The Best Cooling Sheets for Summer and Beyond

We’ve all been there: Tossing and turning, wrestling with hot, stuffy bedding, eventually waking up in a pool of sweat and kicking the covers to the side in an attempt to get some air. Or, perhaps it’s your partner who’s radiating enough heat to make the bed a furnace for the both of you. The good news is that whether it’s you or your bedmate who’s the hot sleeper, neither of you has to just resign to restless, sweaty nights. Besides getting a lighter-weight comforter or even going the quilt route, switching to cooling sheets made from breathable, moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating fabric can truly make all the difference when it comes to your quality of sleep.

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 nights into a thing of the past, here’s what we found.

• Best Overall: My Sheets Rock “The Regulator” Sheet Set
• Best Budget-Friendly: California Design Den Sateen Sheet Set
• Best Luxury: Avocado Organic Hemp Sheet Set
• Best Linen: Nuzzie Linen Sheet Set
• Best Eucalyptus: Buffy Eucalyptus Sheet Set
• Best Bamboo: The Linen Company’s Sweave Bamboo Sheet Set
• Best Percale: Brooklinen Classic Core Set
• Best Sateen: Coyuchi Organic Relaxed Sateen Sheets
• Best Organic Cotton: Boll & Branch Percale Hemmed 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 — except for perhaps the one below.
• Hemp: Another sustainable, natural fiber, 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.

The main certification to know when shopping for cooling sheets is OEKO-TEX Standard 100. A product with this verification is certified to be free of harmful synthetics and dyes. GOTS certified textiles signify alignment with the gold standard of environmental and social responsibility. The Made Safe certification means a product has undergone rigorous scientific screening processes and is free of harmful ingredients. Lastly, you’ll see Climate Neutral certified products in our list, which means their companies actually offset 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.

My Sheets Rock continues to come out on top for a second year in a row with the brand’s temperature-regulating sheets, aptly named “The Regulator.” Made from high-grade, sustainably sourced OEKO-TEX Standard 100-certified bamboo rayon, these sheets boast eight heat-fighting benefits, including breathable construction, moisture-wicking technology, and a lightweight feel that won’t weigh you down. Our commerce editor Sarah attests that they’re not only the absolute softest pair of sheets she’s ever encountered, but they’ve also allowed her to sleep sweat-free at last. “These sheets seem to combine the positive traits of two other beloved textiles: the smoothness of silk (sans the slip) and the lightweight, classic look and feel of cotton,” she says. “Not only did I sleep soundly and comfortably, but I also woke up sweat-free and without a hair out of place.” AT Best List writer Kendall, another over-heater but a lover of a warm bed, raved so much about the “instant softness and sustained temperature control of The Regulator sheets” that she’s lucky if she can claim the set after it’s laundered before her housemate does. “I’m buying these for everyone I know,” she says — and it’s looking like she may have to!

Specifications:

• 100% bamboo rayon fiber
• Includes top sheet, fitted sheet, and 2 pillowcases
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
• Available in 9 colors
• Fits mattresses up to 16 inches
• 90-day free trial

Who It’s Best For: Those who want to sleep on consistently cooling sheets; those who love a silkier feel to their sheets.

Good to Know: My Sheets Rock says their Regulator sheets are 50 percent less humid and 3 to 4 degrees cooler than cotton or polyester sheets. Skeptical but want to give them a try? Sleep in them for 90 days and get your money back if you’re not completely satisfied.

It’s not really a secret that Amazon shoppers know what’s up, and since over 50,000 of them left rave reviews of California Design Den’s bedding sets, we knew we had to put them to the test. Made of 100 percent long-staple cotton, the brand’s sateen weave set pleasantly surprised our assistant shopping editor, Britt, by how cool she stayed while sleeping in them. “What caught me by surprise,” she says, “when I actually slept in my new luxe sateen sheets was how smooth and cool they were. They’re delightfully soft, and did I mention smooth?” It’s worth repeating. “I thought the claims that these felt like cozy hotel sheets were all for show, but I was quickly proven wrong.” And since they’re 100 percent cotton, “they’re also breathable,” Britt says, describing the set’s ability to keep her from overheating. “No matter how much I tugged on them, they still look good as new,” she says of their durability. They also come in a whopping 17 colors, and since they’re available at a consistently low price, why not grab a few sets to swap out based on your current mood (or design scheme).

Specifications:

• 100% long-staple cotton
• 400 to 600 thread count sateen weave
• Includes top sheet, fitted sheet, and 2 pillowcases
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
• Available in 17 colors
• Fits mattresses up to 16 inches
• 30-day return policy

Who It’s Best For: Those who want the highest quality at a bargain price; those who rely on tons (and we mean tons) of positive reviews before settling on a purchase.

Good to Know: If you’re interested in the coziness and moisture-wicking abilities of bamboo bedding, the brand also makes a 100 percent bamboo rayon sheet set.

