Many people who buy cooling bed sheets end up disappointed because they don’t realise that there are different types of cooling sheets that do different things and so they end up with a sheet that’s not right for their exact requirements.
The best cooling bed sheets to buy online in 2022 for hot sleepers are from the Cozy Earth, Reliable Bedding, Sijo, Coolex, California Design Den, MYK, and Hotel Sheets Direct brands because they offer vary qualities such as being able to wick away moisture and regulate your temperature whilst also being affordable.
The rest of this article reviews the best cooling bed sheets from these brands in more detail to help you find the ideal cooling sheet set for your needs.
7 Best Cooling Bed Sheets for Hot Sleepers
I’ve already written an in-depth list of the best bed sheets to buy in 2022 for specific needs such as luxury, sensitive skin, age-conscious sleepers, and more.
But in this article, I’m just going to focus on bed sheets that can help you stay cool and dry.
Because although there are plenty of other websites out there that run in depth reviews of various cooling bed sheets, they all tend to have different products for their number 1 choice – which can make it quite difficult to decide on which sheet is the best one for your needs.
That’s why I’ve compiled this list of the best cooling bed sheets based on specific needs such as for sleeping cool, sleeping dry, cold sweats, allergies, and more.
This means that you shouldn’t have to go trawling through other websites in order to find the best cooling bed sheet for your needs.
And if you click the red ‘check price now’ button under each of the bed sheet reviews below, you can order that sheet right away.
If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments section at the end of the post and I’ll get back to you ASAP.
1: Reliable Bedding – Best Cooling Linen Bed Sheet
Generally speaking, linen bed sheets are breathable, but tend to sleep warmer than cotton and are more absorbent.
This makes linen sheets a good choice if your body temperature remains temperate to cool at night, but you also experience sweating – possibly due to a condition like idiopathic hyperhidrosis.
And I’ve picked out this 4 piece set from Reliable Bedding because the material used can absorb up to 20% of its weight in moisture to help you sleep dry.
But crucially, this sheet set stands out because the material is designed to regulate your temperature to help you sleep comfortably in both warm and cool conditions.
Benefits
- 30% stronger than cotton because the sheets are made from the flax plant.
- Fitted sheet can accommodate mattresses up to 16 inches thick.
- Very absorbent to help you sleep dry.
- Regulates your temperature in both warm and cool temperatures.
- 30 day return policy.
Cons
- Take care when washing.
Washing Guidelines
According to the manufacturer, you’ll need to wash your linen sheets at a cold temperature on a gentle cycle, and tumble dry on low for a short period of time.
You can steam iron these sheets on warm for a crisp look, or hang dry them for a more relaxed look.
Best For Temperate Year-Round Use
Because these sheets are designed to regulate your temperature, I think these sheets can be used to sleep comfortably in both summer and winter if you are a temperate sleeper who sweats moderately.
Plus, these sheets are 30% stronger than cotton – so you’re investing in a durable sheet that can last you a long time.
Click the button below to order your sheet set now.
2: Cozy Earth – Best Cooling Bamboo Bed Sheet
Bamboo bed sheets are a good choice if you sleep hot and sweat too much because this material tends to be cooler, more breathable, and more absorbent than cotton.
And I’ve picked out this 4 piece sheet set from Cozy Earth that comes with 1 deep pocket (18 inch) fitted sheet, 1 flat sheet, and 2 pillow cases because not only was it featured in Oprah Winfrey’s ‘Favourite Things’ they do tend to help you sleep both cool and dry.
More specifically, these sheets are designed to help regulate your temperature and keep you dry – rather than simply cooling you down – by supposedly using an ‘excellent drape’ and allowing humidity to pass through the material.
This means that this sheet could be ideal for both warm and cool sleepers alike that sweat too much at night and need to stay dry.
Benefits
- Recommended by Oprah Winfrey.
- 100% bamboo means that the sheets are naturally absorbent to keep you dry.
- Fitted deep pocket sheet suitable for mattresses up to 18 inches thick.
