Beating the heat and staying cool in bed in summer is no small task, especially when our homes are built to retain heat.
The good news is you can reduce the awful clamminess of summertime sleeping with a mattress that dissipates heat and breathes.
Some bed frames are also better for warm nights – slats are better than solid platforms – and low bed frames are better than high ones because hot air rises (your bedroom floor can be a degree colder than at waist height).
Flippable Winter/Summer Mattresses
Two sides, one mattress - that's the beauty of flippable winter/summer mattresses with breathable memory gel or open-cell foam layers on one side to provide outstanding cooling and a cosy memory foam surface engineered for heat retention to combat the chill of winter on the other side.
Here are some options:
Giltedge Beds Silk 1000 Mattress (medium)
Giltedge Beds Latex Cloud 2000 Mattress (medium firm)
Memory Gel Mattresses: A Cooling Marvel
Craving that signature memory foam hug without the night sweats? Memory gel mattresses infuse traditional foam with thousands of cooling gel beads that wick away body heat.
These innovative beds sleep remarkably cool while offering the same pressure relief and contouring as regular memory foam. The gel dissipates excess warmth so you can experience supportive comfort without overheating.
Check out these mattresses:
Natural Fillings: Breathable Bliss
Materials like wool, cotton, and bamboo allow fresh air to circulate freely, preventing you from getting stuck in a sweltering sleep environment.
Pictured: Sleepeezee Jessica 1800 Pocket Gel 4FT 6 Double Mattress. Priced £849 (Save £650 on RRP) Available from Bedstar.
Organic cotton is one of the most popular natural mattress fillings. It creates a soft, breathable layer that feels more luxurious than polyester. Look for organic cotton that is grown sustainably without pesticides or other chemicals.
Wool mattress fillings, often from sheep, provide unmatched comfort and insulation. The natural lanolin in wool makes it antimicrobial, antibacterial, mould-resistant, and dust mite-resistant. Wool regulates temperature excellently, keeping you warm in winter yet cool in summer. It's also quite firm and supportive.
We recommend these mattresses:
Pictured: Silentnight Mirapocket 1400 Puriel 4FT 6 Double Mattress. Priced £638 (Save £128 on RRP) Available from Bedstar.
Mattresses with Vented Borders
Vented borders are a must-have in mattresses because they ensure the top comfort layers have adequate airflow by pushing warm air out when you move around, letting cool air rise up, and whisking heat away.
Some mattresses have ventilation holes with small grilles, while others have a breathable border around the perimeter – both are decent.
Maximise Airflow for a Refreshing Slumber
A ceiling fan or standing fan can provide a steady cross-breeze that introduces a little wind chill to your bedroom and makes it feel cooler.
Blackout curtains block the greenhouse effect of direct sunlight warming up your room during peak daylight hours.
Lightweight bedding made of linen, bamboo or other natural fibres that won't stick to your skin also improves breathability.
Reduce Humidity
Maintaining a comfortable ambient temperature via air conditioning or open windows (in cooler evenings) creates the ideal sleep climate.
Dehumidifiers are another good option. They remove moisture from your bedroom air, creating a dryer and less sticky environment.
You can also get portable air conditioners, but these need venting. An alternative is a non-venting AC unit that uses ice packs, but these increase humidity.
Summing Up
Flippable winter/summer designs, memory gel beds infused with cooling beads, and natural breathable materials like wool and cotton are all smart picks for hot weather slumber.
That said, even the most advanced cooling mattress can only do so much on its own. You'll want to pair it with an open, slatted bed frame that allows airflow underneath.
Ceiling fans, portable fans, and opening the windows at night are musts for encouraging cross-breezes, too.
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