The 9 Best Cooling Sheets for Comfortable Sleep All Summer Long − Airy, Lightweight, and Breathable Picks for All Budgets
From textured linen to crisp percale, shop our selection of tried, tested, and recommended cooling bedding
Emilia Hitching
22/5: Memorial Day is now just a few days away, and I've checked all retailers to find out which deals have already dropped for anyone who wants to take advantage of early reductions. You can shop them below.
12/5: To refresh this guide for 2026, I've added three new items from Brooklinen, Bed Threads, and Breescape. I've also swapped the Piglet in Bed Bedtime Bundle, tested by our previous Sleep Editor, for the gorgeous green gingham set I've been loving, and added a one-minute verdict for easier shopping at a glance. I've also checked all prices, sizes, color availability, and links to ensure an easy, streamlined shopping experience. I'll be updating this guide during sales periods as new and worthwhile deals land, so bookmark it to come back to if you're keen to wait for a reduction before taking the plunge on a purchase.
With the warmer days and hotter, humid nights of summer upon us, investing in a set of the best cooling sheets is one of the easiest ways to regulate your temperature, wick away moisture, and support better sleep throughout the sunnier months.
As the resident Sleep Editor at Homes & Gardens, I lead a team of expert testers across the country in the search to find the world's best bed sheets, and these are the best cooling picks we've tried, for a minimum of 30 nights each, ranging from cooling cottons to breathable bamboo blends.
Each time, we assess each cooling sheet set against the same criteria: Look and feel, durability, and, most importantly, thermoregulation. With top scores across the board, our reigning champion is the ettitude Signature Sateen Sheet Set, but you may find one of our other tested alternatives suits you better.
The Best Cooling Sheets: Memorial Day Deals
Memorial Day is one of the best times of the year to pick up bedding at a better price. Below, you can shop my handpicked deals on the best cooling bedding, for comfortable sleep all summer long.
My One-Minute Verdict
All of these bed sheets, obviously, have cooling qualities, so what mainly sets them apart comes down mainly to materials.
Our overall favorite, the ettitude Signature Bamboo Sheet Set, is made from certified STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX Clean Bamboo Lyocell, which is also hypoallergenic.
Similarly, the Sijo AiryWeight Eucalyptus Sheet Set is made of naturally cooling Lyocell, this time derived from eucalyptus, while the ultra-luxurious Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set also uses bamboo, this time transformed into soft, breathable, and temperature-regulating viscose.
For an all-natural, affordable option, the Martha Stewart Sheet Set, available at Amazon, is made of lightweight, cooling cotton percale, and if you have more budget to spend, the Brooklinen Classic Percale Hardcore Sheet Bundle offers crisp hotel-quality comfort, while the Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set is similarly soft, but with a silky, lustrous finish that gets softer with every wash.
Prefer the look of lived-in linens? The Bed Threads French Flax Linen Sheet Set is my favorite, with a breathable, textured finish, while the Piglet in Bed Linen Blend Duvet Set combines linen and cotton for the best of both worlds, and is available in a truly stunning array of colors and patterns.
Finally, the Breescape Cooling Sheets, available at Amazon, sit in a material world of their own, and feature a unique blend of nylon, polyester, and spandex that's specifically designed for unrivalled cooling comfort.
Our Top 9 Best Cooling Sheets: Ranked and Reviewed
Certain bed sheet types are more suitable for hot sleepers. It's the common consensus that sheets made from natural fibers are more breathable than synthetic strands. The way in which the material is woven also informs how warm or cool it feels. Here's a quick overview of the pros and cons of some common fabrics:
- Cotton percale: Crisp and cool, cotton percale is the material of choice for high-end hotels and luxury spas. It's a loose, lightweight weave (one-thread-over, one-thread-under), with lots of room for air to flow. Unlikely to pill, percale is a great low-maintenance option.
- Cotton sateen: Silky and smooth, sateen is a tighter weave (three-threads-over, one-thread-under), designed to catch the light and create a lustrous sheen. Compared to percale, sateen is a less breathable weave, so it's important to choose thermoregulatory fabrics, such as cotton or bamboo.
- Linen: Breathable and durable, linen is a great option for anyone who likes a little texture in their bedding. Linen is woven from flax fibers, which are totally hollow (hence their breathability). The best linen sheets are a low-maintenance option for anyone who hates making the bed, as they're designed to be wrinkled.
- Bamboo: Thermoregulating and sustainable, bamboo is the material of choice for hot sleepers and eco-conscious shoppers. You also get a similar look and feel from eucalyptus.
