The Best Cooling Sheets For Southerners Are Actually These Classic Cotton Sheets From L.L.Bean

Tips for Choosing the Right Cooling Sheets

Material

You’ll find cooling sheets made of all sorts of materials, including cotton, bamboo, linen, lyocell (made from eucalyptus trees), and microfiber. While semi-synthetic fibers like bamboo and lyocell (both of which are derived from natural materials but chemically treated) are popular for their moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating properties, I’ve found that they tend to have a silk-like finish that clings to the skin and traps heat underneath. 

In my experience, natural fibers like cotton and linen are the most breathable and tend to gently slope over the skin so that air can move underneath. Cotton is my preferred choice as it’s softer and generally more affordable than linen. 

The most highly sought-after types of cotton for bed sheets are Egyptian, pima, and Supima (the latter is a trademarked brand of American-grown pima cotton), all of which have long-staple or extra-long staple fibers to create a softer, more durable sheet.

Weave 

Percale and sateen are the two most common types of weaves for bed sheets. As you’ve probably gathered by this review, I’m a firm believer that percale is the best weave for hot sleepers. It has a simple one-thread-over, one-thread-under pattern that breathes better than sateen, which usually has three or four yarns going over one another. 

Percale also drapes over the body to allow air movement underneath, whereas sateen tends to cling more closely to the skin and can feel heavier. Those who are used to the satin-like feel of sateen sheets may need to adjust to the more textured feel of percale (it’s similar to that of a crisp dress shirt), but I think it’s well worth the switch for a more breathable bed. 

Thread Count

There’s a common misconception that a higher thread count makes for higher quality sheets, but all thread count refers to is the number of threads per square inch of fabric. This means that a higher thread count will lead to a denser fabric, which can block airflow.

When shopping for percale sheets, Rhodes recommends looking for a thread count between 200 and 400: "The lower the thread count the more airflow occurs, but a higher thread count could offer more cotton softness against the skin. To get the balance of breathability and softness that’s optimal for you, you may want to try sleeping on a few different sheeting options to find your match."

Another Option To Consider

Lands' End Garment Washed Flax Linen Sheet Set: I know cotton percale isn’t for everyone, so I wanted to provide one alternative that earned top marks in both our lab and at-home testing. The Lands' End Garment Washed Flax Linen Sheets are made of Belgian flax linen, another natural material prized for its breathability. It has a relaxed, lived-in appearance with enough loose fabric to easily accommodate shifting and moving. While linen tends to be rougher in texture than other materials, these exited the wash softer than they were out of the package. Most importantly, they don’t trap heat.  

Questions and Answers

Do cooling sheets actually work?

Bed sheets can help you to sleep cool, but not all sheets that are marketed as “cooling” actually do so effectively. In my experience, any “cooling technology” or performance fabrics makes very little difference if the sheets don’t breathe. Breathable sheets made of natural materials like cotton or linen allow for increased air movement and ventilation, both of which keep you cool and dry while you sleep. 

Rhodes says "The weave and fiber content are crucial in determining the cooling ability of sheets. A percale sheet is a plain weave, with its one-over-one-under interlacing thread pattern, allowing for excellent airflow, making it ideal for cooling. Cotton, known for its natural breathability and moisture-wicking properties, enhances this effect. Together, they help regulate temperature and keep sleepers cool throughout the night."

What is the best material for night sweats?

The best material I’ve found for night sweats are natural fibers like cotton and linen, particularly cotton percale, since it gently drapes over the body and allows for more air movement underneath, which in turn helps sweat to evaporate more quickly. "Cotton is one of the best materials to ease night sweats due to its excellent moisture-wicking properties," Rhodes says. "The capillary action of the cotton fiber pulls excess moisture from the skin, and helps to keep the sleeper dry and comfortable. Cotton's breathability also aids in temperature regulation, making it a reliable choice for managing night sweats."

Why Trust Southern Living?

This article was written by Melanie Fincher, an editor for Southern Living who has been reviewing bedding for the last three years. As a hot sleeper living in Alabama, she has tested cooling sheets of all varieties over the years, but she always goes back to the  L.L.Bean 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets for their crisp, cool feel and lightweight construction. She also consulted Kristie Rhodes, manager of woven product development at Cotton Incorporated, for expert insight.