The Best Bed Sheet Material to Sleep Cool This Summer

Summer brings sunshine, outdoor activities, and longer days—but it also brings hot nights that can disrupt your sleep. As temperatures rise, creating a cool sleep environment becomes essential for restful nights. While air conditioning is helpful, your choice of bedding plays a significant role in maintaining comfort. 

A 2025 study published in ScienceDirect found that high ambient temperatures during summer nights are strongly linked to increased wakefulness and reduced REM sleep, confirming that hot air can contribute significantly to poor sleep quality.

While some of us can steer clear of sweaty, uncomfortable nights by investing in cooling technologies like air conditioning, sometimes that’s just not an option. The next best thing—affordable and effective—is using the right kind of bedding material.

What to Look for When Selecting Summer Bedsheets

When choosing bed sheets for summer, consider the following factors: 

• Durability: Opt for materials that withstand frequent washing and maintain their quality over time. 
• Breathability: Select fabrics that allow air circulation and wick away moisture to keep you cool and dry. 
• Hypoallergenic Properties: If you’re prone to allergies, choose materials resistant to allergens like dust mites and mold. 
• Light Colors: Lighter shades reflect heat better than darker ones, helping to keep your bed cooler. 

Six Bedsheet Materials to Keep You Cool During Summer  

Cotton – Cotton remains one of the most popular choices for summer sheets—and for good reason. It’s soft, lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking. High-quality cotton such as Egyptian or Supima cotton provides better cooling, especially with a percale weave that enhances airflow. According to Prudent Reviews (2025), cotton sheets are among the best for staying cool in warmer temperatures.

Linen – Linen is highly breathable and moisture-wicking, making it a standout for hot weather. Although it may come at a higher price, it’s durable and only gets softer with every wash. Real Simple (2025) praises linen’s airflow properties and notes that its natural temperature regulation makes it ideal for hot sleepers.

Silk – Silk offers a luxurious sleep experience with natural temperature regulation. It’s soft, breathable, hypoallergenic, and helps maintain a steady body temperature throughout the night. While it requires delicate care, its instant cooling feel can be beneficial during summer.

Lyocell – Made from sustainably sourced wood pulp, lyocell is soft, breathable, and highly absorbent. It’s a great alternative to both cotton and silk for environmentally conscious sleepers, and it’s known to retain less heat and wick away sweat effectively.

Bamboo – Bamboo bedding is increasingly popular due to its exceptional softness and eco-friendly nature. It’s breathable, naturally hypoallergenic, and moisture-wicking. According to Prudent Reviews (2025), bamboo sheets are often described as having an “air conditioning” effect, ideal for those who tend to sleep hot. 

Blended Fabrics – Some bedsheets are made from blends like cotton-polyester or bamboo-microfiber. These offer a balance of affordability and performance, though it’s important to ensure they retain key cooling and moisture-wicking properties. 

Other Ways to Keep Cool During Summer  

• Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help regulate body temperature.
• Cooling Technologies: Consider using fans, cooling pillows, or breathable mattress toppers to enhance comfort.
• Evening Showers: Taking a lukewarm shower before bed can lower your core body temperature, promoting better sleep.
• Open windows during cooler evening hours to allow fresh air circulation.
• Lightweight Sleepwear: Wear breathable, loose-fitting clothing or sleep nude to minimize heat retention. 

Want more ideas for getting better sleep during the hot summer season? Check out more here. 

How SleepScore Can Help

Managing sleep during long summer days and warm nights doesn’t have to be a struggle. With the free SleepScore app, you can track how light and temperature affect your sleep quality and get personalized, science-backed recommendations to improve your rest. 

Whether it’s helping you adjust your bedtime routine, recommending ways to cool your sleep space, or giving you nightly sleep scores and trends, SleepScore is your summer sleep companion. 

Download the free SleepScore app from the App Store and make every night—no matter how bright or hot—a restful one. 

Sources

1. ScienceDirect. (2025). Environmental factors affecting sleep quality in summer: a field study.
   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306456521001455 
2. Prudent Reviews. (2025). 11 Best Bed Sheet Materials (Pros & Cons of Each).
   https://prudentreviews.com/best-material-for-bed-sheets 
3. Real Simple. (2025). I’m a Hot Sleeper and This One Bedding Swap Keeps Me From Overheating Every Summer.
   https://www.realsimple.com/bedding-upgrade-linen-sheets-11743407