Jump to section
Sixty-five degrees: That’s the ideal temperature for a good night’s sleep, according to clinical sleep educator Terry Cralle. For folks who run hot, cracking the window or kicking a leg out from under the comforter still may not be enough to maintain that temperature range. As The Strategist’s resident bedding expert, I’ve slept on a lot of different bedding to know that swapping in cooling sheets — whether they’re made of a tighter-weave fabric like percale that promotes air circulation or from material like lyocell that’s known to wick away moisture from sweaty sleepers — can help with overheating and lead to more restful nights.
I tested a bunch of cooling sheets at home myself and talked to 12 sleep doctors and experts — as well as self-professed hot sleepers — to hear their recommendations about the crispest, coolest sheets out there that will combat potential night sweats. (Even in winter and the chilliest days of spring and fall, overzealous heaters and radiators can still make cooling sheets a necessity.) For an even more extensive overview of the best bedding out there, check out my guide to the best bedsheets of all types, and if you want advice on specific categories like the best linen and Egyptian sheets, I’ve got you covered there too.
Update on November 7, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all other products.
What we’re looking for
Material
Most of the sleep experts I spoke to agreed that sheets made of natural fibers, like cotton and linen, are your best bet for sweaty sleepers because they’re the most breathable (and therefore cooling). When it comes to cotton, the weave of a fabric matters, too. “Specific weaves like cotton percale tend to be more cooling for hot sleepers than sateen,” according to Dr. Shelby Harris, director of sleep health at Sleepopolis. That’s because percale sheets have a tight one-over, one-under weave, making them cooler and more lightweight than sateen options, which have a looser (and more dense) three-over-one weave. (For more on the two weaves, read my in-depth explainer on the difference between percale and sateen. And for some context on thread count, head here.)
Sheets made from naturally derived fibers (the material is considered to semi-synthetic) can also be cooling. Lyocell, which also goes by brand name Tencel, is a type of rayon made from eucalyptus trees that is considered a semi-synthetic fiber because of how it’s processed. (Generally speaking, the wood is broken down then dissolved using a chemical process to create a wood pulp, or cellulose, that’s then spun into fibers.) The resulting fabric is soft and lightweight, and it’s known to have good temperature- and moisture-regulating properties. Bamboo is another type of rayon as it’s made from bamboo wood and goes through a similar process as lyocell; it is also considered to be soft to the touch and cooling. A note: Viscose is a type of rayon, but the terms are often used interchangeably. To learn more, check out our explainer on the difference between Lyocell, Tencel, rayon, and viscose.
Moisture wicking
While all these sheets are breathable, if you’re a sweaty sleeper, you’ll want to look for bedding that not only promotes airflow but absorbs moisture and draws it away from your body. However, some sheets that claim to be cooling can be deceiving, as moisture-wicking isn’t necessarily synonymous with breathability. Instead, you should take careful note of the material of any sheets that promise to cool you down before investing in a pair. (All the options shown below, no matter what material they’re made of, are queen size, unless noted otherwise.)
Best cooling cotton sheets overall
Material: Oeko-Tex certified organic long-staple cotton percale, 270 thread count
If breathability is your biggest concern, go for sheets made of a natural fiber like cotton. Within the cotton category, percale sheets are the crispest and most lightweight of all the bedding thanks to its plain weave, and they feel the coolest to me. Percale’s matte finish also contributes to its cooling factor. Many of the experts I’ve talked to agree, including Cralle; Dr. Margarita Oks, a pulmonologist at Lenox Hill Hospital; psychotherapist Heather Turgeon, the co-author of The Happy Sleeper; Ben Trapskin, the founder of bedding-review site Yawnder; and Harris.
Quince’s percale sheets are the crispest and most lightweight of all the bedding I have tried over the years. Made from organic long-staple cotton, they have a thread count of 270 and feel almost paperlike in how thin they are. Because of this quality, the top sheet tents up and barely seems to touch your body, making it super-breathable and airy, which I assume would be a welcome sensation for someone who sleeps much hotter than I do. While I’m an average sleeper temperature-wise, I felt cool sleeping in these sheets during a summer heat wave with just the ceiling fan on, no AC. (In cooler months, I pair them with a comforter, and even under an extra layer of warmth, the sheets still feel cool.) Despite how truly crispy this set is, it’s also very smooth and nice to touch, durable, and washes well. Quince’s sheets are priced competitively at $100 for a queen set, making them my overall pick for best cooling sheets.
