Our Editors Tested the Best Summer Blankets for Hot Sleepers—Here’s 10 Worth Buying
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After one too many summer nights of trying the one leg in, one leg out method to keep cool under our down comforter, we finally caved and bought a cooling blanket. Two words: life changing. The lighter design gave us that cozy, cocooned feeling we craved without raising our body temp. Want in? Yeah, we thought so. From the lightest linen quilt you've ever nuzzled under to a NASA-developed comforter made with special cooling tech fibers, here are 15 summer blankets that deliver a blissfully sweat-free night’s sleep. (And, if you're curious about what to look for in a great summer blanket, we've got that info, too—just scroll all the way to the bottom to get our tips.)
The Best Summer Blankets of 2024 at a Glance
How We Chose The Best Summer Blankets
After having our editors test top-rated blankets out for themselves—and researching other best-selling blankets on the web—we rated them based on the following criteria:
Here are our editor-tested top 10 picks—and if those aren’t enough for you, we’re rounding things out with five more options, based on reviewers’ assessments of the above criteria.
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The 10 Best Summer Blankets, Tested by PureWow Editors
1. Cozy Earth Cloud-Knit Blanket
TOTAL: 97/100
Upon the first touch of this blanket, PureWow’s Associate Fashion and Commerce Editor Stephanie Meraz had one thought: “Oh my goodness, it is so soft! The blanket is a whisper-thin layer of goodness.” This is because, though it's made of a viscose from bamboo, it feels more like silk gliding across your body. Then for summer months, the super-fine tight weave offers ample ventilation: “It’s the type of blanket that’ll swaddle me to sleep without making me sweat like a hot tamale,” Meraz explains. “Despite boasting a luxe weight to it, it’s unbelievably breathable…I’m a sweaty sleeper, and I noticed that I woke up way less drenched with this. Plus, if it does happen to get a semblance of sweat on it, it dries in the blink of an eye before I can notice it.”
In terms of design and durability, she also notes: “I tossed my blanket on both delicate wash and dry cycles and there was no snagging! My fellow neutral lovers will also adore the five color options, from white to ivory to charcoal to light grey.” That said, it’s also worth mentioning her warning on pets: “I have no doubt in my mind that if something sharp, like a dog’s tooth or claw, were to get a hold of the weave, it’d cause a snag.”
2. Quince European Linen Cotton Stitch Quilt
TOTAL: 93/100
Coming in at just under $140 in the 68-by-86-inch size, this is the highest-quality linen quilt we could find at a reasonable price point. “It’s substantial, so you still feel snuggled up, but lightweight enough that you don’t overheat in the summer months. In the colder months, it's an extra layer, but then once the warm weather hits, it can completely replace a comforter,” says PureWow Director of Affiliate Strategy, Pam Masin. Not only that, but it uses a fine European linen-and-cotton blend, so it’s breathable and moisture-wicking at the same time. “The material is so high quality for the price. It's a very soft linen that also feels cool to the touch. Plus, since linen is naturally moisture-wicking, I didn't experience any night sweats or overheating like I have with my all-cotton comforter.”
In terms of design, the handcrafted pick-stitch quilting also creates a subtle texture (that makes it look way more expensive than it is): “I chose the ‘sand’ shade, which it’s neutral enough to match my bedding when I change it around. I love the contrasting stitching and natural dye—it makes the quilt look like a heritage piece.” Even better? “It gets softer over time!” Masin raves. “The brand said it’s OK to dry on low, but I put mine on a drying rack instead (which I would recommend if you have the space). I was worried this it would turn into a wrinkled mess after washing, but if you smooth it out before hang-drying it, it holds up really nicely.”
