• Mattress Guides
    • Best Mattresses

    • Best Mattresses of 2023
    • For Side Sleepers
    • For Back Pain
    • Mail Order Mattress
    • Cooling Mattresses
    • Eco-Friendly Mattresses
    • Mattress Types

    • Fiberglass Free Mattresses
    • Memory Foam Mattresses
    • Hybrid Mattresses
    • Innerspring Mattresses
    • Soft Mattresses
    • Firm Mattresses
    • Mattress Reviews

    • Amerisleep Review
    • Zoma Review
    • Vaya Review
    • Avocado Review
    • Eight Sleep Review
    • Mattress Guides

    • Mattress Buying Guide
    • Mattress Sizes
    • Mattress Foundation Sizes
    • Bed Frame Sizes
  • Bedding Guides
    • Comforters & Blankets

    • Best Comforters
    • Best Down Comforters
    • Best Duvets
    • Best Blankets
    • Pillows

    • Best Pillows
    • Best Memory Foam Pillows
    • Best Pillows for Side Sleepers
    • Best Body Pillows
    • Comparisons

    • Cotton vs. Microfiber
    • Duvet vs. Comforter
    • FAQs

    • How to Wash Pillows?
    • How Often to Replace Every Type of Pillow
    • How Long Does it Take to Dry Clean a Comforter?
  • Mattress Resources
    • Mattress Comparison

    • Memory Foam vs. Pillow Top
    • Memory Foam vs. Spring
    • Memory Foam vs. Latex
    • Hybrid vs. Memory Foam
    • Gel Memory Foam vs. Latex
    • Size Comparison

    • King vs. California King
    • King vs. Queen
    • Queen vs. Full
    • Full vs. Twin
    • Twin vs. Twin XL
    • Solutions

    • Mattress Quiz
    • How to Fix a Sagging Mattress
    • How to Fix a Too Soft or Too Firm Mattress
    • How to Dispose of an Old Mattress
  • Sleep Health
    • How-To

    • How to Power Nap
    • How to Stop Snoring
    • How To Wake Up Early: 8 Benefits To Waking Up Early
    • How to Sleep on Your Back
    • Dreams

    • How to Lucid Dream: Techniques, Benefits, and Risks
    • Night Terrors vs. Nightmares
    • What is a Fever Dream?
    • Natural Sleep

    • Natural Herbs For Sleep
    • Essential Oils for Sleep
Home / Sleep Health / Hot Sleeper vs Cold Sleeper: What Type of Sleeper Are You?
Sleep Health

Hot Sleeper vs Cold Sleeper: What Type of Sleeper Are You?

by Jasmin Lee Comment on Hot Sleeper vs Cold Sleeper: What Type of Sleeper Are You?
hot-vs-cold-sleeper

Eachnight may earn commissions for products you purchase through our links. Our articles and reviews include affiliate links and advertisements, including amerisleep advertising. Learn more

Updated December 13, 2022

Sleeping in a bed that is too hot or cold might result in tossing and turning or other discomfort, keeping you from sleeping soundly. Sometimes sleeping in a colder room even contributes to the symptoms of arthritis and fibromyalgia.

Hot sleepers tend to experience night sweats and frequent wake-ups caused by a room or bed that is too warm. In this article, we will discuss how body temperature relates to sleep, and we’ll look at some ways to warm up or cool down at night.

Body Temperature and Sleep

The body’s temperature rises and falls over 24 hours and contributes to the body’s sleep-wake cycle. Our core body temperature stays around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius) but fluctuates by about 2 degrees while sleeping.

As bedtime approaches, your body temperature drops, coinciding with the release of melatonin. Melatonin is a sleep-promoting hormone that prepares you for a good night’s rest. During sleep, your body temperature continues to drop, then gradually warms up as the morning progresses. This temperature spike stimulates your alertness and wakes you up each morning.

While you are sleeping, keep your room at a comfortable temperature to avoid disruptions. Sleeping in a too-hot room causes discomfort and restlessness for many.

Researchers say a higher core body temperature is typically associated with decreased restorative slow-wave sleep. On the other hand, sleeping too cold makes it difficult to relax and get comfortable in bed.

