A bed cooling system will prevent you from waking up in a hot sweat—no matter how high temperatures soar.
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We Tested 3 of the Best Bed Cooling Systems for More Comfortable Sleep
Updated on Jul. 18, 2025
For hot sleepers, there’s no dread like uncomfortably warm nights. No matter how low you turn the air conditioner or strategically place your cooling fan, you can still find yourself tossing and turning, overheating from your blankets and sheets. Fortunately, there’s a science-backed solution: a bed cooling system.
Derek Hales, Founder and CEO of NapLab, says, “Active cooling systems like Eight Sleep, BedJet and other similar systems are arguably the best way to get the highest performance cooling on your mattress.”
Instead of cooling the air around you, a bed cooling system chills the air and fabrics in your bed. That means you get cooling that cuts straight to the source—and nips hot sleep in the bud. We tested some of the best bed cooling systems to find the best solution for your needs.
On Sale
Best overall
BedJet 3 Climate Comfort Sleep System
Pros:
- Works with all mattresses and bed setups
- Controlled via remote or phone app
- Each side of the bed can be controlled separately
- Features a dry-air option for humid conditions
- Both cool and warm air settings
Cons:
- Somewhat pricey
- If you have a low bed frame, the box may not easily fit under the bed
The BedJet 3 air-based bed cooling system is a total game-changer for anyone who has trouble falling and staying asleep at night due to fluctuating body temperatures. This compact system circulates cool or warm air through the tubes of a mattress pad, is incredibly easy to set up and is easily controlled with a remote or an app on your phone. It even has a dry-air option for humid conditions.
This bed cooling system works with all mattresses and bed frames and is relatively inexpensive compared to other bed cooling products. What’s more, you can control the temperature to a specific degree and set each side of the bed to a different temperature. It also has a heat mode to achieve that just-out-of-the-dryer feeling for your sheets in winter.
“Finding a product that keeps me cool even on scorching summer nights is a downright miracle,” writes our tester, Stephanie Hope, in her BedJet 3 review. “The BedJet 3 efficiently cools me down, providing exceptional airflow throughout the bed, which has significantly improved my sleep. I wake up feeling refreshed and energized—without any pesky night sweats.”
Hope, who lives in an older home with no central air, tested this cooling system for three hot summer weeks and was an instant fan. Not only did it keep her cool, but she was impressed by the unit’s sleek, compact design. Her only complaint was that she was not able to slide it underneath her low bed frame. “I’d have to lift the frame to slide it under. However, it doesn’t bother me to have it sitting neatly next to my side of the bed,” she writes.
This cooling system will set you back $599, but it is frequently on sale. It might seem a bit steep, but we’re confident that once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever slept without it—and so is BedJet. The company offers free returns for 60 days. If you try this system and are not 100% satisfied, you can return it for a full refund.
Best splurge
Eight Sleep Pod Cooling Cover and Hub
Pros:
- Can set different temperatures for each phase of the night
- Has a vibrational alarm clock
- Comes in four sizes
- Each side of the bed can be controlled separately
- Offers a 30-day free trial
Cons:
- Data tracking requires membership
- Expensive
If you don’t want to purchase a new cooling mattress, consider upgrading your existing mattress with the Eight Sleep Pod. The smart pod cover zips onto any mattress—including the editor-loved Eight Sleep mattress—and can be set anywhere from 55 to 110 degrees. It allows you to schedule different temperatures for each phase of the night and even set an alarm clock that wakes you with gentle vibrations and a gradual temperature change.
“If you have a hard time getting comfortable in the middle of the night because you’re a hot sleeper or you’re perpetually freezing, then a cooling and heating system like the Eight Sleep Pod Cover is for you,” writes Shopping Editor Mary Henn, in her comprehensive review.
So, how is this mattress cover different from other cooling bedding? In addition to its smart technology, this cooling mattress pad actually guarantees a noticeable temperature change. “On the coolest settings, the Pod Cover gets so chilly it almost feels damp. Like I said, my partner loved this because it kept him from waking up sweaty,” writes Henn. “However, I was surprised to find how much I liked the heat settings. After a long bath on a semi-chilly night, jumping into a warm bed is literally the best feeling that exists. The bed doesn’t feel hot to the touch when the cover is in heat mode, either. In fact, I barely notice the heat with my hand pressed to the cover. It’s when I’m lying down that my body notices the cozy temperature adjustment—and it’s dreamy.”
