To learn more about who might benefit from a gel mattress (and how our body temperature affects our REM cycle), we spoke with sleep specialist and neuroscientist Christopher Winter, M.D., who explains, “It is thought that sleep probably works best at a temperature of about 65 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit, and gel mattresses can absolutely help.” Winter encourages people to also be conscious about the types of bedding they are pairing with their cooling mattress. He advises that it’s important to be “thoughtful about bedclothes—or lack thereof—as well as bedding, timing of exercise, bathing, showering, and other bed enhancements.” Keep scrolling to check out our picks for the best gel mattresses. Along with their cooling properties, gel mattresses also tend to have less motion transfer, so you won’t feel it as much if you share the bed with someone who tends to toss and turn. Gel mattresses are great for hot sleepers, as they help regulate a cooler body temperature throughout the night. Many gel mattresses are also hybrid mattresses, which maintain their shape for longer, and provide more support and contouring. Motion transfer tends to be minimal on a gel mattress, meaning it will help to isolate movements rather than the whole mattress moving with you. Cons: Unfortunately, gel mattresses tend to use a lot of foam, which isn’t the most sustainable material. The cooling factor can depend on the amount of gel and the dispersal method used. In each mattress, a 1-inch layer of gel-infused memory foam keeps you cool and also provides pressure point relief. The core of the mattress is an 8-inch layer of up to 1,032 individually encased coils to give your body the support it needs throughout the night. This mattress arrives in a recyclable box and has a near-perfect star rating on the site—even after more than 2,800 customer reviews. What reviewers say: One reviewer reports that they love the Aurora Luxe more than other (more expensive) mattresses they’ve tried in the past, noting that they “will be purchasing two more for the other bedrooms!” Another says, “I love how cooling it actually is!! To the touch! I sweat a lot in my sleep, so this has been pretty helpful at keeping me cooler. I also sleep on my side and back so this is great for both those positions.” There’s also an option to upgrade to the Nectar Premiere, which includes an additional inch of the gel-infused memory foam, for an even cooler sleep. The brand says this mattress is good for any type of sleeper, whether you sleep on your back, stomach, or side. The Nectar mattress arrives in a box that is perfectly sized to fit the mattress, in order to eliminate waste. What reviewers say: With more than 48,000 reviews on the Nectar website, this mattress has maintained a near-perfect rating of 4.8 out of 5. One reviewer shares that both she and her husband sleep better with this mattress, and she sleeps on her side while her husband sleeps on his back—confirming that this is a great pick for multiple sleep positions. The same reviewer goes on to report that “you can’t feel motion transfer when your partner rolls over or when the dog jumps up onto the bed.” At the base, you’ll find an 8.5-inch coil layer; it better eliminates motion transfer while still providing edge support and adding to the overall breathability of the design. One of the softest picks on our list, it’s a great choice for stomach and side sleepers. What reviewers say: This mattress has a 4.8 out of five-star rating overall after nearly 9,000 reviews—so you know it’s a fan favorite. There are a seemingly endless number of reviews touting this mattress’ cooling properties, and one says, “A superb comfort mattress. Don’t feel when my husband gets in and out of bed. Luxurious look and feel. I also am very pleased with the mattress protector that helps me feel cool and comfortable.” As expected, stomach and side sleepers like it best, while some back sleepers feel that it is too soft. Plus, the breathability of this mattress makes it a great choice for anyone who tends to run hot, as the gel-infused Euro top helps limit motion control and ease muscle tension. All of the brand’s mattresses are handmade in the United States, using CertiPUR-US® certified foams, recycled steel coils, and sustainably sourced Tencel for the cover. The cover is also OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, Class 1 certified, ensuring that it’s safe enough for children, too. Like most mattresses, it’s compressed, rolled up, and shipped in a box directly to your door. What reviewers say: Even after obtaining more than 8,000 reviews, this mattress maintains a 4.8 out of five-star rating overall. One reviewer who is prone to back pain says that the WinkBed “combines just the right levels of firm and soft to provide good support but still feel like a comfortable, premium item.” Another writes, “Most supportive ‘soft’ mattress I’ve ever slept on. Get your blankets out, this mattress also sleeps very cool.” However, this hybrid design doesn’t rely on just foams alone. It also features a layer of responsive stainless steel coils for added support and bounce. Wrapped in noise-reducing fabric, the coils boost the mattress’ responsiveness and help the grid better return to its original shape. The brand makes all its mattresses in the U.S. and ships them compressed and rolled in a recyclable box. The materials are CleanAir GOLD and CertiPUR-US certified—and while some report a smell when unboxing, others say it goes away soon after the mattress expands. What reviewers say: After nearly 2,000 reviews, this crowd-pleaser has earned 4.4 out of five stars on Purple’s website. Hot sleepers, side sleepers, back sleepers all praise the design, as well as people with back and joint pain. One shopper raves, “Very comfortable and [I] love the cooling technology, as I sleep very warm and never wake up hot with this mattress.” As our expert mentioned, when picking out a gel mattress, you will also want to be thoughtful about bedding. If you have the wrong bedding, you could risk blocking out the top layers of the mattress’ cooling gel—so make sure to opt for breathable fabrics like bamboo, Tencel, or cotton, for more cooling sheets.
