UK mattresses for hot sleepers? Advice on coolest mattress

Hi Janet,

Thanks for your question about the coolest mattresses for hot sleepers. We get asked this a lot from people who find most synthetic mattresses too hot to comfortably sleep on! So you're not alone with this mattress problem.

Let's firstly address what a 'hot sleeper is. A 'hot sleeper' is someone who finds themselves waking up during the night due to overheating, either needing to pull the covers back or turn over multiple times, or even get out of bed for periods to cool off.

It's a really uncomfortable problem when trying to get a decent nights sleep.

Why do people sleep hot?

Different peoples body types regulate temperature to different degrees and some people find that certain fabrics or fibres will make them overheat quickly whilst others are unaffected.

People who sleep warm are impacted especially by those mattress fibres that are synthetic or lack breathability. A fabric's breathability allows airflow and thus can help cool or regulate temperatures more effectively. That's why you see all those high end climbing and hiking jackets featuring breathable fabrics.

To clarify: synthetic man-made fibres are the least breathable when it comes to mattresses. Natural fibres which are high wicking are the coolest and most breathable.

In terms of warmer fibres, the following are in order of hottest first then coolest as a guide.

• Memory foam / synthetic foams (hottest)
• Polyester
• Latex
• Coir/Plant fibres
• Wool/Bamboo/Cotton/Alpaca natural hair fibres (Coolest)

The Origins Pocket 1500 mattress does feature a wool top layer which helps wick away heat. It will be far cooler than a memory foam or bed in a box rolled mattress like Emma, Eve or Nectar. However, it's not going to be as cool as a 100% natural fibre mattress. The price point we have designed it at is for a high-quality entry-level model. This is why it is a primarily synthetic mattress.

You simply can't get high percentages of natural fibres for under £1500 in 2021. 

Most mattress price points will be synthetic until you get to this budget simply because of the raw cost material price. Please look out for terms like 'contains natural fibre' as this 'contains' can be as little legally as 1%! Always ask the percentage.

If you want to look at one of the coolest natural fibre mattresses then take a look at our Artisan Naturals mattress which is 85% natural and unlike all foam or memory foam boxed mattresses is 2 sided and uses calico encased pocket springs.

Artisan Naturals Mattress

1:1200GSM BLENDED BRITISH FLEECE WOOL AND COTTON

2: HAIRPROOF CAMBRIC COVER

3: 1250GSM REBOUND POLY COTTON

4: 1500GSM 100% PURE MOHAIR

5: 1600 CALICO ENCASED POCKET SPRINGS [49MM ] [1.28MM ]

TOTAL: 3950GSM

DEPTH: 27-30CM

CHEMICAL FREE COVER

We can appreciate that this is in a different price point but we would rather be honest than try and missell an entry-level mattress of banishing your hot sleep issues. If price is an issue you may want to couple a mattress like the Origins Pocket 1500 with another natural fibre topper to help keep you cooler at night.

It's quite subjective as not every 'hot sleeper' gets to the same temperature as you can imagine so it may take a bit of tweaking if you can't afford a proper natural fibre mattress. Below is a table that will give you an idea of fibre costs when you're comparing mattresses.

If you have any more questions please get back in touch with us on 0161 437 4419.

All the best John & Ryan