Best Mattresses for Hot Sleepers

It’s common for hot sleepers to experience night sweats if their sleeping surface is too warm. For this reason, the best mattresses for hot sleepers are hybrid beds or latex mattresses because they feature cooling technologies to dissipate body heat.

Hybrid mattresses have body-hugging qualities, similar to memory foam, but also have a pocketed coil system, which provides more airflow. Latex mattresses are also a good choice since they deliver bouncy comfort.

Additionally, natural latex foam has breathable properties that allow more air circulation throughout the mattress. Also, the comfort layers have tiny air pockets to boost airflow. Plus, latex does not absorb body heat like other synthetic materials.

Memory foam mattresses are some of the most popular mattresses on the market, but they are not always suitable for those who sleep hot. These beds do not provide good breathability like other mattress types and often cause sleepers to overheat. However,  memory foam beds infused with gel are designed to keep hot sleepers more comfortable, and many companies are incorporating more gel foam in their products.

hot-vs-cold-sleeper

Best Mattress for Cold Sleepers

While some people criticize traditional memory foam for its lack of air channels, cold sleepers can use this to their advantage. Since memory foam beds retain heat and create a warm sleeping surface, they are better suited for cold sleepers. Sleeping in an extra cozy bed might keep you from shivering or reaching for blankets throughout the night.

Hybrid mattresses also consist of a foam top with innerspring coils below. These beds can keep your bed feeling cozy since the foam layer is closest to your body. Hybrid mattresses also have excellent responsiveness and are a great alternative to the sinking feeling of a memory foam bed.

How to Stay Warm

Cold sleepers need to stay as warm as possible throughout the night. If you are a cold sleeper, you’ll want to find the best bed sheets, comforters, and bedroom attire to keep cozy at bedtime.

Next, we’ll look at some ways to create a warmer sleeping environment.

  • Try finding warmer pajamas. Flannel pajamas are popular among cold sleepers because they are made with extra plush material. Plus, flannel is a breathable fabric, so it won’t make you feel hot or sweaty.
  • Bundle up with thick blankets and sheets. Some of the best comforters for cold sleepers are made with down feathers, wool, silk, and cashmere fleece. Cotton linen may also be a great option because it is lightweight and soft but also come at a more affordable price. You can find cotton quality cotton sheets for as low as $50.
  • If a thick blanket or quilt isn’t enough, consider a fluffy comforter or duvet. These downy bedding pieces can insulate warmth more thoroughly than a typical blanket.
  • Electric blankets are a technological way to stay warm and often one doesn’t cost much more than a standard blanket. However, you may have to handwash an electric blanket to safely clean it.
  • One popular alternative to electric blankets are heated mattress pads. Just as the name suggests, they are mattress pads with heating wires that work to ensure a warm sleeping surface.

How to Stay Cool

If you consider yourself a hot sleeper, there are a couple of ways you can stay cooler at bedtime.

  • Sleep with the room at between 60-67 degrees or adjust the A/C about 2 degrees lower at bedtime.
  • Purchase blackout curtains or blinds to block sunlight throughout the day. Blocking out the sun will prevent it from heating your bedroom, especially if you live in a warm climate.
  • Take a warm shower before you go to bed. Once you get out of the shower, your body will work to start cooling you down. This jumpstarts your body’s cooling process to reach the required temperature needed to fall asleep.

FAQs

What is a healthy room temperature?

The best bedroom temperature for sleep is approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius). This varies from person to person, but we recommend setting the thermostat between 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 19.4 degrees Celsius) for the most comfortable sleep. Our bodies experience a slight dip in core temperature in the evening, so turning the thermostat down at night may help with temperature regulation at bedtime.

What are the best sheets for cold sleepers?

The best sheets for cold sleepers are made of warm fleece, heavier-weight cotton, and soft flannel. These sheets are great for chilly winters and pair perfectly with layered blankets. It may also be a good idea to consider purchasing a fluffy down comforter for extra warmth.

What are the best sheets for hot sleepers?

Percale cotton makes the best sheets for hot sleepers. These sheets are lightweight and known for their moisture-wicking abilities, keeping you dry throughout the night. Furthermore, percale cotton is irresistibly soft, providing you with an extra-plush sleeping surface.

What causes night sweats?

