Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress review 2024

Is the Cocoon Chill mattress a great choice for hot sleepers on a budget? We test it to find out

Cocoon Chill Mattress review image shows the bed placed on a wooden bed frame
(Image: © Cocoon by Sealy)

Tom's Guide Verdict

The Cocoon Chill flies in the face of most cooling mattresses by offering good temperature control at a fraction of the cost. A queen size is usually on sale for under $700 – and you get free bedding and free old mattress removal thrown in too, making this the best budget choice for hot sleepers. The Cocoon by Sealy Chill Memory Foam uses a cover infused with Phase Change Material to dissipate excess heat through the night. During testing we were very impressed with how well the mattress handled this, and not once were our reviewers left searching for a cool spot on the bed. The Cocoon Chill isn't without its issues though – more memory foam contouring and improved edge support would help it gain a higher test score – but it's a strong choice for the money.

Pros

  • +

    Sleeps cool for a foam mattress

  • +

    Excellent pressure relief

  • +

    Great motion isolation

  • +

    Fantastic price at $699 for a queen

  • +

    Free old mattress removal

Cons

  • -

    Not much body contouring

  • -

    Edge support could be better

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Cocoon Chill Mattress review in brief

The Cocoon Chill mattress is made by Sealy, a leading bed manufacturer with a great pedigree including boxed and traditional beds. The Cocoon by Sealy Chill falls into the brand’s budget category, with a queen size Chill Memory Foam normally on sale for $699 – that comes with free bedding and free old mattress removal too, which is phenomenal value. You can also buy the Cocoon Chill in a hybrid version, which is fractionally more expensive ($899 for a queen) than the all-foam model we’re testing. 

The two big draws with the Cocoon by Sealy Chill are price and the Phase Change Material cover that makes all the deliciously cool sleep possible. (PCM covers on a mattress help regulate your in-bed temperature by dissipating excess heat.) After an extensive review period, the Cocoon Chill is now one of our best mattress recommendations for 2024 and is especially well-suited to hot sleepers on a budget.

We slept on the Cocoon Chill Memory Foam mattress for over three weeks to test it in all major areas including temperature control, support, comfort, pressure relief, motion isolation and edge support. Our review team for the Cocoon Chill includes a lead tester, plus a wider testing panel.

Cocoon Chill specs

Cocoon by Sealy Black Friday mattress deals: Hybrid

(Image credit: Cocoon by Sealy)

Type: All-foam (hybrid also available)
Firmness: 6.5/10
Height: 10 inches
Warranty: 10 years
Price range:
Lower mid-range
Materials: Memory foam, other foams

During our review period, we didn’t overheat once. Even our lead tester, who regularly struggles with feeling too warm at night, never woke up in a sweat. Although it doesn't pack quite the same chilling powers as the very best cooling mattresses on the market, those specialist models are expensive, while the Cocoon Chill has a very competitive lower mid-range price tag.

The temperature regulation here is especially impressive because foam can have a tendency to trap body heat, which means all-foam mattresses – and especially ones in this price bracket – often sleep slightly warm. (For maximum cooling, we'd actually recommend upgrading to the hybrid version of the Chill; the added spring layer creates more space for air to circulate within the mattress, making it more breathable.)

With its medium-firm sleep feel, we think the Cocoon Chill Memory Foam mattress should be well-suited to most body types and sleeping positions. Our testers found it especially comfortable for side sleeping. It's also very good at absorbing motion, which bodes well for co-sleepers who operate on different sleep schedules or share a bed with a restless partner (this helps earn it a place in our best queen size mattress ranking). 

The three-layer design includes a top layer of memory foam, but there's not much of that classic body hugging feel here – you sleep closer to the top of this mattress. If you're looking for the full memory foam feel and don't necessarily need the extra cooling tech, try the similarly-priced Nectar instead (read our Nectar Memory Foam mattress review to learn more about that bed). We'll expand on all of these points in detail in the rest of this article. Read on for our full Cocoon Chill mattress review.

Cocoon Chill mattress review: Price and deals

  • A competitively-priced lower mid-range mattress
  • Almost always sold with a 35% discount and free sleep gifts
  • One of the cheapest cooling mattresses

All full MSRP, the Cocoon Chill sits in the mid-range price bracket... but you'll never have to pay that, because there's a permanent Cocoon by Sealy mattress sale that knocks 35% off, taking this mattress into the lower mid-range bracket. We consider it one of the very best affordable mattresses around, and you'll typically get a bundle of free bedding, including sheets and pillows, thrown in too.

