The Zinus Ultra Cooling Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress is made for people who like close-contouring foam but want a cooler feel when they first get into bed. This 12-inch all-foam model felt medium-firm in our checks, with strong pressure relief and excellent motion control. Its slower response and soft seated edge are the main compromises. It is a good value when a quiet, cushioned surface matters more than bounce, though sleepers who stay hot for most of the night may still prefer a hybrid.
Table of Contents
- Zinus Ultra Cooling at a Glance
- Is the Zinus Ultra Cooling Worth It?
- How We Evaluated the Mattress
- Our Testing Experience
- Where It Performs Well—and Where It Doesn't
- Construction, Materials, and Policies
- How the Zinus Scored
- Who Should Buy It?
- What to Know Before You Buy
- How It Compares With Similar Mattresses
- Getting the Best Performance
- FAQs
Zinus Ultra Cooling at a Glance
| Mattress | Overall Score | Pros | Cons | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zinus Ultra Cooling Green Tea Memory Foam | 4.0/5 | Cool-to-touch cover, strong motion isolation, zoned support | Slow response, soft seated edge, gradual heat buildup | Side and back sleepers, couples, foam fans who sleep warm |
Is the Zinus Ultra Cooling Worth It?
Yes—if you want the pressure relief and motion control of memory foam without paying for a premium cooling bed. The surface felt cool at bedtime, the 6.5/10 firmness kept both testers level in their preferred positions, and partner movement was easy to ignore. The mattress did warm gradually, so “ultra cooling” is best understood as a cooler start and better heat management than basic foam, not an all-night cold surface.
Best fit: Side sleepers near Mia’s 125-pound weight, back sleepers who enjoy some contouring, light sleepers who share a bed, and shoppers who value a quiet surface over bounce.
Skip it if: You sleep mainly on your stomach at a higher body weight, change positions frequently, sit on the edge every day, or need the airflow and lift of coils.

How We Evaluated the Mattress
Following our process for testing mattresses, the mattress was used for 21 nights, along with shorter sessions for reading and laptop work. Marcus (6'1", 230 pounds) focused on back support, heat buildup, edge sitting, and whether his hips sank too far. Mia (5'4", 125 pounds) tracked shoulder and hip pressure during longer side-sleeping sessions. Repeat checks covered firmness, support, surface temperature, pressure relief, motion isolation, response speed, edge compression, and short-term shape retention. Scores use a five-point scale.
Our Testing Experience
After a full day of expansion, the mattress measured 11.8 inches tall and felt like a 6.5/10 on our firmness scale. The cover was noticeably cool at first contact. In a 72.1°F room, its surface rose from 72.4°F to 80.0°F after 30 minutes of lying down, then returned to within 2.2°F of the starting temperature 10 minutes after we got up. That matched the nightly experience: a refreshing start, followed by the gradual warmth common to an all-foam bed.
Mia's shoulder settled more deeply than her waist, which kept her side-sleeping posture level without adding a pillow under her midsection. Marcus felt steadier on his back, especially through the center zone, but his hips dropped too far when he stayed on his stomach. The foam's slow recovery was easy to notice during turns: after the weight was removed, the surface took 3.4 seconds to regain 90% of its height.
Motion isolation was the clearest strength. In three 10-pound ball drops from 12 inches, vibration at a sensor 24 inches away lasted an average of 0.43 seconds and never traveled sharply across the bed. The edge was less convincing. Under the same 150-pound load, it compressed 3.6 inches two inches from the side versus 2.4 inches at the center. Sleeping near the perimeter still felt secure, but sitting there to put on shoes produced a noticeable slope.
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What we liked
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The cover feels cool as soon as you lie down.
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Slow-contouring foam provides excellent pressure relief at the shoulder and outer hip.
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Movement stays localized, making the surface well suited to light-sleeping couples.
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The center zone keeps back sleepers from feeling folded at the waist.
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Who it is best for
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Side sleepers with a light to moderate body weight.
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Back and side combination sleepers who do not need a quick, springy response.
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Couples, apartments, and guest rooms where quiet movement matters.
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Where it falls short
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The surface warms gradually during longer sleep sessions.
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Slow rebound makes fast position changes take more effort.
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The seated edge compresses more than the center.
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Heavier stomach sleepers may sink too deeply at the hips.
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Where It Performs Well—and Where It Doesn't
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cool-to-touch cover at bedtime | Gradual warming during longer use |
| Seven-zone support steadies the midsection | Slow response can hinder quick turns |
| Strong shoulder and hip pressure relief | Seated edge compresses noticeably |
| Excellent motion isolation | Little bounce |
| Fiberglass-free, certified foams | Too much hip sink for some stomach sleepers |
Construction, Materials, and Policies
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Type: all-foam memory-foam mattress.
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Height: 12 inches; our sample measured 11.8 inches after expansion.
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Firmness: medium-firm, listed and tested at about 6.5/10.
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Construction: 3-inch cooling gel-infused memory-foam layer, 4-inch green-tea Z:Base transition layer, and 5-inch green-tea Z:Base support layer.
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Cover: cool-to-touch soft-knit fabric.
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Cooling and support features: triple-cooling design and seven-zone comfort system.
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Materials: fiberglass-free construction and CertiPUR-US certified foams.
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Manufacturing: made in the USA.
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Sizes and price: availability and promotional pricing change; check the current Zinus listing before ordering.
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Shipping: free for direct orders to the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C. Zinus generally lists one business day for processing and three to seven business days for delivery, while the product page may show a narrower estimate.
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Trial: 100 nights for eligible U.S. purchases made directly through Zinus.com.
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Warranty: 10-year limited mattress warranty, subject to proof of purchase, proper support, and the full policy terms.

