17 products we swear by for staying cool when it’s hot out

A mattress topper that actively cools your bed

Eight Sleep Pod Pro Cover

Pod Pro Cover with PerfectFit (button)

When most mattress companies say their products are “cooling,” they mean that they don’t trap heat. This mattress pad by Eight Sleep actually cools your bed down — as low as 55 degrees — using an undetectable grid of water. I convinced our sleep reporter James Brains to let me be the long-term tester for this after he tested and recommended it in our guide to the best cooling mattress toppers, and wow, I don’t know how I ever survived the summers without it. Being able to chill my bed before I get in it (or while I shamelessly work from it during the day) has been a game changer. I fall asleep faster and wake up feeling cool and refreshed. It’s pricey, but the cover has made this the first summer I haven’t struggled with heat-induced insomnia. If you’re in the same boat, it may very well be worth the cost. — Lauren Savoie, senior editor

An ice cube tray that makes giant ice

Samuelworld Large Cube Tray

Large Cube Tray (button)

I talk too much about ice ever since I tested 16 trays for our guide to the best ice cube trays, but during the heatwave, my new favorite topic is super relevant. I’m using our pick for the best large cubes, the Samuelworld Jumbo Cubes Tray, almost every day to chill my drinks. Large cubes melt slower than small ones, so I’ll plop the cubes in fresh coffee that I’ve chilled to room temperature; my coffee stays cold and strong longer. The tray only holds six cubes, and at this point, I refill it almost every night. Even through this usage, the silicone has stayed firm and doesn’t have a freezer smell. — Lily Alig, junior reporter 

A luxurious and cooling linen quilt

Parachute Linen Box Quilt

Linen Box Quilt (Queen) (button)

I purchased this quilt a few weeks ago during Parachute’s Memorial Day sale, and it’s a much lighter and more breathable top layer than a traditional comforter. If you sleep hot, it might be right up your alley. I also suggest looking into linen sheet sets. — Ellen Hoffman, editor-in-chief service journalism 

I also bought this during Parachute’s sale and it has been a lifesaver compared to my usual all-season comforter during these hot and humid months. As someone who sleeps hot, I’ve found it to be just the right weight and nice and breathable. — Hannah Freedman, associate travel editor 

I love my Parachute linen quilt so much that I refuse to share it with my husband and we had to get a second duvet for him. — Lauren Savoie, senior editor

Really great air conditioners

LG LW1517IVSM Dual Inverter Smart Window Air Conditioner

LW1517IVSM Dual Inverter Smart Window Air Conditioner (button)

LG LP1419IVSM Dual Inverter Smart Wi-Fi Portable Air Conditioner

LP1419IVSM Dual Inverter Smart Wi-Fi Portable Air Conditioner (button)

We recently moved into an older home with no central air, so air conditioners were at the top of our list of things to buy for the summer. Insider Reviews reporter James Brains has tested countless portable ACs and window units over the last couple of years, so the first place I looked for recommendations was our buying guides. 

We bought a bunch of LG window units, in varying sizes to accommodate bigger and smaller rooms, and they do a fantastic job of cooling down the whole place. I love that I can control them with a remote too! It sounds lazy, but it’s actually really convenient when I’m on work calls and can’t get up to change the settings. — Ellen Hoffman, editor-in-chief service journalism 

I have an LG portable AC because traditional window ACs do not fit in all my windows, and it works like a charm. — Malarie Gokey, deputy editor

I’ve tested dozens of air conditioners, and the LG dual inverter ACs are what I use when I’m not testing new air conditioners. They’re energy efficient, and they do a great job without getting too loud. Also, I’m finding in the humid Michigan summers, simply using the dehumidifying function is sometimes enough to make my home comfortable. — James Brains, reporter

The quiet and powerful fan

Vornado 660 Large Whole Room Air Circulator

660 Large Whole Room Air Circulator (button)

Now that my husband and I both work from home, our heating and cooling bills have gone through the roof. We recently purchased this fan (which is our best overall pick in our guide to the best fans) in an effort to cut back on using the ACs on milder days. I’m obsessed with this thing — it’s small, but powerful, and runs quietly so that I can use it with no issue during Zoom meetings. — Lauren Savoie, senior editor 

The Vornado works better than any fan I have ever used. I remember wondering why anyone would choose to spend so much on a fan when you can get cheap ones for $20, but the Vornado really cools rooms much more effectively and keeps the air moving. — Malarie Gokey, deputy editor

A cooling pad for your four-legged friends

Green Pet Shop Cooling Pad

Cooling Pet Pad (Medium) (button)

Our pets struggle with the heat just as much as we do — and often more. They are wearing fur coats, after all. A few years back when I lived in a stuffy Brooklyn apartment that was difficult to cool in the summer, I bought the Green Pet Shop Cooling Pad for my frequently panting dog. It works by absorbing your pet’s body heat with a pressure-activated gel. Right out of the box, I pressed my hand into the mat and instantly felt a cooling sensation. My dog practically lived on it during the hottest summer days. Put it in your dog’s favorite spot on the floor, in their crate, or outdoors in a shaded spot. — Lisa Sabatini, editor, pets and parenting

A cool silk robe

Kim + Ono Silk Kiku Kimono Robe

Silk Kiku Kimono Robe (button)

There’s nothing I love more on a hot day than wearing this glossy, slippery, and ultra-cool robe. Our pick for the best silk robe, it’s not only beautifully made, featuring original and hand-painted artwork, but it also feels amazing. It’s a long robe (the brand also sells short versions) with side slits and the sleeves are short and wide, letting the breeze pass through. It’s perfect for lounging inside with your AC or fan on blast. — Connie Chen, senior reporter

