The Best Editor-Tested Cooling Sheets You Can Buy Now

Here’s how it usually goes: You go to bed looking as sweat-free and absolutely dewy fresh as a Disney princess who’s been sleeping for years. Then, you wake up feeling and looking like the monster who tried to devour her while surrounded by hot and molten lava. And, to add to the attractiveness factor, you’re drenched in sweat. It’s the plight of the hot sleeper. No matter how close you position your bed to the fan, you just can’t shake the heat. But if you have enough patience (though that’s also hard when you awake hot and irritated), you can find the cooling sheet that will help you wake up looking refreshed instead of distressed. 

The key is finding the right material and weave that will keep you cool. Percale, made from 100 percent cotton, is crisp and light and great for those who prefer the classics. Linen, with its looser weave and ability to absorb 20 percent of its weight in moisture, is perfect for warm weather but also one of the more luxe (read: expensive) options. Then, there are sheets made from other plant-based materials such as eucalyptus and bamboo, both of which are breathable, moisture-wicking, eco-friendly, and some of the softest bedding out there. We combed through our favorite brands (and a few new to us!) to find the breeziest yet coziest cooling sheets on the market. After spending months testing them to see which sets can turn those sweaty, sleepless, monstrous nights into a thing of the past, here’s what we found.

• Best Overall: Sijo AiryWeight Eucalyptus Sheets
• Best Budget-Friendly: Charter Club Sleep Cool Hygro 400-Thread Count Sheets
• Best Luxury: Rest Evercool+ Cooling Sheet Set
• Best Organic: Quince Bamboo Sheet Set
• Best Bamboo: ettitude Signature Sateen Sheet Set
• Best Eucalyptus: Sheets & Giggles Eucalyptus Sheets
• Best Percale: Molecule Percale Performance Sheets
• Best Lyocell: Casper Hyperlite Sheet Set

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 percent 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?

Note: All prices listed are for Queen size.

A high-quality sheet that also doesn’t leave you drenched in a pool of your own salty 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 make you feel like you’re sleeping on a literal bed of silk? Almost impossible! Senior commerce editor Alicia says she’s 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.

Specifications:

• 100% TENCEL lyocell (eucalyptus fibers)
• Available in 6 sizes and 7 colors
• Fits mattresses up to 16″
• Antimicrobial and hypoallergenic
• Includes fitted sheet and 2 pillowcases (1 pillowcase for Twin and Twin XL sets); flat sheet is optional
• Machine-wash cold on gentle cycle with like colors; tumble-dry low
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
• 30-night sleep trial

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

Good to Know: Due to the nature of the fabric, some light piling is expected, but to prevent excess piling avoid using bleach, fabric softeners. wool dryer balls, and abrasive fabrics.

*Honorable Mention: The TEMPUR-Pedic ProAir Sheet Set is another great option for a cooling sheet that has a luxurious feel. Executive lifestyle director Charli says these are a great option for summer, spring, and fall, when you’re likely to heat up the most. She adds that they come with a handy “accessory”: the built-in, Staytight Corner Straps, which keep your sheets from slipping off the corners. Besides, what good is a cooling sheet if it doesn’t even stay on your mattress?

The Best Budget-Friendly pick is a Macy’s exclusive that’s an AT editor-favorite if you want to save a few bucks on good bedding. The Charter Club Sleep Cool Hygro Cotton Sheet Set is the epitome of “luxe on a budget” with its elegant pinstripe color options and sateen finish. The unique knit of the Hygro cotton contributes to its moisture-wicking capabilities, and its conveniently deep pockets and stretchy corners ensure that it stays on your bed even if you toss and turn at night. “As a hot sleeper, waking up in sweaty sheets was a regular occurrence, especially living in a building where the AC does not get turned on until well into May,” says AT’s revenue intelligence director, Bryan. “Since switching to these, I haven’t woken up to sweaty sheets even once!”

