Can’t Sleep in the Heat? These Cooling Sleep Essentials Could Change Everything
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It's brutally hot outside right now, with heat domes sending temperatures soaring across the country. But the weather isn't always the only reason hot sleepers struggle to cool down at night. Certain medications, medical conditions, and hormonal changes can also cause excessive sweating during sleep , says dermatologist Ranella Hirsch, MD . "For many people, it's hormones (i.e., you hear this from people in pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause frequently)," she says.
While sleeping hot is common, sudden changes in your sleep should be monitored. "If you suddenly start becoming overheated while sleeping, it's best to first discuss with your doctor why this may be happening and to see if you can fix the core of the problem," says dermatologist Lindsey Marie Zubritsky, MD .
Luckily, there are a variety of ways to stay cool while sleeping, and research has found that the best temperature for sleeping is a room that's between 65 to 67 degrees at night. "Optimizing the sleep environment using cooling interventions is the best way to improve quality of sleep for hot sleepers," says Keri Peterson, MD . "There are cooling mattress pads and local body cooling items available, which significantly improve sleep quality and thermal comfort in both menopausal women and the general population."
Whether you're dealing with an underlying medical issue or a lack of airflow in your bedroom, here are some cooling sleep accessories to help improve your sleep , from moisture-wicking pajamas to fans to high-tech bed cooling systems— mouth tape not included.
How We Selected
As a hot sleeper and a sleep writer, I'm always looking for products that help me balance coziness and breathability. I've tested everything from high-tech white noise machines to luxurious linen sheets , and some of my favorite sleep accessories are even included in this list.
To find the best ways to stay cool while sleeping, I consulted medical experts, conducted extensive research, and pulled the best products we've tested and are proven winners from Women's Health sleep guides. Whether you're battling high humidity without air conditioning or want to ditch your stuffy bedding, you came to the right place.
Pillows
If you find yourself flipping to the cooler side of the pillow throughout the night, a cooling pillow can help. Made from a variety of breathable, moisture-wicking materials inside and out, these editor-tested pillows are a good place for hot sleepers to start.
Sleep Number True Temp Pillow
SlumberCloud UltraCool Pillow
Coop Home Goods Original Loft Bed Pillow
Sheets
We found the best cooling sheets to keep you cozy yet chilled all night long. "Sheets should also be lightweight and breathable, made from linen or cotton," Zubritsky says. "This allows for better airflow and less heat trapping."
My Sheets Rock "The Regulator" Sheet Set
Mellanni Iconic Collection Bedding Sheets & Pillowcases
Casper Hyperlite Sheet Set
Comforters
While you might think you need to skip the comforter to stay cool, these cooling comforters prove otherwbee. A comforter that can help promote airflow and is made from materials like bamboo viscose to Scotchgard-treated fabric lets you cozy up under the covers without overheating.
Hombys Soft Bamboo Comforter
Lizanne's Elements Cooling Duvet
DownCool Lightweight Comforter
Weighted Blankets
While hot sleepers may gravitate toward lightweight bedding, that doesn't mean they should miss out on the benefits of weighted blankets. We've tested the best cooling weighted blankets for warm nights, evaluating them for soft feel, breathability, and even weight distribution.
Bearaby Tree Napper
YnM Cooling Weighted Blanket
Baloo Living Weighted Blanket
Mattress Toppers
While you may not have the budget for a whole new mattress, a cooling mattress topper can instantly provide relief on hot summer nights. Whether made with gel memory foam or organic latex, these toppers will make your bed comfier and cooler.
Sleep Innovations Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Saatva Graphite Mattress Topper
Naturepedic Adagio Organic Latex Mattress Topper
Mattresses
Investing in a cooling mattress can stave off the night sweats and improve your sleep quality year-round. While something like a Tempur-Pedic is a large investment, there are other more budget-friendly options, too.
Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Breeze
Beautyrest Black
Bedgear M3 Night Ice Performance® Mattress
Cooling Sleep Systems
If you want a cooling solution that's a little more high-tech, there are plenty of cooling sleep systems on the market that are essentially next-level mattress toppers that can be customized to fit your needs. Just be aware you'll need to give up a little floor space for these gadgets.
Sleepme Chilipad Cube Bed Cooling System
Eight Sleep Pod 5
BedJet 3
Fans
Even if you have central air conditioning, a fan can help increase airflow in your bedroom so you don't overheat at night. We found the best cooling fans for limited floor space and maximum power.
Amazon Basics Oscillating Dual-Blade Standing Pedestal Fan
Vornado Large Whole Room Air Circulator Fan
Honeywell Tabletop Air-Circulator Fan
Sleep Masks
Whether freezer-safe or naturally cooling, a sleep mask can block out light and keep you chilled at the same time. From cooling eye cups to cool-to-the-touch silk, here are the best options for keeping cool and sleeping well.
NEWGO Cooling Eye Mask
Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask
Manta Sleep Pro Sleep Mask
Pajamas
If you're trying to stay cool while sleeping, what you wear at night is pretty important. "Opt for moisture-wicking pajamas made from breathable, lightweight fabrics like bamboo or cotton," Zubritsky says. When looking for pajamas that will keep you cool , go for shorts and tanks over pants or sleeves.
Quince Bamboo Jersey Long Sleeve Pajama Set
Lunya Washable Silk Tea Short Set
Cozy Earth Women's Bamboo Stretch-Knit Short Sleeve Pajama Set
Window AC Units
No central AC? No problem. Bring the air to your bedroom with these window air conditioning units that are quiet, powerful, efficient, and can be tailored to your preferences.
Windmill The Windmill AC
Hisense UltraSlim Window Air Conditioner
Meet the Experts
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Ranella Hirsch , MD, is a dermatologist in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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Lindsey Marie Zubritsky , MD, is a dermatologist based in Mississippi.
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Keri Peterson , MD, specializes in internal medicine and is based in New York City.
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