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The Spruce / Joseph Gonzalez
If you tend to feel overheated or live in a hot climate, a set of cooling sheets may make a major difference in your sleep quality. Sheets that are designed to be cooling are typically lightweight and can be made of fabrics like cotton, linen, or bamboo.
We researched top-rated cooling sheets and put some to the test in different climates to see how they really performed. After sleeping on and laundering the sheets over the course of several weeks, our testers rated them according to their quality, texture, breathability, durability, and overall value. The Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet Set stood out as our top pick for its breathability and softness.
Read on for some of our other top options, informed by both testing and independent research.
Best Overall: Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet Set
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Brooklinen
Breathable
Lightweight
Gets softer over time
Relaxed look
Rough out of the box
Expensive
Who else recommends it? The Strategist and Good Housekeeping also picked the Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet Set.
What do buyers say? 87% of 3,000+ Brooklinen reviewers rated this product 5 stars.
Receiving 5 out of 5 stars for breathability, durability, and quality, the Brooklinen Linen Sheet Set is our best overall pick. Made of 100% linen, they are lightweight, absorbent, and have a relaxed look. After sleeping on these sheets for over 20 nights, our tester noted that they felt "dreamy" to sleep on, effectively keeping her cool during the hot summer months.
One of our tester's only complaints was how rough these sheets were right out of the package—we gave them a 4 out of 5 for texture. Brooklinen recommends washing them before use and, during testing, the break-in period proved to be worth it. And while the color options on these sheets are somewhat limited, most are neutral or earth tones that complement the overall look. They are also on the expensive side, so make sure that you really want the color that they have (some go out of stock quickly) before making the investment.
Best Bamboo: Ettitude Bamboo Lyocell Signature Sateen Sheet Set
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Ettitude
Eco-friendly
Very soft
Absorbs body heat
Sheets are labeled top/bottom
Can only be washed in cold water
Deep pockets aren't ideal for all mattresses
Bamboo sheets are a favorite of interior designer Amanda Leather, who notes that they "absorb better than cotton." Bamboo is also a sustainable material, making it a great option for those wanting to maintain an eco-friendly home. One of our favorite picks in this category is the Ettitude Bamboo Lyocell Sheet Set, which has a luxe, satin-like finish that will make slipping into bed a dream.
After sleeping on them for 10 nights, our tester noted that these sheets kept her and her husband cool and comfortable through the night. While their silkiness might not be a fit for everyone—it can lead to a lot of slipping and sliding throughout the night—we were a fan of their heat-absorbing properties, giving them a 5 out of 5 for both breathability and texture. Just note that the fitted sheet included in this set has a fairly deep pocket; as such, these sheets are best suited for medium to thick mattresses
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The Spruce / Stacey L. Nash
Best Linen: West Elm European Flax Linen Sheet Set & Pillowcases
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Super soft
Gets softer over time
Many color options
Wrinkles easily
On the thinner side
The West Elm Belgian Flax Linen Sheet Set is seriously luxurious. Not only do the sheets come in 22 color options (including a few patterns), but they are also made of 100% Belgian flax linen—helping you keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter. While they are very soft out of the package, as with most linen sheets, they get even softer the more you use them.
After sleeping on them for almost a week, our tester found these sheets to be breathable, cool-to-the-touch, and soft. She gave them a perfect 5 out of 5 for texture. Linen provides a lived-in look, but some might take some issue with how quickly they wrinkled. We recommend fluffing the sheets in between washer and dryer cycles to help reduce unsightly wrinkles and bunches from forming.
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The Spruce / Joseph Gonzalez
Best Luxury: Buffy Soft Hemp Sheets
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Buffy
Eco-friendly
Super soft
Free trial period
Some colors not available
Not available in twin
If your budget allows, consider the eco-friendly Buffy Hemp Linen Sheet Set. With a single-ply 102 thread count, these sheets have a breathable linen weave that is made from renewable hemp. They also get softer with each wash and have a casual appearance, although they can be ironed on high if you choose.
These are expensive sheets and some of the most popular colors sell out very quickly. They also don’t offer a twin sheet option so make sure that your mattress will work with what they offer. Buffy stands behind their products, however, and offers a 7-day free trial period.
