The best cooling mattresses for hot sleepers, tried and tested

If you’re a hot sleeper, you’ll know that there’s nothing worse than being jarred awake by clammy bedding and the disorientating feeling that your bedroom has been transported to the Serengeti. If your current mattress feels more sauna than sanctuary, it might be time to reimagine your bed as a space where comfort meets climate control.

When nocturnal temperatures peak, a cooling mattress paired with the right cooling pillow comes into its own, drawing heat away and ramping up airflow. For those of us who struggle with night sweats, a memory foam mattress in a heatwave may prove stifling, whereas a breezy hybrid packed with hyper-breathable graphite foam will allow more air to circulate along the length of our bodies. Choosing the perfect sleep setup can feel like navigating a maze of materials, features and promises—but the journey needn’t be a daunting one.

MAY WE SUGGEST: Keep a cool head with these cooling pillows

Whether you’re a back, stomach or side sleeper, the House & Garden team have tried and tested some of the best mattresses for hot sleepers that blend heat relief with support and comfort. Their stories of unbroken rest on the most sweltering of nights may convert even the most sceptical hot sleeper into a cooling mattress devotee.

The best cooling mattresses, at a glance

Don’t have time to read the full guide? Here is our breakdown of the best cooling mattresses:

Spot ‘Thermo’ in the name of this Emma mattress and hoping it lives up to its strongly implied temperature regulation prowess? Formerly known as ‘NextGen Cooling Mattress’ this product features graphite-infused foam that supports rest by efficiently channeling heat away from the sleeper, helping to ensure the ideal body temperature. A second layer promotes airflow while contouring to your body to aid in deep sleep. Our House & Garden tester slept through hot summer nights on this mattress and describes the experience as ‘refreshing and unclaustrophobic’.

• Pro: Our co-sleeping tester was particularly impressed by this bed’s exceptional ability to isolate motion.
• Con: A little extra height makes the Emma Hybrid Thermosync Mattress look plush but you may find your fitted sheets a little too short.

Panda Hybrid Bamboo Double Mattress

Designed specifically with hot sleepers in mind, this latest Panda launch is billed as the ‘world’s most advanced, breathable bamboo mattress’. This cooling hybrid features six layers including the unique open-cell memory foam that not only aids circulation but also helps with odour resistance. We found this mattress to be impressive for encouraging airflow and its thermoregulating bamboo cover adding a touch of cosy comfort.

• Pro: Constructed with pesticide free and ethically sourced bamboo, this is an environmentally conscious choice.
• Con: This model sits at a standard 27cm (approximately 10.6 inches), which may feel modest for those who prefer a more substantial mattress.

Best luxury cooling mattress for hot sleepers: Simba Hybrid Luxe, from £1,199

Simba Hybrid Luxe Double Mattress

As Simba’s most advanced mattress, expectations are high in every aspect of performance and that includes cooling. This thoughtfully engineered hybrid includes 11 layers including custom pocket springs for circulation and open-cell Simbatex foam infused with graphite to aid breathability. A temperature regulating wool layer ensures comfort for every season. Our hot sleeper tester described the effect this cooling mattress had on their warm weather sleep as ‘game changing’.