I Tested 43+ Mattresses to Find the 12 Best Cooling Mattresses of 2026

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Every mattress we recommend is tested hands-on by Sarah Anderson, our Certified Sleep Coach and Mattress Tester, who has personally tested 43+ mattresses using our mattress testing methodology. Each guide is scored on the same fixed measures and cites only credible sources, and our health-related content is reviewed by an independent board of sleep and medical experts. As products change, we re-test them so our recommendations reflect the current version of each bed.

The best cooling mattress should feel less heat-retentive during testing while still supporting your sleeping position, body weight, and firmness preference. After testing 43+ mattresses, I ranked 12 cooling picks based on cooling and breathability, pressure relief, edge support, response time, motion transfer, value, and sleeper fit.

How I Tested & Ranked the Best Cooling Mattresses of 2026

I have personally tested 43+ mattresses, scoring every bed with the same six-part rubric and checking how each surface behaves in back, side, and stomach positions. For this guide, I also compare initial cover temperature, surface heat retention, material breathability, airflow, edge compression, partner movement, surface recovery, trial coverage, and the practical value delivered at the listed price.

Cooling performance carried the most weight in this ranking, but a cool-to-the-touch cover alone did not earn a place. A mattress needed to feel less heat-retentive during testing while still supporting the sleeper’s position, cushioning pressure points, responding well during movement, and avoiding a major performance weakness. The accordion below explains how the fixed scores and category-fit decisions were applied.

Our Take

The Amerisleep AS3 stood out because it felt cooler and more responsive than the slower memory foam beds I compared, while still giving me the contouring I expect from an all-foam mattress. When I lay on my back, my hips stayed level with my shoulders and the medium feel kept my lower back from dipping too far into the surface.

During side-sleeping tests, the Bio-Pur foam cushioned my shoulder without creating the deep, stuck-in-foam feeling that can make warm sleepers feel surrounded by the mattress. When I changed positions, the foam rebounded faster than traditional memory foam, so combination sleepers get pressure relief without fighting the surface.

Best For:

• Back and side sleepers who want a medium memory foam feel.
• Hot-leaning sleepers who want foam that felt less heat-retentive in testing.
• Couples who want low motion transfer without a slow, dense foam feel.

Compare Instead:

• Zoma Boost if you want more bounce and hybrid lift.
• Vaya Mattress if budget matters more than a higher cooling score.

Read Our Full Review of the Amerisleep AS3

Our Take

The Zoma Boost is the better fit for shoppers who want a taller, more lifted cooling mattress with hybrid support. During testing, the surface had a cool initial feel, and the coil base made it easier to move around than the all-foam AS3.

The graphite-infused comfort foam gave light contouring without letting my hips sink too far, while the Reactiv layer and coils added enough bounce for combination sleepers. It suits active sleepers who want a responsive surface that makes position changes easier after long days.

Best For:

• Combination sleepers who want easier repositioning.
• Hot-leaning sleepers who prefer a hybrid feel.
• Shoppers who want a more lifted luxury feel than the AS3.

Compare Instead:

• Amerisleep AS3 if you want better motion isolation from all-foam.
• Saatva Classic if you want a more traditional innerspring bounce.

Read Our Full Review of the Zoma Boost

Our Take

The Vaya Mattress is the value pick because it keeps the design simple without feeling flimsy. During testing, the foam compressed evenly under my shoulders and hips, and the surface responded faster than I expected from a budget all-foam mattress.

The biggest tradeoff is edge support. With a 7/10 Edge Support score, the perimeter compressed more when I sat near the side, so couples who use the full mattress width may want a stronger-edged hybrid. Still, the Vaya makes sense for budget shoppers who want a medium foam bed with solid motion isolation and a less dense feel than traditional memory foam.

Best For:

• Budget shoppers who want a simple cooling foam mattress.
• Guest rooms and first apartments.
• Back and side sleepers who prefer a medium feel.

