Overheating in bed is uncomfortable, but it can also impact your sleep, and that’s been obvious during a heatwave. While one of the best mattresses and best mattress toppers can make all the difference when it comes to comfort and support, the best cooling mattress toppers paired with the best cooling pillows will be a saviour if you run hot.
To understand how to stay cool at night, we spoke to sleep scientist Hannah Shore at Mattress Online, who explained that not all mattress toppers are created equal when it comes to temperature regulation. Some materials are prone to trapping heat and moisture, while others are designed to deliver an instant cooling sensation – similar to flipping your pillow to the cooler side. As Shore notes, “it doesn't last throughout the entire night, but if you put your hand on [the cover], it will probably stay cooler for longer than a normal fabric”.
The key lies in the materials. Many toppers are made from polyurethane foam, more commonly marketed as memory foam, which has a reputation for retaining heat. To counteract this, some brands incorporate conductive elements such as gel layers or copper threads, designed to draw heat away from the body. Covers also play a crucial role: breathable materials like wool or bamboo rayon can help regulate temperature and prevent overheating.
But whatever you do, don’t expect a cooling topper to completely transform your bed, especially an old mattress. They won’t be able to replace the support missing from your mattress; they “tend to be too thin to physically move the body into the correct position”, Shore says. However, a good topper can provide some relief, especially if you sleep on a budget memory foam mattress.
Read more: Best mattresses, reviewed
The best cooling mattress toppers for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Panda bamboo mattress topper: £139.95, Pandalondon.com
- Best budget option – Next temperature regulating mattress enhancer: £45, Next.co.uk
- Best wool mattress topper – Woolroom deluxe washable wool mattress topper: £215.99, Thewoolroom.com
- Best cool touch topper – Silentnight wellbeing cool touch mattress topper: £149, Silentnight.co.uk
Read more: Best pillows, reviewed
How we tested
The IndyBest team slept on these mattress toppers for weeks throughout spring and into summer. We tested them during the mini heatwave in May and during the heatwave in June.
We assessed how comfortable we were and noted the level of firmness and pressure relief provided. We examined how we felt whilst sleeping on them, and most importantly, whether or not they kept us cool. If we felt that any topper was contributing to tester overheating, it didn’t make the final cut. Value for money and ease of storage were also factors in our final decision. Keep reading for our honest thoughts.
Read more: Best cooling pillows, reviewed
Panda bamboo mattress topper
Best: Overall
Sizes available: Single, small double, double, king, super king, EU single, EU double, EU king, EU emperor
Depth: 5cm
Fill material: Gel-infused memory foam
Why we love it
- Marshmallow-soft
- Excellent pressure relief
- Available in lots of sizes
- Adjustable straps
- Machine washable cover
- Hypoallergenic
Take note
- May be too soft for some
- Quite heavy and bulky to store
While foam is generally not as cool as fibres, Panda’s bamboo mattress topper is a fantastic option if you’re after the elite pressure relief and comfort provided by memory foam. Its marshmallow-soft gel-fused memory foam is engineered to be cooler than regular memory foam, containing gel capsules that draw heat from the body, while extra space allows heat to escape. Plus, the cover is breathable. While the effects weren’t dramatic, we’ve kept cool throughout the mid-June heatwave.
The “bamboo” cover feels luxe and less synthetic than some of the covers we tried. It’s hypoallergenic, which is good for people with sensitive skin. It’s odour-resistant, though we've not had it long enough to confirm this, and removable and machine washable, which is a real bonus considering some mattress toppers can only be dry cleaned. The straps are adjustable, so they’ll work no matter the size of your mattress, which isn’t something we could say about all the toppers we tried.
Just don’t fall for the marketing. Though sold as “bamboo”, the company told us that the cover is rayon weave derived from bamboo. It’s incredibly breathable, but in the end, it’s just rayon.
Read the full Panda mattress topper review
Buy now £139.95, Pandalondon.com
Next temperature regulating mattress enhancer, double
Best: Budget buy
Sizes available: Single, double, king, super king
Depth: N/A
Fill material: Polyester, modal, polypropylene
Why we love it
- Machine-washable
- Secure fit
- Good price
Take note
- Not as thick as some other toppers
- Those who run particularly hot may prefer a topper with additional cooling capabilities
Made with polyester and modal, this temperature-regulating mattress topper is hardly an ice bath, but it made us feel more comfortable during a mini heatwave earlier in the year. Designed to be breathable and to enhance airflow around you as you sleep, this relatively budget-friendly topper could also be a great option if you suffer from night sweats due to the fabric’s moisture-wicking properties.
