Best Cooling Mattress for Hot Sleepers

Why It’s the Best Mattress for Cooling

• During our thermal gun cooling test, the surface temperature of the Helix Midnight Luxe increased by only 7 degrees after resting on it for 5 minutes.
• Our testers noted that the Tencel cover felt crisp and cool when they lay on it.
• Its innerspring coils provide a natural layer of ventilation, further preventing the mattress from absorbing body heat.

How Did It Perform During Testing?

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Motion Isolation: 4/5

Our partner test showed that the Helix Midnight Luxe has solid motion isolation.

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Cooling: 4/5

A 7-degree temperature increase after 5 minutes spent on the bed marks a good cooling mattress.

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Response: 4/5

It was pretty easy to move around on this bed, despite some pushback from the softer top.

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Edge Support: 4.8/5

The edges were exceptionally strong, earning a near-perfect score from our tester.

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Pressure Relief: 4.2/5

Our pressure map test showed negligible pressure buildup in all sleeping positions.

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Firmness: 6.5/10

This bed’s hybrid construction yields a true medium-firm feel.

How Does It Feel in Different Sleeping Positions?

Our Expert Opinion

The Helix Midnight Luxe is the upgraded version of Helix’s most popular mattress, the standard Helix Midnight. Unlike the standard model, the Midnight Luxe uses a Tencel cooling cover that helps dissipate heat and promote airflow, earning 4 stars for cooling. If you sleep extra-hot and want to take it to the next level, you can also add the optional GlacioTex Cooling Cover and CoolForce Layer for an additional cost.

Alongside its upgraded cooling features, the Midnight Luxe includes individually wrapped coils zoned for support. These supportive coils helped our testers relieve lower back pressure by keeping their spines in a healthy, neutral position. 

However, some stomach sleepers and individuals with bigger bodies will likely need something firmer to achieve the same effect, as some testers noticed excessive sinkage while lying flat on their stomachs.

Choose the Helix Midnight Luxe if …

• You have mobility concerns or want to maximize the usable surface area of your bed. The Helix’s strong edge support ensures that you will feel secure when lying or sitting on the perimeter.
• You are a combination sleeper who changes sleeping positions frequently. The innerspring coils make the Helix Midnight responsive and easy to move around on.

Keep looking if …

• You are a stomach sleeper or someone who needs a mattress that supports heavier weights. The Helix Midnight Luxe is likely too soft to support these sleepers and keep their spines in a neutral position. We recommend that these sleepers try the firmer Helix Dawn instead.

For more information about this bed, read our full Helix Midnight Luxe mattress review.

Why It’s the Best Firm Cooling Mattress

• The DreamCloud Classic’s construction made our testers feel more “on top” of the mattress than “in” its layers, indicating that its surface offers little give or sinkage and provides more support.
• The firm surface and responsive innerspring coils make this bed incredibly easy to move around on.
• Despite being a bouncy, responsive bed, the DreamCloud’s soft upper layers absorb motion and prevent it from rippling across the surface of the mattress; a big plus for couples.

How Did It Perform During Testing?

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Motion Isolation: 4.7/5

Our tester noticed little disturbance in the water during our ripple test, confirming the bed’s motion-isolating ability.

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Cooling: 4.5/5

The temperature rose less than 5 degrees after 5 minutes of our tester lying on the bed.

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Response: 5/5

The lack of sinkage earned the DreamCloud a perfect responsiveness score.

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Edge Support: 4/5

There was some moderate sinkage — but not much — when our tester sat on the edge.

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Pressure Relief: 4.4/5

The DreamCloud relieved more pressure while back sleeping than side sleeping.

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Firmness: 6.5/10

This hybrid mattress has a balanced medium-firm feel.

How Does It Feel in Different Sleeping Positions?

Our Expert Opinion

If you’re a hot sleeper who prefers to feel more “on top” of your mattress, the DreamCloud Classic might be your perfect match. A tall section of individually wrapped coils brings bounce, firmness, and lift to the bed. Our testers praised its ability to keep the spine aligned with the shoulders and prevent unnatural bending in the back-sleeping position.

Hybrid mattresses like the DreamCloud are typically very breathable due to the inclusion of coils. These coils provide a natural layer of ventilation that helps with airflow. Foam can sometimes trap body heat, but the coils help dissipate that heat. 