- Enhanced weave to reduce humidity to help you stay cool.
- Naturally hypoallergenic to guard against allergic reactions.
- Doesn’t wrinkle as much as cotton out of the wash.
- Regulates your temperature to help you sleep comfortably in both warm and cool temperatures.
- Free from harmful chemicals – made to OEKO-TEX® 100 Certification Standards.
- 100 night sleep trial.
- 10 year warranty.
Cons
- Likely unsuitable if you sweat very heavily – since bamboo can drench.
Washing Guidelines
I couldn’t see any specific guidelines for washing these sheets – so be sure to check the label before you wash them.
Generally speaking, you’ll want to wash your bamboo sheets separately in cold water on a gentle cycle to prevent damage to the material and avoid lint.
Hang-dry your bamboo sheets on the line to limit wrinkling and damage to the fibers – or use a low heat if you must use a tumble dryer.
Best For Warm Sleepers Who Sweat Moderately
Knowing what I do about how bamboo sheets perform, I think these are the best cooling bed sheets for warm sleepers who sweat at a low to moderate level – possibly from night sweats, hot flashes, or even cold sweats because the sheets are designed to regulate your temperature rather than just keep you cool.
However, if you sweat very heavily then these sheets might not be the best choice because bamboo tends to drench – meaning that it can only hold so much water. This might be especially uncomfortable because bamboo tends to drape very close to your skin – and damp, clingy sheets probably aren’t the nicest feeling.
Otherwise, I think the vast majority of warm (and even cool) sleepers are going to like these sheets from Cozy Earth due to the material’s capacity to regulate your temperature.
And if you have allergies to contend with, the material is naturally hypoallergenic to guard against trapping allergens like dust mites that can cause flare ups.
Click the button below to order these cooling bed sheets now.
3: Sijo – Best Cooling Silk Bed Sheet Alternative
Silk bed sheets are highly sought after due to their super-soft texture.
And whilst many mulberry silk bed sheets are naturally breathable, they are pretty expensive and if a tighter weave or synthetic materials are used – they can actually cause you to sleep a little too hot.
That’s why I’ve picked out this bamboo lyocell bed sheet from Sijo as an alternative because these sheets feel silky-soft – yet are very good at regulating your temperature and helping you to sleep dry.
In fact, these sheets go beyond simply being absorbent; they are able to actively wick moisture away from your body and push it towards the outer part of the sheet where it will evaporate – making it an excellent choice if you sweat excessively.
Benefits
- Featured in prominent media outlets such as ‘Forbes’, ‘Vogue’, ‘GQ’, ‘Business Insider’, ‘Domino’, ‘Well+Good’, ‘Brit+Co’, and ‘Fast Company’.
- Made from bamboo lyocell – making it better at regulating your temperature and wicking away moisture when compared to bamboo viscose.
- Feels like silk but is much more breathable and cooling.
- Free from harmful chemicals – made to OEKO-TEX® 100 Certification Standards.
Cons
- Needs to be washed carefully.
Washing Guidelines
The manufacturer recommends that you wash on a gentle cycle and tumble dry on a low setting.
Best For Hot Sleepers Who Sweat Excessively
Because these sheets are made from bamboo lyocell, these sheets really stand out in terms of their ability to help you sleep cool and wick away moisture.
That’s why I think these bed sheets from Sijo are the perfect choice if you sleep hot and sweat excessively – making them a life saver if you suffer from hot flashes and night sweats.
And because the material feels as soft as silk, they are also a great buy if you have sensitive skin that’s aggravated by moisture.
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4: Coolex – Best Moisture Wicking Performance Sheet
I’m VERY sceptical when it comes to performance sheets that are designed for keeping you cool for a number of reasons.
The first is that they are usually made from a blend of polyester – the synthetic nature of which makes them prone to actually trapping heat and making you too warm.
And the second reason is that even if the sheets are effective at keeping you cool, this can cease after multiple washes because the chemical finishing often breaks down.
But there’s a silver lining to synthetic sheets.
