These Cooling Sheets Could Be The Answer To Your Night Sweats

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If there's one thing we all can agree on: Sleeping hot is not fun. I mean, who really enjoys getting their softest sheets all sweaty, clammy? ... No one. The answer is no one. So whether you're dealing with hot, hot temps, an overheated significant other, or a heater that seems to always be on full blast, investing in a set of cooling sheets can help you sleep cooler and more comfortably throughout the year.

In addition to keeping a cool room, keeping cool sheets (and a cooling pillow!) can also help regulate your body's temp as you rest. Cooling sheets, designed from microfiber, linen, and bamboo fabrics, can help keep your body at the right temp for restful sleep. "In fact, the ideal temperature for sleeping is no cooler than 66 degrees and no warmer than 72 degrees," says neuroscientist and sleep specialist Allison Brager, PhD. “If you don’t believe me, this was study-approved, tested, and evaluated by some NASA scientists,” she adds.

Our team of sleep enthusiasts vetted dozens of cooling sheets over the last six months. We compared every feature and spec, including thread count, durability, comfort, looks, price, and, of course, how well (or not) they actually worked at keeping us cool. More importantly, we consulted with textile and sleep experts for their pro tips and advice on how to sleep cool and find the best cooling sheets worth buying this year. These are our top 12 picks!

French Flax Linen Bedding Set

We're big fans of all-natural bedding. Cotton, silk, wool—we love them all. But we especially love linen, like these 100 percent French Flax Linen Sheets from Bed Threads. They're the lightest, airiest, and cooling-est sheets of all. Plus, they're available in a ton of colors.

Editor Review: “I swear linen sheets are naturally better at temperature regulation overall. I switched to them a few years ago and I’d never go back. They are more expensive, but for me totally worth it. — Laura McLaughlin, WH managing editor

Washed Supima Sateen Solid Sheet Set

In the world of cotton, Supima is about as good as it gets. Less than one percent of the world's cotton is Supima because it's just that good. This set from Casaluna delivers all the goodness of Supima, plus it's ultra-cooling, too.

Editor's Review: “If you're a hot sleeper, get these sheets. They literally keep cool all day—in fact, sometimes they make me feel so cold I have to opt for heavier pajamas, but I'm not complaining. To me, it feels like the sheets work by trapping in the cold air in the room. I'm not sure of the science behind that, but all you need to know is that these sheets are the real deal.” — Jasmine Gomez, WH lifestyle and commerce editor

The Regulator Sheet Set

These cult-favorite sheets are made from high-grade bamboo rayon. Bamboo is naturally cool to the touch, temperature-regulating, and great at keeping moisture off your skin while you sleep. Bamboo is also said to be more eco-friendly, too, as you can harvest more per acre than cotton. Bonus: My Sheets Rock also claims that these sheets are "birthday-suit approved" for those who prefer to sleep commando. So there's that...

Rave Review: "These sheets are some of the softest I've ever owned! It's actually kind of hard to believe they're made from a natural material. Plus, they work great in the summer for those nights when I don't feel like sleeping with the AC on. They keep me cool, calm, and comfortable all night long." — Mike Richard, WH writer/tester

Linen Core Sheet Set

We're big fans of Brooklinen, and the brand's linen sheet option is easily one of the best cooling sets of the year. The 100 percent European Flax linen is light, breezy, and cool in every season. Color selection is limited to mostly neutrals, but this is still a perfect staple bedding set in any color. Plus, they're extremely durable and designed to get softer with every wash.

Editor's Review: “As a lady of a certain age, night sweats are now a part of life. Before I found linen sheets, I’d routinely toss and turn and throw my covers aside and pull them back on—a true whirling dervish of a sleeper. After switching to linen sheets, I’ve found that temperature regulation is far more even, and I don’t have nearly as much discomfort at night. I’ve easily convinced many of my friends and family to make the switch, too.” — Laura McLaughlin, WH managing editor

Dusk Blue Sheet Set

If you're unfamiliar with Britain's Piglet in Bed bedding brand, let us introduce you. This linen sheet set is made from luxuriously soft, stonewashed European flax that's airy enough to use in any season. It'll keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. PiB prewashes every linen set to maximize softness straight out of the package and minimize shrinkage.

