The 6 Best Cooling Sheets of 2023

1

Best Overall Cooling Sheets

Wooflinen 6-Piece Duvet Set

$156 at Amazon

Material: 100% bamboo (viscose) | Pocket Depth: 16 inches

REASONS TO BUY

Incredibly soft and satin-smooth

Superb temperature regulation

Functional and attractive design

REASONS TO AVOID

Construction could be sturdier

Very few color choices

Bamboo is one of the best options for keeping you cool, and the 300 thread count Wooflinen 6-Piece Duvet Set takes the cake in our testing. Sliding into bed with these is like slipping inside a cool cloud of comfort. Regardless of whether you sleep in the buff or PJs, we think you'll find the sateen weave of this modern duvet set supremely soft. If you prefer a separate flat sheet on your bed, Wooflinen sells those too, but we surprised ourselves by how much we love this modern set that swaps the top sheet for a bamboo duvet cover. In our testing, both hot and cold sleepers slept comfortably cradled in these bamboo sheets. Red wine stains and excessive dog hair proved to be no match for this easy-to-clean set. And with an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification, even those with sensitive skin can rest easy knowing there are no trace amounts of harmful substances left in the material.

Despite how much we love the feel, we still have a few complaints. Bamboo isn't the sturdiest sheet fabric, and the stitching of this set is fairly loose. We should also note that any sateen weave is more prone to snagging than percale (plain) weave fabrics. While we didn't experience any unraveling or seams ripping during our testing and repeated washing, we are a bit skeptical about the ability of this set to withstand years of toenails and washing machines. And while we like the two-toned look, the color options are limited. Even considering all that, the Wooflinen is still our top pick for hot summer nights and sweat-free afternoon naps.

If you're sold on the silky smooth feel of bamboo, check out our bamboo sheets review.

Thread Count: 300
Weave Type: Sateen
Pillowcase Style: Envelope

Health Rating: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified

2

Best Cooling Cotton Sheets

Brooklinen Luxe Core

$189 at Amazon

Material: 100% long-staple cotton | Pocket Depth: 15 inches

REASONS TO BUY

Crisp yet comfortable

Excellent thermoregulation for all temperatures

Great look and fit

REASONS TO AVOID

Higher thread count slightly limits breathability

Holds onto stains more easily

Cotton sheets are well-known for their breathability and durability, and the Brooklinen Luxe Core is our favorite cotton set. Their 480 thread count still manages to be lightweight and oh-so-soft on the skin. These sheets maintain slight crispness and a comfortable amount of air space around the body, keeping you cool on hot nights and warm on cold ones. They're relaxed and chic, with fetching designs to modernize your bedroom, and they feature a simple yet durable construction that fit our mattresses and pillows perfectly. From their excellent skin feel to their OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification, you may question ever getting out of bed again.

The drawback to a higher thread count is it inherently equals a slight decrease in fabric breathability. Fortunately, this effect is mostly mitigated by the sateen weave. It maintains more space between fibers, and their crispness, allowing more air to circulate under the sheets and around your body. But keep in mind, if you're the type to eat or drink in bed, you'll want to be extra careful around this set — it took us six washes to remove a red wine stain from the corner of the fitted sheet. Shortcomings aside, for cotton cooling sheets that work to maintain the perfect temperature, we highly recommend the Brooklinen Luxe Core.

Love the feel and durability of cotton sheets? Check out our Egyptian cotton sheets review.

Thread Count: 480
Weave Type: Sateen
Pillowcase Style: Envelope

Health Rating: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified

3

Great Value for Linen Sheets

DAPU Stone Washed Linen

$137 at Amazon

Material: 100% linen (French flax) | Pocket Depth: 16 inches

REASONS TO BUY

Great fit

Crisply breathable

Neat construction

REASONS TO AVOID

More textured than some others

Must line dry

Love linen but on a budget? Check out the DAPU Stone Washed Linen sheets. Even if they weren't less expensive than the rest of the linen sheets we tested (they are), we'd still love what they bring to the bed. After a few washes, they softened up and fit very well, covering our mattresses without shifting or pooling and keeping the pillows tucked securely inside quality envelope-style cases. True to the best qualities of linen sheets, the DAPU breath well, and are quite soft for linen. They also retain their crispness without ironing. They feel great on the skin and keep enough airflow for hot nights and enough heat for chilly mornings. Small, neat stitching helps reinforce seams on an already durable linen set.