When we tested the bed with a thermal gun, we found a temperature increase of less than 5 degrees after 5 minutes of lying on it. This indicates good cooling abilities, earning 4.5 stars for cooling.

Choose the DreamCloud Classic if …

• You want a mattress that feels firm and supportive while still providing enough cushioning to relieve pressure in your lower back.
• You and your partner want a hybrid mattress that dampens motion but is still easy to move around on.

Keep looking if …

• You are a lightweight sleeper or side sleeper with sensitive joints. These sleepers would fare best on something softer with more cushioning for pressure-prone areas, like the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid.

For more information about this bed, read our full DreamCloud Classic mattress review.

Why It’s the Best Cooling Mattress for Side Sleepers

• The Leesa Sapira Chill’s soft cooling cover and plush layers of memory foam provide side sleepers with ample cushioning for high-pressure zones.
• The Leesa bed’s innerspring coils make it easy to move around, so side sleepers can easily change positions if they feel stiff or sore in one spot.
• It’s soft enough for lightweight sleepers to get the support they need without it feeling too rigid.

How Did It Perform During Testing?

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Motion Isolation: 3.7/5

The water sloshed around quite a bit during our ripple test, indicating just-average motion isolation.

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Cooling: 4.5/5

This bed lived up to its name with its exceptional cooling abilities.

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Response: 4.5/5

Moving around was largely seamless, save for rolling over on the doughier pillow top.

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Edge Support: 3.9/5

While our tester found the edge support acceptable, there was more sagging in our weighted tests.

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Pressure Relief: 4.5/5

Our pressure map results showed almost no pressure buildup on the Leesa Sapira Chill.

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Firmness: 6/10

We found the Leesa Sapira Chill’s construction to have a softer feel.

How Does It Feel in Different Sleeping Positions?

Our Expert Opinion

According to one of our medical advisors, Dr. Shelby Harris, side sleepers can thrive on a slightly softer mattress that provides some contouring at the shoulders and hips (the areas of the body where side sleepers put the most pressure. We think the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid mattress is perfect for this position since its 4.5-star pressure relief offers plenty of plushness. And, as the name suggests, the Sapira Chill was specially designed for hot sleepers; we scored it 4.5 stars for cooling.

The bed’s cooling tech starts with the cover that has a cool-to-the-touch feel. Additionally, the pocketed coils and the brand’s proprietary GreenFlex Biofoam help provide a comfortable and supportive surface for sleepers while promoting airflow. Our pressure map test displayed virtually no pressure buildup when side sleeping, as well as back sleeping, so we think this bed could be a great choice for people with back, shoulder, and hip pain.

One thing to keep in mind is that this bed falls at a 6 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest. While this feel is great for most back and side sleepers, stomach sleepers may want a firmer mattress that provides more support at the hips.

Choose the Leesa Sapira Chill if …

• You are a hot sleeper looking for a mattress that feels cool to the touch and stays comfortable all night long.
• You are a side sleeper or lightweight sleeper seeking a softer mattress to cradle your pressure points.

Keep looking if …

• You sleep primarily on your stomach. You will likely need something firmer and more supportive to keep your spine in a neutral position.
• You have mobility concerns or gravitate toward the edge of the bed. During testing, the edge support on the Leesa Sapira Chill left our experts wanting more. For a mattress with better corner-to-corner support, consider the Leesa Original mattress instead.

For more information about this bed, read our full Leesa Sapira Chill mattress review.

Why It’s the Best Cooling Memory Foam Mattress

• Despite it being a memory foam mattress, the Nectar’s cooling cover effectively regulates temperature and keeps things comfortable through the night.
• Back sleepers should appreciate the Nectar’s blend of medium-firm support and pressure-relieving cushioning.
• Couples will benefit from the bed’s above-average motion-dampening properties.

How Did It Perform During Testing?

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Motion Isolation: 4.7/5

The memory foam version of the Nectar does a great job of dampening motion.

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Cooling: 4.5/5

After lying on it for 5 minutes, the temperature of the Nectar only increased by 5.4 degrees.

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Response: 4/5

Despite being an all-foam bed, the Nectar is surprisingly easy to change positions on.

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Edge Support: 4/5

There was more sinkage along the edge while sitting on it, but one could lie on it without falling off.

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Pressure Relief: 3.8/5

The Nectar Classic felt great on our testers’ backs, but they noticed some pressure buildup on their sides.

