Best Sheets for Sweaty Sleepers

Many sheets out there claim to be the best sheets for sweaty sleepers who often wake up in the middle of the night, drenched in a pool of sweat. The reality is that some materials heat us up during the night and others cool us down. Luckily the difference between them is quite straight forward. After learning a few core truths you’ll be ready to buy just the right sheets for you. The ones that will keep you cool throughout the night. Read on to find out what are truly the best sheets for sweaty sleepers.

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Best overall: Softest linen sheets for night sweats by Sijo
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Best value: Super smooth bamboo sheet set by Pure Bamboo
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Most comfortable: Simple & Opulence remarkable linen sheet set
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Best luxury: Thomas Lee Exclusive Pima cotton sheet set
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Best moisture wicking: Sijo game-changing eucalyptus sheets for sweaty sleepers
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Best linen: DAPU stunning linen sheets that keep you dry
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Best Egyptian cotton: Pure Parima excellent quality sheet set
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Best bamboo: Tafts dangerously smooth bamboo sheet set
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Best Pima cotton: Peru Pima brilliant Pima cotton sheets
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Best high tech: Sheex dry performance sheet set
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What Is Sweating

Sweating or perspiration is simply our bodies’ response to body temperature rising. As the heat goes up above the normal temperature threshold, your brain sends signals to the body to revert the changes and to keep the body temperature at optimum level. These signals are sent to sweat glands all over your body. There are around 4 million of them. As a result, your pores will start pushing out excess water. In other words, you start sweating. As this water evaporates off your skin, your body temperature lowers and you cool down.

Sweating can occur in a lot of different situations. During exercising or a nervous situation. It can be a byproduct of hormonal imbalance, or just being in a hot environment. When it comes to sleeping, we’re most interested in the last one – a hot environment.

This does not mean that you have to drop down to a hot savanna and take a nap there. It could well be that your bedroom temperature is higher than 60-67 degrees Fahrenheit (16-20^oC), which is considered ideal for sleeping. Or simply that your body heats up while you’re dreaming away. You may want to check whether your using a super warm blanket and that raises the heat, or whether you can turn down the temperature in your bedroom. But this time we’ll focus on what’s below you. Let’s find the best sheets for sweaty sleepers!

Sheets That Keep Sweaty Sleepers Cool

Imagine that you’re working out. Your heart starts pumping faster, your body heat goes up and you feel a sweat coming on. If your shirt is made out of a water resistant fabric, the sweat has nowhere to go. It will start piling up, eventually sliding and dripping down your skin.

What you want, is a shirt that is either breathable or one that is absorbent. The first kind will let the air move through the shirt without trouble. And the second kind will soak up the excess water from your body. It’s the same with bed sheets. The best sheets for sweaty sleepers are either those that are breathable or those that are absorbent.

Breathable Sheets

You can think of this as a preventative method. Rather than letting your body heat rise to such a high level that triggers sweating in the first place, the heat gets conducted to the sheet. These are the bed sheets that keep you cool at night.

A breathable bed sheet requires a lower thread count. A sheet’s thread count simply refers to the number of horizontal threads (weft) and vertical threads (warp) in one square inch. So if you’re suffering from sweaty nights, forget about sheets with a maximum thread count. That being said, high thread count sheets can be excellent in other ways! Sweaty sleepers should aim for a lower thread count though. This means that the threads are not woven together so tightly. And this in turn will allow air to move through the fabric, having a cooling effect. Also, go with a natural fabric, like linen, cotton or bamboo. Synthetic fibers, like microfiber or polyester, do not breathe that well.

A good sheet for sweaty sleepers is one that has space between the threads. The higher the thread count, the less room there is between individual threads. And consequently, the less room for air to freely move between the threads. So sheets with a low thread count and loose weave will allow your body to transfer heat into them. In a way, you can think of breathable sheets as bed sheets that don’t make you sweat. They simply won’t let your body heat rise to a level that would activate the sweating process, so they’re great for sweaty sleepers. If you want to know what are the coolest sheets, this is it – breathable sheets. They’re also the best sheets for hot flashes!

Sheets That Wick Away Sweat

A key rule to remember is that natural fibers normally love water and soak it up where ever they can. Synthetic fibers are the opposite – they repel water or they at least try to avoid water.

