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Best Cooling Sheets 2023 - Forbes Vetted

If you’re a hot sleeper, you should check out cooling sheets since they’re the first thing to touch your body when you lay down to sleep. The best cooling sheets can prevent tossing and turning, ultimately promoting a better night’s sleep. They help regulate your body temperature, wicking moisture away from you so you don’t wake up in a puddle of sweat.

We selected the best cooling sheets after rigorous testing, from sleeping with them to washing them. Cotton Sheets

Best Cooling Sheets 2023 - Forbes Vetted

Finding the right cooling sheets to suit your needs can be tricky, considering the wide range of fibers, cooling technologies, prices and colors. I sorted through dozens of cooling sheets online to find the best sets and used my background in fabrics to assess each one. After testing 10 of them at home, the Brooklinen Classic Percale Core Sheet Set emerged as the best cooling sheets overall due to how lightweight and soft they are (among other factors). But several other options I tested may be a better fit for you depending on your preferences. Keep reading below for all my picks for the best cooling sheets.

Material: 100% long-staple cotton | Cooling technology: N/A | Mattress depth: 16 inches 

The Brooklinen Classic Percale Core Sheet Set effortlessly strikes the perfect balance between subtle softness and crispness. The long-staple cotton in a percale weave ensures these sheets are soft and durable, with a matte look. From the moment I slept on them, they became an instant favorite. They feel lightweight and breathable as well, thanks to the 270 thread count. When I tested these sheets, they were able to wick moisture and stood out for their quick dry time and breathability—so sweaty sleepers won’t overheat and wake up in a soggy mess. Additionally, the “long” and “short” side labels simplify making the bed, so you never have to guess which end is which.

Material: 100% Tencel lyocell from eucalyptus | Cooling technology: N/A | Mattress depth: 16 inches

Cooling sheets can get pricey, and the Sijo Airyweight Eucalyptus Sheet Set gives you the best value for your money. These are made from lyocell fibers and have a lightweight and silky-smooth feel. According to Sijo, the added silver-ion antimicrobial treatment slows the spread of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, which is a plus for those hot sleepers who sweat or those who wash their sheets less frequently than they probably should. There’s no worrying about chemicals, since the fabric is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified—meaning it’s free from more than 350 of the most harmful chemicals. The sheet set comes in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king and California king sizes, with a pocket depth of 16 inches.

Material: 100% flax linen | Cooling technology: N/A | Mattress depth: 16 inches

When it comes to linen, one of the biggest drawbacks is it can feel scratchy. However, a high-quality linen should never feel itchy, which is why I love these linen sheets from Bed Threads. Not only did these soft-to-the-touch linen sheets keep me cool, but they also wicked away moisture and were very quick to dry when I tested them. This means sweaty sleepers can stay dry. Like most linen sheets, these have a lived-in look and a breezy feel. You can choose from 28 colors and stripe patterns. The sheets are machine washable, but Bed Threads recommends you don’t tumble dry; if you choose to machine dry them anyway, avoid using a hot setting.

Material: 100% organic cotton | Cooling technology: N/A | Mattress depth: 15 inches 

For a percale sheet that has a slightly thicker and extra-crisp feel, you should reach for the Coyuchi Organic Percale Sheet Set. I’ve slept on these multiple nights and love the crisp, freshly ironed feel (without the hassle of ironing). I found these have a more substantial feel than the Brooklinen percale sheets, making them good for year-round use. The extra-wide 7-inch hem at the top of the flat sheet gives it a stylish look when it’s on the bed or peeking out from a blanket. It’s also Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Fair Trade and Made Safe certified.

Material: 40% viscose, 60% Tencel lyocell | Cooling technology: Outlast | Mattress depth: 12 or 15 inches

The Slumber Cloud Performance Sheet Set is a dreamy match for warm sleepers, offering immediate heat relief with these sheets that are cool on your skin. What sets these sheets apart from others is the Outlast technology that’s incorporated into the material, which gives it that cool-to-the-touch feel. The combination of the viscose and lyocell material along with Outlast helps regulate your body’s temperature. After testing these sheets, I can vouch for their cooling effect. Additionally, they aren’t clingy compared to other sheets that tend to stick to your body. The only minor drawback is the limited color palette, with just four options to choose from.