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Firmness: 6.5/10

The Nectar Classic is a medium-firm memory foam mattress.

How Does It Feel in Different Sleeping Positions?

Our Expert Opinion

We chose the Nectar Classic as the best cooling memory foam mattress due to its high-quality materials and the fact that, despite being all foam, it kept a low temperature during our thermal gun test. After 5 minutes of lying on it, our tester found that it only heated up by 4.5 degrees. Anything less than 5 degrees indicates excellent cooling, so we gave it 4.5 stars in this category. Our lead video reviewer, Kendall Spell, is a hot sleeper who typically avoids foam beds. “But, if I had to choose an all-foam mattress, this would be one of my top choices,” she said.

Our mattress experts rate the Nectar at 6.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest. This firmness level creates a balanced feel and can go a long way toward not exacerbating any existing back pain. One thing to note, however, is that the Nectar may be too firm for some side sleepers and lightweight sleepers with sensitive joints. Sleepers looking for the classic slow-sinking memory foam feel would fare better on a different model.

Choose the Nectar if …

• You are a back sleeper who prefers a memory foam mattress. The Nectar is a little on the firmer side for an all-foam bed, so you should get enough support for your lower lumbar spine on this model.
• You or your partner is a restless sleeper. The Nectar Classic performed well on our motion isolation tests, so you shouldn’t have to worry about your movements rippling across the surface of the bed and disturbing your partner.

Keep looking if …

• You are a lightweight sleeper or side sleeper with sensitive joints. You will likely need something softer to get the cushioning and pressure relief that you need.
• You prefer the soft, slow-moving feel of traditional memory foam. You will feel more “on top” of the Nectar than “in” it. For a mattress that feels like a cozy hug for your joints, consider the TEMPUR-Cloud instead.

For more information about this bed, read our full Nectar mattress review.

Why It’s the Best Cooling Mattress for Stomach Sleepers

• The Saatva’s coil-on-coil construction is stable enough to support strict stomach sleepers and sleepers with bigger bodies.
• Both layers of coils help regulate temperature by promoting air circulation.
• Its highly responsive surface prevents sleepers from feeling stuck in the bed and makes it easy for them to change positions and get out of bed.

How Did It Perform During Testing?

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Motion Isolation: 2.7/5

Our tester could feel a lot of his partner’s movement on the Saatva.

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Cooling: 4/5

This bed has a temperature-neutral feel.

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Response: 5/5

The Saatva’s innerspring feel makes it super bouncy and easy to move around on.

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Edge Support: 4.8/5

The perimeter of the Saatva Classic is rock-solid.

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Pressure Relief: 4/5

Pressure relief is better for back sleepers than side sleepers on this bed.

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Firmness: 7.5/10

The Luxury Firm model of the Saatva Classic has a firmer feel.

How Does It Feel in Different Sleeping Positions?

Our Expert Opinion

If you sleep on your stomach, hip support is the name of the game. If your hips sink too far into the mattress, the lower back is thrown out of alignment and bends into a U shape that can lead to pain. That’s why a firm mattress with plenty of lift and support is ideal for achieving spinal alignment when stomach sleeping. Among our list of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers is the Saatva Classic, a traditional innerspring bed that has 4.8-star edge support and 4-star cooling.

When it comes to cooling, the Saatva Classic can be described in one word — breathable. Its breathable construction and strong performance on our thermal gun test earned this mattress a 4 out of 5 in cooling. This innerspring bed doesn’t contain a ton of foam, which reduces the chance of heat trapping. The bed also contains two coil layers, which double the room for air to flow in and out. 

However, the Saatva has an Achilles heel. While the double layer of springs gives it a ton of responsiveness that makes it easy to switch sleeping positions, it also gives the bed poor motion isolation. Those who sleep with a partner at night may want to consider a mattress with more foam, which can absorb motion at the source before it travels. 

Choose the Saatva if …

• You need a durable, supportive mattress for heavier weights.
• You are a combination sleeper looking for a mattress that is easy to move around on.

Keep looking if …

• You are sensitive to motion and sleep with a restless pet or partner. The Saatva’s bouncy feel will likely cause you to feel every movement they make.
• You have sensitive joints or chronic pain. The Saatva Classic is much too firm to prevent pressure from building up. Instead, consider the Saatva Rx, which is made specifically for sleepers with joint pain.

