7 Best Cooling Blankets for Sweat-Free Sleep, as Tested by Our Editors
Updated: Jul. 14, 2024
Hot sleepers, rejoice. These cooling blankets will help you stay cool and comfortable in the heat of the night.
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For those who toss off even lightweight comforters in the middle of the night because of excessive sweating, a cooling blanket just may be the answer. Plus, when paired with cooling sheets and cooling pillows, it can turn your bedroom into a chilly oasis even during the summer months.
“Scientific studies show that we sleep better when it’s cooler,” says Smita Patel, DO, FAASM, ABOIM, founder and medical director of iNeuro Institute. “Instead of cooling down the entire house, though, a cooling blanket is more economically friendly. Also, many people don’t like to sleep with the air conditioning on because it creates a dry, uncomfortable environment to breathe in. A cooling blanket, especially when paired with a cooling mattress and a cooling mattress pad, is a popular option all year round for hot sleepers and those experiencing night sweats. There are even cooling weighted blankets for those who like weighted blankets.”
According to Patel, cooling blankets work by absorbing the heat from the body while asleep, then releasing it rather than trapping it and turning the bed into a sauna. Fabrics like cotton, linen, bamboo and eucalyptus wick moisture away. Also, the best cooling blankets featuring special technology like Outlast, originally designed for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and 37.5, enhance athletes’ performance by keeping their core at an ideal temperature and relative humidity of 37.5%.
After analyzing top brands and testing them for ourselves, we have chosen the best cooling blankets on the market.
Best overall cooling blanket
Sleep Number True Temp Blanket
Pros:
- Active particles move heat away from the body
- Suitable for all seasons
- Machine washable and dryer friendly
- Hypoallergenic
- Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex certification
- 100-night sleep trial
Cons:
- Only available in two sizes
Sleep Number uses technology to help people sleep better, and its popular True Temp Blanket is powered by 37.5. This special technology adapts to help keep your temperature just right throughout the night. Its active-particle cooling system also attracts and removes moisture to resist heat and humidity buildup.
“After a few nights with the True Temp Blanket, I was pleasantly surprised. The blanket delivered on its promise of balancing my body temperature in both warm and cool climates,” writes shopping editor, Emily Way, in her detailed review. “As someone who likes to sleep with the feeling of a blanket draped over me, even in warm weather, I can’t emphasize how giddy I was that I stayed mostly sweat-free during the testing process. The best part? I can use it during every season, so I don’t have to stuff it in a linen closet for half the year.”
Way points out that the True Temp Blanket isn’t a cooling blanket, but rather what the brand refers to as “temperature-balancing bedding.” It works by actively relocating heat and humidity and continuously adapts to help keep your temperature just right throughout the night. Unlike some other cooling sheets or blankets, the True Temp Blanket doesn’t stay cool to the touch. So if you’re looking for something that will actively cool you down while you sleep, this may not be the blanket for you.
Another thing to consider is the overall aesthetic of this blanket. It’s well-made with durable stitching, but it’s made with a sleek, shiny material that Way likens to a sleeping bag. She also points out that it makes some noise during movement. But despite this blanket’s unique look, Way shares that it feels cozy and expensive. “It looks elegant on my bed when paired with throw pillows,” she says.
Best value cooling blanket
Dangtop Bamboo Cooling Blanket
Pros:
- High quality at an affordable price
- Cool to the touch
- Available in nine colors and patterns
- Available in four sizes
- Machine washable
Cons:
- The fabric pills easily if something snags on it
This value-priced Dangtop cooling blanket has over 14,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, confirming that it actually works. Made of 100% bamboo fabric, it feels cool to the touch and has a high heat capacity to keep hot sleepers comfortable all night. At under $50 for a queen-sized blanket, it almost sounds too good to be true.
“At first, I felt like the blanket might not be as cool as advertised because I felt warm under it, but as I drifted off to sleep, I did indeed feel cool and comfortable,” says our tester, Andrea Carrillo, who is no stranger to waking up at night in a hot sweat. “In the morning, I realized that I hadn’t woken up once, didn’t feel hot and hadn’t pushed the blanket to the side at all. It was cooler than I’d predicted and a welcome addition to my summer bedspread. I also found that folding it over added some weight, which made me feel secure, like a lighter version of a cooling weighted blanket.”
