Best Pajamas for Summer 2023, Tested by Me and My Hot-Sleeping Partner

The Second Skin Luxe Rib tank and boxer shorts are the softest, most lightweight pair of pajamas I have in my drawer. They are made from a thin, soft stretch-material that makes for a creamy, drapey feeling against my skin. The material is ultra absorbent and quick drying at the same time. I wore these during the hottest night of our California heat wave, and with some help from my AC, I slept through the night without sweating or overheating.

The tank top and boxer shorts are both flowy, roomy and breathable. The shorts have a thick waistband that doesn't annoyingly roll or bunch. One thing to note: you may want to size down if you're in between sizes. I like more of a snug fit with my bottoms, and since there is no drawstring, I can't make the shorts tighter around my waist. The tank is also plenty long, so you won't have to worry about it being too short if you go down a size.  

Material: 49% Viscose, 43% Micro Modal, 8% Spandex

Pros

• Ultra thin and stretchy
• Size inclusive (XS-XXL)

Cons

• Size down if you're in between sizes
• Expensive 
  
• No pockets or drawstring

Being featured on Oprah's favorite things list multiple years in a row, I had high hopes for these Cozy Earth bamboo pajamas, and they were even comfier than I thought they'd be. The stretch-knit bamboo set is buttery soft -- the material feels rich and creamy against the skin without making you overly warm. I also appreciate the pockets and a drawstring in the shorts.  

The beauty of bamboo is its temperature regulating abilities. Fabric made from bamboo is breathable and wicks moisture away so you don't wake up feeling damp or hot. They're flowy, stretchy, soft -- everything about this Cozy Earth set screams comfort and luxury. Even the packaging. 

I see this set being in the drawers of people like Michelle Obama, Kris Jenner and, of course, Oprah. Right now you can get a really good deal on a set, especially the gray pair, which is under $80 for the entire set.  To care for these pajamas machine wash in cold water and dry. 

Material: 95% Bamboo viscose, 5% Spandex

Pros

• True to size
• Size inclusive (XS-3XL)
  
• Drawstring and pockets
  
• Mix and match sizes and patterns

Cons

• Expensive for a pair of pajamas 

I like to wear oversize T-shirts to bed, and this Chemise from Fishers Finery recreates that feeling in a much more luxurious, feminine way. The smooth 100% Mulberry silk feels light and gentle against the skin, and it doesn't cling in weird areas. 

This nightgown is taken in around the waist and flared in the skirt, making it fit better and feel more comfortable than other slip dresses I've tried in the past. The straps are adjustable and around an inch thick, a detail I appreciate since spaghetti strapped-slips tend to fall off my shoulders. It also came with a mesh laundry bag to protect the organic silk material while it's in the wash. The brand recommends you hand wash with warm water or machine wash on a delicate cycle. 

Material: 100% Organic Mulberry silk

Pros

• True to size
• Thick, adjustable straps 
  
• Machine washable silk

Cons

• Pricey for a nightgown
• They wrinkle easily after wear 
  

Made with 100% Mulberry silk, this pajama set is light, airy and a lot more affordable than you'd expect. I've tried other Mulberry silk pajamas, but these feel a little different. The outer shell of the tee and shorts almost feel like a lightweight suede material that's matte, soft and drapey. 

There isn't any stretch, as you'd expect from silk, but they are nice and flowy. They're great for summer as I found they helped me feel dry and temp-neutral during the night. My one caveat is that I'd go up a size in the tee If you're larger in the chest or in between sizes, since there's no give in the material. The shorts, on the other hand, have a stretchy elastic waistband that I believe fits true to size. To care for these pajamas, hand or machine-wash with cold water inside a garment bag.  

Material: 100% Mulberry silk

Pros

• Machine washable silk 
• High quality but affordable 

Cons

• Chesty, broad-shouldered individuals should size up
• They wrinkle easily after wear
  
• No drawstring

With a price of a little over $15 a piece, I didn't have the highest expectations for this pajama set from Amazon, but I was pleasantly surprised. They're everything I want in a comfy pair of cooling pajamas; soft, stretchy, lightweight and quick-drying. I'd compare the feel to the Tommy John set, minus the luxe rib texture. 

Like the Cozy Earth set, these PJ's have a high-end look, and function like sleep-to-loungewear because of their side pockets and drawstring. If you want a fancy pajama dupe without having to pay the high price tag, I don't think you'll be disappointed with this choice. As an added plus -- they're available on Amazon Prime and come in a large variety of colors. 

