Do Cooling Mattresses Actually Work?

CONTENTS

• Why Do I Need a Cooling Mattress
• How Does a Cooling Mattress Work?
• Other Options for Staying Cool While Sleeping
• Conclusion: Is a Cooling Mattress Worth It?

Why Do I Need a Cooling Mattress

Body temperature follows the sleep-wake cycle as well. It is easier to go to sleep when your body temperature is lowered, whereas it’s hard to fall asleep when your body temperature is high. A pattern of lack of sleep can be linked to an increase in the likelihood of health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. Maintaining a comfortable sleep temperature helps to get you a well rest overnight. Cooling mattresses are made to draw your body heat away meanwhile improving the breathability of your bed for a sleep-inducing temperature.

In general, the cooling materials can be divided into two categories, one is ‘mechanical cooling’, and the other, ‘non mechanical cooling’ (thermo-regulating materials).

Mechanical Cooling - Mechanical cooling is the use of a specific mechanism that disperses heat, but the mechanism also generates heat. Therefore, the cooling performance for this type of tech always works better then non mechanical ones. For instance, the Innovative Detachable Cooling Topper features a temp regulation system to optimize temperature circulation. The thermal liquid is cooled or heated and pumped through the thermal grid embedded into the topper to evenly distribute the desired temperature across the sleeping surface. The temperature of the sleeping surface can be adjusted to your preferred one within the range.

Non Mechanical Cooling - Thermo-Regulating materials is the use of materials to either radiate or transfer heat based on their natural properties, so that the temperature does not increase, such as thermo-regulating material infusions, breathable fabrics, and airy pocket coils, etc. The most common method among is the cooling gel infusions. These thermo-regulating gel beads are capable of transferring heat from the sleeper down into the mattress support core, and then draw it away through the airflow base structure/materials.

When your mattress helps you sleep cooler in a more cost-effective manner, you won't need to lower the thermostat to get comfortable. Invest in a cooling mattress that will keep you cool. The savings from controlling your sleeping temperature from the comfort of your bed may even cover the expense of your new cooling mattress.

How Does a Cooling Mattress Work?

When it comes to getting a good night's sleep, temperature plays an important role. If you're too hot or too cold, you're likely to toss and turn all night, leaving you feeling groggy and unrested in the morning. A cooling mattress is a type of mattress that is designed to help dissipate heat and allow more airflow to regulate your body temperature while you sleep, keeping you cool and comfortable all night.

So, how do cooling mattresses work? The answer depends on the specific materials and the underlying mechanism used to disperse heat. All cooling mattresses, however, work under the same objective, that’s to keep you cool for sleep.

Types of Cooling Mattress Materials

Cooling mattresses utilize various technologies to create a cooler sleeping surface. One common method is incorporating gel-infused foam into the mattress. This gel absorbs and disperses excess body heat, keeping you cool throughout the night. Another popular cooling technology is phase change material (PCM). PCM is capable of absorbing heat when your body temperature rises and releasing it back when your body temperature drops, helping to maintain a constant and comfortable temperature. 

Additionally, some cooling mattresses incorporate airflow designs, such as ventilated layers or perforated foams, to promote better air circulation and cooling, and breathable fabrics like Tencel or bamboo fabric. Let’s take a closer look.

Mattress Cover Fabrics

• Tencel - Tencel is a natural fiber manufactured by humans from wood pulp fibers derived from sustainably sourced bamboo, eucalyptus, oak, or birch trees. Tencel gives your bedding breathability and cooling capabilities; it is 50% more breathable than cotton. Tencel in sheets and bedding can help keep persons who sleep cool at night by allowing heat and moisture to escape, unlike synthetic textiles. 

• Bamboo Fabric - Bamboo fabric is made from the pulp of bamboo plants, which is extracted and processed to create a soft and durable textile material, such as bamboo rayon, or bamboo linen. Bamboo fabrics are commonly used in sheets, blankets, towels, and several other household textiles. They are also used in cooling mattress covers due to their properties of high breathability and moisture-wicking performance.

Comfort Layer Materials

• Gel Infusions - Traditional memory foam mattresses tend to trap heat that you might sleep hot on them. Mattress manufacturers have upgraded foam materials to solve this issue, using gel-infused memory foam to help you sleep cooler. Gel microbeads are infused with memory foam mattresses to help regulate body temperature and provide a cooler solution to typical memory foam mattresses. This can be helpful for those who tend to sleep hot or who love to snug up together.

• Graphite Infusion - Graphite is a type of crystalline carbon that occurs naturally in metamorphic and igneous rocks. It is incredibly soft and heat resistant and has been used to regulate temperature in gadgets such as cell phones and laptops. It is also making its way into bedding, namely memory foam mattresses.

• Copper Infusions - Copper is being added to memory foam and mattress covers by some brands on the market. Its conductive properties allow it to pull heat away from your body and regulate your body temperature. It also gets marketed as anti-microbial and hypoallergenic, but how anti-microbial depends on the concentration of copper in the foam. Too much copper and there could be structural issues, but too little may not have the stated benefits.

• Latex Foam - Latex foam is made from rubber extracts and works similarly to memory foam but has excellent temperature regulating properties. It offers a natural and comfortable supported sleep experience. The perforated structure improves ventilation and helps to transport heat away from your body, keeping you cool and comfortable throughout the night.

Mattress Structure

• Perforated Foam - This type of foam has ventilated holes through the foam layers, which promotes airflow and prevents your mattress from holding onto heat, helping you sleep cooler than a traditional foam. 

• Pocket Coils - Pocket coils are frequently used as the support core system for hybrid mattresses. They are wrapped individually in breathable fabric, allowing more space for air circulation, and keeping your mattress breathable. Since you are sleeping on the top comfort layer directly, the spring core creates spaces for cool air to circulate and therefore transferring heat away.

• Micro Coils - While innerspring support cores were developed to make mattresses sturdier and more supportive, micro-coils are intended to increase comfort. Mini micro-coils, also known as micro pocket coils, are wire coils that are smaller, lighter, and thinner than regular innerspring coils used in mattresses. They are wrapped individually inside fabrics. Some manufacturers incorporate micro-coil layers into comfort layers or within innerspring support cores for better airflow, joint pressure relief, and comfortable support. 

• Electronic Cooling Topper / Cover – There are some brands that are leveraging more from innovation and electronics to create smart devices that allow you to thermoregulate your sleeping surface. Generally, these devices function like air conditioning, either cycling through the topper cooled or heated liquid to create a comfortable controlled temperature sleep surface that is adjustable to the season and environment. Unlike AC units that use a lot of power to run, these devices could be comparably energy efficient and use less power to run in the long run. Of course, these types of devices may come with a high price tag.

Other Options for Staying Cool While Sleeping

While cooling mattresses are an excellent solution for beating the heat, there are other measures you can consider to help ensure a cool and comfortable sleep environment:

1. Use breathable bedding made from natural materials, such as cotton or bamboo, to enhance airflow and prevent overheating.
2. Invest in a cooling mattress topper or pad to add an extra layer of cooling comfort.
3. Open windows or use a fan to circulate air in your bedroom to keep it well-ventilated.
4. Avoid activities like exercise, alcohol, or heavy meals that can raise your body temperature before bedtime. 

Conclusion: Is a Cooling Mattress Worth It?

A cooling mattress could be a game-changer for those who struggle with sleep due to overheating. Maintaining a comfortable sleep temperature and breathable sleeping surface, cooling mattresses can help you get the restful sleep your body needs. Whether you opt for gel-infused foam, latex foam, or breathable fabrics like cotton or bamboo, there's a cooling mattress out there that's sure to meet your needs.