For more information about this bed, read our full Saatva Classic mattress review.

Why It’s the Best Cooling Mattress for Budget Shoppers

• A queen-sized Silk & Snow Hybrid is only $1,025 (and often goes on sale for even less).
• Hot sleepers should appreciate the Silk & Snow’s near-perfect 4.5-star cooling performance.
• The Silk & Snow also scored a 4.7 out of 5 in motion isolation, making it a good cooling mattress for couples.

How Did It Perform During Testing?

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Motion Isolation: 4.7/5

Our tester could barely feel when their colleague rolled around on the other side of the bed.

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Cooling: 4.5/5

True to its name, the Silk & Snow kept a very low temperature while we rested on it.

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Response: 4/5

It was pretty easy to switch positions on this bed, though we felt a little sinkage while doing so.

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Edge Support: 3.6/5

The edge of the mattress sank quite a bit when our tester sat on it.

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Pressure Relief: 3.9/5

Back sleeping was comfortable on the Silk & Snow, but side sleeping led to more pressure buildup.

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Firmness: 6.5/10

The Silk & Snow Hybrid has a medium-firm feel.

How Does It Feel in Different Sleeping Positions?

Our Expert Opinion

Despite its cooling abilities and overall elegance, the Silk & Snow Hybrid comes at a value price, with a queen size usually available for $1,025 (and often $875 after discounts). In terms of firmness and feel, the Silk & Snow Hybrid is a 6.5 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale, making it a true medium-firm bed.

The Silk & Snow Hybrid contains both foam and coils, with a luxurious pillow top that provides immediate plushness. Although a thick top and memory foam tend to trap heat, the foam in this bed contains a gel infusion that helps draw heat away from the body. This earned the Silk & Snow a strong cooling score of 4.5 out of 5, so sleepers who struggle with night sweats can rest peacefully knowing they won’t overheat.

Choose the Silk & Snow if …

• You share a bed with a restless partner and need a mattress that can effectively isolate their movements.
• You don’t want to overspend on a mattress that will last for years.

Keep looking if …

• You need a mattress that can support bigger bodies. These sleepers will likely fare better on a firmer model.
• You need a strong surface to press down on in the morning. For a similar mattress with stronger edge support, consider the Helix Midnight instead.

For more information about this bed, read our full Silk & Snow Hybrid mattress review.

Why It’s the Best Cooling Mattress for Heavy People

• The WinkBed Plus is supportive and firm enough to support bigger bodies while relieving pressure in key areas.
• Its impressive temperature-regulating abilities earned a 5-star cooling score during testing.
• The WinkBed’s robust support extends from corner to corner, helping it earn an edge support score of 4.2 out of 5.

How Did It Perform During Testing?

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Motion Isolation: 4.3/5

The WinkBed’s pillow top layer effectively isolates motion to one side of the bed.

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Cooling: 5/5

After lying on the WinkBed Plus for 5 minutes, its temperature increased by 3.4 degrees–some of our best results yet.

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Response: 5/5

The super bouncy surface of the WinkBed Plus makes it a home run for combo sleepers.

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Edge Support: 4.2/5

The reinforced perimeter of the WinkBed Plus felt stable while sitting and lying on it.

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Pressure Relief: 4.7/5

All sleepers should find relief on the WinkBed Plus, thanks to its robust support and gentle contouring.

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Firmness: 6.5/10

While it is designed for bigger bodies, the pillow top gives the WinkBed Plus a true medium-firm feel.

How Does It Feel in Different Sleeping Positions?

Our Expert Opinion

If you fall in the heavyweight sleeper category, allow me to introduce you to the WinkBed Plus – a bed designed specially for heavier body types. We typically steer sleepers with larger bodies to ultra-supportive mattresses that contain sturdy coils and strong edges with a touch of cushioning. The WinkBed Plus earned 4.2 stars for edge support, so it provides plenty of lift at the hips and lower back. We also gave the mattress a perfect 5 stars for cooling based on its construction and materials.

When it comes to cooling, this mattress has stellar materials. The bed starts with a Tencel cover, which is a naturally cooling and breathable material. Within the Euro top is a bit of gel-infused foam that helps dissipate heat. Latex foam is also a naturally breathable and cooling material. Finally, the tall coils help promote airflow and prevent heat trapping.