In our experience, they hold up well after years of repeated washings, and linen, in particular, only gets softer and more "broken in" with age. The only downside? At more than $400 for a typical queen set (including one flat sheet, one fitted sheet, and two pillowcases), they aren't cheap.

Bamboo Bed Sheets

When it comes to sheets, bamboo is like a miracle fiber. It's buttery soft, (mostly) natural, and keeps you oh-so-cool (more on that below). Layla bamboo sheets are also breathable, moisture-wicking, and thermal-regulating. The sheets are odor-resistant, so you don't have to throw them in the wash every time you break the occasional night sweats. Not totally sold? You can even try Layla bamboo sheets for a few nights and send them back if you're just not feeling them.

Rave Review: "These sheets are super soft and luxurious feeling. They stay cool and seem breathable, so we don't feel like they are trapping the heat in. This is our first time using bamboo sheets, and we are in love with them!"

Coolmax, Moisture-Wicking Cooling Sheets

Night sweaters looking for a good bargain on the most budget-friendly cooling sheets should give this affordable set a look. Its microfiber fabric uses cooling technology to evaporate sweat, which keeps you from feeling drenched during your (hopefully) eight hours in bed. Plus, it's available in a variety of fun colors, like this bright aqua. Even better—more than 14,000 Amazon customers who gave these cooling sheets five stars say bed sweats are no match for them.

Rave Review: "I am 26 and have an autoimmune disorder that gives me terrible hot flashes throughout the night. I was unsure if these would work, but they really are moisture-wicking and are so, so soft and comfortable. I would definitely recommend these sheets and will buy more."

Luxury Bamboo Sheets

If you're looking for a hypoallergenic and sustainable cooling sheet set, go with Cosy House's Luxury Bamboo Sheets. A whopping 28,000-plus five-star Amazon reviewers cosign this rec. The heat-regulating bamboo, rayon, and microfiber fabric blend will keep you cool and cozy without the sniffles.

Rave Review: "The best sheets I've ever owned. I've owned the first set of these sheets that I bought for over a year and they're still perfect. No fading, no pilling. Still soft and wrinkle-free. Since my first set I've purchased four other sets for other beds."

Temperature-Regulation Bed Sheet Set

Beyond "just" cooling, sheets that can wick moisture might be the most important feature for hot sleepers. With Sleep Zone's own Nanotex technology, these sheets draw sweat and moisture away from your skin straight to the outer surface of the fabric. So, ultimately, you stay drier and sleep easier through the night. Not to mention, the brushed microfiber is designed for durability, and all for around $35.

Rave Review: "I’m always apprehensive purchasing sheets online, but these don’t disappoint. They’re very soft and definitely cooling. They were easy to put on and the elastic seems to be super strong. I’ve been using them for several nights...and so far, they haven’t popped off the sides or even budged."

Evercool+ Cooling Starter Sheet Set

Woven together with silvercool yarn (it's one-tenth the thickness of a human hair), Rest Duvet's Evercool Cooling Starter Sheets are unbelievably soft and smooth. They also quickly absorb and remove water molecules, meaning you'll stay dry all night long. The sheets are packed with antimicrobial properties that keep the sheet's fabric fresh, clean, and free of microbes.

Rave Review: "Best sheets ever. I’m a hot sleeper and always have been but these sheets somehow help regulate my body temperature and keep me comfortable throughout the night!"

Essential Sheet Set

Slumber Cloud doesn't mess around when it comes to cooling sheets. Their fabric is made from NASA-approved temperature-regulating technology that keeps it cool when you're too hot, and releases heat when you're too cold. Since the sheets auto-'magically' adjust to the temperature of each sleeper, this set is perfect for couples who sleep at different temps.