According to Carrillo, the blanket is smooth and cool to the touch with a delicate, gauze-like feel. While this blanket has proven itself to be especially useful on hot nights, she suggests being careful about what you wear to bed. “Keep in mind that the fabric is fragile if you’re not careful (my nameplate necklace catches on the edge sometimes, pulling the seams).” But despite the blanket’s delicate nature and bit of pilling, Carrillo insists that this is one Amazon purchase you won’t regret.
Best bamboo cooling blanket
Cozy Earth Bamboo Blanket
Pros:
- Super-soft and cooling bamboo fabric
- Machine washable and dryer friendly
- Available in four sizes
- 100-night free trial
- Ten-year warranty
- Free shipping and free returns
Cons:
- Pricey
- Takes a long time to dry
Made from a 100% premium bamboo fabric shell, this bamboo blanket from Cozy Earth, aka Oprah’s favorite bedding company, lets shoppers sleep two to three degrees cooler by sleeping with at least 50% less humidity. Katie Bandurski, senior shopping editor, recommends this blanket for what she calls a Goldilocks sleeper. “Someone who’s not too hot, not too cold, but just right. Or someone who fluctuates between a full range of temperatures between night and morning,” she explains. “This blanket provides a little more warmth than just sheets, but isn’t sickly hot like most blankets made of synthetic materials. It is truly a cooling blanket thanks to its breathability.”
Those who prefer to be cool yet cozy will especially appreciate this blanket, which is reminiscent of those soft, fleecy blankets with the satin trim you probably had as a child. However, this blanket is much softer and more breathable than those blankets of yesteryear. “This blanket seems to ‘disappear’ into my bed—and that’s a huge compliment,” says Bandurski. “Most nights, I don’t even notice it’s there, aside from the gentle weight it adds. It also doesn’t move around or get bunched up in the sheets. It’s an incredible addition to my bed.”
In addition to making Bandurski’s bed a cooler and cozier place, this blanket held up beautifully in the wash and wasn’t too bulky for her machines. However, it took almost two hours to dry fully and produced more lint than other blankets. She also points out that while this blanket comes with a hefty price tag ($359 for a queen size), it feels like a blanket that will last you the rest of your life. “I think it’s worthwhile if you’re going to use this blanket as your main covering in the summer (i.e. skipping a duvet/comforter),” she says.
The good news? You’ll find this blanket frequently on sale along with the rest of our editors’ favorite Cozy Earth products, including the bamboo sheets and comforters.
Best linen cooling blanket
Brooklinen Linen Quilt
Pros:
- 100% linen, made from high-quality Belgian and European Flax
- Stonewashed for softness
- Oeko-Tex certification
- Machine washable and dryer friendly
- 365-day return/exchange policy
Cons:
- On the pricier side
- $9.95 return fee
Linen is a naturally cooling fabric, which is why it’s one of our favorite fabrics to turn to when we’re looking for the best cooling blanket. This linen quilt from Brooklinen, the company renowned for its linen bedding, is stonewashed so it’s especially soft. Nicole Doster, content director of affiliate, spent over 300 hours curled up under this quilt and can attest to its softness. “Like most linen, it initially felt a bit scratchy, but it became soft over time,” she says, adding that it softens with each wash.
Made of 100% linen with an ultra-thin polyester fill, this lightweight quilt won’t give your bed a super-plush look. Still, Doster likes how it looks on her bed. “The classic diamond stitching and neutral color selection make it a great match for any aesthetic,” she explains. And the diamond stitching isn’t just for aesthetics—it actually holds the batting in place and prevents it from shifting and getting lumpy. Doster washed the quilt according to the manufacturer’s instructions and, sure enough, the batting didn’t shift or bunch together.
If you’re considering adding this quilt to your bed, you may want to hold out for one of Brooklinen’s bedding sales as it’s on the pricier side. But know that if and when you do decide to add this blanket to your cart, you won’t regret it, especially when you realize how versatile it is. “It’s cool enough to use as a top cover or as an additional blanket on top of a duvet if you want just a bit more warmth,” says Doster. And if details are important to you, you’ll appreciate Brooklinen’s packaging and frequent communication regarding your order status.