However, this bed is quite firm, so lightweight sleepers and side sleepers with joint sensitivities may be more comfortable on a bed with more sinkage.

Choose the WinkBed Plus if …

• You need a mattress that can support heavier weights and still provide a nice balance of support and cushioning.
• You gravitate toward the edge of the bed or need a mattress with a strong perimeter to bear down on when getting up in the morning.

Keep looking if …

• You are a side sleeper or lightweight sleeper with sensitive joints. These sleepers and those who already have chronic pain will likely find that this mattress is too rigid to offer them the relief they need. Consider the Nectar Premier Hybrid instead for a softer hybrid that is better suited for pressure relief.

For more information about this bed, read our full WinkBed Plus.

Why It’s the Best Cooling Mattress for Back Pain

• Its above-average pressure relief performance makes it a good option for sleepers with chronic pain.
• Hot sleepers shouldn’t have to worry about overheating thanks to its 4.5-star cooling performance.
• The Nolah Evolution earned a perfect 5-star score in the motion isolation category, making it another good cooling option for couples.

How Did It Perform During Testing?

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Motion Isolation: 5/5

Our tester noticed no movement during our ripple test, resulting in a perfect score for motion isolation.

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Cooling: 4.5/5

The Nolah Evolution showed above-average cooling capabilities.

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Response: 4/5

Our tester found it fairly easy to roll around on the Nolah Evolution.

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Edge Support: 4.6/5

The Nolah Evolution had a strong perimeter, earning a high edge support test.

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Pressure Relief: 4.3/5

The bed was good at relieving pressure, though some of our testers wanted more sinkage.

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Firmness: 7/10

The springs in the construction made for a slightly firmer feel.

How Does It Feel in Different Sleeping Positions?

Our Expert Opinion

Believe it or not, the wrong mattress can not only exacerbate existing back pain — it can create entirely new back problems. If you’re looking for a mattress that can keep back pain at bay and prevent you from waking up in a puddle of sweat, take a look at the Nolah Evolution. Not only did our testers give this mattress 4.5 stars for cooling, but it also received high scores in both edge support (4.2) and pressure relief (4.7), important considerations for hot sleepers with back pain.

The Nolah Evolution scored well across the board, including a respectable 4.3 out of 5 on motion isolation. Nevertheless, this was still its biggest performance weakness. Additionally, we think the 120-night trial is a bit on the shorter side for a sleep trial, but that should still give most shoppers plenty of time to decide if it’s right for them.

Choose the Nolah Evolution if …

• You want a hybrid mattress that does it all. During testing, the Nolah Evolution delivered an impressive combination of pressure relief, edge support, motion isolation, and responsiveness, making it a versatile option for a wide variety of sleepers.
• You share your bed with a partner. It’s rare to find a mattress that dampens motion while remaining buoyant enough to move around on. Couples should appreciate its excellent motion isolation without sacrificing responsiveness.

Keep looking if …

• You need a budget option. While frequent sales help bring the cost down, there are plenty of quality hybrids available for less even before discounts.
• You need a generous sleep trial. For a similar mattress that comes with a 365-day trial, consider the Nectar Premier instead.

For more information about this bed, read our full Nolah Evolution mattress review.

Why It’s the Best Hybrid Cooling Mattress

• The Aurora Luxe’s firm-yet-cushioned surface does a great job of lifting the hips and keeping sleepers’ spines aligned.
• It earned a perfect 5-star score for back-sleeping pressure relief during testing, and an overall pressure relief score of 4.5 out of 5.
• Our testers appreciated the luxurious touch of its plush pillow-top and multiple layers of memory foam.

How Did It Perform During Testing?

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Motion Isolation: 3.8/5

We noticed a bit of disturbance in our water test when someone was switching positions on the other side of the bed.

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Cooling: 4/5

The Aurora Luxe has a cool, crisp-feeling cover.

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Response: 4/5

You sink into the surface of this bed a little bit, but it’s still relatively easy to switch positions and move around.

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Edge Support: 4/5

We only noticed the edge dipping beneath our weight when we sat at the perimeter.

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Pressure Relief: 4.5/5

This mattress earned an impressive perfect rating for back-sleeping pressure relief.

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Firmness: 7/10

The Medium model of the Aurora Luxe feels slightly firmer than true medium-firm.

How Does It Feel in Different Sleeping Positions?

