The Best Editor-Tested Cooling Sheets You Can Buy Now

Here’s how it usually goes: You get ready for bed, totally clean and blissfully sweat-free after suffering through the summer heat. Then, it all goes downhill after you slip under the covers. This might sound like a year-round occurrence for you — it’s the seemingly endless plight of the hot sleeper. No matter how close you position your bed to the fan, you just can’t make your bedroom feel less stuffy. But if you have enough patience (though that’s also hard when you wake up hot and irritated), you can find the cooling sheets that will have you waking up refreshed instead of distressed.

The key is finding the right material and weave that will keep you cool. Percale, linen, eucalyptus, bamboo — there are plenty of routes you can take, so we combed through them all. We spent months on our mission to find the breeziest yet coziest cooling sheets on the market. Without further ado, here’s what we landed on.

Plenty of bedding brands tout their products as “cooling,” but what exactly does that mean? If you’re not sure what to look for, you’ll want to pay special attention to the materials, weight, and thread count of the sheets in question.

• Cotton percale: Both percale and sateen sheets are made from cotton, but what the terms refer to is the weave that gives the fabrics their own distinctive look and feel. Percale is cool, crisp, and has a matte finish, while sateen has a soft, silky feel with a slight sheen. If you want to find cotton sheets that’ll keep you cool, percale, which has a looser one-over-one-under weave, is more breathable than sateen. That said, sateen tends to be cooler to the touch. If you prefer the latter effect, we’ve included several sateen picks among our best below.
• Lyocell: For an eco-friendly fabric, consider lyocell (which you may sometimes see as the brand name TENCEL), a material made from wood cellulose or pulp, typically from trees like bamboo or eucalyptus. It’s a super soft yet super strong fiber that is 50% more absorbent than cotton, thus great for moisture-wicking and especially well-suited for hot sleepers.
• Linen: If you really want to invest in your cooling bedding and find your go-to set that’s guaranteed to last (and get better!) over time, go for linen. Cultivated from flax plants, linen threads are thicker and loosely woven, which typically makes the material feel heavy and a little stiff at first. Of course, quality linen gets softer with use and washing, and since it can last years, if not decades or generations, it’s a great investment material. Plus, it regulates temperature like no other.

• Microfiber: A super-thin, synthetic fiber usually made from polyester or nylon, microfiber is a versatile material that’s way less expensive than cotton or linen. Although microfiber sheets are lightweight, they’re not very breathable and tend to trap body heat, resulting in less-than-comfortable sleep conditions for hot sleepers. Polyester also sucks in moisture but starts to feel damp right away (whereas materials like linen, hemp, and lyocell can absorb a lot more moisture while still feeling dry).
• Flannel: The napped texture of flannel, which gives it its signature fuzzy feel, holds in warmth. While flannel sheets are a go-to in winter to stay cozy in the cold, you should definitely put them away once the weather gets warmer if you tend to sleep hot.
• Jersey: Same goes for jersey: This stretchy fabric is tightly knit and tends to retain heat. While it’s possible to find all-cotton jersey sheets, these days most jersey is made from cotton blended with synthetic fibers, which trap heat more than all-natural materials.

When shopping for sheets, you’ll notice most brands tout a thread count. All the thread count refers to is how many threads are woven into one square inch of fabric, the scale of which gives you an idea of quality. The more threads per square inch, the more flexibility the material has without having to be made of stretchy synthetics. Don’t be fooled, though: A higher thread count does not automatically suggest higher quality. Brands tend to inflate thread count numbers to sway consumers, when in reality there’s not much of a difference between a 400 and 800 thread count. You’ll want to stay between the 200 and 500 thread count range — anything lower is susceptible to tearing and anything higher is suspect.

• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified: Products are free of harmful synthetics and dyes.
• Made in Green by OEKO-TEX certified: Materials used in products are traceable and have been tested for and are free from harmful substances.
• GOTS certified: Products align with the Global Organic Textile Standard, which defines the worldwide recognized requirements for organic textiles.
• Cotton LEADS program: A reliable cotton supply chain providing raw material that is responsibly produced and identified.
• Made Safe certified: Products are nontoxic and made with safe ingredients/materials.
• Fair Trade certified: Products are created in alignment with the economic standards in place for manufacturers to equitably distribute the benefits of ingredient, material, or product trade.
• Global Cotton Initiative partner: The production process uses fewer synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, increases cotton yields, reduces water usage, improves soil health, and applies decent work principles.
• Climate Neutral certified: Products created by a company that actually offsets more carbon emissions than they generate, making them carbon negative.

We tested a wide range of cooling sheets, judging them on the following criteria:

• Feel: How do the sheets feel out of the box? Are they soft, crisp, rough, or smooth? Are they comfortable to sleep on?
• Durability: Do the sheets feel like they’re high enough quality to prevent shredding? Do they get softer with time and washing?
• Breathability: Do the sheets trap heat or do they keep you cool? Are they lightweight or do they have heft?

A high-quality sheet that also doesn’t leave you drenched in a pool of your own sweat in the morning is already not an easy find. But to find sheets that not only cool you down, don’t shed after a first wash, and get even softer the longer you use them? Almost impossible! That’s why when we do discover a set that checks all of those boxes, we shout it from the rooftops. You’ll find our editor-in-chief, Charli, doing just that about Sleep Number’s True Temp sheets.

There are a number of features that make this set stand out above the rest: The brand’s 37.5 Technology, for one, is built to absorb and release excess heat. Its design creates a perfect fit around your mattress, even if you have an adjustable smart bed. Last but not least, the fully elasticized edge guarantees that they don’t budge.

“I’m beyond impressed with the softness of this sheet set and its cooling capabilities,” Charli says. “It kept me cool all night (which is a huge feat) and washes so easily. The Exact Fit design is really important because as a hot sleeper when I sweat and stick to the sheets at night, they often move or shift. Not these! They’re practically perfect!”

Who It’s Best For: If you run hot during the night like Charli, you’ll want to keep these splurgy sheets on your bed year-round, but they’re also worth it for those who don’t, but tend to overheat in the summer.

Specifications:

• Material: 76% cotton, 22% 37.5 polyester, and 2% spandex
• Pocket depth: Up to 15″
• Colors: 6
• Sizes: 7

Social media director Rachel was a rookie in testing higher-end sheets when she tried Quince’s Organic Bamboo Sheet Set for the first time, and she was pleasantly surprised. “This is my first dabble into fancy sheets, and they are so soft and silky,” she says. “It made me wonder what took so long for me to get on board.”

Rachel faces a very common problem, especially for city-dwellers: Her air conditioning unit is only in her living room. This means she needs to use everything she can to keep things cool in her bedroom, where the AC unit… is not. These sheets absolutely do the trick: They’re hypoallergenic and made from 100% bamboo viscose, which gives them an ultra-smooth texture and appearance that Rachel loves. “They almost have a silk or satin feel to them, which just also feels like a little luxury to me!”

Read our full review of the Quince Organic Bamboo Sheet Set.

Who It’s Best For: Those who sleep hot; those who have allergies; those who prefer smooth, silky sheets.

Specifications:

• Material: 100% viscose from organic bamboo
• Pocket depth: Up to 16″
• Colors: 14
• Sizes: 6

If you really want to invest in your quality of sleep, Parachute’s set will likely check all of your boxes. The lived-in, silky-soft material feels and performs just as great as it looks. It was upgraded from a previous version to 175 GSM, so it’s soft and even more durable.

These cooling sheets are made from 100% European flax linen crafted in Portugal. They’re not just soft and durable, but also breathable. In typical linen fashion, they get softer over time and with every wash.

Who It’s Best For: Anyone, hot sleeper or not, who’s ready to splurge on sheets that’ll elevate their bedscape’s appearance and feel.

