You toss off the doona, flip your pillow, roll to the cool side… and still feel like you’re melting.
Night sweats are bad enough without your bed making it worse. If you sleep on memory foam, it’s fair to wonder if your mattress could be part of the problem.
Key Takeaways
- Memory foam can trap heat, especially in older or denser models. If you’ve ever wondered if memory foam is hot to sleep on, the answer depends on the design and materials used.
- Modern memory foam mattresses with gel infusions, breathable covers, and open-cell construction are much cooler and more comfortable in summer.
- Simple changes like cooling toppers, natural-fibre bedding, or breathable pillows can reduce night sweats. If those don’t help, it may be time to consider a latex, hybrid, or pocket spring mattress for improved airflow.
In this guide, we’ll explain why memory foam can trap heat, how modern designs are becoming more breathable, and what you can do to cool things down. Even in the middle of summer.
You’ll also find tips on how to pick a mattress that won’t leave you sweating through your sheets.
Jump to a section:
- Why Memory Foam Feels Hot
- Is a Memory Foam Mattress Good for Summer?
- Tips to Sleep Cooler on Memory Foam
- Mattress Alternatives If You Sleep Hot
- Final Thoughts
Why Memory Foam Feels Hot
Memory foam is all about comfort. It hugs your shape and eases pressure. But for warm sleepers, that snug feel can sometimes come with extra heat.
When you lie down, memory foam softens in response to your body weight and temperature. It moulds to your shape and holds it. But that close contact reduces airflow, which means your body heat has nowhere to go. The warmth gets trapped, and over time, it builds.
What is a memory foam mattress made of? Traditional, dense styles tend to trap more heat than other mattresses. Without airflow, the surface can feel stuffy. This is especially true during summer.
Why does temperature matter in sleep?
Your body temperature affects how deeply you sleep. Cooler environments support melatonin production and longer sleep cycles. When you overheat, sleep feels lighter and more disrupted.
One study notes that “the bed climate temperature [is] critical for maintaining sleep as well as determining sleep quality.” If your mattress holds too much heat, it could be standing in the way of both.
That’s why some people struggle with memory foam on warm nights. It’s not just warmth. It’s the way heat gets in the way of quality rest.
Is a Memory Foam Mattress Good for Summer?
A lot of sleepers wonder if memory foam is just too hot for summer.
Traditional memory foam is known for holding onto heat. It softens as it absorbs your body warmth and then moulds to your shape, which is great for support and pressure relief.
But in summer, that same snug feel can start to feel like you’re sinking into a warm sponge.
So, What’s Changed?
Memory foam has come a long way in recent years. Many newer styles are designed to help you stay cooler through the night. The three biggest updates are:
✅ Cooling gel: Infused into the foam to draw heat away from your body
✅ Open-cell structure: Creates tiny air pockets so heat and air can move more freely
✅ Breathable covers: Let air circulate around the surface instead of locking in warmth
Each one works a little differently, but together they help manage temperature better than traditional foam.
Can You Use Memory Foam in Summer?
Yes, as long as you’re not sleeping on an outdated mattress model.
If you’re buying or upgrading to a cooling memory foam mattress, keep an eye out for these features:
✅ Gel-infused or graphite-infused foam layers
✅ Ventilated or open-cell foam design
✅ Moisture-wicking or breathable fabric covers
These additions make memory foam far more comfortable during warmer months.
Tips to Sleep Cooler on Memory Foam
So, your mattress is hot, don’t ditch it just yet.
These fixes can help turn your hot bed into a cooler, more breathable sleep setup.
Try a Cooling Mattress Topper
Add a breathable mattress topper with an open-cell construction to reduce trapped heat.
This extra layer creates space between your body and the dense foam underneath. It’s one of the easiest ways to cool your bed without replacing it entirely.
Switch to Breathable Sheets
Choose bed sheets made from natural fibres like cotton, linen, or bamboo to let heat escape faster.
Avoid thicker weaves and synthetics like polyester, which hold onto warmth and sweat. Percale cotton is especially good for airflow on summer nights.
Add a Cooling Layer to Your Pillow
Adding a cooling layer can make a noticeable difference. These cooling pillow overlays are designed to improve airflow and reduce trapped heat around your head and neck.
Some cooling mattress overlays come with gel infusions or moisture-wicking fabrics for extra relief on warm nights.
Keep the Air Moving
Position a fan to blow air across your mattress or open a window to let cooler air in.
You don’t need to drop the room temperature by much. Even a slight breeze can help stop warm air from pooling around your body.
Wear Breathable Sleepwear
Go to bed in loose pyjamas made from moisture-wicking natural fabrics.
Tight, synthetic clothing can trap heat and leave you waking up clammy. Cotton or Tencel fabric lets your skin breathe and helps regulate your body temperature overnight.
Stay Hydrated
Drink water throughout the day and keep a glass nearby at night.
Hydration helps your body stay cool while you sleep. If you tend to wake up warm and thirsty, you might already be running low.
Mattress Alternatives If You Sleep Hot
If you’ve tried cooling toppers, sheets, and pillow fixes but still wake up sweaty, it might be time to choose a different type of mattress altogether.
Here are a few options worth considering:
| Mattress Type | Why It’s Cooler | Feel & Features |
| Latex | Naturally breathable with good airflow through the material | Springy, responsive, and often includes pinhole or ventilated layers |
| Hybrid | Pocket springs allow air to circulate beneath the foam comfort layers | Balanced feel with contouring and bounce; look for cooling top fabrics or gels |
| Pocket Spring | Individual springs create airflow between coils, reducing heat build-up | Bouncy and supportive with less heat retention than foam-based mattresses |
| Adjustable Firmness | Custom layers or flippable sides allow airflow and seasonal comfort adjustments | Flexible support; great if your preferences shift or you share a bed |
Latex Mattresses
Latex is naturally breathable and doesn’t trap heat like dense foam.
It has a springier, more responsive feel and tends to sleep cooler all year round. Some latex mattresses also come with pinhole designs or ventilated layers for extra airflow. If you like pressure relief but want better temperature control, this is a solid option.
Hybrid Mattresses
A hybrid mattress combines foam and pocket springs, giving you airflow and support in one.
The springs create space for heat to move out, while the foam layers add comfort and contouring. Look for hybrids with cooling fabrics or gel-infused top layers if you sleep warm.
Pocket Spring Mattresses
Pocket springs mattresses offer better airflow than foam, helping hot sleepers stay cooler through the night.
Each spring moves independently, creating natural gaps that allow heat to escape. This design keeps the mattress breathable without losing support. If you like bounce and structure but don’t want a bed that holds onto heat, a pocket spring mattress is a great choice.
Adjustable Firmness Mattresses
Some mattresses let you customise firmness and airflow zones.
These can include swappable layers or flippable designs with different feels on each side. If you’re sharing a bed or your needs change by season, this type gives you more flexibility to stay cool.
Final Thoughts
So, is memory foam hot to sleep on? It can be. Especially if you’re dealing with an older model or heavy bedding.
But with the right upgrades, it’s possible to enjoy that cushioned, contouring feel without the heat.
At Ecosa, our modern memory foam mattresses are built for comfort and temperature control. Pair one with our cooling bamboo sheets, breathable toppers, or airflow-friendly pillows and you’ve got a sleep setup that stays cosy in winter and cooler in summer.