Being a hot sleeper can feel like a curse. Truthfully, there's little worse than waking up in the middle of the night, tangled in sweaty sheets and drenched in perspiration. If this situation sounds all too familiar to you, you're not alone, as over half the population, according to a Gallup poll, has felt too warm at night. Fortunately, cooling sheets are one of the easiest swaps you can make in the bedroom. The best sheets for hot sleepers are breathable and airy. Some may even be moisture-wicking or cool to the touch.
After testing a dozen sheet sets during a hot Texas summer, my pick for the best cooling sheets is the Sijo Airyweight Eucalyptus Sheet Set. These sheets are soft, silky, and excel at temperature regulation, even in warm weather. I also found several options that highlight natural materials or specialized cooling fibers.
For more solutions for hot sleepers, check out all of our content around the best cooling sleep products, including the best cooling pillow, best cooling comforter, best cooling mattress topper, best cooling pajamas.
Our picks of the best cooling sheets for hot sleepers
Best overall: Sijo Airyweight Eucalyptus Sheet Set — See at Sijo
Best cooling sheets for temperature regulation: Slumber Cloud Performance Tencel Sheet Set — See at Slumber Cloud
Best cool-to-the-touch sheets: Coop Sleep Goods Cool+ Sheet Set - See at Coop Sleep Goods
Best cooling cotton sheets: L.L.Bean Percale Sheet Set — See at L.L.Bean
Best cooling bamboo sheets: My Sheets Rock The Regulator Sheet Set - See at My Sheets Rock
Best cooling linen sheets: Brooklinen Washed European Linen Core Sheet Set — See at Brooklinen
Best luxury cooling sheets: Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set — See at Cozy Earth
Best budget cooling sheets: Mellanni Iconic Collection — See at Amazon
Best overall
The silky soft AiryWeight Eucalyptus sheets are made of Tencel Lyocell and excel in keeping you cool and dry, making them one of the best options for hot sleepers.
What we like
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The perfect balance of softness and sweat control. This set has everything I look for in cooling sheets. The Sijo AiryWeight Eucalyptus Sheet Set, made with Tencel Lyocell from eucalyptus, offers a feel between silky and soft. I preferred how they felt after washing them, softer than silky. I remained cool sleeping under these sheets as they wicked away heat and moisture and allowed air to flow through, and they were slightly cool to the touch as I got into bed. The fitted sheet has a 16-inch pocket depth to fit most mattresses. When I placed the fitted sheet on my bed, I didn't notice any extra fabric bunching on my 10-inch mattress.
Eco-friendly and certified safe. Health-minded buyers will love that these sheets hold some of the strictest certifications available for bedding. They are sourced from FSC and PEFC-certified eucalyptus wood, hold an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification, and are officially Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certified.
Flexible buying options. In addition to 14 different color options, Sijo offers its sheets with or without a flat sheet, which saves you money if you're resistant to top sheets. You can also purchase pieces individually.
Best temperature regulating
Slumbercloud Performance Tencel Sheets are temperature-regulating sheets that help your body reach the perfect temperature to not overheat and get softer after they’re washed.
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Tencel excels at temperature regulation. Tencel is a soft, eco-friendly fabric made from wood pulp, and it's one of the best materials for hot sleepers. The Slumber Cloud Performance Sheets did a great job of keeping my temperature regulated as I slept. Not only were they breathable and cool, but I also did not sweat when sleeping with them.
The heat-absorbing fabric is soft and smooth. I liked how the sheets became softer and took on a more natural look after washing, almost losing the silky feel that had originally stood out. The silky feeling of the material didn't feel bad; it's just that I prefer soft over silky fabrics for my sheets. These unique sheets are made with Tencel Lyocell and proprietary Outlast viscose fibers, which regulate heat to prevent moisture from forming, rather than wicking away the sweat that develops. The fabric absorbs, stores, and releases body heat to keep you from overheating or becoming too cold.
I wish there were bed-making tags and more color options. While I'm not a fan of the elastic corner straps on the fitted sheet because they're hard to put on the corners, they do prevent the sheet from slipping, and others may appreciate that feature. There are no top/bottom labels on the fitted sheet, and I did notice some extra fabric from it bunched on my bed. Elastic straps do help keep it in place, however. The 60-night trial is a practical perk, but the warranty is only 6 months. Fortunately, one tester has been using these sheets consistently for the last few years and hasn't experienced any durability issues. I also wish they came in more than seven neutral colors.
Best cool to the touch
These cool-to-the-touch sheets are silky and stretchy, but do an average job of dispersing heat.