Our Expert Opinion

If you tend to sweat at night, a hybrid mattress can be an excellent option. The combination of breathable comfort layers and an airy coil support system allows more heat to escape than traditional all-foam mattresses, helping you maintain a cooler sleep temperature throughout the night.

We chose the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe as the best hybrid cooling mattress because its breathable coil system delivers exceptional temperature regulation. During testing, it earned a 4-star cooling score and an impressive 4.4-star overall rating.

The only category where the Aurora Luxe fell a bit short was motion isolation, earning a 3.8 out of 5. While this is still respectable for a responsive hybrid mattress, couples who are especially sensitive to movement may prefer a mattress with thicker memory foam comfort layers that absorb more motion.

Choose the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe if …

• You are a back sleeper looking for a mattress that balances cushioning and support.
• You are a hot sleeper. The crisp, moisture-wicking cover and ventilated innerspring coils kept us cool while testing this mattress.

Keep looking if …

• You need a mattress that will conform to your adjustable base. While the Aurora Luxe is technically adjustable base-compatible, Riley found that it struggled to adapt to certain settings.
• You and your partner are easily disturbed by each other’s movements. For an option that is better at dampening motion, consider the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam instead.

For more information about this bed, read our full Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress review.

Why It’s the Best Soft Cooling Mattress

• Soft mattresses often have weak, compressible sides, but the Bear Elite Hybrid’s sturdy perimeter prevents sagging and provides reliable support.
• The Bear’s comfort layers excel at absorbing movement, making it an excellent choice for couples, especially if one partner is a restless sleeper.
• Many beds with soft memory foam layers are prone to trapping heat, but the Bear Elite Hybrid bucks the trend with above-average cooling performance.

How Did It Perform During Testing?

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Motion Isolation: 4.7/5

Our tester could only vaguely feel their colleague’s movements on this bed.

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Cooling: 4.5/5

There wasn’t much of a temperature increase after we lay on the bed.

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Response: 4/5

It was fairly easy to move between sleeping positions on the Bear Elite Hybrid.

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Edge Support: 4.4/5

We found that the Bear Elite Hybrid’s edges were fairly sturdy.

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Pressure Relief: 4.1/5

Back sleeping is best for pressure relief on this mattress.

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Firmness: 7/10

The materials of the Bear Elite Hybrid resulted in a somewhat firmer feel for the mid-range model.

How Does It Feel in Different Sleeping Positions?

Our Expert Opinion

If you’re looking for a mattress with plenty of cushioning and sinkage, consider the Bear Elite Hybrid. This mattress is offered in multiple firmness levels, and we recommend the Soft model for the plushest feel. We tested the Medium model in our studio, and even with its plush top layer, it still qualifies as a firmer mattress. The Soft version will feel more like a 5.5 or 6 out of 10. This bed also features 4.5-star cooling and 4.4-star edge support.

However, sleepers with bigger bodies should note that the Soft and Medium versions of the Bear Elite Hybrid will likely be too soft to keep their spines in a healthy position. These sleepers would likely fare better on the Firm model, or a firmer mattress altogether.

Choose the Bear Elite Hybrid if …

• You’re a side sleeper who loves a plush-feeling bed. The Bear Elite Hybrid’s soft, contouring comfort layers cushion the shoulders and hips for pressure-free side sleeping.
• You and your partner want a luxurious sleep experience. The Bear Elite Hybrid pairs its plush feel with excellent motion isolation and cooling, making it a standout choice for couples.

Keep looking if …

• You need a mattress with firmer support. The Bear Elite Hybrid’s plush feel is ideal for many side sleepers, but heavier sleepers may sink too deeply into the Soft model.
• You’re shopping on a tight budget. A queen-size Bear Elite Hybrid costs around $2,300 at full price, placing it among the more expensive luxury mattresses we’ve tested. For a more budget-friendly option with a similar feel, consider the Titan Plus Core instead.

For more information about this bed, read our full Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review.

Learn more about how we tested each of these cooling mattresses below.

Cooling

In our testing studio, we obtain concrete data on mattress cooling using a thermal gun — a device that tells us how much a mattress heats up after we lie down on it. Once a tester has laid on the bed for 5 minutes, a color-coded graphic demonstrates the temperature increase via thermal imaging.

If there’s a temperature increase of less than 5 degrees, we consider the mattress to have excellent cooling capabilities; 5 to 10 degrees indicates good cooling, 10 to 15 degrees indicates decent cooling, and more than 15 degrees indicates poor cooling.

