Dr. Jordan Burns Tested 43+ Mattresses to Find the 11 Best Cooling Mattresses of 2026

The AS3 earned Best Overall for the most complete cooling result here without giving up support. During testing, the surface read cool on first contact and gave up warmth quickly when a body-heat source was lifted, where the denser all-foam beds we compared held a warm spot longer. Dr. Burns found the Bio-Pur layer eased pressure at the shoulder and hip while the HIVE-zoned layer below kept the hips from dropping out of line on the back, so the medium feel stayed supportive rather than soft.

Best For:

• Hot sleepers who want one bed for every position
• Back and combination sleepers who need even support
• Couples sharing body heat, since motion on one side barely carried

Compare Instead:

• FORM Prime if you want a responsive grid surface and a 365-night trial
• Amerisleep Organica if you want a latex feel and natural materials
• Vaya if you want the simplest build with a top value score

Officially a medium, the AS3 played as a true balanced feel in testing rather than leaning soft or firm. On the back, Dr. Burns found the hips settled level with the shoulders, with the HIVE-zoned layer holding the lower back without a gap. On the side, the shoulder and hip sank in enough to take pressure off the joints while the waist stayed filled, keeping the spine straight. The Bio-Pur surface read cool to the touch on first contact and did not build the warm pocket the denser all-foam beds we compared held onto. Repositioning was easy, the foam recovering quickly rather than gripping. It fits hot back, side, and combination sleepers who want a medium feel that stays cool and even across positions.

The cover wicks heat off the surface, and in testing it was the Bio-Pur comfort layer under it that did the cooling work: its open-cell structure let air move at the shoulders and hips, which is why the surface gave up warmth faster than the denser all-foam beds we compared. Below it, the Affinity layer with HIVE zoning uses hundreds of hexagonal cut-outs that firm up under the head, back, and legs while staying softer at the shoulders and hips, and the gaps between them let air circulate, so the bed held the hips level on the back without trapping heat. The high-density Bio-Core base anchors the 12-inch build and resists sagging over time. An AS3 Hybrid swaps the Bio-Core for pocketed coils and a thin base for more bounce and airflow, if you prefer a springier feel. The foams are CertiPUR-US certified, tested for low VOC emissions.

The FORM Prime earned Best Purple Alternative because its cooling is built into the structure, not sprayed onto a cover. Airflow comes from three places at once: a breathable cover, a grid whose channels stay open under load, and a ventilated coil core. During testing that combination gave up heat quickly rather than storing it, earning a 9 out of 10 for cooling alongside perfect motion transfer and edge support. The Integra-Mesh reinforcement kept the grid steady rather than wobbling, which was the standout of the session and the answer to the unsteady feel some grid beds have. White glove delivery and a 365-night trial round out the package.

Best For:

• Hot sleepers who want a responsive grid over a foam contour
• Partners sharing a mattress
• Sleepers weighing a grid bed who want steadier support

Compare Instead:

• Amerisleep AS3 if you prefer a deep memory foam contour and a lower profile
• Amerisleep Organica if you want a latex feel and natural materials
• Zoma Boost if you want a plush hybrid with a top value score

Position testing told a fuller story than the first impression. On the side, the dominant test position, Dr. Burns found the shoulder sank enough to take the edge off the joint while the hips settled cleanly and the waist filled in, holding a straight line from shoulder to ankle across a 30-minute hold with a straight-edge check at the end. On the back, the coils under the lumbar held firm while the grid above flexed with the curve of the lower spine, so nothing felt suspended or dropped, and small shifts registered immediately. Stomach sleeping showed the one real limit: the hips dropped slightly below the plane of the shoulders and legs at the pelvic contact zone, a small measurable amount a thin pillow under the abdomen corrected. Switching positions was the standout, the grid keeping pace through a fast back-to-side-to-back sequence with no catch. At the perimeter, the coil-reinforced border held its shape rather than rolling, extending the usable surface closer to the edge than a foam-only bed allows. It fits hot side and combination sleepers and couples who want a steady, responsive surface.

