For hot sleepers, we narrowed down the best materials to cotton, linen, satin, and silk. Dr. Peters says these materials work well because they allow heat to dissipate and feel airy and breathable. They're also durable and long-lasting.
After testing dozens and dozens of sets in our ongoing quest for the best sheets, we've found that a set in linen or percale cotton (which is more breathable than sateen) is a great way to round out your bedding collection and extend the life of your everyday sheets by giving them the summer off.
Linen and cotton are both great options for hot, sweaty sleepers. Both fabrics are breathable (and therefore, cooling). "Fabrics like bamboo are breathable and cool, even in warmer seasons," Holliday-Bell explains.
Bedding made from bamboo, eucalyptus, linen, or even cotton with a percale finish has natural cooling properties that will help hot sleepers stay cool and everyone else sleep well during hot weather.
Bamboo sheets are cool, breathable and absorbent
They are also cooler to the touch than cotton sheets. Beyond that, bamboo can absorb 40% more water than cotton. So a bamboo sheet is a great choice to absorb sweat.
If the satin sheet is crafted from rayon / polyester / other synthetic material, then cotton sheets will feel cooler than satin, especially if its a percale cotton sheet.
Silk Regulates Body Temperature Better than Cotton
When you sweat, silk wicks away moisture and keeps you cool; when you're not, it insulates and maintains warmth. This is why silk sheets are great for staying warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Cooling sheets are never made with materials like flannel or heavy cotton that trap heat. The best sheets for the summer will be made with bamboo, cotton, silk, Tencel, linen, polyester, microfiber or lyocell.
Egyptian cotton is more breathable, moisture-wicking and absorbent than normal cotton, which helps to regulate your body temperature, making it ideal for balmy summer nights, and all year round comfortable sleeping.
According to experts, cotton provides better cooling than many other materials. Researchers also recommend using cotton materials during summer to support cooling contact.
Microfiber sheets are lightweight and breathable, but they trap more body heat than cotton sheets. Hot sleepers should consider a set of the best cooling sheets instead.
Percale sheets are most comfortable for sleepers who get too warm in the night, for people who live in warmer climates and for those who prefer to use the same sheets and bedding year round.
If you are a hot sleeper, I'd recommend sticking to cotton. Cotton sheets are naturally cooling and breathable. Polyester sheets feel lightweight and smooth. Cotton sheets can range in feel, but generally feel soft, cooling, and a little thicker than polyester.
If you're a hot sleeper, you need sheets that are lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking to help you stay cool and dry. Bamboo is a great choice because it's naturally temperature-regulating and helps control moisture. Linen, cotton, and Tencel are also great options for hot sleepers.
If linen doesn't work for you, Fountain's recommendation is a percale weave cotton since the “one-over-one-under weave encourages airflow to keep you cool over the course of the night.” For a silky-smooth hand feel and fabric that feels initially cool to the touch, Fountain also recommends Tencel sheets.
In a word, yes, cooling sheets actually work. But they may not work perfectly in every situation. They are ideal for those who struggle to fall asleep because they feel warm, or those who wake up in the middle of the night sweating or feeling hot.
Silk does not allow sweat or heat to pass through, resulting in overheating and sweat buildup during the night. On the other hand, bamboo sheets feature small micro-gaps in the fibres that allow sweat and heat to escape and cool your body.
If you're looking for a luxurious and comfortable way to sleep, then silk bed sheets may be the right choice for you. While if you're looking for a bed sheet that will help keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter, then satin bed sheets may be the better choice.
When comparing bamboo lyocell Vs silk, the majority of the main points of bamboo Vs silk can also be applied. While both are silky smooth – bamboo will last longer, get softer with time, wash well and provide hypoallergenic, antibacterial properties while you sleep.
Disadvantages. Satin is a very cool material, which might make your sheets too cold in the winter. It's harder to clean than cotton and other cheaper materials. Satin sheets are more expensive.
You may think because percale sheets have a tighter weave that they are also warmer. However, due to the less thick yard used, Percale sheets will give you a cooler sleep experience. Percale sheets are better for those who sleep hot or live in warmer climates and will give you a crisp, cool sleep year round.
If you sleep with a foot hanging out of bed, or are often hot at night, you're a prime candidate for the cool and crisp percale weave. Sateen on the other hand, uses a three over (or more) and one under weave (see image) which traps more heat, making it an excellent choice for cooler seasons or cold sleepers.