The Best Cooling Mattress Pad for You

Buying a new mattress is an important decision. Some people find it difficult to sleep on any old mattress, and others can fall asleep standing up. People are all different and we all need to find the optimum mattress that suits our needs. After the mattress is purchased, the next step is to ensure that you will be as comfortable as possible. Some people are cool sleepers, requiring extra warmth and layers of blankets to achieve optimal comfort. Others sleep warm and may require an extra cooling pad for their mattress, particularly during the summer months. If the latter applies to you, we’ve got you covered with our top 5 recommendations for the best cooling mattress pads.

Best Cooling Mattress Pads

Why Do You Need a Mattress Cooling Pad?

Whether you want to extend the life of your mattress, a little extra padding, or maybe just want a more comfortable and cooling surface to sleep on, the right pad can be a cost-effective alternative to purchasing a new bed. Foam mattresses are one of the more common types that people choose. There are many different types of foam that can be made into mattresses. Among others, there is polyurethane foam, memory foam, gel foam, reflex foam and latex rubber foam. All these options are great, except that foam mattresses can cause a sleeper to overheat. You can opt for a latex version which usually has air holes that promote better air circulation to keep you cooler. Regardless of your mattress type, having a cooling pad can alleviate your troubles if you are a warm sleeper.

Tips on Choosing a Mattress Cooling Product

Material

The first thing to think about is what kind of material you’re looking for. This can lead into all kinds of factors that you wouldn’t have thought to consider. Typically, a mattress pad will be made out of cotton, latex or wool, and will use Outlast Cooling Technology. If you’re allergic to any of these materials, they can be eliminated from your list. Cotton mattress pads will be the simple option: they’re machine washable, but are also the thinnest material and therefore the least durable of the three.

Latex and wool pads will typically last longer. They’re resistant against mold and dust mites, which is important if your home is damp from the humidity in the air. Wool pads are more absorbent, so they will take away sweat and moisture leaving you cool and airy. If it’s longevity you’re looking for, however, latex might be your best bet as it’s known to last many years without wearing out.

Quality

Experience tells us that products made using cheap quality materials break down and lose their effectiveness more quickly than those made with superior-grade materials. Always opt for the best your budget will allow. When it comes to bedding, higher thread counts help prevent fabrics from pilling and becoming uncomfortable, while having plenty of well-placed baffles will eliminate the fill from shifting during the wash process. And because you want a mattress pad to retain its shape and fit, look for edges and elastic that won’t snap or lose their shape over time.

Ease of Use

You’ll want to check out mattress pads that can be installed or removed quickly and easily by just one person. Few of us have a team to make beds and when it’s down to just you, who needs to waste time struggling with corners? Look for fabrics that won’t shrink after washing, which can make fitting the corners problematic. You should also ask yourself if the mattress pad is machine-washable and can be tossed into the dryer. Spills and stains happen, so check the manufacturer’s instructions before you buy. Some pads are even elasticized around the entire outer edge, for easier installation and removal.

Key Advantages

The major advantage of having a mattress cooling pad is that it’s cost-effective. It’s much cheaper to buy a pad than to get an entirely new mattress, so you’re still getting a cool and comfortable sleep without sacrificing comfort for cost. Having a mattress cooling pad is really the best of both worlds!

If you live in a warm climate, it’s likely that you’re familiar with humidity. Unfortunately, there isn’t much we can do about that, but having a cooling pad means that you can still sleep in comfort. You don’t need to consider moving from the warm climate to escape overheating and the insomnia that often results!

Another benefit is that the mattress gives you a more balanced sleep. It will cradle your body so that you get the perfect amount of support. In turn, this can help align your spinal cord while you sleep. The pressure will be taken off your hips and shoulders, and you’ll start to feel more refreshed during the day.

Attributes that Differentiate Mattress Cooling Products

As mentioned above, the materials that are used in cooling pads are a key factor in your decision-making process. However, there are more key attributes to consider. Some cooling pads have the sole purpose of relieving the annoyance of overheating. Others will work towards making you as comfortable as possible, which includes alleviating pain from your joints. This can come as a blessed relief to some people, but it can be difficult to find a mattress and pad that works specifically to reduce your pain.

