The material a cooling blanket is made from determines everything. How cool it feels, how long that lasts, and whether it actually helps you sleep. Here is how the main options compare.
Nylon - The Best Option
Nylon has the highest thermal conductivity of any common blanket fabric. It draws heat away from your skin on contact and keeps drawing it away as you move through the night. A quality nylon cooling blanket with a Q-Max of 0.40 will feel noticeably cooler from the first touch and maintain that effect all night. Nylon is also naturally moisture-wicking which is critical for hot sleepers and night sweaters.
Best for hot sleepers, night sweats, menopause, and anyone who needs sustained all-night cooling. The Stillwell Cloud uses 100% nylon cooling fiber on both sides. See The Cloud here.
Polyester - Budget Option With Limitations
Most budget cooling blankets are made from polyester. It can feel cool initially due to its smooth surface texture but it has low thermal conductivity and warms up quickly. By 2am it performs like a regular blanket. Polyester also traps moisture rather than wicking it away.
Best for mild hot sleepers on a budget who want a lightweight summer option. See The Cooling Blanket here.
Bamboo Viscose - Soft But Limited
Bamboo viscose is breathable and soft but its thermal conductivity is lower than nylon. It works reasonably well for mild hot sleepers but does not perform well for significant overheating or night sweats.
Cotton - The Baseline
Cotton is breathable but fundamentally insulating. A thin cotton blanket is better than a thick polyester one for warm nights but it cannot match nylon for contact cooling. Cotton also absorbs and holds moisture.
The Bottom Line
If you genuinely sleep hot nylon is the only material that delivers sustained all-night cooling. Everything else is a compromise. The material printed on the label is the single most important factor in whether a cooling blanket actually works.