If you’re reading this, it’s likely because the heat of summertime is officially upon us, and you want to know how you’re going to keep cool at night. Well, don’t sweat it, because I’ve rounded up the absolute best bedding for summer (and I’ve personally tested them all). So keep reading, and you may just find the summer sheets of your dreams.
Brooklinen Classic Percale Sheets
Made from 100% long-staple cotton, the Brooklinen sheets have a very nice lived in feel about them. These sheets are light enough to stay cool, avoid sticking to you, and keep you comfortable throughout a sleep cycle.
Sleepopolis Score
4.50 / 5
Read Full Review
Saatva Organic Sateen Sheet Set
Saatva sheets are woven from 100 percent long-staple organic cotton into a 300 thread count, which is intended to offer a feel that’s soft, durable, and breathable.
Sleepopolis Score
5.00 / 5
Read Full Review
Purple Sheets
These sheets are uniquely stretchy, moisture-wicking, and super soft — and they go great with a Purple mattress!
Sleepopolis Score
3.90 / 5
Layla Bamboo Sheets
The Layla Bamboo sheet set is made from 100 percent viscose from bamboo. They have a delightfully soft, silky, and slinky feel.
Sleepopolis Score
4.50 / 5
Read Full Review
MagicLinen Sheets Bedding
MagicLinen's sheets are made from 100 percent European flax and are available in a variety of colors.
Read Full ReviewSnowe Linen Sheet Set
Choose between Snowe's linen sheets if you're looking to stay cool throughout the night.
Sleepopolis Score
4.00 / 5
Read Full Review
Tuft & Needle Linen Sheet Set
These sheets are made from 100 percent linen, which is derived from natural, sustainably sourced flax fibers. Unlike other linen bedding, these sheets are not blended with cotton or any other textile, so they offer a distinct look and feel that is unique to pure linen.
Sleepopolis Score
4.50 / 5
Read Full Review
Methodology: What To Look For In A Set Of Summer Sheets
When you’re on the hunt for the perfect summertime sheets, there are a few key things that will guide you in your search. So, before we get into my personal picks, let’s talk about what you should look for when you’re out shopping on your own.
- Breathability — This might sound intuitive, but a sheet’s breathability goes a long way in determining how cool it will keep you. When you’re doing some in-store shopping (or if you’ve taken advantage of a brand’s trial period) and you’ve got the sheets in front of you, hold the top sheet up to the light. The more light you can see shining through the fabric, the more breathable those sheets will be. If you are strictly shopping online and there’s no way to perform this test, pay attention to the weave style (which we’ll get to next!).
- Weave style — When you’re shopping for cotton bedding, you’ll notice that you’re given the option between sateen and percale. In general, a percale weave is going to produce an airy, breathable sheet. And as I said, this extra breathability is going to make for a cooler sleep experience, but percale woven sheets are also usually lighter in weight. And who wants a heavy sheet set in summertime?
- Absorbance — Let’s be honest: we’re not all at our freshest in the summertime. Hot, humid weather can often leave us feeling sticky by the time we crawl into bed, and many of us keep sweating well into the night. So, if you know you’re prone to night sweats, aim for bedding that’s moisture-wicking. Bamboo, linen, polyester and Tencel are all great examples of naturally absorbent materials that’ll help keep you cool and dry.
Alright, sleepers, now that we’ve gotten a general sense of what to look for, let’s dive into the best sheets for summer!
Crispest Cotton Percale Sheets
Brooklinen Classic Core
First up on my list is the Classic Core Sheet Set from Brooklinen. As the name suggests, this set is a great example of a classic bedding essential suitable for sleepers of all kinds. But I picked these sheets especially for folks looking for crisp, cool, cotton percale.
These sheets are woven from 100% long-staple cotton, and feature a very breathable percale weave. Now, the general rule of thumb is: the longer the cotton fibers (aka staples), the softer and more durable the sheets will be. So, the long-staple cotton featured in these sheets contributes to a strong-yet-smooth feel… But it’s the percale part that makes this bedding such a great pick for summertime.
When you’re on the hunt for cotton bedding, you’ll notice that you’re frequently posed with a question — sateen or percale? Typically, a sateen weave produces a thicker sheet that’s less breathable and lies heavier on the body, while percale woven sheets like these are designed to be light, airy, and cool to the touch. So when it comes to beating the heat, percale is almost always a better bet than sateen.
That said, the thing that separates this sheet set from other percale bedding I’ve tested is its incredibly crisp feel. While this is a common characteristic of percale bedding, these are certainly among the crispest I’ve ever felt. If you’re looking for a crisp, airy sheet set to keep you cool this summer, these are probably going to be right up your alley.
Want to know more? Then you’ll definitely want to check out my full review of Brooklinen sheets.
Perfect For: The cotton percale lover who is down with the crispness!
Pricing: $109-$149, depending on size.
Brooklinen Classic Percale Sheets
Made from 100% long-staple cotton, the Brooklinen sheets have a very nice lived in feel about them. These sheets are light enough to stay cool, avoid sticking to you, and keep you comfortable throughout a sleep cycle.
