Are you tossing and turning all night? Do you wake up overheated and sweaty? The issue may be your mattress cover—or lack thereof. The right cooling mattress cover can revolutionize your sleeping habits, but you need to know what you’re looking for.
The problem is, there are tons of options that suit different sleeping positions, cooling needs, and budgets, and it can be confusing trying to figure out which one is right for you.
So let’s explore the differences between mattress covers, pads, toppers, and protectors, explain how they help you stay cool, and show you how to pick the best product for your needs.
What is a Cooling Mattress Cover?
A cooling mattress cover is a general term for a type of over-the-mattress bedding designed to help regulate body temperature and promote airflow, keeping hot sleepers cool and comfortable.
Cooling mattress covers can be made of various materials, including gel-infused memory foam, water-cooled systems, and breathable fabrics. These covers are designed to promote airflow and dissipate body heat, providing a cooler sleeping surface.
Covers, Pads, Protectors, and Toppers: What's the Difference?
Those who sleep hot, especially in the stifling summer months, deserve a more permanent solution than cranking the AC. But when it comes to bedding, there are a lot of different terms for products that can actually be really similar to one another.
Covers and pads are great examples. They both go on the mattress like a fitted sheet, extending over the top of the mattress, down the sides, and snugly tucked under via an elastic edge. But they differ when it comes to thickness. Covers are a little thinner and more lightweight, while pads tend to be thicker and have more cushion. So, if you want both cooling and a little extra cushiony comfort, a cooling mattress pad would be a better choice.
Toppers sit directly on top of the mattress like an extra layer. You can think of them like a mini-mattress, only around 1–3 inches thick. Toppers are typically secured to the mattress using a snugly fitted sheet with deep pockets, which help prevent the mattress topper from shifting around. Another effective solution is to place a non-slip mat between the mattress and the topper. A cooling topper is a great option if your mattress is a little firmer than you’d like.
Protectors are a type of mattress cover or pad with special features to shield mattresses from spills, stains, pests, etc. Most protectors go on like a fitted sheet, but some encase the entire mattress and close via a zipper or velcro.
Covers, pads, toppers, and protectors may come in all shapes, but not every mattress or bedding company provides options for all bed sizes. Fortunately, you won’t have that problem with Leesa! Our bedding comes in a variety of sizes, including:
Twin Bed
Twin XL Bed
Full Bed
Queen Bed
King Bed
California King Bed
Benefits of Using a Cooling Mattress Pad or Cover
For hot sleepers, maintaining the right temperature throughout the entire night can seem impossible. You may have heard advice like taking a cold shower before bed, drinking ice-cold water, or eating a light dinner. But these tips are superficial bandaids on a troubling reality. The fact is that 14% of American adults report “almost always or always” being too hot when sleeping, and the majority are at least occasionally too hot while sleeping.
Sleep should be a time to recharge and reset. Studies show that good sleep is just as important as diet and exercise when it comes to your health. Cooling bedding may be just the thing you need. A cooling mattress pad or cover can:
Improve Sleep Quality: Cooling mattress pads and covers help regulate body temperature and prevent overheating.
Enhance Comfort: It’s hard to truly relax when you’re worried about waking up in the middle of the night in a hot sweat. These products help you stay comfortable and relax into a restful night’s sleep.
Alleviate Hot Flashes: A hot flash is a sudden feeling of warmth that’s associated with sweating, blushing, and a general feeling of discomfort—and a nightmare for those going through menopause. Pads and covers provide consistent temperature control that helps alleviate night sweats and hot flashes.
Support Overall Health: Poor sleep due to bad temperature regulation can affect your memory, attention, emotions, and overall ability to function. The right bedding promotes improved well-being by fostering better sleep.
Types of Cooling Mattress Covers
The right cooling mattress cover should feel almost like you’re cushioned in cool air. Sounds pretty wonderful, right? But there are several different types of cooling mattress covers, all of which have slightly different benefits. So let’s take a look at your options.
Active cooling mattress pads and covers use advanced technology, such as water-cooled systems or air conditioning, to actively cool the sleeping surface. These pads may require an external power source or extra setup and maintenance. For example, a water-cooled mattress pad may require a water tank, cooling pump, and specialized water pad.
Active covers and pads are better for stomach or back sleepers. Side sleepers may put too much pressure on the water-filled pad, causing breakdowns or even rips.
