Your ultimate guide to getting a restful night when temperatures soar, with cooling products from pillow to pyjamas and fans
We all know the frustration of still being awake in the early hours, having flipped our pillows to the cool side for the fifth time, kicked off the duvet and repositioned ourselves over and over, only to find sleep still out of reach. While we spend all winter dreaming of warmer weather, heatwaves have a habit of turning our bedrooms into saunas and our sleep routines upside down.
The good news is you don’t have to suffer through sticky nights and groggy mornings. From the latest cooling tech to the bedding sleep experts swear by, there are plenty of ways to create a more comfortable sleep environment. Here’s everything you need to know…
Cooling tech
Fans have come a long way from the noisy models many of us grew up with. Today’s models have sleep-focused cooling technology ranging from smart purifying to clever air conditioning.
Dyson Find+Follow Purifier Cool, £549.99
Find and follow tech means this bladeless model can detect where you are in the room and direct purified airflow towards you, even when you move. App-controlled, so you don’t have to get out of bed to change the airflow settings, it cools and purifies air.
Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Misting Fan, £129.99
Easy to move around your home, it can be plugged in for all-night use or charged for up to 12 hours of cordless cooling runtime. Its key feature is a 150ml water tank for an ultra-fine mist on demand.
Dreo Smart 3-in-1 Portable Air Conditioner, £599.99
If you’re desperately trying to get your hands on an AC unit, this one is in stock and can ship in just a couple of days. An initial splurge, you’ll thank yourself when the next heatwave hits!
Bush Digital Grey Tower Fan, £55
No added frills, but with three speed settings and remote-controlled oscillation, it does the job for a reasonable price. Plus, reviews of it are great.
Mattresses and more
When temperatures climb, swapping to duvets, mattresses and toppers that allow for enhanced airflow can make a big difference to your sleep.
Tempur Pro SmartCool Mattress, from £1,499
Head of Lifestyle loves: “This mattress has been a godsend– it’s really helped with my peri-menopausal sweats and lower back pain. For those who are serious about slumber, this is the ultimate buy. With smart-cool technology woven into the zip-off, washable cover, it absorbs excess heat, keeping you feeling fresh all night.”
Simba Hybrid Mattress, from £699
Shopping Lead loves: “If you think a mattress can’t make a difference in a heatwave, think again. I’ve been so thankful for my Simba Hybric this month – its breathable cover and graphite-infused Simbatex foam mean 5x more airflow than a memory foam mattress. Plus, the clever Aerocoil microsprings work to make sure your partner’s tossing and turning won’t wake you.”
Dunelm Fogarty Temperature Balance 4.5 Tog Summer Duvet, from £32
Featuring a hydrocool-treated microfibre cover, it regulates temperature and helps moisture evaporate more quickly.
Bedding upgrades
If your sheets and pyjamas leave you waking up feeling clammy, their fabric could be the culprit. Synthetic materials tend to trap heat and moisture, whereas natural and moisture-wicking fibres help keep skin cooler throughout the night.
Tencel: Made from wood pulp, it’s ultra-breathable, moisture-wicking and naturally cool to the touch. It also resists bacteria.
Bamboo: Soft, lightweight and highly absorbent, bamboo fibres help draw moisture away from the skin and dry quickly.
Silk: Naturally temperature regulating, it helps keep you cool when it’s hot, and it’s also wonderfully gentle on sensitive skin.
Hit the sheets
Simba Cool Linen Bedding Set, from £219
Shopping Lead loves: “I made the change to this set from my old cotton sheets and immediately slept better! Breathable tencel fibres for moisture-wicking and heat-regulation make this a luxurious pick for the summer months.”
M&S Stay Cool Lyocell Rich Bedding Set, from £45
With lyocell-rich fabric, this bedding bundle combines natural breathability with a smooth, fluid feel.
Bedsure Rayon Derived from Bamboo Duvet Cover Set, from £29.99
Made from 100% rayon derived from bamboo, this silky set offers enhanced breathability and reduced nighttime humidity compared with traditional cotton.
True or false?
Sleeping naked keeps you cooler – Not always. Breathable sleepwear can actually help wick sweat away from the skin more effectively.
Putting pillowcases in the freezer works – Temporarily. It’s blissful for a few minutes, but the cooling effect doesn’t last very long.
A cold shower before bed is best – Surprisingly not, say experts. Very cold water can cause the body to retain heat afterwards. A lukewarm shower is generally more effective.
Ice in front of a fan cools the room – Sort of. It can create a cooler breeze locally, but it won’t significantly lower the temperature of the whole room.
Hydration affects sleep quality – Absolutely. Dehydration can contribute to headaches, restlessness and overheating.