Best organic cooling cotton sheets
Material: Organic long-staple cotton percale, 300 thread count
If you prefer organic bedding from a smaller shop, these percale sheets from Sol Organics are your best bet. Like the Quince sheets above, these are made from organic long-staple cotton, but they have a slightly higher thread count of 300, making them a tad thicker. They don’t tent up as much as the Quince sheets, but they’re still quite crisp and cool, and I slept comfortably in them over the summer. Trapskin appreciates the fact the cotton is not processed with harsh pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or dyes — which he says “can weaken the cotton fibers” — making these his favorite cooling sheets for hot sleepers. “These sheets are durable and sustainable from an environmental and economic perspective,” he adds.
Material: Organic cotton percale
Here’s another organic-percale option that may appeal to sleepers who like the weave but would prefer something a little more lived in. Made of a crinkled percale that has been finished with a plant-based softener, it has a slight texture to it that Strategist senior editor Simone Kitchens describes as “a nice progression from linen.” The sheets are also, according to Kitchens, who describes herself as a hot sleeper, the most lightweight sheets she’s slept on. “They’re lighter and thinner feeling than the Quince but not in a flimsy way,” she says, and therefore promote airflow. They’re also the ideal summer sheets — or to use all year long, if you’re a sweaty sleeper, no matter the season.
Best sateen cooling cotton sheets
Material: Long-staple Egyptian cotton sateen, 300 thread count
These sheets are made from 100 percent certified long-staple Egyptian cotton, which is known for its breathability, durability, and softness, and are finished in a sateen weave. Sateen’s three-over-one weave is looser than percale’s and contributes to sateen’s silkier drape, but it’s also a little denser. Still, Egyptian cotton’s qualities make this set from Silk & Snow a good choice for sleepers who prefer sateen but still need bedding that feels cool. When I tested these sheets, I noticed that they were a little more lightweight than other sateen sheets made from Egyptian cotton (though they had a higher sheen) and were just as soft and silky. Tom Ryan, head of product testing at Sleep Foundation, also likes these sheets for how well they’re constructed, in addition to their feel. “They’re going to be very lightweight and breathable,” he says, “and the durable Egyptian cotton makes them a sheet that should hold up to everyday use for several years.”
Best cooling linen sheets
Material: European flax linen, Oeko-Tex certified
Linen bedding is also known to have cooling qualities thanks to its looser weave, which promotes air circulation. While linen is one of the most breathable of bedding materials, it is often pricier than cotton and can feel a little rough at first. I personally think linen feels less smooth and cool to the touch than percale sheets, but it’s a great choice for hot sleepers if you prefer a bit more heft in your bedding, as opposed to the cloudlike quality of cotton. Still, many of the sleep experts I spoke to prefer linen sheets. According to Dr. Joshua Tal, a psychologist who specializes in sleep disorders, they are very breathable and “pick up cool air.” Oks says that they can trap less heat than cotton. If you’re looking to try a set of linen sheets, Brooklinen’s washed-linen core sheets are The Strategist’s favorite starter sheets for their relative affordability and how light they feel. As former Strategist senior writer Lauren Levy once raved about them, “Instead of waking up in a pool of sweat from heat-locking fabrics, you’ll stay fully temperature-controlled throughout the night.” Oks also told us that many of her sleep-apnea patients have been happy with these sheets.
Best cooling lyocell sheets
Material: Eucalyptus lyocell
Eucalyptus, or lyocell, is another naturally cool fiber to look for in a set of sheets, according to Oks, who says, “It generally has some natural temperature-regulating properties.” While she notes that the cooling effect of eucalyptus sheets has not been scientifically proven, the fact that it’s a very breathable fiber is one reason why she says it feels “so nice on somebody’s skin when they’re sweating at night.” Oks told us her patients are fans of the brand Sheets & Giggles, which specializes in eucalyptus sheets. (If you want to try a eucalyptus-based comforter, former Strategist writer Lori Keong wrote that sleeping under Buffy’s was like “being cocooned in a cold compress.”)
