The 7 Best Cooling Sheets of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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Because no one likes to wake up in a pool of sweat
People / Dera Burreson
While cotton sheets are a staple in many bedrooms, alternative materials like bamboo and eucalyptus (plus weaves like percale) are seeing growing popularity among celebrities and interior designers alike. Oprah’s favorite bedding brand, Cozy Earth, is known for its soft lightweight bamboo sheets, and with our top picks you can have breathable silky bedding too.
“These days, buyers are becoming more conscious and aware of the products they purchase,” celebrity interior designer and TV personality Mikel Welch tells PEOPLE. “Cotton alternatives have been on the rise lately because they are extremely comfortable and come from recycled materials that won’t hurt the environment. If your allergies seem to get the best of you, cotton alternatives will also be a huge win! Most of these fabrics are hypoallergenic and great for any skin type.”
Over the course of two days, our testers compared 68 (yes 68!) different types of sheets to compare them for quality, texture, breathability, durability, and overall value. After laying on them for five minutes — with a few mini naps sprinkled in — our testers scored each sheet, evaluating how soft and cool they were to the touch, how well they held up against the washing machine, and how well the value matched the listed cost.
These are the best cooling sheets PEOPLE Tested.
Best Overall: Olive + Crate Eucalyptus Sheet Set
Pros
Smooth, soft, and cool the touch, making them a dream to fall asleep in
Our hot sleeper said even just feeling these sheets cooled her down
Cons
Shrunk minimally in the wash, and there weren’t bed-making labels
The Olive + Crate Cooling Eucalyptus Sheets were the clear winners during testing. These are the softest, smoothest, coolest sheets we encountered during testing. Our tester is a hot sleeper and when she handled the sheets, she actually felt cooler. These sheets exceeded our expectations by earning perfect scores in all six of our tests.
We absolutely loved lying in these. They honestly made us a tad nervous that we wouldn’t want to get out of bed, because they felt that good. The high quality, soft texture, and breathability were evident, and we detected no defects or flaws. After washing, we noticed the sheets had shrunk slightly in the wash but still fit perfectly fine on the bed and didn’t have any stray threads or signs of wear.
The only complaint was the lack of bed-making tags, so you know which end is the top and side when putting the sheets on the bed. Because let’s be honest, those tags save a lot of time. That aside, these incredibly soft sheets are still our new obsession of our tester.
Given the wide range of colors, solid construction, and overall value when considering cost, these sheets are well worth the buy.
How it's held up: After six months of nightly use, these sheets are still so soft and keep us cool throughout the night. One of the pillowcases started to split a tiny bit, but that could just be an issue with that particular set.
Price at time of publish: $169.99
Materials | Eucalyptus, silk |
Sizes | Twin, queen, king, california king |
Colors | 8 |
Special Features | Moisture-wicking eucalyptus fiber, extra deep pockets to fit larger mattresses, made with sustainable materials and Oeko-Tex 100 Standard-certified |
Best Budget: Bedsure 100% Viscose from Bamboo Sheets 4 PCs Set, Queen
Pros
Affordable and well-made sheets performed well in the lab and at home over a period of six months
Perfect fit on our beds
Cons
The texture makes them wrinkle easily
We loved this budget-friendly sheet set for its high quality, silky texture, and durability. The fitted sheet seems to fit the bed perfectly, and the top sheet is sizable — providing plenty of coverage for those who share a bed with sheet thieves.
The texture proved a little wrinkly but was soft and cool to the touch. These sheets were moderately breathable and didn’t succumb to wear and tear after washing them. That being said, if you’re looking for luxury sheets at a low price, this is your best bet.
Given all the qualities of these silky and durable sheets, we believe the low price makes this a great value product. One of our testers noted that as a young single person, she wants nice sheets without having to pay a high price, and these sheets serve that goal.
How it's held up: After six months of use, we still recommend these sheets because they are an incredible value. Even if you're not a hot sleeper, they'd be great to add to your summer bedding rotation because they keep you cool but don't feel cheap at all.
Price at time of publish: $59.99
Materials | Viscose from bamboo |
Sizes | Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, california king |
Colors | 11 |
Special Features | Moisture-wicking materials, deep pockets |
Best Investment: Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set
Pros
Premium bamboo softness, high breathability, and durability after washing
Wrinkle-free out of the dryer
An Oprah favorite
Cons
Price might be too high for some budgets
Receiving a nearly perfect score in our tests, this Oprah-favorite sheet set proved stellar on all fronts. We found no loose thread or flaws, and the material felt silky, but not ‘slides off everything’ kind of silky. We also appreciated the embroidered logo, because it makes the sheets feel more high end.
These Cozy Earth sheets are so thin and breathable they catch the light, and they felt cool to the touch, and stayed cool throughout nap time in the lab. We washed the sheets to test their durability, and they remained very soft after washing, and the material held up well. The sheets shrunk slightly and fit more snugly on the bed post-wash, but the pillowcase was wrinkle-free right from the dryer.
The price seems high compared to other sheets we tested, but for someone with a larger budget, the cost isn’t unreasonable, and you’re getting what you pay for — high price for high quality.