3. Saatva Aero Quilt
TOTAL: 95/100
Lighter than a comforter yet heavier than a coverlet, quilts often make for a great all-season option. Yet, this one in particular was designed with breathability in mind: “It doesn't feel heavy at all and its breathability is great for the warmer months—as someone who runs hot, this was excellent for air ventilation during the night,” says Phil Mutz, PureWow’s VP of News and Entertainment. This is thanks to the brand’s proprietary cotton-viscose blend, which is woven into a lightweight gauze for warmth without the bulk. “The quilt is soft to the touch and feels great on my skin. More importantly, the airflow definitely keeps me from getting too warm during the night.”
On an aesthetic note, Mutz also says, “The look is simple. If, like me, you prefer a minimalist, clean vibe to your bedding, the white option is for you…it features a simple pattern, giving it some depth and texture without looking busy.” Plus, if you’re worried about how the white will hold up in the wash, he backs: “The blanket didn't lose any of its comfortability or breathability after washing—and the color stays bright over time (just make sure to wash with other whites using a gentle cycle).”
4. Slumber Cloud Lightweight Comforter
TOTAL: 91/100
If you’re someone who sleeps super hot (and sweaty), this fiber-filled blanket is NASA-approved with Outlast technology, a type of fiber that prevents sweat from happening in the first place. “This comforter was so cooling, I had to bundle up when the window was open,” Assistant Editor Delia Curtis backs. “It’s fairly lightweight, given the fact that it's a comforter. It has a bit of ventilation and doesn't seem to press down on the body too much—which is great, considering my heater is broken and I’ve had to double up on blankets to stay warm this winter (a sweaty sleeper’s worst nightmare). It has a very thin feel to it with a bit of cushion, but nothing too bulky.” To that end, they said it wasn’t the softest thing they’ve ever touched, per se, but it definitely felt cool to the touch: “The outer shell is a 300-thread count cotton and it was most definitely crisp on the skin.”
It’s also worth mentioning that Curtis did sweat a bit with this comforter (but not nearly as much as they used to): “It was a huge improvement, and I never broke into a puddle of sweat that made falling back asleep difficult.” Either way, they said it was no sweat (pun intended) to clean: “I cleaned the comforter on a normal cycle with cold water. It stayed nice and bright after washing—and it was even a bit fluffier coming out of the dryer than it was when I first unboxed it.”
5. Parachute Organic Cloud Cotton Quilt
TOTAL: 91/100
Constructed with four-ply gauze and 100 percent long-staple Turkish cotton, this fluffy quilt is a gorgeous investment if you’re looking for something airy and ultra-ultra-soft. Katherine Gillen, PureWow's Senior Food Editor, reports: “The poly batting fill makes the whole blanket feel very fluffy. It’s extremely soft, like a piece that's achieved the perfect amount of wearing in over the years (but right out of the box).” Aside from it feeling deliciously smooth on the skin, Gillen also says it’s a great summer option if you're trading out a down duvet: “It doesn't trap you in a sweaty mess like a synthetic fabric would, yet it's still surprisingly warm, thanks to the fill.” To that end, it’s a middle ground between a regular quilt and a comforter, and it isn’t as wrinkle-prone as linen.
Still, despite the fact that it came out of the dryer looking brand new, Gillen says you should be cautious with its delicate threads: “The gauze material is very prone to snagging and you have to be conscious of that when washing and for general use. (For example, I wear a permanent bracelet that always snags on this type of material, and I have to be really careful with it).” Overall, she summarizes: “I’m recommending this to my friends for summer because it's high quality and the organic modern color palette is beautiful. The only caveat is that it's still pretty warm. If you’re a really hot sleeper, it won't be the most cooling option.” (See: number five on this list.)
6. Riley Four Layer Coverlet
TOTAL: 95/100
Sticking with the theme of dreamy soft blankets; PureWow’s Executive Editor Alexia Dellner was blown away by the smooth hand of this coverlet: “It has a slightly rugged texture which I like (not so slippery) that reminds me of the swaddles I used for my babies.” More important to summer, however, it’s designed with 100 percent combed cotton and a lightweight drape. “It's thin and airy—and since cotton is known for being breathable, it’s good for soaking up sweat. I get very cold at night (I even need to combine this coverlet with a sheet), but my husband is a sweatbox. This has been perfect on its own for him.”