Sleepopolis Score
4.50 / 5
Read Full Review
Coolest Cotton Sheets
Saatva Organic Sateen Sheet Set
Up next is this roundup’s one and only set of cotton sateen sheets — the Saatva Organic Sateen Sheet Set.
These sheets are spun from 100% long-staple organic cotton, which contributes to great durability and softness. And because the cotton is certified organic, it’s guaranteed that no harsh chemicals were used to make these sheets. These sheets are sateen woven which, as I mentioned earlier, usually makes for a warmer sleeping experience. But, of course, there are exceptions to every rule…
These sheets are among the lightest, most breathable sateen sheets I’ve ever had the pleasure of testing. True to this weave style, though, they feel super silky to the touch, and offer a pretty, lustrous sheen. But every time I sleep on these sheets (yes, these are the sheets I have at home), I’m surprised by how airy and cool they are. And I’m a very hot sleeper, so that’s saying something.
Personally, I prefer a sateen weave because it provides a silky feel and shiny luster that I find very inviting, but any bedding that causes me to heat up during the night is a no-go. So if you’re like me and you love the silky, lustrous nature of sateen bedding (but wish it didn’t sleep so darn warm), I recommend these sheets. I thoroughly enjoyed them last summer, and plan to keep them in my rotation for many summers to come.
Want to find out every last detail about this sheet set? Check out my full review of the Saatva Organic Sateen Sheet Set.
Perfect For: Sleepers who love sateen’s signature silky sheen, but still need to keep cool too!
Pricing: $125-$215, depending on size.
Saatva Organic Sateen Sheet Set
Saatva sheets are woven from 100 percent long-staple organic cotton into a 300 thread count, which is intended to offer a feel that’s soft, durable, and breathable.
Sleepopolis Score
5.00 / 5
Read Full Review
Best Moisture-Wicking Bamboo Sheets
Purple
Moving on to a totally different look and feel, I give you the Purple Sheet Set. I’ll be honest, this sheet set is unlike any bedding I’ve ever tested but, rest assured, it brings some fabulous cooling qualities to the table.
These sheets are made from a blend of spandex and viscose from bamboo which combine to offer a very stretchy, light, and breathable feel. Additionally, because this bedding is bamboo-based, you can enjoy some extra perks unique to this material.
Bedding derived from bamboo is known for being extremely durable, antimicrobial, and naturally moisture-wicking. Now, superior durability and antimicrobial properties are great, but the ability to wick moisture is particularly beneficial in the summer. Why? Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m hot and sweaty pretty much all summer long.
Not to mention, the spandex in this bedding makes it super stretchy, allowing it to tightly cling to the mattress. This helps the sheets to maintain a wrinkle-free look and, in my experience, it’s tough to find bamboo-based sheets that are not incredibly wrinkly. If you’re interested in bamboo bedding and you need a little extra help feeling fresh in the summertime, these sheets might do the trick!
Want to watch me personally test these sheets? Then be sure to check out my full review of the Purple Sheet Set.
Perfect For: Sleepers who are prone to summertime sweats and need a little help staying fresh and dry.
Pricing: $99-$129 (which is a great value as bamboo bedding tends to come with a higher price tag)
Purple Sheets
These sheets are uniquely stretchy, moisture-wicking, and super soft — and they go great with a Purple mattress!
Sleepopolis Score
3.90 / 5
Most Breathable Bamboo Sheets
Layla
Introducing one of my all-time favorites — the silky and lustrous Layla Sheet Set.
Now, we’ve just learned why bamboo bedding is great for summertime. It’s breathable, moisture-wicking, and has an airy quality that really cools the body down. But let’s look at a bamboo sheet set that hasn’t been blended with any other material so you can get a basis for comparison.
This sheet set is made from 100% viscose from bamboo, a material known for its silky feel and natural luster. Like Purple’s sheets, these are also very durable, but because they’re not blended with spandex (which does add some weight to the fabric), they are very lightweight. In my opinion, that’s the thing that separates these sheets from the rest in this roundup — they lie ever so lightly on the body, and feel soothing on bare skin.
Combine this bedding’s breathability with a light and silky feel, and you’re looking at a perfect fit for folks who like to ditch their pajamas before they get into bed. Not to mention, pure bamboo-based bedding like this is naturally hypoallergenic, so even sleepers with sensitive skin should feel free to roll around in it.
Intrigued? I can’t blame you. Learn all the details about this bedding in my full review of the Layla Sheet Set.
Perfect for: Sleepers who love a silky, light, and breathable set of bamboo sheets!
Pricing: $125-$225, depending on the size.
Layla Bamboo Sheets
The Layla Bamboo sheet set is made from 100 percent viscose from bamboo. They have a delightfully soft, silky, and slinky feel.
Sleepopolis Score
4.50 / 5
Read Full Review
Most Eco-Friendly
MagicLinen Woodrose
Now let’s get into the linen half of this roundup because, frankly, you can’t talk about summertime sheets and not talk about linen.