Night sweats may occur if your bedroom is too hot or you are wearing too many layers. True night sweats are severe hot flashes that occur at night, but are not associated with an overheated environment. These hot flashes are related to several health conditions like hypoglycemia, menopause, and hormone disorders.

What is a cooling mattress?

Cooling mattresses prevent your heat from getting trapped into your mattress. These beds use various materials to dissipate body heat, such as gel infusions, graphite, copper, or pocketed coils to increase airflow.

Cooling mattresses are best suited for individuals who have a difficult time staying cool at night. It’s common for hot sleepers to experience frequent wake-ups and night sweats, resulting in sleep loss.

Conclusion

As you incorporate new practices into your nighttime routine, it’s important to consider others around you as well. If you sleep with a partner, it might be a good idea to find the perfect sleep temperature together.

You’ll also want to consider your bedding type and look for products specifically designed with your sleeping temperature in mind. Electric blankets are often a great purchase for cold sleepers, while mattresses with cooling features like gel or graphite are better suited for hot sleepers.

Sometimes making simple changes, like purchasing thinner sheets or adding more blankets, is all you need for a better night’s sleep.

About the author
Jasmin Lee

Jasmin Lee is dedicated to helping others get better sleep—when she’s not napping, you can often find her researching the latest in bedding and mattress technology. Her fascination with sleep fuels her drive to connect readers with the resources they need to improve their night’s rest.

Find more articles by Jasmin

Comments

Cancel reply

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

What’s the best mattress?

Best Mattress

We’ve spent countless hours finding the best mattresses out there so you don’t have to hunt for them.

See Our Best Mattress Picks

Sleep Health

how-to-sleep-on-your-back
How to Sleep on Your Back
Kiera Pritchard
How to Lucid Dream
How to Lucid Dream: Techniques, Benefits, and Risks
Rosie Osmun
Napping: Health Benefits & Tips of Your Optimal Nap
Kiera Pritchard

EachNight Fact-Checking Standards and Processes

The EachNight writing team is devoted to creating articles that are not only entertaining and easy to understand but also as impartial, accurate, and well-sourced as possible. Whenever possible, we strive to have our articles fact-checked by our independent review board. We also do not tolerate plagiarism or ill intent from our contributors.

Here are the medical and factual guidelines that a EachNight article must adhere to:

  • We draw upon only reputable and respectable sources when researching our articles’ topics and endeavor to only link to highly authoritative sources. Such sources would include peer-reviewed medical and academic journals, medical and academic associations in good standing, and interviews with or blog posts from certified medical professionals.
  • We may link to news articles or peer-reviewed medical blog posts about studies when appropriate, but always attempt to connect directly to the studies these pages discuss.
  • Our scientific information, conclusions, and analysis are always supported by at least one reputable source.
  • We strive to make any potential conflicts of interest attached to any studies or sources clear to our readers. When applicable, we also try to include conflicting research or questions that may throw a study’s conclusion into doubt to clarify that scientific understandings often change and progress over time.
  • Our articles typically link to other articles and resources on our site. This is solely for easier navigation, and we do not promote our website as a medical resource. Try to speak with your physician if you have medical concerns.
  • Any necessary background information on a topic will be included when appropriate.
  • Our goal is for every one of our medical-related articles to be reviewed by our independent board of experts. Should they spot any medical or health-related misinformation or errors, we will strike it out from the final published article.

What’s a Certified Sleep Coach?

Our writers are sleep coaches certified by the Spencer Institute, which has been training coaches since 1992. Becoming a certified sleep coach means that our writers are well-versed in various sleep science matters, taking us beyond being just a group of mattress reviewers. The certification allows us an in-depth understanding of what we’re talking about when it comes to advising readers on better sleep habits.

About Us

Our simple goal is to provide the information you need to get better sleep each night. We provide a full-circle approach to sleep and wellness that incorporates mental, physical, and environmental well-being.

Company

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • Expert Review Board

Our Guides

  • Mattress Guides
  • Mattress Reviews
  • Best Mattress
  • Mattress Quiz
  • Sleep Health
  • Sleep Calculator
  • Mattress Sizes

Newsletter

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to find out about content, features and more happening at eachnight.

You must enter a valid email.
Each Night Logo

Copyright © 2023 eachnight. All rights reserved.