Best cooling mattresses UK 2024: our writers tested out the best mattresses for hot sleepers
BEING a hot sleeper can be tough, and there’s nothing guaranteed to put you out of sorts more than a broken night, especially if you have a busy day to wake up to.
However getting your full 40 winks is a lot easier when you invest in a mattress that helps stop you from overheating, and the best cooling mattresses will improve your mood as well as your sleep.
They’re made from materials chosen for their ability to keep you cool, so this includes natural fibres such as wool, latex and bamboo, but also synthetic products, including memory foam and springs.
While memory foam generally does hold onto heat, some brands use an open structure foam in their mattresses that increases airflow and breathability and draws heat away from the body.
Alternatively, springs encourage air movement when they compress and expand, so this type of mattress has built-in breathability.
However, for the best of both worlds, a hybrid could be the way to go. These are made up of layers of springs and layers of foam, often topped with a cooling bamboo or cotton cover.
They may also include a cooling gel or gel-infused foam layer and may contain graphite, copper or bamboo extracts to enhance their cooling properties.
With so many features and such a vast array of mattresses out there, you could be forgiven for feeling a bit lost when it comes to choosing one, which is why we’ve tested a selection for you.
Read on for our reviews of the best cooling mattresses currently available in the UK.
Best cooling mattresses at a glance:
- Best cooling mattress overall: Emma NextGen Cooling Mattress
- Best luxury cooling mattress: Tempur Pro SmartCool
- Best mid-range cooling mattress: Simba Hybrid Pro
Emma NextGen Cooling Mattress
Emma NextGen Cooling Mattress, from £759 £455.40
Pros: Very easy to unbox and set up, very comfortable to sleep on, hugs and supports your body
Cons: Depending on preference the firmness might not suit everyone
Rating: 5/5
The Emma Cooling mattress arrived in a box and thanks to its compact packaging, we were able to lug it upstairs without much fuss (unlike when I was removing my old mattress and transporting it downstairs).
I left the mattress to fully adjust and inflate for the afternoon, so it would be ready for me to sleep on that evening.
I previously just had a pocket-sprung mattress with a thin foam topper, and it wasn’t until I slipped into bed and practically melted into the Emma mattress that I realised I had been needlessly suffering in ignorance for too long.
The biggest positive is that as someone who sleeps chaotically on all sides, the Emma mattress is extremely supportive.
Thanks to the base pocket spring layer and a clever upper Halo Memory Foam layer, you get an orthopaedic level of alignment and support, regardless of the position you drift off in.
Needless to say, I slept like a baby night after night, whether I was on my front or my back.
I am someone who takes a long time to heat up in bed, so I often sleep with lots of layers of blankets and midway through my sleep end up having to chuck off my covers when I get too hot.
However, with the Emma cooling mattress, I sleep soundly throughout the night, without any night sweats or the need to throw my duvet on the floor.
This is all down to Emma’s clever ThermoSync technology which helps regulate your heat, keeping you at an optimal temperature as you rest.
I think the clever temperature regulation of the Emma mattress makes this an ideal option for couples, where one person gets too hot and the other doesn’t.
For me, investing in the Emma cooling mattress has very few downsides; the price may put some people off, but I think the fact you get a 100-night trial means you can effectively test it out before completely committing.
I think the Emma Cooling mattress is worth every penny — and I am enjoying my beauty sleep on it.
Mattress type: Hybrid, Trial period: 200 nights, Guarantee: 10 years
Review by Chantelle Symester
Otty Original Hybrid Mattress
Otty Original Hybrid Mattress, from £529.99 £449.99
Pros: Excellent for side sleepers, balanced support, generous guarantee (10 years), cooling and does not dent
Cons: Too hard for the first two weeks, lack of side handles makes it difficult to flip or rotate
Rating: 4.5/5
If your budget for a double mattress is £700 or less, the Otty Original Hybrid Mattress is the best option available.
You can often find it discounted too — it currently has 15% off on the Otty site.
I tend to move a lot during the night, which used to disturb my partner’s sleep. However, since we started using the Otty Hybrid mattress, we’ve both been sleeping well.
The mattress allows me to stay cool under the duvet – even during the summer months – and my partner doesn’t feel me moving around at all, which highlights how sturdy and high-quality the mattress is.
It arrived with next-day delivery and took about four hours to expand. It’s important to note that you’ll need deep sheets, as it may be tricky to get normal sheets to fit (unless you buy a larger size).
The mattress is very comfortable, and the firmness is just right. Any position we sleep in feels comfortable, and I no longer have back pain when I wake up in the morning.
I’ve only deducted 0.5 points from the score because the mattress does not have any side handles, which makes it difficult to rotate every month.