And that’s their ability to keep you dry due to the highly absorbent properties of the synthetic materials used.
I did some digging around and the best performance moisture wicking sheet that I could find was this one from Coolex.
Benefits
- Helps you sleep dry due to the absorbent properties of the 87% microfiber and 13% synthetic blend.
- Resistant to fading, pilling, and wrinkling.
- Lightweight and soft to the touch.
Cons
- Questionable cooling properties.
Washing Guidelines
The manufacturer recommends that you wash these sheets in cold water on a regular cycle and stay away from bleach, fabric softeners, and that you do not iron them either.
Best For Excessive Sweating
I’m still not totally sold on the cooling properties of these sheets.
But the synthetic construction does make them a good option if you sweat excessively because they are able to wick away moisture quite well.
As such, I would only go for these sheets if excessive sweating is your main problem and you tend to sleep temperately – as can be the case with idiopathic hyperhidrosis.
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5: California Design Den – Best Cooling Cotton Sheet
Cotton is one of the best natural materials to help you sleep both cool and dry.
However, the trick to getting the most breathable and therefore cooling cotton sheets is to go for a thread count in the 200 – 400 range – rather than getting pulled into the marketing hype where thread counts in excess of 1,000 are touted as the best.
That’s why I’ve picked out this 400 thread count 4 piece bed sheet set from California Design Den.
Because the thread count is low enough to allow for breathability to keep you cool, but also high enough to ensure a good quality sheet that’s durable and strong.
Benefits
- 400 thread count for a high quality, breathable sheet.
- Fitted sheet is deep pocketed to fit mattresses up to 16 inches thick.
- High quality dyes used to resist fading.
- Free from harmful chemicals – made to OEKO-TEX® 100 Certification Standards.
Cons
- Uses a sateen weave – good for softness but not as breathable as a percale weave.
Washing Guidelines
The manufacturer advises that you wash before use, quick-dry only and remove quickly at the end of the cycle, and iron for a ‘brand new feel’.
Best For Warm Sleepers Who Sweat Moderately
Because these sheets are made from cotton and have a lower thread count, this makes them both breathable and absorbent – but still liable to drench.
That’s why I think this is a good cooling sheet set if you sleep warm and sweat moderately – but not the best choice if you sweat excessively.
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6: MYK – Best Cooling Silk Bed Sheet
Mulberry silk regulates your temperature naturally and is capable of warming you up.
This makes silk sheets a viable option if you suffer from cold sweats where your body temperature remains neutral or drops – so you need a sheet that’s potentially warming and able to pull moisture away from your body.
And I’ve picked out this 4 piece bedding set from MYK because the silk can regulate your temperature whilst wicking away moisture too – making it potentially suitable for both hot and cold sleepers who sweat too much.
Benefits
- Suitable for hot and cold sleepers.
- Wicks away moisture to help you stay dry.
- Hypoallergenic for asthma and allergy relief.
- Made from high quality 100% mulberry silk.
- Elasticated deep pocket sheet to fit mattresses up to 16 inches thick.
- Free from harmful chemicals – made to OEKO-TEX® 100 Certification Standards.
Cons
- Needs to be washed with care.
Washing Guidelines
I couldn’t find any explicit instructions for washing these sheets as per the manufacturer’s guidelines, but silk generally needs to be washed in cold water by hand to prevent damage.
Best For Cold Sweats
These sheets are designed to regulate your temperature – which includes warming you up when you feel too cold.
Couple this with silk’s good absorbency, and this bed sheet set seems to me like it’s a good choice if you’re suffering from cold sweats where your body temperature is neutral or cool.
Silk is also naturally hypoallergenic too – so this would be a good buy if you have cold sweats and allergies such as eczema, asthma, hay fever, or react to dust mites.
Click the button below to buy this sheet set now.
7: Hotel Sheets Direct – Best Hypoallergenic Bed Sheet
I have hayfever, and when it flares up at night I also tend to start sweating more as my body temperature rises due to stress (nothing I hate more than not being able to sleep!).
