Best Cooling Pajamas for Night Sweats

Typically made with lightweight materials like cotton and viscose, the best cooling pajamas help hot sleepers feel more comfortable during the night. High-quality knits whisk away dampness and are less likely to pill, even after multiple washes. Like most pajamas, cooling pajamas come in several styles and colors to match each sleeper’s preferences.

For many sleepers, pajamas play an essential part of sleeping comfortably. Available in multiple styles and materials, pajamas are usually designed to keep you cozy throughout the night. But for people who sleep hot, some pajamas only add to night sweats and difficulty regulating temperature. 

Cooling pajamas are made from breathable, lightweight materials that absorb moisture and help keep your body at a comfortable temperature throughout the night. They usually have a relaxed or flowy fit, which prevents them from clinging to the skin and providing too much insulation. 

We’ll cover a range of our top pajama picks for men and women so you can find cooling pajamas that fit your style and your sleeping needs.

Product Details

Best Overall

Rough Linen Women’s Classic Pajamas

Price:

$160

• Who it’s best for

  1. Anyone whose local climate is prone to exceptionally hot or humid conditions
  2. Those seeking pajamas that double as casual lounge wear
  3. Sleepers who prefer a loose, relaxed fit

• Highlights

  1. All-linen construction ensures a crisp, lightweight hand-feel
  2. Detailed with a notched collar and French placket with biodegradable buttons
  3. Available in two colors and four sizes

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Rough Linen products

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When it comes to cooling fabrics, you won’t find many that match the breathability and moisture control of natural linen. The Women’s Classic Pajamas from Rough Linen are crafted entirely from this material, and the result is a lightweight two-piece set exceptionally well suited to hot and humid weather. 

The pajamas consist of a long-sleeve shirt and loose-fit pants. A notched collar and French placket give the top a classic look, and the tonal buttons are fully biodegradable. The sleeves and pant legs are both slightly flared to give the pajamas a relaxed feel. In addition to wearing them to bed, the pajamas are comfortable enough for lounging around on weekend afternoons.

Two colors are available. For the black set, you can choose from extra-small, small, medium, large, extra-large, and extra-extra large sizes. If you choose the white set, your size options are more limited but still within the range of extra-small to extra-large. The pants’ inseam runs between 31 and 32 inches, so taller people may find them a bit short. Both of the set’s components are fully machine-washable for quick and easy care, though hanging them to dry can help prevent wrinkling.

Standard ground delivery is free of charge for U.S. shoppers, but you can pay a bit extra for expedited delivery. The Women’s Classic Pajamas may be returned unused and unwashed within 30 days of receipt.

Best Value

Dēp Slēpwear Unisex Long Sleeve Sleep Hoodie

Price:

$99

• Who it’s best for

  1. Those who prefer long-sleeve sleepwear
  2. Shift workers and other people who need to sleep during the day
  3. Shoppers who wish to invest in durable pajamas

• Highlights

  1. Fabric is silky-smooth, stretchy, and breathable
  2. Flatlock stitching helps ensure resistance to wear and a long lifespan
  3. Built-in mask helps block light and reduce noise

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Dēp Slēpwear products

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The Unisex Long Sleeve Sleep Hoodie from Dēp Slēpwear combines the coziness of an everyday sweatshirt with the cooling and moisture control of breathable pajamas. The result is a drapey, stretchy garment that’ll help you maintain a comfortable temperature in any sleep environment. Each seam is reinforced with flatlock stitching, which is commonly found in athletic wear, so your hoodie should hold up well even after repeated laundry cycles.

One feature our team loved about this item is the built-in sleep mask. Made of soft fabric with gentle padding, the mask covers the eyes and ears to reduce the potential for sleep disruptions from light or outside noise. The mask is attached to the inner hood. If you reside in a loud neighborhood or you need to sleep during the day due to reasons like shift work, this mask can be a great asset.

Five sizes are available ranging from small to extra-extra large. Since the hoodie is unisex, expect each size to run a bit larger — refer to the detailed chart on the item’s product page. Pricing is reasonable, given the expected durability, and standard shipping is free of charge for all U.S. shoppers. You may test out the Unisex Long Sleeve Sleep Hoodie for up to 30 nights, and return for a full refund during this time frame if you aren’t satisfied. If you enjoy the hoodie, Dēp Slēpwear also offers sleep shorts made from the same cooling material.