The FORM Prime is built in five layers, and in testing each earned its place. On top, the AeroWeave cover reads cool on first contact and lets air cross the surface, which is why the bed felt cooler to the touch than the compressed-foam picks we compared. Beneath it, 1.5 inches of GelGrid reinforced with Integra-Mesh flexes at the shoulders and hips to cushion while its open cells channel heat away, and the mesh kept the grid from rippling when a second tester moved. Three inches of ContourFlex adaptive foam bridge the soft surface and the firmer support so there is no abrupt line between them. The support core is an 8-inch ZoneCoil 7-Series pocketed coil system, 600 coils in a queen across seven zones with a foam-encased perimeter, which is what held the edge steady and kept air moving through the body of the bed. A 1-inch BaseFlex foundation anchors it flat. The fire barrier is a knit that is not chemically treated per FORM, the build is fiberglass-free, and the foams are CertiPUR-US certified with GREENGUARD Gold and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 for low chemical emissions.

The Zoma Boost earned Best Luxury for a plush surface that still handled heat well in testing. Dr. Burns found the graphite-infused memory foam and breathable cover gave up warmth faster than the denser foam beds we compared, while the zoned coils underneath kept the hips from sinking below the shoulders on the back. The pillow-top cushioned the shoulder and hip on the side without the stuck feeling a dense memory foam can leave.

Best For:

• Hot side and combination sleepers who want a plush surface
• Couples, since motion on one side barely carried
• Sleepers who want a tall, cushioned build with a top value score

Compare Instead:

• Nolah Evolution 15 if you want the same 15-inch luxury height with a firmer pillow-top option
• FORM Prime if you want a responsive grid over a plush foam feel
• Amerisleep AS3 if you want a strong cooling result in a lower profile

At 15 inches, the Boost led with its pillow-top: Dr. Burns found the plush surface cushioned the shoulders and hips on the side while the zoned coils below held the hips level with the shoulders on the back, so the soft feel never turned into a sink. The graphite-infused memory foam and breathable cover kept the surface feeling cooler to the touch than the denser foam beds we compared, and it did not build the warm pocket a plain memory foam holds. The Reactiv layer under the comfort foam kept repositioning easy rather than slow, so there was no stuck feeling on the way between positions. It fits hot side and combination sleepers who want a plush, cushioned surface that still sleeps cool.

The Boost stacks a cooling cover, a graphite-infused memory foam layer, a Reactiv transition layer, zoned edge coils, and a durable base foam, and in testing each mattered. The cover and the graphite-infused memory foam did the cooling work, giving up heat faster than the denser foam beds we compared, since graphite conducts heat away from the surface and the cover let air cross it. The Reactiv layer beneath kept the surface responsive, which is why repositioning did not leave the stuck feeling a plain memory foam can, and it buffered the comfort foam from the coils. The zoned edge coils held the hips level with the shoulders on the back and firmed the perimeter, which is why the edge stayed usable when a tester sat on it. The base foam anchors the tall 15-inch build against sagging. The foams are CertiPUR-US certified, tested for low VOC emissions, and the bed is made in the USA.

The Vaya earned Best Budget for holding cool, even comfort on a two-layer build. During testing the open-cell comfort foam and rayon-blend cover let the surface breathe rather than trapping heat like a dense memory foam, and Dr. Burns found the high-density base kept the hips from sinking too far on the back. It is the simplest bed here, which is the point: it does the core job without extras.

Best For:

• Back and combination sleepers who want a simple cool-sleeping bed
• Couples, since a second tester’s movement stayed contained
• Shoppers who want a top value score over added features

Compare Instead:

• Amerisleep AS3 if you want zoned support and a stronger cooling result
• Zoma Boost if you want a plush hybrid feel with the same top value score
• Amerisleep Organica if you want natural materials and latex

The Vaya read as a true medium in testing, soft on the surface but balanced by responsive support underneath. Dr. Burns found the comfort foam cushioned the shoulders and hips without the stuck feeling a dense memory foam can leave, while the high-density base kept the hips from sinking too far on the back. The rayon-blend cover and open-cell foam kept the surface from building the warm pocket a traditional memory foam holds, though as an all-foam bed it gave up heat a step slower than the coil picks here. Repositioning stayed easy. It fits back and combination sleepers who want a straightforward bed that sleeps cool without a premium build.