Compared with most foam or natural-fibre options, a big plus point for this topper is the fact that you can throw it in the washing machine. We found it washed well at 40C, and, being polyester, it was quick to dry. Once it was dry, we gave it a shake to fluff up the fibres, and it was good to go again – the stitched construction helps ensure the fill remains evenly distributed.
We found the topper’s elasticated straps easy to loop around (and remove from) the corners of our 22cm-thick mattress, and our standard double-size sheets fitted neatly over the top. The brand states that this topper is suitable for mattresses with a depth of up to 35cm. The straps held the topper securely in place, too – it didn’t budge an inch during testing, no matter how much we tossed and turned at night.
While the brand’s website describes this topper as “deep filled”, it’s not as plush as some more-premium options. Don’t think of it as a memory foam topper; the fill rate is only 475gsm, so we’d say this topper is similar in thickness to a summer duvet. The topper still added an extra layer of soft comfort to our mattress, but those looking to breathe new life into a mattress past its prime may want to opt for a thicker topper.
Buy now £45, Next.co.uk
Otty bamboo mattress topper with charcoal
Best: Memory foam
Sizes available: Single, double, king, super king
Depth: 5cm
Fill material: Bamboo and charcoal-infused memory foam
Why we love it
- Feels breathable
- Excellent pressure relief
- Charcoal and bamboo are hypoallergenic
Take note
- May be too soft for some
- Cover can’t be machine washed
Despite testing this mattress topper during an especially sultry spell in mid-June, we still managed to get a good night's sleep unhampered by the heat. The brand claims that its cooling effect is from a mixture of bamboo and charcoal infused into its memory foam. While we can’t confirm that, we found it cooling on test.
The topper didn’t trap heat or become especially clammy, which we’re putting down to a good level of airflow paired with the benefits of using moisture-wicking materials.
It expanded and was ready to use after two hours, though it won’t expand completely until up to 48 hours. The foam is soft and squishy, and it offered excellent pressure relief, so we felt cocooned and near-weightless.
Our only bugbear is that it doesn't have straps to secure it to our mattress, and the non-stick base could only do so much, so it shifted a little in the night. The cover is only suitable for dry cleaning, which isn’t convenient. However, all in all, this is a stellar mid-range memory foam topper.
Buy now £139.99, Otty.com
Silentnight wellbeing cool touch mattress topper
Best: Cool touch
Sizes available: Double, king, super king
Depth: 8cm
Fill material: Polyester cover and foam filling
Why we love it
- Moisture-wicking
- Those who like a medium firm feel will find this comfortable
Take note
- Don’t expect miracles from the ‘cool touch’ cover
- Not much sink
- Chunky size makes it hard to store
The ‘cool touch’ cover on this mattress topper is designed to be breathable and moisture-wicking, but we found that the ‘cool’ to the touch effect was fairly subtle. The cover wasn’t dramatically cooler than the rest of our other bedding. That said, the topper was a cooling addition to our tester’s mattress. In fact, one of our testers found that she didn’t have hot flashes whilst sleeping on it, though this is anecdotal, and we can’t put that effect solely on the topper.
This is a chunky topper compared to other foam toppers here. We needed to wait up to eight hours for it to expand to full size, and it gives off a chemical smell at first, though this fades after several hours. Medium to firm, it’s quite responsive and has a slight bounce rather than sink. One of our testers didn't need to change their position to ease pain in their hip as much as they usually do.
However, the 8cm depth meant it was a struggle getting our fitted sheet to stretch over it, and it’s too thick to fold away and store. We also found that the straps didn’t work very well at all, so the topper was often misaligned with the mattress.
