Highest Rated Cooling Bed Toppers (Pad) for 2021 – Our Top Picks

Just as the name says, a mattress topper is an additional part you place over your mattress if you want to achieve a better firmness or softness, coolness, warmth, etc.

Today we are focusing on toppers that provide a fresher sleep (very helpful if your bed doesn’t have a cooling system).

We have tested some of the highest quality mattress pads, and we’ll be happy to share them with you.

A topper will work just as if you have a cooling mattress. These mattress pads are real money savers.

They will prevent you from overheating and sweating, mattress pads will also add more comfort and softness, making your rest even better.

So, if you are wondering which cooling mattress topper is the best? We have got you covered!

Besides on our “top-rated” list, we will focus on some important features you need to pay attention such as materials, thickness, size, comfort, benefits and so on.

Looking for other options? Read our best-rated mattress topper buyer’s guide.

Buying Advice for Cooling Toppers for Your Bed

Do They Work?

A cooling mattress pad as we mentioned, is the pad that you place on top of your bed to get a cooler sleep. Depending on the design, a mattress pad absorbs the body heat and allows constant airflow through them; this is how your sleeping surface remains fresh and pleasant for rest.

It’s important to have a balanced temperature (neither too hot nor too cold).

Most of these cooling pads are made of memory foam infused with gel and with open-cell structure so the air can flow easily; they are comfortable enough to give you a good rest and of course are made to reduce all the extra heat.

You can find various designs and materials; all you have to do is purchase the one that is suitable for your needs and budget. Pick natural fabrics or fabrics that contain low VOCs and aren’t harmful to your health. Also, hypoallergenic materials will spare you from allergies and dust mites.

Sleeping Cool

This feature is essential especially if you tend to sweat during the night (also an overheated bed can make falling asleep difficult). It will be the top-grade option for couples who cannot afford buying a new mattress.

Sleeping cool means that you won’t have to wake up and change your pajamas and sheets; this way you are keeping your sleeping surface dry and free of odors (dry mattresses aren’t a suitable place for the development of bacteria).

A cooling topper will give you additional freshness (especially if you have a mattress that doesn’t provide such features).

Your topper should be made of breathable materials and should be comfortable enough to let you sleep well in whatever position you want. The support is equally important as the cooling, because what use would you have if your cooling mattress doesn’t give you the needed comfort and support?

Dimensions

Manufacturers make mattress pads in every size, so you don’t have to worry whether you’ll be able to find a suitable one. If you do your research online, you will find some of the best choices. Every size is covered (you can even find such choices for pets, so no worries).

You can pick mattress toppers for twin, full, queen, king and California king size. Pick the one that contains your preferred materials and size, and that’s that. Plus they are quite affordable.

Comfort

Every mattress topper besides its cooling features provides a great deal of comfort. You can see this pad as a single layer (made of foam for example) that was meant to give you at least two features that – freshness and comfort.

We have come across some excellent options that felt comforting and responsive and didn’t cause any pressure, no matter what position we adjusted ourselves.

These toppers are made to meet your needs and aren’t extremely firm (even though they may appear that way); they are responsive and shape according to your frame, so in no time you’ll find yourself melt a little bit into the topper and fall asleep faster than before.

They will keep you on the top of the surface, will draw the heat off and will not cause you any pain or pressure. Just by eliminating the heat and potential body moisture, you will get a comfortable sleep.

Thickness

Usually, toppers have a thickness that goes from 2 to 8 inches. The size should be suitable for your mattress thickness (if you have a thicker bed pick a thinner pad to avoid extreme height). But this isn’t the only thing you should care about; older mattresses need thicker toppers as well.

Also, heavier sleepers are advised to pick a heavier topper if they want to get better comfort and support (among the freshness).  Thicker topper is made from memory foam or latex.  These materials are the ideal choice for excellent support and comfort (you will have a great response and contouring in every position).

Thinner cooling topper is good for beds that already have great comfort and support but lack the needed freshness.

Perks of Sleeping on a Cool Bed Pad

Deeper Sleep

There are a lot of things that can interrupt your sleep (stress, tiredness, noise, non-comfortable sleeping surface, overheating and soon) and many people rarely experience restful and deep sleep.

The REM phase lasts very short but it needs to be uninterrupted to give you the greatest and deepest rest. During this sleeping phase you are revitalizing your body and immune system.

Just imagine what a cooling mattress topper will turn your sleep into if it provides you with a lovely comfort, support, and regulated temperature?

A quality-made topper made of great materials that add coolness such as gel or copper-infused memory foam or latex will let you doze off faster, having every inch of your body relaxed and free of pressure.