While most bed brands raised their prices over 2022 and into 2023, the Cocoon Chill actually got a price drop during the first half of 2023. At the start of the year, a queen size was $1239 at full price (sold at $774), but now it's $1,079 (sold at $699).  

Here's the official pricing you for the Cocoon Chill, and the prices you can expect to actually pay:

  • Twin: MSRP $619 (usually sold at $399)
  • Twin XL: MSRP $709 (usually sold at $549)
  • Full: MSRP $529 (usually sold at $819)
  • Queen: MSRP $1,079 (usually sold at $699)
  • King: MSRP $1,389 (usually sold at $899)
  • Cal King: MSRP $1,389 (usually sold at $899)

The Cocoon Chill mattress comes with a 100-night risk-free trial so you can properly test it out at home. If you find it's not the right fit, Sealy will fully refund your purchase within the 100-night trial period, and pick up and donate your mattress to charity. On the other hand, if you choose to keep the mattress, your purchase will be backed by a 10-year full replacement limited warranty.

If you opt for the hybrid version, that'll cost you between $80 and $200 more, depending on size. A queen size Cocoon Chill Hybrid is $1,389 (sold at $899). Across the market in general, mattresses with springs almost always cost a more than all-foam models. 

The Cocoon Chill Memory Foam's biggest competitor is the Nectar Mattress. A queen-size Nectar usually costs around $699, depending on the Nectar mattress sale live at the time. Of course, if you want something that's specifically made to combat hot flashes and night sweats, the Cocoon Chill will be the better option. Both feature in our best college student mattress ranking as good, affordable all-rounders. 

Image

See the Cocoon Chill mattress at Cocoon by Sealy
Sealy's entry-level cooling mattress is a fantastic budget buy for hot sleepers. Regular sales cut 35% off the MSRP, and you'll also get up to $199-worth of free bedding, along with a 100-night trial and 10-year warranty. 

Cocoon Chill Mattress review: Materials

The 10-inch Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress has four layers. At the top is a breathable knit cover made with a phase change material that's cool to the touch. This helps to wick away sweat. Beneath that is adaptive high-quality memory foam, which cushions pressure points and provides tailored support whilst conforming to the shape of your body. 

Next is a responsive comfort foam layer; this provides additional cushioning and support and helps absorb motion, so you won’t feel a bed partner moving as much. Finally, a heavier, more robust layer of foam gives extra support and durability.

You can make your bed 'Extra Chill' for an additional $299. This includes a layer of Extra Chill cooling memory foam infused with Sealy's PCM Chill technology, along with an Extra Chill cover that's woven with 'advanced cooling yarns.' We didn't test this out for our review.

Cocoon Chill Mattress review: firmness and comfort

  • Slightly firmer than the average mattress, at 6.5 out of 10
  • A slight memory foam 'hug' sleep feel
  • You sleep on top of this mattress, rather than sinking into it

Sealy used to offer the Cocoon Chill mattress in two different firmness options: a medium-soft and an extra-firm model. Now there's just one medium firm option, which we rate as 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale (with 10 being the firmest). That tallies closely with Sealy's own classification of 6 out of 10.

Firmness and comfort are subjective, though, and while the Cocoon Chill Memory Foam is a little firmer than the average mattress, exactly how firm you find it will depend on your weight. People over 230lb are more likely to sink through the memory foam to the support layers, and consequently may rate it as a firmer mattress, while anyone under 130lb may find it softer.

So what does it feel like to sleep on? We found that the mattress delivers some of that classic memory foam feel; it’s soft and supportive, cushioning and contouring to your body. However, while you get some of the hugging sensation associated with memory foam while you sleep, you don't get the full, classic feel. There is some squishiness when it's pressed firmly – when you initially sit or lie on it, for example – but we slept closer to the surface, rather than sinking deeply into the mattress.

Cocoon Chill Memory Foam mattress and box product shot on a white background

(Image credit: Cocoon by Sealy)

Cocoon Chill Mattress review: performance

  • Memory foam layer delivers very good pressure relief 
  • Great temperature regulation for an all-foam mattress
  • Edge support isn't sturdy enough for anyone with mobility issues 

We slept on a queen-size Cocoon Chill Memory Foam mattress for two weeks. During this time, we followed our methodology and tested the mattress in all major areas of performance, rating it on pressure relief, motion isolation, temperature regulation, edge support and durability, as well as ease of setup.

In addition to our physical testing, we also analyzed user reviews from people who have bought a Cocoon Chill Memory Foam mattress, to help build a more rounded sense of what it’s like to sleep on. Here are our findings. 

