Best Cooling Mattress (2026 Guide) | LA Mattress Store

If you wake up sweaty, kick off the covers at 3 AM, or find your partner radiating heat like a furnace, your mattress is probably the problem. Heat retention is one of the top sleep complaints in America — and the wrong mattress makes it dramatically worse. The right cooling mattress can drop your sleep temperature by several degrees, helping you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up actually rested.

This guide covers everything: why mattresses trap heat, the technologies that fight it, and the top cooling mattresses you can try at LA Mattress Store's five showrooms across Los Angeles.

01Why Some Mattresses Sleep Hot

Not all mattresses handle heat the same way. The difference comes down to materials, construction, and airflow:

• Dense memory foam is the biggest offender. Traditional viscoelastic foam conforms tightly to your body, limiting airflow around you and absorbing heat from your skin. The more you sink in, the hotter it gets.
• Low-density all-foam mattresses lack airflow channels. Without open-cell foam or coils, heat has nowhere to escape.
• Non-breathable covers made from polyester or synthetic blends act like a plastic bag — they trap moisture and heat at the surface.
• Soft mattresses cause you to sink deeper, which means more surface area contact and more heat buildup.
• Older mattresses lose their structural integrity over time, causing you to sink further into heat-trapping layers.

Your body naturally drops in core temperature as you fall asleep — about 1-2°F. A mattress that traps heat fights this process, making it harder to fall asleep and causing more nighttime wake-ups. Hot sleepers need a mattress that actively works with their body, not against it.

02Cooling Technologies Explained

The mattress industry has developed a range of technologies specifically to combat heat retention. Here's what actually works:

Gel-Infused Foam

Gel particles or gel swirls are mixed into memory foam to absorb and dissipate heat. Gel foam sleeps noticeably cooler than traditional memory foam — typically 2-4°F cooler — but still retains more heat than coil-based systems. Best for sleepers who want the contouring of memory foam without the worst of the heat.

Copper-Infused Foam

Copper is one of the best natural heat conductors. Copper-infused foam pulls heat away from your body faster than gel. It also has antimicrobial properties. You'll find copper infusions in premium memory foam mattresses like some Tempur-Pedic lines.

Open-Cell Foam

Open-cell foam has a structure with interconnected air pockets, unlike traditional closed-cell foam. Air can move through the foam rather than being trapped in it. This is a significant improvement over standard foam — many modern memory foam mattresses use open-cell construction as a baseline.

Innerspring Coils (Hybrid Construction)

Coil systems create natural airflow channels throughout the mattress. As you move, air circulates through the coil layer, constantly replacing warm air with cooler air. This is the most effective passive cooling mechanism in mattresses — which is why hybrids consistently outperform all-foam for hot sleepers.

Phase-Change Material (PCM) Covers

PCM is a next-level cooling technology originally developed for NASA. The material absorbs body heat at a specific temperature threshold, storing it as latent heat rather than radiating it back. When the mattress cools below that threshold, the stored heat is released. The result is a mattress surface that actively regulates temperature throughout the night. You'll find PCM in premium covers like the Helix GlacioTex and Tempur-Pedic BREEZE covers.

Natural Latex

Talalay and Dunlop latex have an open-cell structure with tiny perforations throughout. These holes allow constant airflow, making latex naturally cool compared to memory foam. Latex also doesn't contour as aggressively, so there's less body-contact heat buildup.

03Best Mattress Types for Hot Sleepers

1. Hybrid Mattresses — Best Overall for Cooling

Hybrid mattresses combine foam or latex comfort layers with a pocketed coil support system. The coil layer acts as a natural ventilation system, moving air throughout the mattress while you sleep. Pair that with gel-infused or copper-infused comfort foam and a breathable cover, and you have the most effective cooling combination available.

Most hot sleepers who switch from all-foam to a quality hybrid mattress report sleeping noticeably cooler within the first week. The airflow difference is real and measurable.

2. Latex Mattresses — Best Natural Cooling

Natural latex is inherently breathable, bouncy, and cool. Unlike memory foam, latex doesn't trap you in a heat-retaining cradle — you sleep "on" latex rather than "in" it. If you want chemical-free, naturally cool sleep, a latex mattress is your best bet. The tradeoff is higher price and firmer feel.

