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Best Cooling Mattress Toppers in 2026

We researched the best cooling mattress toppers on the market. Our top pick is the Bear Pro.

  • We chose the Bear Pro cooling mattress topper as our Best Overall because of its superior cooling ability and supportive feel.
  • The queen-size mattress toppers on this list range in cost from $234–$532.
  • Cooling mattresses are a good choice if you’re a hot sleeper or live somewhere warm.
  • Mattress toppers can upgrade your mattress without having to purchase a new bed.

NCOA supports everyone’s right to age well. So we take the time to research, test, and recommend products that can help you live a healthier life. We’ve spent more than 2,500 hours researching and testing mattress toppers to give you the most accurate product reviews. To find the best mattress toppers, we: 

  • Consulted with sleep specialists like doctors, occupational therapists, and physical therapists for guidance on choosing the best mattress topper
  • Put more than 130 models through a series of 19 different tests at our in-house lab
  • Mystery-shopped more than 40 brands
  • Surveyed more than 2,000 older adults on their sleep quality
  • Interviewed experts on the importance of good sleep for older adults
  • Worked with older adult testers to evaluate mattress toppers and get their opinion
  • Read thousands of verified customer reviews

We’re constantly testing new mattress toppers and sleep products to give you the most accurate and up-to-date recommendations. Read more about our sleep accessories review methodology.

A good night’s sleep is important for overall health. Feeling overly warm or sweaty at night can cause you to wake up more, resulting in poor quality and not enough sleep. This could be a sign that you’re not getting the right amount of rest to stay alert and healthy during the day. In fact, being too hot at night has been linked to poor sleep quality.1 If you want to improve your sleep without spending a lot of money, a cooling mattress topper can be an affordable solution. It can help you stay at the right temperature while you sleep.

In our best cooling mattress toppers review, we outline our top picks, highlight what makes a mattress topper effective for cooling, and explain how to pick the right mattress topper for you.

Our Top Pick

Bear Pro Topper: Best Overall

The Bear Pro mattress topper
  • Cooler than any topper we tested
  • Supportive surface and stable edges
  • Good, snug fit to the mattress

Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Topper: Best Luxury

The Saatva Graphite Topper
  • Great at limiting heat buildup
  • Plush, hotel-quality feel
  • Long free trial period (180 nights)

Birch Plush Organic Mattress Topper: Best Organic

The Birch Organic topper
  • Sleeps cool
  • Organic latex and cotton help promote breathability
  • Great pressure relief

Best cooling mattress toppers in 2026

Comparing the best cooling mattress toppers

Comparison Features

Saatva Graphite Memory Foam 

Visit Sitefor Saatva Graphite Memory Foam The Saatva Graphite Topper

ViscoSoft Select High-Density Topper

Visit Sitefor ViscoSoft Select High-Density TopperViscoSoft Select mattress topper
Overall score (out of 10)*

8.8

8.7

8.7

9

9.4

Cooling score (out of 5)

5

4

4

4

4

Best for

Overall

Luxury

Organic

Pain Relief

Value

Material

Memory foam

Graphite memory foam

Cotton and latex

Memory foam

Memory foam

Thickness (inches)

3”

3”

2”

2”

2”–4”

Firmness

Medium

Medium

Soft

Medium

Medium

*The overall score doesn’t always reflect the best mattress topper for a specific category. 

What we look for in a cooling mattress topper

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Bear Pro Topper: Best Overall 

We chose the Bear Pro Topper as the Best Overall because no other topper we tested stayed as cool. Testers said the Bear Pro is supportive, comfortable, and easy to clean. It’s a solid choice for someone looking to stay cool during the night while easing pressure.