As for anyone who loves Scandi design, Dellner says, “I went for the silver color and it's elegant and chic, with a touch of Hygge vibes. The textured material gives it a bit of a lived-in feel, which I love.” Plus, it also gets points for durability in the wash: “It looks thin/delicate, so I wasn't sure how it would hold up, but I have no complaints! It can look crumpled if left in the dryer for too long, though, so I wouldn’t dilly-dally unloading your machine (guilty).” On that note, she also adds: “My kids haven't destroyed it (yet) but it’s definitely more of a grown-up blanket—I don't think it could withstand sharp claws or unruly tugging from kids.”
7. The Citizenry Naya Bed Blanket
TOTAL: 92/100
“My job entails testing and reviewing a lot of bedding, and I’m calling it: This Citizenry blanket is my top pick for summer 2024,” reports Assistant Home Editor Sydney Meister. While she was originally drawn to the lightweight cotton materials, she stayed for its oversized 90-by-90-inch size: “I’m someone who sleeps hot—as in, my roommate killing over the AC bill in the summer hot—and this quilt has become the solution to cooling comforters (that never seemed to work). Its cotton is breathable, so I can still feel cool air seeping in, and it has a tight woven construction that doesn’t allow sweat to seep in.” She continues, “The true test came when I had a sleepover with my sister, a notorious sheet hogger (which has caused many midnight fights). Thanks to its generous drape, I was fully covered on my queen-sized bed from a.m. to p.m.”
Her favorite part? “I’d be remiss if I didn’t laud its tonal stitched lines. I recently overhauled my bedroom color palette to skew more eclectic with pops of burnt orange and taupe. I was worried that a stone-blue quilt would make it feel like a Jackson Pollock painting but it actually did the opposite—it’s neutral/subtle enough to play off of bolder colors and white dotted seams create a grid effect that feels playful yet sophisticated.” As for durability, she flags, “I spilled some of my morning coffee on the corner of the blanket. After pre-treating the stain with some Laundress stain solution, it came out in the wash…for the most part. There was some residual fading/discoloration after drying, so I would definitely keep sticky toddler fingers and muddy paws away.”
8. Brooklinen Lightweight Quilt
TOTAL: 90/100
Another gorgeous quilt our editors are drooling over? This all-cotton number from Brooklinen. “It's smooth like a cotton T-shirt and looks gorgeous on the bed,” says PureWow Fashion Editor Abby Hepworth. “I love the zhuzhed-up minimalism of the design; the Black Lorimer option is dotted with small black Xs throughout, and have to say, it looks incredibly chic on my bed. I was worried the dainty detailing would look like ants or schmutz, but you can absolutely tell they're intentional Xs, lending a chic twist on crafty kitsch.” As for the feel, she explains, “It’s definitely lightweight and breathable; the quilt has enough weight to feel cozy for those who prefer a heavier blanket but not so much that I felt concerned that it would be too hot.” She also says, “It’s oh-so-soft—almost like your favorite sheets in a blanket. It feels great on my skin, kind of like a good pair of cotton PJs.”
Not to mention that Hepworth says washing is incredibly easy: “I used cool water and my dryer's lowest setting, and it came out looking and feeling as good as new. As long as you stick with a very low setting on the dryer, I don't think you'll have any issues with shrinking or the material breaking down.” That said, she advises that hot sleepers should use it as more of an all-season option: “If you're looking for a breathable all-season quilt, I would totally recommend this design. But if you’re looking for maximum cooling, I’d consider something more temperature-regulating. While the material is breathable and lovely, I did wake up a handful of times feeling overheated. The qualities that make it work well for summer are the fact that it is lightweight and breathable, even though it didn’t feel as cool to the touch as other cooling comforters I've tried.”