The Woodrose MagicLinen Sheet Set is made from 100% linen, which is widely regarded as one of the most breathable fabrics on the market. Anyone who’s ever worn a linen garment might already know about its cooling properties, but let’s take a closer look at why this material is especially beneficial in summertime.
Linen is thermoregulating, meaning it adapts to your body temperature. It cools you down when you get hot, and serves as a great insulator when you get chilly. And the truth is — summer weather can be unpredictable, and not every night is going to be hot. So if you arm yourself with linen’s thermoregulating powers, you’ll be ready for anything. But when things do start to drip with humidity, linen is also naturally moisture-wicking.
This particular set of sheets offers a distinctly coarse texture and rustic aesthetic that is common with this fabric, but they are a bit softer than other linen sheets I’ve tested. That’s because this set has been garment washed, a textile manufacturing technique used to make fabric feel less rough and more smooth. Basically this means you’re still getting that unique linen feel, but it’s not too scratchy.
Additionally, pure linen bedding like this is completely derived from flax fibers, a natural and sustainably sourced material. Eco-friendly sleepers looking for a way to keep cool (or warm) this summer should definitely look into MagicLinen.
Want to know more about this bedding? Check out my full review of the MagicLinen Woodrose Sheet Set.
Perfect for: The linen lover who wants to sleep green and beat the heat at the same time.
Pricing: $209-$350, depending on size.
MagicLinen Sheets Bedding
MagicLinen's sheets are made from 100 percent European flax and are available in a variety of colors.
Read Full ReviewSoftest Linen Sheets
Snowe Home
Now that we’ve gotten a lesson in linen, let’s look at the Linen Sheet Set from Snowe Home.
Similar to MagicLinen, these sheets are made from 100% pure linen, which means they come with the moisture-wicking and thermoregulating properties that make this material ideal for summertime. But something that many sleepers don’t always love about linen is its slightly scratchy texture.
Now, the MagicLinen sheets have been garment washed for extra softness, though they still hold onto that coarse quality. But with this linen, Snowe employs a proprietary technology wherein the linen fibers are whipped and blasted with air until they’re totally relaxed. This makes for an impeccably smooth finished product and, frankly, the softest linen sheets I’ve ever felt.
According to the folks at Snowe, this special method of air-blasting is meant to make these sheets feel like they’ve been line-drying on the Italian countryside for the last 100 years… and I can totally see that. If you love how linen works, but you really can’t get cozy in that coarse texture, rest assured — these sheets are smooth as can be.
Not to mention, they’re gorgeous. I mean look at them.
Get the full scoop on this bedding by checking out my review of the Snowe Home Linen Sheet Set.
Perfect for: Sleepers who love the natural perks of linen, but wish it felt less scratchy!
Pricing: $288-$328, depending on size.
Snowe Linen Sheet Set
Choose between Snowe's linen sheets if you're looking to stay cool throughout the night.
Sleepopolis Score
4.00 / 5
Read Full Review
Best Linen Sheets for the Money
Tuft & Needle
And last (but certainly not least) is the Linen Sheet Set from Tuft & Needle.
Again, these are made from 100 percent linen which brings great durability, breathability, and absorbent properties to the game. In general, pure linen bedding is a great choice for summertime as it has all of these natural perks that help keep you cool. But there’s something special about Tuft & Needle…
I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that the linen bedding we’ve looked at is more expensive than the other sheet sets in this roundup. Well, one of the great things about Tuft & Needle is that the brand’s all about the idea that you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy quality bedding. And for that, we are thankful! That said, these sheets are a fantastic value.
Ranging from $175-$225, this sheet set is bound to be closer to most sleepers’ target price range. Linen does typically cost more to make as compared to cotton, and most of the linen bedding that I’ve tested starts at around $200, creeping closer to $300 if it’s been garment-washed.
I know what you’re thinking: “Oh, so these must not be garment washed, right?” Wrong! These sheets have been garment washed and, comparatively, feel similar to the sheet set from MagicLinen.
So, sleepers looking to stay cool with linen this summer (but aren’t looking to break the bank either) should really give these sheets a try.
Watch me test this sheet set and all Tuft & Needle bedding in my full review!
Perfect for: Linen lovers on a budget!
Pricing: $175-$225 (oooh yeah)
Tuft & Needle Linen Sheet Set
These sheets are made from 100 percent linen, which is derived from natural, sustainably sourced flax fibers. Unlike other linen bedding, these sheets are not blended with cotton or any other textile, so they offer a distinct look and feel that is unique to pure linen.
Sleepopolis Score
4.50 / 5
Read Full Review
Final Thoughts
At the end of a hot summer day, having a cool place to get cozy is a must. So if you’re really trying to beat the heat, check out our roundup of the best cooling mattresses while you’re at it. In the meantime, remember that the world of bedding is wide, and these are just seven of my personal favorites. So if you’re not sold of any of the sheet sets I’ve listed here, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel. This way, when your dream bedding does come around, you won’t miss it.