Material: 100% viscose from bamboo | Cooling technology: N/A | Mattress depth: 16 inches 

Sheet fabrics derived from bamboo, like lyocell, viscose or rayon, have risen in popularity over the years because they are known for their smooth feel and temperature regulation, making them a hot sleeper’s dream. While testing the Quince Bamboo Sheet Set, I was struck by their silky-soft feel and ability to help keep me cool. These sheets have a sateen weave, so they have a sheen to them with a buttery-soft feel. Viscose from bamboo sheets can cost a few hundred dollars or more, but Quince offers this set for a little over $100, making them a fantastic value on top of everything. These sheets from Quince also top our list of the best bamboo sheets.

Material: 100% polyfiber | Cooling technology: N/A | Mattress depth: 22 inches

Unlike most cooling sheets that have a smoother feel, these sheets from Peachskin have a slightly softer texture, almost like peach fuzz, which is achieved by lightly brushing the fabric. When I slept on these sheets, the faint peach-fuzz feel made them feel cozier. The lightweight fabric was also breathable, so I didn’t overheat. The deep 22-inch pockets ensure they stay on even the thickest bed. You can choose from 32 color options and nine sizes with some harder-to-find options, like split king and split-head king (which are split 34 inches from the top but not all the way down).

Buffy Linen Sheet Set: Buffy’s hemp linen sheets are one of my favorite linen sheets for their soft, smooth feel. Bed Threads nudged them out of the way for best linen sheets because the Buffy sheets didn’t wick as much moisture and took longer to dry. However, they are less expensive than the Bed Threads set, so if you don’t want to spend as much, these are still a solid pick. (Material: 100% long-staple hemp linen | Cooling technology: N/A | Mattress depth: 15 inches)

Bedsure Rayon From Bamboo Cooling Sheets: Don’t get me wrong, I liked Bedsure’s cooling sheets and they are a great deal. They were similar to the Sijo sheets in terms of performance, but they were edged out because they didn’t feel quite as smooth and silky. However, these are less expensive than the Sijo sheets, so if you don’t want to spend extra money on the Sijo sheets, these are still a good pick. (Material: 100% rayon from bamboo | Cooling technology: N/A | Mattress depth: 16 inches)

Lusomé Somé Continuous Cooling Sheets: Lusomé’s sheets have cooling technology incorporated into the fiber to help draw heat away from the body. I liked the slight cool-to-the-touch feel, but the one thing holding these sheets back is the heaviness of the 400-thread-count cotton fabric. It felt a little too heavy and was not quite as breathable compared to the other light and airy sheets I tested. (Material: 100% long-staple cotton | Cooling technology: Xirotex Cool | Mattress depth: 16 inches)

When testing cooling sheets, I slept on each sheet set for at least two nights to assess its comfort and overall user experience, including factors like cooling, breathability and more. I evaluated the materials for each cooling sheet set and noted how they influenced the performance of the sheet. To evaluate moisture-wicking, I placed a set amount of water on each sheet and measured how far the water spread. I also timed how long it took the water to dry on the sheet.

Each sheet set was washed and dried three times and then evaluated for durability and appearance. Price was also a consideration and I noted if there are any sheets that seemed overly expensive or like a great deal.

When choosing cooling sheets, there are several factors to consider to ensure you’re getting the right set for your needs.

When it comes to cooling sheets, you mainly see fabric made of cotton, lyocell and viscose, linen, synthetic fibers or blends of these fibers.

Some sheets have an added cooling technology like Outlast or other brands. Unlike other sheets that help cool you down because of the weave or fiber, cooling technologies actively work to pull heat away from your body and release it.

Cooling sheets tend to be more expensive than typical sheets, especially if they’re made with more costly fibers, like linen, or incorporate cooling technologies into the fabric. If you don’t need or prefer these, you may want to skip them to help keep costs lower.

I’ve been testing and working with consumer products for over a decade for publications including Good Housekeeping magazine, CNN Underscored, USA Today’s Reviewed and more. I’ve tested hundreds of bedding products including comforters, weighted blankets, pillows and now cooling sheets too.

My background includes working at a textiles company where I developed products and ensured their quality met high standards. I also worked at one of the largest apparel companies, leading product integrity and material development efforts. I hold degrees in both apparel and textile design and mechanical engineering.

Yes, cooling sheets work, but one thing to remember is their effectiveness won’t compare to lowering the thermostat—especially if you're someone who sleeps very hot. Most cooling sheets are made with fabrics that allow heat and moisture to escape, preventing heat and sweat buildup beneath the sheets.

