6 best cooling sheets 2024 − tested by hot sleepers, for hot sleepers

Everybody needs a cooling sheet set for summer. For some of us, though, overheating at night is a year-round struggles. Whether you suffer from night sweats or hot flushes, a set of the best cooling sheets should help to enhance the airflow through your bed so that you can sleep comfortably.

As H&G's resident Sleep Editor, I lead a team of expert testers in the search to find the world's best bed sheets. Together, we represent a wide range of ages and sleep styles, and we live all over America, from hot and humid cities in the South to snowy corners of the Pacific Northwest. Together, we've tested 27 sheet sets, including styles from Brooklinen, Saatva, and Sijo. I asked my fellow hot sleepers living in warm climates to help me shortlist our six best sets of cooling sheets.

We sleep with sheets for eight hours a night, seven nights a week, for a minimum of one month before we write our reviews. That's hundreds of hours testing for softness, thermoregulation, moisture-wicking, and durability. For natural breathability and a silky-smooth finish, our reigning champion is the ettitude Signature Sateen Sheet Set, but you might find that another cooling sheet set is a better match for you. Follow my bed sheet buying rules and you won't go far wrong.

Best cooling sheets 2024: ranked + reviewed

First, let's talk materials. It's common consensus that sheets made from natural fibers, such as cotton or linen, are more breathable than synthetic sheets. When you're working with cotton, in particular, the way the material is woven matters, too. Hot sleepers need loose waves and lightweight sheets to promote airflow through the mattress.

• 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, unlikely to pill, so it's a great low-maintenance option.
• Cotton sateen: silky and smooth, cotton sateen feels more luxurious than cotton percale, but it's often less suitable for hot sleepers. That's because sateen is a tighter weave (three-threads-over, one-thread-under), which forms a thicker, heavier sheets.
• 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: they're designed to be wrinkled.
• Bamboo: thermoregulating and sustainable, bamboo is the material of choice for hot sleepers and eco-conscious shoppers. You get a similar look and feel from eucalyptus.
• Wool: believe it or not. wool is an excellent moisture-wicker. According to the Woolroom Clean Sleep Report, wool can hold up to 33% of its weight in water (or sweat), so it's highly absorbent, keeping you fresh and dry beneath your sheets.

How we test cooling sheets

As H&G's resident sleep writer, I lead a team of product testers across the country. We assess each sheet set against the same criteria: softness; thermoregulation; moisture-wicking; and durability. We test the sheets in our own homes for a minimum of 30 days to give an accurate indication of long-term performance.

To describe softness, we consider how the sheets feel against our skin and whether the feel of the fabric changes with nightly wear and tear or a few cycles in the washing machine. To assess thermoregulation and moisture-wicking, we switch off our AC and sleep under the sheets through heatwaves and cold snaps, making note of any time we wake up in a sweat. To assess durability, we clean the sheets according to their care instructions, monitoring their performance before and after each wash.

We also consider all the practical parts of buying a sheet set, from the colors and sizes available to the details of the care instructions. 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 at Homes & Gardens, consult our expert guide.

FAQs

Where can I buy cooling sheets?

Some of the best places to buy bedding sell cooling sheets. I recommend Ettitude or Cozy Earth for eco-conscious shoppers. For the widest colorways, try Piglet in Bed or Amazon. For active thermoregulation, you could try Slumber Cloud or Sijo.

Are cooling sheets worth it?

If you're a hot sleeper, like I am, then a set of cooling sheets could make your life so much easier. My cooling cotton percale sheets help to keep my night swears under control so I can feel fresher in the mornings. Bear in mind that you might have to fork out a little more money for natural materials. Still, I'd rather spend more and get better thermoregulation than save a few bucks with sweaty synthetic sheets.

If you're looking for other ways to keep cool, I suggest you invest in one of the best cooling mattress protectors to keep your bed looking clean and your body feeling fresh. If, like me, you're a hot sleeper who likes a layer, then you might appreciate the best cooling comforter.

If you've tried everything, and you're still struggling to sleep in the heat, then it might be time to invest in the best cooling mattress. I've ranked and reviewed six of the best to give you options, from airy innersprings to gel-infused memory foam models.