We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
Sleepwear to keep you cool all night long. Natural Silk Pajamas
We updated this guide in January 2023 to ensure our top-tested cooling pajamas were in stock and reflected accurate pricing. We also added a new top-tested pick from Lunya.
If you find yourself unable to sleep at night without blasting the AC, it might be time to swap out your normal sleepwear for some cooling pajamas. Whether you're fending off menopause-related hot flashes or have always run hot at night, cooling pajamas are designed to help regulate your body temperature and wick away night sweats. They're also a great fit for hot sleepers who want to feel covered without overheating.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab tests all sorts of sleepwear, from flannel to silk, to find the best pajamas to pair with any cooling comforters, cooling blankets and cooling sheets for the ultimate cool bed. To determine the best cooling pajamas, our analysts evaluated different styles in our Lab for aspects like durability, washability and moisture management in addition to working with consumer testers to collect feedback on real-word comfort and performance. These are top performers in our tests and other popular styles online. Here are the best cooling pajamas to keep you comfortable all night long.
If you struggle with night sweats, consider looking at Lusome's pajamas. Their specialized fabric was a top performer in our moisture management tests, wicking sweat with ease, so you can feel cool and dry. Consumer testers also unanimously agreed that these pajamas helped keep them cooler with some saying it helped reduce night sweats. Plus, it received high scores for comfort and appearance, with one tester raving that the pajamas were "so soft and cooling!"
Our experts appreciate the in-shelf bra, which keeps everything in place through any tossing and turning at night, and how well the top held up in our washability tests. This cami pairs well with matching shorts on warm nights, but if you prefer more coverage, there are tons of other styles made with the same fabric. Just note that the material showed some pilling in our lab tests after our machine rubbed fabric swatches together 1,000 times.
Even though this longer sleep tee from Athleta isn't as effective at wicking moisture as other options on our list, testers and online reviewers alike still love how comfortable the fabric feels. The material is made of modal, a fiber which typically feels super soft and lightweight with a characteristic drape-y look. Users also raved about how the fabric feels cool at night and the cozy, oversize fit, making this pick perfect for lounging or relaxing if you're looking for maximum comfort or extra airflow. And if you're not a fan of a longer tee or prefer more coverage, Athleta offers pajamas using same fabric in a variety of other styles.
Soma's Cool Nights Collection received high scores from our consumer testers for its soft feel, drapey look and lightweight qualities. The material was particularly appealing to those who preferred long PJ sets but dislike feeling weighed down by heavy fabric. One tester even said, "I was skeptical about sleeping in long sleeves and pants because I am such a warm sleeper, but I was in disbelief that these kept me from sweating!" While the fabric had average moisture-wicking capabilities compared to other cooling options, testers still loved this set for how comfortable and sleek it is.
Most cooling pajamas we tested pilled more easily than non-cooling options, but Softies' fabric held up the best in our Lab tests. It didn't shrink and pilled less than other wicking options while maintaining a great moisture management score. Testers gave high scores for comfort and softness with one raving "they were so comfortable — almost like I wasn't wearing anything at all!" Plus, most said it helped keep them cooler overnight with one reporting that it got rid of her night sweats entirely. Just keep in mind that some testers disliked the fit of some of Softies' longer bottoms, saying that they were too short and they would have preferred a drawstring design, so be sure to take a look at whatever styles you prefer from their selection.
This popular long set from Eberjey also uses modal fabric, which testers and online reviewers love for being light, soft and drapey. Testers particularly loved this set for being thin and more lightweight than similar fabrics, making it a great choice year-round. One tester said, "I didn't overheat like I do with other pajamas." Eberjay also did well in our laundering tests, and our experts love how many colors and different styles you can choose from, including both short sets and nightshirts. Just note that these pajamas can run a bit large for those who prefer a more fitted look.
While a pajama set with ample coverage might deter most hot sleepers, this long set is made with wicking polyester fabric that exhibited good moisture management in our Lab tests. Our testers also gave it top scores for comfort, noting that the microfiber fabric felt super soft and lightweight against their skin. Plus, some testers who struggle with overheating at night reported that these pajamas were great for keeping them at a good temperature. Our experts also appreciated how the fabric didn't shrink in washability tests but reported that it showed signs of pilling after our in-Lab durability testing. While not all testers loved the appearance or short-sleeve style of this set, it's also available in variations with long-sleeve options, shorts and more.
If you prefer sleeping in cotton but still want the moisture-wicking benefits from other fabrics, Lunya's Cool Pima Collection is a great choice. Our testers loved the softness of the fabric and noted that it kept them cool at night with exceptional breathability. While it's mostly made of cotton with some viscose and polyster, the material performed just as well in our moisture management tests as other top-performing cooling pajamas. But keep in mind that some testers found the fabric a bit too thin for lounging and commented that it felt less substantial than the matching shorts or long pants.