Compare Instead:

• Amerisleep AS3 if you want stronger cooling and motion scores.
• Helix Midnight Luxe if edge support matters more.

Read Our Full Review of the Vaya Mattress

Our Take

The Helix Midnight Luxe is the strongest side-sleeper fit on this cooling list because the pillow top cushioned my shoulder while the coil system kept the mattress from collapsing under my hips. When I lay on my side, I felt more give at the shoulder than I did on firmer coil beds, but the middle of the mattress still felt supported.

The breathable cover and hybrid build gave the surface a cooler feel than dense foam beds, but its main advantage is pressure relief plus edge support. With a 10/10 Edge Support score, it is a better choice than Vaya for sleepers who sit or lie near the edge.

Best For:

• Side sleepers who want cushioning with strong edge support.
• Couples who need more usable surface area.
• Sleepers who want a medium hybrid instead of all-foam.

Compare Instead:

• Saatva Classic if you want a firmer, bouncier innerspring feel.
• Nolah Evolution 15 if you want a thicker pillow-top profile.

Read Our Full Review of the Helix Midnight Luxe

Our Take 

The Saatva Classic is the best fit here for sleepers who want a traditional innerspring feel with stronger lift and airflow than most foam beds. During testing, the surface felt buoyant immediately, and I could change positions without the mattress holding onto my body.

The dual-coil build helped the mattress feel breathable, while the Euro top added enough cushioning to keep it from feeling bare or rigid. Its 7/10 Value score is the main tradeoff, so shoppers focused on price may prefer Vaya, but the 10/10 Edge Support and 10/10 Response Time scores make Saatva stronger for combination sleepers and edge-of-bed use.

Best For:

• Back and combination sleepers who want a lifted feel.
• Sleepers who prefer coil bounce over foam hug.
• Shoppers who want multiple firmness options.

Compare Instead:

• Vaya Mattress if budget is the priority.
• Helix Midnight Luxe if you are mainly a side sleeper.

Read Our Full Review of the Saatva Classic

Our Take

The Nolah Evolution 15 is the best pillow-top option because it combines a cushioned surface with a supportive coil system underneath. During testing, the pillow top gave my shoulder and hip more surface cushioning, but the mattress still felt stable when I rolled from my side to my back.

The 15-inch profile gives this bed a substantial feel, which some sleepers will love and others may find too tall. Its 10/10 Edge Support and 10/10 Motion Transfer scores make it strong for couples, while the 9/10 Cooling & Breathability score keeps the cooling language positive without turning it into a guarantee.

Best For:

• Side sleepers who want a thicker pillow-top feel.
• Couples who want strong motion and edge scores.
• Sleepers choosing between Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm feels.

Compare Instead:

• Helix Midnight Luxe if you want a slightly lower profile.
• Amerisleep AS3 if you prefer an all-foam medium feel.

Read Our Full Review of the Nolah Evolution 15

Our Take

The Amerisleep Organica is the natural-material pick for sleepers who want latex bounce instead of memory foam contouring. During testing, the surface lifted me more quickly than the foam models, and I could reposition with very little resistance.

The latex and coil combination felt airy and responsive, but it does not give the deep body hug that some side sleepers want from memory foam. The 10/10 Response Time score is the clearest strength here, while the 9/10 Edge Support and 9/10 Cooling & Breathability scores keep it competitive for sleepers who want a breathable, buoyant hybrid.

Best For:

• Natural-material shoppers who want latex over coils.
• Back and combination sleepers who prefer a buoyant surface.
• Hot-leaning sleepers who dislike deep memory foam hug.

Compare Instead:

• Amerisleep AS3 if you want more foam contouring.
• Saatva Classic if you want a more traditional innerspring feel.

Read Our Full Review of the Amerisleep Organica

Our Take

The Amerisleep AS6 Black Series belongs on this cooling page because the surface felt cooler on contact than the standard foam models, while the coil core gave it more lift than an all-foam bed.