Passive cooling mattress pads and covers use breathable materials and are designed to dissipate body heat and promote airflow. These products seamlessly work with your other bedding and don’t require extensive setup.
Leesa's Ultra Cool Mattress Protector and breathable Mattress Topper are examples of high-quality passive cooling products. These cooling sleep products are wonderful for side, back, and stomach sleepers.
Hybrid cooling mattress pads and covers combine active and passive cooling technologies for optimal temperature regulation. Hybrid options may also require an external power source or extra setup and maintenance. Like active options, hybrid products may not be an ideal fit for side sleepers.
How to Choose the Best Cooling Mattress Pad or Cover
Choosing the perfect cooling pad or cover can be challenging with so many options available. Use these tips to decide which kind of product is best for you and discover where to find it.
Consider your personal needs and preferences: Think about how much cooling you need to sleep comfortably at night and how much you want to invest in cooling bedding. Are you OK with the more complicated setups (and higher price tags) of active cooling options, or would a simpler passive cooling choice fit your needs?
Read reviews and do research: Look for reviews from other hot sleepers to find out the pros, cons, and real-world effectiveness of each option. You can also research the features and benefits of different cooling mattress pads to see which ones offer the most value.
Check the warranty and return policy: Ensure you’re covered if the pad doesn’t meet your expectations. For example, Leesa covers and pads come with free returns and a 1-year limited warranty. You can sleep on your new cool bedding for a 30-night free trial. If it doesn't work out, just send it back—but we're pretty confident you'll be snoozing away, as cool as a cucumber.
Mattress Cover Maintenance and Care
Whether you opt for an active cooling mattress pad or a waterproof cooling mattress protector, the best cleaning advice is to follow the manufacturer’s cleaning and maintenance instructions. Beyond that, these general tips will help you keep your cover in tip-top shape.
Wash the cover regularly to prevent the buildup of sweat and bacteria.
Dry the cover in the dryer to prevent moisture from accumulating (minus any electronic parts).
Finish with an air drying session to ensure all moisture is gone.
Vacuum the cover surface in between washes to remove dust.
Avoid spraying scent remover on the cover and just wash it instead—something is causing that funky smell . . . something you probably don't want to sleep on.
All Leesa products include helpful care instructions so that your cover lasts and maintains its temperature-regulating capabilities for years to come. And even better, all our bedding products are super easy to clean. For example, if you opt for the
Some people prefer to use chlorine bleach to periodically clean bedding, but according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), hot water does a great job of destroying microorganisms—no messy, smelly bleach required! Instead of bleach, you can use the spot cleaning method to get stubborn stains off your mattress protector. Simply dab the surface with cold water and a mild household detergent.
For the Leesa Mattress Topper, you can remove the topper from your mattress and air it out in a clean room with good circulation. Easy peasy! If you’re looking for a slightly more thorough approach, you can run a vacuum over it or place the topper in the dryer on a medium-high setting for about 20 minutes. Avoid using chemicals like bleach or harsh detergents. They can shorten the lifespan of the topper and cause it to wear out more quickly.
Tips for Staying Cool in Bed
Sleeping on a high-quality mattress with a cooling mattress topper is the first step in improving sleep quality. But, while your sleep quality may depend mostly on your mattress and mattress cover, there are still other factors at play. So if you're still not sleeping as cool as you'd like, give these tips a try:
Use breathable sheets, blankets, and pajamas to promote airflow and moisture-wicking.
Keep your bedroom cool and well-ventilated at night using a fan or air conditioner.
Avoid using heavy blankets or duvets that can trap heat.
Wash your sheets at least once every two weeks to keep them fresh and comfortable.
Use a cold washcloth on your face and neck, or take a cool (but not cold) shower before bed.
Stay Cool All Night With Bedding from Leesa
A cooling mattress cover can be a game-changer for hot sleepers, promoting a restful and comfortable night’s sleep. But there's a lot of variation between all the options. So you'll need to consider your personal preferences and needs as you research different types of cooling mattress pads, covers, and toppers to find the best one for you.
Or, you can make your life easy and try out Leesa's cooling bedding. From breathable sheets and duvets to cooling mattress covers and toppers, we've got everything you need to create your own little oasis. Explore Leesa's Ultra Cool Mattress Protector or soft, breathable Mattress Topper to say goodbye to night sweats and hello to a refreshing night’s sleep.
