Both cooling mattress toppers and cooling mattress protectors can add a refreshing touch to your bed and even keep night sweats at bay. However, which is better for when you overheat at night: a cooling mattress topper vs cooling mattress protector?
If you're not in the market right now for this year's best mattress, investing in one of the best mattress toppers is a great, cost-effective alternative, especially if you want to add some cooling tech to a warm bed. However, a mattress topper isn't the only way to cool down a stuffy bed - there are plenty of cooling mattress protectors, too.
Here, we'll explore the key differences between cooling mattress toppers vs cooling mattress protectors. We'll compare which one can benefit those who overheat at night the most, while also exploring design, price, and comfort. Plus, we've rounded up some of the best cooling toppers and protectors to buy ahead of the upcoming Labor Day mattress sales.
Cooling mattress topper vs cooling mattress protector: overview
A mattress topper is a cushioning layer of padding that's placed on top of a mattress to make it more comfortable or supportive. Most mattress toppers are made out of memory foam or latex, but you can also get bed toppers made from wool or down.
While mattress toppers are primarily made to adjust the firmness of a bed, a lot of mattress toppers today also feature advanced temperature regulation. Some are even billed as cooling mattress toppers. with their main selling point being their cooling tech.
A mattress protectors, on the other hand, is a stretchy item of bedding that covers a mattress primarily to safeguard the mattress from spills, stains, and accidents. The best mattress protectors are waterproof and breathable, but a lot of mattress protectors now come with temperature-regulating features to provide a cool-to-the-touch surface.
Cooling mattress topper vs cooling mattress protector: prices and deals
While cooling mattress toppers and protectors are much cheaper than the best cooling mattress, there are some price differences. Mattress protectors tend to be more expensive than mattress protectors, especially cooling mattress toppers. For example, the average price of the best memory foam mattress topper is around $299 for a queen, while a bed topper billed as cooling typically costs $375 for a queen. In terms of extras, most come with free shipping, a sleep trial of 30 nights and over, and a warranty of around one to five years.
In comparison, a cooling mattress protector is much cheaper, with the average cost of a queen around $155, with plenty available for even cheaper. They usually come with free shipping and a 1-year warranty, but not all of them come with a sleep trial and free returns.
Cooling mattress topper vs cooling mattress protector: Design and materials
The temperature-regulating features vary in cooling mattress toppers. Some cooling bed toppers use foam infused with cooling substances such as heat-dissipating gel, copper, or graphite. Other toppers use ventilated foam and materials with air channels. Also, most toppers come with covers that ae usually made from breathable, moisture-wicking covers made from cotton or polyester knit.
Meanwhile cooling mattress protectors are often made from either breathable materials, such as Tencel, polyester, or spandex, or a actively cooling, heat-dissipating materials such as GlacioTex or Phase Change Material.
In terms of design, cooling toppers are usually around two to four inches thick, and so add extra height to to your mattress as well as padding. They can also come with anchor straps or an anti-slip base to stop the topper from shifting on the bed.
Mattress protectors are made of a stretchy fabric that's much thinner than a topper but thick enough to protect the mattress from spills. As the skirting is stretchy and elasticated, mattress protectors are designed to fit most mattresses, but some won't be able to fit over mattresses more than 15" tall.
Cooling mattress topper vs cooling mattress protector: support and comfort
Cooling mattress toppers aren't just for regulating the temperature of your bed - they can completely transform the feel, too. For example, you can buy a firm mattress topper to boost the support of a mattress that's too soft, but the majority of cooling toppers are perfect for adding cushioning to a hard mattress.
On the other hand, cooling mattress protectors add little in the way of extra comfort or support. In fact, their primary goals are to add breathability, temperature control, and extra protection to a mattress, not to change its feel.
Cooling mattress topper vs cooling mattress protector: temperature regulation
The majority of the cooling bed toppers that we've tested work exceptionally well, especially those that use a ventilated design for enhanced breathability. While some memory foam toppers do tend to sleep warm, those that have been perforated or infused with cooling gel, copper, or graphite usually keep our testers cool and comfortable during the reviewing process.
Cooling mattress protectors also use cooling fabrics that we've found to be effective when reviewing other bedding accessories. Many cooling protectors use breathable materials such as Tencel and heat-dissipating fabrics such as GlacioTex, a trademark cool-to-the-touch fabric that draws heat away from the body. Be aware, however, that a protector is much thinner than a topper, so there's no thick barrier between you and the heat-trapping mattress.
Cooling mattress topper vs cooling mattress protector: Which should you buy?
Buy a cooling mattress topper if...
✅ Your mattress needs more support or comfort: If your mattress sleeps warm but also feels uncomfortable or unsupportive, then a soft or firm cooling mattress topper is the better option.
✅ You suffer from overheating: Cooling mattress toppers tend to have more advanced cooling tech than cooling protectors, plus they provide a thicker barrier between a warm bed and your body.
✅ You already have an effective mattress protector: If you have a mattress protector that does an excellent job of protecting your mattress from liquids and stains, you may want to buy a mattress topper instead. Just make sure to check that the topper doesn't make your bed too high for the mattress protector to stretch over.
Buy a cooling mattress protector if...
✅ You're mattress is already comfortable and supportive: If your mattress provides you with the right balance between comfort and support, and your only issue is overheating, then save your money and opt for a cooling protector instead.
✅ You're on a tight budget: Cooling mattress protectors are hundreds of dollars cheaper than cooling mattress toppers, so those with smaller budgets should go for a protector.
✅ You have a tall bed: If your bed is already around 14" tall or over, adding a 2"-4" topper may make it harder to get in and out of bed, especially if you have mobility issues.
The 4 best deals on cooling mattress toppers and protectors
