Through traditional mattress materials infused with gel particles, gel mattresses are designed to reduce overheating, a common problem in standard foam mattresses. Gel is intended to improve a mattress’ capability to regulate temperature, resulting in a cooler, more comfortable night’s sleep by efficiently drawing heat away from the body.
Best Gel Mattress
WinkBed
The WinkBed excels with four firmness options that suit virtually any weight and sleep position. Gel-infused foam balances contouring and cooling, making it our top pick for a gel mattress.
If you’re looking for a new gel mattress, we’ve done the legwork to help you navigate through the best gel mattresses available online. For other mattress types that performed well in our tests for temperature regulation, head over to our picks for the best cooling mattress. For the best all-around performers, see our guide to the best mattresses of the year.
The Best Gel Mattresses
Best Overall Mattress – WinkBed
Best Value Mattress – DreamCloud
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers – Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid
Most Comfortable Mattress – Layla Hybrid
Best Cooling Mattress – Bear Pro Hybrid
Read on to see why the following options made our top picks list of 2024’s best gel mattresses.
Sleep Doctor’s Picks
Best Overall Mattress
WinkBed
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
The WinkBed, with its hybrid design and four firmness options, stands out for offering personalized comfort to a broad spectrum of sleepers. Gel-infused polyfoam quilted within a plush Euro-top, it regulates temperature like a pro. Our testers found that it caters especially well to those prone to overheating. High-quality construction at a competitive price point make the WinkBed an easy choice.
Buy From WinkBed
Hot Sleepers
Medium Soft (4), Medium Firm (6), Firm (7), Firm (8)
Plush, Supportive Surface
Gel-Infused Quilted Polyfoam
Pros
- Four firmness options cater to every body type and sleep position
- Gel-infused polyfoam is great for hot sleepers
- Exceptional edge support and motion isolation enhance sleep quality for couples
Cons
- Higher price point may be a barrier for budget-conscious shoppers
- The substantial weight of the mattress can make setup and rotation challenging
- Some sleepers may find gel-infused polyfoam less contouring than traditional memory foam
Why We Like It
We were impressed by the WinkBed’s balanced hybrid construction, including four firmness options, that allows every sleeper to find a personalized level of firmness. Its standout feature, a gel-infused polyfoam, is quilted within a luxurious Euro-top to supplement the breezy airflow of the coil core. Coupled with robust edge support and effective motion isolation, the WinkBed emerges as an excellent choice for any sleeper.
How Does It Feel?
Our testing team reports that the WinkBed provides both softness and support, thanks to its hybrid design and gel-infused polyfoam. The mattress adapts to your body, providing immediate relief at pressure points, while the cooling gel works to keep you from overheating.
Best Value Mattress
DreamCloud Mattress
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
We chose the DreamCloud Mattress for its thoughtful construction at an affordable price. Our testing team appreciated its gel-infused memory foam layer and breathable coil system, which make it a haven for hot sleepers and side sleepers over 130 pounds. The medium firm (6) feel caters especially well to combination sleepers who change positions during the night.
Buy From DreamCloud
Combination Sleepers
Medium Firm (6)
Close-Conforming Foam
Cashmere Blend Cover, Gel-Infused Memory Foam
Pros
- Gel-infused memory foam provides optimal pressure relief and cooling
- A 365-night sleep trial and limited lifetime warranty offer peace of mind
- Highly praised by our team’s side sleepers who weigh over 130 pounds
Cons
- May not provide enough support for stomach and back sleepers over 230 pounds
- Might be too firm for side sleepers under 130 pounds
- Average edge support means the perimeter sinks a bit under pressure
Why We Like It
Our team liked the DreamCloud Mattress’ luxury components and cost-effective price point. We found the gel-infused memory foam to be cool to the touch and plush enough to provide deep pressure relief. Combined with a year-long sleep trial and a limited lifetime warranty, we think the DreamCloud Mattress is an exceptional value.
How Does It Feel?
When lying on the DreamCloud Mattress, our testers first noted the combination of softness from the memory foam and responsiveness from the coils. The gel-infused memory foam layer contours closely to relieve pressure points, while the breathable coil layer ensures that heat doesn’t build up around the body. The medium firm construction is neither too soft nor too firm and provides a comfortable sleep experience across our testers’ different body types and sleep positions.
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid blends the supportive bounce of innersprings with the cozy cradle of memory foam, making it a great match for side sleepers who want the contouring of foam without excessive heat. It’s also built with organic cotton and CertiPUR-US certified memory foam, making it a great choice for eco-conscious shoppers.
Buy From Saatva
Side Sleepers
Medium Firm (6)
Plush, Supportive Surface
Gel-Infused Memory Foam
Pros
- Performed exceptionally well for our team’s side sleepers of different body weights
- Stays cool thanks to cooling gel, airy foam, and breathable coils
- Constructed with organic cotton and CertiPUR-US certified foams for health-conscious sleepers
Cons
- May not offer adequate support for back and stomach sleepers over 230 pounds
- Premium materials and construction contribute to a higher price point
- Memory foam layer offers limited ease of movement for active sleepers
Why We Like It
Our team really enjoyed that the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid doesn’t make you choose between a luxury feel and eco-friendly materials. It also offers a unique twist on a gel mattress, as gel is only included in a section of foam positioned under the lumbar region. Side sleepers will find its medium firm feel perfect for snug support that doesn’t get too warm.