While you catch those zzz’s, the mattress cooler tracks your sleep quality, as well as health metrics, such as respiratory rate, resting heart rate and heart rate variability. “It also notifies you about any changes that occur to your sleep routine, delivers personalized insights and gives you recommendations and adjustments to improve your sleep routine,” adds Henn.
According to Henn, the mattress cover itself is surprisingly thin and comfortable for the impressive technology it holds. She describes it as “virtually undetectable” over her mattress protector. “I expected to feel the tubing and coils underneath my sheets, but I didn’t,” she explains. “My mattress felt slightly firmer with the cover on it, but the water distribution provided an extra layer of cushion that felt like a thin foam topper.”
Just be aware that this mattress cover is an investment. A queen size will set you back $2,649 for the Pod 4 or $5,049 for the latest Pod 5 Ultra. On top of that, you’ll have to pay another couple hundred bucks per year for Autopilot, which is required for the first 12 months. It’s pricey, but never having to deal with night sweats again? You can’t put a price on that.
Best for Tracking Sleep Health
Chilipad Dock Pro Bundle
Pros:
- Cools and heats on demand
- Comes with a sleep tracker
- Easy to use app
- Optional AI temperature automations
- Allows for custom sleep programs
- No subscription needed
Cons:
- Two units and trackers required to cover a whole bed
- System cleaner required every few months
For those seeking a full sleep health overhaul, the Chilipad Dock Pro bundle is our top recommendation. It works much like the other bed cooling systems, utilizing a mattress cover with water-filled flexible tubing to raise or lower bed temperature. Much like the Eight Sleep Pod 3, the Dock Pro provides personalized data tracking thanks to the included sleep tracker. However, unlike the Eight Sleep Pod, these insights are free to use—no subscription required!
Setup is simple, according to tester Emily Way. “When I first unpacked the Chilipad Dock Pro bundle, I was initially a little intimidated by all the connectors and gizmos,” she muses. “However, running it for the first time is surprisingly easy. Just connect both ends of the hose to the mattress pad and dock, tuck the mattress cover over the mattress and make the bed,” she says. “The cover has elastic bands that help it hug the mattress with minimal shifting. From there, turn on the dock and add water until the ‘low water’ icon disappears. You also get a little packet of system cleaner to start you off.”
While you can pick up a Dock Pro sans sleep tracker, we recommend snagging both for the best results. The sleep tracker connects to the app, which allows users to take control of their sleep health with useful insights. Users can also use the app to set the bed temperature, which runs from 55 to 115 degrees. Additionally, users can set AI automations that intuitively adjust the bed temperature throughout the night based on the user’s current sleep stage. There’s also the option to set temperature schedules for specific days of the week.
Data-driven metrics, including a breakdown of the time spent in each sleep stage, heart rate, respiratory rate and a nightly movement counter, help tailor your bedtime routine to get the best possible rest. The app even includes a library of meditations, white noise and other relaxing sounds that promote better sleep. And, in the winter, you can also set it to heat instead of cool for that “just from the dryer” feeling.
The bundle—which includes the tracker, dock and mattress cover—retails for $1,700 to $1,900 for a single side, depending on the size of the bed. While pricey (especially for those that require a second dock for a second sleeper), the lack of subscription model means that you only have to pay a single flat fee for all the features.
Way notes that she’s an extremely hot sleeper who sweats through sheets even in the wintertime. Using the Chilipad has been a total life-changer for her. She also reports that the mattress cover makes the mattress a bit firmer, though she hasn’t noticed any interruptions to her sleep because of it. “I am not exaggerating when I say that I used to wash my sheets every night,” she says. “Since using the Chilipad, I’ve had zero instances of the night sweats. Zero!”
What to look for when buying a bed cooling system
Many people can benefit from a bed cooling system, from those who require one for medical reasons, such as menopause, or who are taking certain medications that cause them to run hot to those who simply prefer chilled bedding. Think of cold sheets as a similar luxury to warm towels.