Bear Pro Topper

Best Overall
The Bear Pro mattress topper
  • Stayed cooler than any topper we tested
  • Supportive and easier to change positions
  • Cover can be removed and cleaned
  • Material type: Memory foam
  • Thickness: 3”
  • Firmness level: Medium
  • Cooling: Breathable foam and cover
  • Pressure relief or ergonomic design: Memory foam for pressure relief

Pros

  • Coolest mattress topper, only rose 6.1 degrees
  • Good, snug fit
  • Responsive, comfortable memory foam
  • High-quality materials 
  • Removable cover for easy cleaning

Cons

  • Poor edge support
  • No straps to keep the topper in place
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Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Topper: Best Luxury Cooling Topper

We chose the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Topper as the Best Luxury Cooling Topper because its temperature only rose by 10.7 degrees. It was the second coolest topper we tested. Testers said its plush materials felt high quality, soft, and luxurious. It also offers great pressure relief and the longest free trial period of any topper on this list (180 nights). We think it’s a great choice if you prefer a hotel-quality bed.

Saatva Graphite Memory Foam

Best Luxury
The Saatva Graphite Topper
  • Second-coolest topper we tested
  • Plush, hotel-quality feel
  • 180-night trial (the longest on this list)
  • Material type: Memory foam with graphite
  • Thickness: 3”
  • Firmness level: Medium
  • Cooling: Graphite
  • Pressure relief or ergonomic design: Memory foam offers spinal support

Pros

  • Second-coolest mattress topper, only rising by 10.7 degrees
  • Excellent responsiveness
  • Plush, high-quality cover
  • Extra-long 180-night trial period
  • Good edge support and responsiveness, which make it easier to change positions

Cons

  • Doesn’t fit mattresses perfectly, leaving gaps
  • A 1-year limited warranty is the shortest on this list
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Birch Plush Organic: Best Cooling Organic Topper

We chose the Birch Plush Organic mattress topper as our Best Cooling Organic Topper. It features organic cotton and latex materials to give this topper a natural feel that is both supportive and comfortable. The Birch Plush Organic is our third-coolest mattress topper with a temperature increase of 11 degrees.

Birch Plush Organic

Best Organic
The Birch Organic topper
  • Great at limiting heat buildup
  • Easier to move around on
  • Organic latex and cotton provide a high-quality feel and stay cooler naturally
  • Material type: Organic cotton and latex
  • Thickness: 2”
  • Firmness level: Soft
  • Cooling: Breathable cotton
  • Pressure relief or ergonomic design: Responsive latex

Pros

  • Third-coolest topper, only rising 11 degrees
  • Strong edges
  • Responsive and easier to change positions
  • Natural, organic feel, with high-quality materials

Cons

  • Most expensive topper on our list
  • No straps to keep it in place
  • Might not be suitable for people with latex allergies
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Nolah Mattress Topper: Best Cooling Topper for Pain Relief

The Nolah Mattress Topper is our Best Cooling Mattress Topper for Pain Relief. It has excellent pressure relief scores, which means it may help limit pain at night. The Nolah Topper was also great at limiting heat buildup during testing. If you have pain that disrupts your sleep, the Nolah may be a good choice for minimizing pressure.

Nolah Topper

Best for Pain Relief
The Nolah mattress topper
  • The temperature only rose by 11.2 degrees (fourth coolest)
  • Excellent pressure relief may help ease pain
  • Good for both soft and firm mattresses
  • Material type: Memory foam and cotton
  • Thickness: 2”
  • Firmness level: Medium-medium firm
  • Cooling: Breathable foam
  • Pressure relief or ergonomic design: High-density foam for pressure relief

Pros

  • Fourth coolest—only rose 11.2 degrees
  • Works well on both soft and firm mattresses
  • Earned a 4.75/5 for pressure relief

Cons

  • Second-most expensive on this list
  • Could use more bounce
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ViscoSoft Select High-Density Mattress Topper: Best Value

The ViscoSoft Select is our Best Value Cooling Mattress Topper because of its affordable price (lowest on this list) and excellent cooling capabilities. If you’re looking for a wallet-friendly mattress topper that will keep you comfortable and cool, the ViscoSoft Select is a great option.