I’ve been using the mattress for five months, and despite containing memory foam, I’ve noticed that it doesn’t develop dents — it returns to its original shape as soon as you get out of bed.
This was the biggest win for me, as our previous hybrid mattress from Hyde & Sleep developed a dent after just a few months, which became uncomfortable.
Otty is rated as excellent on Trustpilot with over 9,900 reviews.
My partner and I are both excited about our Otty Original Hybrid and have recommended it to any friends looking for a new mattress.
Mattress type: Hybrid, Trial period: Five months, Guarantee: 10 years
Review by Pavlina Theodoulou
Tempur Pro SmartCool
Tempur Pro SmartCool Mattress, from £1,499
Pros: Supportive, can’t feel partner move, washable cover, can choose the firmness, comes with freebies
Cons: Not boxed up making it tricky to carry upstairs
Rating: 4.5/5
The Tempur Pro SmartCool came unboxed, which was great as I didn’t need to remove a load of packaging and wait for it to inflate before testing it out, but it also made it tricky to manoeuvre up the stairs.
I love that you can choose the firmness of your Tempur mattress, and I opted for a medium.
I found the mattress firmer than the Simba Hybrid Pro, which also pitches itself as a medium firmness, however, I quite liked that it was slightly firmer as it feels as if your body is well supported and I got the impression it’s good for your back.
The mattress conforms to your body shape and sort of hugs you, no matter what position you sleep in.
I tend to change sleeping positions throughout the night and found the Tempur Pro SmartCool comfortable on all sides.
My partner also tends to toss and turn, but neither of us could feel each other moving, which is a game changer for a good night’s sleep.
The mattress has SmartCool technology that is designed to absorb any excess body heat, leaving you feeling cool and comfortable.
I tested it during the summer and in the autumn when the temperature had dropped and the heating was on, and throughout both seasons I found the mattress to be a comfortable temperature.
The mattress also came with a free mattress protector; this has a silky texture to it which also makes the mattress feel cooler.
Depending on when you buy the mattress, you may be lucky and Tempur may throw in other freebies – like a pair of pillows – too.
Mattress type: Memory foam, Trial period: 100 nights, Guarantee: 10 years
Review by Clara Wolsey
Emma Premium Plus Mattress
Emma Premium Plus Mattress, from £469
Pros: Perfect balance of firm and soft, extremely comfortable, easy and quick delivery, wide range of sizes
Cons: No contact delivery means no help carrying the mattress in
Rating: 4.5/5
The NextGen Premium Plus is a hybrid mattress containing several layers of memory foam and a layer of pocket springs.
It has a breathable cover that contributes to the cooling effects of the mattress and this is handily removable for washing.
The foam and springs work in harmony – I found the Halo memory foam moulded to my shape while the seven zones of pocket springs supported my body, helping keep my hips, spine and neck in alignment.
While memory foam is known for being warm to sleep on, Emma uses an open-structure Airgocell foam in the Premium Plus and this increases air circulation and breathability, stopping you from getting too hot.
Add in the Infinity pocket springs, which are designed for maximum airflow and the cooling cover, and you have a recipe for a great night’s sleep without overheating.
I was also impressed by how much better I felt after sleeping on this mattress. Within weeks niggly aches had disappeared and I woke feeling well-rested.
Now, after years on a traditional spring mattress, I get what all the hype was about. The NextGen Premium Plus has improved my sleep quality to no end and it continues to deliver amazing comfort and support.
Mattress type: Hybrid, Trial period: 200 days, Guarantee: 10 years
Review by Zoe Bennetts
Simba Hybrid Luxe
Simba Hybrid Luxe, from £1,199 £995.17
Pros: Comfortable, supportive, cool, eased back pain, can’t feel partner moving
Cons: Heavy, expensive, requires deep-fitted sheets, sinks down on partner’s side due to weight imbalance
Rating: 4.5/5
The Simba Hybrid Luxe is incredibly comfortable and supportive – it has also helped relieve my persistent back pain, which is a bonus!
It’s a heavy mattress and I struggled – with help – to get it into the bedroom. Once there, I unpacked it and left it around six hours to grow to its full size.
The combination of open-cell memory foam and individual pocket springs work together to create a cooling sensation, which stops any overheating as you sleep.
There are nine layers, comprising a washable cover, wool and bamboo layer (both are naturally thermoregulating), open-structure Simbatex memory foam layer (adding to the cooling effect), four layers of springs, a CertiPur support foam layer and a base layer.
As a result of all this tech, I found this mattress to be one of the coolest I have ever slept on.
What’s more, it absorbs the movement from my husband, which used to disturb my sleep.
