Whether you're waking up hot or getting a case of night sweats, being a hot sleeper is no joke. Overheating can make it difficult to fall asleep and cause you to wake up in the middle of the night.
When core body temperature is too high, it may "cause issues in slow-wave sleep, which is our deepest stage of sleep," says Kristen Casey, PsyD, licensed clinical psychologist and insomnia specialist. "If we don't get into those deep stages of sleep, our sleep may be less restorative and people may wake up feeling tired or generally unrested."
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That's where cooling products come in. Some of the products here have been engineered with temperature-regulating materials or technology to keep you cool at night.
There are myriad choices out there, so we rounded up the best products for hot sleepers to make your shopping a little easier.
The Best Products for Hot Sleepers
- Best Cooling Mattress: Purple Hybrid ($1,599 to $3,498, Purple.com)
- Best Mattress Topper: Perfectly Snug Smart Topper ($799 to $1,399, PerfectlySnug.com)
- Best Sheets: Luxome Cooling Luxury Sheet Set ($110 to $160, Luxome.com)
- Best Sheets on a Budget: Comfort Spaces Coolmax Moisture-Wicking Sheet Set ($19.38 to $34.99, Amazon)
- Best Gel Pillow: WEEKENDER Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Pillow ($31.99 to $39.99, Amazon)
- Best Foam Pillow: Casper Foam Pillow With Snow Technology ($89 to $119, Casper.com)
- Best Pillowcase: SHEEX Original Performance Pillowcases ($51.20, SHEEX.com)
- Best Comforter: The Buffy Breeze Comforter ($159.20 to $239.20, Buffy.co)
- Best Fan: Honeywell QuietSet Whole Room Tower Fan ($60.69, Amazon)
- Best Sleep Socks: NatraCure Cold Therapy Socks ($24.99, NatraCure.com)
- Best Sleep Mask: Cavoilu Cooling Eye Mask ($11.99, Amazon)
- Best Facial Spray: Kindra Cool Down Mist ($28, Ourkindra.com)
How We Chose
We tapped a sleep specialist, who offered their sleep product recommendations. In addition to their input, we selected these products based on the following criteria:
- Created with cooling technology
- Breathability
- Quality of materials
- Price
1. Purple Hybrid Mattress
Pros
- Cooling technology
- Supportive
- Signature Gel-Flex grid
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- May have too much give for stomach sleepers
The key to a sweat-free sleep starts with a cooling mattress. One of the best on the market is this hybrid selection from Purple. The company has it's own gel-flex grid technology that allows the mattress to contour to your body and limit your movement, allowing for better sleep.
Bonus: There's a 10-year warranty, 100-night sleep trial and free shipping.
Keep in mind, if you switch between multiple sleeping positions (like sleeping on your stomach, for instance), the contouring effect may be too much for you.
2. Perfectly Snug Smart Topper
Pros
- Reads you body's core temperature
- Heat and cooling adjusted
- 8 sizes to choose from
Cons
- Pricey
If you're not ready to look for cooling mattresses quite yet, one way to prevent overheating at night is by using a mattress topper. This one by Perfectly Snug is recommended by Casey for its climate control features.
What's unique about this topper is that it can read your body's core temperature and adjust cooling and heating accordingly. Because it has two sides, it's ideal for "couples or bed partners who have different sleep needs relating to temperature," Casey says.
This product is also a temperature control mattress topper, which you can set manually or through the Perfectly Snug app, so you don't have to get out of bed to change the settings. Plus, there are eight sizes to choose from, from twin to California king.
3. Luxome Cooling Luxury Sheet Set
Pros
- 100% bamboo
- Breathable
- OEKO-TEX certified
Cons
- Some reviewers say they wrinkle easily
The best sheets for hot sleepers have to be these cooling sheets from Luxome. They are lightweight, soft and made of 100 percent bamboo viscose.
"These bamboo sheets are optimal for hot sleepers because bamboo is a natural temperature-regulator that helps sheets become more breathable," keeping moisture at bay, Casey explains.
They also have a soft, luxurious feeling similar to sheets you'd find in a hotel.
These sheets have been certified by OEKO-TEX, which means they've been tested for chemicals and found free of harmful toxins. Plus, they are available in seven different sizes and come in fun colors, including sky blue and terracotta orange.
4. Comfort Spaces Coolmax Moisture-Wicking Sheet Set
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Made of microfiber and polyester
Cons
- May be too thin for some users
A financially friendlier option, the Comfort Spaces Coolmax sheets are a great option "for hot sleepers in need of sheets to remain cool at night," Casey says.
They're made of polyester and a cooling microfiber, which pulls away moisture from the body and keeps you cool and dry throughout the night.
Each twin set comes with one flat sheet, one fitted sheet and one pillowcase.
5. WEEKENDER Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Pillow
Pros
- Supportive
- Removable cover
- Ventilating gel
Cons
- May feel too firm for some users
Looking for a budget-friendly cooling pillow? Casey recommends this Weekender pillow because it's made with a temperature-regulating and ventilating gel, which prevents you from overheating.
It's also comfortable, thanks to the memory foam, and offers a firmer feel compared to traditional down or down-alternative pillows. It comes with a removable cover, too, making for an easy clean.
6. Casper Foam Pillow With Snow Technology
Pros
- Signature cooling foam
- Supports your neck
- 30-night free trial
Cons
- May not be as supportive for side sleepers, according to reviews
While Casper is known for some of the best mattresses for hot sleepers (and sheets), its pillows — including the brand's foam pillow — deserve praise too.
