Finally, a Cool Memory Foam Mattress: Our Top 5 Picks That Won’t Trap Heat
If you love the deep hug of memory foam but hate waking up hot, sticky and slightly annoyed at 3 a.m., you’re in the right place.
Traditional memory foam is brilliant at cradling your shoulders and hips – and equally brilliant at trapping your body heat. Many people know the routine: you fall asleep comfortable, then wake up hours later kicking the duvet off, flipping the pillow to the “cold side” and wondering why your bed feels more like a slow cooker than a sleep sanctuary.
The good news? The newer generation of cooling memory foam mattresses is very different from the old-school “heat traps”. With smarter foams, conductive materials like graphite and copper, phase-change technology and more breathable designs, you can finally keep the comfort of foam without feeling like you’re sleeping in a sauna.
In this guide, you’ll find:
- Why classic memory foam sleeps hot (and what to avoid)
- The science behind modern cooling technologies
- Our top 5 cooling memory foam mattress picks that actually stay cooler in real bedrooms
- A very honest Editor’s Pick, based on real experience with a ThermoSync® graphite-infused mattress in Europe
- A practical buying guide and FAQ so you don’t waste money on marketing words that don’t help
If you’re tired of night sweats, hot pillows and half-slept nights, this is your starting point for a cooler, calmer sleep setup.
Quick Answer: What is The Best Cooling Memory Foam Mattresses?
If you just want the shortlist, here are the top five:
- Best overall (US, eco-leaning): PlushBeds Cool Bliss – Luxury multi-layer foam mattress with gel memory foam, an airflow layer and an organic cotton cover. Plush, pressure-relieving and built to sleep cooler than traditional memory foam.
- Best for hot side sleepers (US): Helix Midnight Luxe with GlacioTex™ – Hybrid mattress with a cool-to-the-touch cover, gel memory foam and pocketed coils for airflow and spinal alignment.
- Best high-tech cooling hybrid (US): Casper Snow Hybrid – Uses phase change materials (PCM), HeatDelete® bands and a cooling Snow cover to keep the surface temperature more stable through the night.
- Best for UK/EU hot sleepers (Editor’s Pick): Emma Hybrid with ThermoSync® Graphite-Infused Foam – Graphite-infused ThermoSync® foam plus springs and a breathable cover. This is the mattress type the editor personally sleeps on in Europe – and is genuinely happy with.
- Best budget cooling foam (global online): OYT Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress – Gel-infused memory foam, breathable cover and solid support at a friendlier price point.
At a Glance: 5 Cooling Memory Foam Mattresses
| Mattress | Best For | Feel / Firmness | Type | Key Cooling Tech |
| PlushBeds Cool Bliss | Luxury + eco hot sleepers (US) | Medium, plush hug | All-foam | Gel memory foam, airflow layer, cotton cover |
| Helix Midnight Luxe (GlacioTex™ cover) | Hot side sleepers (US) | Medium | Hybrid (foam+coils) | Cool-touch cover, gel foam, airflow coils |
| Casper Snow Hybrid | Very hot sleepers / tech-lovers (US) | Medium | Hybrid | PCM, HeatDelete® bands, Snow cover |
| Emma Hybrid ThermoSync® | Hot sleepers in UK/EU (Editor’s Pick) | Medium to medium-firm | Hybrid | Graphite-infused foam, breathable cover |
| OYT Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress | Budget hot sleepers (global online) | Medium | All-foam | Gel foam, breathable cover |
Why Traditional Memory Foam Sleeps Hot
Classic memory foam feels cozy because it wraps around your body. But the very things that make it comfortable also make it hot:
- Dense, slow-moving foam
Traditional viscoelastic foam has a dense structure and slow response. When it molds to your body, airflow around your skin is reduced. - Deep “body hug” = heat pocket
Foam climbs up around your shoulders, hips and torso. The more surface contact, the more your own body heat is trapped close to you. - Non-breathable covers and bases
Thick polyester covers and solid foam bases act like insulation. Warm air can’t escape easily, so heat gradually builds up through the night.
If your current foam mattress feels fine for the first hour and then slowly turns into a “heat trap”, that’s exactly what’s happening.
The Science Behind a Cooling Memory Foam Mattress
Modern cooling memory foam mattresses try to solve those problems with better materials and smarter construction.
Gel and Open-Cell Foam
Many brands add gel to their foams – as beads, swirls or layers – to help absorb and disperse some body heat. Others change the internal structure to open-cell foam, which has tiny interconnected air pockets, so air can move more freely instead of being sealed inside.
Gel on its own is not magic, but gel plus an open-cell structure and a breathable cover is noticeably cooler than old, dense foam blocks.
Graphite and Copper Infusions
- Graphite-infused foam uses graphite particles inside the foam to help pull heat away from the surface and spread it through the material more evenly.