How Does It Feel?
Lying on the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid strikes a sweet spot between soft and firm, with a cushiony top that doesn’t sink too much and a supportive coil core that keeps the spine in alignment. Cooling gel-infused lumbar support, wave-designed memory foam, and breathable coils combat the heat associated with traditional memory foam mattresses.
Most Comfortable Mattress
Layla Hybrid
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Layla Hybrid stands out for its versatility and close-conforming feel, making it a top pick for couples with different needs looking to compromise on a mattress. The flippable design, offering both medium soft (4) and firm (7) sides, allows partners to try both sides and see what feels best. We found its copper-infused foam does a great job of staying cool, especially on the firm side, and its balanced support suits just about every type of sleeper.
Buy From Layla
Couples
Medium Soft (4), Firm (7)
Close-Conforming Foam
Copper-Infused Foam
Pros
- Copper-infused foam is designed to stay cool and resist odor-causing bacteria
- Durable design is expected to last longer than many single-sided mattresses
- Strong edge support increases the bed’s usable sleep surface
Cons
- Softer side retains more heat than the firmer side during our tests
- Flipping the mattress may require two people
- Firm side may be too hard for some sleepers under 130 pounds
Why We Like It
The Layla Hybrid has two unique features — a layer of copper-infused memory foam and a flippable design. The Layla Hybrid’s reversible construction impressed our team and gave our testers the ability to switch between two very different firmness levels. Copper-infused foam integrated on both sides lived up to its promise, keeping our testers cool and comfortable. The Layla Hybrid is a standout choice for those seeking a flexible gel mattress.
How Does It Feel?
The Layla Hybrid is essentially two beds in one. Flipping the mattress changes the sleeping experience entirely, from a plush, contouring hug on the medium soft side to a more supportive feel on the firm side. On both sides, our team found that the copper-infused foam provides a cooler sleep than traditional memory foam.
Best Cooling Mattress
Bear Pro Hybrid
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Bear Pro Hybrid stands out for its cooling gel and Celliant cover that provide the best temperature regulation we’ve found in any gel mattress. It offers firm support, making it well-suited for stomach, back, and combination sleepers. That said, it may be too firm for people who sleep exclusively on their sides and those preferring a softer feel.
Buy From Bear
Heavy Sleepers, Combination Sleepers
Firm (7)
Plush, Supportive Surface
Gel-Infused Memory Foam
Pros
- Gel-infused memory foam and Celliant cover work together for exceptional cooling
- Firm support excels for stomach and back sleepers
- CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD Gold certifications ensure safety and quality
Cons
- Firm construction doesn’t provide the deep contouring of memory foam
- Side sleepers under 230 pounds may find the surface too firm
- A higher price point than average foam mattresses – may be out of budget for some
Why We Like It
The Bear Pro Hybrid impressed our team with its advanced cooling features, firm support, and reinforced edges. It’s an excellent choice for stomach, back, and combination sleepers. The combination of gel-infused memory foam, Celliant fabric, and a breathable coil layer effectively pulls heat away from the body to prevent overheating.
How Does It Feel?
The Bear Pro Hybrid feels like a firm mattress should – stable and supportive, with a touch of plushness from its memory foam and polyfoam layers. Our team noticed the immediate cooling effect from the Celliant cover and gel-infused foam, which worked together to dissipate heat during testing.
Gel mattresses are a newer approach to delivering the benefits of all-foam beds, like motion isolation and pressure relief, while avoiding overheating. While the presence of gel can have an impact, it’s important to consider the construction of the bed as a whole. If heat only sort of bothers you, all-foam gel beds can be great. If you’re a really hot sleeper who needs the feel of foam, you may want a hybrid made with gel foam layers.
What Is a Gel Mattress?
Gel mattresses incorporate specialty gels into traditional mattress materials. The gel typically takes the form of small beads that are evenly dispersed throughout an upper foam mattress layer. Gel can also be incorporated into a mattress as a swirl, by being directly mixed with the foam in a marbled pattern.
Gel is most often incorporated into all-foam or hybrid mattresses, though it can sometimes be found in other mattress types. In an all-foam gel mattress, a gel-infused foam layer sits atop the comfort system. In a hybrid gel mattress, the layer of gel-infused foam is combined with a support core made of metal coils. Both designs combine the benefits of foam with the cooling effects of gel.
Benefits of a Gel Mattress
Gel works by drawing heat away from the body, reducing heat buildup and leaving the sleeper with a cooler sleep surface. By infusing gel into foam layers, gel mattresses are designed to offset the heat retention commonly experienced with traditional foam.
Aside from their cooling properties, most gel mattresses retain the benefits of sleeping on foam designs. Gel mattresses hug the body, dispersing weight evenly and contouring to the body’s curves. These mattresses excel in relieving pressure, isolating motion, and remaining virtually silent. We recommend gel mattresses for hot sleepers, couples who like the feel of foam, and anyone needing pressure relief without the extra warmth.
