Sheets affect your sleep more than you know—from rubbing against your skin to trapping and releasing heat. Low-quality woven as well as man-made fabrics can trap heat during the night, leaving you damp and shivering.
Cooling sheets, in contrast, are engineered to absorb and dissipate heat, regulate your body temperature, and create a healthy environment for deep, undisturbed slumber. Paired with a cooling mattress, sheets for hot sleepers help keep you cool throughout the night. Read about the materials, thread count, and more to help you choose the best cooling sheets and stay rested all year-round.
- BEST OVERALL: California Design Den Luxury Sheets
- BEST BUDGET: CGK Unlimited Extra Deep Pocket Sheets
- BEST COTTON: Threadmill Home Linen 600 Thread Count 100% Cotton
- BEST LINEN: DAPU Pure Linen Sheets Set
- BEST BAMBOO: Bampure 100% Organic Bamboo Sheets
- BEST TENCEL: Sijo Premium 100% Austrian Eucalyptus Lyocell Tencel
- BEST MICROFIBER: Mellanni Queen Sheet Set Hotel Luxury
- BEST ALL-SEASON: Hotel Sheets Direct 100% Bamboo Sheets
- BEST FOR NIGHT SWEATS: CGK Unlimited 400 Thread Count Cotton Sheets
Types of Cooling Sheets
Since they surround your body every night, sheets must be chosen carefully; however, the best sheet material for hot sleepers varies. Many sheet sets claim to have cooling properties, but in practice they don’t deliver. To select the best cooling sheets, learn about the various types of sheet fabric and the properties of each. Whether looking for sheets for night sweats or a seasonal set, consider the fabric carefully. Here’s what to know.
Cotton
Cotton is a natural fiber that’s excellent at keeping sleepers fresh and cool, but quality counts when choosing sheets for hot sleepers. Upland cotton, which has short staple fibers, is used to make most cotton products. For sheets, many experts recommend organic cotton and long or extra-long-staple fiber cotton.
Organic cotton, made without using harmful chemicals, produces limited amounts of CO2s while also being very soft and comfortable. “Staple” refers to the length and strength of each individual cotton fiber. The longer the staple, the softer it feels. Extra-long-staple cotton is further divided into Pima and Egyptian varieties. Pima originates in the United States, while authentic Egyptian cotton comes from the Nile Valley region of Egypt.
That said, because Egyptian cotton sheets are so desirable, brands sometimes use the term to imply quality fabric, though the cotton may not actually originate in Egypt. If your sheets are labeled “Egyptian cotton,” do the “touch test” to determine whether they’re smooth and silky enough to deserve the name.
Linen
Like cotton, linen is all natural and renowned for its cooling, moisture-evaporating properties. Linen threads are woven from flax plants grown in various regions famous for flax and linen production.
The phrases “French linen,” “Belgian linen,” or “Belgian flax” often appear on sheet labels and in product descriptions. However, only the name “Belgian Linen” is trademarked by the Belgian Flax & Linen Association, certifying that it’s grown and woven in Belgium. French and Belgian flax may be woven and manufactured in China or elsewhere.
Bamboo
Known for its silky smoothness, especially when compared to cotton and linen, bamboo is an all-natural fiber. Due to a faster growing season and production methods that often are more sustainable and eco-friendly than those used with cotton and flax, bamboo is swiftly catching on as the all-natural sheet material of choice. It also possesses cooling properties.
According to market research, bamboo is almost twice as absorbent as cotton, smoother to the touch, and longer lasting. Bamboo sheets also can be more expensive than cotton and microfiber, but the investment is worth the price for many consumers.
Tencel
Tencel, which is fabricated from sustainably sourced and responsibly processed natural raw wood, is another name for lyocell fabric. Raw wood material is manufactured into modal fibers that are silky and luxurious.
The main benefit of Tencel is its lush feel, which is smoother than cotton or linen, making it ideal for those with skin sensitivities. It’s also one of the more expensive sheet fabrics, but the price is competitive with cotton, linen, and bamboo when considering cooling properties and comfort.
Microfiber
Many affordable sheet sets are made of microfiber, which means they have extremely dense, microscopic polyester fibers. With optimal cleaning properties, microfiber also can be made into soft, comfortable sheets. When choosing microfiber sheets, look for lightweight, double-brushed fabric, which means it’s finished on both sides.
However, many people find microfiber warm and clingy. Some brands are attempting to boost microfiber’s cooling properties by using thinner, more breathable weaves. Consider microfiber as an inexpensive alternative to cotton, with the added bonus that it may wrinkle less in the wash.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Cooling Sheets
Fabric texture makes a big difference, so determine whether you like silky smooth, soft, velvety, or woven and airy material. For any material, make sure the fabric is high quality and produced through good manufacturing practices.