So if you have allergies, sleep hot, and sweat too much as well – then I recommend this 4 piece hypoallergenic bed sheet set from Hotel Sheets Direct.
Because these sheets are made from 100% bamboo, are hypoallergenic, and are able to regulate your temperature in both warm and cool temperatures.
Benefits
- Moisture wicking to keep you dry.
- Soft and light to the touch.
- Resistant to pilling.
- Machine washable.
- Fitted sheet for mattresses up to 15 inches thick.
- Naturally hypoallergenic to guard against allergic reactions.
- Thermoregulating to help you stay comfortable in cool and warm temperatures.
- Free from harmful chemicals – made to OEKO-TEX® 100 Certification Standards.
- 90 day warranty.
Cons
- May wrinkle after washing.
Washing Guidelines
The manufacturer simply states that these sheets are machine washable – so be sure to check the label before washing for exact guidelines.
Best For Allergy Sufferers Who Sleep Warm and Sweat Moderately
If you sleep hot, sweat too much, and have allergies – I think this is the best cooling hypoallergenic bed sheet for you.
More specifically, the hypoallergenic and anti-allergy qualities mean that these sheets could be a good choice for you if you have eczema, asthma, hay fever, or dust mite allergies because your skin is less likely to react to the 100% natural bamboo fibers – whilst also less likely to trap allergens and irritants like dust and pollen.
The material is designed to regulate your temperature and wick away moisture – making it suitable for moderate sweating.
Click the button below to buy these sheets now.
What is a Cooling Bed Sheet?
Generally speaking, a cooling bed sheet is a flat sheet that acts as a ‘top sheet’ (replacing your comforter or duvet) that has qualities to help you sleep cool.
But not all cooling bed sheets function in the same way.
Because some cooling bed sheets are also designed to pull moisture away from your body to help you stay dry – which is useful if you sweat a lot at night.
So it’s important to differentiate between the ‘cooling’ sheets that help you stay cool; the cooling sheets that help you stay dry, and the cooling sheets that do both.
Here’s how different types of cooling bed sheets can be defined and which one is the best for your needs.
Breathable Bed Sheets
A breathable bed sheet is one that allows air to pass more easily through the material to stop heat getting trapped between you and the sheet – thus lowering your body temperature and helping you to stay cool.
You’ll want to look for a bed sheet that’s breathable if you tend to ‘sleep hot’ – which may be due to seasonal temperature changes or a medical condition – but you don’t sweat excessively.
Temperature Regulating Sheets
Sheets that claim to be able to regulate your temperature are more proactive than sheets that are simply breathable because they work to actively dissipate the extra heat.
On the flip side, it’s not uncommon for these sheets to also store heat in cooler weather to help you stay warm.
You can often expect sheets that regulate your temperature to also come with moisture wicking properties – as described below – to help you sleep dry too.
Overall, bed sheets that are able to regulate your temperature are a step up from sheets that are simply breathable because they will help you sleep at a comfortable temperature – rather than just stay cool.
Absorbent Bed Sheets
If you sweat a lot during the night, then you’ll need an absorbent bed sheet that’s able to pull moisture away from your body to help you stay dry.
If you regularly suffer from night sweats, then you should choose a cooling bed sheet that’s able to absorb the moisture to help you stay comfortable.
If you have cold sweats – in the sense that you sweat but your body temperature remains neutral or cool (possibly due to illness, migraines, anxiety, stress, or medication) – then you’ll want to select a sheet that’s absorbent but not necessarily breathable to the point where it lowers your body temperature too much.
Moisture Wicking Sheets
‘Moisture wicking’ sheets are able to not only absorb any excess moisture, but also pull it towards the outside of the sheet where it will evaporate to help you stay dry.
If you sweat profusely during the night, then upgrading to a sheet with moisture wicking properties (over simply being absorbent) is recommended.
Combo Cooling Sheets
Many cooling bed sheets are both breathable and absorbent – often with additional moisture wicking properties – to help you stay both cool AND dry as you sleep.
