The Best Cooling Sheets for Hot Sleepers
Cooling sheets are a smart investment for those prone to sleeping hot or night sweating. Finding the right set can be laborious; here are some things to consider.
May 9th, 2023 •
Sleeping hot can be one of the most bothersome obstacles to getting a good night’s rest. Cranking up the AC and frequently doing laundry to wash perspiration out of your sheets can get expensive, not to mention tedious. If you are consistently waking up covered in sweat, or the heat is keeping you from sleep, it may be time to look into investing in a set of cooling sheets.
How Cooling Sheets Work
Cooling sheets use breathable fabric and moisture wicking technology to keep away night sweats. Looser weaves allow more air to flow through your sheets so heat does not get trapped. Fabrics that wick away moisture make sweat disappear as quickly as it comes. When you keep your body temperature cool using these methods, you tend to have a more restful night. When paired with pillows, mattress pads, or cooling mattresses designed for hot sleepers, the experience elevates even more.
Our Top Picks For Cooling Sheets
Luxome Luxury Sheet Set
The eco-friendly Luxome Luxury Sheet Set feels like you’re sleeping on a cloud due to its 100% pure bamboo-derived viscose and high 400 thread count—which is the highest thread count of any bamboo viscose, according to the brand. The sheet set’s sateen weave lends the sheets a silky-smooth feel, while its viscose construction provides thermo-regulating properties, so you stay warm in the colder months and cool in the summer.
The sheet set is available in eight colors and seven sizes, from twin to split king. It comes with deep 17” pockets to fit almost any mattress, and is easy to machine-wash. Luxome provides free shipping across the contiguous U.S., a 30-day return policy, and a free pre-paid return shipping label.
Pros
- Has deep pockets for taller mattresses
- Cooling; good for hot sleepers
- Great for sensitive skin
Cons
- Lacks top and bottom tags
- Price: $135-$190 ($179-$234), depending on size
- Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king, split king
- Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars, 6383 reviews
Nolah Bamboo Sheet Set
An eco-friendly choice for hot sleepers, the Nolah Bamboo Sheet Set is crafted from 100% viscose from bamboo, resulting in ultra-soft sheets that are not only gentle on the environment but also gentle on your skin.
The sheet set’s moisture-wicking and thermo-regulating features help maintain an ideal sleep temperature, while the hypoallergenic and antimicrobial properties ensure a fresh, clean sleep environment. It’s also machine-washable, making cleaning and care easy.
The Nolah Bamboo Set is only available in white and in seven sizes. The twin and twin XL sets consist of a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and a pillowcase; while the full, queen, king, and California king come with an additional pillowcase, and the split king an additional fitted sheet. For your peace of mind, Nolah offers a 1-year warranty, along with the convenience of free shipping via FedEx.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Soft, silky feel
- Moisture-wicking
Cons
- Only comes in white
- Wrinkles easily
- Price: $149-$199, depending on size
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king, split king
- Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Tempur-Pedic Rayon from Bamboo Sheet Set
With its natural moisture-wicking and cooling properties, the Tempur-Pedic Rayon Sheet Set was designed with hot sleepers in mind. Constructed from 100% rayon from bamboo, these sheets boast a soft jersey knit that’s both smooth and stretchy for optimal comfort. Think of them as a high-end, luxury version of the super-cozy T-shirt fabric sheets you slept on in high school or college.
The sheet set comes in five color options: white, vintage indigo, cool gray, sleepy blue, and sandstone; and eight sizes to fit any type of mattress. Tempur-Pedic gives you a 1-year warranty and free shipping when you order these sheets.
Pros
- Soft jersey knit
- Lightweight and airy
- Has corner straps for secure fit
Cons
- Wrinkles easily
- Price: $129-209, depending on size
- Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king, split king, split Cal king
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars, 1848 Reviews
Saatva Percale Sheet Set
The Saatva Percale Sheet Set is just what hot sleepers ordered. Crafted from 100% ethically sourced organic cotton, these sheets feature a 200-thread count percale weave, which ensures breathability and promotes airflow for a cool, comfortable night’s sleep. The 16″ deep pockets offer a snug fit on a variety of mattresses, including those with thick pads or toppers.
These machine-washable sheets are available in three versatile colors and seven sizes to match any bedroom decor. Saatva also offers a 45-day free return policy, free shipping, and a 1-year warranty for your peace of mind.
Pros
- Airy and breathable
- Made from organic cotton
- Smooth, satiny feel
Cons
- Limited color selection
- Wrinkles easily
- Price: $115-$225, depending on size
- Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king, split king
- Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set
The Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set provides a luxuriously soft and comfortable sleep experience. These eco-friendly sheets are made from 100% viscose from bamboo, which has moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating features to ensure that you stay cool and dry throughout the night. The sheet set also has an oversized fit for a relaxed look and a gentle drape that feels softer with each wash.