Sweat resistant sheets will not work for sweaty sleepers. What you want is for the bed sheet to take in the excess water. But you don’t necessarily want it to hold onto that moisture. The sheet should get rid of the moisture and stay dry. So it can be a delicate balance between natural and synthetic fibers that would give you an excellent absorbent sheet. Much like good exercise gear that takes in the sweat from your body and allows it to quickly evaporate from the surface of the fabric.

How To Choose Cooling Sheets?

Many sweaty sleepers prefer natural fabrics. Not all natural fibers fit into this class, however. The golden trio that will keep you dry at night is linen, cotton, and bamboo. But it’s also worthwhile looking into synthetics or even some high-tech sheets. There are many clever products on the market these days. Just be careful, as a lot of the synthetic materials tend to heat up quickly. These are definitely not the type of bed sheets that suit sweaty sleepers, as they do not stay cool.

Linen qualities

The reason why linen is considered as one of the best fabrics that keep you cool is because of its ability to wick away water quickly and to release it in a whim. Your sheets will remain dry throughout the night and will have a cool feel to them.

It is also one of the strongest vegetable fibers out there. So a good linen sheet should last a long time. Although linen sheets are not the softest at first, they become softer the more you use and wash them. Be patient with them – with enough washes, you’ll get very soft sheets with all the other benefits of a linen sheet.

Cotton qualities

There’s quite a lot of variety when it comes to cotton. One important thing to look out for is fiber length (aka staple). You want to go for long or extra-long staple cotton, as it is more durable and soft. We recommend going with one of the 3 high quality, long or extra-long staple cotton types. Egyptian cotton is considered one of the highest quality fabrics available, but you have to be careful, because there are also lesser quality products sold under that name. Pima cotton is an extra-long staple cotton that is smooth and excellent quality. It originally comes from Peru and Ecuador. If you’re looking for something of similar quality, but exclusively US based, keep an eye out for the Supima cotton trademark.

American Upland cotton is often described simply as 100% cotton. It is generally short staple cotton, which means that the quality is lower. On the flipside, it’s cheaper.

Regardless of the fiber length, cotton is a natural water-loving fiber that wicks away moisture. This makes it a perfect choice for sheets for sweaty sleepers. It also breathes well. But take note of the thread count of the sheet. The higher the thread count, the lower its breathability.

As an extra bonus, as it cannot hold an electric charge, you won’t have to worry about static cling.

Bamboo and eucalyptus qualities

Bamboo and eucalyptus sheets are quite similar and they are both great for sweaty sleepers. The main reason is because of their amazing moisture absorbing quality. They absorb more moisture than cotton or linen, so in that sense they are the best sheets for sweaty sleepers. They are also known for their ability to stay cool. As for the feel, both materials are silky smooth to the touch. In case you have sensitive skin or skin conditions, such as eczema, bamboo and eucalyptus are both good choices for you, as they are hypoallergenic materials.

High tech qualities

High-tech sheets are named that way because they include some type of smart technology that improve their quality. There is unfortunately quite a lot of rubbish that is sold under this name. The best way to find an actually good high tech sheet that keeps you cool and wicks away moisture, is to try the sheet. That’s not always possible, however, so we suggest to go through the reviews of actual users.

What sweaty sleepers should avoid

If a fabric does not breathe well or does not wick moisture, sweaty sleepers should keep their distance. It will not keep you dry and you will have a bad time rolling around in your own sweat. Of natural fabrics, silk sheets are not good for sweaty sleepers. They’re luxurious and smooth, feel cool to the touch and definitely serve their purpose on a steamy night with your partner. But for an everyday recovering sleep it’s best to keep them in the closet waiting for a more special evening.

Microfiber sheets that contain polyester or polyamides such as nylon, are not breathable. They do wick moisture and can have a soft touch but likely they won’t keep you cool at night. They work well for some people but if you tend to be more on the sweaty side, it’s best to avoid them. We always suggest going for natural fibers, so if there’s a choice between microfiber and cotton sheets, we’d go with the cotton option.