If you want to make a great investment purchase and spend your dollars sustainably and ethically, Avocado’s Organic Hemp Sheets are it. There are few other companies committed to meeting such strict environmental standards, and the laundry list of certifications Avocado Green’s products have earned makes this evident. Hemp, specifically, has an impressive natural ability to regulate body temperature. These sheets have a reasonable heft (as hemp is wont to have), but hot sleepers shouldn’t fret. They drape around you, all but tucking you in themselves, and keep you feeling cozy without ever getting hot. Kendall, who likes to burrow under lots of bedding despite “knowing full well I will overheat,” became a hemp bedding fanatic after trying Avocado Green. “These organic hemp sheets are definitely an investment, but after one month of truly restful, temperature-regulated sleep, I believe they’re worth it. I’ve been recommending them to anyone who will listen! Finding a set of sheets that allows me to layer on the covers without being drenched in sweat by midnight hasn’t been easy, but Avocado Green has helped me finally conclude my search.”

Specifications:

• 100% organic hemp
• Includes top sheet, fitted sheet, and 2 pillowcases
• GOTS, Made Safe, and Climate Neutral certified
• Available in 2 colors
• Fits mattresses up to 16 inches
• 100-night trial; 1-year warranty

Who It’s Best For: Those who haven’t tried hemp bedding yet; those who don’t mind sheets with texture or a bit of heft; those who want completely organic bedding free of any harmful substances.

Good to Know: In addition to their minimal impact on the planet, these sheets will only get softer and more luxe feeling with time (like linen!). Hemp is a notoriously durable fabric and can last for years and years.

Linen is a go-to fabric for hot sleepers, especially those who love the drapey, wrinkled aesthetic they lend to a bedroom. It’s up to three times more ventilating than cotton fabrics and just as good at wicking away moisture. And while linen sheets can often feel a bit grainy or rough at first, this Nuzzie set is wonderfully soft right out of its matching linen storage bag. In fact, Britt says she could have even skipped that first wash that we typically recommend to soften sheets before use. Made from 100 percent French flax, “they definitely feel like good-quality linen and aren’t rough or unpleasant to the touch,” she says. “I don’t typically sleep under linen sheets, so I worried about the thickness of them at first. However, I was surprised to find that these sheets didn’t make me feel overheated at all. They’re a good weight and effectively breathable, so I slept comfortably all night long!”

Specifications:

• 100% French flax linen
• 600 thread count
• Includes top sheet, fitted sheet, and 2 pillowcases
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
• Available in 2 colors
• Fits mattresses up to 16 inches
• 30-day 100% money back guarantee

Who It’s Best For: Those looking for the perfect combination of soft and sturdy; those who want the ventilation of a looser weave.

Good to Know: Treat your mother (or yourself) to a set during Nuzzie’s current Mother’s Day Sale, which gives you 10 percent off.

Buffy’s Eucalyptus Sheets are also impressively soft and extremely breathable, according to Mark, our commerce executive director. A hot sleeper and a convert to Buffy after a decade-long struggle to find cooling sheets that work, Mark gave this set a single wash, and the somewhat thin, satiny texture “magically transformed into a set of ridiculously soft, durable sheets.” Because these sheets are made from eucalyptus lyocell, a superior material for moisture absorption and temperature regulation, Mark finally landed on the perfect summer bedding to keep him cool and comfy: “I’m thrilled to say that these sheets have put an end to my restless nights. Even on the steamiest, stickiest evenings, I am able to sleep soundly with just the window open and the top sheet as my cover.”

Specifications:

• 100% TENCEL lyocell
• 300 thread count
• Includes top sheet, fitted sheet, and 2 pillowcases
• Available in 10 colors
• Fits mattresses up to 15 inches
• 7-night free trial before purchasing; 30-day return policy

Who It’s Best For: Those who want breathable, cooling sheets that have a silky softness, unlike linen or hemp.

Good to Know: Lyocell is a man-made fabric, so it technically cannot be certified organic. But the company does use all-natural ingredients like turmeric, rose petals, bark, and gardenia to create the subtle color dyes for their eucalyptus sheets (read: no bleach or harsh chemicals here!).

Another sustainable fabric known for its temperature regulating abilities and superior softness is bamboo. AT contributor Jasmine dubbed The Linen Company’s Sweave Bamboo Sheet Set the “Goldilocks of bedding” because they were “just right,” checking off all the boxes for a comfortable night’s sleep. Ridiculously soft and silky, light and airy, and made from a mix of bamboo viscose and cotton, “the quality of the fabric is second to none — seriously,” says Jasmine, who goes on to rave: “These Sweave sheets maintain the perfect balance of comfort and temperature regulation. They’re soft, but not too delicate. Cozy, but not suffocating. Breathable, but won’t leave you shivering at night.” Jasmine tested these sheets both at the end of summer and in the winter and found that they were the perfect set to use year-round — keeping her cool in hotter months and just right as the temps dropped.

Specifications:

• Bamboo viscose and cotton blend
• Includes top sheet, fitted sheet, and 2 pillowcases
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and Made In Green certified
• Available in white
• Fits mattresses up to 15 inches
• 100-night trial; lifetime warranty

Who It’s Best For: Those who like a silky-soft feel to their sheets. (Percale and linen die-hards, these may not be for you.)