Best eucalyptus cooling bedding
Buffy Breeze Comforter
Pros:
- Eucalyptus fabric feels like a blend of cotton and silk
- Sustainably harvested from eucalyptus trees
- Plant-based fibers are biodegradable and compostable
- Cruelty-free
- Seven-night sleep trial
- 50-night return policy
Cons:
- Only available in one color
Buffy’s temperature-regulating comforter is woven from and filled with the brand’s signature eucalyptus fabric—sustainably sourced lyocell—to keep hot sleepers cool and dry all night. Sound too good to be true? Our senior shopping editor, Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, thought so, too. “This is the first cooling comforter I’ve ever tried, so I was a bit skeptical that a product that’s typically designed to keep you cozy can actually keep you cool,” she admits. However, it didn’t take long for her to change her mind. “I’m not sure what kind of magic is in this comforter, but it truly has cooling properties,” she raves. “I saw a major difference between the Buffy Breeze and my usual comforter, which isn’t even all that heavy or thick. I noticed an instant difference in my temperature and comfortability throughout sweaty spring nights.”
Though this blanket will keep you cool at night, it won’t add much body to your bed, as it’s not a plush comforter, says Fitzpatrick. She also points out that the all-white design adds a clean look while the wave stitching offers a touch of interest to your bedroom, so it can stand alone if you prefer to forgo a duvet cover.
The best duvet covers will protect your comforter and are easier to wash than the comforter itself. Buffy recommends using a duvet cover and spot cleaning or dry cleaning your comforter as needed, since it’s not designed for washing machines. That being said, Fitzpatrick opted to wash and dry this comforter on her own and found that it held up well. “Going against the brand’s recommendation, I’ve machine washed and dried the Breeze in my home washing machine and dryer twice now. It does take two cycles in the dryer to get the entire thing dry, but I haven’t had any issues,” she says. “It has held up well and I plan to continue tossing it in the washing machine and dryer when needed.”
Fitzpatrick is confident that those who struggle to sleep at night because of their tendency to overheat will love this blanket’s cooling abilities.
Best lightweight cooling blanket
Slumber Cloud Lightweight Comforter
Pros:
- 100% cotton outer cover for soft, lightweight breathable comfort
- Hypoallergenic
- Machine washable and dryer friendly
- Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification
- 60-night sleep trial
- Free shipping
Cons:
- Very thin
- Only available in one color
Thanks to its patented, NASA-approved ClimaDry by Outlast technology, Slumber Cloud’s lightweight comforter provides a down-like feel while regulating heat and moisture during sleep. This blanket, which Dawn Yanek, senior editor, refers to as a “well made” and “unassuming little comforter,” is made from super-soft 300-thread-count cotton. It features sturdy box-quilt stitching, which prevents the silky-smooth ClimaDry fiberfill from bunching up.
When this comforter arrived, Yanek immediately noticed a difference between this lightweight comforter and the plush comforter she’s used to. “It was pretty thin, so you don’t get that cozy, cushy, comfy look. It provided a more minimalist and sleek feel, like a quilt (and under a quilt),” she explains. And at ¼-inch thick, Yanek doubts it would be able to adequately fill the space in a duvet cover, which is something to keep in mind if you don’t love the look of an all-white, minimalist design.
Although Yanek would’ve preferred a cozier, cushier comforter experience, she was impressed by this blanket’s cooling capabilities. “Maybe this worked too well—we were both chilly at night! Part of this may be because it wasn’t yet summer and was chilly in our house, but we ended up layering another quilt on top of it to bring it to a better temperature for us. As the weather started getting a little warmer, we were a lot more comfortable, and our body temperatures felt more regulated during the course of the night,” she explains. “While I could have used some additional warmth, my husband said that he slept comfortably all night long—and didn’t wake up hot and wanting to throw off the covers at any point like he sometimes does with our regular comforter.”
Yanek eventually passed this comforter onto her son, a hot sleeper who likes to cocoon himself in his comforters regardless of how hot he gets. “He LOVED the Slumber Cloud! He told me it’s the best, coolest sleep he’s had in as long as he can remember—he’s been sleeping through the night more and not waking up sweaty. He loves it from the moment he gets under it ’til the moment he wakes up,” raves Yanek. “I’m pretty sure we just created a lifelong fan.”
