Best Cooling Mattress Toppers (2026)

Why is Nolah Topper the Best Overall for Cooling?

Our favorite cooling topper has to be the Nolah. It’s made of the company’s proprietary foam, which, unlike memory foam, is breathable and responsive. Another way Nolah’s foam differs from memory foam is that you won’t sink into it, making it easy to move around on. This also means that the foam won’t trap as much heat. Nolah encases the foam in a cotton cover, which also adds some breathability to the topper. This led the topper to earn a perfect score for cooling, despite lacking the fancy cooling tech of many others on this list. 

How the Nolah Topper Performed

“While it’s not providing active cooling, I’m surprised by how little the topper heated up beneath me,” said my fellow tester Kenny Timper. “I think with sheets on, the cotton cover will feel even cooler — good news for hot sleepers.”

This cover also features corner straps, which help the topper fit securely on your mattress. This is beneficial for combination sleepers who frequently switch positions while sleeping.

Nolah offers this topper in two firmness options: plush and firm. The plush model, which Kenny tested, is better for side sleepers and those who need to soften their mattress. “My body sinks right through this topper, which makes me think it’ll be great for folks who need extra give around sensitive parts of the body,” he explained.

The firm model will work best for stomach sleepers or those who don’t need extra-soft contouring added to their current mattress. Back sleepers could do well with either, depending on how they want to affect the firmness of their mattress.

What to Consider About the Nolah Topper

While this mattress topper can soften your mattress, it is on the thinner side—only 2” thick. This might not be ideal for every body type, as heavier individuals will compress the foam more.

We also found that the topper didn’t offer much in the way of responsiveness, as to be expected with an all-foam construction. If you’re looking for something bouncier, I recommend the Puffy Deluxe Mattress Topper instead.

Read more in our dedicated Nolah Topper review.

Why is the Helix Premium Topper the Best for Heavy People?

If you are a heavier person (around 230 lbs or more) who tends to sink into your mattress, it might be hard to sleep cool, so you should consider the Helix GlacioTex Premium mattress topper. It gets its name from its GlacioTex cover, which is designed to pull heat away from your body. This topper contains both foam layers and a miniature coil layer, the latter of which provides additional lift that should benefit heavy sleepers dealing with an unsupportive mattress.

What We Like about the Helix Premium Topper

“The cover feels cool-to-the-touch,” our in-house tester said after having a short nap on the mattress. “I would also move around and feel the surface start to cool down—so I think this topper could work well for combination sleepers who run hot.”

In terms of feel, the Helix topper comes in two versions: Luxury Plush and Luxury Firm. Even though we tested the firm version, both offer the same cooling features. This topper is also just under 4″ thick, plenty durable, and offers space for heavy sleepers to comfortably sink into.

But most sleepers likely won’t sink far into this topper. Our testers rated this topper’s firmness at 7/10, which skews slightly north of true medium-firm. It should help adequately support heavyweight folks (and it earned a perfect rating in this category). Average- and lightweight sleepers who are looking for better alignment on their back or stomach should also appreciate this firmness.

What Else to Consider About the Helix Premium Topper

Despite having coils in its construction, our in-house tester didn’t find the topper particularly bouncy. “I had to use a bit of effort to move around,” she explained. “When you press down on the foams on top, they do return quickly to their original shape, but I didn’t feel any bounce from the coils.”

After a microcoil topper that has some bounce? Check out Brooklyn Bedding’s Microcoil Topper. Or you can read more in our dedicated Helix GlacioTex Premium Topper review.

Why is the Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper the Best Value Topper?

Cooling toppers can be pricey, but the Gel Swirl mattress topper is a favorite of mine for budget-minded shoppers. This topper comes with frequent discounts that can be almost half off, so if you’re shopping around the holidays, you’ll often find an extra-good deal. And because this topper has a gel swirl infusion running throughout, hot sleepers should sleep comfortably on it.

What We Like about the Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper

My colleague Riley Otis tested this topper out at home, and said she felt “especially chilly” when she was alone in bed. “I did notice it heated up a bit more with my partner beside me, so this topper might be best for folks who don’t share the bed.”

This topper is made of a single slab of memory foam, so it’ll significantly soften your mattress. Side sleepers will get good pressure relief thanks to its slow-moving feel. Back sleepers who need additional comfort should also get essential contouring for their lower back. 

It also provides excellent motion isolation for couples. If you do share the bed, you shouldn’t be disturbed by your partner. “When my partner was tossing and turning, I couldn’t detect their movement at all,” Riley said. 

What Else to Consider About the Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper

We noticed that the Gel Swirl Topper doesn’t come with straps to secure it to the mattress. It truly is just a wedge of foam free-floating on your mattress. While it mostly stayed put for Riley, particularly restless sleepers may prefer the Puffy topper, which goes over your mattress like a fitted sheet.

Read our full Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper review for more.

Why is the Bear Pro Topper the Best for Side Sleepers?

