The 7 Best Bed Cooling Systems (2024)

If your body temperature runs hot or you live in a warm climate, you may relate to the struggle of waking up sweaty, flipping over your pillow, and fighting with suffocating sheets. These experiences more often than not lead to a restless night's sleep.

But thanks to innovative bed cooling systems, you can lower your temperature and rest without excess warmth. These products help improve sleep quality, well-being, and overall comfort.

Through our testing, we’ve found plenty of products that make a significant difference in your sleep comfort. In The Lab and our homes, we tried the best active and passive cooling options, like sheets and mattress pads, for those who need help staying cool in bed.

Our Top Picks

PHOTO: Amazon What We Like What We Don’t Like

If your current sleep setup is leaving a lot to be desired in terms of temperature comfortability, our pick for you is the BedJet 3 Climate Comfort. An easy setup, versatility, and handy app controls confirmed it as our best overall pick.

The BedJet 3 can pump cooling air directly into your bed to stave off night sweats using a hose and a BedJet unit that can be stored either at the foot of the bed or underneath the bed (for bed frames of 6 inches or higher).

But what we particularly like about this model is it can be used for heating as well, featuring a range of 66 degrees Fahrenheit up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, adjustable either through the included controller or a compatible app.

In addition to temperature control, the BedJet 3 provides airflow control and comes equipped with auto shut-off timing. Just be mindful that BedJet notes this is not a good alternative to air conditioning; if your bedroom is over 79 degrees, this option will overheat.

Additional benefits include free shipping, free returns for 60 days, and a two-year warranty. Like other active cooling options, it does make noise, though once it's up and running, it blends into the background as white noise. For its effectiveness, however, we think it's well worth a little noise.

Cooling Method: Air | Active Cooling: Yes | Coverage: All sizes

PHOTO: Havertyâs What We Like What We Don't Like

Mild odor upon arrival

If you don’t want an add-on to your bed, a cooling mattress is a great option for a better night of sleep. Tempur-Pedic’s Luxe Breeze Medium Hybrid Mattress has a four-layer construction designed with heat absorption, temperature regulation, and breathability in mind to keep you comfortably cool all night long.

The top of the mattress features a SmartClimate Cover that’s cool to the touch and draws heat away from the body. Underneath you’ll find a heat-diffusing layer and a Pure Cool layer, both of which are made to absorb excess body heat. Finally, you’ll find a ventilated pressure relief material, which promotes airflow throughout the mattress.

In addition to its cooling capabilities, this mattress offers exceptional support and comfort. The Tempur material conforms to the body for pressure relief, while over 1,300 double-stacked inner springs provide support and responsiveness.

Just note that this mattress is quite heavy and difficult to move. If you need to move something larger than a twin XL, it will require more than one set of hands. Additionally, the foam has a mild odor upon arrival, but this should go away quickly.

Cooling Method: SmartClimate Cover, heat diffusing layer, Pure Cool material, ventilation | Active Cooling: No | Coverage: Twin long, queen, king, split king, California king, split California king

PHOTO: Saatva What We Like

Cooling organic cotton
Quality design
Thicker pocket design
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What We Don’t Like

If you’re in the market for a mattress pad to keep your mattress protected, but don’t want to eliminate all of the other cooling features of your mattress, we suggest Saatva’s Organic Mattress Pad. Made with 100 percent GOTS-certified organic cotton, we found it to be particularly cooling when we put it to the test ourselves.

We found the 300 thread count design made with cooling and comfort in mind excelled in comfort just as it did for temperature regulation overnight. As with other Saatva products, this mattress pad boasts high-quality features; side panels and an extra-wide elastic band keep it in place.

The machine-washable cover is designed to last, and it’s also available in virtually every size imaginable, ranging from twin through upper-flex King. Importantly, it is also equipped to work with mattresses up to 16 inches thick.

Just be aware that this pad will help regulate your body temperature and protect your mattress, but it won’t offer additional support for your mattress. It's a true mattress pad, so it runs thin and won't provide cushioning. On the plus side, Saatva offers a 45-day trial, a one-year warranty, and free shipping, to make sure it’s the right fit for you.

Cooling Method: Cotton | Active Cooling: No | Coverage: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split King, California king, upper-flex queen, upper-flex king

PHOTO: Amazon What We Like

Naturally breathable
12 color options
Extra-deep pockets

What We Don’t Like

Tencel is a wise choice for someone looking to promote cooling through sheets thanks to its lightweight and breathable nature. We love Olive + Crate’s Luxury Series Eucalyptus Sheets, which are the best we've tested for a cool night's sleep. These Tencel eucalyptus sheets are designed with moisture-wicking in mind, and in testing, we found these to excel with temperature regulation and cooling, keeping hot sleepers comfortable.

Additionally, when we tested these sheets over six months, we found that all the cooling properties excelled, especially in the hottest months of the year.Their performance is thanks to the sateen weave of the sheets, which is designed to further improve upon breathability. In addition to the cooling benefits, we loved the sheets' soft and silky texture. Plus, they're available in 12 colors, so finding the perfect hue is easy.

It is worth noting that we experienced a mild durability concern with these sheets. When we used them for months of nightly sleep, we noticed that one of the pillowcases' seams split despite the texture and quality held up well. This may be an issue with the sheet seam stitching, but we haven't experienced issues beyond the one pillowcase.

Additionally, we found these took longer to dry than cotton sheets we've tested. On the plus side, they do feature extra deep pockets that can fit mattresses up to 18 inches thick—and this combined with their breathability makes them a standout to us.