The Vaya is a two-layer build, and in testing each layer did one job well. The rayon-blend cover let the surface breathe and drew moisture away, which is why the bed did not build the warm pocket a dense memory foam holds. Under it, 3 inches of open-cell Vaya Comfort Foam cushioned the shoulders and hips while staying airy rather than trapping heat, so the surface kept its cool feel as it conformed. Beneath that, a 9-inch high-density base foam anchored the 12-inch build, kept the hips from bottoming out on the back, and is what resists lasting indentations over time. The foams are CertiPUR-US certified and hypoallergenic. A Vaya Hybrid swaps the base for a pocketed coil unit if you want more bounce and airflow.

The Midnight Luxe earned Best for Side Sleepers for cushioning the shoulder and hip without giving up support, on a cover that ran cool in testing. Dr. Burns found the GlacioTex cover felt cool to the touch and gave up heat more slowly than the foam-only beds we compared, one of three picks here to score a 10 for cooling. On the side, the pillow-top and copper gel memory foam let the shoulder and hip settle while the zoned coils, firmer under the hips and softer under the shoulders, held the spine straight.

Best For:

• Side and combination sleepers who run warm
• Couples, since motion stayed contained side to side
• Sleepers who want a plush pillow-top with zoned coil support

Compare Instead:

• Zoma Boost if you want a plush surface with a top value score
• Amerisleep AS3 if you want a balanced medium feel rather than a soft pillow-top
• Saatva Classic if you want a bouncy innerspring surface over a foam pillow-top

On the side, the dominant fit for this bed, Dr. Burns found the plush quilted pillow-top and copper gel memory foam let the shoulder and hip sink in enough to take pressure off the joints while the waist stayed supported. The zoned lumbar coils, firmer under the hips and softer under the shoulders, held the spine straight rather than letting the midsection bow. On the back, the surface kept the hips level with the shoulders. The GlacioTex cover read cool on first contact and held that cool feel longer than the foam-only beds we compared. The reinforced perimeter stayed stable when a tester sat at the edge. It fits side and combination sleepers who run warm and want a plush surface that still supports the spine.

The Midnight Luxe layers a quilted pillow-top, a choice of the TENCEL or the GlacioTex cooling cover, responsive and copper gel memory foam comfort layers, an optional ErgoAlign lumbar layer, and zoned lumbar coils over a DuraDense base, and in testing each earned its place. The GlacioTex cover did the cooling work, reading cool on contact and giving up heat more slowly than the foam-only beds we compared. The responsive and copper gel memory foam cushioned the shoulder and hip on the side, which is why pressure eased at the joints without the surface bottoming out. The zoned coils firmed under the hips and softened under the shoulders, holding the spine straight, and the reinforced perimeter kept the edge usable when a tester sat on it. The DuraDense base anchors the build. The optional ErgoAlign layer adds firmer support under the midsection if you want it.

The Saatva Classic earned Best Innerspring for the airflow and bounce a coil-on-coil build gives, without the motion transfer old innersprings were known for. During testing the open coil structure and organic cotton cover let air move through the bed, so the surface stayed cooler than a dense foam. Dr. Burns found the dual coil design kept the familiar spring lift while the Lumbar Zone held the lower back aligned, and the individually wrapped comfort coils kept a second tester’s movement from carrying across.

