Expert-Recommended Bed Cooling Systems, Mattresses, Mattress Pads & More
Updated: Apr. 12, 2024
A bed cooling system will prevent you from waking up in a hot sweat—no matter how high temperatures soar.
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For hot sleepers, there’s no dread like uncomfortably warm nights. No matter how low you turn the air conditioner or how strategically you place your cooling fan, it’s still possible to find yourself tossing and turning, overheating from your blankets and sheets. Fortunately, there’s a science-backed solution: a bed cooling system.
Instead of cooling the air around you, a bed cooler chills the air and fabrics in your bed. That means you get cooling that cuts straight to the source—and nips hot sleep in the bud. To enhance their benefits, use them with a cooling mattress and cooling weighted blankets.
Many people can benefit from a bed cooling system, from those who require one for medical reasons to those who simply prefer chilled bedding—think of cold sheets as a similar luxury as warm towels.
“Anyone who finds they sleep hot at night, especially to the point it causes them to wake up, can benefit from a bed cooling system,” says Derek Hales, founder and editor-in-chief of NapLab, a sleep testing platform. These may include heavyweight sleepers, sleepers going through menopause, sleepers with medical conditions that cause them to sleep hot and sleepers who enjoy the feel of memory foam, but dislike its heat retention quality.
We asked several sleep experts for their input in choosing the best bed cooling systems. Here are the best of the best.
Best overall bed cooling system
BedJet 3 Climate Comfort Sleep System
Pros:
- Works with all mattresses and bed setups
- Can be controlled via remote or phone app
- Both sides of the bed can be controlled separately
- Features a dry-air option for humid conditions
Cons:
- The fan is somewhat noisy
This air-based bed cooling system is recommended by both Hales and Stephen Light, CEO of Nolah Mattress and a certified sleep science coach. “The BedJet 3 is widely regarded as one of the finest cooling systems on the market,” says Light. “It circulates air through the tubes of a mattress pad, is incredibly easy to set up and is easily controlled with a remote or an app on your phone.”
This bed cooling system works with all mattresses and bed frames and is relatively inexpensive compared to other bed cooling products. What’s more, you can control the temperature to a specific degree and set each side of the bed to a different temperature. It also has a heat mode to achieve that just-out-of-the-dryer feeling for your sheets in winter.
“Finding a product that keeps me cool even on scorching summer nights is a downright miracle,” writes our shopping editor, Stephanie Hope, in her BedJet 3 review. “The BedJet 3 efficiently cools me down, providing exceptional airflow throughout the bed, which has significantly improved my sleep. I wake up feeling refreshed and energized—without any pesky night sweats.”
Best budget cooling blanket
Elegear Revolutionary Cooling Blanket
Pros:
- Affordable
- Cooling on one side and cotton on the other
- Available in eight colors and four sizes
- Fully machine washable
Cons:
- Limited in the level of cool it can achieve
If you don’t want to drop hundreds on a bed cooling system, try a cooling blanket before you invest in more expensive gear. This cooling blanket from Elegear absorbs body heat and can reduce skin temperatures up to 35 to 41 degrees lower.
“It is definitely cold, but not overwhelmingly cold at all,” writes five-star reviewer, Madison Price. “It’s like flipping your pillow over the cold side, except it’s an entire blanket!”
The blanket comes in four sizes and weighs under 3 pounds, meaning it can provide cooling to one or more people or be brought on vacations or camping trips. Plus, you’ll just need to simply toss it in the washing machine to clean. For an editor-tested pick, the Dangtop cooling blanket works wonders, too.
Best water-cooled bed cooling system
Anni Star Water Cooling System
Pros:
- Easy to conceal
- Mattress pad is 100% cotton
- Compatible with any mattress
- Purifies air while it cools
Cons:
- No phone app
- Single-person size
This water-based bed cooling system looks like a cooling fan, but it’s actually a machine that circulates cool water from a connection tube to the mattress. Simply fill the water tank and feel how it reduces the temperature of the mattress by about 37 to 46 degrees. A removable filter purifies while the 100% cotton mattress pad makes sure you’re comfortable all night long.
The Anni Star sleep system is compatible with any mattress and set to a series of fan and pump settings. Control the temperature from the machine itself, which easily fits under most beds so it doesn’t show. Consider it a bed air conditioner that’ll have you saying goodbye to night sweats even on the warmest of evenings.
Best cooling mattress cover
Eight Sleep Pod Cooling Cover
Pros:
- Can set different temperatures for each phase of the night
- Has a vibrational alarm clock
- Comes in four sizes
- Offers a 30-day free trial
Cons:
- Data tracking requires Pro membership
Christen da Costa, CEO of Gadget Review, recommends the Eight Sleep cooling mattress cover for its versatility. “You can simply outfit your existing mattress with the pod cover instead of replacing your whole mattress, which also makes the cost of owning a bed cooling system much lower,” da Costa explains.