Now I don’t feel him turning in the night and this has vastly improved the quality of my rest.
The only negative thing I can say is that because my husband is heavier than me, the mattress dips down at his side and I have a tendency to roll towards him.
Oh, and regular sheets won’t fit — you will need deep sheets for the Hybrid Luxe.
While it is expensive, there are often special offers on the Simba website, or you could consider the Simba Hybrid Pro.
A good mattress is an investment in your future health and I think it’s worth it. I love this mattress.
Mattress type: Hybrid, Trial period: 200 days, Guarantee: 10 years
Review by Clara Wolsey
Simba Hybrid Pro
Simba Hybrid Pro, from £799 £647.19
Pros: Comfortable, cool, supportive, no need to flip, carbon neutral delivery
Cons: Expensive, very heavy to move, requires deep-fitted sheets
Rating: 4.5/5
I had been waking up because I was too hot with my old mattress, so I was eager to see if the Hybrid Pro could help with this.
In short, it did.
The wool top layer is naturally thermoregulating and breathable, so helps prevent overheating, while the Simbatex foam layer boasts an open structure that allows air to circulate through.
Aerocoil and pocket springs push air through the mattress as they compress, adding to the cooling effects, while the whole thing is encased in a cover topped with Simba’s cool-touch Stratos tech fabric.
All in all there are eight layers working to support you and keep you cool while you sleep, and at the same time it’s supremely comfortable and I look forward to going to bed these days.
At first I was concerned the mattress might be too soft — my old mattress had almost felt like it was made of wood — but I had no problem getting used to the softer feel and I loved the support it gave at the same time.
It took around a week to get used to it, but then there was no looking back. During a heatwave it kept me cool and sleeping like a baby, which was very impressive.
There’s also no motion transfer when my partner rolls over so my sleep isn’t disturbed, and I’m just as comfy sleeping on my back or side.
The Simba Hybrid Pro is a vast improvement on my previous mattress and though it’s expensive, I think it’s worth every penny.
I think the temperature regulation technology has had the biggest impact on my sleep quality and now when I fall asleep, I’m out for the count.
Mattress type: Hybrid, Trial period: 200 days, Guarantee: 10 years
Review by Clara Wolsey
Where to buy cooling mattresses
Many sleep retailers sell cooling mattresses so if you’re a hot sleeper you should be able to find one to suit you.
There’s no need to overheat during the summer as we have found cooling mattresses on the following websites:
- Amazon
- Argos
- Bensons For Beds
- Dreams
- Emma
- Happy Beds
- John Lewis
- Mattressman
- Simba
- The Range
- Wayfair
- Zoma
How much are cooling mattresses?
When it comes to cooling mattresses prices vary between brands and of course between sizes.
The composition of the product will also affect the price; mattresses containing natural wool, bamboo or cashmere will cost more than synthetic versions.
Prices start from under £100 on Amazon, rising to over £3,000 for the Simba Hybrid Ultra (super king), with almost endless options in between.
As a general guide, you should be able to buy a good double cooling mattress for around £800, but there are often special offers and discounts available from mattress brands that bring down the cost considerably.
What are the different types of cooling mattresses?
Cooling mattresses use a range of materials in their construction all of which contribute to the degree of cooling felt. These include gel, latex, springs and memory foam.
Gel mattresses often have a top layer of gel or a layer of gel-infused memory foam to help prevent overheating, while latex is a natural material with cooling properties.
Though memory foam can cause heat to be retained, many companies use an open construction that allows air to circulate, increasing breathability and helping keep you cool as you sleep.
Emma, for example, incorporates a layer of temperature-regulating ThermoSync foam into the Emma NextGen Cooling Mattress and this is infused with graphite to draw away heat.
Simba Simbatex, also infused with graphite, encourages airflow and stops you from getting too warm, keeping you fast asleep and feeling fresh.
The Simba Hybrid Pro contains a layer of wool as well, which is naturally thermoregulating and its Aerocoil springs help move air through the mattress as they compress and expand.
Other materials found in mattresses can include copper beads, plant fibres such as bamboo and sugarcane yarn, and plant extracts, including mint.
Are cooling mattresses cold in winter?
In short, no, cooling mattresses are not cold in winter. The idea is they pull heat away from your body, ensuring a more comfortable night’s sleep, but they don’t cool you down as such.
Rather, they help regulate your body temperature, thanks to the materials they contain (a gel or specially designed memory foam, for example).
Their covers also aid the cooling effect and could be made from bamboo, cotton or wool, all of which are natural, breathable fibres.
If you do wake up cold during the night when the temperature drops, it may be because you need a thicker duvet for the winter weather. Take a look at our best duvets round-up for inspiration.