Best For:

• Hot sleepers who want a bouncy, breathable spring surface
• Back and combination sleepers who want lift with lumbar support
• Sleepers choosing between two heights and three firmness levels

Compare Instead:

• Amerisleep AS3 if you want a deeper foam contour over a spring bounce
• Amerisleep Organica if you want natural materials with a latex feel
• Zoma Boost if you want a plush pillow-top hybrid instead of an innerspring

In the Luxury Firm, the balanced default, Dr. Burns found the dual coil system cradled the body while the quilted Euro-top and Lumbar Zone held the spine aligned, keeping the hips level with the shoulders on the back. On the side, the Euro-top gave enough at the shoulder and hip to ease the joints without losing the innerspring lift. The bed keeps the traditional bounce while the individually wrapped comfort coils contained a second tester’s movement, so it did not carry motion the way old innersprings do. The organic cotton cover and open coil structure let air move through the bed, so the surface felt cooler than a dense foam. Plush Soft leans softer for lighter side sleepers and Firm leans firmer for stomach and back sleepers. It fits hot sleepers who want a bouncy, breathable surface with lumbar support.

The Classic is a coil-on-coil build, and in testing its layers earned their place. The organic cotton cover, treated with the Guardin botanical antimicrobial finish, felt breathable against the skin and let air move off the surface, which is why the bed ran cooler than a dense foam. The quilted Euro-top added contouring and carried the Lumbar Zone through the center third, which held the lower back aligned on the back. Beneath it, a layer of individually wrapped comfort coils adapted to the body and contained a second tester’s movement, while the tempered steel support coil base gave the familiar innerspring lift and the reinforced perimeter kept the edge usable. Saatva uses a plant-based thistle pulp flame barrier rather than fiberglass, and the foams are CertiPUR-US certified. It is worth noting the buoyant, lie-on-top feel comes from the two coil layers, not from a comfort foam or latex.

SEE ALSO: Pocket Coil Mattress Buying Guide

The Evolution 15 earned Best Pillow Top for a luxury surface that stayed cool in testing rather than trapping heat the way a plush foam bed can. Dr. Burns found the ArcticTex cover and the AirBreath side gusset moved heat off and out of the bed, so the surface gave up warmth faster than the foam-only picks we compared. The zoned AirFoam softened at the shoulders and firmed through the lumbar, holding the hips level with the shoulders on the back under a plush top.

Best For:

• Sleepers who want a plush pillow-top that still sleeps cool
• Back and side sleepers who want zoned support under a soft surface
• Shoppers choosing a firmness, from Plush to Firm

Compare Instead:

• Zoma Boost if you want the same 15-inch luxury height with a top value score
• Nest Bedding Sparrow if you want to change the firmness after purchase
• Amerisleep AS3 if you want a strong cooling result in a lower profile

The Evolution 15 led with its pillow-top: Dr. Burns found the plush surface cradled the body while the zoned AirFoam kept it from turning into a sink, holding the hips level with the shoulders on the back. On the side, the softer shoulder zone let the shoulder settle while the firmer lumbar zone held the spine straight. The ArcticTex cover read cool on contact and did not build the warm pocket a plush foam bed can hold. Repositioning stayed easy thanks to the responsive transition layer, so there was no stuck feeling between positions. In the Luxury Firm it plays balanced, Plush leans softer, and Firm leans firmer. It fits back and side sleepers who want a plush, cool-sleeping pillow-top with support underneath.

The Evolution 15 stacks an ArcticTex cover, a quilted Euro topper, a 4-inch AirBreath border gusset, zoned AirFoam, a CoreComfort support foam, an EverAdapt transition layer, and an 8-inch HDMax tri-zone coil core over a recycled plant fiber base, and in testing the cooling came from the top and the sides working together. The ArcticTex cover read cool on contact, and the AirBreath gusset vented heat out through the border rather than trapping it in the pillow-top, which is why the surface gave up warmth faster than the foam-only picks we compared. The zoned AirFoam softened at the shoulders and firmed through the lumbar, holding the spine aligned under a plush top. The EverAdapt layer kept repositioning easy and buffered movement from the coils, and the HDMax tri-zone coils added deep support with a reinforced perimeter that held the edge. The base anchors the tall build. The foams are CertiPUR-US certified.

The Organica earned Best Latex for a natural build that handled heat well in testing. Dr. Burns found the Talalay latex breathes where a synthetic memory foam traps heat, and paired with the organic wool and cotton cover the surface gave up warmth faster than the synthetic-foam beds we compared. The latex conformed to the shoulders and hips with a bounce rather than a sink, and the coils kept the spine aligned on the back.