Good to Know: This set is a steal at $70 for a Queen set. They are also currently only available in white.

Brooklinen’s Classic Core sheets are a hot sleeper’s dream. Made from long-staple cotton in a percale weave, these sheets mimic the crisp hotel bedding you typically only get when vacationing somewhere fancy. They’re also one of the coolest sheets you can sleep on during the steamy summer months: With a 270 thread count, they’re light, breathable, cool, and simply divine. And although the sheets can feel a bit stiff at first, they continue to get better and softer with each wash, eventually making you want to lounge in them all day. AT contributor Jasmine even went so far as to say these were her favorite sheets — ever — and trust that our testers have slept in many, many sheets over the years. “Though I have since bought and tested many well-made cotton sheets from several other brands, I have no qualms about stamping the Brooklinen classic percale sheets as my all-time favorite.” Bonus points for the “long side” and “short side” labels on the fitted sheet that help take the guesswork out of making the bed.

Specifications:

• 100% long-staple cotton
• 270 thread count
• Includes top sheet, fitted sheet, and 2 pillowcases
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
• Available in 14 colorways and patterns
• Fits mattresses up to 15 inches
• 365-day return window; 1-year warranty

Who It’s Best For: Those who want to invest in durable, luxe sheets but don’t want to shell out a fortune; those who enjoy crisp, hotel-like bedding.

Good to Know: Not big on top sheets? You can save money by buying a starter set that includes just the fitted sheet and pillowcases.

Love the super smooth feel of sateen but not the shiny look most sateen sheets have? You’ve come to the right place. Coyuchi makes some of our favorite organic bedding ever and this sateen set is no exception. These pre-washed sheets are a “relaxed” version of sateen — buttery soft with a casual, lived-in look without the sheen. They come in five beautifully subdued colorways, from Pale Ocean to Chai, that remind us of the California coast, where the company was born. Coyuchi also uses miDori bioSoft, a USDA-certified, bio-based softener, to finish these sheets for added comfort and dryness. Commerce editor Sarah fell hard for this set: “These sheets were an ABSOLUTE dream. Soft to the touch and able to keep me cool all night long (a feat, if I do say so myself). I felt luxurious (like Rihanna luxurious) with these sheets on. The slip, the comfort — if you’re looking to spoil yourself, do it with these sheets.” What more is there to say if they’re Rihanna luxurious?

Specifications:

• 100% organic cotton
• Includes top sheet, fitted sheet, and 2 pillowcases
• GOTS and Fair Trade certified
• Available in 5 colors
• Fits mattresses up to 15 inches
• 30-day return policy

Who It’s Best For: Those who can’t quit the satiny-smooth feel of sateen but don’t necessarily want shiny sheets; those who want all-organic sheets from an ethical and environmentally minded company.

Good to Know: Once the sheets are spent and you’re ready to retire them, recycle them with Coyuchi’s 2nd Home Take Back Program: Send them back using a pre-paid shipping label and get 15 percent off your next order — and the peace of mind that your linens won’t be taking up space in a landfill. 

*Honorable Mention: If you do, in fact, enjoy a bit more luster to your sateen sheets, Riley’s Organic Cotton Sheet Set is our recommendation. Made from 100 percent long-staple organic cotton, these sheets are a go-to for Kendall. “These are luxuriously soft enough for me to cozily wrap up in and crisp enough for my partner to do the same,” she says. “What I didn’t expect was for them to be the thing that makes [my partner and I] both wake up, look at each other, and realize we’d both just had amazing sleep in the same place at the same time.” Co-sleepers rejoice!

Landing the top spot on AT’s Best Organic Sheets list, Boll & Branch’s bedding has earned its luxe reputation via the company’s highly intentional farming and production practices. As the first-ever 100 percent organic Fair Trade-certified bedding company, Boll & Branch ensures sustainable livelihoods for the workers who create these beautifully made products, which are all produced without pesticides, chemicals, and GMOs. And these percale sheets, as contributor Stella discovered first-hand, are “exquisite,” “sophisticated,” and “heavenly.” Crisp but not stiff, cool to the touch, luxuriously soft, and made from the finest long-staple organic cotton, these airy sheets feel like a freshly pressed shirt, or the sumptuous hotel bed of your dreams. They also kept Stella perfectly temperature regulated so she slept soundly through the night: “Slipping into my Boll & Branch-clad bed makes for a breathable sleep, one where I never wake up sweaty or shivering even with the erratic weather changes we have here in Southern California.”

Specifications:

• 100% long-staple organic cotton
• 300 thread count
• Includes top sheet, fitted sheet, and 2 pillowcases
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100, GOTS, and Fair Trade certified
• Available in 7 colors
• Fits mattresses up to 17 inches
• 30-night risk-free trial period

Who It’s Best For: Those who enjoy crisp sheets that offer a luxurious hotel bed feel; those who want organic cotton.

Good to Know: Keeping in line with the fancy hotel bed motif, these fitted sheets are generously sized with deep pocket coverage (17 inches) — but that might overwhelm thinner mattresses.