When the temperature and dew points are high, it's hard to wake up feeling refreshed. Sleeping naked may seem like the obvious solution, but by morning your sheets will be just as sweaty and sticky as you are.
To find the best cooling pajamas for night sweats, we had three hot sleepers — including two pregnant women — wear sets made from loose-weave made from fabrics like cotton, linen, bamboo, and silk. Health and sleep psychologist Joshua Tal, PhD says these materials allow your body to release heat, and are loose enough to cool you down while wicking moisture.
Let's talk about who night sweats affect most: as with many areas of women's healthcare, menopausal and perimenopausal research is underfunded. There's still no single cure for hot flashes, even though it's one of the most common symptoms.
Beyond speaking to Dr. Tal, I also consulted the women in my family who have experienced these symptoms. It starts with a few simple lifestyle changes, like wearing cooling pajamas and sleeping on cooling sheets with a cooling pillow.
Below are all the most comfortable slips and separates that kept us cool and dry overnight. For more of our favorite sleepwear, see our guides to the best women's pajamas, nightgowns, and silk pajamas.
Top 5 cooling pajamas, tested by hot sleepers:
The patented blend of eucalyptus fiber fabric of this cowl-neck nightie feels slippery and cool to the touch. It stayed dry through the night thanks to its impressive moisture-wicking properties.
This luxe PJ set is made of 16 momme, grade 6A silk — in other words, some of the softest, smoothest silk we tested. The lightweight material almost floats over your skin and feels cool to the touch.
"I want all my dresses to feel this breathable and light," writes style editor Samantha Crozier. "[It] basically floats around your body, with no uncomfortable necklines or even rough seams."
"This dress is as comfortable as my favorite pair of sweatpants, yet makes me feel a thousand times more put together, which is a nice feeling (even when you’re just getting in bed)," writes style editor Samantha Crozier. It's perfect for starfish sleepers, since it has high leg slits and a low scoop back.
This cooling bamboo viscose fabric creates a drapey, no-bunch silhouette. It's a stretchy, soft set available in sizes XS-3X.
Best overall: Dagsmejan Nattcool Air Sleep Tech Slip Dress
"Usually when I sweat in my sleep, my pajamas are damp as a result. But waking up in this slip dress, I feel genuinely refreshed.
Dagsmejan is a Swedish sleepwear brand that uses patented technology in their fabrics, like the eucalyptus-based 'Nattcool.' It's a unique textile with impressive moisture-wicking properties that the brand claims is eight times as breathable as cotton.
I first tested this claim last summer by sleeping in the August heat without air conditioning. Sure enough, it kept me comfortably dry through the night. Then, when last summer began with a heat dome, I broke out this nightdress again. It's held up after months of washing and wearing.
This slip dress is made with 100% Lyocell, which feels cool, slippery, and lightweight to the touch. It's almost a shock to the system when you feel how cold the fabric is, even after it's been sitting in a climate-controlled room. The fit of the dress is relaxed with a split hem, so it's easy to move in if you toss and turn in your sleep.
Yes, the price is pretty steep for a nightie, but it really does work to curb night sweats. In fact, I found both Dagsmejan pieces I tested to be worth it, including the Relaxwear Kimono. It's my favorite bathrobe for summer, since I take hot showers no matter the temperature outside." — Gabrielle Chase, senior associate style editor, Insider Reviews
Best silk set: Eberjey Inez Washable Silk Short Set
"Eberjey's silk is beautifully billowy and cool to the touch. It's made of 16 momme, grade 6A silk, which is some of the highest quality around. And one touch will tell you all you need to know about how luxurious this set is, especially compared to some of the lower-cost pajamas on this list. It's expensive, but you get what you're paying for.
There are two versions of the Inez set. I had originally tested the long-sleeve and long pant version, which I love dearly but the arms and legs were a little long for my five-foot-one frame. The fabric is still the same luxurious silk, but having to roll the pants and sleeves up prevented it from being my go-to.
But I absolutely live in the Inez Washable Silk Short Set. It is so light and soft that it feels like silk is floating on my body. I got the printed version in the blue and white Wedgewood pattern (as an antique enthusiast, this little detail made it even more special).
I almost had to force myself to wear anything other than this set. The fit is perfect on me, and the fabric is pure luxury. But like all silk, it takes a little bit of effort to launder and de-wrinkle. However, this set makes it all worth it." — Samantha Crozier, style editor, Insider Reviews
See our full Eberjey pajama review to hear more about our non-silk favorites from the brand.