When you find your sleeping position without constant adjustments, you allow yourself to relax faster and fall asleep in no time. Your deep sleep will not be interrupted by things such as sweating, bad sleeping surface or motion vibrations.

Multiple Health Benefits

You will need that topper if you want to have a restful and uninterrupted deep sleep. Besides that, you will provide yourself with a comfortable almost new bed.

Let’s say that your current mattress doesn’t give you the comfort and the contouring you need. The cooling topper will add softness to your current sleeping surface, making it feel good as new.

Instantly you will get a better posture, improved sleep (free of waking up during the night because you felt overheated) and pressure free sleeping position.

When your body doesn’t feel pressure and is well and naturally aligned (no matter what position you sleep in), it instantly has more energy and you are ready for your day.

Constant airflow through your topper will regulate your temperature, therefore, your sleeping surface won’t be a moist place where bacteria and mold will have the chance to grow.

Most manufacturers make toppers hypoallergenic as well (especially if they are from latex).

Cost Effective

Buying a new mattress is a serious investment, and not everyone is capable of affording it. Most great mattresses cost several hundred (very often even above thousand) of dollars, and that can be a real challenge for some people.

This is the highly recommended choice for people that truly need a new sleeping surface. Mattress toppers cost around $100 (or less if you find good discounts or deals) which you have to admit is quite an affordable price.

The topper will last a decent amount of time and won’t wear off, no matter how much you toss and turn. On top of that, this is a smart and long-term investment because it will protect your bed and keep it clean (most cooling pads are washable).

Other Cooling Alternatives

Mattress

Today is hard to find a mattress that doesn’t provide you with cooling effects. The market has evolved, and manufacturers listen to their client’s needs.

No matter how it was made (innersprings, latex, foam or hybrid) a bed that regulates the body temperature during the sleep will always have a bigger advantage over the one that doesn’t.

A latex-base bed is a high-grade cooling material (especially natural) that besides the contouring and the support, will keep you cool and free of potential allergies. Memory foam infused with gel (in most cases) or with open-cell structure is an excellent provider for fresh sleep. Innersprings naturally allow airflow through the layers because they create a bigger space that isn’t dense as is the case with foam.

So if you easily get overheated at night (or if you sleep with a partner) make sure you purchase a cooling mattress that will regulate your temperature.

Sheets

Of course, the bedding (besides a cooling mattress or topper) plays a significant role in a pleasant and fresh sleep.

Everybody likes sleeping on plushy and soft sheets that not only feel good to the skin but also give enough coolness.

Every one of us tends to move the legs where the bed feels colder. Use sheets that are made of breathable materials such as cotton, silk or linen or another natural fabric blend.

Breathable and organic materials feel good to your skin and won’t cause you any irritation and at the same time will keep you fresh and will draw away the heat. During the colder days, you can use woolen bedding (also known as a material that regulates body heat and draws away moisture from the sleeping surface).

Comforter

Your comforter should keep you pleasantly warm, but it shouldn’t make you sweat (not even if it’s cold outside). Comforters are mostly stuffed with rich layers of natural fabrics like wool or feathers, sometimes silk. You can find some more affordable options that contain polyester batting.

It’s important that you pick a comforter that isn’t too heavy that won’t let you move or adjust; besides that, it should let you breathe without problems and not make you feel like you have a burden over your body.

If you pick the polyester type of comforter at least make sure you use a case that is made of natural materials (organic cotton or wool) so that your sleep will feel pleasant, free of sweating and of course fresh.

Cooling Blanket

A cooling blanket (another great option besides the cooling mattress) is the best choice for the warmer days and nights. It will keep you covered (we all need something thrown over our waist even during the hottest days) and yet you won’t sweat.

The market has a plethora of excellent cooling blankets made mostly of organic materials such as cotton that will distribute the freshness evenly all over your body (not just underneath it as it’s the case with pads).

They feel pleasant and soft to the touch, don’t add temperature during the hot nights and still give you a nice feeling of security when you throw them over yourself. If the night is chilly, it will keep you warm enough, so you don’t wake up disturbed and sweaty.

Different Types of Toppers Available

For Back Pain

Hot sleeping isn’t the only reason why people have interrupted sleep. Back pain is one of the main reasons why millions of people cannot adjust well and tend to toss and turn during the night. The reason for the pain can be due to poor posture, sitting jobs, heavy workout or activities).

Investing in a topper that will provide you with a chill sleep but will also reduce your back pain is an excellent idea.

A mattress pad is usually made of foam or latex, two excellent and responsive materials that will keep your spine in a natural position (no matter if you sleep on your back or stomach) and will ease every pressure during your rest.

