5 Best Cooling Bed Sheets of 2026: Tested by a Hot Sleeper

Features

• Materials: Viscose from bamboo
• Cooling score: 4 out of 5
• Thread count: 400
• Color options: 12
• Pocket depth: 17 inches

Key takeaways from our testing

Softest feel on this list. The Luxome Luxury Sheet Set has a soft sateen weave that Kay said felt “smooth as butter.” The sheets are made from viscose from bamboo, giving them a soft feel. The Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set is also made of viscose from bamboo, and tied the Luxome Luxury Sheet Set’s perfect score for feel. However, Kay thought the Luxome set edged out Cozy Earth’s for softness. “These sheets are truly the softest I have ever touched,” she said. 

Helps limit heat buildup. Bamboo sheets are naturally moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating, and this set is no exception. During testing, Kay said the fabric didn’t feel as cool to the touch as others but still helped limit heat buildup. “These are slightly cool to the touch but not overly cool,” she said. “They have a decent amount of weight to them but still feel airy, which I think helps them feel breathable.” The Luxome Luxury Sheet Set earned an above-average score in our temperature regulation test, which involves a tester laying on the sheets for five minutes and rating how well the sheets limit heat buildup.

Deep pockets resulted in a loose fit. The Luxome Luxury Sheet Set has deep pockets that the company says can fit mattresses up to 17 inches high, which is a benefit if you have a taller bed or use a mattress topper. However, Kay had to tuck the fitted sheet’s extra fabric under the mattress corners to achieve a tight fit. Still, the sheets earned a solid fit score — they have elastic bands at all four corners, which “helped secure the sheets and prevented them from sliding,” Kay said.

Best Sateen: Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set

Score: 9.3 out of 10

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Made from premium, long-staple cotton
• Generous sleep trial
• Most color options on this list

Cons

• Doesn’t feel “cool to the touch”
• 16-inch pockets left some loose fabric on an 11.5-inch bed

Features

• Materials: Cotton
• Cooling score: 4 out of 5
• Thread count: 480
• Color options: 19
• Pocket depth: 16 inches

Key takeaways from our testing

100 percent cotton with a sateen feel. This set is our pick for the best sateen sheets because they’re a happy medium for older adults who want the softness of cotton and the silky feel of a sateen weave. The Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set is made with long-staple cotton, which is generally softer and more durable than short-staple cotton. Kay described these sheets as “extremely smooth and soft — almost silky,” she said. “They're not too stiff, but not overly clingy either.” These sheets also boast the longest sleep trial on this list, offering a 365-night return window. 

Plenty of color options. If you’re looking for a variety of color and pattern options, the Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set may be a good fit, with 19 designs available. However, Brooklinen says seasonal colors have limited stock, so you may see variation in availability throughout the year. 

Not “cool to the touch.” These sheets are made from breathable cotton, but Kay said they didn’t feel cool to the touch. At the same time, “They didn’t make me warm up,” she said. “They feel very airy overall.” Kay gave the set a favorable score for temperature regulation.

Best Bamboo: Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set

Score: 9.4 out of 10

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Cool to the touch
• Generous warranty
• Top-notch softness

Cons

• Loose fit on shorter beds
• Most expensive sheets on this list

Features

• Materials: Viscose from bamboo
• Cooling score: 5 out of 5
• Thread count: 320
• Color options: 18
• Pocket depth: 20 inches

Key takeaways from our testing

Top-notch temperature regulation. Cozy Earth says its bamboo sheets are more breathable than cotton, and it shows. Tester Kay said this set is cool to the touch and “super” breathable, awarding it a perfect score for temperature regulation. “I didn’t feel my body heat getting trapped,” she said, adding the sheets provide “good” airflow and are lightweight but not thin. 

Long sleep trial and warranty. Cozy Earth offers generous trial and warranty policies. You get 100 nights to try out the sheets before deciding if they're right for you. The company also offers an exceptional 10-year warranty with protection against pilling (lint balls that result from use), workmanship defects, and abnormal rips and tears. (The fine print: Warranty claims are eligible for product replacement only. Cozy Earth does not offer refunds under warranty coverage.)

Deep pockets may overwhelm shorter beds. Like the Luxome Luxury Sheet Set, the Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set fits mattresses up to 20 inches thick. While this could benefit older adults with thick bed toppers, it could also cause the fabric to bunch on a shorter mattress. Kay had to tuck the fitted sheet’s extra fabric under the bed during testing. Cozy Earth says this sheet set is supposed to have an “oversized, generous fit,” as “slight shrinkage” may occur after a few wash cycles.

