The Best California King Sheets in a Variety of Fabrics

Our top pick is the Nest Eucalyptus TENCEL Luxury Sheet Set

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Best California King Sheets

The Spruce / Amelia Manley

If you love catching zzz's on a California king bed, you need the perfect set of sheets to go along with your extra-large mattress. We've spent years researching sheets from the top bedding brands, evaluating softness, durability, fit, and value.

Discover more of our favorite sheet sets for larger beds and mattresses below.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Nest Bedding Luxury Eucalyptus TENCEL™ Sheet Set

Luxury Eucalyptus TENCEL™ Sheet Set

Nestbedding

What We Like
  • Super soft feel

  • Absorbent and moisture-wicking

  • Lasting cooling effect

  • Eco-friendly eucalyptus fibers

What We Don't Like
  • Somewhat limited color choices

When it comes to comfort, we love the Nest Eucalyptus TENCEL Luxury Sheet Set. Available in a California King size, with a deeper 14.5-inch pocket, it’ll fit your mattress easily and provide you with total comfort. Our tester found these luxurious sheets to be super soft to the touch right out of the package, and they continue to feel fantastic with washing and wear. The reason this sheet set is so 

In addition to feeling luxuriously soft against your skin, Nest’s TENCEL lyocell fibers also help keep you comfortable, dry, and cool when you’re running hot. The sheets are highly absorbent, and the fabric will channel moisture to keep you at just the right temperature. Plus, as our tester pointed out, “The cooling effect was long-lasting.

As an added bonus, you can feel great about covering your California king mattress with these sheets. They have a small environment footprint, as their material is sourced from renewable wood resources and uses 10 to 20 times less water to produce compared to cotton. 

Price at time of publish: $186 for a California king set

Material: TENCEL lyocell | Weave: Not listed | Thread Count: Not listed | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low

Best Linen

West Elm European Flax Linen Sheet Set and Pillowcases

4.6
West Elm European Flax Linen Sheet Set

West Elm

What We Like
  • Moisture-wicking

  • Soft, breathable weave

  • Fair Trade and OEKO-TEX certified

What We Don't Like
  • Wrinkles easily

Linen, made from the fibers of the flax plant, is a great choice for hot sleepers. The fabric absorbs moisture better than cotton, keeping you cool and dry all night long. But not all linen sheets are created equal; some can be itchy and stiff. This West Elm European Flax Linen offering is our pick for the best California king linen sheet set: it consists of 100 percent Belgian flax linen, offering a soft and breathable feel.

The sheet set includes a fitted and a flat sheet (pillowcases sold separately) and comes in slate, white, platinum and natural colors—all of which have a vintage, French provincial look. While linen is a great choice for humid weather, it also keeps you warm in the winter by acting as a natural insulator. "If you’re looking for a breezy, beautiful, soft linen set that includes only the essentials, this is a great way to introduce linen into your bedroom," said our tester.

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your old cotton sheets and splurge on a new set or you want to try a new fabric like flannel or linen, a well-made set of sheets is just what you need to take your California king to the next level.

Price at time of publish: $300 for a California king set

Material: European flax linen | Weave: Not listed | Thread Count: Not listed | Sizes: Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low

West Elm Belgian Flax Linen Sheet Set

The Spruce / Erika Owen

Best High Thread Count

Andover Mills 1000-Thread Count 100% Cotton Sheet Set

Andover Mills 1000 Thread Count Sheets

 Courtesy of Wayfair

What We Like
  • High thread count

  • Deep pockets

  • Easy care instructions

What We Don't Like
  • Loose threads can occur after washing

  • May shrink

If you’re confused by thread counts (so are we!), it basically refers to the number of horizontal and vertical threads in every square inch of fabric. As you move up in thread count, the sheets get softer and more durable. While a super high thread count may not be for everyone (they’re not as crisp as mid-range counts), they’re often considered the ultimate in bedroom luxury. With a thread count of 1,000, the Andover Mills Froehlich 100% Cotton Sheet Set is one of the most luxurious options on this list. These sheets are lightweight, breathable, and perfect for all seasons. 

