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Everyone has their own preferences in the bedroom—how firm your mattress should be, how much background noise is acceptable, and how dark it is are all deeply personal decisions. But if you’re a hot sleeper, your p.m. setup isn’t just about comfort—losing sleep can lead to a host of health issues. “It is essential for your body to be able to cool off during the night,” Alex Dimitriu, MD, board-certified psychiatrist and the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, tells SELF. “Research has found that [this] makes us sleep deeper and possibly longer.” And according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), not getting enough sleep can contribute to cognitive issues, a sluggish metabolism, a weakened immune system, an increased risk of heart disease, and more.
Different internal factors can lead to sleeping hot, like hormonal fluctuations, medication side effects, and thyroid issues, Shelby Harris, PsyD, DBSM, psychologist and director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at Montefiore Medical Center, tells SELF. While you might not be able to control some of these variables, you can make sure your bedding doesn’t make their impact worse. “Cooling accessories can help avoid overheating during the night and reduce sleep disruptions due to sweating or discomfort,” Dr. Harris says.
Now onto choosing the right materials and products: We rounded up the best cooling bedding, including sheets, pillows, mattresses, and other essentials to help you fall (and stay) asleep. Sorry in advance if these comfy picks make you hit the snooze button a zillion times.
There’s no shortage of options when it comes to cooling sheets and comforters. I highly recommend Brooklinen’s Classic Percale Core Sheet Set, which I’ve (happily!) slept on for more than a year. The sheets are made of lightweight, breathable cotton, and together with the brand’s All-Season Comforter and Classic Percale Duvet Cover, they give my bed that sought-after hotel look and feel.
Bamboo is another great fabric choice if you tend to sweat at night because it’s breathable and moisture-wicking, Dr. Harris says. One SELF editor recommends Quince’s Bamboo Sheets because they have a silky finish that’s similar to other, higher-end sets she’s tried. “My husband is a super-hot sleeper—he loves the feel of these and doesn’t overheat at night,” she says.
Lyocell, which is made from eucalyptus fibers, is also worth considering because it’s cool to the touch, gentle on skin, and absorbent (bye, clammy skin). Buffy’s Breeze Sheet Set and Breeze Comforter both live up to those claims: “I’m a very hot sleeper, and these last few summers have been the worst,” one Buffy reviewer wrote. “On the first night, I fell asleep so quickly and didn’t wake up overheated for the first time in years.” Bonus: The sheets come in so many colors, including neutrals, pastels, and rich earth tones.
Finally, there’s a reason you can spot linen in almost every clothing store when summer rolls around. “It’s breathable, which prevents heat from getting trapped in the fabric,” Dr. Harris says, adding that it “becomes softer with each wash.” Dapu’s Pure Linen Sheets Set is surprisingly affordable compared to linen offerings from other brands, and reviewers say the quality is top notch. “The linen is incredibly soft, yet it has a slight crispness that feels refreshing against the skin,” one Amazon reviewer says. “They regulate temperature exceptionally well, keeping me cool during hot summer nights.”
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Flipping your pillow to the cool side isn’t necessary with our picks below. Purple’s Harmony Pillow is made of gel and latex, two materials that Dr. Harris says pull heat away from your body. One SELF editor is glad she made the switch: “I've been sleeping on it for about six months now and can’t imagine going back to my old foam pillow. The honeycomb structure may look weird, but it’s super comfortable—and has actually led to fewer stiff necks.”
Dr. Harris also recommends pillows made of buckwheat because they help with air circulation. They’re also pretty firm—definitely less forgiving than down or memory foam, according to Amazon shoppers. Start with the Zen Chi Buckwheat Pillow, which has a zipper on the side, so you can adjust how much filling is inside. It might feel stiff at first—but one reviewer says it’s well worth the adjustment: “I look forward to the moment when I lay my head down to sleep each night.”
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Adding a layer to your mattress might sound like a recipe for nighttime hot flashes, but the right one can actually help keep your temp down. Dr. Harris recommends looking for a gel-infused foam topper that will transfer heat away from your body. “Also, toppers with a ventilated design or those using open-cell technology help improve air circulation, which can be another good option for those trying to stay cool,” she says. Lucid’s Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper fits the bill and has thousands of five-star Amazon reviews, with one shopper saying, “I'm convinced this topper can turn the worst of mattresses into a dream cloud.” Another happy napper adds that it stays cool and helps relieve painful pressure points.
Or opt for latex, which “provides not only cooling but also responsive support,” Dr. Harris says. Pure Green’s Natural Latex Mattress Topper has that open-cell design we mentioned earlier and feels plush, yet firm, like a “spongy angel food cake” (according to one Amazon reviewer). Not a bad visual.
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Mattresses can be quite an investment, but rest assured that every single one of the options below has been tested and approved by SELF’s team of experts. The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is one of the best cooling mattresses we’ve found; it’s made with a layer of coils that encourage airflow and comes in three firmness options, so you can choose whatever feels best.
We also recommend the Winkbed as a cooling option for side sleepers and anyone dealing with back pain. It comes in four firmness levels—and no matter which one you choose, the middle of the bed is firmer than the edges are to provide support where you need it most.
Memory foam mattresses are known to trap heat, but we found one with that molded-to-you feel that won’t make you sweat: Emma’s Original Mattress. It only heated up a few degrees during our testing (for context, that’s impressive), and it has certain zones of support that are more cushioned than other areas to alleviate pressure points.
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