Contents
Sleep is an important part of our daily routine, sleeping comfortably even more so, but sometimes, when your room doesn’t have good airflow for cooling, sleeping in your bed may get uncomfortably warm, enough to the point that it becomes unbearable, especially during the summers when the weather is already scorching.
One solution is using cooling mattress toppers for your bed; these toppers are usually made of memory foam, polyester or memory foam, and are a great way to cool down your mattress when it gets too hot for you to sleep comfortably. Cooling mattress toppers work by getting the heat away from the sleeper, resulting in a cooler temperature.
That’s not all, we’ll also be guiding you on what types of cooling mattress toppers are best for what situations, as well as instruct you on how to correctly choose the material for your topper according to your sleeping preferences, and the pros and cons surrounding the product.
The Best Wedge Pillows
1. Silentnight Airmax Mattress Topper
2. Recci Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper
3. Panda Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Considerations For Buying A Cooling Mattress Topper
Before purchasing a cooling mattress topper, you need to consider factors such as pricing, material, comfort, sizing, and many others. Here we will be discussing a few of those factors:
Depth and size
The depth of the mattress topper should be just enough to regulate the temperature of the mattress surface while also being thick enough to get rid of excess temperature. An ideal topper would be approximately 3-6cm, any more and it is likely too much.
For people with plus sizes, a thicker topper will be better as it will support your weight while also giving your body support during sleeping. For people with median weights and below, a thin topper will do, however, it must not be too thin. Some people may instead opt for a mattress pad or padded protector to help prevent the build-up of heat in the mattress.
The topper size should fit your mattress, so it’s important to measure your existing mattress’ dimensions first to get the best size from the store. If the topper is too long, it will keep sliding down the mattress as you move about in your sleep, if it’s too short, it won’t cover the surface area of the whole mattress and will not cool it completely.
Materials
Coming on to the second most important feature; the material of the topper; it’s important to know which material is suitable for what sleeping conditions to purchase the ideal topper:
Memory foam – toppers made from memory foam are mistaken for trapping heat, however, some manufacturers have designed memory foam in such a way that its structure cools the bed, rather than warming it. While some producers instil their toppers with graphite, others use cover layers that have cooling properties to counteract the memory foam.
Latex toppers – latex is a stretchable material with cooling properties, so a topper made from latex will be able to cool down your bed easily. They’re also durable, sturdy, and require little to no maintenance.
Cotton based toppers – toppers with cotton have a distinct feature: they can turn away the heat and moisture emanating from your mattress, cooling it down. They’re also relatively softer and more comfortable than gel-based, latex or memory foam toppers.
Gel-based toppers – gel-infused foams not only cool you down but also support your spine while sleeping. It also comes in various thicknesses and sizes, depending on if you want a firmer topper or any other.
Pricing
Before purchasing, set a budget range for what you can afford. Most polyester cooling toppers cost around £50 or less, the prices increasing for most sophisticated materials such as latex, gel-based and memory foam. There are also toppers with cooling tubes installed, which will have a much higher price.
If you believe more expensive materials like gel and memory foam are a good value for money and will last a long time, then the purchase will be worthwhile, if not, look for cotton, polyester or synthetically made toppers which cost a lot less for the same feature.
Cooling Properties
The cooling properties of a topper are the most important feature to consider. While some toppers’ structure facilitates airflow, others use materials like graphite to increase cooling. What is best for you is likely to come down to budget and personal choice.
Our Best Selections
1. Silentnight Airmax Mattress Topper
PROS
- Good value
- Breathable and hypoallergenic
- 2-year manufacturers guarantee
CONS
- Won’t revive an old mattress
The Silentnight Airmax topper is 3cm deep and designed to maximise breathability. It is extremely popular on Amazon with over 9,500 ratings. Over 85% of these are 4 or 5 stars. Highlights from customer reviews include ‘’Definitely improves the quality of my bed and makes it feel more luxurious. Good value for money.’’ and ‘’Very soft, and lovely to sleep on.’’
Available in a range of sizes, the Silentnight Airmax topper features air mesh sides that are designed to promote breathability and keep you sleeping cool throughout the night. It is made primarily from polyester and is fully machine washable. This good-value topper is also made in the UK and comes with a 2-year manufacturer guarantee as standard. It should be noted that while it will give a great comfort boost, it won’t revive a mattress that requires replacing.
2. Recci Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper
PROS
- Excellent Value
- Gel-infused for temperature regulation
- High-quality memory foam core
CONS
- There may be a chemical memory foam smell when first received
The Recci memory foam mattress topper is a gel-infused memory foam topper designed to increase the comfort and support you get as you sleep and prevent overheating. It is popular on Amazon with over 650 ratings, over 80% of these are 4 or 5 stars. Highlights from customer reviews include ‘’I am delighted with this product and the improvement it has made to my life.’’ and ‘’Super fast delivery, great comfort’’.