The firmness range also matters. The Plush Soft version will feel very different from the Luxury Firm or Firm versions, so shoppers should choose the feel that matches their sleep position and firmness preference. With 10/10 Cooling & Breathability and 10/10 Motion Transfer scores, the AS6 Black Series is best for shoppers who want a premium cooling hybrid with strong motion control and multiple firmness choices.

Best For:

• Hot-leaning sleepers who want a premium hybrid build.
• Couples who want low motion transfer plus sturdy support.
• Shoppers who want Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, or Firm options.

Compare Instead:

• Amerisleep AS3 if you want a lower-priced all-foam medium bed.
• Zoma Boost if you want a luxury hybrid at a lower price point.

Read Our Full Review of the Amerisleep AS6

Our Take 

The Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid is the softest feel on the page, and that softness is its biggest strength and limitation. During testing, my shoulder sank in more easily than it did on the AS3, while the coils underneath kept the mattress from feeling completely swallowed by foam.

This is not the best fit for stomach sleepers or anyone who wants firmer lumbar support, but it works well for side sleepers and lighter sleepers who often find medium beds too firm. The 10/10 Cooling & Breathability score supports its place on this cooling list, but the 8/10 Response Time score means it is not as quick-moving as the bouncier hybrids.

Best For:

• Side sleepers who want deep plush contouring.
• Lightweight sleepers who find medium beds too firm.
• Hot-leaning sleepers who want a soft hybrid instead of dense foam.

Compare Instead:

• Amerisleep AS3 if you want a more balanced medium feel.
• Saatva Classic Firm or Luxury Firm if you need stronger lift.

Read Our Full Review of the Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid

Our Take 

The Zoma Start Hybrid is the budget pick for sleepers who want a firmer, more responsive mattress without moving into a higher luxury price range. During testing, the surface felt more lifted than deeply contouring, which made it easier to change positions than on slower foam beds.

The Zoma Start Hybrid is best framed around responsive hybrid support at a lower price. With 10/10 Value and 10/10 Edge Support scores on the page, it is a strong budget pick, though its firmer feel will not suit sleepers who want deep plush cushioning.

Best For:

• Budget shoppers who want a firmer hybrid mattress.
• Back sleepers who want more lift than deep foam hug.
• Hot-leaning sleepers who want a lower-profile hybrid build.

Compare Instead:

• Vaya Mattress if you want a softer, simpler foam option.
• Zoma Boost if you want a taller hybrid with more luxury cushioning.

Read Our Full Review of the Zoma Start

Our Take 

The Nest Bedding Sparrow is the best couples pick because it combines strong edge support, low motion transfer, and firmness flexibility. During testing, movement on the opposite side stayed controlled, which matters for light sleepers sharing a bed.

The Sparrow also gives couples more firmness flexibility than most mattresses on this page, but that customization can add decision time before checkout. Its 10/10 Edge Support, 10/10 Trial Period, and 10/10 Motion Transfer scores support the recommendation, while the 8/10 Value score is the main tradeoff.

Best For:

• Couples with different firmness preferences.
• Light sleepers who notice partner movement.
• Sleepers who want a hybrid with strong edge support.

Compare Instead:

• Amerisleep AS3 if motion isolation matters but you prefer all-foam.
• Saatva Classic if you want a more traditional bounce.

Read Our Full Review of the Nest Bedding Sparrow

Our Take 

The Purple RestorePlus Hybrid is the most distinctive feel on this list because the GelFlex Grid reacts differently than foam or latex. During testing, the grid flexed under pressure points while keeping the surface more lifted than deep memory foam.

The open grid design helped the surface feel breathable, but the feel will not be for everyone. Some sleepers will love the buoyant, flexible response, while others may prefer the more familiar cushion of the Helix Midnight Luxe or Nolah Evolution 15. Its 10/10 Response Time score is the clearest strength, and its 7/10 Value score is the main tradeoff.

