But with so many options available, finding the right pair of cooling pajamas may feel overwhelming. For expert advice on how to shop for cooling pajamas, we spoke to Preeti Gopinath, associate textiles professor at The New School’s Parsons School of Design. “How much you sweat is important to consider,” says Gopinath. “I think for any kind of sleepwear, the question is usually do you sleep cooler or do you sleep hot, and whether you like things silky or you like cozy, warm flannel on your skin.” Below, you’ll find our top picks for cooling pajamas that cover a variety of styles and sleeping needs, in addition to pro tips on how to shop for cooling pajamas. The cotton that Lunya uses is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)-certified, which means that it’s organic, free from pesticides and harsh chemicals, and meets some of the most stringent production standards around. The pajamas are also easy to clean, but Lunya does recommend laying them flat to dry. Oh, and we almost forgot the best part—the shorts have pockets. Price at time of publish: $128 Product Details:
Material: Organic Pima cottonSizes: XS-XLCare: Machine wash cold, lay flat to dry
Price at time of publish: $118 Product Details:
Material: Tencel modal, spandexSizes: XS-XLCare: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
WiWi describes their bamboo nightgown as having a boyfriend fit, it’s fitted while being loose and comfortable to toss and turn in. Even if you prefer baggier sleepwear, it’s hard to pass up a moisture-wicking nightgown that’s as cute and as affordable as this one. Price at time of publish: From $20 Product Details:
Material: Bamboo viscose, spandexSizes: S-4XCare: Machine wash cold, line dry or tumble dry cool
The main disadvantage to linen is that it wrinkles easily, and while this doesn’t affect its temperature-regulating capabilities, it may not appeal to people who don’t like the rumpled look. Style-wise, we like how the pajama pants have an elastic waist and drawstring so they can be adjusted to your liking, and they come with pockets where you can stash your phone if need be. Price at time of publish: $60 Product Details:
Material: European flax linen Sizes: XS-XLCare: Machine wash, tumble dry low
The sleep shorts feature a comfortable waistband and drawstring so you can adjust their fit, and you can also add on a matching cami, drape-back top, or long-sleeved buttoned shirt. You can throw these pajamas in the wash when they’re in need of a clean, but Cuyana recommends that you lay them flat to dry so that they last as long as possible. Price at time of publish: $48 Product Details:
Material: Organic Pima cottonSizes: XS-XLCare: Machine wash cold in delicate cycle, lay flat to dry
Plus, it comes in 12 different color options that range from bold to neutral hues, and is available in up to a size 4X. This pajama set is machine washable, though Latuza recommends laying it flat to dry. At less than $40 for a stylish, cool-to-the-touch PJ set, you can’t go wrong with this pick. Price at time of publish: $32 Product Details:
Material: Bamboo viscose, spandexSizes: S-4XCare: Machine wash cold on gentle cycle, do not tumble dry
Price at time of publish: $98 Product Details:
Material: Pima cottonSizes: XXS-XXLCare: Machine wash cold on delicate cycle, lay flat to dry
Linen is a go-to fabric for hot sleepers since it’s breathable and moisture wicking, so even though Parachute’s linen pants and top are long sleeved, they’ll still keep you cool even if you’re sleeping in summer heat. (You can alternatively buy linen shorts or a linen tank if you prefer no sleeves.) The button-down linen shirt has an oversized fit, so it feels loose and airy, and the pants have a drawstring so they can be adjusted to fit. Plus, they come with pockets. Price at time of publish: $74 Product Details:
Material: European flax linenSizes: XS-3XCare: Machine wash, hang dry
Price at time of publish: $125 Product Details:
Material: Bamboo viscose, spandexSizes: XS-3XLCare: Machine wash cold, machine dry normal
However, you should know that these shorts are made with built-in underwear and they have a small inseam, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea. They also only go up to a size XL, so the sizing isn’t as inclusive as some other options. Price at time of publish: $96 Product Details:
Material: RayonSizes: XS-XLCare: Machine wash, hang dry
There’s also a matching pair of shorts available, both of which have a luxe quality to them thanks to their satin-like finish, and come in sizes XXS-3X. We do wish there was more color variety, but Athleta does offer three muted hues—tawny rose, black, and quarry blue. Price at time of publish: $54 Product Details:
Material: Cupro rayon Sizes: XXS-3XCare: Machine wash and dry
However, you should know that natural fabrics like Tencel are prone to pilling, so Sijo recommends that you wash them separately from clothing with zippers or other harsh fabrics so they stay soft and smooth for as long as possible. Price at time of publish: $40 Product Details:
Material: Tencel lyocell, elastaneSizes: XS-XXLCare: Machine wash cold on gentle cycle, tumble dry low
Price at time of publish: $96 Product Details:
Material: Eucalyptus lyocell, elastane/lycraSizes: XS-2XLCare: Machine wash, hang dry
The pajama top and matching shorts also feature satin piping which adds a cute, classy detail. While we like how Cosabella’s PJs go up to a size 3X, we do wish that their shorts had a drawstring to make them adjustable. The shorts are also pretty, well, short, which not everyone will be comfortable with. But if you’re looking for button-down sleepwear that’s as soft as your favorite sheets, you can’t go wrong with this set. Price at time of publish: $98 Product Details:
Material: Pima cotton, modalSizes: XS-3XCare: Machine wash cold, hang to dry
