It's Official: These Are the 10 Best Cooling Blankets, According to Hot Sleepers

Amina Lake Abdelrahman
·7 min read
The Buffy Breeze
The Buffy Breeze

buffy.co

Best Linen

realsimple - 251 Available at Brooklinen

Best Temperature-Regulating

realsimple - 128 Available at Sleep Number

Best Bamboo

realsimple - 32 Available at Amazon

Best Rated on Amazon

realsimple - 39 Available at Amazon

Best Duvet Insert

realsimple - 143 Available at Casper

Best Eucalyptus

realsimple - 179 Available at Buffy

Best Lightweight

realsimple - 159 Available at Slumber Cloud

Best Design

realsimple - 269 Available at Bearaby

Best Splurge

realsimple - 299 Available at Amazon

Best With Removable Cover

realsimple - 40 Available at Tranquility

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. On This Page

    • The 10 Best Cooling Blankets in 2021

    • How We Picked

    • What to Look for in a Cooling Blanket

    • FAQs

Whether you're dealing with hot flashes or a broken air conditioner, there's nothing worse than missing out on a good night's sleep because of night sweats. If you're a hot sleeper, a cooling blanket is definitely worth the investment.

The most effective cooling blankets are made from either naturally breathable fabrics that absorb moisture to literally take sweat off your body or manufactured fibers that regulate your temperature throughout the night. Choosing the best cooling blanket comes down to finding one that actually does what it promises and works with your sleep style and bedding preferences.

That's where this buying guide comes in handy. Based on hours of research, expert interviews, customer reviews, and polling data from the hot sleepers on our team, we came up with this list of the best cooling comforters, cooling weighted blankets, and more temperature-regulating options.

The 10 Best Cooling Blankets in 2021

How We Picked

Many of the cooling blankets on our list were tested at home by our team of editors for anywhere from a few months to over a year. We also included several customer-loved blankets made with natural materials, as well as options made with expert-recommended technologies. In addition to cooling effects, we also took durability and comfort level into account to come up with our top picks.

RELATED: The 8 Best Bamboo Sheets to Keep You Cool at Night, According to Thousands of Reviews

What to Look for in a Cooling Blanket

Not all cooling blankets are created equal, according to textiles expert Deborah Young. When shopping for a cooling blanket, you should consider the materials or technologies it's made with, whether it's lightweight or heavy, and what kind of care it requires.

  • Natural materials: These are typically cellulose, which means it comes from a plant. Their moisture-wicking capabilities are what gives them a cooling effect. Examples of cellulose materials commonly found in bedding are linen, bamboo, cotton, rayon, and lyocell (which comes from eucalyptus). Young calls these "old school" cooling materials.

  • Temperature-regulating technologies: Manufactured fibers (like polyester) can also be very effective at cooling because they work instantly, according to Young. You can also keep an eye out for blankets that use technologies like 37.5 and Outlast, which absorb heat to keep your body at a comfortable temperature.

  • Weight: Some hot sleepers prefer lightweight and thinner blankets—but if you're opting for a lightweight duvet, keep in mind that it won't look as fluffy and full as a typical comforter would in a duvet cover. There are even weighted blankets made with cooling materials that won't make you overheat.

  • Care: Some of the cooling blankets on this list are compatible with covers (meaning they have built-in loops or ties), some come with their own breathable covers, and others simply aren't designed for that. Duvet covers are much easier to wash than an entire blanket, and using one means you won't have to wash the insert as often—and not every cooling blanket can go in the washer and dryer.

Keep reading to learn more about the best cooling blankets for hot sleepers. If you're in the market for more breathable bedding, check out our lists of the best cooling sheets, mattress toppers, and pillowcases.

"The exterior Lyocell shell is cool to the touch—and manages to stay that way all night long. I love that I still get the plush hug of a duvet (my favorite way to sleep) but that I don't overheat like most duvets. Most importantly, I love that I can snuggle up with it even during a heat wave without fear of waking up drenched in sweat."

—Braelyn Wood, health and wellness ecommerce lead

"I've tried so many different weighted blankets, but I've never loved any of them as much as Bearaby's Tree Napper. I was initially attracted to its chunky knit style, but I kept using it for its ability to help me fall (and stay) asleep without causing me to overheat at night. I also love that it doesn't require beads or sand to add weight—nothing but heavy hand-knit fabric. I'm also obsessed with how chic it looks at the foot of my bed."

—Amina Lake Abdelrahman, product reviews writer

"I never thought I'd be so attached to a blanket, but here I am. I absolutely love the slick feeling of sliding into bed with this cooling blanket. It's breathable and refreshing, and I never wake up feeling hot and sweaty the way I do with other blankets. The fabric is cooling, the weight is just right, and I wake up better rested and refreshed."

—Zarah Kavarana, ecommerce editor

"I was in search of a weighted blanket in general, and the cooling feature on this one was just a bonus—or so I thought. My apartment holds heat like a greenhouse in the summer, and if this blanket didn't have its cool-to-the-touch fabric on one side, I probably wouldn't have been able to use it all this time. So thank goodness it does, because I've discovered that I fall asleep so much faster under a weighted blanket."

—Laura Gurfein, senior ecommerce editor

FAQs

1. How does a cooling blanket work?

Cooling blankets made of cellulose fibers (like linen) are absorbent, so they wick away moisture to cool you down. Blankets with synthetic materials can absorb and release heat as needed, and they have the ability to work instantly.

2. How long should the cooling effect last?

Some blankets are made with cool-to-the-touch fabrics for instant relief that's not as noticeable after a while on your skin, while others have a less obvious effect that constantly keep your body at a comfortable temperature all night.

3. How and how often should you wash a cooling blanket?

Every blanket is different, so you should always check the care instructions. Many machine-washable options recommend using cold water and either drying on low heat or air drying. You should wash your blanket a few times a year, but you can extend the time between washes by using a duvet cover you can wash regularly.

4. Should you choose a natural fiber or a lab-made fiber?

That depends on your preferences! Some people just prefer to have bedding made of natural materials like cotton or linen, while others who want the latest and greatest in cooling products might lean toward lab-made fibers.

5. What's the difference between a cooling blanket, cooling comforter, and a cooling weighted blanket?

Regular blankets are typically thin and a single layer of fabric, while comforters and duvets have filling (like feather down or down alternative) for a fluffier look and feel. A cooling weighted blanket is much heavier (often anywhere from 10 to 25 pounds) and has all the benefits of a traditional weighted blanket, but is made with cooling materials.