What we like
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A true cool-to-the-touch sensation. I tested quite a few "cool-to-the-touch" sheet sets, and trust me, I understand the appeal. Unfortunately, many standard synthetic sheets trap heat and don't regulate temperature throughout the night. The Coop Sleep Goods Cool+ Sheet Set (formerly the Comphy CoolSpa sheets) is the major exception. Slipping underneath the Cool+ sheets feels refreshingly icy.
Athletic performance fabric that actively cools. The fabric is incredibly silky and stretchy, functioning exactly like high-end athletic performance wear. It's a little slippery—my editor found that the top sheet sometimes slid off the bed—but I had no issues with the fitted sheet staying put. As I slept, I could feel the proprietary nylon/spandex knit actively conduct heat away from my body without trapping warm air bubbles. The Cool+ sheets also become softer after washing and come out of the dryer completely wrinkle-free. The zippered pillowcases were useful for keeping my pillow in place.
Generous trial policies, but limited colors. While the 100-night trial and one-year warranty are great risk-free policies. However, the slick feel and only three color options — two of which are different shades of gray — make it understandable if this particular sheet set won't work for everyone.
Best cotton
The L.L.Bean percale sheets feel amazing on your skin — simultaneously light, crisp, and soft — and prove that quality materials are more important than thread count.
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Pima percale is the gold standard of cotton. If you love the crisp, structured feel of luxury hotel bedding but hate waking up hot, the L.L.Bean Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set is our definitive top pick. The secret to its cooling performance is the material pairing: 100% extra-long-staple Pima cotton woven into a highly breathable percale grid. Because the individual cotton fibers are naturally longer than those in standard cotton, they can be woven into a lightweight, airy fabric that releases trapped body heat instantly while remaining exceptionally durable and resisting pilling, wash after wash.
The perfect 280-thread-count airflow. While marketing jargon often tries to sell 1,000-thread-count sheets as a luxury, hot sleepers should run the other way. L.L.Bean's low 280-thread count is exactly what you want. It creates a matte finish with just enough breathing room between the threads for maximum breathability and airflow. Our reviewer loved how soft and durable this sheet set was, and how it gets softer over time without sacrificing durability.
What to know about sizing: This set is moderately priced and comes in nine solid colors, plus charming prints like florals and gingham. While we love the accessible price point and the helpful "top/bottom" tags for easy bed-making, keep in mind that L.L.Bean does not offer this set in a standard Twin XL. If you are outfitting a college dorm room or a split-king adjustable bed, you will have to purchase the pieces individually rather than as a bundled set.
Read our full L.L.Bean Percale Sheets review.
Best bamboo
The Regulator Sheet Set from My Sheets Rock strikes the perfect balance of silky softness and a breathable, cooling feel.
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Bamboo sheets are one of the best options for hot sleepers. Our tester slept the coolest under these breathable, temperature-regulating sheets from My Sheets Rock.
They're as soft as cotton sateen, but without the heat retention. Where cotton sateen runs warm, the Regulator Sheets are cool, yet they still have that buttery-soft feel. The ultra-light, featherweight bamboo rayon weave allows hot air to escape instantly while actively keeping humidity from building up under the covers. They function more like high-performance athletic gear than traditional linens, making them the ultimate antidote for heavy night sweats.
Best linen
Linen is known to be rough and itchy, but Brooklinen's linen sheets are remarkably soft, airy, cooling, and durable. They're our top choice when it comes to linen bedding.
What we like
What we don't like
Airy, breathable, and temperature-regulating. Linen is renowned for its exceptional durability and natural airflow. Of all the sheets we tested for our best linen sheets guide, the Brooklinen Washed European Linen Core Sheet Set is the perfect mix of out-of-the-packaging softness and cooling performance. The OEKO-TEX-certified sheet set helped regulate our tester's temperature as she slept. While the texture was something that our reviewer (and her husband) weren't initially used to, they quickly overlooked this when they didn't wake up sweating at any point in the night.
Helpful details and trial policies: There are nine core color options to choose from, along with limited-edition seasonal drops. We highly appreciate that you can buy pieces individually or as a complete set. Brooklinen also offers a phenomenal 365-day return policy, giving you a full year to test the breathability and feel of the sheets before fully committing to the investment.
Read our Brooklinen Washed European Linen Sheets review.
Best luxury
These Cozy Earth bamboo sheets are among the most cooling on our list with deep pockets for mattresses up to 20 inches thick and a silky soft feel.
