Cooling Mattress Toppers: What Independent Testers Picked, by Material
Latex, wool and open-cell foams sleep cooler than dense memory foam, and two review teams agree on a short list of foam toppers that stay cool; here is what they found and what cooling will not fix.
Research-based: public sources and consumer feedback, not hands-on testing. How we review
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In this article
Quick Verdict
Bottom line: Choose by material first: latex, wool and open-cell foams sleep cooler than dense memory foam. Two foam toppers are rated well for temperature by two separate review teams.
- Best for
- Sleepers who are a little too warm on a foam bed
- Main concern
- Return terms: one of the best-reviewed toppers cannot be returned
- Better alternative
- A latex or wool topper, if you sleep very hot
Research-based: public sources and consumer feedback, not hands-on testing. How we review
Quick answer
The material matters more than the word “cooling” on the label. Published testers find latex, wool and open-cell foams sleep cooler than dense memory foam, and say it is unclear whether gel on its own does much. Among named products, two sets of reviewers independently rate the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt + Cooling and the ViscoSoft Active Cooling Copper toppers well for staying cool. We did not test any topper; this page reports what those testers found.
Many toppers are sold as cooling, and the claim is easy to make. This guide looks at the toppers that two review teams, the Sleep Foundation and Tom’s Guide, have tried themselves, and separates the picks they agree on from the ones only one of them makes. Both publications earn commission on sales made through their links, as we do through ours, so we have weighted agreement between them above any single recommendation. If you are still deciding whether a topper is the right fix at all, start with our mattress topper buying guide.
Key takeaways
- Testers rate natural latex, wool and open-cell polyfoam as cooler than dense memory foam
- The Sleep Foundation says it is unclear whether gel infusions cool effectively
- Two review teams both rate the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt + Cooling and ViscoSoft Active Cooling Copper toppers well for temperature
- A topper that cools well can still be the wrong firmness or thickness for you
- Return terms differ sharply: one of the best-reviewed toppers cannot be returned at all
Start with the material
| Material | What the Sleep Foundation’s testing notes say about heat |
|---|---|
| Natural latex | Breathable and open-celled; retains less heat than memory foam |
| Wool | Wicks moisture away from the body |
| Open-cell or convoluted polyfoam | Shaped or structured to let air through |
| Down alternative and other fiber fills | Little heat retention reported, though synthetic fibers generally trap more than natural ones |
| Memory foam | The warmest, especially at high density, partly because you sink further into it |
| Gel-infused foam | Unclear whether the gel cools effectively |
Tom’s Guide adds that the toppers its testers found coolest tend to rely on a cover made with phase change material or a cool-to-the-touch fabric, not on the foam alone. Our guide to why a topper sleeps hot explains the mechanism, and latex vs memory foam compares the two main materials.
Where two sets of testers agree
Toppers Both Review Teams Rate for Cooling
| Product | Best for | Main strength | Main weakness | Overall assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt + Cooling | Sleepers who want dense memory foam without the usual warmth | Sleep Foundation testers rated its cooling above average; a Tom's Guide tester said the cool-touch cover kept night sweats at bay. The cover is removable and washable. | The Sleep Foundation says returns are not allowed | The most consistent pick, with the least forgiving return terms |
| ViscoSoft Active Cooling Copper | Couples and anyone adding support to a soft bed | Most Sleep Foundation testers reported little or no heat retention; Tom's Guide reviewers stayed comfortable through a hot summer | It is four inches thick, which is more than most people need | Well reviewed for heat by both; check the thickness suits you |
| Saatva Graphite memory foam | People who change position during the night | The Sleep Foundation says it sleeps cooler than most competitors; Tom's Guide calls it the cooling standout in Saatva's range | Still a memory foam topper, with a one-year warranty | A cooler take on memory foam |
| Helix GlacioTex | Sleepers who want a plush, cushioned feel | The Sleep Foundation's overall pick; a Tom's Guide tester found it cooled a warm bed | The same Tom's Guide tester felt their hips dip when lying on their back | Cooling confirmed, feel divided opinion |
Picks made by one team only
- Latex and wool. The Sleep Foundation recommends a latex-and-wool topper from Birch and an organic latex topper from Silk & Snow, on the strength of the materials’ breathability. Tom’s Guide’s cooling coverage did not include a latex topper, so there is no second opinion on these two.
- Down alternative. The Sleep Foundation’s value pick is a fiber-filled topper from The Company Store, for which most of its testers reported little or no heat retention.
- Copper-infused open-cell foam. Tom’s Guide gives its top temperature marks to the Molecule CopperWELL, while noting it has no washable cover and may be too soft for some.