9. Outer Bug Shield Blanket
TOTAL: 95/100
First thing’s first: This lightweight recycled poly blanket has been treated with permethrin (a non-irritating insecticide derived from chrysanthemums) to protect wearers from mosquitos and other creepy crawlies. “I was intrigued but not convinced this could work,” says Senior Editor Dana Dickey. “As I unwrapped the featherweight blanket—which is more like a shawl at 50 by 60 inches—I realized it didn’t even smell like insecticide or anything at all, so how could bugs be put off? As I left an hour later, I noticed the stealth genius of the anti-bug technology: I hadn’t gotten a single bite. Nor had I noticed any insects at all.” (The brand also has a larger, 60-by-80-inch size for anyone who’s looking for something more substantial.)
Still, while the company touts the anti-bug tech works for a lifetime, Dickey says, “The active insect repellent mojo will work for 25 washings (although the company cautions users not to dry clean it, which somehow ruins the natural insecticide’s effectiveness).” Either way, Dickey concludes: “Who needs dry cleaning? The unassuming little blanket, which by the way is made from recycled materials so it’s eco-friendly, washed up fine—and I hung it to dry to keep it from wrinkling.”
10. Brooklyn Bedding Chunky Weighted Blanket
TOTAL: 96/100
Unlike many weighted blankets, which are made with dense glass or PVC beads and layers of insulating fabric, this one has an open-knit design that allows for cooling airflow. Take it from PureWow Associate SEO Editor, Marissa Wu, who says: “The open weave works wonders. In fact, there were times that I was actually cold when I just had the blanket on top of me.” This is because, beyond its open-cell construction, it has a polyester inner fill (available in 10- and 15-pound weights) that helps move hot air around. Wu explains, “It’s very breathable in the 15-pound weight. It allows for plenty of ventilation, and though it’s knitted, the holes ensure that you don’t feel hot while under it.”
Beyond its breathability, however, the blanket has also been proven to reduce cortisol levels (stress hormones) while increasing serotonin and melatonin levels, per the brand. It’s also built with a soft polyester shell and jersey knitted fabric that’s supposed to be soothing on the skin: “It's polyester, so it's not super soft, but I'd still rate it on the softer side,” Wu adds. And when it comes to durability, she says, “It’s not machine-washable but the care instructions say to spot clean should there be any stains. I used my tide pen on it, and it worked perfectly! The stain was removed.”
FROM $199; $150 AT BROOKLYN BEDDING
5 More Summer Blankets to Consider
11. Elegear Cooling Blanket
On one side, it's 100 percent cotton. Flip it over, and the reverse is a propriety Arc-chill Cool fabric, which is touted as being two times more powerful than most cooling blankets (per the brand). The real selling point, however, is that it’s designed with specially woven yarns that transfer moisture from the skin to the surface of the blanket, wicking away any sweat before you notice it. “I was sleeping with a fan and light down comforter on, waking up every morning covered in sweat. (Happens for us ladies in menopause). Upon seeing this blanket had more than 18,000 five-star reviews, I decided to give it a try. After several nights of using this as my main blanket, I am a convert. I didn’t immediately notice anything—make sure you have the correct side touching your skin, one side is cooler than the other—but even the cool side didn’t seem too different (when I first felt it). However, I have not once woken up once covered in sweat! Not sure how to explain it but this blanket works,” one reviewer raves.
