Which Type of Bed Sheets Keep You Cool At Night?

If you tend to overheat at night, waking up sweaty and uncomfortable, your bed sheets may be partly to blame. Fortunately, there are plenty of bed sheets on the market that can help solve your problem. From cotton to bamboo to silk and more, your next sheet purchase can help deliver a cooler, better night’s sleep. Let’s take a look at the types of sheets that help keep you cool throughout the night.

Cotton

The coolest cotton sheets come in two primary varieties: Egyptian and Supima. Both of these cotton sheets consist of remarkably long fibers, which provide the sleeper with many benefits. Cotton is sleek and breathable, yet durable enough not to pile up or fray over time. Both Egyptian and Supima wick away moisture to help keep you dry and cool while you sleep. Egyptian cotton is the epitome of luxury, and generally higher-priced, while Supima cotton is a more cost-efficient alternative that still delivers quality sleep.

Linen

Linen bed sheets can help consumers in both warm and cool climates due to their flax fibers. These fibers regulate temperature exceptionally well, wicking moisture off your body when it is hot and creating a snug fit when nights are cooler. Despite being somewhat heavier than other materials, linen offers breathability that keeps you cool while you sleep.

Bamboo

Bamboo is a versatile plant, and companies can produce several different fabrics from it, including lyocell, linen, viscose, and rayon. Bamboo fabrics are breathable, moisture-wicking, and comfortable, delivering a cool and soft sheet for users to enjoy.

Flannel

Many people think of flannel as a heavy, thick material, and while it is, flannel sheets can be surprisingly breathable and cool. Since many flannel bed sheets are made from wool or cotton, users will experience the dry and comfortable advantages of those materials.

Silk

Silk is a luxurious, soft, comfortable, and, well, silky material. It is surprisingly durable for its elegance and gives users a cool night’s sleep when nights are warm. It also holds the ability to keep you warm when temperatures are colder, making it a versatile option for many consumers.

Besides the material, other factors can affect your temperature at night, such as breathability, weave, and thread count.

Breathability

When you are looking for a cooling bed sheet, there is more to consider than just its material. One other important factor is breathability. Breathable sheets allow air to circulate freely, letting warm air escape from under your sheets while you sleep. In addition to material, the weave, thread count, and fibers of the sheets also lead to differences in breathability.

Weave

How a sheet is constructed, specifically how the fibers are woven together, can directly impact the user’s temperature. The weave of the fabric affects the feel, look, and breathability of the sheets. Often, a longer fiber leads to a cooler night, as those weaves tend to wick moisture away and allow more air circulation.

Thread Count

The thread count of your sheets refers to the number of vertical and horizontal threads per square inch of the sheet. This density affects how bed sheets feel, look, and keep you cool. Many consumers think of a higher thread count as higher quality, but that is not always the case. The ideal thread count varies depending on the material. For example, the optimal cooling cotton sheets have a 300-thread count, but many users target higher counts (in the 400 – 700 range) due to their perceived higher quality. Bamboo and synthetic sheets around a 300-thread count are also best for cooling. However, cooling linen sheets have a much lower thread count, usually between 80 and 120, because they have broader fibers.

Which Bed Sheet is Coolest?

As you search for the ideal cooling bed sheet, you will find many options. Choosing one comes down to your preferences for how they look, feel, and work with your sleeping patterns. Look for a comfortable, moisture-wicking, and breathable material that fits your sleeping style, and you’ll enjoy a much cooler and satisfying night of sleep.