The 8 Best Bed Cooling Systems To Avoid Sleepless, Sweaty Nights

Forbes

07-05-2025

Whether you're looking to turn down the temperature during summer months or get some relief as a year-round hot sleeper, making a bed cooling investment can be the difference between healthy rest and sleepless nights. The best bed cooling systems use either active or passing cooling techniques to maintain comfortable bed temperatures all night long. Our top pick, the Eight Sleep Pod 4, is a mattress cover and hub that uses clinical-grade sensors to automatically adjust your bed temperature to keep you cool as you sleep.
Improve your sleep with the best bed cooling systems that can keep you comfortable all night long. Illustration: Forbes / Photos: Retailers
'Disruptions in temperature regulation—too hot or too cold—can affect quality of sleep,' says neurologist and author of Sleep Better To Thrive Dr. Sui Wong. She explains that body temperatures naturally fluctuate throughout the night, so maintaining a comfortable, stable temperature—cool, but not too cold—can help prevent frequent wake-ups and promote better quality sleep. 'Being able to control the temperature of sleep environments to suit one's body can be very helpful.' Ahead, find the best bed cooling systems, based on thorough research, testing and expert insights.
Type: Active | Trial: 30 nights | Warranty: 5 years | Key features: Automatic temperature control, vibration and thermal alarm, sleep and health tracking
Pros: Sensors automatically adjust temperature
Quiet performance
Easy installation
Cons: Annual subscription required for upgraded features
The Eight Sleep Pod 4 builds on the smart functionality of the Pod 3, with more features, quieter performance and a more comfortable feel. It consists of a cooling mattress cover and a Hub, which is as easy to set up as putting a fitted sheet on your mattress. The Hub moves water through tubing to directly adjust the bed's temperature—with a range of 55 to 110 degrees. You don't have to have the same temperature preferences as your partner; each side can be individually adjusted to suit your respective needs. This can either be tweaked through the app or directly on the machine, so users don't have to tinker on their phone if they don't want to. Despite its powerful ability to deliver fast temperature adjustments, the machine is decidedly quiet, performing at just 30 decibels, which is equivalent to a whisper.
This system goes beyond temperature adjustment; it has embedded clinical-grade sensors that detect everything from heart rate and sleep stages to snoring habits, which the brand claims are 99% accurate. One thing to note is that these features can only be unlocked with an annual Autopilot subscription, which starts at $199. Without paying for that, users can only manually adjust temperatures with the Pod 4.
Type: Active | Trial: 60 nights | Warranty: 2 years | Key features: Rapid air-based cooling and warming, personalized temperature schedules
Pros: Works quickly
Heats and cools
Easy set-up
Cons: Noisy
Not designed for dual control
This air-based system is designed with both hot and cold sleepers in mind, with the ability to regulate temperatures between 66 and 104 degrees. It's also very easy to set up; the air nozzle just needs to be secured to the side of the bed to disperse air under the sheets. The machine can then be tucked right under the bed (with six inches of clearance) for storage.
You can adjust the BedJet with a smart phone, but it also comes with an intuitive remote control to easily monitor and adjust temperature settings. And since it doesn't require a mattress cover, this option is ideal for anyone who wants a fuss-free setup that won't alter the way their bed texture feels.
However, keep in mind that the BedJet on its own cannot provide dual-temperature control for different sides of the bed. For that, the brand recommends investing in a Cloud Sheet accessory and a second BedJet to provide separate air flow settings to each side of the bed.
Type: Active | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 1 year | Key features: Multiple temperature settings, automatic shutoff, remote control
Pros: Good for couples with different temperature preferences
Can use it for heating and cooling
Easy set-up
Cons: Not suited for all bed sizes
Temperature range is not extreme
If you find yourself complaining about bed temperatures while your partner is always comfortable, this single-sided cooling mattress layer may offer a solution. Easy to install, the Sleep Number DualTemp just requires placing it on the correct side of the bed and tucking it in underneath; airflow then gets transferred through a tube from the base directly onto the layer. You can control the temperature with the provided remote control, which can be adjusted from cool to warm temperatures.
Something to note is this option doesn't have the widest ranging temperature fluctuation; it gets up to 8 degrees cooler and up to 25 degrees warmer than your room temperature. Also, it's only offered in half sizes for queen, king and California king beds.