Material: 95% Viscose, 5% spandex 

Pros

• True to size
• Budget-friendly
  
• Good high-end pajama dupe
  
• Pockets and a drawstring

Cons

• No small or x-small size currently available

The Gabriela Nightie from Lusome is hands down the best pajama for moisture control if you experience night sweats. Lusome uses Xirotex technology (exclusive to Lusome) in the fabrics of their pajamas, which absorbs perspiration and bacteria from the body while you sleep. The pajamas are soft, lightweight and breathable. Not to mention that the design is chic, with a flattering scoop neck and a stretchy mesh hem that lets you move comfortably through the night.

Since my partner is a hot sleeper, oftentimes I wake up drenched in sweat. However, I didn't experience any severe night sweats with the Gabriela Nightie. I didn't notice any active cooling while wearing the pajamas, but it's great for keeping sweat and moisture at bay. To care for these pajamas you should machine wash on cold and tumble dry.

Material: 38% Cotton, 34% Polyester, 25% Micromodal, 3% Spandex

Pros

• Innovative technology for maximum moisture absorption
• Chic design with stretchy material
  
• Tagless for extra comfort

Cons

• Runs a little large
• Not the most affordable option on this list
  

Dubbed the most breathable and lightest pair, the Tommy John set takes the crown as the best cooling pajamas for men. Its moisture-wicking abilities combined with lightweight and airy fabric makes the set perfect for hot summer nights. 

The modal material makes them soft and smooth to the touch, while the spandex gives it plenty of stretch. It has a luxe feel similar to Cozy Earth, but with less weight. The shorts also function more like boxers, but with the added luxury of pockets. 

The Tommy John set comes in a variety of different patterns and colors. And unlike most sets on our list, you can easily mix and match sizes if you aren't the same size in tops as you are in bottoms. The care instructions are: machine wash; tumble dry. 

Material: 47% Modal, 43% Polyester, 10% Spandex

Pros

• True to size
• Boxer shorts come with pockets

Cons

• A little expensive
• No drawstring

My boyfriend has never owned a matching pajama set prior to helping me roundup the best pajamas, and now he wants a pair of Cozy Earth's Bamboo pajamas in every color.  A versatile pair of pajamas that can easily transition into loungewear, the stretch-knit bamboo tee and pajama shorts have the softness and comfort of your favorite old tee or crewneck. 

They have a slight weight to them compared with the Tommy Johns, but not in a bad way. You can tell they're made with a premium material, but they help you sleep cooler thanks to the adsorbent, quick-drying power of bamboo. 

My S.O., who's known to be hot to the touch during the night, stayed temp-neutral and comfortable. Lastly, he appreciated the drawstring and pocket details, which aren't always a guarantee when it comes to pajama shorts. To care for these pajamas you should machine wash cold and tumble dry. 

Each piece is sold separately. The tee and shorts retail for $90 each but are on sale for $63 each.

Material: 95% Bamboo viscose, 5% Spandex

Pros

• True to size
• Luxurious feel
  
• Pockets and drawstring

Cons

• On the pricey side for pajamas

Unfamiliar with this type of material at first, my significant other was a fan of how airy, luxurious and silky-smooth these shorts felt. He decided to sleep with boxer shorts underneath because he felt the bottoms were more like shorts, but it's pleasantly breezy and airy if you decide to go commando. 

While they aren't stretchy, there's an added panel around the groin area that makes them extra roomy and flowy and elastic waistband. The brand offers an "improved waistband" pajama set, but my partner felt the waistband on his didn't roll or bunch.

The thin and lightweight material makes for a comfortable, quick-drying pair of pajamas that almost have a relieving feel against the skin because of silk's good thermal conductivity. They don't have pockets or a drawstring, which makes them more ideal for cooling pajamas than loungewear. And while dry cleaning is recommended, the care instructions say you can machine wash with cold water on a delicate cycle and dry with low heat. 

Material: 100% Organic Mulberry silk

Pros

• True to size 
• Airy and breezy feel
  

Cons

• On the pricey side for pajamas
• Dry clean and hand wash recommended

These are a great choice for guys who want the best pajamas at the best price point. The MoFiz Men's sleep set from Amazon feels similar to the Tommy John set, but they're more soft than silky smooth. It's a comfortable, breathable fabric that drapes and flows over the body without uncomfortable clinging. They passed my breathability test with flying colors. After holding the PJ's up to the light, I could easily see my hand through the fabric. 

I also think they transition into loungewear better than the Tommy John set due to the elastic waistband. My partner was surprised to know the set costs less than $30 as quality really isn't lacking here. This brand is also very size inclusive, offering sizes from S-3XL. The one downside is that the brand recommends you hand-wash these pajamas. Though, I threw them in the washer/dryer before knowing this information, and they still feel just as soft. 

Material: 95% Modal, 5% Elastane

Pros

• Budget-friendly options
• True to size
  
• Size inclusive (S-3XL)

Cons

• Hand-washing is recommended