The 6 Best Cooling Bed Sheets in 2026
We compared breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics like cotton, linen, and bamboo to find the six best cooling bed sheets.
- We chose the Nectar Serenity Bamboo Sheet Set as the Best Cooling Sheets Overall because of comfort, cooling, and great value.
- The best cooling sheets in this roundup cost between $99–$239 for a queen size before any discounts. Common factors that affect the price include size, materials, and any third-party certifications.
- Cooling sheets may help reduce heat buildup and improve comfort for hot sleepers. Look for fabrics made from breathable materials like cotton, bamboo, or linen.
- Features like deep pockets, durable fabric, and easy care can make cooling sheets more practical for everyday use.
- Affordable cooling sheets are available, with several strong options in this roundup priced below many luxury sets.
NCOA supports everyone’s right to age well. So we take the time to research, test, and recommend products that can help you live a healthier life. We’ve spent thousands of hours researching and testing sheets to give you the most accurate product reviews. To find the best sheets, we:
- Consulted with sleep specialists like doctors, occupational therapists, and physical therapists for guidance on choosing the best sheets
- Put numerous models through a series of 8 different tests at our in-house lab
- Mystery-shopped more than 10 brands
- Surveyed more than 2,000 older adults on their sleep quality
- Interviewed experts on the importance of good sleep for older adults
- Worked with older adult testers to evaluate sheets and get their opinion
- Read thousands of verified customer reviews
We’re constantly testing new sheets and sleep products to give you the most accurate and up-to-date recommendations. Read more about our sleep accessories review methodology.
If you already have one of the best cooling mattresses but still wake up hot, your sheets may be part of the problem. “During sleep, our bodies are like incandescent light bulbs," said Matthew Bailey, a thermodynamics expert and vice president of product engineering for Design 1st, a product design company based in Ottawa, Canada. “When you’re lying down sleeping, you’re generating around 75–100 watts of heat,” he said. The best cooling sheets can help move heat away from you, keeping you cool and comfortable.
“When you’re sleeping, half of you is covered, so your body heat is trapped,” said Ahmed Harhara, PhD, chemical engineer and founder of Houston Home Tools in Houston, Texas. "That can lead to sweaty, uncomfortable nights. Choosing sheets with either high conductivity or high breathability can help.”
The best sheets for hot sleepers have a looser weave to allow air to flow through. These tend to be made from natural fibers like cotton, bamboo, and linen. Some have extra cooling technology to wick away moisture and heat. We looked at a variety of options to find the coolest bed sheets for different needs. Our top pick overall is the Nectar Serenity Bamboo Sheet Set, which stood out for its soft feel and strong value. Read on to see our full list of cool bed sheets, how we tested them, and what to look for when shopping.
Best Overall
Nectar Serenity Bamboo Sheet Set
Soft, smooth fabric with a balanced blend of structure and comfort and a noticeably cool and breathable feel
Best Bamboo
Brooklyn Bedding Rayon from Bamboo Sheets
Soft, almost silky bamboo feel and a deep-pocket fit that works well for thick mattresses
Best Luxury
Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set
100% long-staple cotton, made with helpful details like labeled sides and great customer service
Best Cooling Sheets in 2026
- Nectar Serenity Bamboo Sheet Set: Best Cooling Sheets Overall
- Brooklyn Bedding Deep Pocket Rayon from Bamboo Sheets: Best Bamboo Cooling Sheets
- Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set: Best Luxury Cooling Sheets
- Sleep Number True Temp Sheet Set: Best Deep Pocket Cooling Sheets
- Bear Tencel Sheet Set: Best Soft Cooling Sheets
- Silk & Snow Percale Cotton Sheet Set: Best Affordable Cooling Sheets
Comparing the best cooling sheets in 2026
| Comparison Features | Brooklyn Bedding Deep Pocket Rayon from Bamboo Sheets Visit Sitefor Brooklyn Bedding Deep Pocket Rayon from Bamboo Sheets |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score (out of 10)* | 9.2 |
8.6 |
7.3 |
9.3 |
9.1 |
9.5 |
| Best for | Overall |
Bamboo |
Luxury |
Deep Pocket |
Fitted |
Affordable |
| Materials | 48% bamboo rayon, 52% polyester |
48% bamboo rayon cotton blend, 52% polyester |
100% long-staple cotton, 480 thread count |
Blend of 76% cotton, 22% polyester and 2% spandex, 300-thread-count sateen weave |
100% Tencel sateen fabric |
100% cotton |
*Ratings reflect a brand's overall offering; the best overall pick doesn't necessarily have the highest score
Top features of the best cooling sheets
We looked for the following features when choosing the best cooling sheets:
Nectar Serenity Bamboo Sheet Set: Best Cooling Sheets Overall
The Nectar Serenity Bamboo Sheet Set impressed us with its soft, cool feel and great value. A few sheet sets earned similarly high cooling scores in our tests. But the Nectar stood out for being lightweight and durable.
