Nothing ruins a good night’s sleep like waking up drenched in sweat. The best cooling pajamas for women are designed with breathable fabrics and comfort-first features that keep you from overheating. Specifically, you’ll find a lot of top-rated styles from loungewear brands that specialize in sweat-wicking sleepwear and even bedding companies that create pajamas from the same cooling fabrics as their sheets.
The best cooling pajamas help regulate body temperature so you can sleep better at night. Booty Shorts
With that in mind, we researched the standout options from the many fabrics and styles out there, depending on your needs, whether you’re looking for an ultra-breathable short-sleeve set, moisture-wicking separates or a light-as-air nightgown. Here, the best cooling pajamas for women that we highly recommend for avoiding sticky nights.
Sizes: XS to XXXL | Colors: 10 total, including Blush and Olive | Materials: 95% viscose from bamboo, 5% spandex
When it comes to cooling fabrics, bamboo is even more breathable than cotton. Cozy Earth’s pajamas are made from bamboo-based viscose and designed for those who run hot at night. The stretch knit shorts set is also wrinkle- and stain-resistant and includes handy pockets. If you prefer pants to shorts or long-sleeve to short-sleeve tops, there’s an option to swap out one style for another and customize your set, too.
Sizes: XXS to XXL | Colors: 9 total, including Rosetta Pink and Mercury Gray | Materials: 89% Tencel modal, 11% spandex
Beyond t-shirts and jeans, Gap is also great for affordable sleepwear. This short-sleeve top comes with matching shorts (for $30) and is made from an eco-friendly Modal fabric that’s not only sustainably sourced, but also doesn’t trap body heat. At less than $35 for each piece, it’s a well-priced, cooling option.
Sizes: XS to XL | Colors: 8 total, including Sorbet Pink and Ivory | Materials: 95% Tencel modal, 5% spandex
Eberjey is a top-rated brand for softer than silk fabrics and stylish silhouettes. The Gisele set is a bestseller with its skin-skimming silhouette, slightly oversized fit and moisture-wicking material that lets your skin breathe during the night. Even after multiple washes, the fabric holds up, and for an added detail, you can monogram this set as well (cost: $15).
Sizes: XS to XL | Colors: 5 total, including Toasted Almond and Mist | Material: 100% Mulberry silk
Priced at a fraction of the cost of competitors’ sleepwear, Quince’s 100% silk pajama separates are hypoallergenic, washable and ethically produced. This sleeveless tank can be paired with matching shorts and feels cool as soon as you put it on. Silk is not as breathable as bamboo or cotton yet it’s extremely lightweight, which helps reduce night sweats during clammy weather.
Sizes: S to XXXL | Colors: 16 total, including Pink Clay and Turmeric |Material: 100% flax linen
Linen is a go-to material for hot weather thanks to its superior breathability. Though it’s not as moisture-wicking as modal, the fabric can handily absorb night sweats. This top can be paired with the matching shorts and has a loose, wide fit to encourage air flow. The 100% flax linen holds up to regular wear and gets softer with each wash, too.
Sizes: XXS to XXL | Colors: 5 total, including Coral Solid and Parisian Green | Material: 100% Pima cotton
Known for their extremely soft Pima cotton (our senior fashion editor says it’s truly a cut above your average cotton), Lake designs sleepwear that allows for maximum air flow and also feels cool to the touch. The sleeveless silhouette of this bestselling nightgown keeps your arms free and has a relaxed fit. Just FYI: Pima cotton tends to shrink when washed, so make sure to size accordingly.
Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 5 total, including Bright Jade and Kunzite | Material: 100% Tencel lyocell
Sojo made these pajamas shorts and matching shirt with the same eucalyptus-based Tencel lyocell fiber material as their cooling sheets. The result is pair of pjs that is lightweight, allergy-friendly and moisture-wicking. The nightshirt has a boxy, collared design and the shorts have pockets and a relaxed pull-on fit. For every purchase, Sijo also donates 1% of the price to non-profit partners.
Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 19 total, including Destin Stripe H Heartfelt and Chic Square Dots Ivory | Material: 93% rayon, 7% spandex
Made with a stretchy fabric that’s breathable and comfortable, Soma’s cropped pants can be paired with any of their tops (including this matching smocked cami). Part of their Cool Night collection, the pieces are lightweight and designed to encourage air flow. You can mix and match styles and patterns to create customized pj sets, too.
Sizes: XXS to XXXL | Colors: 3 total, including Magnolia White and Tawny Rose | Material: 100% cupro rayon
Athleta may be known for their high-performance sports bras and leggings but their lounge and sleepwear are equally excellent. The Calm Cool collection features separates made from cupro, a material created from a combination of recycled plant-based fibers that feels silky soft. Yet it’s much lower maintenance than silk—it won’t wrinkle, breathes better and wicks moisture well. Pair this cami with the matching shorts to form a set, or choose from a mix of styles to create your own look.
Sizes: XS to 2X | Colors: 6 total, including Celestial Dot and Scroll Block Print | Material: 100% polyester
While any type of cooling sleepwear is helpful during menopause, Summersalt focuses on ultra-wearable, size-inclusive pieces for all stages of life. For a temperature-regulating option, this sleep shirt can be buttoned or unbuttoned to deal with hot flashes and has loose sleeves so it’s wearable year-round. It’s cut from polyester, which prioritizes comfort and keeps moisture at bay.
At Forbes Vetted, fashion is our job…literally. Our editors and writers road test the best of the best to gather the reliable options for every lifestyle and budget. Whether it’s the best linen pants for women or tummy control swimsuits, our team has worn, tried on, read reviews, and put each piece through the ringer to rate the performance, quality and value.
Kari Molvar, senior Forbes Vetted fashion editor, has been covering fashion and lifestyle topics for over 20 years, and has seen trends come and go. With that in mind, she focused on picking the best cooling pajamas that feel soft on your skin and regulate temperature as you sleep. With this level of expertise we put into each story, you can trust our opinions when it comes to finding the right cooling pajamas for your needs and budget.
To find the best options, we began with the brands that are popular with our editors and readers. Forbes Vetted’s senior fashion editor, Kari Molvar, selected the final winners based on her personal expertise in the market and research. The group that made our list scored best in fit, size range, silhouette, cooling ability and overall comfort level. This article is regularly revised to include the newest options as well, and was last updated in July 2023.
The cooling power of pajamas comes from the material. Designer and textile expert Kari Hodgen recommends her top picks here:
The best cooling pajamas come in all different kinds of fabrics, so your best bet is to pay attention to the care instructions on the tag. Thankfully, most pajamas are machine-washable, but some have special instructions, such as hanging to dry. If you want to extend the life of your pjs, keep drying cycles to a minimum.
Certain fabrics, like cotton, are hydrophilic, meaning they attract and absorb water, but others, including synthetics, are hydrophobic and whisk water and sweat away from the fibers. Moisture-wicking fabric pulls sweat from the inner to the outer layer of the fabric so it can easily evaporate, which in turn keeps you dry. Not every pair of cooling pajamas is moisture-wicking but the ones that include this feature help keep you comfortable while you sleep. Moisture-wicking fabrics are typically polyesters, such as Tencel or modal, but they also include natural fabrics like bamboo and wool.
In short, temperature substantially affects your sleep. “Your body temperature has to decrease by 1 to 3 degrees in order to facilitate the transition to and maintenance of sleep,” explains Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell, board-certified pediatrician and certified clinical sleep health specialist. “An increasing body temperature signals to your body that it is time to wake up, so maintaining an optimal temperature is helpful to promote good quality sleep.”
Hodgen suggests avoiding lofty yarns. “Thick fabrics tend to trap air which works well in the winter to keep you toasty, but is something to avoid in the summer,” she says, “Also, fabrics such as flannel have been brushed to make them softer and warmer.”
The best options for hot sleepers follow similar rules to pajamas. Breathable or moisture-wicking fabrics are great options for those who are prone to night sweats. Look for cottons and linens for maximum breathability or modals and Tencels for moisture-wicking abilities. For expert suggestions, you might want to check out our story on the best sheets for hot sleepers.
