Microfiber has a smooth and slippery feel, similar to silk or satin. With this in mind, microfiber tends to trap more heat compared to cotton. The heat retention can be great if you live in a colder climate, or if it's wintertime.
Warmth. Microfiber holds heat and is an excellent choice for those who get cold easily. If you are prone to night sweats or kick the blankets off frequently, cotton is a better option for you. As a natural fiber, cotton is much more breathable than microfiber and keeps you cooler.
Overall, yes, microfiber is a less breathable material and can make you hot and sweaty. Still, it is also a great material option for those who enjoy a warmer sleep experience.
What kind of sheets are best for hot sleepers? Hot sleepers are typically most comfortable on 100 percent cotton, microfiber, or Tencel sheets. For those who frequently experience night sweats, microfiber or Tencel can help keep sleepers cool and dry.
Microfiber is another super-soft fabric that can feel warmer when you're chilly in the winter, especially with a few blankets on top of it. But in the summer, it's all light and cool because the fabric wicks away moisture. Plus, for a stain-resistant sheet set, you're getting an unbeatable deal for less than $30.
What types of sheets sleep the coolest? In general, sheets made from linen, bamboo, and Tencel offer the coolest, most breathable feel. Cotton sheets that feature a percale weave are also known for being exceptionally lightweight and airy, perfect for hot sleepers.
Material: Most of the sleep experts we spoke to agreed that sheets made of natural fibers, like cotton and linen, are your best bet for sweaty sleepers because they're the most breathable (and therefore cooling).
Cotton, linen, or bamboo sheets may suit hot sleepers best, as they are lightweight and breathable. These materials allow for airflow and absorption of moisture.
Microfiber doesn't absorb but simply wicks moisture away. Microfiber sheets are stretchy. Some people don't like them because they feel the sheets are too clingy.
Microfiber sheets retain body heat and tend to wick away moisture. That combination makes microfiber sheets a great choice for people who get cold at night. On the flip side, the retention of body heat may leave you overheated and cause night sweats.
Warm: Microfiber is not very breathable. It can trap more or less heat depending on the weave, but in general microfiber sheets sleep warmer than cotton or linen. May Pill: Poor-quality microfiber sheets with a GSM of less than 50 are likely to pill.
Microfiber will absorb moisture and is slightly warmer. The cool feel of polyester won't make you as hot, and if you do sweat, polyester will wick it away.
Cotton or linen is the best material for night sweats due to its temperature regulating and sweat wicking properties, not only for your bedding but also for your nightwear.
The main difference between microfiber and cotton sheets is that microfiber sheets are made with synthetic fibers while cotton sheets are made with natural fibers. Moreover, microfiber sheets feel silky and smooth while cotton sheets feel soft and breathable.
Cotton sheets are more breathable than microfiber and won't trap heat as easily, providing a more comfortable sleep. However, microfiber sheets can be more durable than cotton sheets, as natural fibers–particularly less expensive cotton options–can break down more easily with frequent washes.
Feel. Both high-quality microfiber and cotton sheets have a good appearance and feel. Microfiber sheets are not made from natural materials but yet they are soft and smoother than cotton sheets. Based on the thread count, a cotton sheet can be soft or hard.
Cotton flannel or micro flannel? From our laboratory tests and from our experience, both types can be warm -- significantly warmer to the touch compared to non-flannel sheets such as percale, sateen or microfiber.
Per Good Housekeeping, you should look for a set with a percale weave and Health magazine recommends a low thread count (between 200 and 400), which will be thinner and feel crisp and cool through the night. Linen or bamboo will also help keep the night sweats away.
The NSF recommends choosing cooling sheets with a thread count between 200 and 400, since sheets with lower thread counts aren't as comfortable, and sheets with higher thread counts tend to trap heat at night.
If you find yourself kicking the covers off at night, one quick fix is to swap out your comforter for something lighter and more breathable. The National Sleep Foundation says comforters made with natural materials like cotton, bamboo, or linen are best, and our experts also recommend those with microfiber and silk.
Hotels opt for a percale weave over sateen as percale epitomizes the cool, crisp feeling typical of a luxury hotel suite. A percale weave is also naturally longer lasting as by definition, it's a tighter weave.
Buying a set of bed sheets with a high thread count may not be the best idea when it comes to breathability, because more threads result in a tighter weave and less airy construction. If keeping cool is your priority, look for low thread count sheets in the range of 180 to 280.
Percale sheets should always feel cool and crisp, but the type of cotton they're made from can have an impact on how breathable they are, as well as how affordable they are. Premium percale sheets are made from 100 percent organic long-staple cotton.