Gel mattresses aren’t usually the best option for shoppers on tight budgets, as the addition of speciality materials makes gel mattresses more expensive. They’re also typically heavier, which might make moving or rotating them more challenging.
Video: How to Keep Cool at Night
Things like your bedding, pajamas, and the temperature in your room can all make a big difference in sleeping cooler at night — but one thing that you may be overlooking is your mattress. Watch this video as our sleep experts explain what you should look for in a cooling mattress.
What to Consider in a Gel Mattress
After researching and testing dozens of gel mattresses, our team came up with several important factors to consider when shopping for a gel mattress.
Mattress Type
Most gel mattresses are all-foam designs, with the uppermost layer of foam infused with cooling gel to combat the foam’s tendency to retain heat. Hybrid models sometimes also incorporate gel within foam top layers. In hybrids, a gel infusion adds to the cooling benefits of the mattress’s coil support core, making hybrid gel mattresses a great choice for those who like the responsiveness of springs but want the cooling and contouring properties of gel-infused foam.
Spinal Alignment
Healthy spinal alignment is crucial for improving sleep posture, preventing pain, and ensuring a good night’s sleep. A mattress should be matched to your sleeping position, body weight, and firmness preference to maintain neutral alignment and support the spine. To suit different body types and sleep positions, gel mattresses come in a wide range of firmness levels.
Motion Isolation
Motion isolation prevents movement on one part of the bed from being felt on another. Gel mattresses, especially those made with memory foam, tend to excel at this, making them ideal for couples and people who share a bed with pets or children.
Price
Because of the additional materials and added complexity of manufacturing a gel mattress, gel mattresses generally cost more than standard foam mattresses. The average price of a queen size gel mattress falls between $900 and $1,800, but can vary widely based on factors like size, brand, and the specific materials used in its construction.
Off-Gassing
Off-gassing refers to the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from new mattresses. VOCs are produced when the mattress is manufactured. Like other types of foam mattresses, gel mattresses can release VOCs for the first few days after they’re unwrapped, and this process is usually accompanied by a mild chemical smell.
Certifications
Certifications speak to a mattress’s materials, safety, environmental impact, and quality of construction.
- CertiPUR-US: CertiPUR-US certification ensures that foam in mattresses is made without certain chemicals that are known to be harmful to humans. It also demonstrates that the mattress meets specific environmental and health standards.
- GREENGUARD Gold: Mattresses with this certification meet strict standards for indoor emissions, reducing the sleeper’s exposure to chemicals and ensuring these mattresses are safe for inside the home.
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100: This label indicates that every textile used in the mattress has been tested for over 1,000 harmful substances.
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): GOTS-certified mattresses are made with organic materials and their production meets high environmental and labor standards.
- Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS): Specifically for natural latex products, GOLS certification means latex in the mattress is organic, sourced from sustainable farming methods, and that the manufacturing processes are fair and ethical.
Is a Gel Mattress Right for You?
Deciding if a gel mattress suits your needs means weighing its unique benefits against your personal preferences.
Gel Mattresses
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Discover More Mattress Solutions
Expand your search for the perfect mattress by browsing our catalog of buying guides.
How We Test
Our approach to reviewing gel mattresses comes from our evidence-based testing methodology. In our Seattle lab, we measure how well each mattress performs in areas crucial to a good night’s sleep, like temperature regulation, pressure relief, and motion isolation. As part of this process, we use advanced tools as well as direct feedback from the team.
From the coolest to the most supportive, only mattresses that excel in our real-world tests made our list of the best gel mattresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gel mattresses are designed to reduce the buildup of heat, so sleeping on one feels cool and comfortable. Since gel is nearly always incorporated into layers of foam, you can also expect to feel the signature contour and pressure relief characteristic of a foam-based mattress.
The drawbacks of gel mattresses include a higher price point compared to traditional foam models and a heavier weight due to the added materials. Some extra hot sleepers may find that the cooling effect of gel isn’t sufficient for their needs.
Whether a gel mattress is better than a spring mattress depends on a sleeper’s needs and preferences. Gel mattresses, particularly those made with memory foam, offer better motion isolation and contouring support than innerspring models. In contrast, spring mattresses provide more responsiveness and better airflow.
Gel mattresses typically last between 6 and 7 years, which is similar to other foam mattresses. To maximize the lifespan of a foam mattress, place it on a supportive base and care for it according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
A gel mattress can be an excellent choice for side sleepers. Gel-infused foams contour to the body and relieve pressure on the hips and shoulders. The gel infusion also helps regulate temperature, making it a comfortable choice for side sleepers who need both contoured support and a cooler sleep environment.
About The Author
Staff Writer, Product Testing Team
Garen is a health and lifestyle content creator. She realized the importance of sleep when her children made getting a good night’s rest more challenging. Garen is always learning something new about the wide world of sleep and sleep products. Married with two girls, ages 7 and 11, she is a book nerd and a lover of pop music, travel, and the Pacific Northwest.
- POSITION: Side Sleeper
- TEMPERATURE: Neutral Sleeper
- CHRONOTYPE: Wolf
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