Regulates sudden night sweats with phase-change fibers that absorb and release heat for steadier comfort.
Looking for a budget alternative? Parachute Percale Sheet Set

If night sweats are ruining your sleep, the right bedding can make a real difference. This guide compares the most effective sheets, duvets, and covers for airflow, moisture control, and comfort so you can build a bed that stays cool and dry.
Night sweats make sleep feel like a tug-of-war between staying covered and staying cool. If you regularly wake up damp or overheated, the solution is usually not a single miracle fabric. It is a smart combination of breathable sheets, a lightweight insert, and an airy duvet cover that works with your body and your room’s conditions.
This guide is for hot sleepers, anyone navigating hormonal temperature swings, athletes who run warm at night, and people in humid climates. We focus on bedding that does four things well: moves air, wicks moisture, dries quickly, resists clammy buildup, and feels comfortable against skin. Our top picks include crisp cotton percale, silky eucalyptus lyocell, temperature-regulating performance fabric, and an ultra-breathable duvet setup that keeps the top of the bed from trapping heat.
Quick picks
- Slumber Cloud Performance Sheet Set: Best for intense hot flashes and temperature swings
- Parachute Percale Sheet Set: Best crisp cotton for hot sleepers
- Sheets & Giggles Eucalyptus Sheet Set: Best cool and silky moisture wicking
- Buffy Breeze Comforter: Best cooling duvet insert for summer and humid climates
- Cultiver Linen Duvet Cover Set: Best airflow upgrade for any duvet insert
In-depth reviews
Slumber Cloud Performance Sheet Set review
Who it is for: Hot sleepers who get sudden heat spikes or night sweats that come and go through the night. If you have tried breathable cotton but still wake up flushed, performance fabric with phase-change materials can help buffer those swings.
Key features: These sheets incorporate phase-change material that absorbs excess heat when you warm up, then releases it back as you cool. The result is a steadier microclimate in that narrow zone between your skin and the sheet. The fabric feels smooth rather than crisp, and the fitted sheet usually accommodates deeper mattresses. Because the technology is embedded in the fibers rather than sprayed on, the cooling effect holds up to repeat washing.
How it feels and works: On first contact the fabric feels pleasantly cool without feeling slick. During testing it tamped down temperature spikes better than basic cotton, especially in the first half of the night when sweating tends to peak. If you often wake up in a sweat, these sheets reduce the roller coaster effect, so you are less likely to throw covers off and on.
Drawbacks: Price is higher than most cotton or bamboo-labeled sets, and the feel is not the crisp hotel percale some people love. Breathability is good, but maximum airflow still goes to linen. Also note that performance fabrics work best when the room is not overly humid; aim for balanced humidity for best results.
Compare to another pick: Choose these over the Parachute Percale if your sweats are unpredictable and dramatic. If you mainly run warm but steady, Parachute’s cotton percale will feel crisper and even more open to airflow. If you want a silky touch, Sheets & Giggles offers a cooler-to-the-touch hand, but the Slumber Cloud set is better at buffering heat swings.
Parachute Percale Sheet Set review
Who it is for: Anyone who wants that classic, cool, crisp sheet that breathes and dries fast. Percale is the top cotton weave for hot sleepers because it lets air move and does not cling.
Key features: Parachute’s percale uses long-staple cotton in a matte, lightweight weave that typically lands around the sweet spot for hot sleepers. The set has a lived-in feel after a few washes and holds up well to weekly laundering. Cotton percale also plays nicely with a range of duvet inserts and works in every season if you adjust your top layer.
How it feels and works: Right away, percale feels cool and breathable. It does not drape heavily over your body, which helps sweat evaporate instead of pooling. It also dries quickly if you sweat, so the bed is less likely to feel clammy at 3 a.m.
Drawbacks: It wrinkles more than sateen or lyocell, and the crisp hand can feel slightly rough out of the package. If you want a buttery-smooth sheet, look to eucalyptus lyocell. Also note that Parachute often sells sheets without a top sheet by default, so add one if you like an extra breathable layer between you and the duvet.
Compare to another pick: Compared with Sheets & Giggles, Parachute feels crisper and airier, which many heavy sweaters prefer. Sheets & Giggles feels silkier and slightly cooler to the touch. If you have frequent heat spikes, the Slumber Cloud set is better at regulating those swings than either cotton or lyocell alone.
Sheets & Giggles Eucalyptus Sheet Set review
Who it is for: Hot sleepers who want a cool-to-the-touch, silky feel with excellent moisture management. If cotton percale seems too crisp, eucalyptus lyocell is a great alternative.
Key features: Lyocell fibers, often made from eucalyptus, are naturally smooth and efficient at wicking moisture. These sheets drape softly, resist odor better than many synthetics, and feel cool without feeling cold. The fitted sheet usually has generous pockets, which helps on thicker mattresses.