Before adding a bed cooling system to your cart, consider these factors:
- Temperature: How much is the system designed to lower your skin temperature?
- Noise level: Will you be able to sleep if the system makes a low humming noise?
- Temperature control: Is the system controlled via a remote? Is there an option to change settings through an app?
- Size: Is the system meant for one person, or can your partner enjoy it, too?
- Dual zones: If the system is meant for two people, can each of you control your own side independently?
Sleep expert Derek Hales provides a few additional shopping tips if you’re considering a bed cooling system. “If you’re buying a new mattress at the same time as a new active cooling system, I would recommend trying the mattress for at least a few weeks before you use the mattress with the new system,” Derek says. “You may find the mattress alone is good enough to create the level of cooling you need. In addition, you’ll get a good baseline for what the mattress should feel like without the system, which can help you diagnose any comfort or support issues.”
Derek also recommends considering your sheets, comforter, duvet and other bedding. “Bedding makes a big impact on cooling,” he says. “Together, a high-performance mattress, high-performance sheets and high-performance active cooling system can bring truly incredible levels of cooling performance.”
Why you should trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we know that some like it hot—but not when it comes to sleep. Quality sleep makes a world of difference, so finding bed cooling systems that truly do their job is that much more important. We spent countless hours researching the best bed cooling systems on the market, taking into consideration a variety of features, price points and real user reviews.
Then we enlisted the help of our own editors and testers—Stephanie Hope, Shannon Ullman and Mary Henn, all of whom have years of experience in the commerce space—to assess the effectiveness of these systems. They provided unbiased feedback on each product’s cooling abilities, aesthetics and quality, and whether or not they’re worth your hard-earned money.
Lastly, we consulted sleep expert Derek Hales on what to look for when buying a bed cooling system.
How we found the best bed cooling systems and cooling mattress pads
We started with the research and reporting basics to ensure that we only recommended the buys that were worth your time and investment.
Once we found a selection of products to suit a range of sleepers and budgets, we combed through user reviews to see if these bed cooling systems stand up to the test and whether they’re a smart value or worthy of a splurge. From there, we asked our editors and testers to try the products for themselves.
They spent several weeks testing these products in their own homes in order to determine whether or not they actually work. After carefully reviewing their detailed notes and feedback, we narrowed our selection down to the three best bed cooling systems.
Additional testing in 2025
We revisited this piece in 2025 to add our experience with the Chilipad Dock Pro bundle. The Chilipad—under the brand Sleep.me—is a well-known bed cooling system that boasts mostly rave reviews online. Naturally, we had to check and see if it lives up to the hype.
During this additional testing, we also re-evaluated our previous picks and moved the Anni Star Water Cooling System (previously our “best budget” option) from our list as it’s no longer available for purchase.
Others we tested
- Anni Star Water Cooling System: “By the first night, it was pretty obvious that it worked,” says tester Shannon Ullman. “There are multiple settings, but I kept it on the lowest (and comparatively, least cool.) It felt nice and cool as I went to sleep, but in the middle of the night, I woke up because I was too cold. The second night I tried it, I woke up in the middle of the night again to put on a sweatshirt. All of the nights after, I went to bed dressed somewhat warmly, hoping not to wake up shivering,” she shares.
FAQ
How does a bed cooling system work?
Bed cooling systems use either water or air to cool and heat your mattress and bedding. Air systems are quite simple; they create airflow that cools or warms your bedding.
Water cooling systems are somewhat more complex. Channels of water run through a pad that sits atop your mattress. This water cools the bedding and is cycled to an external device, where it is re-cooled before channeling back into the pad.
What are the benefits of using a bed cooling system?
Bed cooling systems can improve sleep quality and duration. Some may actively cool you down, while others help regulate your body temperature or wick away sweat.
Do cooling systems actually work?
Bed cooling systems can be very effective at helping you sleep more comfortably on hot nights. Combining cooling methods, such as cooling mattresses, blankets and water- or air-based cooling systems, can help particularly warm sleepers avoid night sweats and temperature-related sleep disturbances.
Additional reporting by Marisa Hillman