If silkiness is what you're after, you're bound to be disappointed, as is the case with any linen sheet set. Though they are linen-soft, they're also more textured than the competition, which is a polarizing quality. Regarding cleaning, linen can be somewhat trickier than other fabrics, and the DAPU set is no exception. The care instructions ask that these only be line dried, which can be a pain depending on where you live. But if you're ready for long-term (sheet) commitment, this set's overall high performance and relatively low price make them a high-value commodity.

Thread Count: Not specified
Treatment: Stone-washed
Pillowcase Style: Envelope

Health Rating: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified

4

Best Choice on a Tight Budget

SLEEP ZONE Easy Care

$25 at Amazon

Material: 100% double-brushed microfiber | Pocket Depth: 16 inches

REASONS TO BUY

Stays put well

Solid construction

Smooth for microfiber

REASONS TO AVOID

Extremely staticky

Can't match natural fabrics for breathability

If you need to save some cash, take a look at the SLEEP ZONE Easy Care. This super cheap set of sheets might not be the most amazing of the test group, but they have their merits and are one of our favorite microfiber sheet sets. They stay put well and are less prone to pooling than many others. Microfiber tends to feel somewhat clingy, but we found these to be smoother than most, making for a more pleasant feeling against the skin. This set's low sticker price doesn't seem to be reflected in their construction — they feature neat, tight stitching and protected corner seams in the fitted sheet.

Although these sheets stayed put very well on our beds, it is important to note this may not hold true for thicker mattresses because this set features one of the shallowest pocket depths we tested. They also had a fair amount of static, shocking us repeatedly throughout our laundering and changing processes. Moreover, microfiber can't truly match the breathability that comes with natural fibers — but these do a solid job and are far less wrinkly. If you're too hot at night but your budget is minimal, the SLEEP ZONE set is a good value for the price.

GSM (grams per square meter): Not specified
Pillowcase Style: Standard

Health Rating: None

5

Best Cooling Sheets Made of Microfiber

PeachSkinSheets Night Sweats

$125 at Amazon

Material: 100% dual-brushed microfiber | Pocket Depth: 18 inches

REASONS TO BUY

Thinness allows for breathability

Soft and feels like peach skin

Deep pockets and tons of color options

REASONS TO AVOID

Less durable construction and materials

Somewhat clingy

Microfiber is polyester, polyester is plastic, and plastic is not particularly breathable — yet the PeachSkinSheets Night Sweats somehow manage to maintain surprising breathability through hot nights. Though the name of these sheets perhaps conjures up some unsavory images of laying in pools of sweat, the opposite is actually true. Because microfiber is inherently less absorbent than natural fibers, the PeachSkinSheets are designed exceptionally thin and best utilized with a fan on a hot night. Microfiber is quite easy to launder and is one of the least wrinkly fabrics. These have deep, 18 inch pockets and are available in around two dozen color options, so they're well-equipped to cover your thick new mattress and match just about any decor or color scheme in your bedroom.

While the thinness lends to breathability, the same factor probably hinders durability. Not only are these some of the thinnest sheets in our lineup, but their single row of comparatively loose stitching doesn't inspire confidence that they'll last through years of tossing and turning. Repeated washings also led to numerous loose threads beginning to unravel out of seams. Microfiber is more resistant to pilling than natural fibers, but it's not completely immune. However, if you dig the feel and ease of cleaning that comes along with wrinkle-resistant microfiber sheets, these are by far our favorite microfiber set for keeping cool when it's hot.

GSM (grams per square meter): 1500
Pillowcase Style: Envelope

Health Rating: None

6

Best Linen Sheet Set

Len Linum European Made Pure Linen

Material: 100% linen (European flax) | Pocket Depth: 16 inches

REASONS TO BUY

Superb fit and classic look

Excellent breathability

Durable design

REASONS TO AVOID

More involved care

Stay stiffer longer than other linen

Linen sheets evoke visions of clean, modern rooms with classic elegance, and the Len Linum European Made Pure Linen sheets embody that image. Well-designed hems and seams make these sheets both durable and an exceptionally good fit on both mattresses and pillows. There are eight color options to choose from, by far the most options we've seen from a linen set. Spun from flax, linen sheets are among the most breathable materials available. The Len Linum combines a comfortable weight that we love to lay under with a happy medium of crispness (allowing airflow) and a moderate drape that cradles us off to blissful sleep. While linen is also infamous for its tendency to wrinkle, this set is the least wrinkly of the linen sets we tested, and we didn't feel that it needed ironing.

