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The Best Cooling Pajamas to Keep Night Sweats at Bay

Sleepwear to keep you cool all night long.

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cooling pajamas
Lily Silk/Athleta/Lunya

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Unable to sleep without blasting the AC? I know that problem all too well. While I'm not fending off menopause-related hot flashes quite yet, I'm no stranger to overheating or night sweats. Cooling pajamas are by no means miracle workers, but they've helped put me and dozens of our consumer testers at ease, including self-described hot sleepers and those going through menopause. Cooling PJs are designed to help wick away night sweats and regulate your body temperature. Plus, you'll feel covered without feeling too hot.

At the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, we've tested all sorts of sleepwear, from cozy flannel to luxe silk, to find the best pajamas for every kind of sleeper. As cooling pajamas have grown in popularity, we've taken extra care to find ones that excel in our tests. To find the best of the best, we enlisted the help of 35 testers who regularly overheat and sweat throughout the night to try 18 popular and innovative styles at home. In our Lab, we also assessed moisture management (a.k.a. how the fabric responds to night sweats), pilling resistance and shrinkage over time.

1
Best Overall

Lusomé Eva Sleepshirt

Eva Sleepshirt
1
Best Overall

Lusomé Eva Sleepshirt

$78 at Amazon$78 at Lusomé
Credit: Lusome

Night sweats are no match for Lusomé's pajamas. Their specialized fabric aced our moisture management tests, easily wicking away any sweat so you can feel cool and dry. Our consumer testers unanimously agreed that these pajamas made a difference in regulating their temperature, and one even said it made a difference in reducing her night sweats. Another called the fabric "so soft and cooling!"

While this sleep shirt is best worn on its own, the brand offers tons of other styles using the same noteworthy fabric. In fact, despite experiencing regular hot flashes, one tester who tried a long-sleeve sleep shirt shared, "I didn't overheat or wake up in sweat like I normally do." Still, while the fabric is soft and drapey, it showed some wear after our pilling machine rubbed swatches together 1,000 times.

Sizes: XS–XL

2
Best Value

HUE SleepWell Pajama Pant

SleepWell Pajama Pant
2
Best Value

HUE SleepWell Pajama Pant

Credit: Hue

These pajama pants are made from soft, drapey rayon fabric with spandex for added stretch. One online reviewer described them as "ridiculously soft," and I have to agree. These are thin and lightweight with a softness you can only get from rayon. They have a loose, baggy fit (similar to sweatpants) with an adjustable drawstring.

In our initial Lab evaluations, they wicked away moisture with ease, although not as quickly as some of our picks. Still, they're a great option if you're unsure whether you want to invest in cooling-specific sleepwear and want to try some out at a lower cost.

Sizes: S–3X

3
Most Stylish

Eberjey Gisele Long PJ Set

Gisele Long PJ Set
3
Most Stylish

Eberjey Gisele Long PJ Set

Credit: Eberjey

Eberjey's Gisele set is widely popular and understandably so. It comes in classic silhouettes, from long to short sets and nightshirts, with piped details for a chic look. The modal fabric feels light, soft and drapey and has won over our testers and online reviewers alike. Testers particularly loved that the set felt lightweight and thin yet not flimsy, especially compared to similar styles.

As a result, several testers have opted to wear it year-round, both in hot summer months and chilly winters. One noted, "I didn't overheat like I do with other pajamas." This set excelled in our laundering tests, and I can attest that I've worn mine for two years. While the fabric can wick away moisture in a pinch and has a general cool-to-the-touch feel, modal generally doesn't stand out when it comes to temperature regulation.

Sizes: XS–XXL

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4
Best Size-Inclusive

Coolibrium The Ultimate Sleep Tank

The Ultimate Sleep Tank
4
Best Size-Inclusive

Coolibrium The Ultimate Sleep Tank

Credit: Coolibrium

Available from XS to 4X, this long tank is the perfect option for hot summer nights. It has an icy, cool-to-the-touch feel that wowed our testers. While it's not as drapey or soft as some picks, the nylon fabric felt ultra smooth and quickly wicked away any night sweats in our evaluations. Testers also found the tank long enough to wear on its own and highlighted the easy, one-piece design.

This tank is my go-to if I ever wake up from overheating or sweating, especially when my skin is irritable during an eczema flare-up. I love the ultra-smooth texture and find the cool feel easily puts me to sleep. Still, while the tank is roomy, I wouldn't describe it as flowy, so if you like that style, opt for the sleep tee instead.

Sizes: XS–4X

5
Best Silk

Washable Silk Set Washable Silk Tulip Back Set

Washable Silk Tulip Back Set
5
Best Silk

Washable Silk Set Washable Silk Tulip Back Set

Credit: Lunya

Silk is known for its natural temperature-regulating properties, so it comes as no surprise that a silk set is one of our top picks. Lunya's washable silk makes for some of the best silk pajamas we've tried. It looks gorgeous and feels smooth to the touch, and this set is thoughtfully designed and intended to maximize breathability.

The sides of the shorts and the back of the racerback tank are split with overlapping fabric that's reminiscent of tulip petals and allows for extra airflow. I own my fair share of cooling pajamas, but I find myself reaching for this set when I want to feel extra pampered. The fabric washes beautifully, and Lunya offers other styles if you want a little more coverage.