Specifications:

• Material: 100% European flax
• Pocket depth: Up to 16″
• Colors: 12
• Sizes: 4

Outside of sheets with more ventilated, open weaves like linen, organic ones don’t usually have the same cooling factors as those treated with chemicals that laminate materials or otherwise smooth and add shine. While turning to cooler fabrics is always an option, breathable weaves like percale and sateen will not only give you cool sheets but also a luxe appeal. Available in seven colors, Pottery Barn’s 400-Thread-Count Organic Percale Sheets will make your bedroom feel like a hotel getaway. They’re made with brushed organic cotton that’s woven for an ultra-smooth and soft feel.

“These sheets are very crisp, but in a good way,” says former executive commerce director Mark. “They aren’t really soft but at the same time, they are very comfortable. I’ve been sleeping great on these sheets and they definitely feel very well-made and durable, even after three washes. They are a decent weight and breathable, and my body temperature remains comfortable throughout the night. I’m currently using them during the winter with just a comforter, but I definitely see myself leaving them on my bed year round, as I think they’ll be ideal in warmer weather as well.”

Read our full review of the Pottery Barn 400-Thread Count Organic Percale Sheet Set.

Who It’s Best For: Those who like cool and crisp sheets that you can use all year; those looking for organic cotton percale sheets.

Specifications:

• Material: 100% organic cotton
• Pocket depth: Up to 16″
• Colors: 7
• Sizes: 5

Cozy Earth is a tried-and-true, editor-loved brand — and a regularly-featured name on Oprah Winfrey’s Favorite Things list — so it comes as no surprise that it’s earned one of the top spots on our Best List. Available in an impressive 18 colors and made of a material that feels beyond buttery, the Bamboo Sheet Set consists of premium viscose from bamboo, which gives it an especially soft texture. The oversized fit also ensures total coverage and a secure fit all night long.

Britt, our commerce editor, has tested what seems like countless sheets, and she named these as her ultimate favorite for their cooling capabilities. “The sheets kept me cool, and they’re moisture-wicking so I didn’t get that sticky feeling of being too hot in bed, even though my room has poor circulation and sometimes gets uncomfortably stuffy,” Britt’s review reads. “The softness and smoothness stayed consistent every single night, and I was blown away.”

Read our full review of the Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set.

Who It’s Best For: Someone who wants a smooth-as-silk feel in their cooling sheets.

Specifications:

• Material: 100% viscose from bamboo fabric
• Pocket depth: Up to 20″
• Colors: 18
• Sizes: 7

Former commerce deputy editor Alicia has tested a lot of sheets (come on, that’s her job), so it can be hard to tell one set from another. But she won’t be forgetting the AiryWeight Sheets from Sijo, made from TENCEL lyocell (aka eucalyptus fibers). “Within one sleep, they won me and my boyfriend over,” she says. “I am a hot sleeper, but I like the weight of sheets and blankets over me. I sweat in my sleep and noticed I didn’t sweat at all while using these cooling sheets, which is a miracle.”

Alicia’s boyfriend is, unlike many millennials who run hot with worries about the world, someone who sleeps cool and unbothered. He doesn’t exactly need cooling sheets — must be nice — but he loves these just as much as she does. That must also be because they are pretty lavish. “I haven’t tested TENCEL lyocell before and was surprised when these sheets felt like silk (but not slippery like silk can be),” Alicia says. “I love the color, too. I got them in Forest, and they are by far the most luxurious sheets I own.”

Read our full review of the Sijo AiryWeight Eucalyptus Sheet Set.

Who It’s Best For: People who like their cooling sheets to also feel like a silky dream and get their money’s worth.

Specifications:

• Material: 100% TENCEL lyocell
• Pocket depth: Up to 16″
• Colors: 14
• Sizes: 6

The Company Store’s Legends Hotel Supima Cotton Percale Sheets will keep you from sweating throughout the night. Light, crisp, and breathable, these sheets were made with long-staple Supima cotton specifically for warm temperatures. And at a 400 thread count, they’re also super soft and luxurious.

“These were really nice!” confirms Home Projects director Megan. “They’re crisp, hold up to washes, and are soft against the skin. They stayed nice and cool!” These sheets also come in eight colors, and if you’re on the fence about which one you want, The Company Store even offers a free swatch to help you decide!