Type: Passive | Material: Tencel lyocell and mica-nylon blend | Trial: 7 days | Warranty: None offered | Key features: Oeko-Tex and FSC-certified, temperature regulating
Pros: Made of high-quality materials
Waterproof
Naturally absorbs heat
Cons: Not available in twin size
If you're looking for a more affordable, low-tech approach to bed cooling, this mattress pad ticks a lot of boxes. It's made from moisture-wicking fibers that are designed to absorb and release excess body heat and sweat. It also features a waterproof layer that equally protects from spills and sweat, without having a stiffness or noisiness that can be expected from typical waterproof materials.
The Sijo TempTune is made from Oeko-Tex-certified materials, meaning they meet strict standards for sustainability and are free from harmful substances. Plus, it's machine washable and comes in four different bed size options to choose from.
Type: Active | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 15 years | Key features: Choice of firmness, AI and sleep science features
Pros: Several cooling layers
Adjustable firmness on each side
Smart features, including sleep tracking
Cons: Edge support not as strong as a hybrid mattress
If you're a hot sleeper who's already in the market for a new mattress, investing in one of the best cooling mattresses is a no-brainer. We love the Sleep Number ClimateCool because it features a built-in airflow system to absorb excess heat, several plush layers of comfy cooling gel and tech-forward features that help the bed adapt to your personal preferences.
Forbes Vetted mattress and sleep editor (and self-proclaimed hot sleeper) McKenzie Dillon has personally tested this mattress and praises its performance. 'I was sleeping with a fan blowing at my bed and the AC set at 68 until I started testing the ClimateCool,' Dillon says. 'When the bed is set at its highest cooling setting, I miraculously wake up in the middle of the night feeling too chilly if I'm not bundled in my duvet, and some nights I don't even turn on the AC. It's been helpful for my sleep and for my energy bill.'
This mattress has a lot of high-tech features that provide more than just nighttime cooling—including AI to collect sleep biometrics—so for a simpler, more budget-friendly pick with impressive cooling capabilities, consider the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe.
Type: Passive | Material: Viscose from bamboo | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years | Key features: Soft and breathable, multiple colorways
Pros: High-quality, lightweight material
Buttery soft
Available in wide variety of sizes and colors
Cons:
Shopping for the right sheets is a good first step for hot sleepers, since the wrong material can be a culprit for trapping heat. The Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheets have earned a top spot on our list of the best cooling sheets for being some of the softest and coolest we've ever tested.
These sheets are made from 100% viscose from bamboo, which is known for its breathable, flowy texture. 'Along with being some of the most buttery-soft sheets out there, these are extremely lightweight and often feel cool to the touch,' says senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman. 'The combination is a dream for hot sleepers like me needing comfortable relief.' Just keep in mind that this material can wrinkle easily, so our editors recommend putting them directly on the bed from the dryer to avoid lines.
Type: Passive | Material: Nylon, spandex, polyester fiberfill | Trial: 60 nights | Warranty: 180 days | Key features: Cooling materials, lightweight feel, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, machine washable
Pros: Two weight options
Cooling fill and cover
Soft, silky feel
Cons: Can be slippery without duvet cover
Topping our list of the best cooling comforters, the Slumber Cloud UltraCool is true to its name, thanks to a nylon and spandex cover and NASA-engineered fiberfill that's designed to absorb heat and keep you cool all night long. There are two weights to choose from—lightweight and all-season—which can be chosen depending on your temperature needs, or rotated throughout the year.
Chapman loves how this comforter feels cool to the touch yet still silky and soft. ' I have the lightweight model, which is pretty thin compared to your typical comforter,' she says. ' Most nights I still sleep with something on top of it because otherwise I'll get too cold using it, which is honestly a great problem to have as a hot sleeper.'
She does note that this comforter is prone to slipping around the bed due to the slick material, though. Luckily, the comforter has corner loops for easily inserting into a duvet cover, which Chapman says would solve that issue.
Type: Passive | Material: Polyester, polyethylene fibers, polyurethane foam | Trial: 30 nights | Warranty: 1 year | Key features: Three cooling layers, ventilation, machine-washable cover
Pros: Cool to the touch
Varying height levels
Contouring feel
Cons:
The Bedgear Night Ice pillow is designed with three layers of different cooling technology to reap all the chilly benefits. The removable cover is made from Ver-Tex, a silk-like fabric designed to deflect heat and wick away moisture. The interior has a breathable memory foam that's soft and infused with cooling gel, and there are vents incorporated throughout to promote airflow and maintain coolness.
All that technology translates to very noticeable results. Sleep author and specialist W. Christopher Winter, M.D. personally recommends this pillow for ultra cool sleeping. 'My son had one and he refused to put a pillowcase on it,' Winter says. 'He wanted to feel that cool material and didn't want anything between him and the pillow.'
There are four different height levels to choose from, which is helpful for folks with different sleeping habits, so you can make a decision that best supports your neck and back over the years.