You should go for ‘combination’ cooling bed sheets if you get both hot and sweaty during the night.
Who Needs Cooling Bed Sheets?
I’ve already touched upon some of the reasons why you might need a bed sheet that can help you sleep cool, dry, or both.
But to help clarify which type of cooling bed sheet is best for you, here are some of the main causes of overheating and sweating at night.
Night Sweats
Night sweats include profuse sweating – usually accompanied by a high body temperature.
In the most benign sense, night sweats can simply be the result of an increase in seasonal temperatures.
But some of the following medical conditions can also contribute to you waking up with your bed sheets drenched in sweat [1].
- Menopause – a common cause of night sweats for women as a result of the accompanying hot flashes.
- Idiopathic hyperhidrosis – the chronic overproduction of sweat without any medically identifiable cause.
- Infections – bacterial infections and inflammation can cause night sweats.
- Medication – medications such as antidepressants are known to cause sweating.
- Hormone disorders – problems with your hormones can cause sweating or flushing.
What’s the Best Type of Cooling Bed Sheet For Night Sweats?
If your night sweats are accompanied by an increase in body temperature, then you’ll need a bed sheet that can keep you cool and wick away moisture too – cotton, bamboo, and Tencel® sheets are a good choice of material if you sweat moderately.
If your body temperature remains somewhat normal but you are sweating moderately, then linen could be a better choice.
In either case, if you are sweating excessively, then you’ll need to go for a specialist sheet that has exceptional moisture wicking properties to help absorb the moisture and push it to the outer portion of the sheet where it can evaporate – since there’s only so much moisture that natural materials like cotton can hold before they become drenched.
Cold Sweats
Cold sweats typically result in sweating that isn’t the result of heat or exertion.
This means that in some cases, you may experience sweating whilst your body temperature remains the same or even drops – since ‘cold sweats [can] come on suddenly and at any temperature’ [2].
Take myself for example, I often sweat a lot during the night even during winter – yet I often feel cold at the same time.
If you experience cold sweats then you really need to see your doctor to find out what’s going on – the issue may be down to stress, medication, hypoglycemia, or something else [3].
What’s the Best Type of Cooling Bed Sheet For Cold Sweats?
You’ll need a sheet that’s absorbent for moderate sweating, and a sheet with exceptional moisture wicking properties if you are sweating excessively.
But with cold sweats, your body temperature may actually be lower than normal in some cases – such as sweating at night during the winter due to idiopathic hyperhidrosis.
If you’re cold because your body temperature has definitely dropped (as opposed to a chill accompanied by an increase in body temperature with a fever)*, then you’ll need a sheet that can actually help you warm up and normalise your body temperature – tightly woven silk, synthetic satin, microfiber, and other synthetic sheets can help here because they are generally quite warming and absorbent too.
*Warning: if you have a chill with a fever, then the use of warming or additional sheets will likely make things worse because even though you are shivering, your body temperature may increase even more [4] – this could be very dangerous, and you should seek medical assistance if this describes your situation.
What’s the Best Cooling Bed Sheet Material?
The best cooling bed sheets are made from natural materials such as cotton because they are typically both breathable AND absorbent – helping you to sleep both cool and dry.
Conversely, bed sheets made from synthetic materials like polyester, microfiber, or other blends are the WORST choice of material for cooling bed sheets because they tend to trap heat and warm you up.
However, synthetic bed sheets can have their place.
For example, if you suffer from cold sweats then synthetic bed sheets can keep you warm whilst absorbing MORE sweat than natural sheets by actively wicking away the moisture to help you stay dry.
And finally, there are the bed sheets that are made from various blends and are specifically designed to help regulate your temperature and work to keep you dry too.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the cooling and drying qualities of various materials used in cooling bed sheets.
Cotton
Cotton is a natural material that will help you sleep both cool and dry because it’s highly breathable and absorbent.
Although 100% real Egyptian cotton is considered to be the highest quality cotton, bed sheets made from Pima cotton are also known for their cooling properties and can be more affordable too.