- Wool: Believe it or not, wool is an excellent moisture-wicker. It's highly absorbent, so it helps to keep you fresh and dry beneath your sheets.
Be sure to steer clear of the worst bed sheet material for hot sleepers: Polyester is known to trap heat and moisture, leaving you clammy and uncomfortable beneath your bed sheets.
While polyester is cheaper than more luxurious fabrics, it's prone to pilling and made from non-renewable resources. For natural breathability, you'd be better off exploring the best organic bedding.
Includes: One fitted sheet, one flat sheet, two pillowcases
Material: Bamboo lyocell
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Colors: Seven
+ Made from organic materials
+ Naturally antimicrobial
- Silky finish isn't for everyone
Naturally moisture-wicking and antimicrobial, these bamboo bed sheets are built to bust the bacteria that breed in sticky, sweaty environments, such as bedrooms. These bamboo lyocell sheets are treated with food-grade, non-toxic solvents, which are soft on your skin, so they're a great pick for sensitive sleepers and eco-conscious shoppers. Where cotton sateen feels thick and heavy, a sateen finish on bamboo lyocell just creates an attractive sheen. Still, if you'd like something with a little more texture, then you might prefer a set of linen or linen blend sheets instead.
Includes: One flat sheet, one fitted sheet, two pillowcases
Material: Cotton percale
Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King
Colors: Nine
+ Affordable
+ Deep pockets
- Limited size range
Our expert tester, Lucy Searle, tested this Martha Stewart bedding, and still raves about their breathability, durability, and affordability (not to mention their deep pockets to accommodate thicker mattresses). 'The light sheen on the gray gingham set, which I hadn't noticed when I ordered it, made me wonder whether those sheets might trap heat,' she says. 'That usually indicates synthetic strands, which aren't as breathable as natural fibers. Still, when I put these lightweight sheets to the test, I managed to sleep well through the summer.'
Includes: One fitted sheet, one flat sheet, one duvet cover, and four pillowcases
Material: Cotton percale
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cali King
Colors: 25 colors and patterns
+ Cool to the touch
+ Luxurious look and feel
- More expensive
Hot sleeper Punteha van Terheyden, and Head of Solved, tested the Brooklinen percale duvet cover and flat sheet, both of which are included in this bundle, and described them as 'worth every cent.' Specifically designed for hot sleepers, these sheets are made of one hundred percent long-staple cotton for a crisp, cool, and breathable finish that would look at home in any luxury hotel. Punteha also noted that the pillows kept her neck cool and comfortable all night long, which is an effective way to lower your core body temperature.
Includes: One duvet cover, and one pair of pillowcases
Sizes: Twin, Queen, King
Materials: 55% European linen and 45% long staple cotton
Colors: 14 colors and patterns
+ Low-maintenance
+ Wide color range
- Not as thick and textured as pure linen
Feeling these sheets from Piglet in Bed, it was love at first sight (not to mention the gorgeous colorway). With all the same lived-in, relaxed qualities of linen, but with the softness of cotton, these sheets are easy to care for, get better with every wash, and offer the perfect blend of lightweight, naturally breathable materials for an airy yet hardwearing finish that feels totally luxurious. They're also free from any harsh chemicals and dyes, and don't be put off by the price − I'd deem them one hundred percent worth the higher cost.
Includes: One flat sheet, one fitted sheet, two pillowcases
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, Queen Special, King, Cali King
Materials: 100% French Flax Linen
Colors: 18 colors and patterns
+ Year-round comfort
+ Gets softer with every wash
- Trickier to wash, but with easy-to-follow, detailed instructions
If you've got the budget to spend, out of all the best cooling sheet types, linen offers the best balance of breathability and durability. I'm biased − linen bedding is my absolute favorite − but this one in particular has that classic, thick, chicly creased look that just gets better with age. The breathable qualities of linen make it perfect for warmer weather, but this will also serve to keep you cozy in fall and winter, too. Pure French Flax linen can be a little tricky to wash (and you certainly don't want to shrink or damage it at this price point), but I closely followed the instructions and encountered no issues at all.
Includes: One flat sheet, one fitted sheet, or two Twin XL fitted sheets, and two pillowcases
Materials: Bamboo viscose
Sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King
Colors: 16
+ Breathable
+ Just the right weight
- Viscose is semi-synthetic
If you're a hot sleeper who still likes a layer, you will appreciate that these sheets are thick enough that you feel their weight, but not so thick that you start to swelter. I appreciate the natural breathability of bamboo, which kept me cool when my HVAC system went haywire last summer. I shopped the set in white, but you could consider any number of warm neutrals, including terra and coffee. While the Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set is expensive, you get a lot for your money, including a stylish tote bag that makes for easy storage or gifting.