- Nectar Mattress Review
- Designed for hot sleepers
- Bamboo blend fiber is soft, breathable, and low-maintenance
- Deep pockets with elastic for a flexible fit
- Sheet material: 48% bamboo rayon, 52% polyester
- Cooling technology: Breathable bamboo
- Fits mattresses: Up to 15 inches
- Trial: 30 nights
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- May help promote cooling due to breathable fiber
- Soft, smooth feel that isn’t too thin
- Midrange price and durable in our testing
- Machine washable and dryer-safe
Cons
- Pillowcase seams could be stronger
- 30-night trial period is among the shortest we found
Brooklyn Bedding Deep Pocket Rayon from Bamboo Sheets: Best Bamboo Cooling Sheets
The Brooklyn Bedding Deep Pocket Rayon from Bamboo Sheet Set feels soft and light, but not overly buttery like some bamboo sheets. We like this sheet set's balance of smoothness and structure, and how naturally breathable it is.
- Brooklyn Bedding Mattress Review
- Deep pockets designed to fit taller mattresses (up to 17 inches)
- Rayon from bamboo blend for a soft, slightly silky feel
- Fully machine washable for easier care
- Sheet material: Rayon (from bamboo) and cotton blend
- Cooling technology: Breathable fiber
- Fits mattresses: 11 to 17 inches
- Trial: 30 nights
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- High cooling scores in our tests
- Machine washable and dryer friendly
- Fits thicker mattresses well
Cons
- May snag or tear with rough use
- May show some wear with long-term use
Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set: Best Luxury Cooling Sheets
The Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set stands out for its soft, smooth feel and high-quality cotton. It also fits well on the bed and comes with helpful design details like labeled sides, plus strong customer service if issues come up.
- Made with long-staple cotton for a soft, smooth finish
- Certified free from harmful chemicals
- Labeled sides make it easier to put on the bed
- Sheet material: 100% long-staple cotton
- Cooling technology: Breathable natural fiber
- Fits mattresses: 12 to 16 inches
- Trial: 365 nights
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- Long trial period to test at home
- Wide range of colors and patterns
- Soft feel that gets better over time
- Stays in place without slipping
Cons
- Higher price than many other options
- Some reports of tearing over time
Sleep Number True Temp Sheet Set: Best Deep Pocket Cooling Sheets
We liked how the Sleep Number True Temp Sheet Set stretches to stay snugly on mattresses up to 15 inches thick. These deep-pocket cotton-blend sheets use mineral-infused fibers that absorb heat to help keep you cool all night.
- Special cooling technology wicks heat away
- Fully elastic edges, corner seams, and anchor bands to keep sheets in place
- OEKO-TEX certified materials
- Sheet material: Blend of 76% cotton, 22% polyester and 2% spandex
- Cooling technology: 37.5 Technology (minerals embedded in the sheets designed to absorb excess heat)
- Fits mattresses: Up to 15 inches
- Trial: 100 nights
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- Stays in place all night
- Soft, breathable feel
- Durable and holds up well over time
Cons
- Higher price
- Not as crisp as some cotton sheets
- Not a fully natural fiber
Bear Tencel Sheet Set: Best Soft Cooling Sheets
The Bear Tencel Sheet Set feels very soft and cool, which helps you stay comfortable through the night. The fitted sheet also stays in place well, even on thicker mattresses.
- Bear Mattress Review
- Made from 100% Tencel sateen for a smooth, silky feel
- Breathable fabric that helps keep you cool and dry
- Fits mattresses from 10–15 inches
- Sheet material: 100% Tencel
- Cooling technology: Tencel fiber
- Fits mattresses: Up to 15 inches
- Trial: 30 nights
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- Soft, smooth fabric with a light, silky feel
- Cool and breathable
- Made with fabric derived from wood pulp
Cons
- Short 30-night trial period
- Can cost more than other options unless on sale
- Slippery feel may not suit everyone
Silk & Snow Percale Cotton Sheet Set: Best Affordable Cooling Sheets
The Silk & Snow Percale Cotton sheets felt light and crisp. They use hotel-quality, certified percale cotton for far less than what you’d expect to pay for premium comfort and cooling.