Cooling Method: Tencel eucalyptus| Active Cooling: No | Coverage: Twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, California king

The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The Spruce / Dera Burreson

PHOTO: Eight Sleep What We Like What We Don’t Like

Subscription required

Eight Sleep’s Pod Cover is a more expensive bed cooling system, but it goes above and beyond to earn its higher price point fully. This active system is a cover and a hub, which work together to cool or heat your mattress by circulating water from the hub through what the brand calls the Active Grid.You can set a customized temperature with this system, with options that range from 55 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, all controllable through your smart device.

It goes further, though, and with a subscription to the AutoPilot, which comes in both a Pro and Plus model format, you'll get access to even more customization and controllable features. For example, with Autopilot, sensors will track everything from sleep to bedroom conditions, adjusting your temperature automatically based on weather and sleep stages as well.

Final Verdict

Our pick for the best overall bed cooling system is the BedJet 3 Climate Comfort for its smaller profile, ability to heat and cool, and its lengthy warranty. If active cooling isn’t for you, consider a passively cooling set of sheets like the Olive + Crate Luxury Series Eucalyptus Sheets constructed from naturally cooling Tencel, and available in various colors.

How to Choose the Best Bed Cooling System

Consider Available Types

There are a few different ways hot sleepers can try to keep cool at night. When it comes to bed cooling systems, you’ll find two primary types of temperature-regulating capability:

Active cooling systems are the most effective tools. They rely on either air or water circulation systems to control the temperature of the bed, using either a pad or a hose and a powered tower that either pumps cool water through the mattress (like the Chilipad Cube Sleep System) or by using a fan to blow air under into the bed (like the BedJet 3 Climate Comfort).

Active bed cooling systems can be customized and controlled, but they require energy, water, and extra space—and they’re usually a more expensive investment. However, they’re generally the most effective.

Passive cooling refers to more traditional methods of staying cool, like cooling sheets, mattress pads, mattresses, and comforters. For those who sleep hot yet prefer temperature regulation versus active cooling, passive options like the Tempur-Pedic Luxe Breeze Medium Hybrid (our best cooling mattress pick), the Olive + Crate Luxury Series Eucalyptus Sheets (our best cooling sheets), and the Saatva Lightweight Down Alternative Comforter (our best cooling comforter pick) can be just the item you need.

Passive cooling products help wick away moisture, offer improved airflow and breathability, and require less of a setup and less of an investment compared to active cooling systems.

Look for Temperature Controls and Smart Technology

Active cooling systems, because they're more advanced and technology-driven than passive alternatives, will often feature the ability to control the exact temperature of your bed.

According to Dr. Howard Hindin, director of the Foundation for Airway Health, “The right room temperature and body temperature make it easier to fall asleep, stay asleep, and awaken refreshed and restored. Ideally, we would want a warm body and a cool room (around 68 degrees)”. Most active cooling options will offer this level of control and customization, typically providing temperatures somewhere in the 60-100 degree range with temperature control functionality.

Some active cooling options, like the BedJet 3 Climate Comfort (our best overall pick), also feature smart technology like smartphone connectivity, which provides control over factors like temperature, fan level, and even a biorhythm feature that allows you to program specific temperatures for different phases and hours of the night.

Other choices, like the Eight Sleep Pod Cover (our best splurge pick), provide technology that will track your sleep history and temperature preference, and it accounts for indoor temperature and the season to adjust for you automatically.

According to Major Allison Brager, Ph.D., United States Army neuroscientist and sleep expert, “An added feature of a cooling system is the ability to warm an individual up close to rise time—essentially a system with built-in features to modulate the temperature throughout the night in concert with one’s biological clock and habitual bed times and rise times.” The Eight Sleep Pod Cover can do this, providing a thermal and vibrating feature that functions as an alarm clock.

Understand System Noise Levels

With active bed cooling system options, it’s important to realize that there will generally be a noise component. These products typically rely on electricity and a power source to keep you cool, which means some active white noise occurs as they operate, whether that's a fan or the sound of water flowing.

Fortunately, the noise generated by these options is usually just a low hum that can act as white noise. There shouldn't be enough noise to disrupt your sleep, though systems that work harder to cool the bed can generate noticeable sound levels. If you are highly sensitive to sound, a passive option like the Tempur-Pedic Luxe Breeze Medium Hybrid may be a better pick.

Standout Features

Remote Controls

When choosing an active bed cooling system, opt for one with a remote control or the ability to turn your smartphone into a handy remote. While it might not seem critically important, the lack of a remote means you'll have to climb out of bed when you'd like to adjust the temperature, which can be a pain point for hot sleepers already experiencing disrupted sleep.

All of the active choices on our list come with remotes that offer control over the temperature of your bed, which means excellent customizability without ever having to get up. They are also equipped to be controlled through your phone, if you prefer, giving you even more flexibility.

Dual Temperature Zones

If you sleep with a partner, dual-zone options like the Chilipad Cube Sleep System will be ideal as these offer additional control over each half of the bed. All active options on our list can independently heat or cool each side of the bed, although some require additional purchases for this feature.

Dr. Hindin notes: “A cool bedroom and bed supports the initiation of sleep where the body core and brain cool. There are individual variations. Infants and the elderly and those suffering with circulation problems may need a warmer room to support this process.” Being able to cater to people’s specific needs, especially with couples, becomes all the more important when considering this fact.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Jack Byram is a freelance writer who has been writing for the Spruce since 2023. He covers all things sleep and wellness-related. He's written about dozens of bedding products, including bamboo sheets and innerspring mattresses.

Our Experts:

Major Allison Brager, Ph.D., United States Army neuroscientist and sleep expert
Dr. Howard Hindin, director of the Foundation for Airway Health
Bianca Pineda, writer at The Spruce