Whether you're a hot sleeper or your partner is, the best way to stave off night sweats is a fresh set of cooling pajamas. Going nude may seem like the most obvious solution (as a hot sleeper myself, I've tried this). But by morning, your sheets will be just as sweaty and sticky as you are.
To wake up feeling refreshed, you need to sleep in fabrics made of breathable, natural materials. That includes bamboo, cotton, eucalyptus, and silk, which wick away moisture and help regulate your body temperature.
Let's talk about who night sweats affect most: as with many areas of women's healthcare, perimenopausal and menopausal research is underfunded. There's still no single cure for hot flashes, even though it's one of the most common symptoms. I spoke to the women in my family who have gone through these symptoms, and they gave me tips on managing them. It starts with a few simple lifestyle changes, like wearing cooling pajamas and sleeping on cooling sheets.
Below are all the nightgowns and separates we tested for their ability to keep us cool and dry, even in a summer heatwave. To learn more about our favorite sleepwear, see our guides to the best women's pajamas, nightgowns, and silk pajamas.
Top 4 Cooling Pajamas:
The patented blend of eucalyptus fiber fabric of this cowl-neck nightie feels slippery and cool to the touch. It stayed dry through the night thanks to its impressive moisture-wicking properties.
"I want all my dresses to feel this breathable and light," writes style editor Samantha Crozier. "[It] basically floats around your body, with no uncomfortable necklines or even rough seams."
"This dress is as comfortable as my favorite pair of sweatpants, yet makes me feel a thousand times more put together, which is a nice feeling (even when you’re just getting in bed)," writes style editor Samantha Crozier. It's perfect for starfish sleepers, since it has high leg slits and a low scoop back.
This cooling bamboo viscose fabric creates a drapey, no-bunch silhouette. It's a stretchy, soft set available in sizes XS-3X.
Best overall: Dagsmejan Nattcool Air Sleep Tech Slip Dress
"Usually when I sweat in my sleep, my pajamas are damp as a result. But waking up in this slip dress, I feel genuinely refreshed.
Dagsmejan is a Swedish sleepwear brand that uses patented technology in their fabrics, like the eucalyptus-based 'Nattcool.' It's a unique textile with impressive moisture-wicking properties that the brand claims is eight times as breathable as cotton.
I first tested this claim last summer by sleeping in the August heat without air conditioning. Sure enough, it kept me comfortably dry through the night. This summer just began with a heat dome, and I'm happy to report this nightdress has held up, even after months of washing and wearing.
It's made with 100% Lyocell, which feels cool, slippery, and lightweight to the touch. It's almost a shock to the system when you feel how cold the fabric is, even after it's been sitting in a climate-controlled room. The fit of the dress is relaxed with a split hem, so it's easy to move in if you toss and turn in your sleep.
Yes, the price is pretty steep for a nightie, but it really does work to curb night sweats. In fact, I found both Dagsmejan pieces I tested to be worth it, including the Relaxwear Kimono. It's my favorite bathrobe for summer, since I take hot showers no matter the temperature outside." — Gabrielle Chase, senior associate style editor, Insider Reviews
Best cotton nightgown: Lake Alice Nightgown
Style editor Samantha Crozier found that nightgowns don't just make great cooling sleepwear — they double as a comfy daytime look, too. One of her favorites is the Alice Nightgown, made by Georgia-based pajama brand Lake. It's a knee-length dress that comes with pockets (huzzah!) and is crafted with a lightweight, puckered Pima cotton. Pima is the crème de la crème of cottons, known for its silkiness and strength.
"Trust me, sleeping in front of the fan in this crisp, thin-strapped dress will be a much more pleasant experience than sleeping in an old T-shirt that's probably made with nonporous synthetics," she writes. "Fabrics make all the difference when it comes to temperature control."
Best silk nightgown: Lunya Washable Silk Tulip Dress
"Lunya's washable silk pajamas are celeb-favorites and Instagram darlings. And while all of Lunya's silk is great, their Tulip Nightgown is the breezy, cooling sleepwear of your dreams.
One of my favorite things about Lunya is the sleep-friendly features that they incorporate into their pieces. For example, this set has long side slits so your legs are free to sprawl in bed. The back of the dress also has a racerback silhouette, so your shoulders and arms are unrestricted.
Lunya is also great at making their silk actually washable. I've tested tons of silk pajamas and not all of them hold up after multiple washed. But this one definitely does — you may need to hit it with a steamer if you want it completely wrinkle-free, though." — Samantha Crozier, style editor, Insider Reviews
See our Lunya washable silk review for our full rundown on the brand's silk pajamas.
Best bamboo pajamas: Cozy Earth Bamboo Pajama Set
"I'm a big fan of Cozy Earth's bamboo bedding, and their pajamas and loungewear are no exception. I'm particularly drawn to the women's stretch-knit bamboo viscose pajamas, which are breathable and naturally temperature-regulating. The Cozy Earth bamboo pajamas are available in various set combinations whether you like shorts or pants and long sleeves or short sleeves. The bottoms all have pockets and I love the contrast piping. I opted for the short sleeve and pants set, and I was comfortable all day and night (I admittedly didn't want to change and spent the day working in them, not to mention, the button-down top is definitely Zoom meeting friendly).