Best bamboo: Cozy Earth Bamboo Pajama Set
"I'm a big fan of Cozy Earth's bamboo bedding, and their pajamas and loungewear are no exception. I'm particularly drawn to the women's stretch-knit bamboo viscose pajamas, which are breathable and naturally temperature-regulating. The Cozy Earth bamboo pajamas are available in various set combinations, whether you like short sleeves or long sleeves. The bottoms all have pockets, and I love the contrast piping. I opted for the short sleeve and pants set, and I was comfortable all day and night (I admittedly didn't want to change and spent the day working in them. Not to mention, the button-down shirt is Zoom meeting friendly).
In addition to being insanely soft, Cozy Earth is super size inclusive up to size 3XL and with petite and tall sizing. I found that the fabric pills a bit between my thighs, but overall washes pretty nicely." — Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor, Insider Reviews
Find more of Jaclyn's favorite bedroom accessories in our guide to the best cooling products for better sleep.
Best cotton nightgown: Lake Alice Nightgown
Style editor Samantha Crozier found that nightgowns don't just make great cooling sleepwear — they double as a comfy daytime look, too. One of her favorites is the Alice Nightgown, made by Georgia-based pajama brand Lake. It's a knee-length dress that comes with pockets (huzzah!) and is crafted with a lightweight, puckered Pima cotton. Pima is the crème de la crème of cottons, known for its silkiness and strength.
"Trust me, sleeping in front of the fan in this crisp, thin-strapped dress will be a much more pleasant experience than sleeping in an old T-shirt that's probably made with nonporous synthetics," she writes. "Fabrics make all the difference when it comes to temperature control."
Best silk pant set: Negative Underwear
I decided to test out Negative Underwear's new Eclipse silk pajama collection because I'm a longtime fan of its women's underwear — particularly the Whipped material, which is the softest cotton blend I've ever put on my body. I've slept in the Silk Cami and Silk Drawstring Pants a few times between washes. One of the great things about this silk is that it's naturally odor repellent and moisture-wicking, so the fabric stays fresher for longer. I wear this periwinkle set long into the morning because of how breezy and lightweight it feels.
The cropped tank is detailed with iridescent shell buttons. It's a bit too skimpy to pass as a regular tank, so I'd recommend one with fuller coverage if you prefer something you can wear beyond the bedroom. The silk pajama pants run long. For reference, I'm 5-foot-9 and was delighted to find they actually skim the floor when I'm barefoot (a rarity for me).
They come with pockets and an stretchy waistband, so you can wear them high at your natural waist or slung low on the hips.The Grade 6A mulberry silk weighs 17 momme, and the sandwashed finish gives it a slippery, almost reflective quality. It's technically machine washable, but at this weight you can expect it to pill after a year of wash cycles. Overall, I'd say this is a pretty good showing from Negative considering silk pajamas is a new category for the brand, and I'm eager to see it develop.
Best budget: Joyaria Bamboo Viscose Pajama Set
"Many of my favorite pajamas (see the Cozy Earth and Kindred Braverly picks on this list) have one thing in common: The fabric is a combo of 95% viscose from bamboo and 5% Spandex. This budget-friendly Amazon set offers the same cooling material composition at a much more affordable price point. I bought two pairs last summer, when I wanted something similar to my beloved Cozy Earth set, but didn't want to pay upwards of $100 again. A year later, they've held up well through wash and wear, and they've only gotten softer with time. I packed them for a weekend trip with friends last July since the short-sleeve top and capri-pants are more modest than a cami or shorts but still perfectly breezy." — Talia Ergas, freelance style reporter, Insider Reviews
Best pant set: Soma Cool Nights Printed Short-Sleeve Notch Collar & Cropped Pants
I know what you're thinking: How can long pajama pants be considered cooling? That's because these are made with a lightweight, cool-to-the-touch fabric that, in my opinion, offers plenty of breathing room when tossing and turning all night long (ah, pregnancy insomnia).
The relaxed fit and comfy elastic waistband are both added bonuses; plus, the matching short-sleeve button-down top is equally soft. I love this pair so much I packed them in my hospital go-bag when I went to deliver my twins. For me, the pretty palm tree print was just the icing on the cake, but you can choose from a handful of other patterns to suit your individual style.
Best set for maternity and beyond: Kindred Bravely Aria Bamboo Casual Set
"Maternity wear gets a bad rep for not being versatile beyond the birth, but this mix-and-match set defies the odds. With a thick and cushy elastic waistband, the Aria Pants can be worn under my bump during pregnancy and around my waist after delivery and beyond. The loose-fit Aria Crop Top has plenty of room for a growing belly and may even show a flattering peek of bump. I love that, with a t-shirt-style top and wide-leg bottoms, they're equally fit for lounging or sleeping.