12. Buffy Puffer Blanket
With a super-silky feel that gets softer with each wash, Buffy took their signature recycled polyester and blended it with cooling eucalyptus lyocell to create a dreamy yet durable, spill-resistant blanket that keeps you cool and cozy (without that slick, plastic-y feel). Take it from one perpetually hot sleeper, who raves: “I’m always too hot—my partner screams at night that it’s freezing while I wipe the sweat off my brow/lip—yet I can’t resist the coziness of being under blankets on my couch, so summer can be tricky. This thing has PERFECT temperature regulation for warmer months. It’s thick enough to feel like a real blanket (not a sheet), the tufting makes for nice fluffiness, and my boyfriend and I can cuddle underneath and be perfectly happy.” The best part? It’s kid- and pet-approved: “We have two big dogs and two cats, so a lot of blankets have gotten torn up—the puffer material is sturdy enough to resist pet damage.”
13. Coyuchi Cascade Blanket
This light cotton fabric is breathable and featherweight (imagine a top sheet on steroids). While the blanket is crafted in Portugal from exceptionally fine yarns, the matelassé design was inspired by traditional Kantha cloths: Each blanket is stonewashed to enhance the raw beauty and softness of rumpled organic cotton. What we love even more than the vintage feel, however, is how it’s elevated with simple bound edging for effortless, elegant layering.
“LOVE my matelassé blanket—bought it in Aegean blue and the color is beautiful. So light and warm for summer, but layers perfectly with another blanket during the winter,” one Coyuchi shopper raves. Plus, it’s 100 percent GOTS-certified organic cotton that’s grown in India and woven in Portugal, so you can take a well-earned nap knowing it’s free from harmful chemicals and toxins. “This Matelasse blanket was a compromise between something truly lightweight and soft (that would be too fragile to machine wash) and something durable that wouldn’t be too stiff/heavy. It is just soft and light enough to pair with a year-round down comforter. Its size is also so substantial, I even hope it will shrink a bit when washed,” another reviewer writes. To that end, it’s available in twin, full/queen and king sizes—and the smallest dimension measures 66 by 92 inches.
14. Crate & Barrel Belgian Flax Quilt
Ditch your heavy winter duvet in favor of this Belgian flax linen quilt. Its chambray design and softly variegated tones will instantly make your bedroom look more put together, while the solid cotton percale backing and pure cotton batting offer a year-round feel: “The weight makes it perfect for any season—I bought it for summer as a lighter layer for our bed, but as it has been cooler than expected these last few weeks it has made the perfect layer under a medium comforter for where we live. It breathes really well so we don’t overheat at night either,” writes one reviewer. The quilt also machine washable, making it super low maintenance: “The fabric and colors have stood up to multiple washing, and it fits in an extra-large capacity washer & dryer easily, making cleaning at home much more convenient.”
FROM $250; $150 AT CRATE & BARREL
15. Serena & Lily Beachcomber Throw
Our need for a good summer blanket isn’t limited to the bedroom. One must also have a lightweight knit that doubles as eye candy for your couch or accent chair. That's where this carefully woven cotton number comes in. Not only does its design pull inspiration from the cozy knit sweaters once worn in old, Irish fishing villages, but it has a super soft waffle weave and eyelash fringe that makes it feel timely with the New England eclectic trend. The mid-weight feel offers the perfect amount of cushion during cooler summer nights—and it’s even washable/dryable on a gentle cycle (which is hard to come by for luxurious weaves like this). Plus, it features an oversized, 50- by 70-inch size (perfect for movie nights) and it’s available in six coastal colors, including white, sea salt, fog, sky, washed indigo and chartreuse.
FROM $168; $128 AT SERENA & LILY
What Kind of Blankets Are Good for Summer?
The degree of how hot or cold someone runs while sleeping varies from person to person. That said, there are some fabrics that are good for everyone during the hotter months, which typically include cotton and plant-based blends like bamboo viscose and eucalyptus lyocell, rather than heavier knits. And while synthetic fabrics like polyester have not traditionally been known for their breathability and are often avoided because they trap in heat, a new generation of synthetic tech fabrics keep your body heat moving and regulate temperatures while you sleep. (Read more about the best kind of cooling fabrics here.)
Materials to Look for in a Summer Blanket
The 19 Best Cooling Comforters of 2024
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