Side sleepers will want a mattress topper that offers a good amount of pressure relief for their shoulders and hips. And for side sleepers who run hot, the Bear Pro mattress topper might be the solution. What we loved about this topper is its soft, plush feel. This makes it perfect for side sleepers dealing with aches and pains, since it provides the necessary pressure relief. Not only that, it comes inside a cooling cover that dissipates excess body heat, counteracting the stuffy nature of memory foam. 

What We Like about the Bear Pro Topper

When trying out the Bear Pro Topper, our in-house tester praised not just its pressure relief, but also its ability to keep her aligned. “I feel really supported in my hips and shoulders,” she said. “Plus, the thickness of the topper prevents me from feeling the mattress underneath, and honestly makes the mattress feel more supportive as a whole.”

She also appreciated how she could rest undisturbed with another person in bed. “I feel little to no movement when someone is on the other side of the topper,” she explained. “There’s slight shifting from the cover of the topper, but the dense foam prevents me from noticing it.” 

The topper also had good heft, which made it feel “good-quality and durable” to our tester. She didn’t think the topper would droop or pucker after repeated use, and thought its 3″ thickness, combined with its supportive feel, would stave off any premature sagging.

What Else to Consider About the Bear Pro Topper

As with many foam toppers, our tester noted little responsiveness. “While I definitely don’t feel stuck when trying to switch positions,” she said, “I don’t think it has the bounce to it that makes it necessarily easy, but I am not impeded by the topper.” Still, if you’re looking for effortless movement, I suggest the Parachute Down Topper; it should be easier to move on its fluffy surface.

Read more in our Bear Pro Topper review.

Why is the Saatva Topper a Great Luxury Topper?

The Saatva mattress topper is a luxurious option that lets sleepers sink into 3″ of plush memory foam comfort. It should significantly soften your mattress with its dense, cushy feel. But don’t worry about sleeping hot. There’s a graphite infusion running throughout, so it helps dissipate heat. Our in-house tester called it “surprisingly good cooling for a memory foam mattress topper overall.”

What We Like about the Saatva Topper

This topper combines softness and support for an enviable, balanced feel that should suit many types of sleepers. Our in-house tester suggested it for sleepers looking for a softer mattress: “If you enjoy a true memory foam feel, you’ll love this topper,” he said.

He also found that the topper itself was “really high quality,” especially when compared to the other toppers he’d tested that day. “The cover is really nice and breathable, and there’s no notable pilling or weird stretching or bad stitching,” he said. “The foams are thick and squishy—this thing is really nicely made.”

Even though the topper has that traditional, slow-moving feel of memory foam, our tester found it surprisingly responsive. “It’s not the bounciest thing, since it’s still foam,” he explained, “but when you change positions or get up off the bed, it snaps back into place really quickly. I didn’t feel too stuck on the surface.”

What Else to Consider About the Saatva Topper

This is our “best luxury” pick because of Saatva’s high-quality products and excellent customer service. But with that comes a luxury price tag. At full price, a queen-size Saatva topper costs around $305, which may put it out of budget for some people. If you’re after a super-soft topper that’s a bit more reasonably priced, check out the Bear Pro Topper.

Read more in our full Saatva mattress topper review.

Why is the ViscoSoft Topper the Best Memory Foam Topper?

Although memory foam has a reputation for heating up, some memory foam mattress toppers don’t trap heat. The ViscoSoft mattress topper might be a thick memory foam topper, but it has several cooling features that help sleepers stay cool. To start, the foam is infused with gel, which draws body heat away from you rather than reflecting it back. This foam comes in a cover made from breathable, moisture-wicking bamboo rayon, which helps hot sleepers stay cool and dry.

What We Like about the ViscoSoft Topper

This topper is available in two thickness options: 3″ and 4″. Light-to-average-weight sleepers should enjoy the 3” thickness, while heavier individuals may prefer the 4” option.

This topper also features elastic straps at each corner, so it can easily attach to your mattress. Because it’s made of foam, it has that classic, slow-moving feel. This provides good pressure relief for side sleepers and good body contouring for back sleepers.

Thanks to its slow-moving feel, sleepers will sink into the topper and get good pressure relief. If you share the bed, you also shouldn’t feel your partner’s movements on your side of the mattress. 

What Else to Consider About the ViscoSoft Topper

This super-sink can make it quite difficult to move around on. It may not be a dealbreaker for most folks, but if you’re a combination sleeper or just like ease of movement on your bed, you might appreciate it. For a bit of softness without movement-impeding foam, I recommend the Parachute Down Topper. 

Read more in our dedicated ViscoSoft High-Density Mattress Topper review.

Why is the TEMPUR-Adapt Topper Great for Couples?

One of the biggest bedtime concerns for couples is a bed’s motion isolation. If your mattress has poor motion isolation, you’ll feel your partner tossing and turning at night. Thick comfort layers prevent this, which is why I love the TEMPUR-Adapt, which we tried out with the cooling cover. This 3″ topper provides a thick foam layer to absorb movement, so you and your partner should sleep soundly without noticing each other change positions or getting in and out of bed.

What We Like about the TEMPUR-Adapt Topper

When it comes to temperature, this topper’s cover feels cool to the touch and should wick away any excess moisture. “While I was lying on the topper, it never got warmer than temperature-neutral,” our in-house tester explained. “It didn’t feel hot when I ran my hand over the surface, either.” The cover is also removable and machine-washable, so you can easily keep your sleep surface clean.

