Cooling Mattress Technologies Explained

Not all cooling claims are equal. Here is a breakdown of every major cooling technology used in mattresses, how each works, and which hot sleepers benefit most.

Gel-Infused Foam

Cooling: 7/10
How it works: Gel beads or gel swirls are mixed into memory foam to increase thermal conductivity.
How it feels: Noticeably cooler surface than plain foam, especially in the first hour of sleep.
Best for: Budget and mid-range buyers who want an improvement over traditional memory foam.
Limitation: Gel absorbs heat and eventually reaches body temperature. Less effective over long sleep periods.
Typical price impact: Adds $100 to $300 over comparable plain foam.

Copper-Infused Foam

Cooling: 8/10
How it works: Copper particles are embedded in foam. Copper has high thermal conductivity, moving heat away from the body faster than gel.
How it feels: Initially cool to the touch. More consistent cooling than gel because copper conducts rather than absorbs heat.
Best for: Hot sleepers who want better long-term cooling than gel foam at a similar price point.
Limitation: Copper adds antimicrobial properties but the cooling advantage over gel diminishes in fully sealed foam.
Typical price impact: Adds $150 to $400 over comparable plain foam.

Graphite-Infused Foam

Cooling: 8/10
How it works: Graphite is a highly conductive carbon material. When infused into foam, it creates thermal pathways that draw heat laterally away from the body.
How it feels: Consistent cooling that outperforms gel in most head-to-head tests. Works well with latex foam combinations.
Best for: Hot sleepers in the mid-range budget who want scientifically validated thermal conductivity.
Limitation: The benefit is greatest in the foam layer directly below the sleeper. Less benefit in thick comfort layers.
Typical price impact: Adds $200 to $500 over comparable plain foam.

Phase-Change Material (PCM)

Cooling: 10/10
How it works: PCM is a substance that absorbs latent heat as it changes from solid to liquid at a target temperature, typically 77 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. It actively pulls heat from the body when your temperature rises above the transition point.
How it feels: A noticeably cool sensation throughout the night. Unlike gel, PCM continues to absorb heat as long as a temperature differential exists.
Best for: Serious hot sleepers who experience night sweats or wake up overheated consistently. Premium investment with the most effective cooling.
Limitation: More expensive. PCM is usually applied to the cover fabric rather than the foam core, so its effectiveness depends on contact with the sleeper.
Typical price impact: Adds $300 to $800 over comparable non-PCM models.

Pocketed Coil Airflow

Cooling: 9/10
How it works: Hybrid mattresses use individually wrapped coils as the support layer. Air circulates freely between and through the coil system, preventing heat from building up in the mattress core.
How it feels: Passively cooler throughout the entire night. The effect is consistent and does not diminish the way absorbed-heat approaches can.
Best for: Any hot sleeper. Pocketed coil airflow is the single most reliable structural cooling feature. Most recommended for very hot sleepers.
Limitation: Adds to mattress height and weight. Some people find the slight bounce of coils less comfortable than all-foam.
Typical price impact: Hybrid models cost $300 to $600 more than comparable all-foam options.

Which technology should you prioritise?

For the most effective cooling: Phase-change material combined with a pocketed coil hybrid is the gold standard. PCM handles active heat absorption; coils provide continuous passive airflow. This combination addresses both immediate surface temperature and long-term heat buildup.

On a mid-range budget: A copper or graphite hybrid gives you the structural airflow benefit of coils plus enhanced thermal conductivity in the comfort layer. This outperforms gel-only options at a similar or slightly higher price.

On a tight budget: Any hybrid will be cooler than any all-foam mattress of the same price. Prioritise the coil structure over the foam type if you must choose between the two.

Avoid: Marketing claims about cooling that rely solely on gel without a coil layer or PCM cover. Gel mattresses are better than plain foam but should not be the only cooling feature in a mattress recommended for hot sleepers.