According to the Mayo Clinic, night sweats are defined as repeated episodes of intense heavy sweating during periods of sleep. You can think about heavy sweating as the type that produces enough moisture to soak your pajamas or bedding. In this case, night sweats are often caused by an underlying condition or medication.
If, on the other hand, you have occasional nights of heavy sweating that are not regular and frequently, your lifestyle and environment might be contributing to the issue. For example, you might be sleeping under too many blankets or on bedding that traps heat instead of releasing it. Your bedroom temperature might be too warm (68 degrees is typically considered ideal).
Menopause is a common trigger for night sweats. Fluctuating hormone levels, including estrogen and progesterone, affect the body’s temperature control, which can bring on sudden warmth, flushing and excessive sweating. Regardless of what’s causing your night sweats, there are some at-home tips that can help, according to the Cleveland Clinic. These include:
I write about the world’s richest people and their businesses. I am a CPA and former Big Four financial statement auditor. I graduated from Miami University (OH) with a B.S. and M.S. in Accounting. I recently completed an M.S. in Journalism at Columbia University with an investigative journalism focus. I am a Chicago native living in New York City. Follow me on Twitter @DurotMatthew or email me at mdurotATforbes.com.
I write about the world’s richest people and their businesses. I am a CPA and former Big Four financial statement auditor. I graduated from Miami University (OH) with a B.S. and M.S. in Accounting. I recently completed an M.S. in Journalism at Columbia University with an investigative journalism focus. I am a Chicago native living in New York City. Follow me on Twitter @DurotMatthew or email me at mdurotATforbes.com.
I'm a tech journalist working and living in Gloucestershire, in the UK. I ran my own PC hardware review website for many years before transitioning into freelance writing. I've covered everything from the rise of Bitcoin and the encroachment of anti-privacy laws, to tabletop wargaming and advances in virtual reality. I've written, authored, edited, and copywritten for a broad array of the most prominent publications, including Digital Trends, Lifewire, PCGamer, The Inquirer, and KitGuru. I've also written two novels, and contributed backstory and dialogue to a handful of games. I am passionate about all the cutting-edge hardware inside and out the latest gadgets, PCs, and consoles, even if I can't always afford them.
For product reviews, gift ideas, and latest deals, Subscribe to the Forbes Finds newsletter.
Rebecca R. Norris is a full-time freelance writer living in the DC metro area. She writes for a variety of publications, covering everything from beauty and wellness to style and celebrity news. When she's not writing, she can be found doing all the dog mom things with her Jack-Chi, Cash.
For product reviews, gift ideas, and latest deals, Subscribe to the Forbes Finds newsletter.
As Forbes Vetted's senior travel editor, I oversee coverage on hotels, cruises, luggage and related travel accessories. I have been writing and editing travel content for over 7 years, during which I have visited 30 countries, stayed at numerous hotel properties and sailed on all types of cruise lines. Prior to joining Forbes, I was a senior editor at TripSavvy, editing robust destination guides and writing daily travel news and features. I have also served in editorial roles at ABC News and Good Morning America.
For product reviews, gift ideas, and latest deals, Subscribe to the Forbes Finds newsletter.
I’m a tech journalist living and working in New York City. As a Midwestern transplant, I worked at the University of Iowa English Department before diving head-first into tech journalism. I have spent over four years learning everything there is to know about consumer technology with a special focus on smart home.
My bylines include ZDNET, PCMag, Decider, Lifewire, NBC, and many more. After hours, you can find me packing my tech and grabbing my boarding passes, reading the latest nonfiction releases, or gaming on my MSI Stealth rig.
Armhole Tank Raena Loper is a commerce editor with over 7 years in the editorial industry. She graduated from Raena graduated from Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ with degrees in both fashion studies and gender sexuality & women's studies. Previously, she served as the product and reviews updates editor for the Good Housekeeping Institute and as assistant lifestyle editor at O, The Oprah Magazine. Raena brings experience and a proven track record of success in creating SEO-driven content and product testing. She has covered fashion, home, and kitchen appliance markets and has extensive knowledge of plus-size and size-inclusive fashion. In her off time, she enjoys creating recipe and creating custom clothing pieces.