- Copper-infused foam adds copper for both thermal conductivity and natural antimicrobial properties.
In both cases, the goal is the same: move heat away from the areas where your body is in contact with the mattress, instead of letting it accumulate right under your hips and shoulders.
Phase Change Materials (PCM)
Phase change materials are more advanced cooling technology. They absorb and release heat as they change state (for example, from solid to liquid and back again) around skin temperature.
In practice, this means PCM can help keep the surface temperature in a narrower, more comfortable range for longer – not just feel cool for the first 20 minutes and then warm up.
Cool-Touch, Breathable Covers
Covers made from materials like TENCEL™, specialized cooling knits or proprietary fabrics such as GlacioTex™are engineered to:
- Feel cool the moment you lie down
- Wick moisture away from your skin
- Let air move through the fabric instead of trapping heat
Hybrid Airflow
Putting cooling foam layers on top of pocketed coils instead of a solid foam block creates vertical air channels through the mattress. That extra airflow helps clear out warm air around your torso and upper body.
For many very hot sleepers, a cooling foam hybrid sleeps noticeably cooler than a thick all-foam mattress.
Pairing a cooling mattress with a smart tracker is a game-changer — here’s my Oura Ring 3 Review: Best Smart Ring for Sleep and Recovery to help you understand how it monitors nightly body temperature.
Our Top 5 Choice for Cooling Memory Foam Mattresses
1. PlushBeds Cool Bliss – Luxury Cooling Foam with a Greener Profile (US)
Why it made the list
PlushBeds Cool Bliss is built for people who want luxury and cooling in one package. It stacks several layers, including thick gel memory foam, an airflow layer, natural latex and an organic cotton cover.
This is the kind of mattress you choose if you want a more eco-conscious, lower-emission direction and you are tired of feeling like you are sleeping in a warm foam bowl.
Key cooling features
- Gel-infused memory foam layer designed to draw heat away from your body
- Ventilated airflow layer that helps warm air move out of the mattress core
- Organic cotton cover that is more breathable and moisture-wicking than heavy synthetics
Feel and firmness
- Medium feel – plush but still supportive
- Classic memory-foam-style hug, but with better temperature control
- Excellent pressure relief for side sleepers and many back sleepers
Best for
- Hot sleepers who still want a luxurious, “cocooned” feel
- People who care about lower VOC emissions and more natural materials
Pros
- Strong focus on both cooling and healthier materials
- Great motion isolation for couples
Cons
- Higher price point than many mainstream foam beds
- May feel too soft for heavier stomach sleepers who need more firmness under the hips
Curious which sleep tracker pairs best with a cooling mattress? My Oura vs WHOOP vs Fitbit guide breaks it all down.
2. Helix Midnight Luxe with GlacioTex™ – Best for Hot Side Sleepers (US)
Why it made the list
Helix Midnight Luxe appears again and again on cooling mattress lists for a reason. It combines a cool-touch cover, gel foam and a breathable hybrid core designed with side sleepers in mind.
If you love curling up on your side but wake up sweaty and a bit stiff, this mattress is aimed directly at you.
Key cooling features
- Optional GlacioTex™ Cooling Cover that feels cool on contact and helps disperse heat
- Gel memory foam comfort layer
- Hundreds of individually wrapped coils that increase airflow and prevent heat build-up
Feel and firmness
- Medium feel
- Zoned support that holds up the lumbar area while letting shoulders sink comfortably
- Deep pressure relief at shoulders and hips
Best for
- Hot side sleepers who want contouring without the heat trap
- Couples who want motion isolation but do not mind a bit of bounce from the hybrid design
Pros
- Strong cooling performance for a mattress that still feels cozy
- Reinforced edges, so you can use the full sleep surface without feeling like you will roll off
Cons
- More expensive than simple all-foam memory mattresses
- Taller profile – deep-pocket sheets work best
A cooler mattress is the first step — but if you really want to understand your sleep, my guide on Using Smart Sleep Trackers For Improved Rest shows how to translate the data into better recovery.
3. Casper Snow Hybrid – High-Tech PCM Cooling (US)
Why it made the list
Casper Snow Hybrid is for people who love smart, tech-focused solutions. It is not just “cooling foam” – it uses several layers of intentional design to keep temperature under control.