Buy now £135, Silentnight.co.uk
Woolroom deluxe wool mattress topper
Best: Wool
Sizes available: Single, small double, double, king, superking, emperor, large emperor, euro double, euro king
Depth: 4cm-5cm
Fill material: 100 per cent organic cotton cover and wool filling
Why we love it
- Temperature regulating
- Organic cotton
- Traceable wool
- Pillowy-soft for excellent pressure relief
- Moisture-wicking
- Natural and hypoallergenic
- Available in lots of sizes
Take note
- Expensive
Yes, it’s expensive, but the quality and sumptuousness of Woolroom’s offering excuse the price. It hasn’t been engineered to be cooling or feel cool to the touch, like some of the other options here, but it contains wool, which is great at temperature regulation.
Some people read “wool” and think of stuffy winter jumpers, but it’s actually the perfect material for keeping cool. It’s breathable and can draw moisture away from your body. We weren’t blown away by its cooling powers, but it’s fair to say we didn't feel as though it was contributing to how warm we felt. We didn’t find ourselves tossing and turning due to feeling too hot and clammy from a buildup of heat, which makes us think that the plush fill stayed well ventilated.
As for comfort, it made us feel like we were sleeping on a mattress in a luxury hotel. It’s separated into pillowy, sumptuous vertical sections, and it delivers excellent pressure relief. However, we’d recommend steering clear if you prefer a firm sleeping surface.
Wool is hypoallergenic, and the topper is certified by Allergy UK, affording peace of mind to people with allergies. The cover is made with certified organic cotton, and the topper is certified by OEKO-TEX, meaning it’s made without harmful chemicals, which is ideal if you worry about environmental impacts or synthetic materials. Plus, we love that Woolroom uses traceable wool. We could even find out exactly where the brand sourced the wool from by scanning a QR code on the packaging.
The only drawback is the price; this is one of the most expensive toppers we tried. However, it’s so comfortable and cool that we think it’s worth it.
Buy now £254.99, Thewoolroom.com
Simba hybrid essential topper
Best: Firm
Sizes available: Single, small double, double, king, super king
Depth: 6.5cm
Fill material: Airflow foam, aerocoil springs, support base foam
Why we love it
- Very comfortable and feels supportive
- Secure mattress straps
- True to size
Take note
- Pricey
- Hard to store when not in use
- You might need a hand unboxing it
Simba’s hybrid essential topper is designed with a knitted top layer and a second airflow foam layer to keep you cool while you nod off. It certainly didn’t make us overheat when we tested it during a spring heatwave, but we can’t say we felt cooler than normal. However, its multi-layered construction made for a comfortable surface that evenly supported our back and shoulders.
We were impressed to see springs as well as foam inside its filling, which you won’t find on cheaper toppers. This adds bulk, so it won’t tuck into a cupboard. It took two people to unbox it, but the foam expanded quickly, and the corner straps were easy to secure. It’s pretty pricey, too.
Read more: Simba hybrid mattress topper, review
Buy now £299, Simbasleep.com
Dreams therapur actigel cool mattress topper
Best: Medium firm
Sizes available: Single, double, king, super king
Depth: 4cm
Fill material: Foam
Why we love it
- Comfortable and feels supportive
- Not too firm
- Mild cooling effect
- Storage bag included
Take note
- Not the most secure fit
- Have to let it air when you unbox it
The foam filling in this Dreams mattress topper offers a medium-firm feel, with just enough give if you like a sinking feeling as you nod off. It’ll suit anyone who likes a touch of softness without sacrificing the feeling of support. We didn’t notice ourselves overheating while testing during a heatwave, so we can attest to its cooling claims too.
Our main gripe was that its straps were quite thin. This caused it to slide and hang over the side of our mattress where we slept. This was fixed by pulling the topper back on the opposite side, which wasn’t difficult but was a step we could have done without when making our bed in the morning.
Like many memory foam mattresses, there was also a slight chemical smell once we took it out of the storage bag. However, once we left it to air for a few hours, the smell disappeared.
Buy now £180, Dreams.co.uk
Dunelm cooler than memory foam mattress topper
Best: Lightweight
Sizes available: Single, double, king size, super kingsize
Depth: 4.5cm
Fill material: Polyester
Why we love it
- Feels breathable
- Affordable
Take note
- Quite flat
- Quality could be better
Dunelm’s “cooler than memory foam mattress topper” claims to allow better airflow than toppers made with regular memory foam. It also has a polyester cover. The is that polyester is quick-drying and good at moisture wicking, making it good at preventing your bed from becoming hot and sticky. However, polyester is a synthetic farbic with limited breathability, so it can make some people overheat.