Breathability
When considering breathability, choose between natural fibers and synthetic materials. Natural fibers make some of the most breathable sheets: cotton, linen, bamboo, and wood-based Tencel. Artificial fibers like polyester-based microfiber don’t have the same chemical structure and biological properties that make plants good at regulating their own temperature—and ours. That said, modern science can mimic the effects of natural moisture wicking, so don’t write off artificial fabrics.
Thread Count and Texture
Determining an ideal thread count for cool sheets isn’t easy. Thread count is just one signifier of quality and performance in sheets, and the “best” thread count for cooling varies among materials. A note of warning when shopping: Be cautious about super-high thread counts of 1,000 or more, as these sheets typically are blended with artificial fibers.
- In cotton sheets, aim for a thread count of at least 400 for adequate softness and wrinkle resistance. The sweet spot is from 600 to 800 thread count.
- Because line fibers are extra thick, the thread count for linen sheets is lower than cotton. High-quality linen sheets should have a thread count between 80 and 150.
- For bamboo and Tencel, look for a thread count of about 300 or up.
- Microfiber bedding, which boasts the highest thread count, can be upward of 1,000 or more. Again, this doesn’t always signal quality but is an indicator of softness.
For silky-smooth sheets, look for higher thread-count cotton, bamboo, or Tencel fabrics. Linen sheets, even stonewashed varieties, usually have more texture and are rougher when new. However, they soften after multiple washes and typically grow more comfortable over time. Microfiber is very soft, dense, and slightly velvety to the touch. However, some people don’t like microfiber’s tendency to catch on nails and skin.
Size and Fit
Sheets, like mattresses, come in standard sizes: twin, full, queen, king, and California king. Extra-long sizes also may be available. For deep mattresses, look for deep-pocket fitted sheets with a snug elastic band all the way around the bottom, so your sheet won’t shift and stretch.
Top sheets should completely cover the mattress with about an extra foot on each side. Most sheet sets come with two pillowcases. The best sheet sets have a crisp, tailored fit without being overly tight or baggy. They also should hold up to years of washing and light tumble drying without tearing or fading significantly.
Health and Sustainability
When comparing sheets that claim to keep sleepers cool, one helpful rule of thumb is to look for Standard 100 Oeko-Tex certification when possible. This global entity certifies materials to guarantee that harmful substances and environmentally friendly practices were used during the manufacturing process.
Not all high-quality sheets bear this certification, but if health and sustainability are concerns, keep it in mind. When selecting all-natural fibers, especially cotton and linen, choose sustainably sourced, organic materials when possible. This provides a level of reassurance that the fabric was cultivated and woven with fewer pesticides, toxins, and artificial dyes and chemicals used during farming and manufacturing. This is important for the environment, but it’s equally important in reducing allergens and carcinogens from entering your home and body.
Seasonality
Since cooling sheets are meant to disperse heat from sleepers, some consumers think they aren’t suitable in the colder months for warmth. However, certain kinds of cooling sheets can be used the entire season to keep sleepers warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Bamboo, Tencel, and microfiber may be suitable for winter and summer bedsheets as these materials are soft and thick enough for all-season use.
However, since many cooling sheets are thin, a thicker material like linen or cotton may be more suitable for the winter months in cold climates.
Our Top Picks
When choosing the best sheets for hot sleepers, we looked for quality materials, nontoxic manufacturing, precise fit, and eco-friendly manufacturing processes. Most importantly, these sheets are woven from fabrics intended to breathe, release moisture, and regulate body temperature through the night.
Photo: amazon.com
At the top of the pile of best cooling sheets, these California Design Den’s sateen sheets are made of 100 percent extra-long-staple cotton. These 800-thread-count sateen sheets are heavy enough to feel luxurious but light enough to keep sleepers cool all night.
Each set comes with a flat and fitted sheet, plus two pillowcases. The deep-pocket fitted sheet contains an 18-millimeter elastic border that locks in place to ensure a good fit, which also makes it suitable for tall mattresses. Although the sheets should stay soft through wash after wash, pop the wet sheets in the dryer immediately to prevent wrinkles.
Woven from cotton fabric deemed free from harmful substances and certified “Standard 100” by OEKO-TEX, these sheets come in nine luxe colors in sizes from twin to California king.
