Tossing and turning on a wicked summer's night is part and parcel of having no air conditioning, but thankfully, there are other ways to stay cool, like fans and breathable cooling mattresses that move heat away from your body.
What We Recommend for Hot, Sweaty Sleepers
Cooling Mattresses with the flow with vents
Vented borders have tiny perforations along the sides of the mattress, letting air circulate freely instead of getting trapped, while circle vents do the same but with cutouts.
The Giltedge Beds Sensations 1500 Mattress is a top pick for a vented mattress, with its unique airflow border and cosy knitted cover. The medium firmness suits most sleepers, and the price won't make you sweat.
Pictured: Giltedge Beds Sensations 1500 5FT Kingsize Mattress, Bamboo Infused to aid a restful night's sleep. Priced £498 (Save £100 on RRP)
Pictured: Giltedge Beds Ice Chill 1000 Pocket Spring Cooling Mattress. Dual-sided mattress: one side for winter /one side for summer. Priced £378 (Save £76.00 on RRP)
You can flip it over when the seasons change, and you're good to go, whatever the weather. It's like having two mattresses in one.
Cooling Mattresses with memory gel for active cooling
Memory foam is a miracle worker for pressure relief but can also be warmer. Enter gel-infused memory foam, which takes all the body-hugging benefits of traditional memory foam and adds a serious cool factor.
The Sleepsoul Paradise Coolgel is affordable, with a layer of memory gel on top of 800 pocket springs for support. It's like sleeping on a cloud if that cloud also happens to be delightfully cool to the touch.
Don't spend a bit more? The Sleepeezee Pocket Gel Immerse Plus offers a good balance of cooling gel and pocket springs at a reasonable price.
Pictured: Sleepeezee Pocket Gel Immerse Plus Cooling Mattresses include 40mm of staycool gel, which helps regulate body temperature. Priced £649 (Save £129 on RRP)
Latex mattresses
But wait, memory foam isn't the only one getting in on the gel action. Latex foam, prized for its buoyant feel, also comes in a gel-infused version for hot sleepers in options like the medium-soft Silentnight Lift Rejuvenate 1,600.
The Sleepeezee Centurial 3 mattress has a lofty layer of breathable, natural latex foam paired with a generous helping of pocket springs for a medium feel. It's a five-star hotel bed with a high price tag.
Pictured: Sleepeezee Centurial 3 Mattress, the winner of the NBF Bed Product of the Year. 7000 Pocket Springs, Natural fillings including British wool, alpaca wool, and Talalay latex, helping to regulate your body temperature.
Graphite is excellent for heat dissipation.
Need something a little different? Graphite memory foam is the dark horse of the cooling mattress world. The graphite infusion draws heat away from your body while you sleep.
The Sleepeezee G4, G2, and G3 (soft/medium, medium/firm, medium) have this technology, and our customers love their cooling qualities.
Pictured: Sleepeezee G3 Memory Foam Mattress includes 2 layers (40mm) of Graphite Memory Foam - allowing air and moisture to pass through, keeping you cool.
Natural cooling mattresses
Wool is an unsung hero for hot sleepers – it's naturally breathable and moisture-wicking, keeping you cool and dry throughout the night in the hottest summers.
The Sleepeezee Wool Supreme 2400 lives up to its name. It features a sumptuous layer of pure British wool paired with a staggering 2400 pocket springs for responsive support.
Pictured: Giltedge Beds Wool Luxury 1500 Pocket Spring Mattress. Priced from £370 (Save £360 on RRP)
Here are some tips to help you cool down and get a more comfortable sleep:
Being a hot sleeper can disrupt a good night's rest.
Bedroom environment:
Temperature: Aim for a bedroom temperature around 60-67 degrees Fahrenheit (15-19 degrees Celsius). Consider using air conditioning or a fan if you live in a hot climate.
Airflow: Open windows at night if the outside air is cooler. Ceiling fans can also help circulate air.
Block sunlight: Blackout curtains can help keep your room cooler during the day.
Bedding:
Mattress:Innerspring mattresses tend to sleep cooler than memory foam mattresses. Look for a mattress with good breathability.
Sheets and pillows: Choose lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen. There are also specialty cooling sheets and pillows available.
Sleep habits:
Hydration: Stay hydrated throughout the day, but avoid excessive fluids right before bed.
Shower: Take a cool shower before bed to lower your body temperature.
Pyjamas: Wear loose-fitting pyjamas made from breathable fabrics.
Avoid stimulants: Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed, as they can raise your body temperature.
Light dinner: Avoid heavy meals close to bedtime.
Summing Up
Memory and latex gel mattresses are ideal for hot summers, and you can get two-sided mattresses combining these with a warmer side for winter. Vented borders are always helpful, and some natural fillings like wool are highly breathable.