Key cooling features
- “Snow” cover with integrated phase change materials that help absorb and release heat at skin temperature
- HeatDelete® bands that run through the mattress to pull heat away from the center of your body
- Hybrid structure with coils that allow warm air to move out of the mattress instead of staying trapped
Feel and firmness
- Medium feel – a balanced mix of cuddly foam and supportive lift
- Zoned support under hips and lower back to help keep the spine aligned
Best for
- People who sleep very hot and want something beyond basic gel foam
- Mixed sleepers (back and side) who want both contouring and support
Pros
- One of the more advanced temperature-regulation designs in a mainstream hybrid
- Good for couples who need motion isolation but do not want a completely “dead” feel
Cons
- The cooling technology adds to the price
- Strict stomach sleepers may prefer something a bit firmer
4. Emma Hybrid with ThermoSync® Graphite-Infused Foam – Best for UK/EU Hot Sleepers (Editor’s Pick)
Video from Emma Hybrid
Why it made the list
Emma’s hybrid with ThermoSync® graphite-infused foam is built for people who love the feel of foam but are done with waking up sweaty. The graphite in the foam is highly conductive, which means it actively helps move heat away from your body instead of storing it around you. The spring core and breathable cover keep air and moisture moving through the mattress.
Key cooling features
- ThermoSync® graphite-infused foam designed to pull excess heat away from the surface
- Moisture-wicking cover that can be unzipped and washed
- Pocket springs and air channels that encourage ventilation
Feel and firmness
- Medium to medium-firm – supportive but not rock hard
- Seven-zone support that keeps your lower back from collapsing while still letting shoulders sink enough for comfort
Best for
- Hot sleepers in the UK and EU who want a true cooling memory foam mattress feel with extra support
- Couples who want good motion isolation but dislike the “stuck in quicksand” foam feeling
Editor’s Pick: Real-Life Experience with ThermoSync®
This is the mattress type the editor personally sleeps on in Europe – a hybrid with ThermoSync® graphite-infused foam– and it completely changed the relationship with memory foam.
On an older foam mattress, nights followed a familiar pattern:Comfortable at bedtime
- Uncomfortable warmth creeping in after a couple of hours
- Awake around 3–4 a.m., flipping the duvet to the “cold side”, trying to find a fresh, cool spot on the mattress
With the ThermoSync® mattress, that pattern simply stopped.
The surface feels neutral-to-cool when you lie down, but not icy or “fake cold”. More importantly, it does not slowly warm up into that heavy, sticky heat. After about a week, the big difference was clear: no waking up to open the window, no pushing the duvet away, no pillow gymnastics. Just sleeping through the night.
You still get gentle memory-foam contouring around shoulders and hips, but the body does not feel wrapped in a hot blanket of foam. For many hot sleepers in Europe, this kind of graphite-infused hybrid is the first cooling memory foam mattress that genuinely behaves differently in daily life – and that is why it stands out as the Editor’s Pick for UK/EU.
Pros
- Strong, real cooling performance backed by everyday use
- Good value during regular promotions in Europe
- Long trial period and warranty in many markets
Cons
- Very light, sensitive side sleepers may want something slightly softer
- Specifications and names can vary by country – buyers should check that they are getting the ThermoSync® version
5. OYT Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress – Budget-Friendly Cooling Foam (Global Online)
Why it made the list
OYT’s Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress is a solid, budget-conscious choice if you want a cooler foam bed without paying luxury prices.
Key cooling features
- Gel-infused memory foam top layer to reduce surface heat
- High-density support foam that prevents deep sinking and helps keep the spine aligned
- Breathable fabric cover to help with airflow and moisture management
Feel and firmness
- Generally medium
- Enough contouring for most side sleepers, with decent overall support
Best for
- Budget-conscious hot sleepers who still like the feeling of foam
- Guest rooms, teenagers and lighter to average-weight adults
Pros
- Very competitive pricing online
- Often uses foams and fabrics with independent safety certifications
Cons
- Edge support and long-term durability are not at luxury level
- Heavier people and strict stomach sleepers may require something firmer
How These Mattresses Were Chosen
To make this list more than just another generic product roundup, the selection focused on:
- Cooling construction – real cooling technologies such as gel, graphite, PCM, open-cell foam, breathable covers and hybrid airflow, not just vague “cool comfort” claims.
- Support and alignment – firmness, zoned support and pressure relief for different body types and sleeping positions.
- Safety and emissions – preference for mattresses using independently tested foams and fabrics with lower chemical emissions.
- Independent reviews and tests – performance in third-party tests for temperature, comfort and durability.
- Real-world experience – including long-term use in the Editor’s Pick mattress, not just reading spec sheets.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Cooling Memory Foam Mattress
Choosing a cooling memory foam mattress is not just about picking the one with the coldest-looking marketing images. It is about matching your body, your climate and your habits to the right mix of materials and firmness.
1. Start with Your “Hot Sleeper Profile”
Ask yourself:
- Do you wake up a bit warm, or do you wake up damp and annoyed?
- Is it mostly your torso and chest that overheat, or your whole body?
- Is your bedroom usually cool or warm at night?
- Do you share the bed with another hot sleeper or a warm pet?