Includes: One flat sheet, one fitted sheet, two pillowcases
Material: Cotton sateen
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Colors: 19
+ Breathable
+ Luxe look and feel
- Silky finish isn't for everyone
This is the best-selling bedding bundle on Brooklinen, with over a million sets sold and a 4.5 average star rating from more than 23,500 verified reviews. Many of the reviews come from returning shoppers, back to buy their second, third, or even fourth sateen sheet set in different colorways for different rooms. That's a testament to the crowd-pleasing appeal of the Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Sheet Set, which is soft, smooth, versatile, and suitable for year-round use. Personally, I like the silky finish and look of sateen, but you might prefer something a little more crisp. In that case, try linen or percale.
Includes: One flat sheet, one fitted sheet, two pillowcases
Material: BlendTek Fabric: 69% nylon, 20% polyester, 11% spandex
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Colors: Eight
+ Work to wick away moisture
+ Deep pockets to fit all mattresses
- Synthetic materials
You'd be forgiven if you've never heard of 'BlendTek,' but that's exactly what makes these Breescape sheets so effective at cooling. With a unique blend of nylon, polyester, and spandex, they're stretchy, breathable, wonderfully airy, and actually feel cool to the touch, delivering cooling comfort from the moment you lie down with a secure fit that won't slip and slide. The one thing to note is the synthetic materials used, but they are OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified and free of any harsh chemicals and dyes for added peace of mind.
Includes: One fitted sheet, one optional flat/top sheet, and two pillowcases. Twin & Twin XL sets include one pillowcase.
Material: Eucalyptus lyocell
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Colors: 14
+ Cold to the touch
+ Moisture-wicking
- Prone to wrinkling
If you're a seriously hot sleeper, or you live in a warm climate, then you'll appreciate this cooling eucalyptus sheet set. These sheets aren't just thermoregulating: They're actively cool to the touch. During a heatwave over the summer, I called on this sheet set to keep me cool and dry. They're also asthma and allergy-friendly, and naturally hypoallergenic. The only downside is that they're a little high-maintenance, as I've found this set wrinkles easily in the wash. If I were you, I'd hang them on the line and let gravity get to work.
How We Test Cooling Sheets
As Homes & Gardens' resident Sleep Editor, I lead a team of product testers across the country in the search to find the world's best bed sheets. We sample the sheets in our own homes for a minimum of 30 days to give an accurate indication of long-term performance. We assess each sheet set against the same criteria: Look and feel; thermoregulation; and durability.
First, we describe the look and feel of the sheets, noting how they feel against our skin and how they lie on the bed. To assess thermoregulation, we switch off our AC to sleep through heat waves and cold snaps, noting down any nights that we wake up in a sweat. To assess durability, we clean the sheets according to the instructions on their care tag. Then, we remake the bed and carry on testing, considering how the feel of the fabric feels with nightly wear and tear.
We also consider all the practical parts of buying a sheet set, from the colors and sizes available to the details of delivery. We like to compare our findings against verified reviews to pick up common customer concerns.
Finally, we bring it all back to the price of the sheet set to help you determine value for money. To learn more about how we test bedding at Homes & Gardens, consult our expert guide.
FAQs
Where Can I Buy Cooling Sheets?
Most of the best places to buy bedding sell cooling sheets. For eco-conscious shoppers, I recommend ettitude or Cozy Earth, both of which specialize in bamboo bedding.
If you suffer from night sweats or hot flashes, and you're looking for thermoregulating bed sheets, I suggest Bed Threads or Sijo.
If you're shopping for bed sheets with prints and patterns or unique color combinations, I recommend Piglet in Bed, or even browsing the best Amazon cooling sheets.
Are Cooling Sheets Worth It?
Yes − a cooling sheet set could change the game for hot sleepers and summer nights. As Homes &Gardens' resident Sleep Editor, I'm often asked, 'Do cooling bed sheets really work?' In my experience, yes, they do.
My cooling cotton percale sheets help to keep my night sweats under control so that I can feel fresher in the morning. I suggest you pay a little extra for natural fibers with their superior thermoregulation rather than save a few bucks on sweaty synthetic sheets, though keep in mind that the Breescape sheets are meticulously designed with cooling and breathability in mind.
If you're looking for other ways to keep cool, I suggest you invest in one of the best cooling mattress toppers and pads to keep your bed looking clean and your body feeling fresh.
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