The most breathable mattress we’ve tested

Purple Hybrid Premier Mattress

Hybrid Premier Mattress (Queen) (button)

I have tested dozens of mattresses, and the Purple Hybrid Premier Mattress did the best at dissipating heat. That’s why it’s the best mattress for hot sleepers in our mattress guide. I use an infrared laser thermometer to measure the surface temperature of the mattress. And, the Purple built up the least amount of heat and was one of the quickest to release the heat in my tests. The biggest negative is the $2,400 price tag, but when you consider you’ll spend a third of your life for the next 10+ years on it, the price seems much more reasonable. — James Brains, reporter

A weighted eye mask you can pop in the freezer

Gravity Heating/Cooling Weighted Sleep Mask

Heating/Cooling Weighted Sleep Mask (button)

When I was a kid and we didn’t have air conditioning, my mom used to dip a washcloth in water and freeze it. Draping the frozen washcloth over my head would cool me down just enough to get to sleep in the heat. This weighted eye mask works similarly — you just pop it in the freezer for a few hours before bed and then drape it over your eyes to block light and cool you down. I like that this one has a Velcro strap so you can just lay it over your face instead of having to wear it like a traditional eye mask.  — Lauren Savoie, senior editor

Breathable boxer briefs

TomboyX 9-inch Boxer Briefs

9-inch Boxer Briefs (button)

I love wearing these gender-inclusive boxer briefs to sleep on hot summer nights. I also wear them under dresses and skirts to prevent friction and irritation from sweat. They’re soft, breathable, and made from 95% OEKO-TEX certified cotton and 5% spandex. The 9-inch inseam is the perfect length in a world filled with short shorts. TomboyX is also featured on our guide to the best gender-inclusive clothing and a full review. — Malarie Gokey, deputy editor

Moisture-wicking polo shirts

Arctic Cool Vortex Vent Cooling Polo

Vortex Vent Cooling Polo (button)

I’ve always been a bit wary of apparel with so-called cooling technology but there’s been some genuine innovation with cooling fabrics over the last several years — and one of the best brands to do it is Arctic Cool. Whether I’m working out in one of its crew neck tees, or casually wearing this polo, I’m able to legitimately feel cooler on warm days. The Vortex Vent Cooling Polo features moisture-wicking technology, a unique ventilation system that helps the shirt avoid feeling stuffy, and even has UPF protection. It’s a summer staple in my wardrobe. — Rick Stella, fitness, health & outdoors editor

An ultra quiet fan and air purifier

Dyson Pure Humidify + Cool

Pure Humidify + Cool (button)

I originally started using this during the winter since it’s one of my top picks for the best humidifiers. However, one of the reasons it’s so great is because of how multi-functional it is. Not only is it also an air purifier, but in the summer I’ve switched over to using its fan function and it’s worked wonders for cooling off my bedroom at night. It even has a specific “Night Mode” that ensures it’s super quiet. — Hannah Freedman, associate travel editor

A backpack for staying hydrated

CamelBak HydroBak Hydration Pack

HydroBak (button)

Proper hydration is one of the most vital components to keeping cool, especially while running or hiking where it’s important to have H20 at the ready whenever you need it. And therein lies the beauty of this hydration pack from CamelBak. It’s lightweight and subtle enough to not bog me down while I run or bike, and can even hold a few extras (snacks, keys, my phone, etc.) while I’m on trail. Its included water reservoir holds 50 ounces of water which typically manages to last me a few hours of use in particularly hot weather. The HydroBak is also featured in our guide to the best hydration packs.  — Rick Stella, fitness, health & outdoors editor

A mattress topper to help with heat dissipation

Bear Pro Mattress Topper

Pro Mattress Topper (button)

I recently tested 18 mattress toppers, and the Bear Pro Topper offered the best balance of comfort, affordability, and cooling. That’s why I made it our top pick in our cooling mattress topper guide. It features a cover made of Celliant, a material I’ve found helps with staying cool. In addition to offering excellent support and pressure relief, it’s made in the US of copper-infused memory foam that is CertiPUR-US certified, which means harmful chemicals aren’t used in its construction. Plus, you can try it for 100 nights risk-free. — James Brains, reporter

A heavy-duty water bottle for keeping your beverages ice cold

Hydro Flask and Yeti water bottles

Heavy-duty water bottles from Hydro Flask and Yeti are lifesavers at the beach on really hot days. I load mine with ice and they stay super cold all day long. — Ellen Hoffman, editor-in-chief service journalism

A cooling sheet set

Sleepletics Celliant Performance Sheet Set

Celliant Performance Sheet Set (button)

Another Celliant product I use to keep me cool is this sheet set from Sleepletics. As with the Bear Pro Topper, the Celliant material does an outstanding job of heat dissipation so I can stay cool through the night and avoid tossing and turning. It also has a comfy, soft feel that pairs well with whatever weighted blanket I might be testing at the moment. — James Brains, reporter

A sun shelter for the beach

Neso Beach Tent with Sand Anchor

Beach Tent with Sand Anchor (button)

A friend of mine recently brought this shady tent with her when we went to the beach and I was so impressed I immediately bought one for myself. It folds down so it’s easy to fit in a backpack or beach bag, takes seconds to set up simply by spreading out the corners and filling them with sand, and provides plenty of shade for a group of four. It’s also water resistant and offers UV protection. It made our beach day so much more enjoyable and relaxing. — Hannah Freedman, associate travel editor