In general, our biggest gripe with linen sheets is that they require a long break-in process and more specific care than just about any other sheet fabric. We washed and dried every set of linen sheets we tested a full four times before sleeping on them, yet the Len Linum still remained stiffer than the rest. If silky soft sheets are your thing, linen probably isn't for you; they're a uniquely textured feel that some people love and others don't care for. And though they will soften with every wash, they'll never match the silkiness of something like bamboo. But if you're into the grainy feel of linen, we wholeheartedly recommend this set as our favorite linen sheets.

Thread Count: Not specified
Treatment: Stone-washed
Pillowcase Style: Envelope

Health Rating: None

Material: 100% bamboo (viscose) | Pocket Depth: 17 inches

The Tafts Bamboo 4-Piece offer great breathability and that classic bamboo silky-cool feel at a cheaper price than you might expect. It's a challenge to find a set of sheets that truly fits and stays put on a wide range of mattress thicknesses, but the Tafts does just that. These smooth, buttery sheets stay in place rather than pool around you, and it's easier to stay cool in the comfort of 100% bamboo. During testing, both warm and cold sleepers found midsummer night comfort at the same time in this solidly constructed sheet set. Tafts employed double-stitched seams in the construction of this set, leading us to believe they may be more durable than single-stitched sheets.

We noticed that these light-colored sheets can pick up oil smudges from things like lip balm or lotion — but they also readily wash clean (even from red wine!) The pillowcases aren't our favorite aesthetic, though. Their seams are sewn around the outside to stand up on every edge, but because they're made of floppy bamboo, they just end up sagging a bit awkwardly instead. Your color options are minimal here, too, and are limited mostly to neutrals. Yet for the solid breathability and comfortable durability offered by this set, we're pretty big fans of these sheets — and their price.

Thread Count: 400
Weave Type: Sateen
Pillowcase Style: Envelope

Health Rating: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified

Material: 100% organic bamboo (viscose) | Pocket Depth: 16 inches

Bamboo sheets are renowned for their silkiness, but the BAMPURE Organic blows the competition away with their smooth and slippery touch. We felt like royalty sliding into these lustrous sheets. From their organic bamboo and sateen weave to the refreshing lack of harmful chemicals denoted by their OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification, the BAMPURE sheets feel great against the skin and over pajamas. Always ready to offer a cool side of the pillow, this breathable set is a dream to sleep in all summer long. The 16-inch pocket depth is ideal for a thicker mattress, while extra elastic bands stretching over each corner help hold it in place.

If your mattress is thinner, these sheets are likely too deep and bound to pool under you while you sleep. As the slipperiest set we tested, achieving a precise fit for your mattress is even more significant. Additionally, these cooling sheets are exceptionally prone to wrinkle. However, if you're shopping for feel over fashion, we think you'll love the luxurious feel of the silken bamboo BAMPURE set.

Thread Count: 300
Weave Type: Sateen
Pillowcase Style: Envelope

Health Rating: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified

Material: 100% linen (flax) | Pocket Depth: 14 inches

The Simple&Opulence 100% Belgian Linen sheets soften up easily without losing their rougher, textured feel. These less expensive linens are thick and durable while still offering an exceptional level of breathability that makes them great on both hot and cold nights. They come in several colors, including one of the only semi-bright colors of linen we found, and have an irregular-looking dye pattern that, when woven, creates a unique aesthetic in your home. A 14-inch pocket makes these a better choice for thinner mattresses, while the flat sheet still has plenty of room to be tucked in if you so choose.

We're not sure why, but the hem around the standard pillowcases and along the top of the sheet don't match. Also, the sheet's hem is a decorative series of holes that could be a weak point for durability. On the set we tested, the fitted sheet's elastic was unevenly stretchy around its perimeter. It felt thick and strong in some spots, while in others, it felt like it had already lost most of its elasticity. Additionally, we prefer envelope pillowcases with our linen sheets. While this set is less expensive in the linen market, we're still not convinced it's a great option.

Thread Count: Not specified
Treatment: Stone-washed
Pillowcase Style: Standard

Health Rating: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified

Material: 40% bamboo (viscose), 60% brushed microfiber | Pocket Depth: 18 inches

One of several bamboo-microfiber mixed sets we tested, the Zen Bamboo Luxury 1500 offers reasonable performance at a lower price. Their 18-inch pockets make them a great fit for exceptionally thick mattresses, and attractive patterning on the pillowcases and top of the fitted sheet adds to the aesthetic appeal. And though they're no match for 100% bamboo sheets, the 40% bamboo composition helps achieve more breathability than 100% microfiber sheets.