This topper measures 5cm thick and is available in a wide range of different sizes. It has a bamboo viscose cover which is great for breathability and giving the topper a soft touch. The memory foam core is gel-infused which helps with temperature regulation and helps prevent overheating as you sleep.
3. Panda Memory Foam Mattress Topper
PROS
- High-quality materials
- Good cooling technology
- 30-day trial period
CONS
- The potential off-gassing smell when first received
This topper is the highly-rated bamboo memory foam topper by Panda. It is incredibly well-received on Amazon. Gaining over 2,500 ratings with over 90% of these being 4 or 5 stars rated! Highlights from customer reviews include ‘’This topper has transformed my bed into a blissful cloud and I am so glad I bought it.’’ and ‘’So happy with the product, really fantastic quality and would thoroughly recommend!’’
The Panda memory foam mattress topper features a bamboo infused topper which gives the topper a super soft and breathable finish. The use of hydro foam within the mattress helps combat any potential overheating and ensures the mattress topper stays cool as you sleep. The mattress topper also comes with a 30-day money-back trial and a 10-year guarantee.
Read our full review of the Panda Memory foam topper here.
4. viewstar Overfilled Mattress Pad
PROS
- Excellent value
- The deep elastic skirt fit
- Fully machine washable
CONS
- Not as thick as actual toppers
The viewstar overfilled mattress protector/pad is a padded mattress protector that lands somewhere between a mattress topper and a protector. It is popular on Amazon with over 1,100 ratings. Over 80% of these are rated as 4 or 5 stars. Some highlights from customer reviews include ‘’The fabric has a nice pattern, it is soft and has a luxurious feel to it. The filling is nicely even and the size is perfect as described.’’ and ‘’We are delighted with the quality and comfort of this product.’’
The cover is made from a brushed microfibre fabric giving it both a super soft feel and great breathability. It can help combat the heat generated by memory foam mattresses and keep you cooler as you sleep. The elastic skirt of the mattress pad ensures that it stays in place on a mattress of up to 50cm thick and keeps your mattress protected. It is easy to remove and fully machine washable.
5. BedStory Down Alternative Mattress Topper
PROS
- Good value for money
- Corner straps and non-slip mesh keep it in place well
- 30-day money-back guarantee
CONS
- Not as thick as some of the other toppers on this list
The BedStory mattress topper is a super soft, polyester topper designed to give a comfort boost to your mattress. It has the fewest ratings on this list with over 300. Over 80% of these are 4 or 5 stars and it is generally well-received. Some highlights from customer reviews include ‘’Once unpacked it is transformed into a large, soft topper. I was quite impressed. It is soft and comfy. We have been sleeping on it for over a month now and are happy with it.’’ and ‘’I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable this topper is. It’s not as thick looking like the photo but it’s great to sleep on.’’
This topper has a mesh design around the edge to maximise breathability and prevent the build-up of heat as you sleep on it. It is a good value topper that is soft to touch and gives a good boost to your mattress. It has a non-slip underside and straps to keep it in place. This topper comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and it should be noted that it will be a good match for a mattress that is slightly too firm but won’t revive an old mattress that needs replacing.
How Does A Cooling Mattress Topper Work?
Cooling mattress toppers work by controlling the airflow and not allowing heat to build up on top of the mattress to achieve the desired surface temperature. Some toppers have uneven temperatures throughout their surface to account for a human’s bodily needs (to alleviate pains and body aches by keeping a cooler temperature in core places).
Pros and Cons Of Cooling Mattress Toppers
Cooling mattress toppers help regulate body temperature during sleeping and prevent you from getting too uncomfortably hot during your sleep, exhausting you for the next day. These kinds of toppers are a good investment if you’re living in a house with minimal airflow, as it manages the airflow of your mattress for an ideal cool temperature.
Despite all the pros, there are some cons as well; since they come in standard sizes, if your mattress size is non-conventional, you may not find the right topper size to fit your mattress. Buying a topper with the wrong thickness may tire you out as it will not support your body during sleeping and you’ll be even more tired than if you were sleeping without a topper.
How Often Should I Replace A Mattress Topper?
If your topper is made of a material like foam which lasts for a long time you do not need to replace it so frequently, however, it’s advised to change your mattress cover every 3-5 years because a used mattress topper develops permanent dents in it due to your weight, which can be uncomfortable for you while sleeping.
The Verdict: Cooling Mattress Toppers
Cooling mattress toppers are a good investment if you value your sleep and would not compromise anything for it, however, these toppers can do nothing for the irregularities (dents and ridges) already present in your mattress. Regardless, toppers will make sure you have a good night’s sleep at a temperature well-suited to your body.
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API