3. Gel Memory Foam — Best Cooling Foam Option

If you love the contouring feel of memory foam but run hot, gel-infused memory foam is a significant improvement over traditional foam. Brands like Tempur-Pedic have invested heavily in cooling foam technology — their BREEZE line uses multi-layer cooling systems including ventilated foam, phase-change material, and breathable covers to achieve dramatically cooler sleep than standard foam.

04Top 5 Cooling Mattress Picks at LA Mattress Store

1. Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Breeze — Best Premium Cooling Mattress

The Tempur-Pedic BREEZE line is built from the ground up for hot sleepers. It uses PureCool+ technology — a phase-change material infused directly into the top layer — to absorb and dissipate heat before it reaches your core. The SmartClimate Dual Cover System adds a second line of defense: a cool-to-touch outer layer and a moisture-wicking inner layer.

Independent tests show the BREEZE sleeps up to 8°F cooler than standard Tempur-Pedic mattresses. It retains all the pressure-relieving benefits of TEMPUR material while adding serious cooling capability. Available in medium and firm feels. Shop Tempur-Pedic at LA Mattress Store.

2. Helix Midnight Luxe — Best Hybrid Cooling Mattress

The Helix Midnight Luxe is one of the most popular cooling hybrids on the market — and for good reason. It features Helix's GlacioTex cooling cover (phase-change material), zoned pocketed coils for airflow, and high-density gel foam comfort layers. The medium feel makes it ideal for side and combination sleepers who also run hot.

The coil base keeps air moving all night, while the GlacioTex cover manages surface temperature. This is our top recommendation for hot sleepers who want excellent pressure relief alongside cooling performance. Shop Helix mattresses at LA Mattress Store.

3. Stearns & Foster Estate with Cooling Cover — Best Luxury Cooling Hybrid

Stearns & Foster's Estate collection uses an IntelliCoil HD support system with individually wrapped coils that create exceptional airflow. The cooling cover uses moisture-wicking and heat-transferring technology to keep the sleep surface cool. The hand-tufted construction and premium materials deliver a luxury hotel feel while managing temperature effectively.

Best for couples where one partner runs hot — the coil system also provides excellent motion isolation so the hot sleeper doesn't disturb their partner.

4. Diamond Cooling Hybrid — Best Value Cooling Mattress

Diamond Mattress, a California-based brand carried exclusively at LA Mattress Store, builds their cooling hybrids with gel memory foam, ventilated base foam, and a breathable quilted cover. The coil system provides strong airflow while the gel foam comfort layers provide cushioning without the heat trap of traditional memory foam.

Diamond's cooling hybrids offer excellent value — you get genuine cooling performance without the premium price tag of the brand-name options. Available in multiple firmness levels. Shop Diamond mattresses at LA Mattress Store.

5. Chattam & Wells Hybrid — Best Traditional Cooling Option

Chattam & Wells uses natural materials including cashmere, wool, and cotton in their comfort layers — all of which are naturally temperature-regulating. Wool is particularly effective: it absorbs moisture and releases it as vapor, keeping the sleep surface dry and cool. Their hybrid construction with tempered steel coils provides the airflow foundation that hot sleepers need.

05Cooling Mattress vs. Cooling Mattress Topper

If your current mattress is mostly comfortable but runs hot, a cooling topper might solve the problem without a full mattress replacement. But if your mattress is soft, sagging, or structurally contributing to heat retention, only a new mattress will truly fix it.

Choose a cooling topper if:

• Your mattress is less than 5 years old and structurally sound
• The heat issue is moderate (you just run a bit warm)
• You want a lower-cost solution first
• Your mattress support is still good but surface feels hot

Choose a new cooling mattress if:

• Your mattress is all-foam and you're waking up hot every night
• Your mattress is 7+ years old
• You're sinking too deep (more contact = more heat)
• The heat problem is severe enough that you're consistently losing sleep

Cooling toppers like the Helix GlacioTex Topper can add phase-change cooling to an existing mattress. But a good hybrid mattress will outperform any topper on a foam base when it comes to all-night temperature management.