Rave Review: "Honestly the best sleep I have had in a long time—the sheets seem to always stay cool and they allow us to use our comforter even in the warmer weather. The sheets are soft, cool, and really comfortable."

Eucalyptus Lyocell Sheet Set

C'mon, who wouldn't want to buy a sheet set with a punny name like Sheets & Giggles? But more importantly, the sustainably grown and produced eucalyptus lyocell fabric will also keep you cool all night long. That's mostly because they're softer and feature a lower thread count than most cotton sheets. Bonus: The fabric is produced with less water and pesticides than cotton, too.

Rave Review: "This is the second pair of Sheets & Giggles sheets and they are even better than the first set. They are everything you want in sheets—cool, soft, and look great when the bed is made. For the money, they are the best sheets I’ve ever owned. You wont be disappointed if you buy them!"

How we selected the best cooling sheets of 2024

Women’s Health editors and writers vetted dozens of top-rated, best-selling cooling sheets. We carefully researched and compared every aspect, from softness and comfort to durability and price. But, mainly, we noted just how well they delivered on their promise to actually keep us cool. With the help of textile and sleep experts, our team narrowed our recommendations to the 12 sets above as the best cooling sheets worth buying this year.

Meet the experts

• Allison Brager, PhD, is a neuroscientist and sleep specialist.

• Deborah Young is a clinical assistant professor of textiles at Arizona State University and owner of TheTextileExpert.com.

• Kelly Murray is a certified pediatric and adult sleep coach based in Chicago.

What should I look for in a set of cooling sheets?

While there might not be one perfect set of cooling sheets to rule them all, there is a perfect set out there for you. When it comes to finding the right one, here are a few things to consider:

Materials

You’ll want to ensure that your new cooling sheets are made of natural fibers, like linen and cotton, says Brager. These fibers tend to be more breathable than others, which means they won't trap heat that can, in turn, make you sweat as you catch your zzz’s. Each fiber has pros and cons:

• Cotton is breathable, absorbent, and usually affordable. However, it tends to wrinkle easily, and lower-quality cotton sheets are prone to pilling.
  

• Linen is very durable, gets softer with every wash, and keeps you super cool. However, it’s typically more expensive. Women’s Health managing editor Laura McLaughlin is a fan but notes, “You’ll probably never get a tight, snappy fit. Linen tends to be a looser fit, so if you’re making hospital corners or bouncing quarters, these aren’t for you," she says. "They also produce a great deal of lint, meaning under-bed dust bunnies are of the larger variety." But they've also given her the best sleep she has had in ages, she adds.
  
  

• Bamboo is soft, durable, and ultra-cooling with good moisture-wicking properties. Deborah Young, owner of TheTextileExpert.com and clinical assistant professor of textiles at Arizona State University, swears by bamboo. “My favorites these days are model and bamboo—incredibly soft, incredibly absorbent, and they wick really well. I have bamboo sheets, and if I wake up at night, it just wicks instantly.”
  

• Silk is luxuriously soft, cooling, and a great option for those with sensitive skin. On the downside, it’s expensive and among the most delicate fibers for cooling sheets, so it requires special care.

Kelly Murray, a certified pediatric and adult sleep coach based in Chicago, also says to consider organic materials when purchasing sheets, as these will help you minimize your exposure to any toxins. "We sleep for a third of our lives. [So,] we want to make sure we're minimizing our toxin exposure," she explains.

Moisture-wicking

Beyond just keeping you cool, the ability to wick away sweat and moisture is key when looking for a set of cooling sheets. “In bedding, the number one thing we need is absorbency and wicking because we sweat a lot every night— like 16 ounces or something in that neighborhood," says Young. If your sheets are not absorbent, you will lay in that sweat, which is why it's great to also opt for sheets that will wick, or get moisture to the surface for evaporation.