- Made with OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified percale cotton
- Crisp, lightweight feel and breathable weave
- Classic design with several color options
- Sheet material: 100% cotton
- Cooling technology: Breathable cotton
- Fits mattresses: Up to 15 inches
- Trial: 100 nights
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- Breathable and cool
- Budget-friendly price
- Machine washable
Cons
- Can feel a bit stiff at first
- Not as soft as sateen sheets
- May wrinkle after washing
69% of people in a 2025 study reported improved sleep quality after trying cooling bed sheets. They also slept an average of 26 more minutes compared to sleeping on traditional sheets.1
How we tested the best cooling sheets
Our team has spent thousands of hours researching and testing the best mattresses, sheets, and other sleep accessories so you can feel confident in our reviews. We work with experts, so we know which features are most important. For this review, we personally tested more than a dozen sheet sets. Each set was put through rigorous testing by older adults to ensure we have real-world data on their performance.
We considered these key factors when testing the best sheets:
Materials
We asked testers to assess how the sheets felt right out of the package and again after laundering. We analyzed the sheets’ materials and looked for third-party safety or quality certifications.
Cooling
Testers noted whether the sheets felt cool when they first got into bed and how breathable they were throughout the night. Some sets use materials designed to help regulate temperature.
Feel
We evaluated how soft, smooth, and comfortable each sheet set felt during use.
Fit
Testers reported how well the sheets stayed in place, especially when moving around in bed. A thick memory foam or hybrid mattress with many layers can make it difficult to keep your sheets from shifting or sliding off. We looked for helpful features like labeled corners or elastic straps. We also noted the maximum mattress depth each set can accommodate.
Long-term durability
To gauge durability, testers lay on the sheets, tugged at them, and stretched the fabric. We looked for how well they held up and how much elasticity the sheets maintained over time.
Ease of care
We considered whether the sheets could be machine-washed and tumble-dried. We also paid attention to whether they required a special detergent, cycle, or other considerations.
Customer experience
We looked at trial periods, shipping and return costs, warranties, and customer support. We highly ranked brands that stand behind their products and address any concerns.
What else to look for when choosing cooling sheets
Choosing the best cooling sheets starts with how the fabric feels and breathes. The best sheets for hot sleepers are made from light, airy materials like cotton, bamboo, or linen. These fabrics help move air and pull sweat away from your skin. Breathable sheets can help you feel more comfortable through the night without trapping heat.
Thread count matters, but higher is not always better. The coolest bed sheets are often in the 200–400 range, since they feel lighter and allow more airflow. The weave makes a difference, too. Percale tends to feel crisp and light, while sateen feels smoother but can hold more warmth. That may affect how cool your bed sheets feel.
Fit is another key detail when picking cooling bed sheets. Sheets that are too loose can bunch up. Tight sheets can slip off. So choose the right pocket depth for your mattress. A good fit keeps your cool bed sheets in place, so you don’t get tangled up in them.
It also helps to think about how long your sheets will last and how easy they are to care for. The best breathable sheets should hold up well after many washes and stay soft over time. Cooling sheets that are machine washable and simple to dry can make everyday use much easier, especially if you wash your bedding often.
How much do the best cooling sheets cost in 2026?
The best cooling sheets in this roundup cost between $99–$239 for a queen size before any discounts. Common factors that affect the price include size, materials, and any third-party certifications.
| Comparison Features | Nectar Serenity Bamboo Sheet Set |
Brooklyn Bedding Deep Pocket Rayon from Bamboo Sheets |
Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set |
Sleep Number True Temp Sheet Set |
Bear Tencel Sheet Set |
Silk & Snow Percale Cotton Sheet Set |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost for a queen | $150 |
$99 |
$239 |
$210 |
$205 |
$160 |
| Shipping | Free |
Free |
$6 for orders under $100 and free for orders over $100 |
Free |
Free |
Free |
| Sleep trial/warranty | 30 nights / 1 year |
30 nights / 1 year |
365 nights / 1 year |
100 nights / 1 year |
30 nights / 1 year |
100 nights / 1 year |
| Return fees | None |
None |
$9.95 |
None |
None |
None |
Frequently asked questions
Do cooling sheets really work?
Cooling sheets can help you feel less hot at night by letting air move and pulling sweat away from your skin. They won’t stop all the heat, but they can make sleep more comfortable.
What material is best for cooling sheets?
The best material for cooling sheets is usually cotton, linen, or bamboo. These fabrics are light and let air flow, which helps keep you cool.
What thread count is coolest?
The coolest thread count is usually between 200 and 400. Lower counts often feel lighter and allow more air to pass through.
Are Egyptian cotton or bamboo sheets cooler?
Bamboo sheets are often cooler because they pull moisture away from your skin. Egyptian cotton, a kind of long-staple cotton (made from longer cotton fibers), can still feel cool. But it depends on how it is woven.
Questions? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.
