7 Best Cooling Comforters for Hot Sleepers, as Tested by Our Editors
Updated: Jul. 15, 2024
Snuggle up without breaking a sweat, thanks to the best cooling comforters that provide comfort even in the summer.
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Many people find it challenging to sleep when they feel overheated, especially when their favorite comforter starts to feel less cozy and more suffocating. If that scenario sounds familiar, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a comforter on your bed at all—it just means you should switch to a cooling comforter instead.
These lightweight comforters usually have temperature-regulating technology and are made with breathable materials. They’re also available in down or down-alternative options and aren’t bulky and heavy like typical comforters. To find a quality summer-ready comforter, look for those qualities, as well as a product’s grams per square meter (GSM). Anything with a GSM above 700 is better for the winter months, so consider a GSM between 200 and 700 for summer. Of course, if you tend to be a hot sleeper in every season, a cooling comforter is a smart year-round choice. Pair it with the best cooling bed sheets and cooling pillows to stop waking up sweaty and finally get some proper shut-eye.
We put a range of the best cooling comforters to the test to get real-life feedback on how they performed for hot sleepers. The results are in, and these are the top options to pretty much guarantee a more comfortable snooze.
Best overall cooling comforter
Brooklinen Down Comforter
Pros:
- Filled with real feathers
- Baffle-box construction to prevent bunching
- Fluffy and soft
- Sturdy duvet loops on each corner
- Oeko-Tex certified
Cons:
- Dry-clean only
What makes Brooklinen’s down comforter the best overall comforter? For one, it makes you feel like you’re snuggled up in a cloud, thanks to its breathable down filling and 100% sateen cotton outer layer. It also has 650 fill power, so it feels both cozy and cooling—the ideal combo for hot sleepers or people living in warm climates who don’t want to compromise on comfort.
“Coming from a Floridian whose partner keeps the thermostat at 80+, cooling bedding is a must for me, especially as we head into the sticky-muggy summer season where temperatures climb even at night,” says our content director of affiliate, Nicole Doster. “The comforter is lighter and thinner than other lightweight duvets we’ve tried. On cooler nights, I even found myself adding additional layers of blankets.”
Doster says the fact that this comforter is made with real down feathers is what makes it, especially cool. “I love that it’s real down and not an artificial fill, as I find that sometimes that can be too warm at night,” she explains. And Brooklinen has managed to strike the perfect balance when it comes to the amount of filling. According to Doster, this comforter has a super-fluffy and soft feel, but isn’t overly stuffed to the point that it’s too warm. Plus, this lightweight summer comforter is made using baffle-box construction, which means the down fill won’t clump up and will stay evenly distributed.
One thing to note is that this comforter is only meant to be dry-cleaned, though you can spot-clean it as needed. Doster said stains came out easily with soap and water, plus a little citric acid for the tougher ones—but keep in mind that less is more. “With down duvets, I’m always careful not to get the down feathers too wet because I find that the feathers clump together and can lose their shape,” she explains. So rather than bank on tossing this comforter in your washing machine and hoping for the best or traipsing back and forth to the dry cleaners, Doster recommends investing in a duvet cover, which is easier to clean and will match your preferred style.
Best value cooling comforter
Utopia Bedding Comforter
Pros:
- Affordable
- Box stitching to prevent bunching
- Offered in multiple sizes and colors
- Holds up well in the wash
- Oeko-Tex certified
Cons:
- Very thin
Budget-friendly comforters don’t have to look cheap. In fact, with its box-stitch design and plush appearance, this down-alternative comforter from Utopia Bedding looks incredibly chic. It has a 300 GSM, making it the ideal summer bedding, and nobody will ever guess that you didn’t break the bank buying it. Associate editor, Mariah Thomas, quickly decided you can rest easy (pun intended) that this cooling comforter delivers on all its promises.
“I was pleasantly surprised by how incredibly comfy the comforter was! It’s so lightweight and soft to the touch. I initially thought I’d need something heavier, but it’s just perfect for those cooler nights indoors and even cozy enough for the warmer ones,” says Thomas, who normally gravitates toward heavier comforters. “It feels like I’m snuggling up with a teddy bear. No exaggeration!”