For thinner mattresses, though, the Zen Bamboo will surely pool in the middle of your bed, which detracts from their comfort and thermoregulating properties. We also greatly prefer envelope-style pillowcases, but these have such a small envelope fold that they're not much better than a standard pillowcase. Frustrations aside, if you're looking to upgrade to partial bamboo but aren't ready to splurge on 100% yet, these are a decent stepping stone for a fraction of the price.

GSM (grams per square meter): Not specified
Pillowcase Style: Envelope

Health Rating: None

Why You Should Trust Us

This review enlisted the expertise of two of our Senior Review Editors, Maggie Nichols and Aaron Rice. Both of them live in the deserts of the American West and Southwest (Nevada and New Mexico, respectively). With scorching hot summers and cold, snowy winters, Maggie and Aaron appreciate the value of a good set of sheets. They also have both been working from home for several years, arguably spending even more time sitting in bed than the average person. With backgrounds in scientific research, near compulsion levels of attention to detail, and years of experience rigorously testing GearLab, Maggie and Aaron tackled all the most highly reviewed and best sheets on the market to tease apart which ones are truly the best.

We researched dozens of sets of top-rated cooling sheets before selecting this collection of contenders to purchase at full price for our notoriously rigorous testing. Though we don't have years to sleep on these sheets, we designed our testing plan to simulate extensive wear and tear and directly compared every single set to each other. We scrutinized materials, hems, and seams for flaws and weaknesses. We laundered them — according to their specific care instructions — repeatedly, spilling red wine, cuddling with dogs, and sweating in them between washings. We slept in every single set to assess breathability, temperature control, and how pleasant they are while you toss and turn — with or without PJs. We gauged how smelly they got, how the feel changed (or didn't) over time, and combed through thousands of reviews and complaints. After all this testing and comparing, we humbly present to you this review of our honest and unbiased results.

Analysis and Test Results

On average, we humans spend around a third of our lives in bed. With so much time spent between the sheets, we knew we needed a comprehensive testing plan to cover everything we want when we climb into bed. We put together five mutually exclusive metrics to thoroughly evaluate every set of cooling sheets that came across our beds: skin feel, temperature control, utility, ease of cleaning, and durability. Each metric is weighted according to its overall importance to the sheet's performance. What follows is a breakdown of each metric, highlighting the best-performing sheets so you can better determine which ones are the perfect fit for how you sleep.

Skin Feel

Whether you sleep in a floor-length nighty or au naturale, the feel of your sheets is the most important part of your sleeping experience. We compared all the different attributes of skin feel, from softness and slipperiness to flexibility and texture. We tested them in pajamas and our birthday suits to really tease apart differences in how they feel.

If you're seeking the softest, silkiest pair of sheets, you want bamboo. The Wooflinen 6-Piece Duvet Set is our favorite of the bunch, sleeping like a dream. The BAMPURE Organic is a close runner-up, offering a serious amount of slippery silkiness to the tired user. The 100% cotton Brooklinen Luxe Core is right up at the top too. They're not as silky slick as bamboo, but they offer the comfortable smoothness of your favorite t-shirt.

If you dig the textured feel of linen (which softens over time but would never be described as "silky"), our favorites are the DAPU Stone Washed. They become pleasantly pliable after just a few washes and have a great texture that feels pleasant directly on the skin. The Len Linum are close behind, with a smoother finish, though they take a little extra effort to soften up.

Microfiber sheets offer yet another type of skin feel. These sheets are soft and flexible, lightly grabbing your skin or clothes. They require minimal effort or care to maintain this pliable fleecy feel. We like the aptly named PeachSkinSheets Night Sweats the best of this bunch — they actually feel quite a bit like peach skin!

Temperature Control

Once you're happily nestled in your bed, a good set of sheets should help regulate your body temperature while you sleep. Since this review is all about cooling sheets, we awarded higher scores to sets with greater breathability and wicking powers. We tested their temperature control by sleeping in them through hot nights and testing them with a fan. While all of the sheets we tested are more cooling than the average set, there are distinct differences that our testing uncovered.

Natural fabrics tend to be more absorbent than synthetics, so in general, those types of sheets scored better here — but this isn't always the case. Some of the highest-scoring sheets are the linen sets we tested. The Len Linum and DAPU sheets, in particular, shine brightly. Not only are they absorbent and breathable, but they also maintain a healthy "crispness" that helps them keep spaces around your body to further facilitate airflow. The Simple&Opulence linen set isn't far behind and helps lead this pack of cooling sheets.

Bamboo sheets also perform extremely well when it comes to temperature regulation, and they always have a cool side of the pillow to offer on a sweltering night. The Wooflinen 6-Piece Duvet Set goes one step further. They forego a flat sheet entirely, instead opting for a 100% bamboo duvet cover. We found this modern set did an exceptional job keeping us cool on hot nights — and warm on cold ones. Though by a slim margin, the Wooflinen scored higher in this metric than every other contender we tested.