However, you’ll want to look for cotton sheets that have a moderate thread count and use a percale weave – over a higher thread count and a sateen weave – because these qualities will typically map to a more breathable sheet.
Cotton is generally easy to wash and dry – but does tend to come out of the wash wrinkled and can therefore be quite tedious to iron.
If you tend to sleep warm and have slight to moderate sweating at night – then cotton sheets are a good choice for you.
Linen
Linen is breathable but tends to sleep warmer than cotton.
However, linen tends to be much more absorbent and durable than cotton – making it the superior choice if you’re looking for a durable sheet that can help you stay dry.
Flannel
As a rule, flannel sheets tend to sleep warm.
But because of their absorbent qualities, a high quality cotton flannel top sheet might be the best option for you if you have cold sweats or experience night sweats even in the winter – since you won’t be too cold and the material will draw moisture away from your body.
Bamboo
Bamboo bed sheets are subject to a lot of marketing hype – but some of it is justified.
Because bamboo sheets are typically cooler, more breathable, and more absorbent than cotton – plus they tend to be more anti-microbial and hypoallergenic.
However, as with cotton, bamboo sheets can only absorb so much moisture and may become too damp if you sweat a lot at night.
As such, bamboo bed sheets may be the best choice for you if you tend to sleep warm or hot, sweat lightly or moderately, and have allergies.
Tencel®
Tencel® sheets typically have all of the benefits of bamboo sheets but are arguably more eco friendly because they are made from from eucalyptus trees that can be grown widely and easily in areas where vegetation is otherwise difficult to grow.
Materials That Require Caution
Below are some bed sheet materials that may need extra consideration when used as part of cooling bed sheets.
This is mainly because their cooling properties are not great, but might be good for absorbing moisture – making them potentially viable options if you suffer from cold sweats.
In other cases, I found conflicting reports online; where some sources would say that the material was good for cooling whilst others said the opposite.
Synthetic Materials
As I said earlier, synthetic bed sheets and synthetic blends aren’t typically the best option for sleeping cool because they tend to trap heat and can cause you to warm up – especially if they use a tight weave.
However, some synthetic sheets are actually much better at wicking away moisture than natural materials – making them a good option if you have cold sweats where you sweat profusely.
Microfiber
I’ve read a lot of conflicting reports in regards to how well this material is able to wick away moisture.
Couple this with their synthetic origins, and microfiber sheets are probably better for helping you stay warm at night and not cool – unless you deliberately go for a low thread count to increase the breathability of the sheet.
The positives of microfiber sheets is that they are very affordable, hold their colour, and typically come out of the wash wrinkle-free and ready to use.
Silk
100% mulberry silk sheets tend to be naturally breathable and can help regulate your temperature year round.
However, tighter weaves, and satin blends that contain synthetic materials are more likely to trap heat and warm you up.
Silk is also pretty absorbent – making them a decent option if you have cold sweats.
Cooling and Moisture Wicking Comparison Chart
To help you quickly identify the cooling and drying properties of the main materials used in bed sheets I’ve put together this comparison chart.
The right-hand column specifies the type of body temperature and associated level of sweating uniquely, since moisture output can increase independently of body temperature – as is sometimes the case with cold sweats.
| Material | Cooling Ability | Drying Ability | Best For |
| Cotton | Good | Good | Warm temperature + moderate sweating |
| Linen | Average | Good | Normal temperature + moderate sweating |
| Flannel | Below average | Good | Cool temperature + excessive sweating |
| Bamboo | Very good | Good | Hot temperature + moderate sweating |
| Tencel® | Very good | Good | Hot temperature + moderate sweating |
| Synthetic | Very poor | Good | Cold temperature + excessive sweating |
| Microfiber | Poor | Average | Cool temperature + moderate sweating |
| Natural silk | Good | Good | Cool – warm temperature + moderate sweating |
| Synthetic satin | Very poor | Good | Cold temperature + excessive sweating |
Other Important Considerations
Thus far, we can conclude that bed sheets should be considered in terms of their cooling ability and their capacity to help you stay dry – as per the breathability/temperature regulation and absorbency/moisture wicking properties of the materials used.
