The Best Cooling Pajamas, Recommended by Experts

We’ve all been there—waking up in a cold sweat after a bad nightmare. Unfortunately, some folks can experience night sweats and overheating multiple nights a week. If this is you, it might be time to consider trying out a great pair of cooling pajamas.

According to Shelby Harris, PsyD, DBSM, a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in White Plains, New York, specializing in behavioral sleep medicine, body temperature drops slowly while you sleep and rises again in the morning. “This happens in sync with your circadian rhythm and is an essential part of falling and staying asleep,” she explains. “If your body temperature is too warm, it can affect your deep sleep, causing you to wake up more frequently throughout the night.”

More specifically, when your body temperature drops, the brain will release melatonin, according to Michael J. Breus, PhD, DABSM, a sleep specialist and founder of The Sleep Doctor. “When temperature rises, there is a decrease in melatonin production, and it’s harder to fall or stay asleep,” he says. “Melatonin is the key that starts the engine for sleep.” Basically, cooling pajamas could help your body with melatonin production by keeping your body cool.  

To choose the best cooling pajamas, we researched and reviewed dozens of options and included recommendations from our sleep experts. A board-certified pulmonologist and sleep specialist on our Medical Expert Board also reviewed this article for medical and scientific accuracy. We vetted the feel and fit of each product to ensure they kept you cool and dry throughout the night.  

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: Eberjey Gisele Long PJ Set
• Best Budget: Latuza Women’s V-Neck Sleepwear Pajama Set
• Best for Night Sweats: Lusomé Ginger Cami
• Best for Menopause: Cool-jams Moisture-Wicking Pajama Set
• Best Men’s: Cosabella Bella Men’s Short Sleeve Top & Shorts Pajama Set

What to Know Before You Shop

The best materials for pajamas to keep you cool are breathable fabrics, like cotton and linen, and temperature-regulating and plant-derived viscose fabrics, like bamboo, Tencel, and modal.

When shopping for cooling pajamas, Dr. Harris recommends looking for two categories of materials: breathable fabrics and temperature-regulating fabrics. “Breathable fabrics allow for lots of airflow, which can prevent hot air from being trapped close to your body,” she says. “Most natural fabrics, like cotton or linen, are breathable.”

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Eberjey Gisele Long PJ Set at Amazon $148

Jump to Review

Best Budget:

Latuza Women’s V-Neck Sleepwear Pajama Set at Amazon $27

Jump to Review

Best for Night Sweats:

Lusomé Ginger Cami at Lusome.com

Jump to Review

Best for Menopause:

Cool-jams Moisture-Wicking Pajama Set at Amazon $89

Jump to Review

Best Short Sleeve and Shorts Set:

Cuyana Organic Pima Cami at Cuyana.com $48

Jump to Review

Best Men’s:

Cosabella Bella Men’s Short Sleeve Top & Shorts Pajama Set at Cosabella.com

Jump to Review

Best Silk:

SALE

 Lilysilk 22 Momme Silk Pajamas Set at Amazon $185 $149

Jump to Review

Best Linen:

Serena & Lily Positano Linen Pajamas at Serena And Lily

Jump to Review

Best Bamboo:

Cozy Earth Long Sleeve Bamboo Pajamas at Nordstrom $195

Jump to Review

Best Overall

Eberjey Gisele Long PJ Set

PHOTO: Amazon

$148 at Amazon$148 at Zappos$148 at Nordstrom

Why We Like It

The Eberjey Giselle Long PJ Set costs a pretty penny but is worth the investment. These pajamas are made with 95 percent Tencel modal and 5 percent spandex and truly feel like butter on the skin. The fabric is temperature-regulating and sits loosely on your body, so you won’t get hot in the middle of the night. The set comes in seven core colors but only five sizes—the largest being XXL. The shape of the PJs is a classic men’s PJ silhouette, and we appreciate the button front top, which makes it easier to get on and off. 

Not only is the Tencel modal fabric biodegradable, but it is also certified by OEKO-TEX, meaning it’s been tested for harmful substances. Because so many folks are fans of these jammies, they are a great gift to give to others, too.

It’s Worth Noting

• The size range is fairly limited, only going up to XXL.

Product Details:

• Fabric: Tencel modal
• Fabric Category: Temperature-regulating
• Sizes: XS – XXL

Best Budget

Latuza Women’s V-Neck Sleepwear Pajama Set

PHOTO: Amazon

$27 at AmazonView on Latuza.com

Why We Like It

One of the best-selling pajama sets on Amazon, this pick from Latuza is affordable, comfortable, and comes in a wide variety of colors, too. The Latuza PJ set comes in ten sizes, so it’s an option available to everyone and every body. 

