The first summer I lived in New York City was a sweltering reality check. Coming from the Northwest, I had never had an air conditioner, and I didn’t think I could afford one (or the higher electric bills). I spent that first summer tossing and turning in the muggy heat. By the following summer, I had wised up and invested in an A.C., but even then the window unit didn’t effectively cool my space.
An air conditioner is the obvious best fix for a hot bedroom. But if you don’t have one, there are some relatively simple and affordable steps you can take to keep your bedroom cool. And if you do have one, you can maximize all that conditioned air by keeping heat from entering your bedroom — or the cool air from escaping. Switching up your bedding can also go a long way to making you more comfortable.
With that in mind, here are five cheap(ish) things to help keep your bedroom cool even on the hottest nights of summer.
(And if you’re looking to invest in an A.C., Wirecutter has recommendations for window units and brackets to install them, as well as portable units for when a window A.C. isn’t an option.)
Cellular shades
Select Blinds Classic Cordless Blackout Shade
The best blackout shade
This polyester cellular shade can reduce solar heat by up to 80 percent, and is available in a wide range of sizes and colors so it fits with the rest of your home.
Buying Options
Window treatments can make a big impact on keeping your room cool. Nearly any shades or curtains will help reduce solar heat coming through the windows, but some are better at the job than others. Insulated cellular shades — like the Select Blinds Signature Cordless Blackout Shade that Wirecutter recommends — are particularly effective. Air pockets between the honeycomb cross sections help limit heat conduction through the windows, reducing solar heat by up to 80 percent, according to the Department of Energy. Proper installation is key to keeping the sunlight out. Shades should fit tightly, meaning no gaps at the sides of the window frame.
Weatherproofing
Frost King M13WH V-Seal Weather-Strip
The best window insulation
These adhesive foam strips are a simple and cost-effective way to close the gaps around your windows, so you can keep the inside air where it belongs (and keep your energy bill down).
Drafty windows and gaps under a door can defeat much of the work of an air conditioner. Leaks from the windows and under doors can cause you to lose up to 30% of your heating and cooling energy, according to the US Department of Energy, and that cost can add up. I realized this firsthand a few summers ago, when my apartment remained stubbornly muggy despite cranking my A.C. unit. After I stuffed foam weatherstripping in the gaps of my windows, I noticed an immediate improvement in the chill factor. To fill any gaps along the side rails of single- and double-hung windows, or around a window A.C. unit, Wirecutter recommends V-seal stripping and foam strips. In a pinch, you can also use a rolled-up towel at the bottom of a door to help keep cool air inside.
A good fan
Vornado 630 Medium Air Circulator
The best room fan
A simple, powerful, and reliable fan that does more than blow air — it keeps it circulating all around the room. It also comes with an impressive five-year warranty.
A fan won’t lower the temperature of your room, but it will move the air around, which can make you feel cooler by helping sweat to evaporate. I use one by my bedroom door to blow conditioned air from my living room into my bedroom (which doesn’t have its own A.C. unit). Wirecutter recommends the Vornado 630 Medium Air Circulator. It circulates the air throughout a room better than an oscillating fan does and it’s relatively quiet. If you want something cheaper, Wirecutter also recommends the Honeywell TurboForce Air Circulator Fan HT-900, which may work well for a small bedroom (but probably won’t last as long as a Vornado). For those without air conditioning, you could also use a window fan like the Bionaire Twin Reversible Airflow Window Fan to draw cool air into your room. Just keep in mind that window fans are most effective at cooling when used in a mild or dry climate.
Cool, crisp sheets
L.L.Bean 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set
The best percale sheets
We’ve been recommending these soft, breathable sheets since 2014. They’re crisp, cool, comfortable, and get softer the more you wash them.
Buying Options
Just as the shift of seasons calls for a change of wardrobe, switching to lighter sheets will help you stay more comfortable in warm weather. I prefer linen sheets, because they’re extremely breathable, but they can be quite pricey. For a more affordable option, Wirecutter recommends a variety of lightweight percale sheets, including affordable sets from L.L. Bean and Brooklinen. While they’re less expensive than linen, they’re not dirt cheap; in tests, Wirecutter found that really inexpensive percale sheets can feel very scratchy.
A lightweight blanket
Riley Textured Cotton Coverlet
Our favorite coverlet
Cooler and lighter than other blankets we’ve tested, this casual ribbed coverlet has a thick cotton top backed with a layer of gauze, which makes it durable but still airy to sleep under.
L.L.Bean Maine-Made Cotton Twill Blanket
The best cotton blanket
A tightly woven twill blanket with a clean, classic look that feels soft against the skin and will last you for a long time.
Buying Options
Spring and summer nights can be unpredictable, so it’s good to layer linens, just as you do with clothes. If you want something that’s just slightly heavier than a top sheet, consider the Riley Textured Cotton Coverlet, Wirecutter’s pick for a gauze blanket that’s durable, breathable, and looks nice in the room. It snags easily, but it’s very breathable and affordable. If you need something more substantial for cooler nights, Wirecutter recommends the L.L.Bean Maine-Made Cotton Twill Blanket. It’s the perfect weight for a New England or Northwest summer.
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