The fabric is a buttery-soft viscose-from-bamboo blend that's temperature-regulating, meaning I never overheat in this set. Those who toss and turn in their sleep will appreciate the relaxed, flowing silhouette . With multiple colors to choose from and a reasonable price point, this is the set I'll be stocking up on to stay cool during my summer pregnancy and beyond." — Talia Ergas, freelance style reporter, Insider Reviews
Best silk nightgown: Lunya Washable Silk Tulip Dress
"Lunya's washable silk pajamas are celeb-favorites and Instagram darlings. And while all of Lunya's silk is great, their Tulip Nightgown is the breezy, cooling sleepwear of your dreams.
One of my favorite things about Lunya is the sleep-friendly features that they incorporate into their pieces. For example, this set has long side slits so your legs are free to sprawl in bed. The back of the dress also has a racerback silhouette, so your shoulders and arms are unrestricted.
Lunya is also great at making their silk actually washable. I've tested tons of silk pajamas and not all of them hold up after multiple washed. But this one definitely does — you may need to hit it with a steamer if you want it completely wrinkle-free, though." — Samantha Crozier, style editor, Insider Reviews
See our Lunya washable silk review for our full rundown on the brand's silk pajamas.
Best affordable silk set: Quince 100% Washable Silk Pajamas
If you need an affordable silk pajama set, we found Quince silk pieces to be a satisfactory option. It's not as top-tier as Lunya or Eberjey, but still worth considering if you're on a budget.
"I love the breezy silhouette of the wide-leg pants with the side-slit and the oversized tee — it makes this set great to transition between seasons. I also appreciate that the top and bottoms are sold separately, so you can mix and matches sizes and colors, as well as other silk PJ styles including a button-up shirt, tank, and shorts. Best of all, during testing, I found these pajamas to be truly washable without any detriment to the quality. There are seven gorgeous colors available in sizes XS through XL." — Talia Ergas, freelance style reporter, Insider Reviews
Some Quince silk pieces lasted us longer than others. Read more in our full Quince washable silk review.
Best maternity set: Gap Maternity Softest Modal 3-Piece Set
"Gap's Softest Modal PJs have been a staple in my sleepwear rotation for many years, thanks to their tissue-thin, breathable fabric and length options (I'm 5-foot-7 and I get the tall bottoms for a better drape). This 3-piece maternity set is crafted from an equally soft modal-elastane blend that keeps me comfy and cool, despite night sweats.
I love that the delicate robe provides extra coverage for when I'm lounging around the house, but I typically remove it before bed and sleep in the cami. For this reason, it'd make an excellent set to pack for the postpartum time in the hospital. It's worth noting that the lighter colors are a bit sheer, so you may want to choose the black or the navy for wearing in public.
My favorite feature, which makes it stand out from many other maternity pajama bottoms I've tried, is the combination elastic-and-drawstring waistband. It feels softer on my growing belly than a fully elastic waistband (the elastic on these is just at the back), but the ribbon tie lets me get a snug fit without squeezing." — Talia Ergas, freelance style reporter, Insider Reviews
Best shorts set: Tommy John Second Skin Sleep Tank & Short Set
I tend to gravitate towards shorts sets — especially in the summer months — so I was especially excited to try this one from Tommy John, which, as the name suggests, truly does feel like a second skin. Tommy John also sells its Second Skin pajamas as a set in a luxe ribbed fabric.
I especially loved the ultra-stretchy waistband, which didn't roll over let alone dig, tug, or irritate my very sensitive skin. It's worth noting that the set features modal, which is known for its supreme softness and durable properties (i.e. pill- , shrink-, and fade-resistant). I washed it to see how well it would hold up and was relieved to find it was just as soft and sumptuous as the first time I took it out of the box.
Read more in our full Tommy John loungewear review.
Best affordable nightgown: Bamboo Cool Sleep Dress
Bamboo fabric is known for its thermoregulating and moisture-wicking properties, making it ideal for year-round wear. So, as a hot sleeper, I was especially excited to try out this sleep dress, which, at under $25, is a total steal. The sleeveless nightgown has a soft, stretchy, and oversized fit, providing plenty of coverage and breathing room while you snooze.
Best patterned: Printfresh Short Sleep Set
Printfresh is best known for their loud prints and colorful designs as seen on many lifestyle influencers, but we've put their Short Sleep Set to the hot sleeper test and can confirm that they're more than just a bedtime fashion statement. This set comes in vibrant patterns for anyone who isn't afraid of a little color, and is available from petite small to a standard 6XL.
"I sleep hot, so shorts and a t-shirt are my go-to for bed, no matter the weather. Printfresh's short sleep set is comfortable, lightweight, and breathable; perfect for those of us who tend to overheat at night. I tried the set in my normal 3X and it was a little snugger than I prefer for pjs, and as Sally mentioned, there's not a ton of stretch to the material. If, like me, you prefer your PJs loose, I'd recommend sizing up." — Lauren Savoie, deputy editor, Insider Reviews
Read more in our full Printfresh review.
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