Designed with the brand's signature technology, the pillow pushes heat away from your head and neck to help you stay cool while you snooze. The "outer snow layer" tacks on 12 hours of cooler sleep and prevents you from "waking up due to sleeping hot," Casey says.
Beyond the cooling effect, this pillow is extremely comfortable, keeping your neck and head properly aligned.
Even better? You can try the pillow for a 30-night risk-free trial. If you don't love it, Casper will take it back and offer a full refund.
7. SHEEX Original Performance Pillowcases
Pros
- Smooth against skin and hair
- Moisture-releasing technology
- 60-night risk-free guarantee
Cons
- Pricey
The effectiveness of a cooling pillow is not fully realized until it's matched with a cooling pillowcase. That's why these SHEEX performance pillowcases are on the list. The microfiber/spandex mix offers a softer and cooler effect compared to cotton pillows.
Plus, it'll keep hair from frizzing, breaking and getting damaged when you move around at night.
8. The Buffy Breeze Comforter
Pros
- 100% eucalyptus
- Lightweight
- Gentle on skin
Cons
- Dry cleaning is recommended
If you're looking for the best comforter for hot sleepers, look no further than Buffy's Breeze Comforter.
Engineered with 100 percent eucalyptus, the lightweight comforter keeps you cool without sacrificing coziness.
It comes in three sizes: twin/twin XL, full/queen and king/California king.
Additionally, the comforter's materials are gentle on the skin, making skin irritation unlikely.
9. Honeywell QuietSet Whole Room Tower Fan
Pros
- 8 different speeds and oscillating mode
- Auto-off timer
Cons
- Can be difficult to clean
If you're looking for cooling products beyond bedding, give Honeywell's QuietSet Tower Fan a try. It's an electric floor fan that provides air circulation.
With eight different speeds and an oscillating mode, the fan cools down any room, and you can set the auto-off timer to power down your device at a time of your choosing.
Bonus: It's extremely quiet and comes with a remote control.
10. NatraCure Cold Therapy Socks
Pros
- Soft
- Additional gel packs
- Can be frozen or microwaved for cold or heat therapy
Cons
- Cannot be worn to walk around
Even if you don't like wearing socks to bed, hear us out: cooling sleep socks. This pair from NatraCure has special pockets where you can insert cooling gel packs, helping you stay cool all night long. And, if you're cold, you can microwave the socks for some heat.
Plus, these socks are so soft and cozy, machine washable and great for sore, aching feet from issues like arthritis or plantar fasciitis.
11. Cavoilu Cooling Eye Mask
Pros
- Cooling gel pack
- Freezer safe
- Reduces eye puffiness and redness
Cons
- One-size-fits-all only
You've got your feet covered with cooling socks. Now, you can feel relief up top with this cooling eye mask from Cavoilu. This satin mask has a gel pack insert that can be placed in the freezer for all-night relief. Not only can it block out light, but it can reduce eye redness and puffiness, too.
Only downside is it's one-size-fits-all, so make sure to use that adjustable strap.
12. Kindra Cool Down Mist
Pros
- Great for hot flashes and night sweats
- Made with aloe
- Plant-based
Cons
- Comes in a small bottle
If you're someone who crawls into bed and immediately feels a hot flash or night sweat coming on, a facial mist might be the key to a cool night's sleep. Made with aloe and cucumber extract, this mist from Kindra is specifically designed for those going through menopause.
It's safe on the skin, plant-based and smells great. Simply apply a few sprays all over your face and let the cooling commence.
The only drawback: It comes in a small bottle, so use sparingly.
What to Look for in a Product for Hot Sleepers
1. Fits Your Sleeping Needs
Before picking a product, Casey recommends identifying your sleep health needs and taking inventory.
For example, if your blanket is too bulky and isn't doing a great job regulating your temperature, you might want to try a cooling blanket for hot sleepers, or sheets specifically made with a cooling effect in mind. If bedding isn't the issue, you can look for non-bedding cooling products, such as fans.
2. Cooling Technology
The best products for sweaty sleepers are ones that have cooling technology.
For example, WEEKENDER's Memory Foam Pillow was engineered with a ventilating gel, which helps to regulate your body temperature and keep the sweat away. Casper's Foam Pillow has a cooling technology that keeps sleepers cool for an additional 12 hours.
Look for products that are specifically made to keep you cool while you snooze.
3. Price
There are affordable and pricier cooling products for hot sleepers, with most products ranging between $20 and $200. Casey recommends choosing a product that meets both your sleep hygiene needs and budget.
FAQ
1. What Is the Best Material for Hot Sleepers?
Reach for cotton, linen and other plant-based materials like bamboo and eucalyptus, which have a greater cooling effect than polyester.
2. What Nightwear Is Best for Hot Nights?
Any pair of pajamas made of cotton or silk is a great option for hot sleepers. Look through our list of best silk pajamas for a better night's sleep.
3. What Can I Put on My Bed to Make It Cool?
Turns out, there are some fans specifically designed to blow air under your sheets, like this one from ChiliSleep ($551.65, Amazon). These can be pricey, though, and they may not always offer the relief you need. If you want air blowing your way at night, stick with a tower fan or box fan.
4. Why Do I Get Extremely Hot When I Sleep?
If you sweat in the middle of the night, there are a few common reasons. One being menopause, which causes hormonal fluctuations that can mess with your body's ability to regulate its temperature, leading to hot flashes. Another is night sweats caused from medication side effects or sleep apnea.
Talk to your doctor if your night sweats are interfering with your sleep quality. They can help treat your underlying issue.
Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.