Your mattress is the surface you spend eight hours lying on. It contributes to how hot you sleep significantly, particularly foam mattresses that absorb and retain body heat. Here is what to look for.
Why Mattresses Make You Hot
Every mattress material has a different thermal conductivity and airflow profile. The denser the material and the less airflow it allows the more heat it traps against your body. Memory foam is the worst offender. Its viscoelastic properties require heat to respond and conform to your body shape. The result is a surface that actively absorbs body heat and holds it close to your skin.
Mattress Types Ranked for Hot Sleepers
Innerspring and hybrid mattresses are the best for hot sleepers. The coil structure allows significant airflow through the mattress core. Latex mattresses are better than memory foam for breathability but still retain more heat than innerspring. Gel-infused memory foam is better than standard memory foam but still not as cool as latex or innerspring. Standard memory foam is the worst choice for hot sleepers.
What to Look for When Buying
Open-cell foam construction allows more airflow than standard closed-cell foam. Coil or pocket spring base layers allow air to circulate. Gel-infused or copper-infused foam layers dissipate heat better than standard foam. Phase-change material covers can help at the surface level. Avoid thick, dense comfort layers of standard memory foam regardless of what the outer layers promise.
A More Affordable Intervention
A new mattress is a major investment. A cooling mattress pad on top of your existing mattress is a significantly more affordable way to address the heat-from-below problem. The Stillwell Cooling Mat lays directly on your mattress and you sleep on it, creating a cool contact surface without replacing the mattress entirely. See The Cooling Mat here.