ViscoSoft Select

Best Value
ViscoSoft Select mattress topper
  • The most affordable cooling mattress topper on our list
  • Good cooling—temperature rose by only 11.3 degrees
  • Excellent support, especially on a firm mattress
  • Material type: High-density gel-infused memory foam
  • Thickness: 2”–4”
  • Firmness level: Medium
  • Cooling: Gel-infused memory foam
  • Pressure relief or ergonomic design: Pressure-relieving memory foam

Pros

  • Fifth-coolest mattress topper, only rising 11.3 degrees
  • Very plush feel, especially on a firm mattress
  • Least expensive topper on this list

Cons

  • Not as supportive on a soft mattress
  • Average edge support
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Our process testing the best cooling mattress toppers

Our team has spent thousands of hours testing mattresses, pillows, and mattress toppers to find the best ones for older adults. We consider features such as spinal support, pain relief, cooling, and motion isolation.

Cooling

We had our testers lie down on the mattress for at least five minutes before standing up. Then, we tested the temperature using a heat gun and compared it to the topper’s initial temperature. This process gave us an accurate measurement of how much heat the toppers retained.

Pain and pressure relief

We noted how well the mattress toppers cradled or cushioned sensitive areas like the shoulders, hips, and knees. We made sure that the toppers distributed weight evenly to prevent pressure buildup.

Firmness and responsiveness

We tested the responsiveness of the mattress topper by timing how quickly it bounces back after being pushed down. Our testers slept on the toppers for a few nights to test comfort across consistent use.

Comfort

We also tested how well the toppers performed on both firm and soft mattresses. We noted which ones may provide better or less support depending on the type of mattress it’s been placed on.

For more information on how we test sleep products in general, see our review of the best mattresses.

How mattress toppers help keep you cool

Mattress toppers keep you cool by encouraging air circulation underneath you as you sleep. This circulation prevents heat buildup, which can help keep the topper’s temperature lower throughout the night. 

Some mattress toppers have additional materials, such as graphite or gel, that are designed to absorb and dispel heat.

What to look for in a cooling mattress topper

When choosing the right cooling mattress topper for you, remember that your own preferences and needs are unique. The main features you want to make sure to look for is breathability and support. Some other features to consider include:

Material type

You’ll want a mattress topper made from a breathable material that doesn’t trap heat. Some good options include memory foam, latex, graphite-infused foam, or polyfoam. Gel or a copper-infused material are also good choices for keeping the ambient temperature of your mattress topper low.

icon of three people

In our July 2025 Sleep Accessories survey, respondents ranked “quality of materials” as the most important feature in a mattress topper.4

Cooling properties

Many cooling mattress toppers include specific design choices or materials to help keep you cool. These features include breathable holes, woven covers, and gel or copper.

Density and firmness

The density and firmness of your mattress influence how supportive and durable it is. A high-density topper like the ViscoSoft Select can offer more support and a firmer sleeping experience. Medium to medium-firm tends to be the most accessible and popular density, because it provides more cushioning and contouring. If you have back pain, medium to medium-firm is a great option to help support you. You can learn more in our guide to the best mattresses for back pain and the best mattress toppers for back pain.

Thickness

A mattress topper that is 2–4” thick is ideal for the best support and comfort while you’re sleeping, based on our testing. Although thinner toppers may help, in general, the thinner you go, the less support you’ll feel. The right thickness will also vary based on your preferred sleeping position. Side sleepers, for example, may appreciate a thicker topper to help cushion their hips. For more information, see our guide to the best mattress for side sleepers and the best mattress topper for side sleepers.

Pressure relief and contouring

Mattress toppers that provide pressure relief and contouring can help relieve pain. They distribute your weight more evenly, so pressure doesn’t build up. And the contouring cushions sensitive areas like your hips, shoulders, and joints. A mattress topper is a great way to increase the pressure relief of a too-firm or sagging mattress without buying a new bed.