Who It’s Best For: Those who are hot sleepers and/or live in warm environments; those who prefer a higher thread count.

Specifications:

• Material: 100% Supima cotton
• Pocket depth: Up to 18″ for standard and up to to 20″ for deep
• Colors: 6
• Sizes: 8

*Honorable Mention: According to commerce coordinator Mila, Silk & Snow’s version is a close second, noting that they’ve improved her quality of sleep as someone who gets hot during the night. The Portuguese-made percale cotton set boasts a thread count of 200 and organic dyes that give a luxury hotel vibe.

Those that prioritize eco-friendliness in their bedding should also consider lyocell sheets, which are equal parts strong, soft, and temperature-controlling. In addition to its moisture-wicking properties, the fabric is ideal for sleepers that have sensitive skin, too. Earlier this summer, commerce editorial assistant Morgan says that Brooklyn Bedding’s sheets performed when the AC was blasting and when she switched it off.

“I don’t feel the need to kick off my top sheet and blanket in the middle of the night anymore,” Morgan’s review reads. “The material felt shockingly soft right out of the package, and somehow got even more silky after washing.”

“Brooklyn Bedding’s wrinkle-free claims are totally true,” Morgan adds. “Even when I took them out of the dryer, they looked pristine and smooth, and they still do after a couple of weeks of use on my bed. I can’t say the same about some of my other pricier sets.”

Who It’s Best For: Those on the hunt for versatile, low-maintenance sheets that’ll work any time, whether it’s summer or winter.

Specifications:

• Material: 100% TENCEL Lyocell 
• Pocket depth: Up to 15″
• Colors: 3
• Sizes: 7

Securing some great breathable sheets is a must in the summer, but another must-have on many shoppers’ checklist is an elevated look. Enter: Boll & Branch’s Linen Sheets. Made with 100% Belgian flax linen, this light and airy linen sheet set is naturally cooling for the warmest sleepers. The sheets are also finished with a proprietary four-step garment wash, which gives them a relaxed look and ensures optimal softness upon arrival. However, the more you wash them, the softer they’ll get.

“I love these linen sheets, they’re perfect for those in-between temps where it’s not too hot or too cold,” says Jada. “They’re almost as soft as silk and stay cool to the touch throughout the night.” The sheets fit mattresses up to 17″ thick and have a fully elasticized fitted sheet to help keep them in place.

Who It’s Best For: Warm sleepers looking for cooler sheets that deliver on style; those looking for lighter bedding.

Specifications:

• Material: 100% Belgian flax linen
• Pocket depth: Up to 17″
• Colors: 4
• Sizes: 6

Additional reporting by Karen Chen.

The Shopping Team at Apartment Therapy Media has one mission: to help you make smart and informed purchases. We know how hard online shopping can be — it’s literally our job! From trying to decipher confusing marketing lingo to sorting through scores of fake paid reviews in search of some truth, online shopping can be overwhelming. We’re dedicated to doing the hard work for you by reviewing these products firsthand and delivering all the information you need, both good and bad.

Our team is made up of a group of writers and editors who have years of experience in the home, kitchen, and parenting consumer product space, and who are always testing for new tried-and-true staples. Consider us your trusted source on everything home, whether it’s what to consider before buying a sofa or a mattress, the best places to shop for affordable rugs, or which cookware pieces are really worth the cabinet space.

As experts in the home and design space, we put products to the test right where they matter: at home. Whether it’s the gadget on everyone’s wish list or the coolest-looking design finds, we bring these products into our personal spaces and test them for weeks and even months at a time to see how well they live up to their claims. Do those sheets still feel silky smooth after a couple of washes? Does that mattress remain firm or soften up too soon? Are those bath towels really quick drying or do they need an extra spin in the machine? We’ll let you know. 

Within each of our reviews, we also break down the different ways that we critique products. In some cases, we’re testing products head-to-head on things like price, ease of use, and durability. In others, we’re comparing new products to personal favorites or ones we’ve tested in the past. No matter what, we’ll always break down the ins and outs of a product. At the end of the day, we’re consumers too, so we’ll provide you with all the information we’d want — and then some.

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