But in addition to selecting the right type of material, there are some other things to keep in mind as you shop for your cooling bed sheets.
They are as follows.
The Thread Count
You’ll hear a lot about thread count when shopping for bed sheets.
And whilst companies usually claim that their bed sheets leverage a higher thread count for ‘better quality and durability’ – you’re actually better off looking for a moderate thread count of around 200 – 400 when selecting a cooling bed sheet.
This is because a lower thread count generally means that the sheet will be more breathable due to fewer fibers per square inch of fabric.
But to ensure that you don’t sacrifice the durability of the sheet, look for sheets with a high quality single-ply yarn.
The Weave
Percale is an excellent weave for a cooling bed sheet because the stitching is looser and therefore allows heat to escape more readily when compared to other types of weaves such as sateen.
A sateen weave is tighter and therefore less cooling but tends to be better at drying – plus it’s softer, smoother, and has a better sheen.
Performance Sheets
‘Performance sheets’ that are specifically designed for keeping you cool need to be viewed with caution.
Firstly, you need to ensure that the sheet has been woven and NOT knitted – since knits tend to cling to your skin, trap heat, and paradoxically cause you to sleep hot.
Secondly, it’s important to look at the degree of contribution that synthetic materials such as polyester and spandex have towards the construction of these sheets – since the higher the percentage, the WORSE the sheet will be at keeping you cool, but the BETTER it will be at keeping you dry.
And finally, you’ll want to look for sheets that have chemical finishes that do NOT fade with washing – otherwise the sheet’s cooling abilities will rapidly decline.
More specifically, look for yarns that have been enhanced with heat absorbing particles – since they are harder to wash out.
But overall, you shouldn’t expect too much from ‘high-tech’ sheets since the research that I’ve done indicates that they don’t live up to the hype in many cases.
Going for a naturally breathable and absorbent material like cotton – with a percale weave and moderate thread count – is probably going to be better to help you sleep cool and dry.
Cleaning and Drying
Ideally, you’ll want to look for a cooling bed sheet that’s easy to wash, dry, and iron – rather than a sheet that needs to be hand washed or requires a lot of effort to maintain.
Cotton sheets for example, are easy to wash and dry but can be a pain to iron because they come out of the wash crinkled up.
Conversely, microfiber doesn’t crinkle and is pretty much ready to use straight out of the wash – but this isn’t a very good cooling sheet material and usually needs to be washed at a lower temperature.
The golden rule here is to check the product description before buying to see how easy the bed sheet is to wash and dry, and then have a look at the label for exact instructions before washing.
Pilling
‘Pilling’ is a term in textiles that refers to the small bobbles that appear on the material after washing due to fibers coming loose from the surface, developing into small spherical bundles, and remaining attached to the material by fibers that haven’t broken [5].
Bed sheets that have pilled feel rough and this is therefore an undesirable trait.
All fabrics tend to pill to some extent, but woven fabrics that use long fibers are typically more resistant to pilling than knitted fabrics that also have shorter fibers.
Cooling bed sheets made from 100% Egyptian cotton and linen are probably your best option to guard against pilling.
But how you look after your bed sheets is a huge factor that will influence the rate at which they pill.
To prevent bed sheets and clothes from pilling as much as possible, wash on a gentle cycle, turn the item inside out if possible (duvet cover for example), don’t overload the washer, avoid harsh bleaches, and choose hang-drying over machine drying.
Colour Selection
Is your bed in direct sunlight in the late afternoon and evening?
Then not only can this degrade the fibers of bed sheets made from natural materials like cotton at a faster rate, this direct exposure to UV light is also going to cause you to sleep hotter due to the fabric retaining heat.
If pulling your curtains on isn’t an option, then you’ll want to choose bed sheets that are white instead of black or other dark colours.
