Best cooling mattress toppers for 2022

Cozy Earth

The next mattress pad I tried was made by the creator of Oprah’s favorite bedding, Cozy Earth. Ideal for those of us who sleep hot, or have bedrooms stuck in the most insufferable of humid environments, this hypoallergenic, temperature-regulating, highly breathable mattress pad is crafted with 100% bamboo-derived viscose — a lightweight, absorbent material. 

My first impression of the Cozy Earth Mattress Topper upon unboxing was that the stitching looked to be of high quality, it felt soft to the touch and the zippable tote that came with it was unexpected and adorable. It’s a high-quality coral and white striped canvas bag and would make a great overnight bag, beach bag or storage bag for your mattress pad when not in use. 

Since the bamboo mattress pad didn’t feel particularly cool in my hands, nor did it feel warm, I decided to sleep on it without a sheet covering it in order to fully experience the fabric. 

As I slept, I did notice feeling comfortable, neither hot nor cold, but as I turned over or moved around, I could always look forward to the coolness of the fresh areas of fabric. And while it wasn’t a thick pad, it was still noticeably butter-soft.

What I especially loved were the deep pockets on the mattress pad, oversized so that it won’t come untucked no matter your mattress size, even if you move around a lot while sleeping like I do. I normally need to get up and fix my bedding at least once a night, but I didn’t need to with this mattress pad. I could stay in bed all cozy and sleep on until morning.

I would buy this cooling mattress pad product if I had more humidity to deal with, and I would probably buy it with a set of Cozy Earth sheets in order to get the full cooling experience. Here in my home, I have a super firm mattress and need something with a bit more cushion, as well as something with cooling properties. The Cozy Earth mattress pad has temperature-regulating qualities which would work well for many, and the company says it will “fix overheating by sleeping degrees cooler and half as humid.”

The purchase of a Cozy Earth Mattress Pad comes with a 30-day refund policy so you can decide if you really like it or not, as well as free shipping and returns, certification to prove this cooling mattress pad passed testing for harmful chemicals and a fully transparent supply chain. Its bamboo is harvested from only sustainable, pesticide-free sources. Be sure to read the care instructions and ways to freshen the mattress pad naturally on the company website for best results. 

Brooklyn Bedding

My next review was of the Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector. Inspired by the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora mattress cover, the fabric on this does the double duty of protecting your mattress from spills and other catastrophes as well as cooling you off. Waterproof, hypoallergenic and crafted of high-quality cotton terry material, this mattress protector feels soft and cool to the touch, and was a delight to rest on. 

Since the fabric is made of components designed to pull heat away from your body, I still felt cool when I placed my sheets over this mattress protector. And with just a light blanket to go on top, I found myself able to turn off the air conditioning for the night. (That’s a bill I can always use some savings on!)

While it didn’t really solve my problem of a too-hard mattress, the Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector does offer innovative cooling properties as well as a way to keep the bacteria, bed bugs and dust mites at bay. The best part in my experience is the fabric is crafted to “deliver cooling on contact,” which it does — and it’s really pleasant. It even feels cool while you’re just putting it on the mattress.

Conveniently machine-washable, this mattress protector is easy to care for if you follow the laundering instructions. It’s designed to fit average-sized mattresses, with a thickness of anywhere between 11 and 14 inches. The deep pockets will cover any height in that range too, so no worries there.

I would certainly buy this product, although once again I think I would buy it with some sheets of the same brand to enjoy the full experience. I’d love to try the Aurora mattress sometime to see how the cover feels and compare it to this mattress protector since that was its inspiration, too.

Additionally, I think hot sleepers in general, anyone with allergies, or folks who have a hard time sleeping — especially those who like to toss their bedding into the washing machine as needed — would benefit from a mattress protector like this. Its hypoallergenic, silky soft fabric and conductive cooling qualities would help you relax, fall asleep easily and stay cool all night.

When you buy a Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Mattress Protector, you’ll have a 30-day refund time frame, but you’ll need to contact it for a prepaid shipping label before sending it back. You’ll also get free shipping and a three-year warranty for defects.

Brooklyn Bedding also partners with local organizations to donate mattresses and other bedding to children in foster care and adults living in shelters and transitional housing. Read more about that here. 