Best Budget: Italic Crisp Percale Stripe Sheet Set
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Italic
Cooling cotton
Not a lot of wrinkles
Heavy and crisp
Only one color option
Italic is one of our favorite spots for bed linens, offering high-quality sheets, duvet covers, and more at a fraction of the price. These long-staple cotton sheets are made by the same manufacturer as the Ritz Carlton and the Four Seasons, giving them a hotel-style feel. Unlike many other cotton or linen options, they have a tight weave that minimizes wrinkling while still maintaining the breathability and cooling properties that you'd expect.
Best Organic: Nest Organic Cotton Sheet Set
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Nest
Organic cotton
Industry certifications
Rich colors
Somewhat limited color options
These 100% cotton sheets from Nest feature organic cotton that you can feel good about having on your skin. They also have some impressive certifications to go with it, which is important when you pay extra for organic materials. The cotton works well to keep you cool, although maybe not as well as some other material options on the market at a similar price point. These sheets are available in four colors, including terracotta (a particularly rich clay color).
Best Specialty Size: Alaskan King Bed Company Sateen Sheets
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Alaskan King Bed Company
Very soft
Multiple depth options
Limited color options
If you have a specialty-size mattress like a California King or Twin XL, it can be difficult to find sheets that will work. The Alaskan King Bed Company has a sateen sheet that will keep you cool and still fit on the largest mattresses available without a special order. They are made from 100% Egyptian cotton, some of the softest cotton fibers available. This keeps you cool as well as allows the sheets to get softer with each wash. They also have four colors and seven depth options so you can be sure that your sheets will work with your specialty mattress.
Compare
Overall Rating | Quality | Texture | Durability | Breathability | Overall Value | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Best Overall:
Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet Set
|
Brooklinen | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | |
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Best Bamboo:
Ettitude Bamboo Lyocell Sheet Set
|
Ettitude.com | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | |
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Best Linen:
West Elm Linen Sheet Set
|
West Elm | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | |
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Best Luxury:
Buffy Soft Hemp Sheets
|
Buffy | ||||||
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Best Budget:
Italic Crisp Percale Stripe Sheet Set
|
Italic.com | ||||||
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Best Organic:
Nest Organic Cotton Sheet Set
|
Nestbedding.com | ||||||
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Best Specialty Size:
Alaskan King Bed Company Sateen Sheets
|
Alaskankingbeds.com |
Our top pick is the Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet Set (view at Brooklinen). They will keep you cool, look great, and get softer and better with each wash. For a classic, crisp feel and look, the Italic The Slumber Shop Crisp Percale Sheets (view at Italic) are a favorite among luxury hotels and can provide the same comfort for a surprisingly affordable price in your home.
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The Spruce / Joy Merrifield
How We Tested the Sheets
For this article, we sent some of the most highly-rated cooling sheets to our testers across the country. In addition to rating the overall comfort and cooling properties of the sheets, our testers also assessed how the sheets felt right out of the package; how they looked and fitted on the bed; and how they held up in the washer and dryer. We combined their insights with our independent research to bring you this list.
What to Look for in Cooling Sheets
Material
Linen, bamboo, and cotton are all great options that will keep you cool as you sleep. Linen tends to be the most expensive on the list but also provides a helpful heating feature during the colder months. Cotton has a crisper texture, which some sleepers prefer.
Weave
Tighter weaves will have a heavier heft and will often trap heat, while loose weave breath more and allow body heat to escape as you sleep. Some weaves, such as sateen and percale, have a silkier texture while still keeping sleepers cool.
Thread count
Contrary to popular belief, a high thread count isn’t the only thing that can indicate softness. Material and weave can also have a big impact. A thread count in the 200 to 400 range is more than sufficient, especially if the material and weave is known to be soft.
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The Spruce / Joseph Gonzalez
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Katie Begley, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Katie has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. For this article, she personally tested products, compiled data from our team of testers, and looked at third-party reviews and features. Having lived in Hawaii, she knows the importance of sheets made for your climate and sleep needs. For this article, she also consulted Amanda Leather, an Interior Designer at Havenly.