Cool+ Mattress Topper vs. Cool+ Sheet Set: Which Cooling Upgrade Should You Buy First?

Quick answer

If you wake up hot and sweaty, buy the Cool+ Mattress Topper first. Its Q-max 0.48 cool-touch fabric and 3D baffle box construction address the heat trapped in your mattress, which sheets alone cannot fix. If your mattress already sleeps temperature-neutral and you just want a cooler surface feel, the Cool+ Sheet Set is the smarter first purchase.

You are overheating at night and ready to spend money on cooling bedding. The two most obvious upgrades are the Cool+ Mattress Topper and the Cool+ Sheet Set. They cool in different ways, and buying the wrong one first can leave you still waking up damp.

This guide compares what each product actually does, who should buy which one first, and how to layer them for the best result. It also covers sizing and fit details so you do not order the wrong size.

How the Cool+ Mattress Topper cools you

The Cool+ Mattress Topper uses a cool-touch fabric with a Q-max score of 0.48 out of 0.50. Q-max measures how cool a material feels to the touch, so a higher number means a stronger instant cooling sensation. That coolness reaches you through your fitted sheet, so you feel it even with sheets on top. The topper also has a 3D baffle box construction that distributes support and keeps the fill from shifting, plus cooling gel. If your mattress itself traps heat, this is the layer that changes the equation.

A topper also adds a comfort layer. If your mattress is too firm or has pressure points, the baffle box design helps fill the gaps around your shoulders and hips. The tradeoff is that a topper adds height and cost. It also needs a fitted sheet deep enough to cover both the topper and the mattress, so measure your mattress depth before ordering.

• Q-max 0.48 means a strong cool-to-the-touch feel, not active refrigeration.
• Cooling gel and baffle boxes work together to reduce heat buildup and fill migration.
• Check your fitted sheet pocket depth: topper plus mattress often exceeds standard sheet depths.

How the Cool+ Sheet Set cools you

The Cool+ Sheet Set uses an exclusive nylon/spandex blend called CoolPhiber fabric. The brand describes it as silky smooth and remarkably cool on your skin, staying cool all night. That is a surface-level cooling effect: the fabric feels cool when you touch it and helps you avoid the sticky, heat-trapping feel of standard cotton or microfiber sheets. For many hot sleepers, changing the sheet is the fastest way to stop waking up sweaty, because sheets are the layer directly against your skin.

Cooling sheets cannot change what is underneath them. If your mattress retains heat or your room is warm, the sheets will feel cool at first but may warm up as your body heat builds. They also do not add cushioning or support. If you need pressure relief, a topper is the better first buy. The Cool+ Sheet Set is available in multiple colors and sizes, including a Twin XL option.

• CoolPhiber fabric is a nylon/spandex blend designed for a cool, silky feel.
• Sheets address the sleep surface you touch, not the heat stored in the mattress.
• Wash and dry according to care instructions to preserve the cool feel.

Fit and sizing: what to check before you buy

Fit is the most common reason a cooling upgrade disappoints. For the Cool+ Mattress Topper, confirm your mattress size and depth. The topper is available by size, and a topper that is too small will slide or leave edges exposed. If you use a topper, your fitted sheet needs a deep enough pocket to cover both layers. Measure the combined height of your mattress plus the topper, then compare that to your sheet's pocket depth. If your current sheets barely fit the mattress alone, plan to size up or choose a sheet set with generous pockets.

For the Cool+ Sheet Set, check the size chart for your mattress dimensions. Twin XL is a common college and adjustable-base size, and the Cool+ Sheet Set - Twin XL exists specifically for that fit. If you have a split adjustable bed, you may need two Twin XL sets rather than one king set. Also confirm your pillow size: standard, queen, or king pillowcases are not interchangeable.

• Measure mattress depth plus topper height before choosing a fitted sheet.
• Twin XL is not the same as Twin; order the correct size for adjustable bases and dorm beds.
• If you add a topper later, expect to replace or upgrade your fitted sheet.

