Mattress Ratings >> Mattress Type Comparison > Mattresses and Heat

Mattresses and Sleeping Hot → Based on Data From Over 15,000 Actual Owners

Page last updated: October 10, 2010

"Sleeping hot" in our research refers to a mattress retaining a person's body heat, resulting in an unnaturally warm sleeping surface.

The chart below shows how mattress types compare on this issue based on owner experiences. Keep in mind that this represents what is often, but not always, the case. A particular brand, model or individual mattress may go against these findings.

Less sleeping hot More sleeping hot

Air

While there are reports of airbeds sleeping hot, the problem does not seem to be widespread. Airbeds with memory foam or latex likely have the highest chance of retaining heat.

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses typically have the greatest problem with sleeping hot. According to our collected data, about 7% of memory foam mattress owners say that their mattress is, at least some of the time, too hot for comfort. About 15% say their bed is warm, but not enough to be uncomfortable. The clear majority of memory foam bed owners report no heat problems. (See chart below.) Women report more memory foam heat problems than men by at least a 2-1 ratio.

Water

Waterbeds do not have a sleeping hot issue. In fact, if they don't have a heater to warm the water, they may have a sleeping "cold" issue.

Latex

Latex beds often use an open cell structure with a pin core design that allows for breathability. Nevertheless, latex mattresses are second only to memory foam for the most complaints about heat. About 3% of latex bed owners report a heat issue which is about half the number for memory foam.

Innerspring / Coil

Innerspring mattresses without memory foam and or latex have few complaints about heat. However, about 7% of owners of innerspring mattresses that contain memory foam and or latex report heat buildup.

Futons

Sleeping hot does not tend to be a noteworthy problem for futons.