This is because black materials absorb all the wavelengths of light and then convert them into heat – whereas white reflects back the most amount of wavelengths and so the temperature of the sheets will not increase as much [6].
Hypoallergenic and Anti-Allergy Sheets
If you already have a hypoallergenic mattress, then you’ll want your cooling bed sheets to be hypoallergenic too.
Hypoallergenic means that the materials themselves are unlikely to cause a reaction – especially if they are made to OEKO-TEX® 100 Certification Standards.
However, many hypoallergenic sheets are also anti-allergy too – meaning that the surface material is resistant to environmental allergens such as dust mites, pollen, mold spores, and pet dander that can cause allergic reactions themselves.
If you sleep hot and have allergies, you’ll need to select a bed sheet that’s both cooling and hypoallergenic – with cotton and bamboo sheets being some of the best choices.
Mattress Thickness and Deep Pockets
Bed sheets sets typically include a flat sheet and a fitted sheet.
The flat sheet is what you’ll be sleeping under if you decide to use it as a top sheet as a replacement for your comforter or duvet in order to sleep cooler; whilst the fitted sheet covers up your mattress to protect it.
If you’re going to be buying your flat sheet as part of a bed sheet set, then it’s really important that the fitted sheet is the right size for your mattress.
If your mattress – including your mattress topper if you use one – is more than 14 inches thick, then you’ll need a deep pocket fitted sheet to ensure that it fits snugly and remains in place all night.
To find out the exact fitted sheet and flat sheet dimensions that correspond to the standard US mattress dimensions, check out the section entitled ‘what are the different bed sheet sizes?’ in my list of the best bed sheets to buy online here.
Sleep Trials
Much like buying a mattress online, one of the drawbacks of buying a cooling bed sheet is that you won’t really know if it’s right for you until you’ve used it.
To combat this problem, many bed sheet manufacturers offer ‘sleep trials’ where you can sleep on the sheets for a number of nights and return them risk-fee if they aren’t right for you.
Some sleep trials can last as long as 100 nights – giving you plenty of time to see if the sheets are able to help you sleep cool.
Always check the small print of the exact terms of the return policy to see if there are any specific stipulations that may void the sleep trial.
Where’s the Best Place to Buy Cooling Bed Sheets?
Click the button below to see more cooling bed sheets that you can buy.
Sources and References
[1] WebMD – 8 Causes of Night Sweats. Accessed 21/1/20.
[2], [3] Very Well Health – Causes and Treatment of Cold Sweats. Accessed 21/1/20.
[4] Very Well Health – Why Do Fevers Cause Chills? Accessed 21/1/20.
[5] Wikipedia – Pill (Textile). Accessed 21/1/20.
[6] UCSB Science Line – Why do Black Objects Absorb More Heat (light) than Lighter Colored Objects? Accessed 21/1/20.
Image Attribution and Licencing
Main image: ‘Luxury Double Bed’ by DAPA Images – used with permission under the terms of Canva’s One Design Use License Agreement.
Dan is the founder and head content creator at Bedroom Style Reviews.
He has been working as a professional online product reviewer since 2015 and was inspired to start this website when he ended up sleeping on a memory foam mattress that was too soft and gave him backache.
Through in-depth research and analysis, Dan’s goal with this website is to help others avoid such pitfalls by creating the best online resource for helping you find your ideal mattress, bedding, and bedroom furniture.
Dan is a qualified NVQ Level 2 Fitness Instructor with 6 years’ experience helping clients improve their health through diet, exercise, and proper sleep hygiene.
He also holds several college and university-level qualifications in health sciences, psychology, mathematics, art, and digital media creation – which helps him to publish well researched and informative product reviews as well as articles on sleep, health, wellbeing, and home decor.
Dan also has direct personal experience with insomnia, anxiety, misophonia (hypersensitivity to sounds), and pain from both acute and long-standing sporting injuries – he enjoys writing insightful articles around these subjects to help fellow sufferers of such conditions.
Learn more about Dan here.