The average cooling score among all the mattresses we’ve tested is 3.9 out of 5. Every mattress on our list is above the average in cooling. 

Pressure Relief

With any mattress, you’ll want to make sure it’s not causing pain. If the mattress is able to relieve pressure across the body, you’re unlikely to develop new aches and pains. To predict whether a mattress can alleviate pain, we use a pressure map test. 

We start by rolling a specialized mat onto the surface of a mattress and having one of our testers lie on it in different sleeping positions. The mat is able to sense where more or less pressure is building on the body and translates the results into an easy-to-read graphic using thermal imaging. This graphic, called a pressure map, displays low pressure areas in blue and green and high pressure areas in red and yellow.

When analyzing the pressure map images, we focus on the back, shoulders, and hips. When sleeping, much of our weight is placed on these areas. If the map shows low pressure in these areas, you’re unlikely to develop pain.

The average pressure relief score among all the mattresses we’ve tested is 3.8 out of 5, and most of the mattresses on this list scored higher than that.

Other Tests

While cooling and pressure relief were the main categories that we looked at while choosing the best cooling mattresses for hot sleepers, we also performed a slew of other tests to assess motion isolation, edge support, and more.

For example, when testing edge support, our mattress experts sit, lie, and push down on the sides and corners of the mattress to see how much pressure it can take without buckling down or losing its shape. Next, we place stacks of weights on each side of the bed and measure how much it compresses.

To evaluate motion isolation, two testers lie side by side on the mattress. One tester wears a blindfold and remains still while the other changes positions and moves around the bed. Each time the stationary tester feels movement, they raise their hand, helping us determine how well the mattress absorbs motion and whether it’s a good fit for couples.

Visit our review methodology page to learn more about how we test every mattress.

Do Cooling Mattresses Actually Work?

Yes, cooling mattresses can make a noticeable difference, especially when they’re built with breathable materials and additional temperature-regulating features. These materials and features can reduce heat retention and help you sleep more comfortably than on mattresses without them.

That said, your mattress is only one piece of the puzzle. Your sheets, comforter, bedroom temperature, and other bedding all have a major impact on how cool you sleep. Aside from a cooling mattress, consider looking for bedding made from materials like linen, cotton percale, or bamboo-derived fabrics. These materials facilitate better airflow than flannel or tightly woven microfiber. According to one study, a bedroom that is too hot or too cold can negatively impact your sleep. For most sleepers, the ideal room temperature is between 60 and 67 degrees.

What Cooling Materials Should You Look for In a Mattress?

If cooling is your top priority, start with the mattress’s overall construction. Innerspring and hybrid mattresses tend to create a cooler sleep environment than memory foam models because their coil systems create plenty of room for air to circulate and allow body heat to dissipate. 

Latex mattresses are another excellent choice for hot sleepers because of their open-cell structures and buoyant surfaces that keep you sleeping more “on” the mattress than “in” it, promoting better airflow and reducing heat buildup throughout the night.

Many brands also incorporate specialized cooling materials into their comfort layers and covers. Gel-infused memory foam is designed to remove heat away from the body, while copper- or graphite-infused foams can also help disperse warmth more effectively than traditional memory foam. Premium mattresses feature phase change material (PCM) in the cover, which absorbs and releases heat to help maintain a more consistent surface temperature as you sleep.

Which Mattress Types Should Hot Sleepers Avoid?

We typically steer hot sleepers away from memory foam mattresses because they have a reputation for heat trapping. However, some memory foam mattresses have cooling gel or copper-infused foam that help with temperature regulation.

Soft mattresses also typically run hot. As your weight presses into the soft layers, they compress and limit space for airflow. If you do choose a soft mattress, we recommend one with coils or other cooling technology.

How Much Should You Spend On a Cooling Mattress?

Because of the higher quality of cooling materials, mattresses specifically built with the purpose of keeping you cool might be more expensive. Of course, there are several mattresses out there that can fit in all price points; however, for a durable, cool, and high-quality mattress, you can expect to pay at least $1,000 for a queen size.

Can Mattress Toppers Help You Stay Cool?

Yes. Cooling mattress toppers are a budget-friendly way to cool your sleep experience without buying a new bed. A topper complements your current bed, so choose the firmness and material based on your sleep preferences and sleeping position.