The sleep team at Forbes Vetted is committed to helping you get the most out of every night's sleep—and temperature regulation is a big part of that. We've covered a variety of topics for hot sleepers, including the best cooling mattresses and the best cooling sheets. Monica Petrucci is the author of this piece and a sleep writer for Forbes Vetted. She has several years of experience covering home and sleep topics (like the best hotel pillows), and she spent hours conducting research for this article.
This article was overseen by Bridget Chapman, certified sleep science coach and senior mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted. Chapman has been testing and evaluating sleep products for several years, from king-size pillows to the best mattresses. She approved all the products on this list.
Mattress and sleep editor McKenzie Dillon is also a certified sleep science coach with years of sleep product testing experience. She contributed testing feedback for this list.
For this piece, we interviewed Dr. Sui H. Wong, a neurologist and author of Sleep Better To Thrive , to gain expert insight about temperature regulation during sleep.
, to gain expert insight about temperature regulation during sleep. We also consulted W. Christopher Winter, M.D. , author of The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child , to provide expert recommendations for temperature-regulating sleep products.
, author of and , to provide expert recommendations for temperature-regulating sleep products. We prioritize providing the most relevant and up-to-date information to our readers. This article was last updated in May 2025.
We referenced our own team's expertise and testing experience, as well as insight from medical professionals, to guide us toward the best product selections for this list. We evaluated both active and passive bed cooling systems from a variety of different price points to suit a diverse range of customer needs.
We consulted multiple experts to collect insights and recommendations to inform our list of products.
We read through customer reviews to collect insight from real world and long-term experiences.
Choosing the right bed cooling system for you requires being aware of your own temperature needs when you sleep, as well as your partner's needs (if applicable) and the type of solution you're looking for. There are high-tech options, low-tech options and everything in between—it all depends on your personal preferences. Type Of Cooling: Active Vs. Passive
Whether you decide to opt for an active or passive bed cooling system depends on your needs, lifestyle and budget. The former option uses uses air or water circulation to manually bring temperatures down, while the latter uses naturally breathable and cooling fabrics to regulate temperature and wick away moisture (think cooling sheets and pillows).
Active cooling can be more effective, but it also requires more equipment, which can come with a learning curve and higher price tag. It all depends on the severity of your symptoms while sleeping; if overheating is a chronic issue that frequently impacts your sleep, it may be worth investing in an active model that can yield chillier results. Temperature Controls And Technology
Opting for an active bed cooling system often comes with more precise control over bed temperatures, typically aided by an intuitive remote control that allows you to adjust settings as needed. Some models even go above and beyond, providing metrics like sleep data, heart rate and snoring habits. If you're interested in those high-tech features—and want to avoid wearable tech in bed—it might be worth splurging for a model with all the extras.
Dr. Wong advises keeping your partner in mind when shopping for a bed cooling system, too, as they may prefer warmth while you prefer cooling, and vice versa. 'Finding a way to support both preferences can be helpful,' she says. Noise Level
Noise is a major factor when shopping for a bed cooling system, especially in active systems that may emit a hum while dispersing air and water. 'That may or may not be helpful,' says Dr. Wong. 'Some sleepers like a bit of a white noise, some may find it disruptive or grating.'
If you're a light sleeper who prefers complete silence at nighttime, you may be better off with a passive cooling option, like bedding, instead.
What Are The Best Bed Cooling Systems?> What Are The Best Bed Cooling Systems?
After evaluating a wide range of both passive and active bed cooling systems, we found the Eight Sleep Pro 4 to be the best option on the market. It offers a wide temperature range to suit many sleepers' preferences, plus it measures things like sleep quality and heart rate to help you track your habits and get better sleep every night.
What Is The Best Type Of Mattress To Keep Cool?> What Is The Best Type Of Mattress To Keep Cool?
We recommend innerspring and hybrid mattresses—like the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe—as the best options for cooling mattresses. That's because they offer a breathable construction that doesn't trap heat like memory foam. Instead, they promote airflow that keeps you cool through the night.
Is The Chilipad Cube Better Than The BedJet?> Is The Chilipad Cube Better Than The BedJet?
The Chilipad Cube and BedJet are both active cooling systems, but they function differently. The Chilipad Cube comes with a mattress topper and control unit, while the BedJet disperses air directly under the sheets without the need of a mattress pad. The BedJet works more quickly, and it doesn't require changing the texture of your mattress. However, the Chilipad Cube is better suited to couples with diverse temperature needs, as you can install separate mattress pads on either side of the bed. It all depends on personal needs and preferences.