Setup 

Score: 4/5

The Cocoon by Sealy Chill is delivered rolled and boxed, by UPS. Typically, the couriers will leave it at your door. There's no option we can see to upgrade your delivery, for example if you needed someone to bring it to your room or unpack it for you – although Sealy does suggest you can call customer care if you have special delivery needs. 

Our Cocoon Chill mattress was quick and easy to set up. It arrived in a 15x15x44" box that was noticeably lighter than some other mattresses we've tested, making it much easier to maneuver from the door to the bedroom.

That’s because the Cocoon Chill itself is lighter than many other mattresses. The queen size weighs 64.4lb, for example, and while that’s only a little less than one of its main mattress-in-a-box rivals (the Nectar mattress, which weighs 66lb for a queen), it’s significantly lighter than many others, including the Tuft and Needle Original (72lb), Casper Original (79lb for a queen) and Purple mattress (110lb).

After moving it to the bedroom, the mattress was a breeze to unpack and unroll, and quietly inflated within 30 minutes, as the instructions said it would. 

Off-gassing

Score: 5/5

We didn’t notice any off-gassing odors when we removed the mattress from the plastic wrap. Memory foam mattresses are one of the most common types to emit a chemical odor when they're unrolled from their vacuum seal, and Sealy does warn that the mattress may release a new car smell as it expands and the cells open up. But in our case there was no perceptible smell.  

All the foams used in Cocoon by Sealy are Certi-PUR-US certified materials, which ensures they’re free of ozone depleters and low in volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. That means that if you do notice some initial off-gassing – and some users have – it won't be harmful. The smell should dissipate anywhere between a few hours and a few days.

The best way to reduce any off-gassing odors is to unbox a new mattress as soon as possible, in a well-ventilated room. If the smell is particularly bad, consider airing the mattress outside before sleeping on it. 

Image shows the mattress in our reviewer's bedroom

This is the Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress we tested (Image credit: Future Ltd)

Pressure relief 

Score: 4/5

Our reviewers found pressure relief to be very good when sleeping on the Cocoon Chill. The memory foam layer gently contoured to our bodies, and did a great job of distributing weight and soothing pressure points in all sleeping positions, but particularly while side sleeping. 

If you're of average weight (between 130-230lb), you should find that the Cocoon Chill Memory Foam mattress is a good match. It's firm enough to prevent your hips from sinking in too far, which should help keep your spine aligned and make you feel well-supported; while the cushioning memory foam prevents pressure from building up around your hips and shoulders. 

Lightweight sleepers (those weighing under 130lb) should find the Cocoon Chill comfortable in all positions. We think most heavier people will feel comfortable on the Cocoon Chill while sleeping on their back or stomachs. 

However, heavier side sleepers may find that they need more pressure relief, and people who weigh closer to 300lb may require more support generally than can be offered by a foam mattress. In these cases, we would recommend the hybrid version of this mattress, which is deeper at 12 inches, and adds fabric-encased coils for extra firmness and support. Alternatively, read our Saatva Classic mattress review for a luxury medium-firm innerspring hybrid if you want bounce, cooling and your choice of mattress firmness and height.

Motion transfer

Score: 4/5

As is typical for memory foam mattresses, the Cocoon Chill is very good at absorbing motion, rather than transferring it across the bed. Our reviewers could barely tell there was another body next to them, and were able to to move around without disturbing their partner. This makes it a good choice for restless sleepers, or people who work different shifts and don't want to wake their partner up when climbing in or out of bed. 

The flip side to great motion isolation is that memory foam mattresses tend to have less bounce than innerspring options. The Cocoon Chill Memory Foam mattress moves slowly, so if bounce is an important feature, you'll need to try an innerspring mattress instead, such as the Saatva Classic.

Close-up of a hand pressing into the Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress

(Image credit: Future)

Temperature regulation 

Score: 4/5

Where the Cocoon Chill Memory Foam mattress really stands out from its all-foam competitors is its ability to regulate temperature throughout the night. We think it's one of the best budget cooling mattresses you can buy.

It's one of the most consistently cool mattresses we've slept on, and we found it to be noticeably better at regulating temperature throughout the night than any other mid-range foam mattress that we've tested: we slept cool all night, every night. 

Memory foam mattresses often become warmer at night because they contour to your body and can trap body heat. The Cocoon Chill has less sink than typical memory foam mattress, which helps alleviate part of this. However, we found that the phase-change material in the cover fabric did a great job of regulating the temperature and wicking away heat - even our hot sleeper didn't wake up feeling sweaty once.

However, bear in mind that this is still an all-foam mattress. If you really suffer from overheating while you sleep, we'd recommend choosing an innerspring hybrid option instead. As we note in our memory foam vs hybrid mattress breakdown, hybrids tend to be more breathable than their foam counterparts overall.

