Updated 2026

Best Cooling Mattresses 2026: The Thermal Test

If you wake up sweating, standard foam is the enemy. We tested the best "Cool Touch" and "Active Cooling" technology to find the beds that actually keep you cold.

1 Black Diamond	Best Overall Cooling	Review ↓
2 Helix Elite	Best Luxury Airflow	Review ↓
3 Aurora Luxe	Best Value Cooling	Review ↓
4 Nolah Evolution	Best Breathable Foam	Review ↓

1. Black Diamond

Best Overall Cooling

The New King of Cool: The Black Diamond Hybrid has overtaken the competition this year. While many brands just spray a cooling chemical on the cover, Diamond Mattress infuses highly conductive graphite and diamond particles directly into the memory foam.

The Tech: This "CoolTouch" technology pulls heat away from the body faster than standard gel foam. Combined with a zoned coil system for airflow, it provides a consistently cool sleep surface without feeling wet or slippery.

Why it wins

Graphite & Diamond infused foam conducts heat rapidly.
CoolTouch fabric feels cool instantly.
Patented zoned coils provide excellent back support.

Potential Issues

Premium price point (Luxury tier).
Heavier than standard hybrids due to dense materials.

Check Black Diamond Deal

2. Helix Elite Series

Best Luxury Airflow

The Airflow Giant: The Helix Elite isn't just a mattress; it's a 16-inch tower of comfort. The secret to its cooling is the sheer volume of airflow. It uses a dual-coil design (micro-coils on top of base coils) which creates a massive ventilation channel that foam-only beds can't match.

It also features two separate cooling covers—a GlacioTex cooling cover sewn directly onto the pillow top, ensuring you feel the chill immediately.

Why it wins

Dual-coil construction maximizes airflow.
GlacioTex Phase Change cover included standard.
Massive 16" profile looks impressive in any bedroom.

Potential Issues

Extremely heavy to move.
Requires deep pocket sheets (16"+).

Check Helix Elite Deal

3. Aurora Luxe

Best Value Cooling

The Ice Cube: The Aurora Luxe is famous for its "GlacioTex" cover. The moment you touch it, it feels like touching a cold marble countertop. It uses fibers with high thermal conductivity to pull heat away from your body instantly.

The Feel: Beneath the cover, it uses CopperFlex™ foam (antimicrobial and conductive). It is widely considered the best value for a dedicated cooling mattress.

Why it wins

Instantly cool to the touch (Phase Change Material).
Available in Soft, Medium, and Firm.
Excellent motion isolation for a hybrid.

Potential Issues

The slippery cover means sheets can slide off.
It can be too cold in winter (use a thick duvet).

Check Aurora Deal

4. Nolah Evolution 15

Best Breathable Foam

Airflow King: If you find standard memory foam too sweaty, Nolah is the answer. It uses "AirFoamICE"—a proprietary foam that contains billions of microscopic air bubbles and is not heat-sensitive like Visco memory foam.

Combined with a heat-escape gusset around the perimeter, this bed pumps hot air out every time you move.

Why it wins

AirFoamICE doesn't trap heat like traditional memory foam.
Incredible pressure relief for side sleepers.
High-profile (15 inches) looks luxurious.

Potential Issues

Softer than average (great for side, ok for back).
Requires deep pocket sheets.

Check Nolah Deal

The Ultimate Accessory: Eight Sleep Pod 4

Active Tech Cover

Note: This is an intelligent cover that fits over any mattress, not a mattress itself.

The Thermostat for Your Bed: The Eight Sleep Pod uses a "Hub" (similar to a computer tower) to pump water through a grid in the cover. You can set your side to 55°F while your partner sets theirs to 100°F. If you have the budget, adding this to the Black Diamond or Helix Elite is the ultimate sleeping setup.

Check Eight Sleep Deal

Buyer's Guide: How to Choose a Cooling Mattress

Marketing jargon is out of control in the mattress industry. Every brand claims to be "cooling," but 90% of them just use a standard gel infusion that stops working after 20 minutes. Here is the science of what actually works.

1. Active vs. Passive Cooling

Passive Cooling relies on materials to pull heat away from your body. This includes Phase Change Materials (PCM), copper infusions, and latex. These are great for most hot sleepers, but they eventually reach thermal equilibrium (they warm up).

Active Cooling (like the Eight Sleep Pod) uses electricity to pump water or air. It creates a temperature differential that never fades. If you have severe night sweats or hormonal hot flashes, active cooling is the only guaranteed solution.

2. Materials that Matter

Phase Change Material (PCM): Often branded as "GlacioTex" or "CoolTouch." These are micro-capsules in the fabric that melt and solidify to regulate temperature. They provide that "cold shock" when you first lie down.
Graphite & Diamond: Carbon-based materials are highly conductive. When infused into foam (like in the Black Diamond), they act like a highway for heat, moving it away from your core faster than standard foam.
Latex: Natural rubber is open-cell and breathable. It does not trap heat like synthetic memory foam.

3. Airflow is King

The dense structure of memory foam blocks air. This is why Hybrids (mattresses with coils) almost always sleep cooler than all-foam beds. The space between the coils allows hot humid air to escape. The Helix Elite excels here because it uses two layers of coils, creating a "bellows effect" every time you move.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does cooling gel actually work?

Cooling gel works for about 15-20 minutes as you fall asleep. However, for all-night cooling, you need phase change materials (like the Black Diamond and Helix Elite have) or active airflow.

Why do I sleep so hot?

It's usually your mattress material. Traditional memory foam is a heat trap. Switching to a Hybrid (Coils) with breathable foams usually solves 50% of the problem.