Latex is naturally firmer than foam and also very contouring, so it’s a great choice for people who suffer back pain. A firmer pad will also do its magic, especially if it isn’t going to let you sink in too much.

Are you experiencing back discomfort? Best Mattresses for Back Pain (Upper & Lower Problems)

For Side Sleepers

Side sleeper usually requires a medium-firm bed and softer layer that will reduce all pressure from the usual pressure points (shoulders, spine, and hips).

We recommend you to add a topper that is softer and thicker that will let you sink in and reduce all the pressure in the pressure points.

Adding a soft topper will make you feel as if you lied on a cloud; there won’t be pressure (especially with a foam pad) nor any pain and your posture will be kept in a natural position. Pick a pad that is three to four inches thick, made of high-density memory foam.

You will find a lot of great options that are also going to provide you with a fresh rest (besides they are great for sleeping on your side).

Heated Pads

If your room is always chilly or if you have circulation problems, or simply cannot warm yourself when you go to bed, then your best friend will be a heated pad.

They are sold with controllers that can help you set the timer and the level of heat you want to achieve. The whole pad will get equal warmth from head to toes, allowing you to reach your wanted temperature so you can fall asleep easily and fast.

You can find them in every size; they’re made of various materials such as polyester and are completely safe to use.

This is a wonderful option for elderly people, people who live in colder areas or simply for anyone that prefers laying on a warm sleeping surface.

Memory Foam

The most popular material is foam because it’s responsive and takes the shape of the sleeper’s body in no time; high-end memory foam will give you a fresh sleep (depending on how it’s manufactured – open cells, gel-infusion, etc.).

You can get a thick or thin pad that will meet your needs (thicker are better for side sleepers); there won’t be any pressure, overheating nor poor adjustment. You can completely change your entire sleeping experience with just one memory foam topper.

It would be like adding a whole new soft and plushy (and breathable) layer to your old mattress and achieving the effect of a new one.

Plus, you can transport your topper easily wherever you go and forget about uncomfortable mattresses in motels, summer houses or guest rooms at your relatives.

Top 3 Cooling Pads Reviewed

Made of a cotton and polyester blend Bamboo Plush fits perfectly and won’t move as your toss and turn thanks to its design (once you put it and adjust it over the sides, it sits well).

We love that it comes in every size. Laying on it feels soft and comfortable, and you’ll feel as if you drop into a cloud. The sleep feels pleasantly fresh, and the airflow is constant. The fact that it’s hypoallergenic makes it the best accessory for people with respiratory or skin problems.

If you’re on a budget this pad will do amazing work – it’s comfy, washable, breathable, and hypoallergenic, comes with a warranty and will give you the feeling that you sleep on a new mattress.

Advanced Sleep Solutions offers one of the highest rated gel memory foam mattress pads. It will provide you with great comfort and support just as if you added a whole new layer to your old bed. When comes to the regulation of the temperature, you will get a peaceful sleep free of overheating.

Memory foam when infused with gel always gives a cooling effect and the manufacturers know this fact, and besides the gel, they created the pad with open-cell structure so, besides the sweet cooling, your topper will always get decent airflow.

You will get pressure-free support, that will help your muscles get a lovely revitalization and your spine a natural alignment. The great thing about it is that you won’t sink in (thanks to the anti sinking design).

It’s the best option if you can’t buy a new mattress; it absorbs motions and will make your rest pleasant.

It comes in every size.

Milliard is a gel-infused mattress pad that provides excellent cooling. It feels soft to the touch and thanks to the gel-infused memory foam it will make your rest fresh and free of sweating. It isn’t organic, but it contains a low level of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).

The comfort is incredibly good and the support as well; after all, it’s a memory foam pad that responses well to your body shape. The foam may appear too firm, but it’s responsive enough to allow you great and pressure-free comfort in whatever position you sleep in.

This is a durable topper that will provide you with the desired temperature so you won’t have to kick your blankets off. The investment is not significant, and yet you get a wonderful addition to your old mattress (plus support, comfort, and coolness).

Our Final Thoughts

Cooling pads are a smart choice for adding softer and more comfortable touch to your mattress; besides that, you will add the much needed cooling effect especially if your bed doesn’t provide you with that.

Usually, the best cooling pads or toppers for your mattress are made of memory foam or latex and provide fresher sleep, responsiveness, contouring, and softness.

They are a far cheaper investment, will last long and are easy to clean and transport wherever you want. The market offers them in all sizes (twin, full, queen, king and California king size).

Resources:

Laboratory Test Manual for 16 CFR Part 1632: Standard for the Flammability of Mattresses and Mattress Pads, updated December 2014 – CPSC.GOV