The fabric is made with 95 percent viscose and 5 percent spandex, and feels soft and breezy. Although the PJs feel roomy and loose-fitting, some folks have complained about the tight-fitting elastic waistband. Consider sizing up if you prefer a more loose fit around the waist. 

It’s Worth Noting

• We love that these PJs are inexpensive and aren’t high-maintenance to clean. That being said, they do pill relatively easily, so if that’s something that bothers you, consider another PJ set on the list. 

Product Details:

• Fabric: Viscose
• Fabric Category: Temperature-regulating
• Sizes: S – 4XL Plus

Best for Night Sweats

Lusomé Ginger Cami

PHOTO: Lusomé

View on Lusome.com

Why We Like It

These PJs from Lusomé were specifically made for those suffering from night sweats. They are made with a proprietary fabric called Xirotex, which has been lab-tested and proven to quickly draw sweat away from the skin and speed up the evaporation process. 

We love that this comes with a built-in shelf bra, has no scratchy tags, and can double as daywear under a cardigan if you prefer. Because of the special fabric technology, choosing a size that allows the fabric to touch your skin is recommended.

It’s Worth Noting

• These PJs probably aren’t great for anyone who prefers a looser fit.

Product Details:

• Fabric: Xirotex
• Fabric Category: Temperature-regulating
• Sizes: XS-XL

Best for Menopause

Cool-jams Moisture-Wicking Pajama Set

PHOTO: Cool-jams

$89 at AmazonView on Cool-jams.com

Why We Like It

Made with the brand’s special Cool-jams wicking technology, these PJs are ideal for those experiencing menopause (and hot flashes). They were designed to absorb moisture easily and quickly and keep your skin cool and comfy throughout the night. Plus, the fabric will help decrease any odor-causing bacteria that might develop throughout the night. 

Dr. Breus likes to recommend Cool-jams to his patients because of their data. “The founder provided individual testing, and it was better than any other [pajamas] I had seen,” explains Dr. Breus. “It seems to work the best, or at least it did at the time.”

It’s Worth Noting

• If you’re petite, note that the pants are a little long. Some reviewers also note that the three-quarter length sleeves can bunch while sleeping.

Product Details:

• Fabric: Poly-microfiber
• Fabric Category: Temperature-regulating
• Sizes: S – XXXL

Best Short Sleeve and Shorts Set

Cuyana Organic Pima Cami

PHOTO: Cuyana

$48 at Cuyana.com

Why We Like It

A simple but chic pajama duo, this pick from Cuyana features organic Pima cotton from Peru. We love that the fabric is OEKO-TEX, GOTS, and WRAP-certified (meaning it’s very safe and made ethically). Plus, we can foresee the cami being an easy-to-dress-up top for any date night. 

It’s Worth Noting

• The Cuyana cami and shorts come in four soft and muted colors, and wish there were more color options to choose from. Additionally, while these PJs do come in sizes extra-small to extra-large, the size range isn’t as big as some of the other picks on this list.

Product Details:

• Fabric: Cotton
• Fabric Category: Breathable
• Sizes: XS – XL

Best Men’s

Cosabella Bella Men’s Short Sleeve Top & Shorts Pajama Set

PHOTO: Cosabella

View on Cosabella.com

Why We Like It

Some men love to sleep in their boxers, and other men prefer sleeping in pajamas. For those who fall in the latter group, this pick from Cosabella is a perfect addition to his lineup. This short-sleeved top and shorts are made with beautiful Peruvian pima cotton and modal and feel incredibly soft and smooth on the skin.

We love that this set comes in many different colors, but the size range is minimal. If you like a snug-to-your-body fit, we recommend sticking with your regular size. But if you prefer a looser fit, consider sizing up.

It’s Worth Noting

• Keep in mind that you’ll need to wash these pajamas in cold water and hang them to dry to prevent shrinking.

Product Details:

• Fabric: Cotton and modal blend
• Fabric Category: Breathable
• Sizes: S – XL

Best Silk

Lilysilk 22 Momme Silk Pajamas Set

PHOTO: Lilysilk

$149 at Amazon$149 at Lilysilk.com

Why We Like It

Enjoy your deep slumber with these Lilysilk PJs made with 100 percent grade 6A mulberry silk. Featuring a super soft, smooth feel, this two-piece set is OEKO-TEX certified, meaning it’s free of harmful chemicals. It comes in four shades and six sizes, and we love that it’s short-sleeved—ideal for warmer temperatures. 

