A cold sleeper is someone who feels chilly at night, is sensitive to cold air and has trouble holding body heat in bed. It is the opposite of a hot sleeper, who wakes up too warm. Both come down to how your body manages temperature overnight.
Last reviewed: October 19, 2026
After a long day of working, attending classes, or running errands, all you want to do is relax in bed and get a good night’s sleep. However, it’s common for sleepers to struggle with getting comfortable and to have a hard time finding the right temperature that will keep them relaxed throughout the night.
So which one are you: a hot or cold sleeper? Let’s go over the difference between hot and cold sleepers and tricks to improve your sleep quality through the night.
How Your Body Manages Temperature at Night
The human body adjusts to various temperatures throughout the day to feel comfortable and focused. For example, sweat occurs when the body is trying to cool down. Body temperatures rise and fall throughout the day, including dropping to help you drift off to sleep and stay asleep.
Moreover, the body should sit comfortably throughout the night for consistent, complete sleep. Whether you’re a hot or colder sleeper, you can feel like you’re in an icebox or a sauna. Breathable bedding that moves heat and moisture away from your skin can help you stay comfortable all night long.
Hot vs. Cold Sleeping
Let’s review the differences between hot and cold sleepers. Additionally, here are a few tips to feel more comfortable as you rest throughout the night.
Hot Sleeping
A hot sleeper tends to feel too warm during the night, often waking up due to that heat, which can lead to sleep deprivation. You may get too hot for several reasons, such as warmer room temperatures, hormones, or too many blankets.
Before bed, lower the temperature of your room to 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit or take a warm shower before bed. Additionally, breathable linens and duvets can help prevent stuffiness and too much insulation.
Cold Sleeping
On the other hand, cold sleepers tend to feel chilly at night, can feel sensitive to cold air, and struggle with retaining heat at night. It can result from improper insulation, poor circulation, and a lack of proper bedding. A few solutions for cold sleepers include wearing socks, using more insulated blankets, and wearing pajamas that cover more of the body.
Comfortable bedding is one of the key components of a good night’s sleep. We at Bamboo Is Better believe in helping our customers get the best sleep possible every night. Our bamboo bedding and linens are made of viscose from bamboo, providing breathability to help you relax after a strenuous day. Our bamboo sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases are breathable, helping wick heat and sweat away from your skin. We offer the perfect bundles for your everyday bedding needs, from our starter kits to our complete collection kits. Browse our extensive collection of bamboo linens, duvets, pillowcases, and more today.
Hot Sleeper vs. Cold Sleeper: Quick Answers
What is a cold sleeper?
A cold sleeper is someone who tends to feel chilly at night, is sensitive to cold air and struggles to hold body heat in bed.
What is the difference between a hot sleeper and a cold sleeper?
A hot sleeper tends to feel too warm during the night and often wakes up because of the heat. A cold sleeper tends to feel chilly and has trouble retaining heat.
What helps a cold sleeper sleep warmer?
A few simple fixes are wearing socks, using more insulated blankets and wearing pajamas that cover more of the body. Proper bedding also makes a difference.
Running warm instead? See our guide to bamboo sheets for hot sleepers.