We're also thoroughly impressed by the cooling ability of the 100% cotton Brooklinen Luxe Core. We were wowed by both their feel and breathability. Regarding microfiber sheets — which are made of polyester, a plastic — no set earns a perfect score. Because they have very little wicking ability, microfiber sheets have a hard time competing for breathability against natural fabrics like cotton or bamboo. However, we are pleasantly surprised by the PeachSkinSheets Night Sweats, which use exceptionally thin fabric to maintain greater airflow. They're far more breathable than we expected any microfiber set to be.

Utility

If your sheets don't fit or stay put, they're not particularly pleasant to use. We tested each set's utility by sleeping on them to see if they ride up in the corners or pool in the center. We compared their sizes on a standard queen mattress, considering pocket depth, overhang for tucking in, and elastic effectiveness. After sleeping on them, we noted which pillowcases kept their contents and which spilled the beans. A small portion of each contender's score includes the number of colors and sizes offered, as well as how likely those patterns and/or colors are to be able to fit into a modern bedroom's decor.

Topping this list are contenders of several different types of materials. The Brooklinen Luxe Core (cotton) offers exceptional fit, from the impeccably sized fitted sheet that actually stays put while you sleep to the deep envelopes of the pillowcases that are perfect for every pillow. The Len Linum are our favorite linen sheets, with a similar fit that feels handmade just for your bed. We also love the Tafts Bamboo, which have a deep pocket but still stay put exceptionally well even on thinner mattresses, and well-designed pillowcases that never let their contents peak out.

Several sets we tested come in an astonishing array of colors. The PeachSkinSheets Night Sweats are offered in a rainbow of 24 colors, from neutral to neon.

Ease of Cleaning

The material of a set of sheets will dictate how easy they are to clean. Each fabric type comes with its own specific care instructions, and we followed these instructions to a T. We laundered them all several times according to their individual directions, noting which were painless and which are a pain in the tush. Going a step beyond, we purposely sloshed red wine on every contender, let it sit for a while, and then washed it to see how easily it holds onto or sheds stains. We also noted which ones are prone to wrinkling and which hang on to odors.

The microfiber sheets are some of the easiest to clean. This synthetic material is known for resisting wrinkles and stains and tends to have the simplest care instructions. Topping this list is the PeachSkinSheets Night Sweats, which were virtually wrinkle-free even after a full night's sleep. All of the microfiber and microfiber blend sheets we tested proved to be extremely stain-resistant as well. Even the ones we tested in light colors had no problem with the red wine coming out after a single gentle cycle.

We were also quite surprised by the Brooklinen Luxe Core sheets' ability to resist wrinkles. Cotton sheets typically need to be ironed to keep them looking crisp, but these sheets looked almost pressed when we put them on the bed directly from the dryer. By comparison, all the 100% bamboo and 100% linen sheets we tested are far more prone to wrinkles. Though, among these, the Wooflinen (bamboo) and Len Linum (linen) are the least wrinkly.

Durability

It's unlikely that any set of sheets will last you a lifetime. However, there are some general trends that our selection of top contenders followed — with exceptions. Without years to test these sheets, we did our best to simulate excessive wear in a shorter time and scoured the internet for common complaints about each set. We compared their materials and construction, examining fabric thicknesses, scrutinizing seams, and yanking elastic. We considered thread count and snaggability (we're certain that's a word) and checked for loose threads, sloppy stitching, and fabric pilling.

As yet another of those "general rules" with exceptions, the linen and cotton sheets perform best in this category. Long-staple cotton fibers are snag and pill-resistant, and upon closer inspection, the Brooklinen Luxe Core are also very well made, with neat stitching and quality construction. The linen Len Linum are the most impressive linen set in our lineup, with similar carefully assembled pieces of high-quality materials.

Though bamboo isn't renowned for its durability, the Tafts Bamboo impressed us with more durable construction and double-stitched seams well-protected from the wear and tear of tired sleepers. Microfiber sheets can be quite durable, as their plastic make-up is often pill-resistant. However, some of the microfiber cooling sheets we tested don't have the most impressive design or construction.

Conclusion

Finding a set of cooling sheets that actually keeps you cool is a challenge. There are seemingly endless options out there that all claim to be the most breathable, wicking set of sheets you'll ever own — and they're all vastly different. By testing a wide array of possible materials and bringing our honest results to you, we hope we've made it easier to find the dream summer set that won't make you sweat.