Some might find this set too expensive at $169. Considering it’s made with very high-quality silk, we think it’s offered at a fair cost.

It’s Worth Noting

• If you know you’re not a fan of the feeling of silk on your skin (some folks aren’t), these are not the right pajamas for you.

Product Details:

• Fabric: Silk
• Fabric Category: Breathable
• Sizes: XS – XXL

Best Linen

Serena & Lily Positano Linen Pajamas

View on Serena And Lily

Why We Like It

Forget what they told you about linen being a summer-only staple—this fabric works wonders for those who sleep hot year-round. The Serena & Lily Positano Linen Pajamas are made with 100 percent European linen woven from fancy flax grown in France and Belgium. Even though they are long-sleeved, you’ll still feel cool under the sheets wearing this pick.   

It’s Worth Noting

• Because these are made with linen, don’t expect them to feel as soft as, say, pima cotton or Tencel modal. Plus, expect them to wrinkle relatively easily, as most linen fabrics do. While we love this set’s high-quality (OEKO-TEX certified), we’re a bit disappointed by their lack of sizing options—they only carry this pick in sizes extra-small, small, medium, and large.

Product Details:

• Fabric: Linen
• Fabric Category: Breathable
• Sizes: XS – L

Best Bamboo

Cozy Earth Long Sleeve Bamboo Pajamas

PHOTO: Nordstrom

$195 at NordstromView on Cozy Earth$195 at Macy’s

Why We Like It

If PJs made with bamboo sound anything but comfy, think again. This pick from Cozy Earth is not only recommended by sleep experts but also super soft, lightweight, and, most importantly, breathable.  

Dr. Harris highly recommends Cozy Earth for cooling pajamas. “I actually have a set of their Long Sleeve Bamboo Pajamas and they are not only supremely soft and comfortable, but they are quite cooling,” she explains. “The fabric is bamboo, which is great for temperature regulation and moisture-wicking, which means your sweat will evaporate quickly.” 

Cozy Earth also offers these pajamas with shorts and a short-sleeve top, as well as a variety of other styles of bamboo pajamas. “I sleep in these pajamas fairly regularly and can attest that they are ultra-comfy, high-quality, and very cooling,” says Dr. Harris. 

It’s Worth Noting

• They are prone to excessive shrinking when dried in an electric clothing dryer.

Product Details:

• Fabric: Bamboo
• Fabric Category: Temperature-regulating
• Sizes: XS – XXXL

How We Selected

We researched what makes for a quality pair of cooling pajamas and then reviewed dozens before narrowing down the best cooling pajamas on the market. We looked for moisture-wicking fabrics, cooling fabrics, different pajama shapes and fits, and quality of the product.

We consulted with two sleep specialists to get their professional opinions on what to look for when shopping for a cooling pajama set. The sleep specialists we spoke to included:

• Shelby Harris, PsyD, DBSM, a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in White Plains, New York who specializes in behavioral sleep medicine
• Michael J. Breus, PhD, DABSM, a sleep specialist and founder of The Sleep Doctor

What to Know About Cooling Pajamas

Who Would Benefit from Cooling Pajamas

Anyone who suffers from night sweats, menopause, or sleeps hot would benefit from cooling pajamas. “In a nutshell sleep affects every organ system and every disease state,” explains Dr. Breus. “We know that sleep deprivation (lack of quality and quantity) tends to affect all systems, more specifically physically, cognitively, and emotionally.” If overheating at night is affecting your sleep patterns, which affects your overall health, you should give cooling pajamas a try. 

That being said, if you’re waking up from sleep often, Dr. Breus advises speaking with a doctor. “If you’re waking from sleep more than two times a night, more than two to three nights per week, you should talk with your doctor about the possibility of menopause, low grade fever, long COVID, etc.,” he advises.

What Materials Should You Avoid When Shopping for Cooling Pajamas

According to Dr. Harris, you want to generally avoid anything that is synthetic, like pajamas that are made primarily from polyester. “These will generally be the least breathable,” she explains. “I would also avoid any fabrics like flannel or fleece that are quite fuzzy and intended for warmth.”

Who We Are

Daley Quinn is a freelance journalist, specializing in beauty and health, who has contributed to numerous publications, such as Elle, Real Simple, Allure, The Cut, WWD, and more. She used her personal experience with night sweats and nighttime overheating to test pajamas and report for this story. Additionally, she consulted experts for the best fabrics and fits to look for when purchasing cooling pajamas.