The Best Cooling Sheets for Hot Sleepers
Hot sleepers searching for cooling bedding should start with high-quality sheets made from breathable cotton percale, linen, or TENCEL™ Lyocell. These lovely fabrics feel great on your skin and keep you comfortable all night long—no matter the season. To narrow down your options, consider which of your favorite summer-ready sheet fabrics include the primary benefits associated with cooling bedding.
How Do Cooling Sheets Work?
While some cooling bedding features special coatings or fills designed to help you regulate your body temperature—such as our Cool Zzz ™ pillows, comforters, and mattress pads—most cooling sheets work by taking advantage of the natural features of the fibers or the fabric. While looking for cooling bedding, you’ll likely encounter several key phrases or terms. Here’s what they mean:
- Breathable materials allow air to circulate so it doesn’t get trapped between your body and the bedding. This helps to prevent overheating.
- Similarly, fabrics with loose weaves—indicated by a low thread count—facilitate airflow. The looser the weave and the lower the thread count, the cooler the fabric.
- Moisture-wicking materials pull perspiration and moisture away from the skin to help it evaporate, so you don’t wake up sticky and sweaty.
- Temperature-regulating fabrics absorb your body heat when you’re warm, and release it when you’re cool, helping you maintain a consistent core temperature.
What Are the Best Cooling Sheet Fabrics?
From natural linen and percale to semi-synthetic rayon bamboo and TENCEL™ Lyocell, these fabrics are your best options when choosing bed sheets for hot sleepers or summer months.
Crisp Cotton Percale Sheets
Crisp cotton percale sheets are not technically cooling—that is, they don’t actively lower your body temperature while you sleep. However, thanks to a loose weave and breathable fibers, cotton percale can help you stay cool and comfortable, making it a favorite sheet fabric for year-round use.
Consider these benefits of cotton percale:
- Feels crisp and cool to the touch
- Has a matte finish similar to hotel room bedding
- Lightweight, breathable weave allows plenty of airflow, so you stay cool
- Organic options are available
Lightweight Linen Layers
If you like the feel of cotton percale but want to up the cooling factor, look for linen sheets. Linen has long been lauded as a luxe summer sheet fabric, but it offers a range of comfort and style features hot sleepers will love in any season.
Some of these benefits of linen sheets and bedding include:
- Large, hollow fibers are incredibly breathable for comfort while you sleep
- Naturally temperature-regulating fibers wick away moisture to cool you down in the summer, but insulate to keep you warm in winter
- Gets softer with every wash
- Looks lovely and relaxed on the bed
Silky Smooth Semi-Synthetic Sheets
Rayon made from bamboo and wood pulp-based TENCEL ™ Lyocell lend cooling qualities to cotton-blend sateen sheets, making the thicker weave a comfortable—and even ideal—option for hot sleepers in any season.
Benefits of rayon made from bamboo and TENCEL™ Lyocell–blend sheets include:
- Breathable and moisture-wicking to keep you cool, even when it’s warm
- Super soft and silky, thanks to the fine, round fibers and lustrous sateen weave
- Rayon made from bamboo is hypoallergenic; TENCEL™ Lyocell is gentle on the skin
Are Cooling Sheets Comfortable to Sleep on Year-Round?
Cooling sheets are an ideal option for summer months when high temperatures and humidity impede overnight comfort, but are also comfortable year-round. Most cooling sheets work by helping you regulate your body temperature, which means they keep you cool when it’s hot outside—but will also provide comfortable insulation when temperatures fall. For year-round use, layer your sheets and bedding to suit the climate and season for the most comfortable sleep.
Natural and semi-synthetic cooling sheets are a great way to improve nighttime comfort, especially if you tend to sleep hot. Choosing sheets made from breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics creates a cooler, more comfortable sleeping environment. Consider factors such as fabric type, weave, and thread count to find the best cooling sheets, then layer them with a coverlet or lightweight blanket for summer months—or a duvet insert and cover combo when winter weather sets in. For more bedding inspiration, expert advice, and design ideas, explore our other Guides.