This PJ set goes up to an XXL, which is around a size 20-22, and the pants come with three inseam lengths, so petite and tall shoppers don’t have to deal with pants that are too short or long. Additionally, if you aren’t a fan of the pattern, Soma’s Cool Nights line has lots of other cooling pajama sets that come in different colors, styles, and more. Price at time of publish: $84 Product Details:
Material: Rayon, spandexSizes: XS-XXLCare: Machine wash
Price at time of publish: $84 Product Details:
Material: Organic cottonSizes: XS-XXLCare: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
While silk is known to be a smooth and luxurious fabric, Lilysilk makes their pajamas feel even fancier by adding mother of pearl buttons and optional monogramming. They also offer size customizations to ensure that you have a perfect fit. However, they do recommend you dry clean your pajamas, and they aren’t the best choice for pet owners, as the silk can snag on their claws. Price at time of publish: $129 Product Details:
Material: Mulberry silkSizes: XS-XXLCare: Dry clean recommended, or hand wash or machine wash with a garment bag in lukewarm water, hang dry
You can also purchase this pair of joggers, which have a convenient hidden pocket at the back waist that is perfect for stowing away your smartphone or cards. The fabric does have a bit of a sheen, which may not be to everyone’s liking, but it’s entirely machine-washable, making it all the more convenient. Price at time of publish: $54 Product Details:
Material: Polyester, spandexSizes: S-XXLCare: Machine wash, tumble dry low
Price at time of publish: $78 Product Details:
Material: Tencel lyocell and organic cottonSizes: XS-XLCare: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
However, the size selection is limited, and we wish that they had a few more color options to choose from. Still, the shades of blue that Serena & Lily carries are nice and vibrant, and they’re Oeko-Tex certified which means they’re free from harmful chemicals. Price at time of publish: $148 Product Details:
Material: European flax linenSizes: XS-LCare: Machine wash cold, tumble dry
Price at time of publish: $110 Product Details:
Material: Modal, spandexSizes: XS-XLCare: Machine wash cold in garment bag, tumble dry low
The Company Store prides itself on using the best manufacturers around, and their pajamas are no different. They’re expertly cut and sewn so they look fitted, not frumpy. Some people may find the shorts to be a tad short, but they have a drawstring so they can be adjusted to your liking, and they have deep pockets, too. Price at time of publish: $89 Product Details:
Material: Pima cottonSizes: XS-XXLCare: Machine wash on gentle cycle, tumble dry low
While long-sleeved wool pajamas may not be the best choice for those who live in hot climates, they can help keep cold weather sleepers warm while mitigating night sweats. It’s important to note that wool is a delicate fabric that’s prone to pilling without proper care. Chill Angel recommends machine washing and line drying their garments, but the more you wash them, the faster they’ll break down over time.
Price at time of publish: $105
Product Details:
Material: Merino woolSizes: XS-XXLCare: Machine wash cold on gentle cycle, line dry
Material
Cooling pajamas come in lots of different materials, with some better suited to certain needs than others. Cotton is a good fabric for people who just want to stay a little cooler at night—it’s lightweight and breathable, but it’s not as adept at moisture-wicking as fabrics like Tencel, which is the brand name of lyocell. Gopinath calls Tencel—a fabric that’s made from wood pulp fibers—“a beautiful smooth, soft, breathable material.” Tencel manufacturers will take “all those fibers, mush it into a pulp, and then extract that part as a strand of yarn through a chemical process.” The strands are then processed in a manner similar to rayon, where it’s “passed through a spinneret with chemicals and it comes out the other end as a strand that we love.” If you’re looking for pajamas to help mitigate night sweats, Gopinath stresses the importance of looking for moisture-wicking fabrics. Fabrics like Tencel, linen, and nylon dispel moisture and heat from your body, helping you to stay cool at night. If you compare cotton to a moisture-wicking fabric, “it’s going to pull the moisture away from your body so you cool down fast,” Gopinath explains. Gopinath also recommends looking for words like “stretch’“when shopping for pajamas, which can denote how comfortable they are. “Anytime you look at any label that has stretch in it, it’ll say three percent or five percent spandex or lycra. A little bit of stretch materials doesn’t change the breathability of the material, but it does add comfort in terms of what we call ‘stretch comfort.’” If you’re looking for pajamas that can adapt to different types of weather, Gopinath suggests going with a linen set. “Linen has the ability to retain your body heat in the winter and give it up in the summer,” making it a smart choice for those who live in places with cold winters and hot summers.
Size Range
Care
Since the materials of cooling pajamas differ so vastly, it’s always best to check the care instructions on the label before washing your PJs. Most pajamas will be machine-washable, but some may instruct you to lay flat to dry. While you could probably get away with washing them on a gentle cycle with no heat, letting your pajamas air dry will help you get the most longevity out of them.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Jen Woo, a freelance design, lifestyle, and culture writer and content strategist with over 10 years of experience. To write this article, she thoroughly researched cooling pajamas and considered factors like type, material, and size range to make her top picks. For expert insight on how to shop for cooling pajamas, Jen spoke to Preeti Gopinath, associate textiles professor at The New School’s Parsons School of Design.
