Half the battle to falling (and staying) asleep is feeling cold, according to sleep experts. Even if the central air or air conditioner is moving, bedding can contribute to body temperature fluctuations during the night, keeping that out of reach for eight hours. nap – drowsiness In another red-eyes crossed out. The answer is not sleeping naked (despite the benefits). You need cooling sheets, duvets, mattress covers, and pillows.
Not all bedding works the same way. Light, breathable fabrics like bamboo, cotton, and lyocell wick moisture from the skin and keep your body temperature in check when you’re ready to head out for the night. These cooling sheets and bedding options are just what you need if you’re the human embodiment of a Bunsen stove.
The best cooling panels and upholstery for a hot sleep
Image courtesy of Perfectly Snug
1. Smart Topper by Perfectly Snug
The temperature controlled mattress cover is a marvel for high temperature sleepers. It automatically adapts to the perfect amount of cooling to keep you in dreamland. Use the Perfectly Snug app to set your preferred overnight temperature plan, as well as set your sleep/wake times. The Smart Topper does the rest, providing gentle airflow with built-in mini fans to maintain the ideal core temperature for optimal sleep duration. Stuck with a cold partner? The dual-zone temperature function controls each side of the bed independently.
HercLéon-owned stuff — called HercFiber — was born out of a stark but totally believable law: single men under the age of 30 only wash their sheets every three months. The miracle ingredients in the brand’s eco-friendly “self-cleaning” cooling pads are a mix of textiles (cotton, recycled polyester, bamboo) and metal (copper, silver, and zinc), which work to keep you comfortable to reduce the effect of funk. Standard set includes two pillowcases, fitted sheet, and flat sheet – with an optional duvet cover at an extra cost.
Neanderthals were right: Geosciences come into play in comfortable bedding, as evidenced by this new line from True Temp—which includes 37.5 performance-enhancing materials made from volcanic sand particles to ensure you’re never too hot or too cold in bed. The science behind the cooling forces of these plates lies in the active particle technology. The fabric attracts and removes moisture to prevent heat and moisture build-up while you sleep. Our favorites include the True Temp Sheet Set, the True Temp Pillow, and the durable and comfy True Temp Blanket (which comes in weighted Issuance).
4. Takasa Organic + Fairtrade Cool + Crisp Cotton Bed Sheet Set
Rest your warm, weary bones on some of the most breathable bipolar cotton. Takasa’s organic percale fabric uses a traditional single-thread/single-thread weave mesh underneath that imparts a matte finish and a lightweight fabric that ensures maximum air circulation and comfort. Plus, the more you wash these durable sheets, the more comfortable they become. Committed to organic, fair trade, Takasa’s sourcing practice lets you rest easier.
Made entirely of Tencel Lyocell – a cellulose-based material spun and woven from eucalyptus pulp – this fabric absorbs moisture and funnels it out the other way, keeping things nice and breezy all night long. Sijo . pairing eucalyptus duvet filling ($195) with eucalyptus duvet cover ($105) – Available in a range of colors from white to forest green.
Lay your head on this cool, stretchy, synthetic down alternative pillowcase called – reassuringly – Suprelle Cool Night Fiber. As promised, the material resists that warmth while providing firm support for your head and neck. For extra support, try Therapedic Sleep RX Gel Memory Foam.
Whether it’s a fragile cotton or nothing, Red Land Cotton’s 140-thread count percale sheets are a win-win. Cotton is sourced from a family farm in Alabama. We’re particularly fond of the Ticking Stripe design; Charcoal and natural lines make these sheets feel extra luxurious by adding some visual interest. Before backing away from lower thread counts (yes, we know 200 to 500 is the norm), consider this old adage: A higher-quality fiber with a lower thread count will be softer and will withstand washing better than the other way around — and provides better aeration.
Contrary to popular belief, hot sleepers can sleep with a duvet, as long as it’s made of the right materials. This duvet cover is made of bamboo viscose and filled with viscose bamboo down. Superior to recycled plastic or polyester (thanks to bamboo fiber’s ability to regulate temperature more effectively), you can cuddle without overheating. For more bang for your buck, pair it with Laguna Satin Sheet Set ($169)
How can we not do without the wild work behind Sleepletics’ ultra-cooled Celliant performance sheets? The mineral-infused strands of fabric recycle your body’s heat and reflect it back as therapeutic infrared light – an effect said to help regulate body temperature and increase blood flow to muscles for better circulation and faster recovery.
Ash & Fir’s single-ply yarn set is not only impressively durable, but it’s also lighter (read: cooler) than the 300-thread-count cotton percale. Long-staple cotton provides comfort (value for just $60), and gets softer with every wash. We also love that these papers are OEKO-TEX certified, which means they’re free of over 300 harmful chemicals, toxins, and irritants, and the brand uses eco-friendly production methods. Another thoughtful feature: the fitted sheet has tags that say “long” and “short” so you get things right on the first try.