Instead of turning the AC down and paying for electricity that’s gone up 50% in the last five years, a simple set of breathable cooling sheets can buy you many extra degrees of comfort every night. But what do you need to look for to figure out which ones actually work? We talked to an expert to find out.
“When shopping for cooling bed sheets, look for breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics like cotton, bamboo, or linen,” Martin Seeley, Senior Sleep Expert at MattressNextDay, tells Miami Herald.
“These materials have natural temperature-regulating properties as their fibers allow for maximum air circulation and help draw heat away from the body,” he adds. “Lighter colors, especially white, are a smart choice as they reflect heat rather than absorb it, helping to keep your sleeping environment much cooler.”
“If you’re a hot sleeper or prone to night sweats, this combination of color and fabric can make a noticeable difference to your overall temperature as you sleep.”
With that in mind, we’ve selected 10 of the best cooling sheets for summer, with picks to suit your style, color and price, ranging from cooling sheets for dorms, luxury bedding and even menopause. If you want to know more about shopping for cooling sheets, see our additional tips at the end of this article.
Budget-Friendly Options
1. High Quality, Low Price: You can absolutely find bamboo “rayon” sheets that are hotel-quality without paying an exorbitant price (the queen set is only $57). They come in 27 colors and in all sizes. As long as you don’t use fabric softener, you’ll be good to go.
2. Expert Recommended: Our sleep expert Martin Seely says his go-to are Silentnight cotton sheets — which are sold out and only available from England. We like California Design’s breathable organic cotton set as an alternative if you don’t want to wait.
3. Sleep Sustainably: Avocado’s organic cotton sheets are made with GOTS-certified organic cotton. They’re Made Safe, which certifies they’re free of over 15,000 different harmful chemicals; and the company is a certified B-Corp, climate neutral and is a member of 1% for the Planet.
4. Dorm Fit: Dorm rooms are often either boiling hot or freezing cold, and you usually need special long twin XL cooling sheets to fit dorm room beds. There are five other sizes and over 40 color choices, too.
5. Floral Fun: Long-staple Egyptian cotton is a top choice, and we love these floral cooling sheets adorned with pink, white, blue and yellow flowers. They’ll stay soft regardless of how many times you wash them, and they’re wrinkle-resistant, too.
Luxury Cooling Sheets
1. Celebrity Fave: Hollywood’s finest are a fan of Cozy Earth. In fact, Kris Jenner sleeps on hers every single night. Start out with the Bamboo Bedding Core Bundle — it comes in a variety of colors and sizes.
2. Kid-Approved: Anything that helps fussy kids sleep is worth its weight in gold, so help them stay asleep on Brooklinen’s Sesame Street Core Sheets. They’re made from soft and breathable 100% organic cotton, which gets better with every wash and doesn’t pill.
3. Flaxen Feel: When you slide into bed with Bed Threads’ 100% Flax Linen Sheets, you know you’re going to get a good night’s sleep. They’re pre-washed for extra-softness, and flax is anti-static, anti-bacterial and temperature-regulating.
4. Fresh and Clean: Ettitude’s CleanBamboo Sheets are hypoallergenic and organic. They’re highly breathable and moisture-wicking, while providing super soft comfort. You can find them in up to eight colors, and in all basic bedding sizes. Like most natural fabrics, don’t forget to wash in cold water on a gentle cycle.
5. Cool Flashes: Hot flashes are incredibly annoying and can ruin your sleep. But Peach Skin Sheets’ cooling sheet set is intended to be the best sheets for those experiencing them. They are both soft and cool they are, and great for anyone who struggles with nighttime comfort.
What to Look For When Shopping for Cooling Sheets
Martin Seeley likes natural fibers, especially 100% cotton. He also recommends low thread counts, as low as 180, “Which makes it incredibly lightweight and breathable.”
- Cotton, bamboo and linen are all cooling, wicking and soft
- Thread count less than 400
- Lighter colors reflect heat, even in the dark
What’s The Difference Between Cotton, Linen and Bamboo Sheets?
- Cotton: Pilling is unlikely, but you should make sure to machine-wash cold. They are breathable and airy, often quite durable, and tend to be the least expensive material for cooling sheets. However, cotton is susceptible to developing wrinkles and shrinking than linen or bamboo.
- Linen: These likely will not pill. Make sure to wash in lukewarm or cold water, with mild detergent. They tend to be more expensive, and are often a little starchy (though they get softer over time!). Be careful while washing and hang-dry if possible. They are anti-static and will likely last for years.
- Bamboo: Generally does not pill. Make sure to machine wash in warm or cold water with liquid detergent. They are also more expensive than synthetic fibers or cotton, they’re wrinkle prone and require additional care. However, they’re soft, durable and often anti-microbial.
