{{blog.title}} ›

Guides

6 Essentials for a Cool and Comfortable Night's Sleep

Author Elizabeth Garcia

Last Updated October 30, 2025

Hot summer nights can make getting quality sleep a real challenge. Tossing and turning in the heat leads to frustration, night sweats, and groggy mornings. For hot sleepers, finding ways to cool down body temperature is key to better rest. Thankfully, you can create a sleep environment that helps regulate body heat and keeps you comfortable all night long.

From cooling mattresses to breathable cotton sheets, every layer of your bed impacts how to stay cool at night. This guide highlights 6 essentials for creating a cool sleep environment, with practical sleep tips to help you beat the heat.

A cooler night's sleep starts with building a system, layer by layer, with products specifically designed for temperature regulation. Here's everything from cooling technology to simple tips that can help.

1. Upgrade to a Cooling Mattress

The foundation of a cool sleep environment is a mattress equipped for temperature regulation. Traditional mattresses, especially memory foam, can trap body heat, creating an uncomfortably warm surface. Cooling mattresses are designed to combat this with advanced materials.

Look for Cooling Technology: Hybrid mattresses and models with gel-infused memory foam, Graphene layers, or cooling fabrics help airflow while pulling heat away from the body.
Consider Mattress Options: Some of the best cooling mattresses, like Tempur-Pedic LuxeBreeze, offer multi-layer cooling effects that keep you cool all night long by efficiently managing your core temperature.

2. Add a Cooling Mattress Pad or Protector

Mattress protectors are essential for keeping your mattress clean, but they can also enhance the cooling effect. Many protectors and mattress pads are made with moisture-wicking fabrics that regulate air temperature while preventing heat buildup.

Dual Benefits: Cooling mattress protectors guard against dust, allergens, and spills while helping hot sleepers stay comfortable.
Maximize Cooling: Layering a cooling mattress pad over a breathable mattress provides an extra buffer to reduce body heat.

3. Switch to a Cooling Pillow and Pillowcase

Your pillow plays a major role in keeping you cool. A cooling pillow made with gel-infused foam or moisture-wicking pillowcases can help release heat from your head and neck.

Key Features: Look for breathable materials, cooling gels, and fabrics that wick away moisture for a fresher feel.
Maximize Cooling: Pair your pillow with bamboo or cotton pillowcases for additional airflow and comfort.

4. Use Breathable Sheets and Pajamas

The wrong bed sheets can trap hot air, negating the benefits of your cooling mattress. Stick to breathable, natural fabrics like cotton sheets, linen, or bamboo, which promote better airflow and cooling.

What to Choose: Cotton sheets with a percale weave are crisp, lightweight, and ideal for hot weather. Bamboo sheets also help hot sleepers stay cool due to their moisture-wicking properties.
Light Pajamas: Opt for lightweight, moisture-wicking pajamas to stay dry and comfortable all night.

5. Optimize Your Sleep Environment

Beyond your bed, your bedroom setup plays a huge role in achieving cooler air. Consider these tips to improve air circulation and regulate room temperature:

Control the Room Temperature: Use an air conditioner (AC unit) or a box fan to cool off the room. Ceiling fans also help circulate air more efficiently.
Block Heat: Blackout curtains reduce heat from the sun during the day, keeping the room cooler in the evening.
Fresh Air Flow: On cooler nights, open windows to let fresh air circulate, or use a fan positioned near an open window to draw cooler air inside.

6. Stay Hydrated and Manage Night Sweats

Dehydration can make it harder to stay cool. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and keep a cold water bottle nearby at night. If night sweats are an issue, try using moisture-wicking bedding, taking a warm bath or cold shower before bed, or placing ice packs near your pulse points to cool down blood vessels.

Ready to improve your sleep quality? With the right setup, you can enjoy cooler air and better rest, even during a heatwave. Here are a few extra tips:

Cool Your Body Before Bed: Take a warm shower to relax or a cold shower to cool off. Use a damp washcloth or ice packs on your neck and wrists for quick relief.
Keep the Room Cool: Maintain a steady room temperature of around 60–67 degrees Fahrenheit, the ideal range for sleep.
Avoid Heat Traps: Don’t sleep in heavy fabrics or use thick comforters during hot weather.

Cooling Sleep Solutions

View All

Shopping Basics 5 Best Pillowcases

Mattresses Standard Pillowcase Size Chart: Find Your Best Fit

How Tos How to Fluff a Down Comforter

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why do I get so hot when I sleep?

There are many reasons you might sleep hot. Your body's internal temperature naturally fluctuates at night. Other factors include your mattress and bedding retaining heat, the temperature of your bedroom, or even medical reasons. Memory foam mattresses, in particular, are known for trapping heat unless they are infused with cooling technology like gel or graphite.

What is the best material for cooling sheets?

Natural, breathable fabrics are best. Look for linen, bamboo, or long-staple cottons like Egyptian or Pima. Specifically, a percale weave in cotton sheets creates a light, crisp, and breathable fabric that is excellent for hot sleepers.

Will a cooling mattress protector make my regular mattress feel cool?

Yes, a cooling mattress protector can make a noticeable difference even on a standard mattress. It adds a layer of breathable, moisture-wicking fabric that helps dissipate heat before it gets trapped in your mattress, making your sleep surface feel cooler.

Change Your ZIP Code

6 Essentials for a Cool and Comfortable Night's Sleep