- Active systems. The Sleep Foundation also lists an app-controlled pad that heats or cools the bed surface. It is a different kind of product, and its high cost is the drawback the review names.
One warning from the same coverage: Tom’s Guide says the Puffy Deluxe topper traps heat and is a poor choice for hot sleepers. A well-known brand name is not evidence of cooling.
What cooling does not fix
- Firmness and thickness. Several of these toppers are soft or thick. Our guide to how thick a topper should be covers the choice.
- The layers on top. A waterproof protector or synthetic sheets over a cooling topper can undo it.
- A warm room. No passive topper lowers the temperature of the bedroom.
- A sagging mattress. A topper follows the surface beneath it.
Read the return terms first
Cooling is personal, and you will not know until you have slept on it. The reviews show how much the terms vary: the Sleep Foundation reports that the Tempur-Pedic topper cannot be returned, while others it lists come with trial periods ranging from about a month to several months. Its page is not always consistent about the length of each trial, so confirm on the maker’s own site. Our mattress topper problems report explains why topper returns catch people out.
Who a Cooling Topper May Help
- People who are a little too warm on a foam mattress or foam topper
- Sleepers who can choose latex or wool instead of dense memory foam
- Buyers who have checked the return window and will use it
Who Should Look Elsewhere First
- Anyone using a waterproof protector or synthetic bedding they have not yet changed
- People who overheat for medical reasons, who should speak to a doctor
- Owners of a sagging mattress, which a topper will not fix
Is a Cooling Topper Worth It?
Yes for mild overheating, if you choose by material and can return it
If you are slightly too warm, a topper built from a breathable material, or one of the foam toppers that two sets of testers found cool, is a reasonable step. Change your protector and sheets first, because that costs less. If you sleep very hot, the evidence favors moving away from memory foam altogether, which our alternatives page covers.
Better choice for some buyers
A latex or wool topper
The Two Toppers Both Teams Rated Well
These links search Amazon for the two toppers that both the Sleep Foundation and Tom's Guide rated well for temperature. Check the seller and the return terms on the listing; they may differ from those on the maker's own site.
Rated by both teams
Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt + Cooling topper
Best for: Memory foam feel with less warmth
It is three inches of dense memory foam, so check that the feel suits you before relying on the cooling.
Why consider it: Sleep Foundation testers rated its cooling above average, and a Tom's Guide tester found the cool-touch cover effective
Potential drawback: The Sleep Foundation reports that it cannot be returned when bought from the maker
Rated by both teams
ViscoSoft Active Cooling Copper topper
Best for: Adding support to a soft bed
A thick topper needs deeper fitted sheets; measure before you order.
Why consider it: Most Sleep Foundation testers reported little or no heat retention, and Tom's Guide's reviewers stayed cool in hot weather
Potential drawback: At four inches it is thicker than most sleepers need
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. How this works
How we researched this
This guide is based on the Sleep Foundation’s published list of cooling toppers and its notes on how it tests them, and on Tom’s Guide’s published topper reviews and roundups. Both test toppers themselves; both also earn affiliate commission. We compared the two and reported where they agree and where only one makes a recommendation. We did not test any topper, we have used no ratings or prices, and the list of things cooling does not fix is our own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which mattress topper materials sleep coolest?
The Sleep Foundation’s testing notes rate natural latex, wool and open-cell polyfoam as cooler than memory foam, and say dense memory foam is the warmest.
Do gel mattress toppers keep you cool?
The Sleep Foundation says it is unclear whether gel infusions cool effectively. Tom’s Guide finds that the coolest toppers tend to rely on the cover fabric as much as the foam.
Which cooling toppers do reviewers agree on?
The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt + Cooling and ViscoSoft Active Cooling Copper toppers are rated well for temperature by both the Sleep Foundation and Tom’s Guide.
Can a mattress topper make a hot mattress cooler?
It can help if the topper is made of a more breathable material than the surface beneath. It will not help if a waterproof protector or synthetic sheets on top are trapping the heat.
Can I return a cooling topper if it does not work?
It depends on the maker. Trial periods in the reviews range from none at all to several months, so read the terms before you buy.
Sources & Evidence
Where the facts in this article come from. Summaries are in our own words; follow the links to check them yourself.
- Sleep Foundation: Best Cooling Mattress Toppers (updated September 2026)
- Sleep Foundation: Mattress Topper Research Methodology
- Tom's Guide: Best mattress toppers 2026
- Tom's Guide: What are cooling mattress toppers, do they work and should you buy one?
- Tom's Guide: We've tested every Helix cooling mattress topper
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