If you're a fan of silk pillowcases or love the smooth, luxurious feel of silk, our textile analysts are huge fans of Fishers Finery’s Mulberry silk fabric — its matching pillowcase and sleep mask even hold the Good Housekeeping Seal. The material did well in Lab durability tests for its strength and moisture-wicking properties with testers saying it kept them cool at night. This nightgown also comes with adjustable straps for a more customizable look and is machine washable — just make sure to wash it on a cold gentle cycle and hang it to dry.
LilySilk is one of the most popular silk brands available online with great pricing and variety of sheets, pillowcases and apparel. While its silk material wasn't as strong as other fabrics in our Lab tests, it still had great scores for moisture management and was loved by our consumer testers. Testers particularly appreciated the smooth and comfortable feel along with how the material maintained a comfortable body temperature throughout the night. One tester even said the material helped reduce her night sweats. Plus, LilySilk offers this short set in eight different colors with options to personalize the set with custom tailoring or monogramming for an additional cost.
While these linen pajamas don't have cool-to-the-touch or moisture-wicking technology, linen's hollow-core fibers and loose weave allow for superior breathability perfect for year-round wear. This long-sleeved PJ set laundered well, softened with each wash and held up far better than most linen materials we've tested in our pilling tests, with minimal signs of wear after our machine rubbed swatches together 1,000 times. Testers called this set "comfortable and flattering" and particularly loved the long, wide pant legs.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab evaluates all sorts of fabric-based products, including sheets, pajamas and cooling materials like cooling pillows and cooling weighted blankets. To determine the best cooling pajamas, we both conducted in-Lab tests and worked with consumer testers to evaluate real-world performance and durability.
Our Lab tests for this category specifically focused on fabric strength, pilling or abrasion resistance, shrinkage and moisture management. To verify any moisture-wicking or cooling claims, we used a specialized machine called an MMT, or Moisture Management Tester (pictured here), with a synthetic sweat solution in order to analyze how quickly each fabric absorbed and wicked away sweat, how fast the fabric dried and more. In total, we evaluated over 475 data points and worked with 33 consumer testers to find these recommended picks.
Cooling pajamas often use synthetic materials like polyester, rayon, modal or lyocell for their moisture-wicking properties — but make sure to prioritize your personal preferences for maximum comfort.
✔️ Polyester is a synthetic fiber with excellent moisture management, durability and affordability. These fabrics typically feel smooth and versatile. Microfiber fabrics are typically made of polyester because of the wide selection of fiber sizes available for this synthetic material.
✔️ Rayon, modal and lyocell fabrics often have a super soft and cool-to-the-touch hand feel. These regenerated cellulosic fibers are considered semi-synthetics and provide moderate moisture-wicking abilities. Micromodal is a fabric made with micro-sized modal fibers for a balance of softness with improved moisture-wicking performance.
✔️ Silk is often said to help regulate your body temperature and maintain smoother skin. Studies show that tossing and turning at night creates friction that can lead to creases in the skin, but dermatologists say that smoother surfaces may gradually reduce this effect over time. Just keep in mind that you should stay wary when presented with unrealistic promises like fewer breakouts or anti-aging benefits.
✔️ Cotton is the most popular fiber in the world for its soft and breathable feel but has limited moisture-wicking ability. Because of this, it's not the best choice for preventing overheating or managing night sweats for hot sleepers, unless treated with a finish or blended with a synthetic fiber.
✔️ Linen also doesn't wick away any night sweats but it does have a unique texture from the looser weave of its fabric with hollow-core fibers for additional air circulation and breathability.
Many cooling pajamas are made from moisture-wicking fabrics like polyester, spandex or micromodal. When your internal body temperature rises and you begin sweating at night, the fabric will wick away moisture from your skin, absorbing it into the fabric and allowing it to spread out widely to quickly dry. This leaves you feeling dry and cool instead of sticky with sweat through the night.
But not all of the supposed cooling or moisture-wicking fabrics we tested passed our moisture-wicking test. If you’re unsure about how wicking works, try this mini-version of our test (shown below): Place a small drop of water on the inside of the fabric where it touches your skin. The drop should quickly spread out wide. If it beads up on the fabric, it’s not a wicking material.
Grace Wu is a textiles product review analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute and has worked with hundreds of consumer testers to evaluate other cooling products including cooling sheets, cooling mattresses and cooling mattress pads. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping, Grace earned a Master of Engineering in Materials Science & Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University.
Grace Wu (she/her) is a product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Prior to starting at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master of engineering in materials science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degrees, Grace worked in research laboratories for smart textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.
The Best Nugget Ice Makers
7 Best Cordless Stick Vacuums of 2023
Best Tested Robot Mops of 2023
A Guide to Finding the Best Affordable Rugs Online
Best Induction Cookware Sets and Singles of 2023
9 Best Teeth Whitening Strips for Pearliest Whites
The Best Christmas Tree Stands of 2023
5 Best Breville Espresso Machines of 2023
A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
Polyester Satin Robes ©2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.