Best for Women

Cozy Earth Women’s Short Sleeve Bamboo Pajama Set in Stretch-Knit

Price:

$165

• Who it’s best for

  1. People who sleep hot
  2. Sleepers who prefer a relaxed fit
  3. Shoppers who like having color options

• Highlights

  1. Lightweight, breathable material whisks away moisture
  2. Side pockets offer convenience when lounging at home
  3. Pajamas include a 100-night trial and 10-year warranty

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

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The Cozy Earth Women’s Short Sleeve Bamboo Pajama Set is made mostly of bamboo-derived viscose, a lightweight fabric that draws moisture away from the sleeper. The matching top and bottom offer a relaxed fit, making them roomy enough for extra breathability at night. With pockets in the shorts, this set is functional as both loungewear and pajamas.

These pajamas are also blended with 5% spandex, giving them a slight stretch and satisfying drape for added comfort. The durable, high-quality knit resists pilling and holds its shape, preventing the pajamas from stretching out over time.

Sleepers can choose from nine color options, ranging from soft to bold, including navy, olive, and powder blue. Contrast piping along the hems, buttons, cuffs, and pockets adds a stylish touch to each set. You can also customize your set by choosing different colors for the top and bottom or swapping the short-sleeve top with a long-sleeve one or picking long pants instead of shorts.

Cozy Earth includes a 100-night trial to allow sleepers to see if the set is the right fit. A 10-year warranty protects your purchase from manufacturer’s defects, like pilling or tears.

Best for Men

Cozy Earth Men’s Bamboo Pajama Short in Stretch-Knit

Price:

$85

• Who it’s best for

  1. Those seeking super soft sleepwear
  2. Shoppers who like a roomy fit
  3. Anyone who wants sleep shorts that double as loungewear

• Highlights

  1. Relaxed style provides a comfortable fit for sleeping
  2. Stretch-knit material ensures shorts are flowy and breathable
  3. Durable knit won’t stretch, warp, or pill in the washing machine

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

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Cozy Earth crafts its Men’s Bamboo Pajama Short in Stretch-Knit from bamboo-derived viscose, which is soft, airy, and cool. Paired with a relaxed fit that doesn’t cling to the waist, hips, or legs, the sleep shorts allow for plenty of room for air circulation. Viscose is also naturally absorbent, helping to prevent night sweats. 

These pajama shorts include a little stretch from spandex that’s woven into the viscose fabric. This unique knit creates a comfortable material that flows away from your body when you’re sleeping. The shorts are available in five colors — black, navy, heather grey, charcoal, and pomegranate — that match other Cozy Earth pajama tops to create a set. Sizes range from small to XXXL. 

The Men’s Bamboo Pajama Short in Stretch-Knit can be washed in cold water and machine-dried for an easy care routine. Cozy Earth includes a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty covering manufacturer defects. Shipping and returns are free.

Softest

Eberjey Frida Tencel Modal Short PJ Set

Price:

$138

• Who it’s best for

  1. People who enjoy soft and stretchy sleepwear
  2. Anyone who wears traditional women’s sizes between 0 and 16
  3. Those who sleep hot in pajamas with long sleeves and pants

• Highlights

  1. Tencel modal fabric is luxuriously soft and smooth
  2. Short-sleeve top and shorts ideal for humid nights
  3. Available in four colors and five sizes

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Eberjey products

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Tencel is one of the softest garment fabrics available. Most Tencel clothing uses lyocell, a eucalyptus-derived textile, but this two-piece set from Eberjey is composed of Tencel modal derived from beech tree pulp. The result is a remarkably smooth and silky finish, and the material’s cooling and moisture-wicking properties ensure little to no heat retention despite the close drape. A touch of spandex also makes the pajamas nice and stretchy.

Your set includes a button-front top with short sleeves and shorts with a gentle elastic band. Four colors are available, all embellished with contrast scallop piping to give the pajamas a playful look. A notch collar and chest pocket add stylish detailing. You can choose from five sizes ranging from extra-small to extra-large, which correspond to traditional women’s sizes between 0 and 16. Both items are fully machine-washable. Simply machine-wash in cold water, then tumble dry on low heat.

Standard ground shipping is free for all orders, or you can pay a bit extra for expedited delivery. Eberjey accepts returns within 30 days of the purchase date, provided you have not worn the pajamas.

What Is the Best Material for Cooling Pajamas?