In addition to being insanely soft with plenty of spa-like colors to choose from, Cozy Earth is super size inclusive up to size 3XL and with petite and tall sizing. I have found that the fabric pills a bit between my thighs, but the fabric is designed to be warranted against that and overall washes pretty nicely." — Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor, Insider Reviews
Find more of Jaclyn's favorite bedroom accessories in our guide to the best cooling products for better sleep.
Best silk set: Eberjey Inez Washable Silk Short Set
"Eberjey's silk is beautifully billowy and cool to the touch. It's made of 16 momme, grade 6A silk, which is some of the highest quality around. And one touch will tell you all you need to know about how luxurious this set is, especially compared to some of the lower-cost pajamas on this list. It's expensive, but you get what you're paying for.
There are two versions of the Inez set. I had originally tested the long-sleeve and long pant version, which I love dearly but the arms and legs were a little long for my five-foot-one frame. The fabric is still the same luxurious silk, but having to roll the pants and sleeves up prevented it from being my go-to.
But I absolutely live in the Inez Washable Silk Short Set. It is so light and soft that it feels like silk is floating on my body. I got the printed version in the blue and white Wedgewood pattern (as an antique enthusiast, this little detail made it even more special).
I almost had to force myself to wear anything other than this set. The fit is perfect on me, and the fabric is pure luxury. But like all silk, it takes a little bit of effort to launder and de-wrinkle. However, this set makes it all worth it." — Samantha Crozier, style editor, Insider Reviews
See our full Eberjey pajama review to hear more about our non-silk favorites from the brand.
Best affordable silk set: Quince 100% Washable Silk Pajamas
If you need an affordable silk pajama set, we found Quince silk pieces to be a satisfactory option. It's not as top-tier as Lunya or Eberjey, but still worth considering if you're on a budget.
"I love the breezy silhouette of the wide-leg pants with the side-slit and the oversized tee — it makes this set great to transition between seasons. I also appreciate that the top and bottoms are sold separately, so you can mix and matches sizes and colors, as well as other silk PJ styles including a button-up shirt, tank, and shorts. Best of all, during testing, I found these pajamas to be truly washable without any detriment to the quality. There are seven gorgeous colors available in sizes XS through XL." — Talia Ergas, freelance style reporter, Insider Reviews
Some Quince silk pieces lasted us longer than others. Read more in our full Quince washable silk review.
Best pant set: Soma Cool Nights Printed Short-Sleeve Notch Collar & Cropped Pants
I know what you're thinking: How can long pajama pants be considered cooling? That's because they're made with a lightweight, cool-to-the-touch fabric that, in my opinion, offers plenty of breathing room when tossing and turning all night long (ah, pregnancy insomnia).
The relaxed fit and comfy elastic waistband are both added bonuses; plus, the matching short-sleeve button-down top is equally soft. I love this pair so much I've already packed them in my hospital bag. For me, the pretty palm tree print was just the icing on the cake, but you can choose from a handful of other patterns to suit your individual style.
Best shorts set: Tommy John Second Skin Sleep Tank & Short Set
I tend to gravitate towards shorts sets — especially in the summer months — so I was especially excited to try this one from Tommy John, which, as the name suggests, truly does feel like a second skin. Tommy John also sells its Second Skin pajamas as a set in a luxe ribbed fabric.
I especially loved the ultra-stretchy waistband, which didn't roll over let alone dig, tug, or irritate my very sensitive skin. It's worth noting that the set features modal, which is known for its supreme softness and durable properties (i.e. pill- , shrink-, and fade-resistant). I even washed it to see how well it would hold up and was relieved to find it was just as soft and sumptuous as the first time I took it out of the box.
Read more in our full Tommy John loungewear review.
Best affordable nightgown: Bamboo Cool Sleep Dress
Bamboo fabric is known for its thermoregulating and moisture-wicking properties, making it ideal for year-round wear. So, as a hot sleeper, I was especially excited to try out this sleep dress, which, at under $25, is a total steal. The short-sleeve nightgown has a soft, stretchy, and oversized fit, providing plenty of coverage and breathing room while you snooze. One caveat: While it's not advertised, the dress does have a built-in shelf bra, which I wasn't particularly fond of. That said, some folks may count this as a pro.
Best patterned: Printfresh Short Sleep Set
Printfresh is best known for their loud prints and colorful designs as seen on many lifestyle influencers, but we've put their Short Sleep Set to the hot sleeper test and can confirm that they're more than just a bedtime fashion statement. This set comes in vibrant patterns for anyone who isn't afraid of a little color, and is available from petite small to a standard 6XL.
"I sleep hot, so shorts and a t-shirt are my go-to for bed, no matter the weather. Printfresh's short sleep set is comfortable, lightweight, and breathable; perfect for those of us who tend to overheat at night. I tried the set in my normal 3X and it was a little snugger than I prefer for pjs, and as Sally mentioned, there's not a ton of stretch to the material. If, like me, you prefer your PJs loose, I'd recommend sizing up." — Lauren Savoie, deputy editor, Insider Reviews
Read more in our full Printfresh review.
Best satin: PJ Harlow Anne Satin Sleep Cami
"If you're looking for a cooling top to wear to bed, consider PJ Harlow's Anne Satin Sleep Cami. It's made with 75% rayon and 25% satin faille, and I found it to be the perfect simple top to pair with shorts or underwear on particularly scorching nights." — Julia Guerra, freelance style reporter, Insider Reviews
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