Tempurpedic

Ideal for making a too-firm or current mattress more comfortable, the Tempur Adapt + Cooling Topper is a luxurious 3-inch thick mattress cooler, and the cover is breathable, cool to the touch, and removes excess heat. 

This topper is said to have remarkable pressure-relieving power, and offers customized support. Customer reviews on the company site shared that it’s great for alleviating back pain as well. 

The Tempur Adapt + Cooling Topper arrived neatly packaged with the white foam base with thin blue stripes sealed in plastic separately from the white cover. After it was unboxed, unrolled and decompressed, I noticed the foam base was already soft and plush-feeling.

Lying on it and falling asleep felt truly decadent, and I would absolutely buy this product with my own money. You’ll very likely wake up cool, pain-free and refreshed. The Tempur topper material is available in a noncooling finish as well. 

The cover is conveniently washable (as long as you follow the directions carefully — please do not wash the inner foam base). The cover is also hypoallergenic and dust mite-resistant. This is absolutely the next best thing to buying a brand-new mattress. 

Tempur-Pedic products are assembled in the US and come with free shipping and a 10-year warranty. Its site says it does not accept returns, however, “due to the personal nature of these products.”

Saatva

Saatva’s Cooling Graphite Mattress Topper has three inches of foam infused with a layer of cooling graphite enveloped by a super soft cover — perfect for a long, rejuvenating slumber. It should fit around the sides of your bed comfortably no matter how thick your mattress is (well, up to 16 inches high, that is) since it has straps to hold it in place, and it molds nicely to your body’s contours. It’s a medium-firm feel, and the high density of the foam in this topper is also said to limit motion transfer when your sleep partner moves. 

Unboxing the Saatva was a delight, since I’ve long wanted to try out anything Saatva-related. This topper was fun to squeeze (gently, of course) as it was unrolled and placed on the bed. It required no time to decompress, and there was no off-gassing smell that I detected. It held its proper position nicely with the large elastic corner straps, and I’m pretty sure it stayed in place all night even though I move a lot as I sleep. It didn’t feel extremely cool to the touch at first, but it did seem to keep me cool as I laid on it. 

I would likely buy this product, but I would make certain it stayed pristinely clean since it can only be spot-cleaned. You can’t wash it in the machine or send it to the dry cleaners, which means eating or drinking nearby is going to be a no-no. And with my family in mind, with the amount of coffee and other drinks we spill on a regular basis, a guest bedroom would likely be the only space where this product could be properly shown off. 

This topper is said to work with any Saatva mattress of the same size, as well as other brands as well. It also provides not only a cooling sleep but better support overnight, thanks to the foam and enhanced pressure relief when you need it.

When you buy the Saatva Graphite Cooling Mattress Topper, you’ll get free shipping and free returns within 45 days. There’s also a one-year limited nonprorated warranty. 

Saatva products are sustainably sourced with concern for the environmental resources used in their creation, with a close eye on the supply chain from the organic cotton farm to your home. It also works solely with Fair Trade Certified factories, which promote and adhere to the highest of working standards for their employees. 

Cool Care Technologies

Unlike other cooling pads on this list, the Cool Flash Pad is pressure activated, so just lying or sitting on it is good enough to get it started. It’s also designed for a single person to use, rather than covering your entire bed. That’s great if your sleep partner sleeps colder than you, or if you don’t want to invest in a larger topper. This cooling gel mattress pad has a gel bead that will allow you to sleep cooler by promoting extra airflow.

Made primarily of vinyl, the cooling pad is lightweight and easy to store for travel if needed. You can use it either above or below your bedsheet, depending on your own preference. Once you’ve had enough cooling, remove it and let it “recharge” itself. According to the company website, it stays cold for approximately three hours, then needs about 30 minutes to recharge. It can be wiped clean using a damp cloth and gentle soap. 

One thing I noticed is that while I used it, it felt wet to the touch to me — but it wasn’t. There’s not a drop of water in this body pad. Nor is there any refrigeration, freezing or electricity involved — although the company website says you can put it in the fridge or freezer for the ultimate chill level. 