While there is no single material that is the best for cooling pajamas, some great options include cotton, silk, Tencel, and linen. Each of these materials has its own unique characteristics, but all feature cooling properties. A key trait is the ability to wick away moisture such as sweat, which helps keep the body cool. Moisture-wicking fabrics have natural capillaries in the fibers that draw moisture to the fabric’s surface which enables it to evaporate quickly. 

The breathability of a fabric also helps keep you cool by maintaining air circulation around the body. Materials such as cotton tend to be quite breathable, while flannel and fleece are heavy and highly insulating, making them less ideal for cooling clothing. 

Cotton

Cotton is an all-natural plant fiber appreciated for its breathability. Cotton comes in various quality levels, with the long-staple Supima cotton and Egyptian cotton varieties having higher price-points because of their durability and luxurious feel. 

Some pajamas are made with a blend of cotton and another material, such as polyester, in order to create a better balance between the fabric’s breathability and its ability to wick moisture. Those who prefer an all-natural alternative might try linen or silk.

Silk

Silk is a protein fiber made from silkworm cocoons. It is lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking, so many hot sleepers prefer it. The fibers are durable and tend to have a high sheen. Many consumers also appreciate that silk is gentle on the skin and hair. Like many silk sheet sets, silk pajamas tend to have a higher price-point than other materials. Because silk takes dyes well, silk pajamas are available in an array of bold colors and patterns.

Tencel

Tencel is the brand name for a particular type of lyocell that is created using plant fibers, often from bamboo or eucalyptus plants. Tencel is semi-synthetic but uses less harmful chemicals than most other forms of lyocell. Its soft, smooth feel is similar to silk, but it is often available at a much lower price-point, making it a popular silk substitute. 

Tencel is breathable and wicks moisture well, which makes it a common choice for hot sleepers. Tencel also absorbs dye quite readily, so it is often available in very rich and deep colors.

Linen

Linen is a material derived from flax fibers. It has long been valued in hot and humid climates as a very breathable natural fiber that wicks away moisture better than cotton. Linen has an initially crisp texture, but it will slowly soften after multiple washes. Because it is somewhat complicated to harvest and manufacture, it is typically more expensive than cotton. 

Some fabrics are generically referred to as linens, which is a type of one-over, one-under plain weave rather than a specific kind of material. True linen pajamas will note the specific percentage of linen used on the manufacturer’s label. 

How to Choose Cooling Pajamas

To simplify your search for the best cooling pajamas for your needs and budget, it can help to narrow down your focus to certain key features.

Material

The material is one of the primary differentiators between different cooling pajama sets. It is the main determinant of how the pajamas feel against the skin, such as the soft, gentle feel of silk or the more crisp texture of linen. The material also helps determine if the pajamas will be breathable and moisture-wicking.

Breathability

Cooling pajamas should be breathable to help heat dissipate away from the body as you sleep. Cotton, Tencel, silk, and linen are all breathable fabrics. Polyester, a common material in pajamas, is not as breathable. Breathability also differs depending on the weave and weight of the cloth, so it is best to seek out lightweight fabrics rather than something heavy like flannel, even if it is made from cotton.

Quality

The quality of the materials used to make a pajama set is a major determinant of durability. Quality is frequently associated with the length of the fibers. For instance, Supima cotton has longer fibers and will generally last longer than ordinary cotton. 

Comfort

Comfort is partially a factor of each consumer’s unique tastes, such as a preference for a soft or crisp feel. Those prone to sweating at night might find that the more moisture-wicking fabrics, such as silk, linen, or Tencel, are the most comfortable because they help keep you dry.

Price

Some materials, such as linen and silk, tend to cost more than other fabrics. Higher-quality materials within a material category, such as Supima and Egyptian cotton, also tend to have higher price-points. However, such higher-quality pajamas will also typically last longer.

Patterns & Dyes

Pajamas are sold in a wide array of patterns and colors. Tencel and silk are often available in very rich, deep colors due to the dye absorbency of the fabric. Silk pajamas and other nightwear like silk robes are often woven into beautiful, bold, and intricate patterns, but they are also frequently sold as solids.

Inclusive Sizing

Some brands excel at offering consumers a wide array of inclusive pajama sizes for those with smaller or larger body types. The availability of inclusive sizes is often best through online brands or the websites of major department stores. 

Still have questions?

Our product experts have extensive experience testing just about every sleep product on the market. Send an email to [email protected] or call us at (877) 672-8966 with your questions and we’ll help you find exactly what you’re looking for.