Best cooling Tencel sheets
Material: Tencel-cotton blend, 300 thread count | Moisture wicking: Yes
For sweaty sleepers who want something breathable that’s also moisture-wicking, Harris, Cralle, Tal, and Trapskin suggest sheets made of Tencel, a brand of lyocell. The fabric is “better at absorbing moisture than most other fibers, making it great for sweaty sleepers,” according to Trapskin, who adds that Tencel is “naturally wrinkle-resistant and a sustainable material.” Trapskin recommends this set from Molecule that’s made from a Tencel-cotton blend. If you’re unsure about trying pure Tencel sheets, the cotton “will give the sheets a more familiar feel.” Trapskin says Molecule sheets nail the perfect blend — and the brand makes a cooling mattress if sheets alone aren’t doing the job.
Best organic cooling bamboo sheets
Material: Bamboo viscose | Moisture wicking: Yes
Like lyocell, bamboo sheets get high marks from sleep doctors. Tal likes how they’re both lightweight and soft, and Harris is a fan because bamboo is “hypoallergenic, ecofriendly, and cool to the touch.” Anishka Clarke, a co-owner of Ishka Designs, told us that these sheets made from organically grown bamboo are “softer than you’d imagine. Supersoft. Like, baby soft on your skin” and extremely durable — generally lasting twice as long as cotton.
Best (less expensive) cooling organic bamboo sheets
Material: Organic bamboo viscose | Moisture wicking: Yes
Even less expensive are these sheets from Quince that are also made from organic bamboo. When I tested them, the first thing I noticed was how cool and silky they felt — just like real silk. They’re incredibly soft to the touch, drape well, and still look great after several washes. And sleeping in them feels incredibly luxurious.
Best (even less expensive) cooling bamboo sheets
Material: Bamboo rayon | Moisture-Wicking: Yes
If you don’t mind nonorganic bamboo sheets, you can save a few bucks with this set that Airbnb host Brandon Lee, who identifies as a hot sleeper, calls “extremely breathable.” He says that the 100 percent bamboo-rayon fabric “outperforms almost every other bedsheet fabric I’ve tried including linen, cotton, and Egyptian silk.” Bamboo rayon, he adds, is “not only softer and more lightweight” than other fabrics but moisture wicking too.
Best cooling bamboo-lyocell sheets
Material: Bamboo lyocell
While the two sheets above are made from bamboo viscose, these Ettitude ones are made from bamboo lyocell. Also derived from bamboo, these are spun in a similar but different, close-looped manufacturing process that requires less water and fewer chemicals, making them a slightly more ecoconscious choice. They’re recommended by Strategist contributor and self-proclaimed “sweaty person” Jolie de Feis, who wrote that they’re “softer and stronger” than bamboo viscose as well as noticeably different in “quality, feel, and performance” than the Tencel sheets she’s tried in the past. “As someone who has frequently slept on a towel to avoid changing my sheets multiple times per week, I am genuinely astonished every morning when I wake up sweat free,” she says. Not only are they cooling, they also feel “luxurious,” according to de Feis, and come in a range of pleasing colors and patterns.
Some more cooling bedding we’ve written about
Our experts
• Anishka Clarke, co-owner of Ishka Designs
• Terry Cralle, clinical sleep educator
• Keith Cushner, former senior vice-president of Sleep Doctor
• Dr. Michael Grandner, director of the sleep and health research program at the University of Arizona
• Dr. Shelby Harris, director of sleep health at Sleepopolis
• Simone Kitchens, Strategist senior editor
• Brandon Lee, Airbnb host
• Kelly Murray, certified sleep consultant
• Dr. Margarita Oks, pulmonologist
• Tom Ryan, head of product testing at Sleep Foundation
• Dr. Joshua Tal, sleep-disorder psychologist
• Ben Trapskin, founder of Yawnder
• Heather Turgeon, psychotherapist and author of The Happy Sleeper
Additional reporting by Karen Iorio Adelson and Hilary Reid.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, ultra-flattering pants, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.