Best Fit: Sleep Number True Temp Sheets

Score: 9.7 out of 10

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Anchor corner bands offer a secure fit
• Excellent cooling performance
• Classic cotton feel

Cons

• Not made from 100 percent cotton
• Only fits beds up to 15 inches tall

Features

• Materials: Cotton blend
• Cooling score: 5 out of 5
• Thread count: 300
• Color options: Six
• Pocket depth: 15 inches

Key takeaways from our testing

Cooling technology to limit heat. The Sleep Number True Temp Sheets feature the company’s 37.5 Technology, which features active particles from volcanic minerals that have been embedded into the yarn. Sleep Number says these particles can capture the infrared heat and moisture our bodies give off and adjust to warm or cool us. Tester Kay said the sheets have a “noticeably cool-to-the-touch feel,” giving them a perfect score for temperature regulation. “I never felt myself warming up, and I thought they provided excellent airflow and breathability,” she said. 

Corner bands offer a snug fit. These sheets are the only set on this list to earn a perfect fit score. They have what the company calls a SmartFit design, which includes a fully elasticized edge and anchor bands to keep the fitted sheet in place. “The elastic bands held the sheet in place on the mattress,” said Kay, adding that she didn’t have to tuck in extra fabric, and the sheets didn’t move around. However, these sheets are designed to fit beds up to 15 inches thick. Those who have a mattress or topper combination that is thicker than 15 inches may be better suited to sheets with deeper pockets, like the Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set, which fits beds up to 20 inches thick.

Blended textile fabric may not be a good fit for some. These sheets are a cotton blend and have some stretch, which can make it easier to put them on the bed. But if you’re looking for a 100-percent cotton sheet set, this set doesn’t fit the bill. The Sleep Number True Temp Sheet Set is made of 76 percent cotton, 22 percent of the company’s trademarked 37.5 polyester and 2 percent spandex. If you’re looking for 100 percent cotton sheets, we recommend the Saatva Organic Sateen Sheet Set.

How we tested the best cooling bed sheets

We started our process by researching the market. Which cooling sheets are popular and why? Who has the best customer reviews — and are the reviews legitimate? After talking with medical experts, we narrowed our list from 22 sheet sets to eight we tested in our lab.

To identify their strengths and weaknesses, we used controlled tests to assess features like temperature regulation, how well the sheets fit on a mattress and their pocket size. We also recruited a 71-year-old tester to provide unbiased feedback. 

This tester answered questions like: Do the sheets feel cool to the touch? Do the materials feel breathable? Are the sheets easy to secure to all four corners of a mattress? The models that excelled in our tests made our list of the best cooling bed sheets. 

For more details on our process, see our mattress and sleep products testing methodology.

How to choose the best cooling sheets

Sheets that excel at cooling can help regulate your body temperature and add an extra touch of comfort to your bed. If you’re looking for a quality set, consider the following features. 

Cooling and breathability 

Some sheets on this list, such as the Sleep Number True Temp Sheet Set, feature cooling technology like active particles embedded in the yarn of a fabric that may make them feel cool to the touch. Other sheets may not have cooling technology but still feature breathable materials, such as organic cotton or naturally moisture-wicking materials like bamboo.

All the options on this list of the best cooling sheets earned an above-average or perfect score in our temperature regulation test. 

Material and feel

When searching for the best cooling bed sheets, a good place to start is with your desired texture. For example, you may prefer the crisp, structured feel of cotton sheets, or you may prefer the smooth feel of sateen or silk. However, sheets that are too silky may pose a fall risk for older adults with mobility limitations. 

Thread count 

Consumers often use a sheet’s thread count as an indicator of quality, but there isn’t an optimal number, says Byron Golub, vice president of product at Saatva. Thread count measures the number of horizontal and vertical threads in one square inch of fabric. If you’re looking for cooling sheets, a good range to aim for is a 300 to 500 thread count, as these sheets are often breathable.

Straps and deep pockets

Many companies include corner-anchor straps and deep pockets on fitted sheets to help secure them to the mattress. While these features may benefit sleepers who toss and turn and often pull the sheet off their beds, they may not be ideal for everyone. For example, older adults with arthritis or dexterity limitations might have difficulty working the straps under the mattress.

Do cooling sheets really work?

Yes, cooling sheets can be effective, particularly for hot sleepers, since they support the body’s natural temperature regulation by dissipating heat and moisture, La Puma says. Some provide a cooling sensation or are breathable enough to allow your body heat to dissipate. Still, cooling sheets aren’t a cure-all, especially if you’re going through menopause and experiencing frequent hot flashes. 

How much do the best cooling sheets cost?

The cooling sheets on this list range in retail price from $190 to $308 for a queen-size set. The most affordable option is the Luxome Luxury Sheet Set, while the Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set is the most expensive. (Some mattress prices, like Cozy Earth’s, may vary based on the color or pattern you choose.)

Questions or feedback? Email us at AARPSmartPicks@aarp.org.