Preparation
Do you often find yourself waking up from night sweats or else tossing and turning under the covers because you’re uncomfortable and hot? You’re not alone. In fact, Russell Jelinek, senior engineering and compliance director at Casper, says that a recent company study found that 67 percent of participants reported “waking several times a month due to temperature issues.” It makes sense when you consider that the average human body temperature is already 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, and going to sleep often means experiencing additional heat from your bedding. “When we sleep under blankets or in particularly hot conditions, our body’s temperature can increase, which often leads to more heat retention and a poor sleeping experience,” Jelinek explains. And that’s why cooling mattresses can help. Through their design and materials, cooling mattresses can combat the tendency to “sleep hot” and provide much needed temperature regulation.
That’s why so many consumers are turning to cooling mattresses. An interesting bit of history? Chris Allen, the director of mattresses at Purple, explains that cooling mattresses were initially developed to “address an issue created by the addition of memory foam.” Allen continues, “While memory foam has some excellent pressure relief properties, it is often accompanied by a warmer sleep experience.” To help you get a cooler night’s sleep, we asked mattress industry experts to tell us exactly how cooling mattresses work and share their recommendations for the best options on the market.
Serta Arctic MattressCasper Wave Hybrid Snow MattressNectar Premier CopperTuft & Needle Mint MattressBrooklyn Bedding Aurora
“Cooling mattresses use a mix of gels and foams to pull heat away from our beds and bodies, keeping us cool throughout the night,” Jelinek explains. This allows for body temperature regulation, says Melanie Huet, the CCO of Serta Simmons Bedding, so you won’t “sleep hot.” On the other hand, non-cooling mattresses might actually trap heat, Huet adds. Think of it this way: Sleeping on a cooling mattress isn’t about feeling cold—it’s about regulating your temperature effectively, say our experts.
Because cooling mattresses are all about temperature regulation—something all humans can benefit from—they are beneficial for anyone who feels uncomfortably hot while resting. More specifically, Huet recommends cooling mattresses for women going through menopause, who experience sleep disruptions from hormone-related night sweats and climbing body temperatures. Your environment is another key factor that impacts whether or not you sleep hot, which is why Allen recommends these beds to people who live in very hot or humid regions.
For more sustainably produced and eco-friendly options, Stephen Light, the CMO and co-owner of Nolah Mattress, suggests shopping for cooling mattresses made from latex. “It’s an excellent mattress material that has amazing cooling properties,” he says. “It’s entirely temperature-neutral and isn’t affected by room temperature. Latex is breathable and allows air to move freely, meaning it shouldn’t conduct heat from your body.” Below, discover some expert-approved options to shop now.