How it feels and works: The hand is smooth and almost satin-like, but not heavy. Night sweats tend to disperse quickly across the fabric, so dampness does not pool in one spot. Many people with sensitive skin also like lyocell because it is less abrasive than crisp cotton.
Drawbacks: The drapey feel can slightly reduce air gaps compared with percale, so pair it with a very breathable duvet insert and cover. Lyocell can pill if washed hot or with rough items; it does best on a gentle cycle and low heat in the dryer.
Compare to another pick: If you love smooth, cool fabric, choose this over Parachute’s crisper percale. For sudden night-sweat swings, Slumber Cloud’s performance set stabilizes temperature better. If the top of your bed traps heat, the Buffy Breeze Comforter plus a linen cover will make the bigger difference than any sheet swap.
Buffy Breeze Comforter review
Who it is for: Hot sleepers who still want a cozy top layer without the heat trap of dense down alternative. This is ideal for spring and summer, humid climates, or year-round use for very warm sleepers.
Key features: The Breeze uses eucalyptus lyocell for both shell and fill, which makes it unusually breathable compared with polyester batting. It is designed to be lightweight with even loft and corner loops that anchor to a duvet cover. The construction helps moisture move through rather than collect under the insert.
How it feels and works: The comforter feels airy and cool on first contact, with a soft, floaty drape. Paired with a breathable cover, it keeps a stable, dry microclimate. In testing it stayed comfortable across a wide range of bedroom temperatures as long as the room was not overly humid and the cover was not heavy.
Drawbacks: Warmth is on the lighter side. If you live in a cold climate, plan to layer a breathable throw in winter. Like most inserts, it can be bulky to wash at home; many people use a large-capacity machine a few times per year and launder the duvet cover more frequently instead.
Compare to another pick: Choose this over heavy down alternative if you routinely overheat. If you prefer a modern, silky feel to your sheets, pair it with Sheets & Giggles and a linen cover for the best balance of cool hand and airflow. If your night sweats are intense and unpredictable, address sheets first with Slumber Cloud, then swap your insert.
Cultiver Linen Duvet Cover Set review
Who it is for: Anyone who wants maximum airflow at the top of the bed. If your current duvet feels stifling, a linen cover is often the fastest fix even before changing the insert.
Key features: Cultiver’s cover uses European flax linen that is prewashed for softness, with ties and buttons that secure your insert. Linen fibers are thicker and more irregular than cotton, which creates tiny air channels that help heat and moisture dissipate. The set includes pillowcases, so your entire top layer gets the same breathable upgrade.
How it feels and works: The texture is soft but lightly nubby, with a lived-in look. Linen’s magic is the balance of weight and breathability. It can feel substantial in hand while still letting heat escape, which helps prevent that trapped, humid feeling during a sweat episode.
Drawbacks: Linen is pricier than most cotton covers and may shed a bit of lint in the first washes. If you want a glassy-smooth surface, lyocell covers are silkier but can cling more. Wrinkles are part of the linen look, so it appeals most to people who like relaxed, natural texture.
Compare to another pick: Pair this with the Buffy Breeze Comforter for a top layer that stays breathable in all but the coldest months. If you prefer a cooler-to-the-touch feel rather than texture, Sheets & Giggles sheets underneath can provide that sensation while the linen cover handles airflow. If you mostly need temperature buffering, Slumber Cloud sheets will affect your comfort more than the cover alone.
How to choose
Picking the best bedding for night sweats is about matching fabric, weave, and warmth to your specific pattern of heat and moisture. Use these pointers to map your needs to the right setup.
- Your sweat pattern: If you get sudden heat surges, performance sheets that buffer temperature swings, such as the Slumber Cloud Performance Sheet Set, will help most. If you run steadily warm, choose airy natural fibers like Parachute’s cotton percale or a linen cover that continuously vents heat.
- Preferred feel: Crisp and cool equals cotton percale. Silky and cool-to-the-touch equals eucalyptus lyocell, like Sheets & Giggles. Textured and ultra-breathable equals linen, as in the Cultiver Duvet Cover Set.
- Top-of-bed warmth: If your insert feels swampy, pick a lighter, more breathable option like the Buffy Breeze Comforter and put it inside a linen cover. Warm sleepers in cold climates can layer a breathable throw at the foot of the bed rather than moving to a heavier insert.
- Thread count and weight: For hot sleepers, percale cotton is best around 200 to 300 thread count. Lyocell usually feels coolest around 300 to 400. Linen is measured by fabric weight rather than thread count. A midweight linen cover breathes better than most sateen or polyester blends.
- Care reality: If you sweat nightly, plan to wash sheets weekly. Cotton and linen tolerate frequent washing and higher heat better than many sateens. Lyocell needs gentle care and low heat to avoid pilling.
