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The best cooling mattresses for hot sleepers, tried and tested
If you're a hot sleeper, you'll know that there’s nothing worse than being jarred awake by clammy bedding and the disorientating feeling that your bedroom has been transported to the Serengeti. If your current mattress feels more sauna than sanctuary, it might be time to reimagine your bed as a space where comfort meets climate control.
When nocturnal temperatures peak, a cooling mattress paired with the right cooling pillow comes into its own, drawing heat away and ramping up airflow. For those of us who struggle with night sweats, a memory foam mattress in a heatwave may prove stifling, whereas a breezy hybrid packed with hyper-breathable graphite foam will allow more air to circulate along the length of our bodies. Choosing the perfect sleep setup can feel like navigating a maze of materials, features and promises—but the journey needn’t be a daunting one.
MAY WE SUGGEST: Keep a cool head with these cooling pillows
Whether you’re a back, stomach or side sleeper, the House & Garden team have tried and tested some of the best mattresses for hot sleepers that blend heat relief with support and comfort. Their stories of unbroken rest on the most sweltering of nights may convert even the most sceptical hot sleeper into a cooling mattress devotee.
The best cooling mattresses, at a glance
Don’t have time to read the full guide? Here is our breakdown of the best cooling mattresses:
- Best overall cooling mattress hot sleepers - Emma Hybrid Thermosync Mattress, from £519
- Best cooling mattress for hot sleepers with allergies - Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress, from £519
- Best luxury cooling mattress for hot sleepers - Simba Hybrid Luxe, from £1,199
- Best cooling mattress for memory foam fans - Eve Premium Memory Foam Mattress, from £849
- Best cooling mattress for back pain - Silentnight Just Calm Premium Mattress, from £620
- Best for carbon footprint - Nectar Premier Hybrid Mattress, from £599
Best overall cooling mattress hot sleepers: Emma Hybrid Thermosync Mattress, from £519
Spot ‘Thermo’ in the name of this Emma mattress and hoping it lives up to its strongly implied temperature regulation prowess? Formerly known as ‘NextGen Cooling Mattress’ this product features graphite-infused foam that supports rest by efficiently channeling heat away from the sleeper, helping to ensure the ideal body temperature. A second layer promotes airflow while contouring to your body to aid in deep sleep. Our House & Garden tester slept through hot summer nights on this mattress and describes the experience as ‘refreshing and unclaustrophobic’.
- Pro: Our co-sleeping tester was particularly impressed by this bed’s exceptional ability to isolate motion.
- Con: A little extra height makes the Emma Hybrid Thermosync Mattress look plush but you may find your fitted sheets a little too short.
Best for hot sleepers with allergies: Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress, from £519
Designed specifically with hot sleepers in mind, this latest Panda launch is billed as the ‘world’s most advanced, breathable bamboo mattress’. This cooling hybrid features six layers including the unique open-cell memory foam that not only aids circulation but also helps with odour resistance. We found this mattress to be impressive for encouraging airflow and its thermoregulating bamboo cover adding a touch of cosy comfort.
- Pro: Constructed with pesticide free and ethically sourced bamboo, this is an environmentally conscious choice.
- Con: This model sits at a standard 27cm (approximately 10.6 inches), which may feel modest for those who prefer a more substantial mattress.
Best luxury cooling mattress for hot sleepers: Simba Hybrid Luxe, from £1,199
As Simba’s most advanced mattress, expectations are high in every aspect of performance and that includes cooling. This thoughtfully engineered hybrid includes 11 layers including custom pocket springs for circulation and open-cell Simbatex foam infused with graphite to aid breathability. A temperature regulating wool layer ensures comfort for every season. Our hot sleeper tester described the effect this cooling mattress had on their warm weather sleep as ‘game changing’.
- Pro: A Simba Hybrid Luxe double starts from £1,699, making it a premium investment in your sleep. Simba helpfully also sells refurbished models.
- Con: At 31cm deep, you may have to purchase deeper fitted sheets.
Best cooling for memory foam fans: Eve Premium Memory Foam Mattress, from £849
Memory foam mattresses don’t typically make it on to the cooling shortlist, but Eve’s version is designed to be the best of both worlds. Made with four layers, two are graphite-infused and made to direct heat away from your body to help maintain its ideal sleep temperature. Open-cell foam also helps with ventilation and breathability. This mattress is designed for all sleeping styles with its medium-firm support attracting excellent reviews.
- Pro: If a memory foam mattress is a must and you sleep hot, Eve’s Premium Memory Foam Mattress has gone the extra mile to help support your best warm weather rest.
- Con: This model doesn’t come in single sizing, unlike its competitor brands.
Best cooling mattress for back pain: Silentnight Just Calm Premium Mattress, from £620
Multi-award winning, Silentnight’s hybrid Just Calm Premium Mattress has earned a reputation for helping with painful backs that need an extra bit of medium support at night. In addition to 1000 pocket springs for spinal alignment, the product features high-density open-cell foam for enhanced air circulation. Vitalize, the custom chemical-free sleep surface is designed to absorb body heat whilst being cosy and inviting.
- Pro: A 365 night trial makes testing this bed throughout all seasons easy and risk-free.
- Con: The Vitalize surface, though hypoallergenic isn’t removable.
Best for carbon footprint: Nectar Premier Hybrid Mattress, from £599
With mattresses having a reputation for making a not so great environmental impact, it’s good to have an option that is as serious about cooling as it is about its carbon impact. Our tester tried Nectar’s Premier Hybrid Mattress at the height of summer and was impressed by its ability to keep them comfortable all night long. In fact, they described the thermoregulation qualities as ‘a delight’. Thanks to its quilted cool cover, heat is drawn away from the body and circulated with every movement.
- Pro: Enjoy a 365 night trial to see if the mattress works for you, throughout all seasons.
- Con: The edge of the mattress is not as sturdy as its competitors.
What is a cooling mattress?
Whilst most mattresses provide support and comfort, some go the extra mile to ensure you remain cool and undisturbed, even on the warmest of evenings. Through the clever use of breathable materials and innovative construction, cooling mattresses encourage airflow and gently dissipate excess warmth throughout the night.
From gel-infused memory foams to individually pocketed springs and moisture-wicking fabrics, each element is selected to draw heat away from the body. With better body temperature regulation, a more comfortable environment is created to encourage uninterrupted sleep.
What are the benefits of a cooling mattress?
If you are affected by night sweats, hot flushes, or other heat-related sleep disturbances, a cooling mattress can offer real relief—promoting deeper, uninterrupted rest. By lowering the temperature across the length of the body, it mimics the natural dip in core temperature that signals bedtime, quietly cueing the brain to wind down and the muscles to release. With a comfortable temperature comes less tossing and turning, so you get your required eight hours a night.