In addition to spending roughly 168 hours snuggling up with this lightweight comforter, Thomas put this comforter through two wash cycles. She found that it held up great, remained soft and didn’t lose any of its plushness. And yes, an inexpensive comforter really can have a luxurious, plush look, says Thomas who selected this comforter in beige. “When you take it out of its packaging, you might think “it’s too thin” (which was my initial thought), but once you feel it and actually put it on your bed, you’ll realize how perfect it is for the warm and cool months,” she says. “Looking at it, you can tell it’s soft.”
Anyone looking for an all-season comforter will find this budget-friendly pick to be a winner, thanks to its softness, breathability and durability. Thomas adds, “It was well worth the price and it’s one of my favorite comforters for spring, fall and hopefully winter.”
Best cooling comforter for color selection
LaCrosse Premium Down Light Warmth Comforter
Pros:
- Over a dozen colors to choose from
- Extremely lightweight, yet still plush
- Four warmth levels
- Made with 100% RDS-certified down and feathers
- Oeko-Tek certified
Cons:
- Some colors tend to sell out
Looking to add a colorful flair to your bedroom? We’ve got you covered—literally. The LaCrosse down- and feather-filled cotton twill comforter comes in not one but 17 color options (!!!) ranging from white to russet, smoke blue to forest green and everything in between. You can also choose from four different weights, and you’ll want the light option for the summer months. When paired with a set of cooling sheets, this lightweight summer comforter is a total game changer for hot sleepers, according to Sydney Manning, editorial coordinator.
“I run hot at night and usually I have to fall asleep with an ice pack on my forehead,” says Manning. “But since I’ve been using this comforter and the sheets, I haven’t even had to use an ice pack or keep the windows open.”
In spite of being a hot sleeper, Manning loves cozying up in a lush bed, however, finding bedding which allows her to do that comfortably has proven to be a challenge—until now, that is. She describes this comforter as being very lightweight and noted that you can feel how well it flows in the air when making the bed. And although it’s so light, she describes it as being very plush. “This comforter is the best of both worlds,” Manning says.
Another thing that landed this down comforter on our list of favorites is the fact that it’s machine washable. Manning put this comforter through one cold cycle and let it air dry. She found that it held up well and came out good as new.
As added bonuses, this comforter is ethically sourced, hypoallergenic and Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified, a voluntary standard that incentivizes the down and feather industry to treat ducks and geese more humanely, so your purchase will make you feel good in a wide variety of ways.
Best organic cooling comforter
Coyuchi Diamond-Stitched Organic Cotton Comforter
Pros:
- Made using Fair Trade and organic fabrics
- Comes in sustainable packaging
- Has a relaxed look
- Gets softer after washing
- GOTS certified
Cons:
- Pricey
- Not plush
If you’re all about organic, you’re in the right place. This lightweight Coyuchi comforter is made from 100% organic cotton, has 360 GSM organic batting and is packaged in a reusable organic cotton bag. Its shell fabric is Fair Trade Certified and approved by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which limits the use of toxins. And since it’s more of a quilt than a comforter, it offers a lighter and cooler sleeping experience, according to our tester, Caroline Stanko.
“The comforter is flat and quilt-like, so it sort of sat off your body depending on how you were laying,” she explains. “The flat filling was weighted, but wasn’t plush.” Despite its flatness, Stanko was impressed by the quality, comfort and breathability of this comforter and deemed it worthy of its luxurious price point. “The blanket is cooling, yet weighted, which is just amazing,” she says. “Honestly, it’s worth it for the price.”
Although it’s not plush, this comforter will add some style to your space, thanks to its diamond-stitch design and relaxed, wrinkled look. “The comforter is made of organic cotton filling and the cover of something the company calls “Crinkled Percale” for a relaxed, wrinkled look, but in a good way,” explains Stanko. And she only expects that to get better over time.