Cozy Earth offers this sheet set in seven colors and six sizes, and includes a whopping 10-year warranty and free shipping and returns. You can also test out the sheets for yourself and see if you like them, as it offers a risk-free 100-night trial.
Pros
- Temperature-regulating
- Soft, silky sateen weave
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- Relatively pricey
- Limited color selection
- Price: $254-$352, depending on size
- Sizes: Twin/twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king, split king
- Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars, 5345 Reviews
Sweet Zzz Organic Bamboo Sheet Set
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly solution to sweaty, sleepless nights, the Sweet Zzz Organic Bamboo Sheet Set should be right up your alley. It’s crafted from 100% viscose from sustainably sourced bamboo and features a 400-thread count sateen weave for a super-soft and smooth hand feel.
Thanks to bamboo viscose’s natural temperature-regulating properties, this sheet set helps you sleep cool on hot nights and cozy on cooler nights. Lastly, it offers anti-dustmite and anti-bacterial properties, making it a safe choice for those with sensitive skin.
You can choose from six colors and seven sizes to find a perfect fit for your bed. Another thing we like about Sweet Zzz is that they not only offer a lifetime limited warranty but also a 50-night sleep trial.
Pros
- Soft yet durable 400TC construction
- Anti-dustmite and anti-bacterial
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Relatively pricey
- Price: $120-$175, depending on size
- Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king, split king
- Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars, 5345 Reviews
Brooklyn Bedding Tencel Sateen Sheet Set
Meet the Brooklyn Bedding Tencel Sateen Sheet Set, a sheet set designed with both comfort and sustainability in mind. Made from sustainably sourced materials, this eco-friendly sheet set is made with Tencel lyocell fibers with a 300 thread count, providing a sleep surface that’s smooth and ultra-soft to the touch. It naturally wicks moisture away and regulates your body temperature to keep you comfy and temperature-neutral all night.
It comes in three colors and seven sizes, with deep pockets to ensure a snug fit on mattresses 11″ to 15″ thick. With Oeko-Tex certification, you can trust that these sheets are safe and eco-friendly. Brooklyn Bedding backs its sheets with a 1-year warranty and a 30-day return policy.
Pros
- Oeko-Tex certified
- Does not wrinkle easily
- Has deep pockets for taller mattresses
Cons
- Limited color selection
- Price: $127-$172, depending on size
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King
- Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars
Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set
Combining 100% long-staple cotton and an impressive 480 thread count sateen weave, the Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set provides you with a cool and comfortable night’s sleep. If you’re a hot sleeper, you’ll probably like the Luxe Core Sheet Set’s cool and breathable fabric that feels buttery smooth and has a subtle, silky sheen.
These sheets are Oeko-Tex certified, which ensures they’re eco-friendly and safe for your family. Maintenance is also a breeze since the sheets are machine-washable and easy to care for.
The Luxe Core Sheet Set is available in six sizes and a variety of plain colors and patterns to choose from. Brooklinen sweetens the deal with free shipping, a 365-day return policy, and a 1-year warranty.
Pros
- Available in many colors and patterns
- 365-day return policy
- Ultra-soft 480-thread count construction
Cons
- Relatively pricey
- Complaints about mattress fit
- Price: $127-$172, depending on size
- Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king, split king
- Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Sleep Number True Temp Sheet Set
To give you a good night’s sleep, the Sleep Number True Temp Sheet Set brings you the ideal blend of cooling and comfort. It’s constructed with a soft cotton-polyester blend that features a 300-thread count with a sateen weave for a luxurious feel. Sleep Number’s patented 37.5 technology uses natural volcanic materials to regulate temperature, which ensures you stay comfortable throughout the night.
The True Temp Sheet Set gives you nine colors and seven sizes to choose from, starting from queen to flextop California king. You can also rest easy knowing that Sleep Number offers a 1-year warranty, free shipping, and a 100-night return policy.
Pros
- Patented 37.5 temperature technology
- Has stretchy elastic bands for secure fit
- 100-night return policy
Cons
- Not available in twin and twin XL
- Relatively pricey
- Price: $127-$172, depending on size
- Sizes: Queen, king, split king, flextop king, Cal king, flextop Cal king, split Cal king
- Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars, 10567 Reviews
Boll & Branch Signature Hemmed Sheets
The Boll & Branch Signature Hemmed Sheet Set features an organic long-staple cotton construction that boasts a great mix of comfort and durability. Its sateen weave gives the sheets a soft buttery feel with a smooth, lustrous sheen. Lightweight, airy, and breathable, this sheet set is machine-washable and feels softer with each wash.
The Signature Hemmed Sheet Set comes in seven sizes, each with deep 17” pockets and elastic banding to ensure a secure fit for your mattress. It also has a wide selection of 10 colors, so you can find sheets that perfectly complement your bedroom decor. Boll & Branch also provides you with a 30-day trial and free shipping and returns.