While this undoubtedly would be great for people with muscle aches or other medical issues that cause them to become too hot, I found I couldn’t sleep on it all night — it’s just too cold! 

It still felt really nice and refreshing briefly, however, and it’s easy to imagine how good it would feel if you did need it. I do get headaches from hot weather sometimes, so this might be just what the doctor ordered next time one of those drops in. 

Note: You can get a large pad for your body (measuring 43.4 by 27.6 inches), or a smaller pad for your head and shoulders only (11.75 by 15.75 inches). Some customers mentioned in the reviews they bought one of each to help with their recovery from chemotherapy and other cooling needs.

The body pad comes with a 12-month limited manufacturer’s warranty from time of purchase with proper care. They accept returns within 30 days of purchase. Cooling Care Technologies also make similar body pads and products for pets.

If you need to cool off fast, I highly recommend this product. Whether you’re feeling achy from a bad cold or the flu, cramping from your menstrual cycle, recovering from a spring-break sunburn or heading into your hundredth hot flash of the night, this little body pad packs a wallop of chilly relief.

PlushBeds

I originally planned to review PlushBed’s Cooling Gel Memory Foam Topper, but it’s being discontinued. In its place, the company offered the PlushBeds Natural Talalay Latex Topper for testing. Rather than using specialty materials for cooling, this topper is 100% natural latex, meaning it’s different but still sleeps cool due to its open cell structure. 

I received the Latex Topper in the 3-inch height (there’s also a 2-inch option), in medium-firm density (there’s also soft, medium-soft, medium and extra firm), with no cover in twin size (38 by 75 inches) — and I’m glad I did. 

This topper is super thick and sturdy but has a bit of give to it too, ideal for stretching the life of an older mattress or trying to make an uncomfortable one a bit more cozy. It’s definitely long enough as it fits at least an inch past the end of my bed on both sides, but that’s fine because it tucks in a little when covered with the fitted sheet. 

Lying on it all night feels lovely, and its pressure-relieving power is significant. Others have described the sensation of lying on a latex topper like this as similar to floating. I couldn’t agree more! And after sleeping on it all night, you’ll feel rejuvenated. The open-cell airflow design (aka the “holes”) allows for optimal cooling because they carry and distribute heat throughout the topper while letting the sleeper stay cool. 

My favorite part about natural latex is that it’s naturally antimicrobial, dust mite- and mildew-resistant and hypoallergenic. There were no fumes or off-gassing with this topper, and it was a pleasure to sleep on. My assistant claims this topper as his personal favorite and asked if he could try sleeping on it too. How could I say no?

I would buy this product as well as any cover it comes with, although it works fine just with a sheet too. 

When you purchase a Natural Latex Topper from PlushBeds, you’ll get free shipping and a five-year warranty — but your topper could easily last up to 20 years. However, the company site explains that it does not offer returns on this product due to “safety and sanitary regulations.” 

Brooklinen

This mattress topper got high praise from my assistants and models (both furry and human), as they lounged on it longer than the rest and even took a short nap on it when I did my assessment. While it’s not as thick as the rest of the toppers I reviewed and it doesn’t come in twin size (full is the smallest), there is a lovely feel to it that I felt must be attributed to the down alternative material. 

Also cooling, breathable, antibacterial and hypoallergenic, this mattress protector lengthens the life of your mattress while protecting it from spills, sweat, bed bugs and dust mites. The quilted top is integrated into the rest of the cooling components to bring you optimal temperature regulation, and the mattress protector fits the mattress like a fitted sheet to remain in place all night. This one is also machine-washable, a highly convenient feature. 

I would be pleased to buy this for myself and would also consider it as a gift for others. The down alternative is ideal for those who have allergies or simply wish to avoid feathers or other animal products in their bedding. It’s also good for those with little ones who tend to climb in bed with them, as there’s a waterproof barrier at the bottom to catch leaks from diapers and other spills. It’s excellent for all mattress heights up 18 inches, too, so nearly any bed will work with this topper. Those interested in a thicker or more plush topper may not like this one, as it’s somewhat slim. 

When you buy the Brooklinen Down Alternative Mattress Topper, you’ll have 30 days to return it, but you must contact it for a prepaid shipping label before sending it back. There’s also a three-year warranty for mattress protector defects. 