If you are only slightly warm and your room stays cool, a good gel/open-cell foam with a breathable cover may be enough.
If you deal with real night sweats, you probably need a hybrid with graphite or PCM plus coils, not just a thin “cooling” layer on top of an old-style foam core.
2. Pick Your Cooling Tech Level
Level 1 – Mildly warm sleeper
- Gel-infused foam
- Open-cell foam structure
- Breathable or moisture-wicking cover
Good if you:
- Sleep slightly warm but do not wake soaked
- Have a naturally cool bedroom
Level 2 – Regular hot sleeper
- Graphite or copper-infused foam
- Hybrid coils for airflow
- Cool-touch or TENCEL™-style cover
Good if you:
- Often push the duvet off or hunt for a “cold patch” on the mattress
- Share the bed and feel like you sleep in a warm pocket
Level 3 – Night sweats and warm bedroom
- Phase change materials (PCM)
- Conductive cooling bands or zoned cooling
- Hybrid construction with maximum airflow
Good if you:
- Fight real night sweats
- Live in a warm climate and cannot cool the room much further
If you recognise yourself in Level 3, a thin gel topper on a sagging mattress is unlikely to fix the problem.
3. Firmness and Spinal Alignment Still Matter
Cooling and support belong together. If your hips sink too far, you will be wrapped in more foam – which means more trapped heat and more chance of back pain.
General guidelines:
- Side sleepers: medium to medium-soft – shoulders and hips need gentle cushioning.
- Back sleepers: medium to medium-firm – enough give for curves, but solid support under the lumbar area.
- Stomach sleepers: medium-firm to firm – if the hips sink, the spine and temperature both suffer.
If you share the bed with someone very different from you in weight or shape, a mattress with zoned support can be a helpful compromise.
4. Check Materials and Certifications
Cooling is only half of the story. The other half is what you are breathing all night.
Look for:
- CertiPUR-US® or similar foam certifications (for lower VOCs and fewer harmful chemicals)
- Fabrics with standards such as OEKO-Tex Standard 100
- Clear statements about being fiberglass-free and transparent information on fire barriers
If none of this is mentioned, that is a small red flag, especially if you are sensitive to smells or already working on a lower-tox home.
5. Do Not Forget Sheets, Duvet and Protectors
Even the best cooling memory foam mattress can be blocked by:
- A thick, plastic-feeling waterproof protector
- A heavy synthetic duvet
- Tight, shiny polyester sheets
If you have upgraded your mattress but still sleep hot, it is worth asking:
- Are my sheets actually breathable (cotton, linen, TENCEL™), or mostly synthetic?
- Is my mattress protector advertised as breathable, or just waterproof?
- Am I using a heavy winter duvet all year out of habit?
Changing these three elements can sometimes make a bigger difference than expected.
FAQ: Cooling Memory Foam Mattresses
Do cooling memory foam mattresses actually stay cool all night?
They stay cooler than traditional foam. Gel foams help with the first hours of sleep. Graphite and PCM can make a difference across most of the night, especially in combination with coils and a breathable cover. No mattress can fully compensate for a very hot room plus heavy, non-breathable bedding, but the right design can significantly reduce overheating.
What is “open-cell” memory foam?
Open-cell foam has microscopic air channels that allow air to move in and out more easily. That helps prevent heat and moisture from being locked inside the foam, especially when paired with cooling infusions and a breathable cover.
Is a cooling mattress topper enough, or do I need a whole new mattress?
A cooling topper can help if your mattress is still supportive but feels slightly too warm. It is a good way to experiment with cooling foam before committing to a full replacement.
If your mattress is also sagging or causing back pain, a topper is usually just a short-term patch. In that situation, a full cooling mattress is a better long-term investment.
How important are sheets and bedding for staying cool?
Sheets and bedding are very important. Tight, synthetic sheets and heavy duvets can completely override what your mattress is designed to do. Breathable fabrics and sensible layering matter just as much as the mattress itself.
Conclusion: Turn Your Mattress into a Recovery Tool
If you are building an optimized sleep setup or a full “recovery lab” at home, your mattress is not just something soft to lie on – it is a piece of health equipment.
Choosing the right cooling memory foam mattress means your core temperature can drop naturally at night, your joints are supported, and your sleep becomes deeper and more restorative.
Whether you gravitate toward a luxury foam like PlushBeds Cool Bliss, a side-sleeper-friendly hybrid like Helix Midnight Luxe, a tech-heavy option like Casper Snow Hybrid, a graphite-based European hybrid like Emma ThermoSync®, or a more budget-friendly option like OYT Cooling Gel Memory Foam, the goal is the same:
Less overheating.
Fewer wake-ups.
More real recovery.
When you get this right, you are not just buying a new bed – you are upgrading one of the most powerful recovery tools you own.