Pros
- Has 17” deep pockets
- Wide selection of colors
- Has elastic bands for secure fit
Cons
- Wrinkles easily
- Relatively pricey
- Price: $228-$338, depending on size
- Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, Cal king
- Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars, 11598 Reviews
Why You Need Cooling Sheets
If you are a hot sleeper or someone who suffers from night sweats, your sleep suffers as well. There could be a variety of reasons for this.
During the summer, heat creeps into your home, and the AC isn’t always enough to compensate, especially in warmer climates. Hormonal changes such as menopause, new medication, or a fever from the flu can cause heat wave like hot flashes during the night that bring your body temperature up. Or, maybe your body chemistry just causes you to sleep hot.
Related: Best sheets
Not only is frequently waking up sweating uncomfortable, but it also disturbs the sleep cycle. An ideal sleeping temperature is about 66 degrees; sleeping hot disrupts this temperature, causing restlessness throughout the night. Cooling sheets help to regulate airflow and dry sweat as quickly as it’s produced, keeping your body heat down and giving you a dry night’s rest.
What to Consider Before Buying
Because of the prevalence of night sweats, companies have gone out of their way to provide a variety of cooling sheet options for hot sleepers: from price to color to thread counts. Here are some things to consider as you search for the perfect set of cooling sheets.
Cleaning
Cooling sheets are specially designed to keep temperature down, so cleaning and care is very important to maintain the cooling features. Some may require a special detergent or temperature setting in the dryer. All sheets on our list are machine washable for convenience, but they also require some of these specific attentions. Make sure you read the washing instructions before cleaning. Ignoring them can decrease the effectiveness and life of your cooling sheets.
Material
Sheets are made from a variety of materials making it hard to decide which is preferred for your needs. Natural fabrics come directly from the environment and make it into production with little to no modification. Natural materials will almost always be more costly because of the effort put forth to preserve them, but they tend to be more eco friendly.
Synthetic materials are chemically synthesized fibers that do not exist naturally; these are usually cheaper because of mass production.
Generally, the best materials for cooling sheets consist of both natural and synthetic materials: polyester, Egyptian cotton, bamboo, linen, and tencel. However, natural and synthetic aren’t always black and white. Fabric materials are frequently blended together to create a certain look or feel, so make sure to double check the descriptions and tags if natural or organic fabric is important to you.
Weaves
Arguably the most important aspect in sheet choice, the weave determines softness, feel, breathability, and longevity. How the material is woven is also a huge factor in whether or not sheets cool because it determines the airflow of the fabric. The best weaves for cooling sheets are percale, jersey, and sateen.
Cost
Cooling sheets typically run the gamut of price going from $30 to $350. This wide range can be a bit intimidating, but consider the aspects that make your cooling sheets quality. Do you have allergies? Do you value breathability or moisture wicking technology more? What is your comfort level? Do you want organic material? What size do you need? Are you pairing it with a cooling comforter? Once you’ve determined these factors, search for them in sheets within your price range.
Size
The length, height, and depth of your bed will greatly determine the size of cooling sheets needed. The size of your mattress often determines the price of the sheets. Measuring your mattress and knowing its dimensions makes searching for the perfect sheet set easier. Make sure to account for any mattress toppers and pads before shopping.
Comfort
While comfort may seem like a given, the feel of the sheets you buy greatly varies based on the material and weave. If you are used to a silk feel with your sheets, maybe consider bamboo or viscose sheets with a satin or sateen weave. If you enjoy the hotel feel, consider cotton material with a percale weave. Make sure to check the product description to get a sense of the comfort level and sleep experience, and see if it matches what you are used to. Reviews can help you get a realistic sense of this.
Color
Though color seems like an easy choice based on preference, when it comes to cooling sheets, there is more to the decision. Darker colors tend to attract heat, especially from the sun. Additionally, cooling sheets often are a long-term investment, so make sure to get a color that will match most comforter sets.
Thread Count
When it comes to cooling sheets, thread count can be deceiving. Higher thread counts usually mean the sheets are softer and more durable, but they also retain more heat. A thread count 450 or less is usually best when it comes to cooling sheets, unless the material is microfiber which is naturally more breathable.
Rating
One of the best ways to access whether or not a set of cooling sheets actually work is to read the ratings and reviews of the people who have already purchased them. Websites like Amazon are great hubs of honest product reviews.
Return Policy
Just in case the cooling sheets you purchase aren’t for you, make sure the product has a return policy you are comfortable with, and always read the fine print. All of the sheets on our list have at least a 30-day money-back guarantee, but their warranties vary.
Summary
Cooling sheets are specially designed to help hot sleepers get their rest without waking up every morning covered in sweat. Materials that make things like polyester or linen sheets are moisture wicking while weaves such as percale combine those materials and are designed to be breathable, providing airflow. Lower thread counts tend to make for a cooler nights sleep with some exceptions. All these elements blend together for a sleeping tool that keeps you cool and dry all night long.
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