We all know how crucial a good night’s sleep is for our overall health and wellbeing. But when the Australian summer turns up the heat, those balmy summer nights can make drifting off feel impossible.
Sure, a trusty fan, breathable pyjamas and if you’re lucky, an air conditioner can make things easier, but have you considered changing up your bed sheets for a sweeter sleep?
Picking the right cooling sheets — like cotton, linen or bamboo — can seriously improve your sleep cycles for hot sleepers. With fabrics designed to wick away moisture and keep air flowing, you’ll be far less likely to wake up in a sweat.
To help you on your journey, we’re rounded up some of our favourite sheets that are perfect for summer sleeping. Plus, keep reading to find out our tips and tricks for picking the best sheets.
The best sheets for hot sleepers this summer
Bonny Bed Sheets
from $80 at Bonny
I can personally attest to how grand these Bonny sheets feel. Soft, cool, and thoughtful details have all gone into the two-year design of these sheets. Made from 200 thread count organic cotton, these percale sheets are an essential I didn’t know I needed. Design details like labelled corners, extra-deep sides and thick elastic on the fitted sheets means no more wrestling the mattress in order to make the bed.
Colours: Bright White, Butter Yellow, Holiday Blue, Blueberry, Cloud White, Pink Salt, Raspberry, Bonny Clay.
Materials: 100% Organic Cotton.
Key features:
- 200 Thread Count for extra breathability.
- Long staple cotton fibres for durability.
- Percale weave for matte finish.
- Fitted sheets have labelled corners.
- Extra-deep sides.
Hommey Sheet Set
from $201.45 (usually $237) at Hommey
If anyone you know if posting their bed sheets on Instagram, it’s probably a set from Hommey. These chic, colourful sheet sets are designed to mix and match, all while offering you an effortless night’s sleep. Woven with a sateen technique for high breathability and stonewashed for a soft feel against the skin, these sheets are effortlessly comfortable.
Colours: 12 yarn-dyed stripe shades and 9 core shades.
Materials: 100% Organic Cotton.
Key features:
- OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified.
- Stonewashed for a distinctly fresh, soft feel.
- Woven with a superior sateen technique for high breathability.
- 270 thread count.
- Effortlessly durable and ready for all seasons.
Ettitude Signature Bamboo Sheet Set
from $264 at Ettitude
Using a patented fabric that no other company can make, Ettitude’s CleanBamboo® is a unique bamboo lyocell. Its sustainable fabric is made with a sateen weave — naturally cooling, and incredibly silky-soft to sleep on. Not only does it feel luxurious, but it’s one of the best set of sheets you could buy for the environment (it’s the first fully traceable, closed loop system for bamboo).
Colours: Cloud, Slate, Sage, Ocean, Butter, Saffron, Almond.
Materials: 100% Bamboo Lyocell.
Key features:
- OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified.
- Breathable weave cools and adjusts.
- Hypoallergenic and ideal for sensitive skin.
- Feels smooth like silk.
- Sheet sets use 500x less water and produces 52% less CO2 than cotton.
Sheet Society Leo Washed Cotton Sheets
from $75 at Sheet Society
The Leo Washed Cotton Sheets are just one of the cotton, bamboo and linen sheet variations that Sheet Society offer. These sheets in particular are great for sleepers who prefer a lightweight feel to their bedding — this 200 thread count cotton percale weave will feel light and airy while keeping you cool and relaxed all night long.
Colours: 16 solid shades and 20 patterned designs.
Materials: Stonewashed 100% Cotton.
Key features:
- OEKO-Tex Certified.
- Crafted in a percale weave.
- 200 thread count.
- Soft matte look and feel.
- Pre-washed and ready for bed.
Linen House Nimes Sheet Set
from $275.99 (usually $459.99) at Linen House
Made from silky soft and lightweight linen, this breathable set is perfect for summer and comes in a myriad of colours to choose from. Linen House’s pure linen is temperature regulating and offers a vintage look to your bedding, so you can guarantee your bed will look and feel cool.
Colours: Sky, Lemon, Rose, Wasabi, Moss, Clay, Cinnamon, Navy, Magnet, Natural, White, Pale Grey.
Materials: Linen.
Key features:
- Pre-shrunk and pre-washed.
- Softens further over time.
Morgan and Reid Ultra Cooling Sheet Set
from $219.99 at Manchesterfactory
Delivering an exceptional cooling sensation, these luxurious sheets with extra deep walls are perfect for hot sleepers and warm climates. With a Q-max rating of 0.45, they’re designed with science-backed cooling technology for those who value quality.
Colours: Haze, Watercress, Perfect Pale, Coconut.
Materials: 90% Nylon 10% Elastane.
Key features:
- Feels cool on contact for instant relief from night sweats.
- Actively draws heat away to prevent overheating.
- Soft, stretchy fit that stays smooth on any mattress.
- Moisture wicking and breathable design.
Cultiver Linen Sheet Set with Pillowcases
from $590 at Cultiver
These Cultiver sheets are crafted from pure linen woven from European flax and pre-washed for a soft vintage feel from first use. The linen is breathable, luxurious and soft from the first time you use it, and is ideal for hot sleepers.
Colours: 16 solid and print options.
Materials: 100% European flax.
Key features:
- OEKO-TEX® certified.
- 165gsm.
- Sets are made up of individual items so can be mixed and matched.
- Moisture wicking and breathable design.
TENCEL™ Lyocell Fibre & Cotton Sheet Set
from $244.99 (usually $349.99) at Sheridan
Highly breathable and temperature regulating, these TENCEL™ Lyocell Fibre & Cotton Sheet Sets from Sheridan are perfect year round. It feels luxurious and soft to touch, and has a slight sheen thanks to a sateen weave. Soft and smooth, these sheets ensure you doze off peacefully.
Colours: Ash Blue, Slate Green, Dove, White, Bone, Petal.
Materials: 55% Lyocell (TENCEL™) / 45% cotton.
Key features:
- Sateen weave provides a soft, smooth hand-feel.
- Fitted sheet features wide elastic for easy-to-grip handling and a snug fit.
- Multi-depth sheet design, suitable for a range of mattress depths.
For hot sleepers, thread count, fabric and colour are all things to consider when buying sheets. Often, natural fibres like cotton, linen and bamboo are best for cooling, as are lighter colours like white or beige.
While thread count is important — a higher thread count can make sheets feel dense, so reach for lower thread count where possible — it’s not the most important factor. The weave of the fabric however, is key. Something like percale tends to be lighter and more breathable, according to Sheet Society.
Iconic home and lifestyle brand, Sheridan, recommends cotton, linen and Tencel™ Lyocell for summer sheets, while some other brands recommend silk or bamboo. All fabrics have their pros and cons, so ensure you’re doing your research to find which is best suited for you.
That depends on your needs. Both fabrics will keep you cool throughout summer, and both may wrinkle when washing. However, the main difference is that linen may feel rough when you first use them, as the fabrication gets softer with each use and wash. If you’re looking for sheets that feel great from the get-go, cotton might be a better option for you.
Each fabrication for summer sheets will vary, so here is a quick wrap up of the pros and cons of each fibre.
| Fabric | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Cooling, breathable, durable | Can wrinkle easily, may shrink in wash |
| Linen | Extremely breathable, moisture-wicking, gets softer over time | Can feel rough initially, wrinkles easily |
| Tencel Lyocell | Smooth, cooling, moisture-wicking | Can be expensive, may pill over time |
| Bamboo | Soft, naturally cooling, hypoallergenic | Can lose shape after multiple washes, pricier |
| Silk | Luxuriously smooth, temperature regulating | Expensive, delicate — needs gentle care |