How it's held up: We understand why these are an Oprah favorite and think they are absolutely worth the higher cost. Our tester slept on them every single night for six months (with frequent washing) and still thinks they are worth every penny.
Price at time of publish: $279
Materials | 100% Viscose from bamboo |
Sizes | Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, california king, split king |
Colors | 5 |
Special Features | Enhanced weave prevents pilling, moisture-wicking material, responsible production |
Best Eucalyptus: The Company Store Legends Hotel Tencel Lyocell Sateen Fitted Sheet
Pros
These sheets were highly popular during testing for their softness, lightweight feel, and general durability
Earned a near perfect score in every category
Cons
These sheets wrinkle super easily
Earning a nearly perfect score, this creamy sheet set gave the ultimate softness, impressing all of our testers. The first thing everyone said when they touched this one was "Wow these are so soft!” They feel super lightweight and thin, so if you’re a hot sleeper you won’t overheat in these sheets.
These sheets are some of the most comfortable ones we tested, and we assumed the price would be high due to the premium quality. (Plot twist: it’s not!) These sheets are actually quite affordable despite the luxurious feel and design.
The only qualm was with how easily the sheets wrinkle, but that’s not a dealbreaker for us. They survived the wash test beautifully and impressed our additional testers who said there were “no loose strings or dye changes” and that she “appreciated the tags labeling the top and bottom.” We believe these eucalyptus sheets are top-notch, and our second tester said they were one of her “favorites” from the whole test (of 68 sheets!).
How it's held up: We still absolutely love these sheets after six months of use, and we also love that they don't cause static in our tester's dry apartment. We recommend them for year-round use, and they've held up beautifully as time goes on.
Price at time of publish: $36.97
Materials | 100% certified TENCEL™ Lyocell sateen |
Sizes | Twin, full, queen, king |
Colors | 5 |
Special Features | 300 thread count, deep pockets, breathable |
People / Rachel Marek
Best Percale: Lands' End 300 Thread Count Premium Supima Cotton Percale Bed Sheet Set
Pros
Extremely soft and durable, especially considering the price
Great for both hot and cold sleepers
Wrinkle-free out of the wash
Cons
Didn't offer the biggest cooling effect
Percale is a type of weave that makes cotton sheets more breathable, and these percale sheets meet that task head on. They’re extremely soft and almost silky, so they feel great against the skin as you lie between them. We immediately wanted to take a nap on these.
Our body heat didn't get trapped underneath these percale sheets, and they felt cool against our skin. The sheets’ quality remained top-notch before and after washing. Plus, they didn't wrinkle out of the wash, and they still fit the bed very well. Overall, we think this is an excellent set of percale sheets for a good price: They feel extremely comfortable and high quality, and we feel like they would last a long time.
How it's held up: Our tester runs cold, but her partner runs hot, and yet, they both love these sheets— and that's one less thing to compromise on! They ordered the Steel Gray color, which they love and would recommend to those who don't crave a white sheet set.
Price at time of publish: $79.99+
Materials | Supima cotton percale |
Sizes | Twin, extra long twin, full, queen, king, california king |
Colors | 7 |
Special Features | 300 thread count |
People / Rachel Marek
Related:The 9 Best Percale Sheets of 2023 for a Cool Night's Sleep
Best Bamboo: Bampure Organic Bamboo Sheet Set
Pros
Highly breathable, cool when you’re lying on them
Very roomy so they will fit even pillowtop mattresses
Cons
Slight shrinkage after washing, but nothing significant
These bamboo sheets had us in awe of their quality design, soft texture, and durability. We appreciated the cool and soft material and the nice stitching with an extra flap on the pillowcases to cover the end. This set was hardly wrinkled compared to others in our test and had a nice sheen.
These bamboo sheets have a silky and smooth texture and were quite breathable; they didn’t feel much warmer after lying on them for five minutes. There were no signs of wear or tear after washing them, and only minimal shrinkage (which didn’t affect the fit on the bed!). Additional testers loved that they retained their soft feel even after washing them.
In addition to how roomy the fitted sheet is, this set also comes with an extra elastic band to hold the sheet in place even when you toss and turn. Overall, our team felt these sheets offered a high quality for a good price.
How it's held up: After six months, these bamboo sheets are just as silky and lightweight as they were on day one of testing. Though they are cool to the touch, they don't offer a significant cooling effect throughout the night, but we still recommend them because they are just so soft.
Price at time of publish: $100
Materials | 100% organic bamboo |
Sizes | Twin, full, queen, king, california king |
Colors | 12 |
Special Features | Deep pocket, breathable, odor resistant |
People / Dera Burreson
Related:The Best Bamboo Sheets of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Best Cooling: Molecule Sateen Performance Sheets
Pros
Highly breathable, soft to the touch, and were durable during washing
Cons
Remained pretty wrinkled throughout testing
Hot sleepers rejoice! These cooling sheets were a hit during testing. Our tester said, “I run very hot and these held up to their cooling attribute. After five minutes, the area where I was lying was hardly warm to the touch.”
