Mattress materials have a significant effect on how cool they sleep, with mattress manufacturers continually exploring different materials to find those which keep sleepers cooler.
Copper and graphite are popular cooling materials due to their ability to conduct and dissipate heat efficiently.
1. Microcoils
As mattresses become more complex, coil technology has advanced as well. Most innerspring beds now utilize pocketed coil units; and most mattress makers incorporate microcoils into the foam layers as a means to increase breathability and cooling properties of their beds.
Individual pocketed coils differ from traditional Bonnell and LFK coils in that they are free to move independently, helping reduce motion transfer between sleep partners.
Mattress professionals have taken to infusing mattresses with heat-conducting minerals like silver and copper, which conduct heat more effectively than other metals. Incorporating such minerals can help lower core body temperatures for deeper restful sleep – for instance Brooklyn Bedding’s Aurora Luxe hybrid features GlacioTex which changes state depending on body temperature; drawing away heat when warm while releasing it when cool; additionally its microcoils and foam layers promote airflow to help keep you cool.
2. Contour Cutting
Mattress manufacturers frequently cut shapes into their foam surfaces to increase airflow, creating channels for heat distribution and cooling that may help those who tend to sleep hot. Furthermore, different cuts may alter the feel of a mattress.
Leesa and Loom & Leaf mattresses utilize egg-crate surfaces that provide more surface area for airflow, while Tuft & Needle and Luxisleep beds utilize peg-like foam surfaces which also allow more ventilation. While such features may impact heat retention, they might not alter how people experience sleeping on them.
Other mattress makers rely on cutting-edge materials like phase change material (PCM). PCM relies on an age-old thermodynamic principle known as latent energy to control temperature; this technology helps manage temperatures as it transitions from liquid to solid states; though new and evolving, PCM will likely take time to become part of the mattress industry.
3. Latex Foam
Latex foam mattress materials make an excellent way of cooling down your sleeping experience. Being natural and highly breathable, latex is perfect for helping regulate body temperature while its springy buoyancy offers pressure relief and support to both back and neck areas. Plus its ability to absorb movement will add another bonus if sleeping with someone.
If you want a restful night’s rest, choose a natural latex mattress with layers. There will surely be one suitable to meet your individual sleeping needs!
Synthetic latex mattresses such as Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) may be cheaper, but will not provide the same level of comfort. You could also consider going with an Aerated Latex Foam mattress which incorporates air pockets into its manufacturing process for increased cooling potential; however, this option will likely cost more than traditional latex models.
4. Ventilation Grids
Cooling mattress pads, toppers and bed frames offer many effective ways to increase airflow in your mattress for cooler sleep surfaces and ensure optimal temperatures for maximum restfulness.
Some manufacturers provide bedding with extra breathability by weaving ventilation grids into their mattresses or mattress toppers. Holland-based knit producer Innofa produced a premium knit ticking with air grids aligning with channels and perforations found within its foam.
Some toppers and mattresses use phase-change material, containing small molecules that absorb and release heat in order to help you reach an ideal sleeping surface temperature. Chili Technology of Mooresville developed this technology; now known as SleepMe, its implementation can be found in products like the ChiliPad and 2022 Dock Pro mattress.
Copper helps prevent overheating and keep mattresses fresh, while activated charcoal has been known to reduce odor. You’ll find this latter fabric used by Brooklyn Bedding’s Brentwood Crystal Cove and Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam mattresses.
5. Mineral Infusions
Many mattress makers integrate copper filaments into the textile fibers of their beds, while others add this mineral directly into the foam itself. Copper’s thermal conductivity properties allow it to draw heat away from your body in order to reduce core temperature and promote cooler nights’ rest – this technology can be found in mattresses such as Elite Hybrid and Bear Hybrid models, for instance.
Copper has natural antiviral and antibacterial properties. You’ll often see it used on door handles and other high-contact surfaces in hospitals and doctor’s offices, since its antimicrobial properties allow it to kill a wide spectrum of harmful microbes instantly – one reason beautyrest and Pangeabed include copper in their mattresses.
At ISPA EXPO, machinery suppliers displayed equipment to keep bedding production lines running efficiently. Atlanta Attachment Co. from Lawrenceville, Georgia unveiled a stand-alone piece of equipment called 1393FPS Foam Panel Slitter at the show; it quickly slices transitional waste scrap material from quilt panels into small strips that pad corners of wood foundations; this helps mattressmakers eliminate manual handling costs, reduce personnel expenses and boost plant productivity.
6. Airflow
Mattress manufacturers are turning to breathable fabrics in their mattresses or cooling mattress pads in order to wick away moisture and heat away from the body, keeping it cool and dry throughout the night.
Though memory foam and poly foam mattresses tend to receive the most complaints for being too hot for comfortable sleeping conditions, other mattress types can also experience similar problems if too warm. One way to alleviate this is increasing airflow through increasing surface area for airflow – some brands create egg-crate surfaces in their foams (Luxisleep uses these features extensively), or punch holes into them to increase surface area and thus enhance airflow.
Copper or graphite mattresses may also help increase airflow by their high thermal conductivity and natural antimicrobial effect, helping reduce bacteria build-up while simultaneously keeping sleepers cooler at night. Meanwhile, graphite has small pores which draw away body heat for cooling effects.
7. Convoluted Foam
Foam’s versatile properties make it a top choice for mattress cores and comfort layers, offering both softness and firmness depending on its formulation; thin layers can provide different levels of support and comfort; foam can even be formed into unique shapes for special sleeping benefits.
Foam mattress toppers such as convoluted or egg crate foam, commonly referred to as egg crate foam, can help improve the feel of mattresses by evenly dispersing weight distribution and minimising sound reverberation. Furthermore, its unique pattern absorbs noise reverberation while attenuating sound reverberation; hospital patients frequently utilize egg crate foam mattress toppers in order to decrease risks associated with bedsores and skin irritations.
But while memory foam provides many advantages to sleepers, it may not be ideal as the core of a mattress due to its low density and easy compression. To combat this issue, mattress manufacturers utilize ventilation grids woven into covers of mattresses aligned with perforations in the foam which allow warm air to escape while cool air enters to regulate temperatures for optimal sleeping comfort.
8. Cooling Fabrics
Some mattresses utilize special fabrics designed to promote cool sleep, such as cotton, linen or Tencel. These specialized covers feature ventilation grids aligned with perforations in the foam base that prevent heat retention so your body can reach temperature neutrality during the night.
Some mattress makers also incorporate fabrics with phase change material (PCM). PCM is a substance that changes between liquid and solid at various temperatures, helping regulate your sleeping environment by absorbing or dissipating heat. For instance, Eli & Elm Whitney Collection bedding utilizes PCM to keep their customers cool and comfy throughout their nighttime slumber.
Many are surprised to learn that when it comes to finding ways to sleep cool, their whole sleep environment plays an integral part. Pillows, sheets, bedclothes and mattress covers all play an essential part in helping the body achieve an ideal temperature during restful slumber – visit our guide for more details on how your mattress and accessories can help achieve temperature neutrality!
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