Sheets with moisture-wicking capabilities are beneficial for sweaty sleepers as they pull moisture away from the body and disperse it, helping the material dry quickly. Some cooling sheets include specialized cooling technologies, like Outlast, which uses a phase change material that actively pulls heat away from your body and releases it.

Cooling sheets are for anyone who sleeps warm or hot and may suffer from overheating. Those who are prone to night sweats or hot flashes can also benefit from using cooling sheets. While cooling sheets are most beneficial to hot, sweaty sleepers, anyone who prefers a cooler sheet or likes the cool-to-the-touch sensation should appreciate cooling sheets.

The best sheets for night sweats are those that are breathable, moisture-wicking and dry quickly. Breathable sheets allow heat and moisture to escape through the fabric so it doesn’t build up leaving you soggy. Moisture-wicking sheets help pull sweat away from your body and spread it out across the fabric so it dries faster.

Linen sheets are an excellent choice for sweaty sleepers due to their high absorbency and fast drying time. Cotton percale sheets are another excellent choice for assisting with night sweats. Despite cotton’s reputation for holding on to moisture, a well-made lightweight cotton percale sheet dries quickly and has excellent breathability. Lastly, lyocell, viscose and rayon are popular choices because they help regulate body temperature, are absorbent and have a slight cool-to-the-touch feel.

Whether or not you wash cooling sheets before you use them won’t significantly impact their performance. As a general rule, it’s best to wash bedding products, like sheets, when you first take them out of the packaging. Some bedding products may have finishes that affect how they feel (which washes off) and the finish could potentially cause irritation for those with sensitive skin. It’s also worth noting some cooling sheets with added cooling technology may become less effective over time with repeated washing.

I focus on tax law including tax planning and tax controversy matters. My goal is to help taxpayers get compliant and stay out of trouble.

I earned my J.D. and LL.M. in Taxation from Temple University School of Law in Philadelphia, PA. While at law school, I interned in the federal estate and gift tax attorney division of the IRS, and participated in the review and audit of federal estate tax returns.

I started writing using the moniker Taxgirl years ago and love making complicated information accessible to taxpayers and tax professionals. 

I hate lists of awards but do have a few that I'm particularly proud of, including the Philadelphia Business Journal \"40 under 40\" and being named one of the Global Tax 50 by the International Tax Review for my \"tireless and passionate tax reporting.\"

I love to travel with my family and spend much of my time explaining to the kids why we can’t move to Europe—this week.

Want more taxgirl goodness? Pick your poison: follow me on twitter, hang out on Facebook and Google, play on Pinterest or check out my YouTube channel. 

I focus on tax law including tax planning and tax controversy matters. My goal is to help taxpayers get compliant and stay out of trouble.

I earned my J.D. and LL.M. in Taxation from Temple University School of Law in Philadelphia, PA. While at law school, I interned in the federal estate and gift tax attorney division of the IRS, and participated in the review and audit of federal estate tax returns.

I started writing using the moniker Taxgirl years ago and love making complicated information accessible to taxpayers and tax professionals. 

I hate lists of awards but do have a few that I'm particularly proud of, including the Philadelphia Business Journal \"40 under 40\" and being named one of the Global Tax 50 by the International Tax Review for my \"tireless and passionate tax reporting.\"

I love to travel with my family and spend much of my time explaining to the kids why we can’t move to Europe—this week.

Want more taxgirl goodness? Pick your poison: follow me on twitter, hang out on Facebook and Google, play on Pinterest or check out my YouTube channel. 

I’m the Forbes Vetted deputy editor, currently living near Detroit. After serving in the Air Force where I operated satellites and planned space launches, I have had a varied career as a tech journalist, wildlife photographer, scuba instructor and podcaster (including co-hosting the popular Battlestar Recaptica).

I am the author of nearly three dozen books about photography, mobile tech, and more; I’ve even authored a digital interactive storybook for kids. I spent eight years as a content lead at Microsoft where I helped to develop Windows Vista and Windows 7. And before joining Forbes Vetted, I contributed to many popular websites including CNET, PC World, How-To Geek and Business Insider. 

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I am a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, relationships, home, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Women’s Health, Prevention, Health, Yahoo Life, and more. I have a master’s degree from American University, live by the beach, and hope to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.

Best Cooling Sheets 2023 - Forbes Vetted

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