06Best Sheets and Bedding for Hot Sleepers

Your cooling mattress is only one part of the sleep environment equation. The right bedding amplifies your mattress's cooling performance:

• TENCEL/Lyocell sheets: Made from eucalyptus wood pulp, TENCEL is naturally moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating. Softer than cotton and significantly cooler than polyester blends. The Helix CoolShift TENCEL sheets pair perfectly with any cooling mattress.
• Linen sheets: Linen is naturally breathable and gets cooler with each wash. It's the material of choice in Mediterranean climates for a reason.
• Percale cotton: Look for 200-400 thread count percale (not sateen). Percale has a crisp, cool feel and breathes better than higher thread count sateen weaves.
• Avoid: Microfiber, polyester blends, sateen cotton above 400 thread count, flannel — all trap heat.

Shop cooling sheet sets at LA Mattress Store.

07Adjustable Base + Cooling Mattress: The Ultimate Combo

Pairing a cooling mattress with an adjustable base creates the optimal sleep environment for hot sleepers. Here's why:

• Zero gravity position (head and feet slightly elevated) reduces pressure on the spine AND improves circulation — better circulation means your body regulates temperature more efficiently.
• Head elevation reduces congestion and snoring, which are often worse when you're hot and uncomfortable.
• Anti-snore position keeps airways open, reducing the physical exertion of labored breathing — which generates body heat.
• Under-mattress space on split adjustable bases allows air to circulate below the mattress, further improving temperature management.

Many hot sleepers find that an adjustable base eliminates the need for active cooling systems entirely — the improved airflow and circulation do the work. The Helix Adjustable Base pairs perfectly with all hybrid and foam cooling mattresses in our lineup.

08Frequently Asked Questions

What is the coolest sleeping mattress?

Hybrid mattresses with pocketed coils and phase-change material covers sleep the coolest. The Tempur-Pedic BREEZE and Helix Midnight Luxe are among the coolest mattresses available. If budget allows, the BREEZE's multi-layer cooling system is the most technologically advanced option currently on the market.

Does memory foam always sleep hot?

Traditional memory foam does sleep warm. However, modern cooling memory foam — particularly gel-infused open-cell foam and copper-infused foam — sleeps significantly cooler than its predecessors. The Tempur-Pedic BREEZE is the best example of premium memory foam engineered to overcome heat retention. That said, even the best memory foam typically runs warmer than a quality hybrid.

How much cooler does a cooling mattress sleep?

Independent testing shows cooling mattresses can sleep 2-8°F cooler than standard mattresses. Phase-change covers have the biggest impact at the sleep surface. Coil systems have the biggest impact on sustained all-night cooling. The Tempur-Pedic LUXEbreeze claims up to 8°F cooler sleep based on their internal testing.

Is a firm or soft mattress cooler?

Firmer mattresses generally sleep cooler because you don't sink in as deeply. Less body contact means less heat transfer to the mattress surface. However, if a firmer mattress causes discomfort, the resulting tossing and turning will generate more heat than the reduced sinkage saves. Find the firmness that keeps you comfortable and supported — then optimize for cooling with cover and layer technologies.

Can I try cooling mattresses in person?

Yes — and we strongly recommend it. Cooling technologies feel different in person than they look on paper. The phase-change cover on the Helix Midnight Luxe has a distinctly cool-to-touch feel you need to experience to understand. At LA Mattress Store's five locations across Los Angeles, you can test all our cooling mattresses side by side. Our sleep consultants can guide you based on your sleep position, body type, and how hot you typically run.

09Find Your Cooling Mattress at LA Mattress Store

Sleeping hot is a solvable problem — but the solution needs to match your specific sleep situation. The best cooling mattress for a back sleeper at 150 pounds is different from the best option for a side sleeper at 230 pounds.

At LA Mattress Store, we stock the full lineup of cooling mattresses from Tempur-Pedic, Helix, Stearns & Foster, Diamond, and Chattam & Wells. Our showroom consultants understand sleep temperature science and can help you find the exact mattress and accessories that will keep you cool.

Visit one of our five LA locations: Find your nearest store — no appointment needed. Or shop our full cooling mattress collection online with free delivery to Los Angeles.