Sizes: XS to XL

6
Most Popular

Soma Cool Nights Short Sleeve Pajama Tee

Cool Nights Short Sleeve Pajama Tee
6
Most Popular

Soma Cool Nights Short Sleeve Pajama Tee

Credit: Soma

Soma's Cool Nights Collection is one of the most well-known lines in the cooling pajama market. While styles come and go, this T-shirt is currently the brand's most popular and pairs well with matching shorts or pants. The drapey rayon fabric was a hit among our testers for its soft feel and lightweight nature. One tester who tried a different style 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!"

I've tried several different silhouettes from this collection, and you can't go wrong with any of them. If you want something soft and drapey that won't weigh you down, this pick delivers. However, if your night sweats are intense, these may not be the perfect option: It had average to good sources for moisture-wicking during in-Lab tests. Still, it earned perfect scores from users on overall comfort.

Sizes: XS–XXL

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7
Best Cotton

Uniqlo AIRism Cotton Short-Sleeve Pajamas

AIRism Cotton Short-Sleeve Pajamas
7
Best Cotton

Uniqlo AIRism Cotton Short-Sleeve Pajamas

Credit: Uniqlo

While cotton isn't known for its moisture-wicking capabilities (that's why you rarely see it used in activewear), this set from Uniqlo's AIRism line blends soft cotton fibers with quick-dry fabric. It's a favorite option in online discussions, and I've personally worn innerwear from the AIRism collection for years. (The sleeveless bra top is my newest obsession for everyday wear.)

Similar styles from the brand have won over other GH staffers in the past, and knit fabrics like this one typically wick moisture better than classic woven styles, in our experience. Several online reviewers of this new set also called the fabric cool, comfortable and breathable, though some note the natural colorway (pictured) can be slightly transparent.

Sizes: XS–XXL

8
Most Comfortable

Cool-jams Women's Moisture Wicking V-Neck Capri Set

Women's Moisture Wicking V-Neck Capri Set
8
Most Comfortable

Cool-jams Women's Moisture Wicking V-Neck Capri Set

Credit: Cool Jams

While our testers were skeptical that a short-sleeve top and pant set could prove cool and comfortable, Cool Jams ultimately earned full marks for comfort. They said the microfiber fabric was super soft and felt lightweight on their skin. Plus, it didn't shrink during our laundering tests, though it did pill when we assessed durability.

One textiles analyst reported that her set fit better than other pajamas she's tried and "didn't shift during the night." Another tester remarked, "[These pajamas were] so comfortable, and as someone who generally overheats at night, these were great." While our testers were divided on the appearance of this set, we like that the brand offers variations with long-sleeve options, shorts and more.

Sizes: S–3X

9
Best Lightweight

Honeylove Blisswear Chemise

Blisswear Chemise
9
Best Lightweight

Honeylove Blisswear Chemise

Credit: Honeylove

Night sweats may not feel sexy, but that doesn't mean you can't still look put-together while you combat them. This chemise features a built-in shelf bra for light support and lift with a simple A-line silhouette. It also has mesh panels in select areas, which add both airflow and interest to an otherwise simple sleep dress, so you can look good and feel cool.

We're currently in the process of testing the style, and so far, we like its airy and minimal nature. The Tencel lyocell fabric feels lightweight and has a "chilled feel," according to one of our analysts. It's also performed well in initial moisture-wicking tests, and we're excited to see what our consumer testers think.

Sizes: XS–3X

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10
Best Linen

Serena & Lily Positano Linen Pajamas

Positano Linen Pajamas
10
Best Linen

Serena & Lily Positano Linen Pajamas

Credit: Serena & Lily

Linen won't feel cool to the touch or quickly wick away night sweats like certain performance fabrics, but linen's hollow-core fibers and loose weave allow for superior breathability that's perfect for year-round wear. These Serena & Lily pajamas use the same fabric as its popular linen sheets.

This long-sleeved PJ set excelled in tests, laundering well and softening with each wash. The linen fabric also held up better than similar materials we've tested with minimal pilling after extensive testing. Testers called this set "comfortable and flattering" and particularly loved the long, wide pant legs.

Sizes: XS–L

How we test cooling pajamas

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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.

a mmt or moisture management tester used to evaluate fabrics for moisture wicking capabilities
Grace Wu

Our Lab tests for this category specifically focused on fabric strength, pilling or abrasion resistance, shrinkage and moisture management. To verify moisture-wicking or cooling claims, we used a specialized machine called an MMT, or Moisture Management Tester (pictured), 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.

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What is the best material for pajamas to keep you cool?

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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 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, and 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 it 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 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.

How do I know if a fabric is moisture-wicking?

dog

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.

Image no longer available
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Why trust Good Housekeeping?

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Grace Wu is a textiles product review analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute and has worked with hundreds of consumer testers to evaluate home products, including cooling mattresses and cooling mattress pads. She's a longtime hot sleeper and swears by cooling pajamas and cooling comforters for relief. 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.

Headshot of Grace Wu
Grace Wu
Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Product Analyst

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.

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