The quality is fantastic, and we appreciated that the sheets came with a label for “top” to simplify the bed-making process. We had no struggles whatsoever putting on the sheets and pillowcases, and they had a cool crisp feel to them as we were putting them on.
The only hesitation was the amount of wrinkles on these sheets, but we appreciated their overall texture and durability, and think these are a great value.
Price at time of publish: $109
Materials | TENCEL™️ Lyocell sateen |
Sizes | Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, california king, split king |
Colors | 4 |
Special Features | Eco-friendly, 300-thread count, OEKO-TEX® Certified, 30 Night Sleep Trial |
People / Dera Burreson
Things to Consider Before Buying Percale, Bamboo, & Eucalyptus Sheets
Thread Count
When you’re looking for percale, bamboo, and eucalyptus sheets, thread count is an important quality to consider. “On average, you’ll typically see a thread count between 250-450 for cotton alternative bedding,” says Welch. A better thread count will lead to the sheets continuing to soften over time, rather than becoming coarse with extensive washing. “Surprisingly, these cotton alternatives can hold their own when it comes to softness,” he adds. “This is because the leaves that these materials derive from are naturally silky-soft.”
Breathability
Many people look for these types of sheets to help cool down at night, and breathability is essential for that effect. “Many materials such as bamboo regulate your body heat,” says Welch. “This means they will keep you cool in the summer months and warm in the cold winters ahead. Options like percale are great because they are lightweight and breathable at the same time.”
Looking at how thin a sheet is and physically feeling it to see if it’s cool to the touch are good ways to tell if it will keep you cool. Our winning sheet — Olive + Crate Cooling Eucalyptus Sheets — are extremely breathable, and will keep you comfortable even during hot summer months.
Material
What are the differences between these materials? Bamboo and eucalyptus are both eco-friendly — bamboo is made from bamboo fibers and eucalyptus is made from eucalyptus wood pulp. Both are fairly durable (though more delicate than cotton), but you have to be mindful when washing them to avoid shrinkage. Percale is simply a type of weave used for cotton sheets. Percale cotton is more delicate than traditional cotton, so the same caution should apply to laundry day. All three materials can feel silky and smooth to the touch, so it will come down to your preference when examining the specific textures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of bamboo sheets?
There are many benefits to using bamboo sheets including sustainability, temperature regulation, and falling asleep in an extremely soft material. These sheets come from the fiber of bamboo — a naturally occurring tree that grows without pesticides, absorbs significant carbon dioxide, and needs very little energy to grow. The silky material is highly durable, and cool to the touch which helps regulate your body temperature while you sleep. It’s also highly comfortable.
Are eucalyptus sheets better than silk?
Both types of sheets offer breathability and hypoallergenic materials that help create a restful sleep, but they do differ in terms of eco-friendliness. Silk comes from silkworms — which as an animal byproduct is not sustainable. Eucalyptus sheets are made from the pulp of eucalyptus wood (via a fiber called Tencel Lyocell), and these trees are grown without any harmful materials, and have a very small environmental footprint.
How do you wash bamboo sheets?
While bamboo and eucalyptus sheets are fairly durable, these materials are more susceptible to shrinkage and wear than cotton. “In order to keep cotton alternatives soft and comfy, you will need to treat them with care. I would recommend washing bedding on the gentle cycle,” Welch says. “As is typically practiced, the sheets and pillow cases can go in the dryer. But, let your duvet cover hang dry to prevent shrinkage. Cotton alternatives naturally wrinkle a bit more, so you may have to use your steamer if you prefer that crisp hotel linen vibe. Most [traditional] cotton alternatives such as percale, start off a bit firm but get much softer with wear.”
People / Dera Burreson
How We Tested Percale, Bamboo, & Eucalyptus Sheets
To find the softest, creamiest sheets, we tested 68 percale, bamboo, and eucalyptus sheet sets in our lab. Looking at factors like quality, texture, breathability, durability, and value, our testers rated each sheet out of five points. They unpacked each set and looked for signs of wear and any imperfections. They made up the demo bed to see how well the sheets fit the mattress, and then repeated this step after washing the sheets in case there was any shrinkage. Our testers considered the feel of the sheets, seeing how comfortable the texture was against bare skin.
And because these materials are known for their cooling abilities (a necessity in summer!), the testers checked the breathability by examining the thickness of the sheets (if light passed through) and whether the sheets stayed cool after lying on them for five minutes. The wash test also determined the durability — with testers looking for loose threads, fading, or other damage. Based on all of these qualities and considering the price (once it was revealed!) the testers determined the overall value of each sheet set. We used these findings to pick the best seven sheets.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Madison Yauger is a senior commerce writer at PEOPLE, covering beauty, home, travel, and other lifestyle topics. Her background includes news, lifestyle, and commerce journalism for publications like Food & Wine, Real Simple, Health, Martha Stewart, and more. For this article, she consulted two rounds of testing that included lab tests and long-term at-home insights. Additional testing insights were added by senior commerce editor Erin Johnson, who has an extensive background in testing home products.
What Is People Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
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Up Next:The Best Linen Sheets of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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