Best For:

• Sleepers who want a fast-responding grid feel.
• Hot-leaning sleepers who dislike dense foam.
• Combination sleepers who want easy repositioning.

Compare Instead:

• Helix Midnight Luxe if you want a more familiar pillow-top hybrid.
• Amerisleep AS3 if you want a medium memory foam feel.

Read Our Full Review of the Purple Restore Plus Hybrid Mattress

Why Choose a Cooling Mattress?

A cooling mattress can be useful if your current bed feels heat-retentive, especially if you sleep in a warm room, share the bed with a partner, or sink deeply into dense foam. In testing, the cooling mattresses that performed best usually had one or more of these traits: breathable comfort layers, coil support systems, latex, phase-change materials, or foam that did not hold heat as quickly as traditional dense memory foam.

Cooling should still be balanced with support and firmness. A mattress that feels cooler but lets your hips sink too far may not be the right fit, while a very firm mattress may feel lifted but too rigid for side sleeping. The best choice is the mattress that matches your sleep position, body type, firmness preference, and temperature needs.

Phase Change Material (PCM)

Phase-change material is used in some mattress covers and comfort layers to help the surface feel more temperature-neutral. In simple terms, PCM is designed to absorb and release heat as the surface temperature changes.

In mattress testing, PCM is best discussed as one cooling feature, not a guaranteed fix for sleeping hot. It may help the cover feel cooler or more balanced at first contact, but the full mattress build still matters. Coil support, latex, breathable foams, bedding, room temperature, and how deeply you sink into the mattress all affect how warm or cool a bed feels.

Types of Cooling Technology

Cooling mattresses usually rely on airflow, breathable materials, or foams that feel less heat-retentive than traditional dense memory foam. These are the most common cooling features to compare:

a. Coils and Springs

Coil support systems leave more open space inside the mattress, which can help air move through the bed more easily than in solid foam cores.

b. Open-Cell Foam

Open-cell foam is designed with a more breathable structure than dense closed-cell foam. In testing, this type of foam may feel less heat-retentive, depending on the full mattress build.

c. Latex

Latex usually feels more buoyant and breathable than traditional memory foam. It also responds quickly, which can help sleepers feel less surrounded by the mattress.

d. Gel-Infused Foam

Gel-infused foam is designed to make memory foam feel cooler than older dense foam designs. It should still be judged by how the mattress feels during testing, not by the gel label alone.

e. Plant-Based Foam

Some foams replace part of the petroleum-based content with plant-based oils. These foams can feel lighter and more breathable than traditional dense memory foam, depending on the formula.

f. Specialty-Infused Foam

Copper, graphite, titanium, and similar infusions are often used in cooling foams. These materials should be tied to observed cooling performance, not treated as proof by themselves.

g. Bamboo and Breathable Covers

Bamboo-derived fabrics and other breathable covers can feel smooth and lightweight. They may help the sleep surface feel less heat-retentive, especially when paired with breathable sheets.

h. Airbeds

Airbeds use air chambers for support. Their cooling performance depends on the comfort layers, cover, and bedding used above the air chamber.

Benefits of a Cooling Mattress

A cooling mattress can make the sleep surface feel less heat-retentive, especially for people who sleep warm or use dense bedding. The main benefit is comfort: a mattress that feels breathable can make it easier to settle into one position instead of constantly searching for a cooler spot.

Cooling performance should not be treated as a medical outcome. A mattress can feel cooler during testing, but room temperature, bedding, pajamas, body weight, and sleep position also affect temperature comfort. For the best result, pair a breathable mattress with lightweight sheets and a room temperature that feels comfortable for you.

Memory Foam

Memory foam is known for close contouring and strong motion isolation. It can be a good fit for side sleepers and couples because it cushions the body and helps limit how much movement travels across the bed.

