While some people tend to run hot at night, others can never seem to warm up — even in the heat of the summer.
And all that shivering overnight can wreak havoc on your overall sleep quality. "Temperature plays a crucial role in your ability to get quality sleep," shares Dr. Chelsea Perry, founder of Sleep Solutions. "Your body temperature naturally drops as part of your circadian rhythm, signaling to your brain that it’s time to sleep."
So if your temperature is off at night — for example, if you just can't seem to warm up — it can impact how well-rested you are. That's why we spoke with experts to get their tips for how you can prevent that nightly chill.
Why do I always get cold at night?
There are a handful of explanations for why you may wake up cold most nights. To start, your room may simply be cold or you may not have enough blankets on your bed, Perry says. (The ideal sleep temperature is between 60 to 67 degrees F.)
While it may seem contradictory, hot flashes or being sick with a fever can also cause that nighttime chill. "Sweating can lead to being cold as the sweat begins to evaporate," says sleep expert Dr. Shelby Harris. More serious issues like diabetes, thyroid problems and circulation issues can also cause you to be cold at night, so if you can't attribute your chills to any of the above factors, it may be a good idea to consult your doctor.
How to stay warm at night
If you struggle to stay warm throughout the night, the experts offered a handful of tips. Before bed, try taking a hot shower (this hack can actually help both cold and hot sleepers). "It raises your core body temperature slightly, and by following that up with bundling under warm bedding, can make you feel warm when falling asleep," shares Perry. She adds, "A hot beverage like a non-caffeinated tea has a similar effect."
As for your sleep setup, choosing insulated bedding or an electric blanket can be helpful for staying warm, she shares.
Harris is also a fan of heated blankets. She also recommends sleeping with layers on your bed and body and wearing socks — if you end up warming up later in the night, these things can easily be removed.
Below, our editors shared the top products that help them stay cozy at night.
Best sleep essentials for cold sleepers, according to editors
Ebmore 5-Pairs Merino Wool Thermal Socks
- Fuzzy inner lining
- Breathable
- May pill after washing
Colors: 13 | Sizes: One size | Material: Cotton, polyester, spandex, wool
Multiple members of the Shop TODAY team mentioned wearing cozy socks to bed to stay warm. And commerce writer Danielle Murphy previously shared that these are her go-to's. While she previously purchased them for a trip, she can see herself wearing them all the time, saying she "can't explain how cozy and warm they feel!”
Amazon Essentials Women’s Flannel Long-Sleeve Pajama Set
- Roomy pockets
- Doesn't fade in wash
- Runs large
Colors: Nine | Sizes: Xx-small, x-small, small, medium, large, x-large, xx-large | Material: Cotton
"Never did I think I'd say this about Amazon sleepwear, but these are pretty much the perfect pair of flannel PJs for hibernation season," says senior editor Jess Bender. "While they feel lightweight to the touch, they've worked overtime during colder nights when I needed extra warmth. I also adore the relaxed, non-restrictive fit around my bust and thighs, which are two areas I have a harder time sizing around with pajamas."
Warmies Boots
- Soft
- Warms in 60 seconds
- Scented with lavender
Colors: Two | Sizes: One size | Material: Faux fur
While associate editor Shannon Garlin is typically a hot sleeper, during cold winter nights she relies on these slippers to keep her feeling cozy. They're designed to feel soft and stretchy and you can heat them in the microwave for up to 90 seconds to provide an ultra-cozy boost of warmth. Though if there is a night when you are feeling hot, you can also stick them in the freezer for some cooling relief.
By Jill Martin Classic Lounger
- Ultra-cozy
- Many different patterns available
- Fits oversized
Colors: Eight | Sizes: X-small/small, medium/large, x-large/1x-large, 2x-large/3x-large | Material: Polyester, sherpa
TODAY contributor Jill Martin launched a line of cozy essentials this winter and the lounger from the brand is an editor-favorite for cold days in the office and beyond. While I typically run warm at night, this winter, I had quite a few chilly evenings in my apartment when the building's heat wasn't high enough. On those nights, I always reached for this cozy staple. It feels like being enveloped in a warm, super soft hug. The oversized design is perfect because it covers most of my body. While it's amazing for lounging, I also slept in it on some particularly cold nights and it saved me from spending hours shivering.
Best bedding for cold sleepers, according to editors
Bedsure Heated Blanket
- Cozy fabric
- Six levels of heat
- Heat is not evenly distributed
Colors: 19 | Sizes: Full/queen, king/California king | Material: Organic cotton
Garlin says she "never felt this level of coziness" until she bought this heated blanket. "My apartment is drafty and I'm always layering up with blankets, this electric option has six heat settings and it gets pretty warm! I've never been more content underneath it and the cord is pretty long so you can throw it on your bed if you're too cold to sleep."
Crate & Barrel Cozysoft Flannel Sheet Set
- "Plush," "soft" feel
- Machine washable
- Some say pills
Colors: Three | Sizes: Twin/twin XL, full, queen, king, California king | Material: Cotton
Senior partnerships editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil got a set of Crate & Barrel flannel sheets via her wedding registry and shares, "I absolutely love them." She adds, "Even when the weather warms up I like to be cozy at night and dread switching them out for spring or summer sheets!"
Parachute Organic Cotton Puff Comforter
- "Year-round comforter"
- Machine washable
- Stitches may come out
Colors: Six | Sizes: Full/queen, king/California king | Material: Organic cotton
Senior photo editor Becca Delman says that she gets both hot and cold at night (especially postpartum) and loves this comforter. She shares that it's light, so you don't get overheated like you would with a heavy comforter, but it still keeps her warm during those cold periods.
Best tech for cold sleepers, according to experts
EightSleep Pod 3
- Tailored temp adjustments
- Elevation changes
- Last gen technology
Colors: 1 | Sizes: Full, queen, king, California king
Both experts recommend EightSleep for both hot and cold sleepers — while it's expensive, Harris says it "can be a game changer."
The base, cover and hub can be added to your current sleep setup. It allows you to set a custom temperature — ranging from as low as 55 degrees F and as high as 110 degrees F — and you can set each side of the bed to have its own temp. The base can be adjusted, which allows you to keep your head lifted at night or sit up in a comfortable position for reading or watching TV.
Frequently asked questions
Harris says that anywhere in the 60-degree F range is ideal — even up to 72. But she adds that “that’s a bit too warm for most people.”
“There’s range for people and 67 degrees can feel a bit different depending on the level of humidity where you live,” she says. That’s why recommendations can vary.
If the temperature in your room is warm, you’re wearing multiple layers of clothing and using layered bedding and you're still cold, it's a good idea to consult a doctor to see if there's a larger issue at play, Perry says.
How we chose
We polled the cold sleepers on our team to hear about the products that help them stay cool at night. When choosing products to highlight in this article, we also took into consideration expert guidance on the items to look for.
Meet our experts
- Dr. Shelby Harris, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist specializing in behavioral sleep medicine in White Plains, New York. She is the author of “The Women’s Guide to Overcoming Insomnia.”
- Dr. Chelsea Perry, DMD, is the founder and lead clinician at Sleep Solutions in Westborough, Massachusetts. She is focused on treating sleep apnea and snoring.