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Worth the splurge-worthy tag. While the My Sheets Rock set wins for sheer moisture dissipation, the Cozy Earth features an incredibly smooth sateen drape that melts away body heat without feeling thin or flimsy like cheaper alternatives. They are crisp yet velvety-soft, and get more supple with every trip through the laundry. As you crawl into bed, they feel cool to the touch.
Deep pockets and long-term warranties: Designed to comfortably accommodate massive, deep-pocket mattress profiles up to 20 inches, these sheets also feature helpful top/bottom labels to take the guesswork out of making the bed. While they arrive with a shiny sheen that slightly fades after washing, they are an incredible investment piece backed by a lengthy 10-year warranty against pilling and tearing.
Read our Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set review.
Best budget
The Mellanni Iconic Collection Microfiber sheets are incredibly affordable with solid cooling properties, a wide range of color options, and OEKO-TEX certification.
What we like
What we don't like
You get more than what you pay for with these sheets. While microfiber is a synthetic polyester that traditionally traps body heat rather than repelling it, we chose to include the Mellanni Iconic Collection Sheet Set because its ultra-thin weave makes it significantly more breathable than standard synthetics. If you experience intense hot flashes or severe night sweats, we still recommend investing in a natural thermoregulator like cotton percale or bamboo. But if you simply want a lightweight, budget-friendly set under $40 that won't leave you sweltering, Mellanni performs impressively well for the price. Not only can you choose from 45 different color options, but you can usually find a queen-size sheet set for a total steal at around $37.
This set kept us remarkably comfortable. They aren't cool-to-the-touch, and they weren't the softest that we tested, but they did surprisingly well at pulling heat away from the body and releasing it. We never got hot at night—only slightly warm, which wasn't enough to cause sweating. There was also no extra fabric bunching to cause an uncomfortable sleep experience. It doesn't hurt that these OEKO-TEX-certified sheets come with a lifetime warranty, a rare perk at this price point. On the downside, their massive array of colors and patterns isn't uniformly available across all mattress sizes, and you won't find helpful top/bottom labels on the fitted sheet.
What else we tested
While we narrowed down our final list to the absolute top performers in each fabric family, we also tested several other popular bedding options. Here is how they fared during our evaluation process:
- Quince Bamboo Sheet Set ($130): This set holds the top overall spot in our dedicated guide to the best bamboo sheets. They are incredibly soft right out of the box and offer great value. However, the fabric is slightly thinner than Cozy Earth's luxury option, and we noted minor long-term durability issues, including loose threads and pilling.
- The Original PeachSkinSheets Sheet Set ($125): We loved the ultra-deep 22-inch pockets and the incredibly creamy, soft feel of these athletic-grade poly-fiber sheets, which. PeachSkinSheets claims is moisture-wicking and more breathable than cotton. However, because they are structurally synthetic microfibers, they lack the inherent long-term thermoregulation of natural fibers and require a restrictive laundry routine to prevent pilling. Ultimately, I thought my cotton sheets were still just as breathable. The softness, however, is unparalleled.
What to look for in the best cooling sheets
Although cooling bed sheets can be helpful to those who live in warm places or folks who overheat at night, they are beneficial to all sleepers. "As your body temperature naturally decreases at night, cooler bed sheets can help signal to your body that it's time to go to sleep," said Dr. Daniel Gartenberg, Ph.D., Sleep Health Advisor at CPAP.com. "They can also help you stay asleep and avoid interruptions that may be caused by sweat or increased temperatures."
He adds, "Cooler sheets help maintain a more balanced temperature within your body, so you're more likely to experience more restful sleep rather than waking up periodically due to either sweating or feeling hot."
However, not all "cooling" sheets work the same way. Through our extensive testing in a warm climate, we discovered that sheets generally fall into two performance categories: passive ventilators (natural fabrics that allow maximum airflow) and active heat-absorbers (engineered fabrics that pull heat away from your skin).
To find your perfect match, prioritize these criteria in choosing the best cooling sheets for your needs.
Fabric type
Don't just buy what's popular; choose the raw material that matches how your body handles heat at night:
- Tencel Lyocell & eucalyptus: Our gold standard for damp, humid heat. As we found with our top pick, the Sijo AiryWeight Eucalyptus Set, these plant-derived fibers excel at moisture-wicking, pulling sweat away from your skin before it pools.
- Bamboo: Highly breathable with a silkier, heavier drape. "Bamboo sheets, excel at deterring moisture and promoting airflow, keeping you cool and comfortable," Gartenberg said. "Bamboo fibers contain tiny pores that let hot air escape naturally, making it easier to stay cool and relaxed while sleeping."