Product Specs
- Type: Cotton
- Thread Count: 800
- Sizes Offered: Twin, full, standard/queen, king, California king, and split king
Pros
- Deep-pocket design
- 18-millimeter elastic border
- OEKO-TEX certified
- Many sizes
Cons
- Fewer colors than some options
Photo: amazon.com
It’s surprisingly hard to find bedsheets in microfiber that not only keep sleepers cool but also hold up to frequent washing and drying, which is why CGK Unlimited Extra Deep Pocket Sheets are a great find. Made of 100 percent polyester microfiber, they’re ultra durable but also lightweight to ensure that sleepers don’t get sweaty, which can be a problem with other microfiber sheets.
Designed with extra-deep pockets to fit mattresses from 18 to 24 inches deep, the elastic fitted sheet fits snugly. Each set comes with four pillowcases (two more than usual), letting users swap out pillowcases for a midweek refresh. These sheets are softer than cotton and ideal for those with allergies and skin sensitivities.
Product Specs
- Type: Microfiber
- Thread Count: 1,000
- Sizes Offered: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, and split king
Pros
- Durable construction
- Deep-pocket design
- 4 pillowcases
- Affordable
Cons
- Each set has deep pockets; may be too large for thin mattresses
Photo: amazon.com
Threadmill Home Linen’s 600-thread count sheet set is made with sustainable craftsmanship methods. These breathable sheets are created with 100 percent extra-long-staple cotton that’s OEKO-TEX certified and free of harmful chemicals. The Threadmill Home Linen’s factory is powered entirely by solar and wind energy, and no plastics are used in the packaging.
These sheets are beautifully made from the finest cotton and finished to a soft luster that can stand up to daily use and washing. Each set includes a flat sheet, a deep-pocket fitted sheet for mattresses up to 16 inches thick, and two pillowcases. The set comes in 16 solid colors, as well as damask stripes, in sizes ranging from twin to California king.
Product Specs
- Type: Cotton
- Thread Count: 600
- Sizes Offered: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king
Pros
- Sustainable construction and packaging
- OEKO-TEX certified
- Comes in 16 colors
- Durable design
Cons
- Some users report color fading over time
- No split king size
Photo: amazon.com
With 100 percent French linen and a 108-thread count, these sheets have an outstanding pedigree. Harvested in an environmentally friendly fashion, the fabric is certified “Standard 100” by OEKO-TEX and stonewashed for softness to produce a comfortable “broken-in” feel. Dapu all-natural heat-wicking sheets help keep sleepers fresh thanks to premium-grade French linen.
The fitted sheets are extra deep with a 360-degree elastic edging. Sizes twin through king are available in six chic colors, with extra pillowcases offered separately in natural and off-white. Priced competitively, these sheets are less expensive than some other French linen brands.
Product Specs
- Type: Linen
- Thread Count: 108
- Sizes Offered: Twin, full, queen, and king
Pros
- Eco-friendly construction
- OEKO-TEX certified
- 360-degree elastic edging
- 7 colorways
Cons
- May be too thick for some users
- Limited sizes
Photo: amazon.com
Better for the environment and designed for a good night’s sleep, Bampure sheets are made of 100 percent organic bamboo viscose. These temperature-regulating sheets are made without chemicals and are OEKO-TEX certified, assuring quality manufacturing standards. Bampure sheets are odor resistant, which may help reduce washing.
While they will keep you cool in the summer, these sheets are just as good in the winter thanks to natural materials that provide insulation without trapping moisture. The soft, sateen weave feels luxurious like silk or the highest thread-count cotton. Each six-piece, deep-pocket set comes with a flat sheet, a fitted sheet for mattresses up to 16 inches thick, and four pillowcases. Choose from 12 rich hues.
Product Specs
- Type: Bamboo
- Thread Count: 300
- Sizes Offered: Twin, full, queen, king, and California king
Pros
- Odor-resistant material
- Sateen weave
- OEKO-TEX certified
- 12 colors
Cons
Photo: amazon.com
Sijo’s 100 percent Austrian Eucalyptus Tencel sheets are grown and manufactured with fewer chemicals than organic cotton, rayon, or even eco-friendly bamboo. The fabric is certified “Standard 100” by OEKO-TEX, and the eucalyptus is sourced from forests certified for sustainable practices by the Forest Stewardship Council.
According to brand tests, Tencel absorbs and evaporates 70 percent more moisture than cotton in a controlled environment, making these ideal for those who suffer from night sweats. Sijo’s sheets come in three- or four-piece sets (with or without a flat sheet) in sizes from full to California king. Softer than silk, cooler than linen, and easy to care for, the sheets come in nine all-natural hues.