Young recommends avoiding polyester. "Polyesters don't absorb. They're hydrophobic, which means they don’t absorb moisture very well, but they do wick well," she explains. Again, all the more reason why we recommend natural fibers for the best cooling sheets.

Thread count

Thread count isn’t the ultimate deciding factor in sheet quality that it used to be. But it can matter. When it comes to a minimum thread count, Young says, “I would never go down to like 400 thread count...With a lower thread count, you might find a grid on your face in the morning." 600 is the lowest she would go, she says. "But I prefer 800 to 1000.” In general, “the higher the thread count, the softer it is."

But if you’re a hot sleeper, you may actually benefit from something with a lower count, she adds. "The higher the count, the denser it is, and the better cover it has. So, if you’re a hot sleeper, you don’t want that."

Style

Just like any other type of sheet set, cooling sheets come in a variety of styles, so it all comes down to personal preference. Some sheets are softer than others (satin blends are softer than cotton, for example), come in more colors, or may even be wrinkle-proof. The bottom line is that you should go for sheets that look and make you feel good.

Price

Although cooling sheets and bedding are usually more expensive, they are great investments for those who sleep hot and are craving a good night's rest free of wet sheets, Brager says. If you think about it, you’re essentially paying pennies per day for a decade of restorative sleep and a greater quality of life as a result, she explains. That's if you properly care for your sheets by following the wash care instructions they come with.

What are some other ways to keep cool at night?

If you've already invested in a set of cooling sheets but still feel a little too hot at night, what do you do now? Well, there are a few other ways you can cool down at bedtime.

Investing in a wool duvet or cooling mattress topper are great ways to cool down your body at night, Murray says. They feel like you're sleeping in a big, giant hug, keep you warm in the winter without overheating, and cool in the summer. Plus, they're moisture-wicking, Murray adds. If you run especially hot at night, you can also purchase a chilling pad for your mattress.

But Murray cautions that if overheating at night is a big issue for you, you might want to check in with your doctor, as that could also be a sign of a hormonal imbalance. "[For example,] if you have low estrogen, then your body might not be able to maintain its temperature appropriately," says Murray. Another cause could be blood sugar deregulation. "If your blood sugar bottoms out in the middle of the night and that triggers a stress response, that can also lead to overheating," she explains.

Also, ICYDK, your body temperature needs to drop about two degrees lower at night in order to synthesize melatonin, Murray says. So, it is super important that you create an environment that allows for this. That means ensuring your bedroom is "dark, cool, and quiet" when you're ready for bed, says Murray. Consider dropping the temperature on your thermostat down a few degrees, too.

Finally, you can also improve your sleep quality by making sure you keep a consistent sleep routine that involves ending screen time at least an hour before you go to bed. "Your body and brain are always looking for patterns throughout the day to know what happens next," Murray explains. "So if you have a consistent bedtime routine that's very relaxing, that will trigger the production of melatonin and help your brain to unwind."

Should you wash your new cooling sheets before using them?

As with all new bedding, we recommend washing your new cooling sheets before using them. This is the best way to ensure that your sheets are free of any allergens before putting them on your bed, Murray says. "You're washing off any dust that the sheets may have collected in the warehouse, which can irritate your respiratory system and lead to sleep issues."

How often should you change your cooling sheets?

The majority of experts recommend washing and changing your sheets every week. Murray agrees: “I would say wash your sheets every week, just so that you can wash away any allergens, keep them clean, feeling crisp, and fresh.” If you don't want to wash your sheets that often, you should consider purchasing an extra set to swap out each week.

As for when it's time to swap out sheets for brand-new ones, that's up to you. Murray says she purchases a new set whenever she sees them on sale, but she recommends replacing yours about every two to three years.

Read more about the best bedding

Cooling Weighted Blankets | Best Cooling Mattress Toppers | Best Bamboo Sheets | Best Cotton Sheets | Softest Bed Sheets

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