- Cotton percale: Best for sleepers who want that classic, crisp, structured hotel feel. Choose a percale weave over sateen—the "one-thread-over, one-thread-under" knit creates a matte finish with built-in air channels.
- Linen: The ultimate choice for maximum airflow and temperature regulation. Look for a lower GSM. It's loose and dry, making it ideal for thick, sticky summer nights.
- Synthetics & performance tech: As a general rule, avoid traditional polyester or microfiber, as petroleum-based plastics inherently trap body heat. However, there are two distinct exceptions for hot sleepers: High-end performance tech (like the Coop Sleep Goods uses specialized knits or phase-change materials to actively absorb heat and feel physically icy to the touch. Alternatively, if you are on a strict budget, ultra-thin microfiber won't actively cool you down, but the weave is sheer enough to allow passive airflow, so you won't swelter.
Thread count vs. GSM
The old rule that "higher thread count equals better quality" is a myth that will leave hot sleepers sweltering. High thread counts mean more threads are crammed into a single square inch, reducing airflow. "The lower the thread count, the cooler you'll be able to feel at nighttime, as lower thread counts typically have a much looser weave than higher thread counts, which allows them to be more breathable."
- For cotton, target a thread count between 200 and 400. Anything higher will trap your body heat.
- For linen, bamboo, and tech blends, thread count doesn't exist. Instead, look at GSM (Grams per Square Meter). Consider a lightweight target between 130 and 150 GSM for an airy feel.
Fit
This is a hidden cooling factor: if a fitted sheet doesn't fit tightly, the loose fabric will bunch up under your body, trapping pockets of stagnant, warm air. If you have a standard mattress between 10 and 14 inches, the typical 15 to 16-inch pocket depth will be appropriate for you. Deeper pocket designs may cause too much bunching.
Certifications
We highly prioritize sheets with an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification (meaning the fabric is verified free of harmful chemicals). For organic claims, we look for the strict GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) label, and for Tencel, we look for FSC certification to ensure sustainable foresting.
Returns and warranty policies
High-quality sheets are an investment, and you shouldn't be penalized if a fabric doesn't cure your night sweats. We heavily favor brands that offer true sleep trials (30 to 365 nights). We actively flag "red flag" return policies—like brands that require the sheets to be returned completely unused and in their original packaging — so you don't get stuck with a product you hate. It's also good to see warranties around defects such as pilling, abnormal rips, or staining.
How we tested cooling sheets
I've tested numerous of the best mattresses, comforters, and pillows, so I know how important it is to have the right products and accessories for a good night's rest. Bed sheets, like any other sleep product, can improve one's sleep, and as someone who lives in Texas, it's imperative that my bed is outfitted with cooling sheets.
I slept on each sheet set for two nights and evaluated how they felt on my skin, their cooling capabilities, and how they fit on the bed. Some of the sheets were tested on a queen mattress with a lightweight comforter, while others were tested on a king-size mattress with a heavy comforter. However, for each sheet set that I tested, the air conditioning was set at 77 degrees, and the fan was on. My house is inevitably warm even with the air conditioner.
To determine the sheets' durability, I washed the sheets per the brand's instructions. This allowed me to see if the feel or comfort level of the sheets changed with washing. I also considered the materials, certifications, color and size options, and policies on returns and warranties when determining the overall score for each sheet set.
Meet the expert behind the guide:
Alex Temblador, contributor: I'm a veteran home and sleep product reviewer. Combining insights from my own experience testing bedding in the Texas heat with those of fellow hot sleepers, I rigorously evaluate cooling claims and consider the feel, durability, and value of each sheet set.
Best cooling sheets FAQs
Can cooling sheets help with night sweats?
"Cooling bed sheets can help with night sweats by keeping you from becoming too hot and trapping moisture away from your skin. It's best that you find cooling sheets that are more lightweight and breathable, " says Gartenberg. "Heavier cooling sheets will make you sweat more, so finding cooling sheets that are super lightweight and breathable will be most beneficial to you."
What is the best material for sheets to keep you cool?
The best material for cooling sheets is cotton, Tencel, bamboo, or linen. Cotton, especially percale, is airy and repels heat. Tencel is silky-smooth and cool to the touch. Bamboo combines softness with cooling capabilities, and linen is ultra-breathable.
Do cooling sheets actually work?
Based on our testing, we sure think so and swear by them year-round. They combine breathability, temperature regulation, and a cool touch to fight off night sweats and keep even the hottest sleepers comfortable.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@bjinnox.com.