Specifications:

• 100% Hygro Egyptian cotton
• 400 thread count
• Available in 5 sizes and 7 colors 
• Fits mattresses up to 20″
• Includes flat sheet, fitted sheet, and 2 pillowcases (1 pillowcase with Twin set)
• Machine washable
• Made In Green by OEKO-TEX certified

Who It’s Best For: Those who want a good deal on quality sheets; those who want a solid variety in colors and the technology of moisture-wicking, hollow-core cotton.

Good to Know: Avoid using fabric softener on these sheets as it may cause fabric erosion.

Hot sleepers dream of pretty much only one thing: a way to get cool again. Best List editor Britt says the Evercool+ Cooling Sheets from Rest made her (previously) sweat-ridden dreams come true. “They’re silky smooth and stay really cool, so I don’t overheat at night,” she says. “They’re also moisture-wicking, which keeps away the potential night sweats.” For the ultimate fitted sheet convenience, the long and short sides are clearly marked with tags, and there are even handy corner straps that reinforce the sheet’s grip on your mattress so it doesn’t slip or come undone with any shifting around. Best of all, they’re surprisingly cool. Britt describes them as “immediately cool to the touch,” and says it was good sign ahead of her sleeping in them for the first time. Another feature that makes these sheets so innovative is the IONIC+ technology that assists with their antimicrobial properties and keeps them fresher for longer periods, which means you can extend the time between washes.

Read our full review of the Evercool+ Cooling Sheet Set.

Specifications:

• 100% Evercool+ (nylon, spandex, and IONIC+ silver yarn blend)
• Available in 4 sizes and 3 colors
• Includes 1 fitted sheet and 2 pillowcases
• Fits mattresses up to 14″-18″, depending on sheet size
• Antimicrobial and pet hair-resistant
• Machine-wash low with delicate detergent; tumble dry low is okay, but drip-dry is recommended
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
• 30-night sleep trial
• 1-year warranty

Who It’s Best For: Those who want the convenience of going a little longer between washes.

Good to Know: One thing to be mindful of is that because these sheets are so smooth, the top sheet is prone to slipping and sliding against other silky bedding, such as a bamboo comforter.

Unlike Alicia and Britt, who could probably write a thesis on luxury sheets at this point after trying so many, associate social media director Rachel was a rookie in this area and was pleasantly surprised by Quince’s Organic Bamboo Sheet Set. “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 percent 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!”

Specifications:

• 100% viscose from organic bamboo
• 300 thread count
• Available in 5 sizes and 8 colors
• Includes fitted sheet, flat sheet, and 2 pillowcases (1 pillowcase with Twin set)
• Fits mattresses up to 16″
• Hypoallergenic
• Machine-wash cold on gentle cycle; tumble-dry low
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified

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

Good to Know: To avoid pilling, do not use fabric softener or dryer balls with these sheets.

Emma, AT’s marketing and brand partnerships coordinator, is a hot sleeper and like most hot sleepers, prefers to be not hot. Ettitude’s Signature Sateen Sheet Set was her first time trying cooling sheets, and she was immediately hooked. “They seem durable, the color is bright and perfect, and they kept me at the perfect temp all night long — even in my windowless, tiny NYC bedroom, which often overheats,” she says. A windowless city bedroom definitely makes for a stuffy sleeping situation, but cooling sheets are the perfect solution. Plus, she says they’ve been resistant to her cat’s hair, which is another reason to call this one a winner.

Emma adds that these sheets fit her bed well, too. She has a full mattress, so sheets often fit loosely over it, but the elastic keeps everything snug. The pocket on the pillowcase keeps the pillow enclosed as well. “I’ve only washed them once upon receiving and once since then,” she says, “but so far they’ve held up very well! Love, love, love them!”

Specifications:

• 100% bamboo lyocell
• Available in 6 sizes and 12 colors
• Includes fitted sheet, flat sheet, and 2 pillowcases (1 pillowcase for Twin and Twin XL sets)
• Fits mattresses up to 17″
• Hypoallergenic
• Machine-wash cold on gentle cycle with like fabric; tumble-dry low or line dry
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
• 30-night sleep trial

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

Good to Know: These sheets are made in small batches, so availability in colors may vary. But they are made with non-toxic dyes, so you can (literally) sleep easy knowing that.