Best sustainable cooling blanket
Casper Lightweight Down-Alternative Duvet
Pros:
- 100% recycled polyester fill
- Available in lightweight and fullweight options
- Machine washable and dryer friendly
- One-year limited warranty
- Free returns within 30 days
Cons:
- Only available in one color and two sizes
- Free shipping excludes Alaska, Hawaii, Yukon Territory, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut
Casper’s lightweight down-alternative duvet is ideal for those who want the feel of down comforters without the down. To keep you from sleeping too hot, the duvet’s shell is made from Tencel lyocell, a highly breathable and durable fiber made from sustainably sourced wood pulp. According to Caroline Lubinsky, senior shopping editor, the outside of the comforter feels like your typical down comforter. “I think the outside is slightly more cooling than traditional cotton, but it doesn’t feel cool and silky to the touch,” she adds.
Inspired by performance outerwear, the sewn-in chamber design hugs your body like your favorite puffy jacket. It also keeps the fill fluffy and in place so you stay cozy all night. Lubinsky describes this comforter as a more lightweight alternative to down. “If you’re someone who loves how cozy down feels but don’t want to sweat buckets at night, this is potentially the comforter for you,” she says. The only thing to keep in mind is that this best cooling blanket only comes in white and full/queen and king/California king sizes.
Overall, this comforter is well made, fairly priced and good for the planet, as well as for hot sleepers, so it’s a win-win.
What to look for when buying cooling blankets
When looking for the best cooling blankets, there are several factors to consider:
- Cooling technology: Look for blankets that incorporate specific cooling technologies, like Outlast and 37.5, that regulate body temperature.
- Material: Opt for cooling blankets made from lightweight and breathable materials, such as bamboo, cotton, eucalyptus or linen. These fabrics offer better airflow and moisture-wicking properties, keeping you cool and comfortable all night.
- Breathability: Ensure that the blanket allows for proper air circulation for optimal cooling while you’re asleep. Look for blankets with an open-weave or mesh construction to promote airflow to prevent heat and moisture from trapping inside.
- Moisture-wicking properties: Blankets with moisture-wicking capabilities help absorb and evaporate sweat quickly. This feature enhances comfort by keeping the sleeper dry and preventing the buildup of heat.
- Size and weight: Consider the size and weight of the blanket based on personal preferences. Some people prefer lightweight blankets that provide a gentle, cooling effect while others may prefer heavier blankets for a more substantial feel.
Why you should trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we know the importance of a good night’s sleep. To choose the best cooling blankets, our testers—Emily Way, Andrea Carrillo, Katie Bandurski, Nicole Doster, Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, Dawn Yanek and Caroline Lubinsky, who have years of experience in the commerce world—spent over 1,130 hours sleeping with cooling blankets. This allowed them to determine which ones actually kept hot sleepers cool and comfortable at night. We also consulted Smita Patel, DO, FAASM, ABOIM, founder and medical director of iNeuro Institute. With her background as a neurologist and sleep specialist, Patel offers valuable insights on achieving quality sleep and enhancing your sleep routine.
How we found the best cooling blankets
To find the best cooling blankets, we started with a comprehensive evaluation process that considered various key factors. Our research began by exploring a wide range of cooling blankets available on the market, taking into account their cooling properties, material quality, size and weight. We then analyzed real user reviews to understand the actual cooling effectiveness, comfort and durability of each blanket. Finally, our editors and testers spent over 1,130 hours testing these blankets in their own homes. They also took the time to wash and dry them to see how they held up through cleaning. From there, we narrowed down the options to the seven best cooling blankets.
FAQ
Do cooling blankets really work?
Yes, cooling blankets are effective in providing a cooler and more comfortable sleep experience for hot sleepers or people who live in warm climates. Cooling blankets feature materials and technologies that help regulate body temperature and dissipate heat.
Do you use a top sheet with a cooling blanket?
Using a top sheet with cooling blankets boils down to personal preference. However, to maximize the cooling properties of a cooling blanket, one may want to forgo the top sheet. This allows the sleeper to experience the full benefits of the cooling technology.
Additional reporting by Marisa Hillman.
Originally Published: March 20, 2024
