FAQs

How to choose the best cooling mattress topper?

Primarily designed to draw heat and moisture away from the body, the best cooling mattress toppers are made with well-known breathable materials, and boast temperature-control properties within their construction. Latex or wool toppers are worth looking out for if you’re after something natural, but gel-infused memory foam or hybrid mattresses and toppers can also be really cooling if they’ve got a well-ventilated design that promotes airflow and heat dissipation. We’d also consider the thickness of the topper too, as thicker options are likely to retain more heat. Plus, opting for a mattress topper with a removable and machine washable cover will ensure easy maintenance.

Do cooling mattress toppers work?

Cleverly designed to regulate your body temperature while you sleep, cooling mattress toppers definitely help with the common issue of overheating in bed. So it’s safe to say that they definitely work.

That being said, don’t expect to feel like you’ve just stepped out of an ice bath. Cooling toppers are effective of an effective solution for most people on a typical day. However, if we’re in the midst of a heatwave — or even if you’re just someone who runs rather hot — you might need a little extra cold air from a trusty electric fan.

What material is best for cooling toppers?

While traditional closed cell memory foam mattress toppers built up quite the reputation for causing overheating and night sweats, most modern day models now boast breathable open-cell structures to maximise airflow. Plus, many advanced models are also infused with cooling gels and agents — like copper, graphite, and charcoal — which help to further dissipate heat. So there’s no reason why you can’t reap the pressure-relieving benefits of a memory foam mattress topper, while still staying nice and cool.

Constantly wake up hot, stuffy, and sniffly? Naturally breathable, temperature-regulating, and hypoallergenic, wool mattress toppers have a cushion-like feel, and make great cooling mattress toppers for those who also suffer with allergies. Typically made from 100% traceable British Wool, they do often come with quite a hefty price tag.

Alternatively, hollowfibre toppers are ideal if you’re after something a little more budget-friendly. Crafted with lightweight fibres, hollowfibre is far less dense than traditional memory foam — meaning that although it doesn’t offer quite the same level of cushioning as the more premium materials, it somewhat makes up for it by being super breathable.

When it comes to the cover of your mattress topper, a sweat-wicking fabric is paramount. Tencel and Nylon are popular picks — but bamboo and silk are ideal if you’re steering clear of synthetics. Cotton, on the other hand, is more likely to hold moisture — and can therefore cause issues for buyers suffering with night sweats.

What’s the difference between mattress pads, toppers and protectors?

While toppers are typically dense, cushioning, and designed to enhance or alter the feel of your existing mattress, a mattress protector is essentially an extra-absorbent additional bed sheet that protects your mattress from any spills and stains. Typically thinner than a topper but more substantial than a protector, a mattress pad sits somewhere in-between the two.

What thickness of mattress topper should I get?

Although it’ll largely be down to your own personal preferences around comfort and support, the condition of your actual mattress should also definitely comes into play when deciding on the thickness of your topper.

If you’ve got a relatively new mattress — and you’re pretty happy with the level of comfort it provides — opt for a topper that’s 3-5cm thick. Trying to breathe some life back into a much older model? Don’t settle for less than 7cm.

Can I wash a mattress topper?

Hollowfibre and cotton toppers are typically fine to go in the washing machine — and they’re also generally squishy enough to just about squeeze in the drum. In fact, most can also even be tumble dried on a low temperature.

Toppers made with memory foam, latex, or gel typically aren’t safe to sling in the washing machine — but they do typically have removable covers that are safe to run on a delicate wash. Besides, you’re unlikely to be able to fit a whole memory foam mattress topper in your machine, anyway.