The pod cover zips onto your mattress easily and can be set anywhere from 55 to 110 degrees. Schedule different temperatures for each phase of the night and even set an alarm clock that wakes you with gentle vibrations and a gradual temperature change.
While you catch those zzz’s, the mattress cooler tracks your sleep quality, as well as health metrics, such as respiratory rate, resting heart rate and heart rate variability. The Pro membership offers data insights and a digital coach so you can get your best sleep yet. Take advantage of the 30-day free trial to see if it’s for you.
Best cooling mattress pad
Slumber Cloud Performance Mattress Pad
Pros:
- Uses temperature-regulating fabric
- Fits under a fitted sheet
- Moisture-wicking
- Comes in seven sizes
Cons:
- Not waterproof
While this one is similar to a mattress cover, the Slumber Cloud Performance mattress pad is even less maintenance. The ultra-lightweight fabric has National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)-approved temperature-regulating capabilities for the coolest bed lining ever. In case you do break a sweat (unlikely!) the fabric is also moisture-wicking.
Secure the mattress pad underneath your fitted sheet for a foundation that doesn’t budge. It fits any mattress under 20 inches and cleans easily in the washing machine. While the brand doesn’t specify how many degrees cooler you’ll feel, it does explain that the materials will react to your temperature throughout the night to keep you comfortable—even during those random bouts of sweating.
Best cooling mattress
Eight Sleep Pod Cooling Mattress
Pros:
- Includes five foam layers
- Minimal setup required
- App tracks sleep and wellness quality
- Can be controlled via app
Cons:
- On the pricier side
If you’re serious about sleeping in a cooler, more controlled environment, you might consider a pod cooling mattress. This one from the experts at Eight Sleep is 12 inches deep and contains five foam layers, plus, a 1-inch ComfortBlend Topper. You can independently cool each side of the bed from 55 to 110 degrees and control it from an iOS- and Android-compatible app.
The app and mattress track your sleep with metrics, including sleep stages, sleep time and toss and turns. There’s also wellness tracking on indicators, such as respiratory rate, resting heart rate and heart rate variability. All in all, there’s no easier way to invest in your sleep than with this all-in-one cooling mattress.
What to look for when buying a bed cooling system
Before adding to cart, here are factors to consider when shopping for the best bed cooling system:
- Temperature:Â How much can the system lower your skin temperature?
- Noise level:Â Will you be able to sleep if the system makes a low humming noise?
- Temperature control:Â Is the system controlled via remote? Is there an option to change settings through an app?
- Size:Â Is the system meant for one person or can your partner enjoy it, too?
- Dual zones:Â If the system is meant for two people, can each of you control your own side independently?
There are two types of bed cooling systems: passive and active. Passive systems provide a layer of cooling material and are typically seen in the form of cooling mattress pads, cooling blankets and cooling pillows. Active systems use either water or air to cool your mattress and bedding.
Why you should trust us
Some like it hot, but not when it comes to sleep. Quality sleep is a paramount part of life, so finding bed cooling systems that truly do their job is that much more important. That’s why we consulted three experts, including a certified sleep science coach, to ensure the products are approved by both them and real-life consumers.
Our first expert, Derek Hales is the founder and editor-in-chief of NapLab. Hales has tested over 268 mattresses and hundreds of other sleep systems and regularly offers insight to publications on his findings. Stephen Light is a certified sleep science coach. He’s also the CEO and co-owner of Nolah Mattress. Finally, Christen da Costa is the co-CEO of Gadget Review.
How we found the best bed cooling systems
We started with the research and reporting basics—from cooling blanket options to pads and covers—to ensure that we only recommended the buys that are worth your time and money. We looked at the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts who know all about the ins and outs of a good night’s sleep. Additionally, we combed through user reviews to see if these bed cooling systems stand up to the test, and whether they’re a smart value or worthy of a splurge. And voilà ! We have landed on the six best bed cooling systems.
FAQ
How does a bed cooling system work?
Air cooling systems are quite simple. “They create additional airflow to bedding and/or the mattress,” says Hales. “This helps bring cool air into the bedding system and push hot air out.”
Water cooling systems are somewhat more complex. “These involve channels of water running through a bedding attachment (typically a type of mattress pad) or through the mattress itself,” explains Hales. “The cooled water flows through the bedding, coming into contact with sleepers and cooling them.” The water is then cycled to an external device where it is re-cooled before channeling back into the bedding attachment or mattress.
What are the benefits of using a bed cooling system?
The benefits of bed cooling systems include improved sleep quality and duration. “When our bodies are too hot at night, it can be difficult to fall and stay asleep, tanking our sleep quality and blocking our bodies from repairing, recharging and refreshing in the way they need to,” says Light. “Bed cooling systems can ensure our bodies stay at the optimal temperature for high-quality sleep.”
Originally Published: February 02, 2023