The same dense cushioning that makes this topper great for couples also makes it great for pressure relief. “This topper contours to your body in all the right spots,” said our in-house tester. “It’s also supportive enough to keep my spine aligned. I really like it for all sleeper types, especially if they’re looking to soften up their bed.”

TEMPUR’s proprietary material is also denser than traditional foam, so our tester thought it would hold up great with repeated use. “Everything feels thick and durable, down to the cover,” she said. She even awarded it a perfect materials rating.

What Else to Consider About the TEMPUR-Adapt Topper

Despite loving its soft feel, our tester didn’t think it was easy to switch positions on top of this topper: “It’s really pliable, and you sink in quite a bit, so I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone who moves around a lot.” After a better bounce in a foam topper? Check out the Puffy Deluxe Topper.

Read more in our full TEMPUR-Adapt Topper review.

Why is the Parachute Topper the Best Cooling Down Topper?

Foam toppers aren’t for everyone. What if, instead of something thick and bulky, you prefer a topper that’s light and airy? If so, the Parachute Down Mattress Topper could be a great choice. It’s filled with super-soft down feathers and features a 100-percent cotton shell with a baffle-box design that creates a pillow-top feel.

Down can work well for hot sleepers because it’s naturally temperature-regulating. This means featherbeds won’t trap heat in hot months because the down allows airflow.

What We Like about the Parachute Topper

The airy feel of down will give your bed just a slight amount of softness. Don’t expect a massive change in your mattress’s firmness, but you’ll definitely notice a fluffier feel. Our lead tester, Marten Carlson, said he preferred the mattress on his back because of this. “It conformed well to my body without smothering me,” he explained.

Down toppers are also easier to move around on than foam. They don’t have much sinkage, so you won’t get “stuck” like the at-times quicksand feel of memory foam. Moreover, you can easily fluff them up if your body leaves an indent.

What Else to Consider About the Parachute Topper

I will note that down can trigger allergies for some people, so this may not be a great topper for someone who’s sensitive to animal products. A good alternative is the Puffy Deluxe Topper, our pick for the best hypoallergenic cooling topper. The Parachute topper also won’t provide much in the way of added support, so if that’s what you’re after, the Puffy earned high marks there, too.

Read more in our Parachute Down Mattress Topper review.

Why is the Puffy Deluxe Topper the Best Hypoallergenic Topper?

Hypoallergenic mattress toppers can help combat indoor and outdoor contaminants, thereby improving your sleep. The Puffy mattress topper is not only hypoallergenic but also includes a removable, washable cover, which can help you keep your bed extra clean. This cover is made from bamboo, a naturally hypoallergenic material. It also is breathable and moisture-wicking, which makes it a great choice for hot sleepers.

What We Like about the Puffy Deluxe Topper

This topper is offered in two firmness options: plush and firm. We tested the firm version of this topper, and it added more support to the bed we tried it on. If you’re dealing with a mattress that’s too soft, the firm option is a great choice. For a too-firm mattress, opt for the softer version.

While this is a memory foam mattress topper, it doesn’t have that soft, slow-moving quality that memory foam is known for. We found it felt quite responsive, which made it easy to switch between different sleeping positions. Particularly restless combination sleepers should love this ease of movement.

The Puffy topper also rests on your mattress like a fitted sheet, a rarer configuration for a mattress topper. But this should help to keep it extra snug as you move around on the surface. 

What Else to Consider About the Puffy Deluxe Topper

With a name like “Deluxe,” a bit of luxury is to be expected. However, the Puffy topper may not be a good option for budget shoppers. For something more affordable, we recommend the Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper.

Read more in our Puffy Deluxe Mattress Topper review.

Why is the Layla Topper the Best for Back Pain?

The Layla mattress topper is made with memory foam that conforms to the curves of the body. This makes it a great option for back sleepers and anyone who deals with back pain. Despite being made of memory foam (typically a heat-trapping material), the topper sleeps cool. It has a breathable cover, and the foam is infused with cooling copper beads. Copper is not only cooling but naturally antimicrobial, which should keep the topper both cool and fresh.

What We Like about the Layla Topper

This topper is available in one firmness option, which we found skewed pretty soft. It should offer great pressure relief to both side and back sleepers dealing with a too-firm mattress. But the foam is thick and dense enough to provide the necessary support to keep the spine aligned, which is essential for back pain relief.

The topper also has a soft, slow-moving feel, which should help to absorb motion. This means excellent motion isolation for couples; light sleepers will be able to rest without feeling their partner toss and turn beside them.

Our in-house tester also thought this topper was surprisingly responsive for all-foam. You do sink in a bit, but you likely won’t feel “stuck” in the mattress—just gently cradled.

What Else to Consider About the Layla Topper

The Layla topper scored well across the board, but it comes at a higher price point. A queen-size topper, even on sale, will still run you over $250. After something cheaper with a similar feel? Check out the ViscoSoft mattress topper.

Read more in our Layla Memory Foam Mattress Topper review.