For those who struggle with overheating at night, a specialized set of cooling sheets can offer a significant improvement in sleep quality. These sheets are designed to enhance airflow, wick away moisture, and regulate body temperature, providing a more comfortable sleep environment. The New York Post has tested 14 different sheet sets to identify the best options for hot sleepers.
Understanding Cooling Sheets
Cooling sheets earn their name by facilitating heat transfer away from the body through increased airflow. According to Jackson Lindeke, director of product experience at the Sleep Foundation, temperature-regulating sheets are often breathable and possess moisture-wicking properties similar to athletic apparel. The material type, texture, and weave all play crucial roles in a sheet's ability to promote airflow and dissipate heat. While thread count is a common metric for traditional sheets, a lower thread count can sometimes indicate better breathability for cooling fabrics.
Key Materials and Features
Common materials found in cooling sheets include percale cotton, linen, and lyocell (Tencel). These fabrics are naturally more breathable and moisture-wicking than others. Certain weaves with lattice patterns can further enhance airflow. For cotton sheets, a thread count around 300 is often considered a good balance of breathability and softness. Tencel and bamboo sheets typically hover around a similar thread count, while linen sheets, due to their thicker fibers, often have lower thread counts.
Cooling sheets can offer substantial benefits for individuals who experience frequent wakefulness due to rising body temperature during the night, night sweats, or simply live in warmer climates. By helping to regulate core body temperature, these sheets can contribute to longer, more restful sleep. For those with conditions like hyperhidrosis, or simply a personal preference for a cooler sleep environment, cooling sheets can be a valuable addition to their bedding.
Top Performing Cooling Sheets
Several brands stood out in testing for their cooling capabilities and overall comfort. The Slumber Cloud Performance Cotton Sheet Set was noted for its exceptional cooling technology and ability to fit mattresses up to 16 inches deep, keeping both hot and cool sleepers comfortable. The Olive and Crate Eucalyptus TENCEL Fiber Sheet Set received praise for its near-ice-cold feel right out of the package and its sustainable production using Oeko-Tex 100 Standard-certified fibers.
For a buttery-soft feel combined with cooling properties, the CGK Linens collection uses a high-density weave designed for enhanced breathability and moisture-wicking. Similarly, the Amazon-best-selling sheets made from 100% viscose from bamboo are renowned for their cooling and moisture-wicking properties, with users reporting they only get softer with each wash. Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheets, made from 100% viscose from bamboo, were highlighted for their cooling, moisture-wicking, and exceptionally soft feel, even earning a spot on Oprah's Favorite Things list.
The Quince Bamboo Sheet Set offers an affordable yet luxurious feel, with its 100% viscose derived from organic bamboo providing thermoregulation and a silky soft texture. Brooklinen's Classic Percale Core Sheet Set was identified as one of the most breathable options, made with 100% long-staple cotton and Oeko-Tex certified fabric, offering a crisp and cool feel. The Rest Evercool + Cooling Starter Sheet Set features proprietary Evercool fabric with silver-infused fibers to help manage odor and bacteria, and is noted as HSA and FSA eligible. Casper's Hyperlite Sheet Set, made with 100% TENCEL lyocell and a proprietary grid weave, was found to be exceptionally breathable.
Affordable options like the Bedsure Cooling Sheets, made from 100% premium viscose from bamboo, offer a luxurious feel and significant breathability for under $50. Lane Linen's 100% Egyptian Cotton Sheets, despite a high 1,000 thread count, maintain a remarkably fresh and soft feel. Ettitude's Bamboo Signature Sateen Sheet Set, crafted from 100% bamboo lyocell, provides a luxurious, breathable experience with a distinctive drape. Columbia sheets, available through Kohl's, offer a fair price and comfortable cotton blend that provides a more breathable alternative to traditional sheets.
Testing Methodology
The evaluation of these cooling sheets involved testing criteria such as material feel, breathability upon initial contact, moisture-wicking capabilities, and overall value. Some sets, like those from Brooklinen and Cozy Earth, have been in use and evaluation for up to two years, providing long-term performance insights. The assessment focused on how well the sheets maintained a cool touch, prevented stuffiness, and provided comfort throughout the night, ultimately determining which products offered the best combination of cooling performance and value for money.