The best cooling pajamas for curbing night sweats, tested by hot sleepers

"You don't have to be experiencing menopausal hot flashes to reap the benefits of the Become nightdress (but if you are, keep reading). The brand's exclusive Anti-Flush technology is a serious game-changer for hot and sweaty sleepers of all ages and walks of life. 

Here's how it works: The sleepwear's nylon fabric is made with a flat thread and knitted cross-section, and features a unique coating that works rapidly to transfer heat elsewhere, bring your temperature down, and evaporate moisture away from the body. A second coating then stores said heat and releases it back into the body during the chill that follows. This way, your body temperature remains stable through heat and chill. It also fights odors, so your sweat doesn't stink through your clothes.

It's worth noting that I'm as passionate about how this dress makes me feel as I am about how it looks on. This nightgown is gorgeous and wears like a second skin, almost like a slip dress. It's seam-free, lightweight, and comes in three colors: black, navy blue, and beige." — Julia Guerra, freelance writer

"At the ideal intersection of quality and affordability, you'll find Quince, one of our favorite clothing brands that offers luxury fabrics at prices far below traditional retail. Quince's extensive washable silk line includes these silk pajama pants and this silk pajama tee, which we believe makes the perfect silk sleep set. (Read our full review of Quince's washable silk collection to find out why we love it so much.)

We 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. We 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, in our tests, we 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 writer

Read more in our full guide to the best silk pajamas.

"Dagsmejan uses patented technology in their fabrics, including "Nattcool," a textile with impressive moisture-wicking properties that it claims is eight times as breathable as cotton. I tested this claim by sleeping in the August heat without air conditioning, and sure enough, it kept me comfortably dry through the night. Usually when I sweat in my sleep, my pajamas are damp as a result, but I felt genuinely refreshed waking up in this slip dress. 

It's made with 100% Lyocell, which feels slippery and lightweight to the touch. It's a bit of a shock to the system when you feel how cold it 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 tend to toss and turn in your sleep. The price may be considered too steep to justify on a nightie, but if you're curious about which Dagsmejan pieces are most worth it, I recommend the Relaxwear Kimono. I wear this bathrobe daily and it's likewise made with a special cooling material." — Gabrielle Chase, associate style editor

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 shoppers can choose from a handful of other patterns to suit their individual style.

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

Read our full Printfresh review.

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. I especially loved the ultra-stretchy waistband, which did 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.

This nylon tank dress is from Adore Me's aptly named Coolibrium line, which I found to be incredibly breathable and lightweight. As such, it's safe to say this frock had far exceeded my expectations! I was pleasantly surprised to wake up, for what felt like the first time in months, sweat-free and refreshed. Bonus: It offers a moisture-wicking layer to absorb night sweats, an antimicrobial finish to neutralize odors, and heat-releasing technology to keep you cool all night long.

"These 100% linen shorts look as good as they feel (especially when paired with the matching linen square-neck tank) thanks to the high-waisted, slightly oversized design. The generous elastic waistband makes them about as comfortable as a pair of sweat shorts. I love that the waistband is ruched, so it looks cute when pulled over a fitted, tucked-in tank. I was impressed that the light beige Sand colorway wasn't see-through at all when I wore a seamless nude thong underneath (there are six additional hues and patterns to choose from). They fit perfectly true to size." — Talia Ergas, freelance writer

Read our full Quince review.

As the product name suggests, this GAP slip dress is constructed with Modal. While the material is wool-based, it is breathable and moisture-wicking, and did a nice job of keeping me cool throughout the night. I also loved how stretchy it was, which, given my growing 34-week-and-counting, pregnant-with-twins-belly, was a must. I will say that this frock is definitely on the shorter side, so if you're anything like me and toss and turn throughout the night, it's bound to ride up.

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.

"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

"Sleepwear doesn't get more fun than these gorgeous printed pajamas, available in five stunning patterns including our favorite, a rosy marbled design. Each colorway of the long relaxed-fit set (in sizes XS through XL) has elegant piping in a contrasting hue, a notched collar that gives way to a deep v-neckline, and a comfortable elastic waistband on the wide-leg pants.  

The 100% mulberry silk fabric is buttery soft to the touch and machine washable for ease of upkeep. Even better, Eberjey's silk fabric is processed without harmful chemicals and dyes, and it's biodegradable, hypoallergenic, and thermoregulating." — Talia Ergas, freelance writer

Read more in our full Eberjey pajamas review.

"This mismatched set reminded me that not all cotton blends feel the same. If you're used to a coarse cotton T-shirt, the midweight Bombas Peruvian Pima cotton is worth the try if only to feel the difference. It's almost as soft as silk and much more breathable than your average cotton blend. Meanwhile, the boxer shorts are a lighter weight cotton, and they have such a generously stretchy waistband that I found them easy to pair with any top for a cool, comfortable sleepwear outfit." — Gabrielle Chase, associate style editor

"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 writer

A breezy oversized nightshirt lets the air flow from top to bottom to keep you cool and comfortable, even during a night spent tossing and turning. Parachute is one of our team's favorite brands for linen sheets and the best robes for women, and this linen sleep shirt exemplifies just what makes this brand's linens easy to love. It's made in Portugal and the long, loose fit pairs perfectly under a robe once the cool morning air sets in. 

Read our full Parachute linen loungewear review.

A fresh pair of cooling pajamas might just be your saving grace if you're also someone who constantly wakes up hot and sweaty. When shopping for new sleepwear, health and sleep psychologist Joshua Tal, PhD tells Business Insider that shoppers should look for fabrics like cotton, linen, bamboo, and rayon, as these materials "allow your body to release moisture, but [are] loose enough to let air in to cool you down and wick away the moisture." Eucalyptus fibers are also great, as they're ultra-lightweight, hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking, and cool to the touch, adds Elle Liu, founder of cooling sheets brand, Eucalypso.

I slept in five pairs of cooling pajamas, which were selected after combing through dozens—if not hundreds—of user reviews. I also ensured that each pair tested had a breathable construction so I wouldn't feel weighed down, which, as someone who tosses and turns all night long, happens far too often.

Also, given that these are all cooling pajamas, it was important for me to put the sweat factor to the test: Was I waking up in a pool of perspiration? Were the clothes sticking to my skin? Did I actually sleep through the night without waking up with the night sweats? To ensure each pair featured met all of the criteria, I tested them at least twice before ultimately deciding to write them up. Other cooling pajamas listed are based on our team members' personal experiences and recommendations.