Traditional dense memory foam can feel warmer than latex or hybrid beds, but newer memory foam mattresses often use open-cell designs, plant-based foam, gel, copper, graphite, or other infusions to reduce heat retention. The label alone is not enough, so compare how the mattress performs in cooling and breathability testing.

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses use coils as the main support system, which usually gives them a bouncier and more breathable feel than dense all-foam beds. Air can move through the coil layer more easily, so innerspring designs often perform well for sleepers who dislike heat-retentive foam.

The tradeoff is pressure relief. Some traditional innerspring beds use thin comfort layers, so side sleepers may need a Euro top, pillow top, or hybrid design with more cushioning above the coils.

The Right Firmness

Choosing the right firmness helps the mattress support your sleeping position without feeling too rigid or too soft. The right feel depends on your sleep position, body weight, and how much cushioning or lift you prefer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best cooling mattress of 2026?

After testing 43+ mattresses for this guide, my best cooling mattress pick is the Amerisleep AS3. It delivered the strongest balance of a cooler-feeling foam surface, medium support, low motion transfer, response time, and overall value. During testing, the Bio-Pur foam cushioned my shoulder on my side, kept my hips level on my back, and felt easier to move on than slower memory foam beds. Its medium feel makes it a strong match for side, back, and combination sleepers.

How can I make my mattress feel cooler?

If your mattress feels too warm, start with the sleep environment before replacing the bed. Keep the bedroom cool and ventilated, use breathable sheets such as cotton or linen, and reduce heavy bedding layers. If the mattress itself still feels heat-retentive, a breathable topper or a mattress with stronger airflow may be a better fit.

What materials are commonly used in cooling mattresses?

Latex, gel-infused foam, plant-based foam, and coil systems are common materials used in cooling mattresses. In testing, coil and latex builds usually felt more breathable because they leave more room for airflow, while newer foams can feel less heat-retentive than traditional dense memory foam.

What bedding helps a mattress feel cooler?

To keep your bed cooler, use breathable sheets, lighter bedding, and a pillow or topper made with airflow-friendly materials. Cotton, linen, wool, latex, gel foam, and phase-change fabrics can help the sleep surface feel less heat-retentive, but they should not be framed as a guaranteed fix for night sweats.

Are hybrid mattresses better for hot sleepers?

Hybrid mattresses often feel more breathable than dense all-foam beds because the coil layer leaves space for air movement. The comfort layers still matter, though. A hybrid with thick, heat-retentive foam can feel warmer than one with breathable foam, latex, or a cooling cover.

Is foam or spring better for cooling?

Foam and spring mattresses feel different. Foam usually offers closer contouring and lower motion transfer, while spring and hybrid beds usually feel bouncier and more breathable. For cooling, a breathable hybrid or latex hybrid may suit hot-leaning sleepers better, while foam can work if it feels responsive and less heat-retentive in testing.

What is the best cooling mattress from this guide?

The Amerisleep AS3 is my top cooling mattress pick because it gave the best mix of medium support, low motion transfer, responsive foam, and cooler-feeling comfort during testing. Hot-leaning sleepers who want more bounce should compare Zoma Boost, while side sleepers who want a pillow top should compare Helix Midnight Luxe.

Conclusion

After testing 43+ mattresses, the Amerisleep AS3 is my top cooling mattress recommendation because it balanced a less heat-retentive foam feel, medium support, low motion transfer, and easier repositioning better than the other all-foam beds I compared.

Cooling matters, but it should not be the only factor you use when choosing a mattress. The right bed should match your sleep position, firmness preference, body type, budget, and whether you share the mattress with a partner. If you want more bounce and lift, compare Zoma Boost or Saatva Classic. If you want more side-sleeper cushioning, compare Helix Midnight Luxe or Nolah Evolution 15. If budget matters most, Vaya Mattress and Zoma Start Hybrid are the strongest lower-cost picks on this page.