is still protected if you spill something on your bed.
When thinking about which material is best for your mattress pad or topper, you need to consider how you want your mattress to feel. Do you want your bed to be firmer and more supportive? Do you want a plusher, softer, cozier bed? Here's how to choose the perfect material to upgrade your mattress:
✔️ If you want a plusher feel, look for fluffy materials like down, down alternative or wool. These materials have an airy, lofty texture that creates a cloud-like sleeping environment.
✔️ If you need more support and firmness, opt for more supportive materials like solid memory foam or latex that will conform to your body for proper spinal alignment. Gel-infused or perforated foams will help keep you cooler as memory foam is known to trap heat. Usually, foams are featured in mattress toppers.
Don't forget to consider the cover material of the mattress pad or topper. Tencel/lyocell and polyester are great at wicking away moisture if you have night sweats.
Each of these pairs with your mattress to make your bed more comfortable, but they each have different design features and purposes.
✔️ Mattress pads add a cozy top layer with a little bit of cushioning. They go on the mattress like a fitted sheet.
✔️ Mattress toppers are usually thicker and offer even more cushioning. Resting on top of your mattress, some have straps to keep them secure and others are kept in place by your fitted sheet that goes over top.
✔️Mattress protectors keep your mattress safe from accidental spills, allergens and general wear and tear. Some are available with plush cushioning to act as a mattress pad and protector combo. Others with a deep pocket can go over a mattress topper too.
Emma Seymour is a senior textiles product analyst. She’s been at Good Housekeeping for over five years, overseeing Lab and consumer tests for all types of cooling bedding, including cooling sheets, cooling comforters and these cooling mattress pads and toppers. With a degree in Fiber Science and Apparel Design from Cornell University, she has extensive research experience and product quality assessment expertise.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is a senior product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
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