You should also be aware of most high-tech sheets. More often than not the chemicals used in the sheets are lost in the washing process and the sheets lose their initial potential after a short time. They’re not the best sheets to keep you cool or dry at night. But some of them can pleasantly surprise you. The best way to know is to try them out yourself because they do suit some people very well.

Here is our selection of the best sheets if you’re struggling with night sweats. As a rule of thumb, go for natural fabrics, as they are breathable and wick moisture better than synthetic materials.

Best overall
Softest linen sheets for night sweats by Sijo

Material: 100% French linen, GOTS certified

Price: from $175

Sijo has made quite a name for themselves and has been featured in many magazines, such as Forbes and Vogue. And for good reason. These 100% linen sheets are sourced from Normandy, France and is highly regarded. The fabric is quite thick, which makes the sheets durable. Linen sheets can be a bit more rough in the beginning, but these Sijo linen sheets have been stonewashed, making them softer from the get go. In fact, these sheets received the “Softest Linen Sheets of 2022” award by Sleep Foundation. Overall, linen has great moisture wicking abilities and is a very breathable fabric.

On top of all this, we love the variety that these Sijo sheets come with. They sell a 3 piece set (fitted sheet and 2 pillowcases) and also a 4 piece set (the same, plus a flat sheet). So you can buy just the set that you need. And if you want only a separate flat sheet, they have that as well. You can also pick from a number of gorgeous colors. This linen sheet set is our top pick for sweaty sleepers who are looking for cooling sheets.

Best value
Super smooth bamboo sheet set by Pure Bamboo

Material: 100% organic bamboo viscose, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified

Price: from $70

Pure Bamboo really excels at quality. Their sheets are 100% organic bamboo and tested against 100 different chemicals, to make sure they’re super safe to use. And they are! These sheets are very smooth and soft and most importantly will keep you cool during the night. Bamboo has great moisture wicking abilities and is also a great thermo-regulator. These sheets are without a doubt the best value in our selection of best sheets for sweaty sleepers. In addition to all that, Pure Bamboo also offers a variety of colors, so you might find more than one that fits your bedroom.

Most comfortable
Simple & Opulence remarkable linen sheet set

Material: 100% French linen, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified

Price: from $117

These Simple & Opulence sheets are made from quality French linen. They are light or medium-light weight – a great companion for hot summer nights, especially for sweaty sleepers. The good thing about linen sheets is that they can also keep you warm during winter times. So you can use them all year round.

As is typical for linen, these sheets become softer with every wash and will start to feel their best after around 5 washes. If you really can’t wait to get to that part, you can just keep washing them for a number of times before putting them to use. The comfort of these sheets is worth it!

Best luxury
Thomas Lee Exclusive Pima cotton sheet set

Material: 100% US grown Pima cotton, free from harmful chemicals

Price: from $256

If the price is not a question and you’re looking for pure luxury, Thomas Lee is it! The material is Pima cotton and it is fully grown in the US. With a percale weave and 500 thread count, these sheets have the same feel as the best quality hotel sheets. Slightly crisp, strong, and soft. The thread count, weave and general cotton qualities make this sheet breathable and cool – they are wonderful sheets for sweaty sleepers!

The sheets are also generously over-sized in the old fashioned way, so they’re sure to fit your mattress. Even if it’s a thick one, up to 18”. Thanks to the great quality long staple cotton, your Thomas Lee sheets will last for a long time. If you’re after pure luxury, this sheet set is the one for you.

Best moisture wicking
Sijo game-changing eucalyptus sheets for sweaty sleepers

Material: 100% eucalyptus lyocell, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 class 1 certified

Price: from $110

This Sijo sheet set won the “Best Cooling Sheets of 2022” award by Architectural Digest and has been featured in many established magazines, like Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and more. And they’re right – it’s one of the best sheets for sweaty sleepers. Eucalyptus lyocell wicks moisture 70% more than cotton and the manufacturing process is more strict than for other fibers. This means that fewer chemicals have been used. Lyocell is hypoallergenic, extremely soft, smooth, and has a luxurious sheen. On top of that, it’s easy to care for.