After washing this comforter per the manufacturer’s instructions, Stanko found that the comforter lost the initial scratchiness commonly associated with cotton goods and didn’t see any signs of distress around the edges. “Once washed, it felt softer, and I imagine it will get deliciously soft and relaxed as time goes on, like a good T-shirt,” she says. That’s great news, considering you may find yourself washing your bedding more frequently during the hot summer months. Pair it with some organic cotton sheets and you’re good to go.
Best textured cooling comforter
Sunday Citizen Snug Cooling Comforter
Pros:
- Textured microfiber on top and smooth viscose from bamboo on the bottom
- All-in-one design
- Cozy, yet cooling
- Thermo-regulating properties
- Holds up well in the wash
Cons:
- Had a lingering chemical smell upon arrival
- Most expensive comforter on our list
Looking for something to keep you cozy and cool at the same time? Look no further, because Sunday Citizen’s cooling comforter offers the best of both worlds. This comforter has a soft and fluffy microfiber top layer that gives it a plush and luxurious feel, and a bottom layer made of viscose from bamboo which feels cool against your skin.
Miranda Manier, associate editor, refers to this comforter as a “silver bullet solution” for hot sleepers. “I typically use a duvet with a linen cover, and as someone who often gets really hot in the middle of the night, I often wake up sweaty with fabric sticking to my skin,” she says. “This comforter provides weight and comfort when I’m sleeping without making me too warm.” That’s because this comforter has unique thermo-regulating properties, which the brand refers to as Tones of Cool technology, that draws excess heat away from your body.
This comforter comes in two sizes and three neutral colors, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. According to Manier, it made her bed appear inviting, bright and comfortable. However, she does recommend washing it before use. She shares, “I would advise giving this blanket two washes upon receiving it, as a kind of chemical smell lingered on it at first.” That being said, Manier says that after two washes, the comforter was still like new. And though this is the priciest comforter on our list, Manier insists that it’s worth the price. “For how effective its cooling effect is and how quality the blanket feels, I would say that’s [$360] a fair price.” Additionally, given the fact that this comforter has an all-in-one design, meaning it is designed to replace your duvet, duvet cover and top sheet, we have to agree.
best down-alternative cooling comforter
Saatva Lightweight Down-Alternative Comforter
Pros:
- Plush, yet breathable, down alternative
- Cool to the touch
- 100% hypoallergenic
- Holds up well in the wash
- Drapes nicely on deep mattresses
Cons:
- Had a noticeable scent upon arrival
A good down-alternative comforter can offer the same plush feel as real down. This down-alternative comforter from Saatva looks and feels like the real deal and keeps you cool even on the warmest nights. “Synthetic materials aren’t always the most breathable,” says senior shopping editor, Katie Bandurski. “Saatva got this one right because their alternative is, in my opinion, better than the real thing.”
Bandurski, who spent over 120 hours curled up under this hypoallergenic blanket, noticed its cooling capabilities right away. “On a particularly warm spring night, I was kicking back the covers and the duvet on top felt very cool to the touch,” she says. And while she points out that it doesn’t stay cold all night long, it’s still super breathable.
In addition to its cooling capabilities, Bandurski was impressed by how this comforter looked and fit on her bed. “It feels like a high-end hotel duvet, but better because it hasn’t been washed 500 times in a scouring detergent,” she says. She also noted that the subtle wave pattern makes it a suitable plain white comforter to leave on your bed with or without a duvet cover. And what really delighted Bandurski was how well this comforter fit her extra-deep mattress. She shares, “There’s plenty of room to go around, which I appreciated. Some duvets are on the small side, and there’s nothing worse than fighting for blankets in the middle of the night.”
Just be prepared to wash this comforter before use. According to Bandurski, this comforter had a noticeable scent right out of the box. “It wasn’t bad, per se, but I definitely wanted to run it through the wash before putting it snuggled up against my face in bed,” she explains. Fortunately, the scent completely disappeared after the first wash. Though it took some time to dry completely, Bandurski shares that it held up beautifully after going through her washer and dryer.