Nature’s Sleep

This package comes with a light green speckled memory foam base, which my assistant said felt and looked a lot like cotton candy, and a soft white cover to put over it once fully decompressed. 

It took several hours, as indicated on the instructions, for the memory foam topper to reach its desired fully decompressed and flattened shape. When it was flat, I put it on the mattress where my assistants once again rushed to lie down on its cushy softness. 

The accompanying white cover goes over the foam as well as the rest of the mattress, and it all fit very well on ours with room to spare.

I definitely would buy this mattress topper, and one for each of my assistants as well. We loved the three full inches of plush gel memory foam and breathable, quality fitted cover, as well as the additional Airflow Gel Memory Foam for top level cooling — and we especially loved that this mattress topper comes in at a low price.

When you buy a Nature’s Sleep Air Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper, you’ll get free shipping throughout the 48 contiguous states. Regarding refunds, any unused or unopened toppers may be mailed back to the company at the customer’s expense. 

At this moment, there are only Twin, Twin XL and King sizes available. The suggested price size is King.

GhostBed

Upon the initial unboxing, my GhostBed Memory Foam Topper immediately decompressed and there was no off-gassing smell. However, the accompanying cover did seem to have a bit of a “new product” scent to it, so I washed it in cold water on the gentle cycle as the care instructions suggested (they’re right on the attached tag), then dried it on low. This solved the problem, so I was able to use the topper with the cover on it within one day of unboxing. (Be sure to use the topper with the cover — the cover is made with the company’s proprietary Ghost Ice fabric, a crucial cooling feature of the topper.)

Aside from that, the first thing that stood out for me was the intricate set of designs on the GhostBed Topper. It was quite stunning in appearance, divided into five different sections of waves, squiggles and swirls on the topper’s sea foam-colored surface, and each one seemed to have its own texture and level of firmness. When I read the brochures that came with the package, I found out that these sections are focused on giving the body more support where it’s needed, as well as promoting cooling airflow through its strategic cuts and carvings. I think it does both of those tasks well, as I felt supported, comfortable and cool enough to sleep through the night while lying on it. I also found that the cover is cool to the touch, and remained so even after being washed and dried.

When I laid on it, I found the topper was super comfy against my body. At 3 inches thick, the topper provided nice contouring around the edges of my frame, and although I’m more of a stomach sleeper, this topper is set up for all sleeping positions, so I felt cozy enough to fall asleep within a few minutes of lying on it. It stays in place well, too, due to the thick perimeter band that stretches around the cover, and the cover’s pockets being a remarkable 18 inches deep. It’s also waterproof, infused with cooling gel and conveniently machine washable. 

I’d recommend this topper for anyone who can benefit from the cushion and cooling support it offers. While a little on the pricey side, it’s also American-made and comes with free delivery and a five-year warranty. All sales of this product are final.

Helix

The Helix Ultra-Cool Pad uses something interesting called phase change material, which Helix describes as a material that “absorbs and regulates heat.” In doing so, this cooling technology apparently keeps the surface fabric cool to the touch, as it remained so throughout most of the time I used this mattress pad. 

The sides are cotton and fit like a fitted sheet on just about any mattress, even as deep as 15 inches. It’s also antimicrobial, hypoallergenic and made in the USA. Additionally, the fabric is soft and smooth, and you can even put it in the washing machine. 

The Helix came with a handy tote bag too, similar to the Cozy Earth tote, which I really like — but please be gentle if you try to store your mattress pad in the tote when you’re finished using it. I tugged too hard on the zipper putting this one away and ended up with a little rip on the side. (Insert sad trombone sound here.)

Other than that, I was quite pleased with the coolness of this mattress pad, as well as impressed at its low price. Conveniently machine-washable to boot, this became my favorite in the mattress pad mix so far.

When you buy a Helix Ultra-Cool Pad, you’ll get a 100-night sleep trial to decide whether you really want to keep it, a one-year warranty, free shipping and free no-contact delivery. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the Helix Ultra-Cool Pad from the moment I unboxed it to find it sitting in its nifty tote bag, to removing it and tucking it around its new mattress.