Best For:

• Hot sleepers who want a latex feel and natural materials
• Back and side sleepers who want responsive contour with coil support
• Eco-minded shoppers choosing organic textiles

Compare Instead:

• Amerisleep AS3 if you want a memory foam contour and a stronger cooling score
• Saatva Classic if you want an innerspring bounce over a latex feel
• Nolah Evolution 15 if you want a plush pillow-top rather than a latex surface

The Organica led with its latex feel: Dr. Burns found the Talalay latex conformed to the shoulders and hips with a responsive bounce rather than the slow sink of a memory foam, so pressure eased at the joints without a stuck feeling. On the back, the pocketed coils held the hips level with the shoulders. The latex, organic wool, and cotton cover worked together to move air, so the surface read cooler to the touch than the synthetic-foam beds we compared. The bounce made repositioning easy, and the coils kept a second tester’s movement from carrying across. It fits hot back and side sleepers who want a natural, responsive surface that sleeps cool.

The Organica is a latex hybrid, and in testing its natural materials did the cooling work. The organic cotton cover felt breathable against the skin, and beneath it the organic wool layer regulated temperature and wicked moisture, which is why the surface stayed drier and cooler than the synthetic-foam beds we compared. The Talalay latex, roughly 3 inches across a soft and a firmer layer, is the heart of the feel: it breathes far better than a conventional foam, so it conformed to the shoulders and hips without holding heat, and its bounce kept repositioning easy. Below it, the pocketed coil unit held the hips level with the shoulders on the back and kept a second tester’s movement contained, while an edge-support border kept the perimeter usable. The layers add up to the 12-inch profile. Certifications include OEKO-TEX Standard 100, Rainforest Alliance, and eco-INSTITUT.

The Aurora Luxe earned Best Hybrid for a cool surface backed by real airflow. Dr. Burns found the CopperFlex memory foam with TitanCool drew heat off the surface while the Ascension coils moved air through the bed, so it read cool on contact, one of three picks here to score a 10 for cooling. The copper infusions also resist mold and dust mites, and the three firmness options let the feel be matched to the sleeper.

Best For:

• Hot sleepers who want a cool hybrid surface
• Sleepers with allergies, thanks to the copper infusions
• Shoppers who want a firmness choice, from Soft to Firm

Compare Instead:

• Zoma Boost if you want a plush pillow-top hybrid with a top value score
• Amerisleep AS3 if you want the strongest cooling-plus-motion result here
• Nest Bedding Sparrow if you want to change the feel after purchase

In the Medium, the balanced default, Dr. Burns found the CopperFlex memory foam cushioned the shoulders and hips while the Ascension coils held the hips level with the shoulders on the back, so the surface contoured without a deep sink. The copper-and-gel comfort layer read cool on first contact, drawing heat off the surface, one of the coolest-feeling tops in the session. The coils added bounce and kept air moving through the bed. Soft leans plush for lighter side sleepers and Firm leans supportive for back and stomach sleepers. Repositioning stayed easy on the Medium build. It fits hot sleepers who want a cool, contouring hybrid with a firmness they can match to how they sleep.

The Aurora Luxe pairs a CopperFlex memory foam comfort layer with TitanCool, a transition layer that changes by firmness, and Ascension coils, and in testing the cooling came from the top and the core together. The CopperFlex layer drew heat off the surface, which is why it read cool on first contact, and its copper infusions also resist mold, mildew, and dust mites, useful for sleepers with allergies. On the Medium build, a gel swirl transition layer added cooling pressure relief between the comfort foam and the coils, while the Soft uses the same layer and the Firm uses a VariFlex transition instead. Beneath, the Ascension coils, up to 1,032 in a queen, added bounce and moved air through the body of the bed, which is why the surface stayed breathable rather than trapping heat. The coils also held the hips level with the shoulders on the back.

The Zoma Hybrid earned Best for Back Pain for firm, even support on a surface that stayed cool in testing. Dr. Burns found the Luxury Firm build kept the hips level with the shoulders on the back, with the zoned coils holding the lower back rather than letting it sag. The gel memory foam and breathable mesh cover gave up heat faster than a dense all-foam bed, and the coil core kept air moving underneath.