Best linen
DAPU stunning linen sheets that keep you dry

Material: 100% French linen, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified

Price: from $120

Many consider French linen the best in the world. That’s why Dapu sources their linen from there. It’s naturally grown, processed without chemicals or additives, and harvested in an environmentally friendly manner. So not only will you get quality sheets that don’t harm your skin with chemicals, you’re doing a service for the environment. The quality of these sheets is really second to none. They’re breathable, wick away moisture quickly and last for a long time. The perfect sheets for sweaty sleepers.

Best Egyptian cotton
Pure Parima excellent quality sheet set

Material: 100% long staple Egyptian cotton, CEA certified

Price: from $120

There are a lot of sheets that say they are great quality Egyptian cotton sheets, while in reality they are lower quality Egyptian cotton. So how do you know that you have actual Egyptian cotton sheets? You can check if they are certified by the Cotton Egypt Association (CEA), the most widely trusted authority in Egyptian cotton. And these Pure Parima sheets are CEA certified.

The quality of the fabric is excellent. The sheets are made with a sateen weave, which gives them more smoothness. Long staple cotton ensures the best quality and with a 400 thread count, these sheets breathe very well and will keep you nice and cool during the night. If you’re wondering more about the specifics of the cotton used, it’s Giza cotton, which is a highly valued type of Egyptian cotton. Last but not least, this sheet set comes in beautiful packaging, which also makes it a great gift for someone you value.

Best bamboo
Tafts dangerously smooth bamboo sheet set

Material: 100% organic bamboo, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified

Price: from $70

These Tafts sheets are made from organic bamboo and designed in Texas. Bamboo is one of the best cooling fabrics and this sheet is an excellent example of that. The sheets are luxuriously soft, cool and fit mattresses up to 17”. At a very reasonable price, sweaty sleepers can get smooth and cooling sheets that will turn their restless nights around.

Best Pima cotton
Peru Pima brilliant Pima cotton sheets

Material: 100% Pima cotton, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified

Price: from $110

Peru Pima’s sheet set that is made of quality 100% Peruvian Pima cotton, with a thread count of 415. The sheets have a touch of crispiness that adds character, yet they’re soft. But best of all, cotton is a breathable material and the thread count allows for more cooling during the night, giving sweaty sleepers a more peaceful and dry night.

Peru Pima sheets come in various sizes and you can also order a set of standard size pillowcases separately. These are top class sheets and you’ll get a nice surprise when seeing how they’re packaged. It’s a truly wonderful combination of a high quality sheet, reasonable price, and great delivery.

Best high tech
Sheex dry performance sheet set

Material: 87% performance polyester, 13% spandex

Price: from $110

SHEEX is a well-known brand in the bedding world. Their lightweight original performance sheet set is made from 87% polyester and 13% spandex. They claim to be the best sheets for sweaty sleepers for 2 reasons. The sheets transfer body heat 2 times more efficiently than a traditional cotton sheet. The SHEEX sheets also breathe about 50% better than traditional cotton sheets. Both are great qualities to look for when you struggle with night sweats or are just in a hot climate. The polyester and spandex mix makes the sheets silky and also stretchy. Although they are microfiber sheets, you’ll be pleasantly surprised as to their cooling effect and how well they suit sweaty sleepers.

FAQ

What sheet material is best for sweaty sleepers?

The best materials are natural ones, as they breathe well and have great moisture wicking abilities. We suggest linen, cotton, bamboo lyocell or eucalyptus lyocell.

Is cotton or linen better for sweat?

Cotton and linen are both good for fighting sweat. However, linen has better moisture wicking abilities, so we recommend linen over cotton for sweaty sleepers.

Are microfiber sheets good for sweaty sleepers?

As a rule of thumb, no. If you have night sweats, natural fabrics will keep you dry. Whereas microfiber sheets do not breathe well.

Do I need to wash sheets after night sweats?

Not after every night. But wash your sheets weekly. Regardless of whether you sweat, our sheets gather skin flakes and various bodily fluids each night. If you sweat more, a good habit is to replace your bedding every week.

How should I sleep to avoid night sweats?

Check that your bedding is made from a breathable and moisture wicking fabric, like linen, bamboo, eucalyptus or cotton.
Consider your mattress and sleepwear materials. Do these allow airlow?
If you can change the temperature in your room to a lower one, do it. We sleep better in slightly lower temperatures.
Try not to drink alcohol in the evening, as this can lead to increased body temperature and make you sweat.

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