In the end, it balanced out, while we can’t say we felt cool as a cucumber when the temperature in our bedroom rose, we’d go as far as to say that we didn’t feel ourselves overheating during the testing period.
It's pretty inexpensive, but you get what you pay for when it comes to general quality. We were disappointed to see there was a dip where we'd been lying on it after just a couple of nights, which wasn't completely smoothed away with some very furious plumping, so prepare to rotate this one frequently.
It doesn't give much at all in the way of sink or body contouring, and is fairly firm, so while it does offer some pressure relief, it’s quite minimal. But it’s easier to fold away and store than some of the other toppers here, owing to its slim, malleable make-up. It’s a good option for a lightweight topper on a guest bed.
Buy now £60, Dunelm.com
Silentnight airmax mattress topper
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Best: Polyester
Sizes available: Single, small double, double, king, super king
Depth: N/A
Materials: Polyester
Why we love it
- Machine-washable
- Comfortable
- Good value for money
Take note
- Not as cooling as other mattress toppers
This Silentnight mattress topper is more affordable than most, but it still had a positive impact on our sleep. It is made from 100 per cent polyester with a 5cm dual layer construction, air mesh sides and a polyester hollowfibre filling designed to promote both comfort and airflow.
It makes for a plush extra layer that transforms a firm, regular mattress. It was also ready to use just minutes after arriving in the post and being unwrapped.
As for its cooling credentials, we found they were good, but not at the level of other entries on this list.
We felt slightly fresher when using this mattress topper on warmer nights, but still felt the need to bring the fan out during a hot spell. So, while you shouldn’t expect a dramatic cooling effect when using it, it is still a savvy mattress-topping option for comfort and a slightly more refreshing night’s sleep, especially if you’re on a tight budget.
Read the full Silentnight airmax mattress topper review
Buy now £29.99, Argos.co.uk
Your questions on the best cooling mattress toppers, answered
What is the best cooling mattress topper?
If you’re set on memory foam, we can’t recommend the Panda bamboo mattress topper enough. It’s breathable and incredibly comfortable, thanks to its squidgy, pressure-relieving memory foam. If your budget can stretch further, we’d opt for Woolroom’s deluxe washable mattress topper, which offers stellar breathability, feels wonderfully plush, and boasts high-quality, traceable materials.
How we tested cooling mattress toppers
We assessed each mattress toppers on the factors below during an early summer heatwave:
What’s the best cooling mattress topper?
The optimum? “Ideally, if you want something to keep you cool at night, go for something like polyester fibres. They get such a bad rep because people think they're cheap, but we can manipulate the fibres to be quite innovative,” Shore told us, adding that you'd then want to go for a cool touch fabric, too.
What is the best mattress topper for night sweats?
Toppers made with polyester are a good choice if you're someone who deals with night sweats, as it’s quick-drying. On the other hand, natural fibres can feel “clammy”, Shore says, as while they’re “really good at absorbing moisture and taking it away from you”, they “ could hold onto it for a little bit”.
What mattress topper is best for front, side and back sleepers?
According to Shore, there isn’t one. “Front, back, and side sleeper is actually really important when it comes to your pillow,” she says, but with mattress toppers, it’s down to personal preference around comfort. If you prefer a soft surface, Shore recommends foam, and a fibre topper with polyester or natural materials if you prefer firm.
What is the best mattress topper for back pain?
A mattress topper won’t be able to fix back pain, and should always be discussed with a doctor or physiotherapist. But if back pain is being caused by your sleeping set up, Shore recommends checking your pillow, as it “affects your spinal alignment from your neck all the way to your mid spine” – this is a “much easier fix than a whole new mattress”, she says. “Once you are happy with your pillow, then the next thing you should check is the supportiveness of your mattress.”
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
With more than four years of experience reviewing for IndyBest, Lois Borny is well-versed in the beauty brands to know (and avoid). From the best hand creams to the best lip balms, she only recommends products that she has tried and tested and believes are worth parting with your money for.
The IndyBest team also reviewed a range of mattress topper brands, such as Panda, Eve and Dusk. When it comes to bedding, we’ve also reviewed everything from the best pillows and cooling mattress toppers to mattress protectors and electric blankets.
Looking for more recommendations? Read our review of the best mattress protectors