Product Specs
- Type: Tencel
- Thread Count: 300
- Sizes Offered: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king
Pros
- OEKO-TEX certified
- Organic cotton evaporates 70 percent more moisture than regular cotton
- 3- or 4-piece sets
- 9 colorways
Cons
Photo: amazon.com
These Mellanni microfiber bedsheets are made from 100 percent brushed polyester that’s thin enough to use all year. The breathable fabric helps wick away moisture, keeping sleepers dry and cool in the summer and comfortable in the winter.
Sheets in the perfect color and pattern can enhance and elevate the appearance of a bed. This set comes in more than 40 vibrant colors and patterns, giving users many customizable options. These sheets stand up to heavy use and machine washing, and they resist fading, stains, shrinking, and wrinkles. Moreover, they’re offered in many sizes, including sheets with extra-deep pocket options.
Product Specs
- Type: Microfiber
- Thread Count: 1,800
- Sizes Offered: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, and split king
Pros
- Moisture-wicking material
- 40 colorways
- Fade-, stain-, shrink-, and wrinkle-resistant fabric
- Affordable
Cons
- Some users report poor quality
Photo: amazon.com
Extra soft with a thermoregulated bamboo fabric that wicks moisture and regulates the temperature in both summer and winter, these Hotel Sheets Direct bamboo sheets are OEKO-TEX certified.
Each set has deep pockets fitted with all-around elastic that accommodates mattresses up to 15 inches thick. Moreover, the bamboo fabric doesn’t pill like some fabrics. They come in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king sizes in 15 colors. The set includes two pillowcases, a top sheet, and a bottom sheet.
Product Specs
- Type: Bamboo
- Thread Count: 1,600
- Sizes Offered: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king
Pros
- Thermoregulated, moisture-wicking fabric
- Deep-pocket design
- Anti-pilling material
- OEKO-TEX certified
Cons
Photo: amazon.com
Considered some of the best bedding for hot sleepers, these sheets feature 100 percent combed cotton—a softer version of regular cotton. CGK Unlimited Cooling 400 Thread Count Cotton Sheets help cool hot sleepers and prevent night sweats. Much like more expensive Egyptian cotton sheets, this affordable silky option becomes even softer after washing. During the manufacturing process, all short fibers are removed, leaving only long-staple cotton fibers in a strong, durable 400-thread-count material.
This set comes in seven sizes—twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, and split king—as well as in multiple colors. The sheets are made from high-quality, hypoallergenic materials that resist shrinking, staining, and pilling.
Product Specs
- Type: Cotton
- Thread Count: 400
- Sizes Offered: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, and split king
Pros
- Durable
- Long-staple cotton
- Hypoallergenic
- Shrink-, stain-, and pilling-resistant fabric
Cons
- Fewer colorways than comparable options
Our Verdict
Featuring durable cotton, a deep-pocket design, and an 800-thread count in a wide range of sizes, the OEKO-TEX-certified California Design Den cooling sheets are our top choice. For a budget-friendly option, the microfiber CGK Unlimited cooling sheets offer 1,000-thread-count fabric, four pillowcases, and many size options.
How We Chose the Best Cooling Sheets
We researched the most sought-after cooling sheets in their respective categories and discovered that the best options are determined by type, thread count, design features, sizes offered, and other special features.
To include a variety of options for different preferences, our featured picks are made from cotton, bamboo, microfiber, Tencel, and linen with thread counts from 108 to 1,800. Many of these options are made from OEKO-TEX-certified moisture-wicking material with a durable construction that remains through many washes.
For those who prefer products made with eco-friendly practices and natural materials, some of these sheet sets are made without harmful chemicals and come in plastic-free packaging. Select options also have 360-degree elastic edging, deep-pocket designs, sateen weaves, hypoallergenic construction, and additional pillowcases, and they’re offered in multiple colorways. Plus, most of the options come in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, and split king sizes.
FAQs
Now that we’ve discussed some viable options for cooling sheets, some questions concerning care and use may remain. The following section features some common questions about cooling sheets as well as their answers.
Q: Do cooling sheets really work?
Yes. Regular sheets often seal in heat, while cooling sheets are more breathable to allow body heat to escape and keep sleepers cool.
Q: What makes bedsheets feel cool?
The type of fabric and its weave make the biggest impact on breathability and temperature regulation. Natural fibers typically have optimal cooling properties.
Q: What are moisture-wicking sheets?
Sweating at night is common. Moisture-wicking sheets are made with fabric that can absorb and evaporate moisture, leaving your skin dry.
Q: Does a higher thread count make sheets hotter?
Not necessarily. Higher thread count signifies smoothness and quality in the fibers. However, be cautious of sheets that claim an ultra-high thread count of 1,000 or more, which sometimes signals dense, man-made materials.