The importance of temperature for sleep

We don’t need less sleep as we age, but we do have to be mindful of the quality of sleep we do get. Some issues, like sleep apnea or pain, can influence our sleep. One factor is how warm we get at night. 

“Keeping the bedroom around 63–67 degrees during sleep is often preferred,” said Stephanie Stahl, MD, an associate professor of clinical medicine and the medical director of Indiana University’s Sleep Laboratory. “Cooling mattress pads that generate cool air or water through the pads may also help.”

The basic rule of thumb is to keep your room between 60–67 degrees at night for optimal sleep.5 Bad sleep not only affects things like your weight, hormone regulation, and mental health, but it can actually take years off your life.6

Staying hydrated, turning on a fan, and using breathable bedsheets like cotton can all help reduce your temperature at night.7

How much do the best cooling mattress toppers cost?

The best cooling mattress toppers cost between $234–$532 for a queen size. When choosing the right mattress topper for your budget, consider features like free shipping, warranty coverage, and the length of the trial period.

Comparison Features

Bear Pro Topper

The Bear Pro mattress topper

Saatva Graphite Memory Foam 

The Saatva Graphite Topper

Birch Plush Organic Topper

The Birch Organic topper

Nolah Mattress Topper

The Nolah mattress topper

ViscoSoft Select High-Density Topper

ViscoSoft Select mattress topper
Price for a queen*

$345

$305

$532

$449

$234

Shipping costs

Free

Free

Free

Free

Free

Warranty

2-year limited

1 year, limited

10-year

Limited lifetime

5 years

Trial period (nights)

30

180

100

120

90

Return fees

None

None

None

None

None

*Most mattress brands run frequent or ongoing promotions. Sale prices are typically lower and may change often.

How to save money on mattress toppers

The easiest way to save money on a mattress topper is to buy it while it’s on sale. Look for seasonal specials such as Memorial Day or Labor Day. Sometimes companies will offer first-time buyer discounts or coupons if you sign up for their email list.

Some companies let you use your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) to purchase a topper, which can also save you some money.

Frequently asked questions

What is the coolest material for a mattress pad?

The coolest material for a mattress pad is something breathable like gel-infused memory foam, latex, or cotton.

What materials keep mattress toppers cool?

Gel-infused memory foam, latex, or cotton all help keep a mattress cool and prevent heat retention.

What is the difference between a mattress pad and a mattress topper?

Mattress pads are about 1-2" thick and do not change a bed's firmness. A mattress topper can be 1-4" thick and can noticeably change the firmness level of a mattress. 

Will a cooling mattress pad help with night sweats?

Yes, a cooling mattress pad can help with night sweats because it helps regulate your body temperature.

Questions? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.

Sources

  1. Okamoto, K., et al. Effects of thermal environment on sleep and circadian rhythm. Journal of Physiological Anthropology. May 31, 2012. Found on the internet at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3427038/
  2. Caggiari, G., et al. What type of mattress should be chosen to avoid back pain and improve sleep quality? Review of the literature. Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology. Dec. 8, 2021. Found on the internet at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8655046/
  3. Liu, X., et al. Experimental study on the temperature control characteristics of graphite foam-based composite phase change materials. Energy. July 15, 2024. Found on the internet at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360544224011678
  4. NCOA. Sleep Accessories survey. 300 respondents. Conducted using Pollfish. Launched July 2025
  5. Cleveland Health Clinic. What’s the Best Temperature for Sleep? November 21. Found on the internet at https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-the-ideal-sleeping-temperature-for-my-bedroom
  6. Kusters, C., et al. Short sleep and insomnia are associated with accelerated epigenetic age. Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine. Aug. 21, 2023. Found on the internet at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10879461/
  7. Godman, H. Want to cool down? 14 ideas to try. Harvard Health Publishing. Aug. 9, 2024. Found on the internet at https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/want-to-cool-down-14-ideas-to-try-202408073065

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