Cost and layering: buy in the right order

The Cool+ Mattress Topper is the larger investment. The Cool+ Sheet Set is the lower-cost entry point. If your budget only allows one upgrade right now, start with the layer that solves your main problem. Night sweats and a hot mattress point to the topper. General stuffiness and a desire for a cooler, silkier surface point to the sheets. You can add the other later, and they are designed to work together: the topper's cool-touch fabric can be felt through a fitted sheet, and the Cool+ Sheet Set adds a cool surface on top.

One practical note: if you already own a mattress protector, it sits between the mattress and the topper or sheets. A thick, non-breathable protector can reduce the cooling effect of either product. The Ultra Tech Waterproof Mattress Protector uses a breathable Lulltra fabric with a waterproof polyurethane backing, which is a better pairing than a heavy vinyl protector. If your protector feels hot or crinkly, that may be the real culprit.

• Buy the topper first if your mattress is the heat source.
• Buy the sheets first if your mattress is fine but the surface feels hot and sticky.
• A breathable protector preserves cooling better than a thick, non-breathable one.

Decision rules: which to buy first

• You wake up sweaty and your mattress feels hot: Choose the Cool+ Mattress Topper first. The Q-max 0.48 cool-touch fabric and cooling gel target heat stored in the mattress, which sheets cannot fix. Check mattress depth and sheet pocket depth before ordering.
• Your mattress is comfortable but your sheets feel hot and sticky: Choose the Cool+ Sheet Set first. The CoolPhiber fabric gives you a cool, silky surface directly against your skin at a lower cost. Confirm your size, especially if you need Twin XL.
• You have a tight budget and want the biggest immediate change: Start with the Cool+ Sheet Set. It changes what you feel every night for less money, and you can add the topper later. If night sweats continue, the mattress is likely the next upgrade.
• You already own a thick, non-breathable mattress protector: Replace it with a breathable option like the Ultra Tech Waterproof Mattress Protector before or alongside your cooling purchase. A hot protector can cancel out the cooling benefits of toppers and sheets.

Product facts that matter

• Cool+ Mattress Topper: Cool-touch fabric with a Q-max score of 0.48 out of 0.50, 3D baffle box construction, and cooling gel. The high Q-max means an immediate cool-to-the-touch feel, while the baffle boxes keep support even and prevent fill from shifting, so the cooling and comfort last.
• Cool+ Sheet Set: Exclusive nylon/spandex blend CoolPhiber fabric that feels silky smooth and cool on your skin and stays that way all night. This directly addresses the surface you sleep on, making it the fastest fix if your current sheets feel hot and sticky.
• Cool+ Sheet Set - Twin XL: Same CoolPhiber fabric, available in Twin XL size with color options. Twin XL fits adjustable bases and dorm beds; ordering the wrong size is a common and avoidable mistake.
• Ultra Tech Waterproof Mattress Protector: Breathable Lulltra fabric (60% polyester, 40% bamboo-derived viscose rayon) with a waterproof 100% polyurethane backing. A breathable protector lets the cooling layers work better than a heavy, non-breathable protector that traps heat.

Best for and not for

Best for

• Hot sleepers who wake up sweaty and need to cool the mattress itself
• Sleepers who want pressure relief and a cooler sleep surface in one purchase
• Anyone whose current sheets feel hot and sticky and wants a lower-cost first upgrade

Not for

• Sleepers who need a completely different mattress and are not ready to add a topper
• Anyone unwilling to check fitted sheet pocket depth, since a topper changes the fit
• People who expect cooling bedding to replace air conditioning or medical treatment for night sweats

Buy the Cool+ Mattress Topper first if your mattress is the heat source, and the Cool+ Sheet Set first if you mainly need a cooler surface. Check your sizes and sheet depth before ordering, and keep your protector breathable so the cooling layers can do their job.