If it’s important that your mattress pad is soft, you’ll most likely choose one made of cotton. If you’d rather have extra support for your back, latex pads are great for this if you need back and joint support while you sleep.

Any cooling product worth checking out should use Outlast Cooling Technology. It’s something that was originally made by and for NASA. It’s a material that uses PCMs (phase changing materials) and is integrated into the material to keep the body and bed cool. It absorbs your excess heat when you don’t need it, stores and releases it back when your normal temperature cools.

The size of mattress pads is another factor to consider. Certain pads can weigh more than 30 pounds, while others don’t weigh more than five pounds. This will definitely make a difference if you’re constantly adjusting the cooling pad or washing it frequently. If you choose a pad that has a good or high level of density, then it’ll tend to last longer and hold its shape better than a low-density pad. However, if a pad has a higher density, it sometimes won’t dispense as much heat. A good quality open cell foam product would be more breathable and keep you slightly cooler than one without.

Mattress Pad vs. Mattress Topper: What’s the Difference?

You might be reading this article and have noticed that mattress pad and topper are often used interchangeably in some product names/descriptions. The truth is, a mattress pad and mattress topper are not the same thing. This article specifically lists the best cooling mattress pads for you, which are lighter surface protectors for your mattress. In contrast, a topper is typically much more dense, can be made of materials such as memory foam – which really add a thicker layer to your mattress – and also offer more support than a mattress pad. As you will see in each of our product images, the mattress pads all have a similar shape and size, even though the materials will be very different. There are also a variety of options if you’re looking for the best cooling mattress toppers for hot sleepers.

Conclusion

After learning about mattress cooling pads in greater detail, we went through some of the reasons to buy one. This was followed by several product reviews showcasing similar products. While many of the cooling pads had similar functions, they also had unique differences. The clear winner of the product review was The chiliPAD Sleep System with Chili Cool Mesh.

This cooling pad was the winner, as it clearly holds its own in the world of cooling pads. Its use of Outlast technology is a major bonus. It is a soft, high quality material, and has no danger of invoking allergy triggers. The price is a little high compared to the other products, but the quality is very high.

Therefore, it’s worth the extra money that’s required at the start. The good air circulation in this cooling pad is what makes it a good choice for keeping you nice and cool at night. The material that is used in this pad is not likely to start sagging anytime soon, so you will have a good amount of support for a long time to come!

Recent Updates

January 23, 2023: Added FAQs, updated Slumber Cloud Core Mattress Pad with personal review and images. Replaced Leisure Town Mattress Pad with Slumber Cloud Performance Mattress Pad, added original photography from hands-on review.

May 20, 2021: Sleep Better ISO-Cool 11-Ounce Pad has been replaced with Zen Bamboo Mattress Pad Cover due to product availability. Exceptional Sheets Bamboo Extra Plush Cooling Mattress Pad has been replaced with Leisure Town Queen Mattress Pad Cover Cooling Mattress Topper due to product listing not matching review, not specified as a cooling mattress pad.

FAQs

Can mattress toppers keep you cool?

Absolutely! With the right technology, they can keep you cool all night long. With that being said, they have limits. If you’re experiencing night sweats or hormone changes, a cooling pad can only go so far. It’s up to you to include things like wearing less clothes or ones that are more breathable, like cotton, adding a fan to your bedroom, or sleeping with a window open.

What can I put on my bed to make it cool?

A cooling mattress pad works very well, especially ones designed with gels and technology to keep you cool. Special gels are designed to absorb your body heat when temperatures rise. You can also try a bed fan.

What mattress pad does not get hot?

Ones with specialized cooling technology. Look for pads that are made with gel materials that are specially designed to wick heat and moisture away from you in order to keep you cool all night long.

Do bed cooling systems work?

Yes, they do. Read specs and user reviews to get first-hand opinions. You can choose from simple gel-filled pads, copper-infused, or even electronic systems with built-in fans.

What is the best cooling mattress pad?

That depends on your preferences, but we recommend the chiliPAD Sleep System with Chili Cool Mesh. Thousands of users have stated that it’s well worth the investment, and our Sleep Judge team has even tested it for ourselves. You can read the full review here.