Summertime is already the hottest time of the year, but with record-breaking high temperatures continuing to soar, it sounds like we are in for hotter months ahead. If you are a hot sleeper or struggle to fall asleep when your room is too warm, this could mean more sleepless nights in the future. Thankfully, something as simple as swapping out your bedding can save you the sweat.
I’m a hot sleeper and over the years I have completely switched out my bedding and bedding accessories for light, cooling alternatives. I found that it has helped with tossing and turning and waking up sweaty, and the editors on my team have done the same. Here’s everything that my fellow CNET wellness editors and I use to sleep cool during the night.
Caroline Igo/CNET Buffy Breeze Sheet Set Favorite cooling sheets $195 at Buffy I have written many articles boasting about these sheets from Buffy — that’s how much I love them. For this reason, it won a CNET 2024 Editor’s Choice award. I switched out my old sheets for the Buffy Breeze sheets about two years ago, and I haven’t looked back. The sheets are made of eucalyptus fibers, so they are naturally light, breathable, moisture-wicking and cool to the touch. They are the softest of any sheets I’ve tested, and I’ve tested many cooling sheets over the years (for example, linen I found too scratchy and cotton sateen isn’t silky enough). Pros: Naturally dyed and plant-based
Cool to the touch
Can snag these for under $145 during a sale Cons: Material stains easily
Only 300 thread count $195 at Buffy
Caroline Igo/CNET Avocado Down Duvet Insert Favorite cooling duvet insert $269 at Avocado My dogs are often in my bed, so I’ve found that a duvet cover and a duvet insert are a lot easier to clean than a regular comforter. While I’ve put some thought into the duvet cover (the color, material, feel, etc.), I didn’t consider that the insert should also be carefully chosen. The old duvet insert I was using was making me warm, and I was kicking it off at night. So, I switched to a lighter duvet insert from Avocado. The Down Duvet insert in the lightweight option is the perfect alternative. While I haven’t tried the all-season fill option, I consider the lightweight to be comfortable in both the warm and cold months for hot sleepers. It’s filled with ethically sourced down and covered in a soft cotton shell. Keep in mind that a little fill does escape, and I find tiny feathers in my hair ever so often. Pros: Available in lightweight and all-season options
Ethically sourced 650 fill-power down
400-thread-count cotton shell Cons: A little fill does escape
Spot clean only $269 at Avocado
Caroline Igo/CNET Casper Hybrid Pillow with Snow Technology Favorite cooling pillow $149 at Casper I’ve found that switching to a cooling pillow has made a difference in my nightly routine. Out of all the cooling pillows I have tested, I found the Casper Hybrid Pillow with Snow Technology to be the coolest to the touch. Even with a pillowcase on it (I use a light, eucalyptus pillowcase from Buffy), I can feel the cooling sensation on my face. While it won’t stay completely cool on one side the entire night, I will just flip it over. Pros: Suitable for side, back or combination sleepers
Cool-to-the-touch feeling
Four layers of foam, fiber and gel with Snow Technology Cons: Not for those who don’t like foam pillows
Over $145 for one pillow $149 at Casper
Caroline Igo/CNET Eight Sleep Pod 3 Cover Favorite cooling tech $2,295 at Eight Sleep While this is the most expensive item on this list, and I understand that this product may not be worth it for all sleepers, I stand by the Eight Sleep Pod 3 Cover being the most effective cooling device on the market. This unique, high-tech mattress cover contains wires and sensors that are connected to a tank of water underneath the bed. Depending on your personal setting on the app, it will either cool or warm you during the night. Plus, it will automatically cool or warm you to maintain the ideal temperature for sleep during all stages. My boyfriend and I can both choose our own settings, and there’s even a thermal alarm that makes the bed uncomfortably warm in the morning — pushing you out to start your day. Out of all the cooling products that I have tested, Eight Sleep is the most effective accessory that keeps me cool all night. Pros: Automatically adjusts the temperature to keep you cool all night
Tracks your health vitals and sleep
If you sleep with a partner, each side is customizable Cons: It’s pricey, with additional subscription costs
Makes the mattress firmer, and you can feel the coils at times $2,295 at Eight Sleep
Caroline Igo/CNET Rest Evercool Cooling Comforter Favorite cooling comforter $199 at Rest Duvet The Rest Evercool Cooling Comforter won my top choice for the best overall cooling comforter of 2024. Out of all the comforters that I tested for that list, the one from Rest was extremely cool to the touch, lightweight, moisture-wicking and silky soft. My boyfriend and I use the Scandinavian sleep method, so while I sleep with a duvet, he sleeps with the Rest Evercool comforter. He likes that despite how lightweight it is, he never gets too cold or too hot. However, we aren’t the only ones that use this comforter to stay cool at night. “I’m a super hot sleeper, and the Rest Evercool Cooling Comforter has helped me sleep better and cooler. I love the silky feel and how this comforter stays cool throughout the night,” said Erica Devaney, wellness, home and broadband editorial director. Pros: Cool to the touch
Silky soft
Comes in six colors; three are reversible Cons: Easily slides off the bed and bedding
Doesn’t have anchor loops for a duvet cover $199 at Rest Duvet
CNET Wellness Editors’ Top Sleep Accessories for the Summer