Best cooling comforter on Amazon
Linenspa Down-Alternative Comforter
Pros:
- Has over 97,000 five-star ratings
- Affordable
- Eight corner and side loops for your duvet
- Super soft and lightweight
- Available in six colors and eight sizes
Cons:
- Quality of the fabric isn't on par with other high-end options
With thousands of options to choose from, finding the best products on Amazon can feel daunting. But don’t worry—we’ve saved you time and trouble by researching and testing one of Amazon’s top cooling comforters. This Linenspa down-alternative comforter boasts over 97,000 five-star reviews, so we had Kristine Gasbarre, senior editor, put it to the test to see if it lives up to its hype. Spoiler alert: it does!
“When summer comes, I expect this will be THE perfect comforter,” says Gasbarre, who tested this comforter during several warm spring nights and an afternoon nap. She describes this comforter as lightweight, cushy, soft and ideal for everyday use. It features box-quilting to ensure even distribution of the fill. And while Gasbarre did notice some clumping when she first opened the package, it evened out by the next day.
This comforter is offered in six colors and eight sizes, including oversized queen and oversized king, with prices ranging from $30 to $75. Gasbarre points out that although the quality of the fabric isn’t on par with other high-end options, it seems substantial enough that it will withstand washing well. “I don’t worry about it falling apart or threads coming loose,” she says. All in all, this is a good lightweight comforter for summertime and, Gasbarre adds, it may also be a good year-round comforter in warmer parts of the country where the nights don’t turn too chilly.
What to look for when buying a cooling comforter
When searching for a cooling comforter, see if it features cooling technology that draws excess heat away from your body. Don’t forget to consider material, too. Look for comforters stuffed with lightweight fill materials, such as microfiber, down-alternative and breathable natural materials. If you love the plush feel of a down comforter, be sure to check the fill power. High-fill power provides excellent insulation without a ton of weight, but it’s more costly than many other comforters. If you prefer synthetic comforters, check the fill weight. The lower the weight, the lighter the comforter and the cooler you’re likely to be.
In addition to weight, you should also consider breathability when buying a cooling comforter. Look for ones made of natural fabrics, like cotton and bamboo, which allow air to flow through their weave. Moisture-wicking synthetic fabrics, like Tencell, are also an outstanding choice, particularly if you sweat while you sleep.
Why you should trust us
We know how aggravating it can be to get to sleep when you’re uncomfortable, especially when you’re a hot sleeper. That’s why our shopping team has personally tested mattresses, mattress toppers, sheets, blankets, pillows, bed cooling systems and many other products specifically tailored to helping hot sleepers get some rest. Our testers spent many nights (and naps) sleeping with these cooling comforters to see if they truly made a difference when compared to their everyday bedding.
How we found the best cooling comforters
To decide which cooling comforters to test, our team analyzed the offerings from top bedding brands, based on their cooling technology, materials and breathability. We also combed through thousands of customer reviews to see how they fared in real life. From there, our shopping editors and testers spent 822 hours sleeping with the cooling comforters to assess if they kept them comfortable and prevented them from overheating on warm evenings. They also took the time to wash and dry them to see how they held up through cleaning. From there, we narrowed down the options to the seven best cooling comforters.
FAQ
What is the lightest material for a comforter?
The lightest materials for comforters are cotton, bamboo and certain synthetic fabrics. Cotton is highly breathable, but comforters made of this fabric aren’t as fluffy as ones made from down. Bamboo is another outstanding natural option. In addition to being lightweight and breathable, it also wicks moisture away from the body, making it ideal for sweaty sleepers. Some synthetic fabrics, like polyester, are lightweight and highly affordable, however, they have a tight knit that restricts airflow and traps heat. If staying cool is a priority, splurge on moisture-wicking synthetics like Tencel.
What kind of comforter is best for night sweats?
The absolute best comforters for night sweats are ones made with moisture-wicking materials that draw heat and sweat away from the body. Bamboo is a natural fabric that does an excellent job of regulating body temperatures while you sleep. On the synthetic side, materials like Tencel have been specifically designed to keep you cool. It’s also important to note that natural fill materials like down and cotton absorb and retain moisture while synthetic materials don’t.
Additional reporting by Maryn Liles.
Originally Published: June 03, 2024