Besides being an excellent pun, Sheets & Giggles have Eucalyptus Sheets that will cool you down on those hot, sweaty nights (so, all of them). News & culture editor Ni’Kesia is especially a fan. “They feel so soft, and as long as you care for them as directed, I imagine they’ll last for a long time.” According to Ni’Kesia, the Sheets & Giggles Eucalyptus Sheets can be used year-round, so you’ll definitely want to stock up. Another reason you’ll want more than one set in your home bedding inventory? Besides being super comfortable and hypoallergenic, these sheets are available in a wide range of colors and patterns that you can match to your home aesthetic.

Specifications:

• 100% eucalyptus lyocell
• Available in 7 sizes and 13 colors
• Fits mattresses up to 20″
• Includes 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, 2 pillowcases;  (1 pillowcase for Twin and Twin XL sets; Split King has 2 fitted sheets)
• Hypoallergenic
• Machine-wash cold on gentle cycle; tumble-dry low
• 90-day return window
• 1-year warranty

Who It’s Best For: Those with dust or pet allergies as these sheets repel pet fur, dust, and dirt.

Good to Know: The striped patterns, Orchid, and Ice Water only fit mattresses up to 17”.

Home assistant editor Savannah says the Molecule Percale Performance Sheets were really all about how they make her bed look. “The white is really bright and clean, which I love,” she says. In addition to their hotel bed-crisp look, these sheets are also an effective way to cool down a humid space. Savannah’s upstairs bedroom is the warmest place in her house, which means she is always looking for ways to keep the heat at bay. “On 80 degree days, sometimes I have the AC on 65 to keep my room cool,” she says. “With these sheets, I’m able to turn the AC down so the room is warmer because I know I’ll be cool.” But maybe the biggest plus here? With the help of these Percale Performance Sheets, Savannah’s boyfriend no longer sweats in his sleep.

Specifications:

• 52% long-staple cotton; 48% TENCEL lyocell
• 300 thread count
• Available in 3 sizes and 4 colors
• Fits mattresses up to 15″
• Includes 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, 2 pillowcases (1 pillowcase for Twin and Twin XL sets)
• Machine-wash cold on gentle cycle; tumble-dry low
• OEKO-TEX certified
• 30-night sleep trial

Who It’s Best For: Those who want wrinkle-resistant sheets that absorb moisture and make it difficult for bacteria growth.

Good to Know: The Split King is available in a sateen finish only.

*Honorable Mention: According to AT executive lifestyle director Charli, the Saatva Percale Sheet Set is another high-quality percale option at a slightly lower price point that’s ideal for the warmer months. Made with 200 thread count long-staple cotton, they fit mattresses up to 16″ thick and the full set comes with a flat sheet, fitted sheet, and two pillowcases.

One of the biggest qualifications of a good hot-weather sheet? You shouldn’t be able to actually feel like you’re under a sheet. After trying Casper’s Hyperlite Sheet Set, home projects director Megan says, “These sheets are so lightweight they almost feel gauzy!” She adds that they feel “delicate,” but that doesn’t mean their quality has decreased at all. Thanks to a bit of texture and pattern woven into these sheets, they look a little fancier than your average bedding. As Megan’s “go-to sheets for the summer,” the Hyperlite sheets have deep pockets that can handle bulky mattresses and are available in a variety of neutrals that instantly elevate your bedroom.

Specifications:

• 100% TENCEL lyocell
• 200 thread count
• Available in 6 sizes and 5 colors
• Fits mattresses up to 18″
• Includes 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, 2 pillowcases;  (1 pillowcase for Twin and Twin XL sets)
• Machine-wash cold on gentle cycle; tumble-dry low
• 30-night sleep trial

Who It’s Best For: Those who want a very lightweight feel and breathable sheets.

Good to Know: The grid pattern on the sheets increases airflow, which allows for extra airflow on those especially stuffy nights.