The Best Cooling Mattress Toppers, Tested by Editors Who No Longer Sweat in Their Sleep

When you sleep hot, there are two seasons: summer, and pretending it's not summer. And when the AC unit starts wheezing like a Victorian orphan, the difference between a good night’s sleep and a sweaty mess often comes down to your bedding. That’s where cooling mattress toppers come in. Thicker than a pad, cheaper than a whole new mattress, they’re basically a shortcut to reinventing your bed—adding extra comfort and (hopefully) some actual temperature regulation.

That’s why I roped in a few fellow hot sleepers from the PureWow team to help me test the best cooling toppers of 2025—each one claiming to offer breathable foam, sweat-wicking covers or temperature-reactive tech. We tested toppers from Tempur-Pedic, Saatva, Avocado Green and more, evaluating how cool they actually kept us overnight and whether they were comfy enough to justify the price tag.

For each topper, we asked testers to rate them across five key metrics: cooling performance, comfort, quality of materials, ease of setup and overall value. We slept on them for multiple nights—tracking everything from night sweats to back pain—and filled out detailed forms covering how the topper felt across different sleep positions and environments.

We also took notes on the unboxing experience (because no one wants to deal with a chemical-smelling foam burrito), how long the topper took to expand, and whether the design lived up to its cooling claims—be it via latex, gel, coils or futuristic-sounding fabrics. The final list reflects the ones that didn’t just promise cooling, but delivered it.

Want to know which buzzy products are *really* worth buying? Sign up for our shopping newsletter to uncover our favorite finds.

• Gbolahan Okubadejo, M.D. is a spinal and orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the treatment of degenerative spinal disease, spinal deformity, and cervical, lumbar and thoracic conditions.
• Dr. Frank Siraguso is a Kansas City-based chiropractor who specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of musculoskeletal and nervous system disorders.

After weeks of testing, three toppers stood out from the rest. For serious temperature regulation, the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt + Cooling Topper impressed, with a cool-to-the-touch knit cover and signature memory foam that kept one of our staffers sweat-free all night. Then, if you're craving something organic and breathable, the Avocado Green Eco Organic Topper uses natural latex and cotton to wick moisture and promote airflow—ideal for hot sleepers who want a more eco-conscious option. And finally, if you’re after breathable, plush support with real mattress-like heft, the Saatva Micro-Coil Mattress Topper was my personal favorite. It has just the right balance of structure and softness, with recycled steel coils and gel-infused foam that helps dissipate heat (not trap it)—making it a godsend for anyone who runs hot but doesn’t want to feel like they’re sleeping on an ice pack.

While the standard thickness of a mattress topper is between two and eight inches, you want to make sure that your topper will not only keep you cool, but also accommodate your sleeping style. A plush, contoured foam might be best for side sleepers, but a 2021 review suggests that a medium-firm [feel] can help reduce lower back pain. “Pay attention to the thickness of a mattress topper,” cautions spinal and orthopedic surgeon Gbolahan Okubadejo, M.D. “A thicker mattress topper provides more support, especially for heavyweight people, and can help alleviate pressure point pain on the hips and shoulders. The downside to a denser mattress topper is the thicker they are, the hotter they can feel,” he adds. 

But of course, finding an effective cooling topper comes down to its materials. According to Dr. Frank Siraguso, a Kansas City-based chiropractor, there are three categories that you should note when it comes to temperature regulation:

1. Latex Toppers: “The open-cell pattern of latex allows air into the material and helps with breathability,” Dr. Siraguso explains. This is because latex is constructed with little perforations in its design, so it’ll never trap or hold heat on the surface. Plus, according to the doc, it’s also a top choice for anyone with allergies or sensitive skin, where “natural latex is odor free, hypo-allergenic, anti-microbial, and dust mite resistant.” He also adds: “The sustainably sourced material is also free of chemical dyes, pesticides, bleach, and other fillers that are found in other synthetic materials.”
2. Gel Toppers: Per the doc, gel beads—specifically copper gel beads—can be infused into memory foam toppers to offer a one-of-a-kind sleep experience: “Copper is known for its cooling and cleansing antimicrobial properties, while the benefit of gel beads is heat transfer. When the beads come in contact with each other, they carry heat away quickly and efficiently, leading to a cooler sleep experience.” He also adds: “The beads compress into a firmer shape under pressure, providing extra support to areas like your hips and shoulders. This is crucial for sleepers with back pain, as it reduces the pressure and strain on your spine at night.”
3. Graphite Foam Toppers: “Graphite memory foam is ideal for sleepers who run hot, rest on their back and side, or are generally in search of pressure relief,” notes Dr. Siraguso. This is because graphite has small, spherical pores that are experts in absorbing and dissipating heat. The graphite is typically mixed into the foam itself, so when you sink in, its particles are forced to quickly conduct heat and release it through the surface. Plus, the doc also says, “The memory foam element is particularly ideal for side and back sleepers because it conforms to the contours of your body and provides support on pressure points…This will keep you in place and adapt to your position as you sleep.”