How the Zinus Scored
| Metric | Score | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Support | 4.0/5 | Balanced support for our back and side sleepers, with excess hip sink during heavier stomach sleeping |
| Cooling | 4.2/5 | Cool at first contact and quicker to shed heat than basic foam, but not cool all night |
| Pressure Relief | 4.3/5 | Even cushioning at the shoulder and outer hip during longer side-sleeping sessions |
| Motion Isolation | 4.5/5 | Movement stayed localized, with little vibration reaching the other side |
| Responsiveness | 3.7/5 | Slow foam recovery makes quick turns require more effort |
| Edge Support | 3.5/5 | Secure enough for lying near the side, but soft when seated |
| Durability | 3.8/5 | No visible change after 21 nights; long-term lifespan was outside the test window |
| Overall | 4.0/5 | Good value for contouring pressure relief, motion control, and a cool-to-touch surface |
Who Should Buy It?
Choose this mattress if you enjoy a close memory-foam contour, want a cool surface when you get into bed, and prefer medium-firm support. Mia's results make the strongest case for lighter side sleepers: the foam gave her shoulder room to settle without letting her waist sag. Marcus stayed well aligned among the back-sleeping checks, but the mattress was less convincing when he moved to his stomach.
Couples who wake when a partner turns should also put it on their shortlist. The foam absorbs movement exceptionally well, and there is almost no noise. Frequent position changers and people who sit at the side of the bed every day should look for a faster-response foam or a hybrid with a reinforced perimeter.
Among similar all-foam options, the Cocoon by Sealy Chill Memory Foam has a phase-change cover for a more cooling-focused surface. The current Tuft & Needle Original uses faster-recovery proprietary foams, so it feels easier to move across than slow memory foam.

What to Know Before You Buy
The cooling effect is strongest when you first lie down; sustained body heat still warms the foam. The surface also recovers slowly, so active combination sleepers may feel held in place during fast turns. Edge support is adequate for lying near the perimeter but noticeably softer when seated. Marcus's experience also showed the main support limit: at 230 pounds, his hips sank too far for comfortable stomach sleeping. Finally, 21 nights is enough to assess break-in and short-term shape retention, not years of durability.
How It Compares With Similar Mattresses
Why choose the Zinus: It combines a distinctly cool first touch with deep contouring and better motion isolation than the springier alternatives below. It is the most natural fit when partner movement and pressure relief matter more than quick response or a firm seated edge.
Cocoon by Sealy Chill Memory Foam: This 10-inch all-foam mattress uses phase-change material in its cover and has a medium, conforming feel. Choose the Cocoon when cooling technology at the surface is the priority. Choose the Zinus for a thicker profile, zoned support, and a deeper memory-foam feel.
Tuft & Needle Original: The current 10-inch Original combines several proprietary foams designed for faster recovery and bounce-back support. It is easier to move on and better suited to frequent position changes. The Zinus isolates motion more completely and gives side sleepers a slower, closer contour.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid: This foam-and-coil model offers Soft, Medium, and Firm choices, plus a stronger perimeter and more lift. It is the better choice for edge support, airflow, and easy movement. The Zinus stays quieter, transfers less motion, and better suits shoppers who specifically want an all-foam hug.
Getting the Best Performance
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Let the mattress finish expanding before judging its height or firmness.
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Use a thin, breathable protector; a thick waterproof layer can mute the cool-to-touch cover.
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Choose percale or linen sheets if you tend to trap heat.
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Rotate the mattress head-to-foot periodically to spread wear more evenly; do not flip it.
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Use a flat, supportive base so the foam does not sag or feel softer than intended.
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Avoid adding a plush topper if the slow response already makes turning difficult.
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Side sleepers with shoulder sensitivity may need to adjust pillow loft after the foam settles around the shoulder.
FAQs
Does it feel cool all night?
No. The cover feels distinctly cool at first and delays heat buildup better than basic memory foam, but the surface warms gradually under sustained body heat.
Is it good for side sleepers with pressure points?
Yes, especially for light to moderate body weights. Mia's shoulder and outer hip settled comfortably without leaving her waist unsupported. Much heavier side sleepers may experience a deeper sink.
How supportive is it for heavier sleepers?
Marcus, at 230 pounds, stayed level on his back but sank too deeply at the hips on his stomach. Heavier back sleepers may find it supportive enough, while heavier stomach sleepers should choose a firmer, more buoyant bed.
Is it couple-friendly?
Yes, if motion isolation is the priority. Movement stayed localized and the foam remained quiet. The main compromise for couples is the softer seated edge, which reduces usable support when both people sit on the same side.