- Budget tips: If you are upgrading one piece at a time, start where you feel the worst heat. For many, that is the top layer, so a linen duvet cover is a smart first step. If your sweats are intense, prioritize sheets with true temperature regulation.
- Room conditions: Even the best bedding struggles in muggy rooms. Keep bedroom humidity balanced and avoid cranking heat overnight, which dries the air and can make sweat evaporate too quickly on your skin, leading to chills.
Layering strategies that actually work
Small changes in how you build the bed can make a big difference on sweaty nights. Try these practical tactics and keep the ones that help you most.
- Use a breathable top sheet: A crisp cotton percale top sheet under a lightweight duvet creates an escape path for heat and moisture. If you hate top sheets, choose a very breathable duvet cover like Cultiver’s linen to mimic the effect.
- Go lighter on the insert, not heavier: Swapping a dense down alternative for a lighter, breathable insert like the Buffy Breeze Comforter often fixes the swampy feeling without sacrificing coziness.
- Consider the two-duvet trick: If you and your partner run at different temperatures, use two twin duvets on a queen or two full duvets on a king. You can keep yours light and breathable while your partner opts for more warmth.
- Mind the mattress protector: Many waterproof protectors trap heat. If you need one, look for a thin, breathable membrane style rather than thick plastic or vinyl. Wash it regularly since trapped sweat can build clamminess.
- Pick pillows that do not bake: Tall, solid memory foam tends to run warm. Ventilated latex or shredded foam in a breathable cotton or linen case usually sleeps cooler.
- Launder smart: Wash sweaty sheets weekly using a warm cycle and an extra rinse. Skip fabric softener on performance and lyocell fabrics since it can reduce moisture wicking. Dry on low to medium heat, and finish on air-only to cool the fibers before making the bed.
- Keep feet free: Fold the duvet back a few inches at the bottom so your feet can vent heat. Many hot sleepers find that one small change ends the nightly on-off cover battle.
Final thoughts
If you need the fastest, most noticeable change, start at the top of the bed. Pair the Buffy Breeze Comforter with the Cultiver Linen Duvet Cover Set for airflow and moisture control. If your biggest issue is unpredictable temperature spikes, the Slumber Cloud Performance Sheet Set is the most stabilizing. If you want classic, crisp bedding that dries fast, pick Parachute Percale. For a smooth, cool hand with excellent moisture wicking, choose Sheets & Giggles Eucalyptus. Upgrade one layer at a time, test for a week, and keep the pieces that let you sleep through the night without waking damp.
See also
If your bedroom often feels muggy, a cooler bed starts with balanced air. Aim for a comfortable 40 to 60 percent relative humidity as explained in our guide to bedroom humidity, and consider a whole-home or room solution from our best dehumidifier for every room lineup to keep moisture steady through the night.
For homes battling dampness and musty odors, the units in our best dehumidifier for mold guide target stubborn problem areas. If allergies are fueling restless sleep, our review of the best air purifiers for dust-mite allergies sets realistic expectations, and sensitive sleepers can pair a cooler bed with gentle sound from the best white noise machines for babies and light sleepers to stay asleep.
FAQ
Which sheet fabric stays coolest for night sweats?
For steady heat and humidity, crisp cotton percale and linen are the most breathable. Percale feels cool and dries fast, while linen allows the most airflow through the weave. If you want a silky, cool-to-the-touch feel, eucalyptus lyocell is excellent at wicking moisture. For sudden heat spikes or hot flashes, a performance option like the Slumber Cloud Performance Sheet Set helps buffer temperature swings better than natural fibers alone.
What thread count should hot sleepers choose?
For cotton percale, aim for 200 to 300 thread count. That range balances softness with airflow. Higher counts often use denser yarns that trap heat. For eucalyptus lyocell, 300 to 400 typically feels coolest. Linen is not about thread count; choose a midweight, prewashed linen cover for the best blend of airflow and softness.
How often should I wash sheets if I sweat at night?
Weekly washing is ideal, and every 3 to 4 days during peak sweats. Use a warm cycle, skip fabric softener on performance or lyocell sheets, and dry on low to medium heat. Launder your duvet cover every 2 to 4 weeks if you sweat regularly, and wash the insert a few times a year or as needed.
What duvet insert is best for hot sleepers?
A lightweight, breathable insert is best. The Buffy Breeze Comforter uses eucalyptus fill that breathes better than dense polyester batting. In general, avoid heavy down alternative in warm months and pair any insert with a linen or percale cover to vent heat. If you live in a cold climate, layer a light throw instead of moving to a much warmer insert that could trigger night sweats.
Why does my bed still feel humid even with cooling sheets?
Sheets can only do so much if room conditions are working against you. If the bedroom is humid or your duvet cover is dense, moisture will linger. Combine breathable sheets with a light, airy insert and an open-weave cover, keep bedroom humidity balanced, and avoid thick, waterproof protectors or heavy sateen covers that trap moisture.
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