Edge support 

Score: 3/5

When it comes to edge support, the Cocoon Chill Memory Foam doesn't score as highly. Like most all-foam mattresses, the material compresses slightly at the perimeter when under pressure, so although we could comfortably sleep right up to the edge without feeling as though we might roll off, it wasn't as supportive as we'd have liked for sitting on the side of the bed, or getting in and out of bed.

Edge support is typically a weakness of all-foam mattresses, and the Cocoon Chill performed in line with our expectations. For most people, it'll likely be adequate. However, if you need a firm edge to get in or out of bed, or rock a baby to sleep from, we wouldn't recommend this mattress. 

Instead, try an innerspring or hybrid – the Awara Natural Hybrid mattress aced our edge support tests – or go for a perimeter-reinforced mattress. 

Close up of the side of the Cocoon Chill Memory Foam mattress

(Image credit: Future)

Durability 

Score: 3/5

There isn't enough long-term data to rate the durability of the Cocoon Chill Memory Foam mattress as the latest version only launched recently. As a result, our analysis of its durability is based on its construction, materials and user reviews. 

In general, all-foam mattresses aren't as durable and lack the extra support found in innerspring, hybrid or latex mattresses. The Cocoon Chill Memory Foam mattress is made from quality materials, but it isn't an ultra-premium model – that would put the cost up – and it's possible that indents will form in the foam after a few years. 

After reading through the available user reviews, we've found a number of people commenting that the mattress is performing as well as it did initially, after over a year of use, and we haven't found any complaints about durability yet. However, in lieu of any longer-term data and based on its all-foam build and materials, we would expect the mattress to have between an average and below-average lifespan. 

Cocoon Chill Mattress reviews: user reviews

In this Cocoon Chill Memory Foam mattress review, we've tested the performance of the mattress and shared our experiences in sleeping on it. However, because so many factors can influence an individual's experience of a mattress – weight, height, preferred sleeping position, temperature and so on – we've also analyzed as many user reviews of the Cocoon Chill as we could find, to help build a more rounded picture what this mattress is like to sleep on.

There are currently around 8,200 reviews on the Cocoon by Sealy site, with an impressive average of 4.7 out of 5 stars (although do factor in that at least some of these are for the previous version, which came in two different firmness levels. 

Looking through these reviews, some clear themes emerge. Around 80% of reviewers awarded the mattress the full five stars, with many commenting that they're getting the ‘best sleep ever’ and praising its great value. Lots of people say that the cooling really works, and a few attribute the Cocoon Chill Memory Foam mattress to relieving their back pain and reducing aches and pains. 

Among the very limited one-star and two-stars reviews we could find, common complaints are that it's too firm and causes backache (conversely, a few people find it too soft), and that the cooling feature doesn't work. 

Should you buy the Cocoon Chill mattress?

Cocoon Chill memory foam mattress review: girl sitting in the middle of the bed

(Image credit: Cocoon by Sealy)

If you're looking for a comfortable, cooling, and competitively-priced mattress, the Cocoon Chill Memory Foam mattress is well worth considering. It earns high marks for its cooling capabilities and superior marks on its motion isolation and quietness. You won’t hear any creaks or squeaks coming from this mattress.

Regular mattress sales and Cocoon by Sealy promo codes also keep it within an affordable range for most shoppers. It's possible to score a queen-size Cocoon Chill mattress for well under $1,000 while availing of premium sleep extras in the process. For a budget cooling mattress, you'll be hard-pressed to find something better than the Cocoon by Sealy Chill. 

If you're looking for a good mattress for side sleepers,  chances are you'll love sleeping on the Cocoon Chill mattress. Likewise, if you're a back or front sleeper, you'll probably find this boxed mattress comfortable too, but you may be better suited to a firmer option, such as the Cocoon Chill Hybrid or the DreamCloud - read our DreamCloud mattress review for our testing data and insight.

Otherwise, we highly recommend the Cocoon Chill Memory Foam mattress for a cool and comfortable night's sleep - and that consistently low price helps too. 

Cocoon Chill Mattress review: Best alternatives

Jennifer Nelson
Freelance mattress reviewer

Jennifer Nelson is a freelance mattress reviewer for Tom's Guide, and writes about sleep and sleep hygiene for a number of brands such as Phillips Respironics and The National Sleep Foundation, as well as publications like AARP, WebMD, NextAvenue.org, Shondaland and others. For Tom's Guide, Jennifer has tested a number of leading memory foam and hybrid mattresses, including the Saatva Classic, the Helix Midnight Mattress, and the Purple Mattress. 

With contributions from