Best For:

• Back and combination sleepers who want firm, aligned support
• Hot sleepers who want a firmer surface that still sleeps cool
• Couples, since the coils kept motion contained

Compare Instead:

• Saatva Classic if you want the same firm support with an innerspring bounce
• Amerisleep AS3 if you want a medium feel with the strongest cooling result here
• Nolah Evolution 15 if you want a Firm option under a plush pillow-top

In its Luxury Firm feel, the Zoma Hybrid played firm and supportive in testing. Dr. Burns found the gel memory foam gave a light contour at the shoulders and hips while the zoned coils held the hips level with the shoulders on the back, keeping the lower back supported rather than dipping. On the side, the surface gave enough at the shoulder to ease the joint without losing its firm support. The mesh cover and gel foam kept the surface from building the warm pocket a dense all-foam bed holds, and the coil core moved air underneath. The Reactiv layer kept repositioning easy, so there was no stuck feeling. It fits back and combination sleepers who want firm support on a bed that still sleeps cool.

The Zoma Hybrid is a 12-inch build, and in testing its layers split the work between cooling and support. A breathable mesh cover lets air cross the surface, and beneath it 2 inches of gel memory foam with Triangulex zoning gave a light contour while moving heat off the body, which is why the surface ran cooler than a dense all-foam bed. A 2-inch Reactiv layer kept the surface responsive, buffering the comfort foam from the coils so repositioning did not leave a stuck feeling. The support core is a 7-inch zoned pocketed coil unit that held the hips level with the shoulders on the back, firmed the perimeter for edge support, and moved air through the body of the bed. A 1-inch base foam anchors the 12-inch build. The foams are CertiPUR-US certified and the bed is made in the USA.

The Sparrow earned Best Adjustable Firmness for the Lifetime Renewal Exchange, which lets you swap the comfort layer to a Plush, Medium, or Firm feel after purchase, the only pick here you can re-tune that way. In testing, Dr. Burns found the THERMIC phase-change cover pulled heat off the surface while the Energex foam contoured at the shoulders and hips over the coils, holding the spine aligned on the back. A second tester’s movement stayed contained.

Best For:

• Couples who disagree on firmness
• Sleepers who want to change the feel after purchase
• Hot sleepers who want a phase-change cover over responsive coils

Compare Instead:

• Nolah Evolution 15 if you want three firmness options chosen up front rather than swappable
• Saatva Classic if you want three firmnesses on an innerspring
• FORM Prime if you want a more responsive grid surface

On the Medium build, Dr. Burns found the Sparrow contoured at the shoulders and hips without a deep sink, with the coils underneath holding the hips level with the shoulders on the back. On the side, the Energex comfort layer gave enough at the shoulder and hip to ease the joints while the coils kept the spine straight. The THERMIC phase-change cover pulled heat off the surface, so it did not build the warm pocket a plush foam bed can. The reinforced edge stayed stable when a tester sat on it, and a second tester’s movement barely carried. Because the comfort layer swaps out, a sleeper who finds the Medium too soft or firm can change it rather than replace the bed. It fits couples and sleepers who want a cool, contouring hybrid they can re-tune.

The Sparrow is a hybrid, and in testing its layers split cooling and support. The 2-inch quilted cover pairs THERMIC phase-change material with memory foam, and in testing that top layer did the cooling work: THERMIC absorbs heat when the surface warms and releases it as it cools, which is why the bed did not build the warm pocket a plush foam holds. Beneath it, 3 inches of Energex temperature-responsive foam gave the pressure relief of memory foam with a quicker recovery, so repositioning stayed easy, and this is the layer the Lifetime Renewal Exchange swaps to change the feel. A 1-inch SmartFlow airflow layer eased the transition to the coils. The 6-inch pocketed coil core held the hips level with the shoulders on the back, contained a second tester’s movement, and its reinforced edges kept the perimeter usable. A 1-inch high-density base anchors the 13-inch build.