The sheet set includes a fitted sheet with a 16-inch pocket, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases, and it’s wrinkle-resistant and machine washable. Choose from 16 colors, including classic white. However, keep in mind that after washing, your sheets may change slightly; they can shrink a bit and loose threads may appear.

Price at time of publish: $56 for a California king set

Material: Cotton | Weave: Plain| Thread Count: 1,000 | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Care: Machine washable

Best Sateen

Mayfair Linen 100% Egyptian Cotton Sheet Set

Mayfair Linen 100% Egyptian Cotton Sheet Set

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Durable material

  • Resistant to snags and wrinkles

  • Silky soft texture

What We Don't Like
  • Sheen can fade with washing

Sateen sheets have a silky, luxurious feel, but they’re typically heavier and warmer than a percale weave. If you’re looking for a durable sateen sheet, we love the Mayfair Linen Bedding Collection Sateen Weave Sheets. These 100 percent Egyptian cotton sheets look like a million bucks but cost far less. They come in eight colors and fit mattresses up to 15 inches deep. Sateen sheets are more prone to slippage, so ensuring a perfect fit on your mattress is key to keeping them in place.

These sheets are breathable and don’t snag easily, both of which are important when picking a set of sateen sheets. They’re also resistant to wrinkles and have a slight sheen to them that makes them look more expensive than they actually are.

Price at time of publish: $80 for a California king set

Material: Egyptian cotton | Weave: Sateen | Thread Count: 600 | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King | Care: Machine washable

Best Wrinkle-Free

Royal Hotel 650-Thread Count Wrinkle-Free Sheets

Royal Hotel 650-Thread Count Wrinkle-Free Sheets

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Wrinkle-resistant

  • Wide color selection

  • Extra-deep pockets

What We Don't Like
  • Not the softest option

Let’s be honest: Nobody has time to iron sheets, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a messy bed. If you want your guest room (or your own bedroom) to look polished and pulled-together without a lot of effort, the Royal Hotel California-King Wrinkle-Free Sheets will save you a good deal of time and energy. These 650 thread-count, 70 percent cotton and 30 percent polyester sheets are specially formulated to resist wrinkles. They’re available in 16 colors (we’re partial to the gray or white) and fit mattresses up to 18 inches. Like most sheet sets on our list, each one comes with two king-sized pillowcases along with a flat and a fitted sheet. These sheets are sateen weave, but they don’t feel overly silky or smooth.

These sheets rarely wrinkle, even when they sit in a heap after they’ve been washed (it’s okay, we do it too). A set of wrinkle-free sheets is the easiest way to keep your bedroom looking clean with only a modicum of effort.

Price at time of publish: $90 for a California king set

Material: Cotton, polyester | Weave: Sateen | Thread Count: 650 | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, Super Queen, King, Cal King, Split King | Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low

Best Deep Pocket

Southshore Fine Linens 21 Inch Extra Deep Pocket Sheet Set

Southshore Fine Linens 21 Inch Extra Deep Pocket Sheet Set

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Extra-deep 21-inch pockets

  • Soft, plush brushed microfiber

  • Wide range of color choices

What We Don't Like
  • Stain easily

  • May show signs of wear

If you appreciate the softer things in life, you probably own a pillow top mattress. A plush mattress is a great investment, but you’ll need sheets with deep pockets to adequately tuck it in. Good news: The Southshore Fine Linens 21" Deep Pocket Set is one of the best-priced deep pocket sheets you can buy. With 21 inches to work with, even the thickest pillow top mattresses will have plenty of coverage. The sheets are available in 18 subtle and classy colors, and each set includes six pieces: a flat and fitted sheet and four oversized pillowcases. The sheets are made from double-brushed microfiber, which has the added bonus of making them a little more budget-friendly.

You'll love these sheets’ softness, which compares to the feel of an 800 thread count sheet. These sheets are durable, plush, and fit even the most luxurious of pillow top mattresses.

Price at time of publish: $40 for a California king set

Material: Microfiber | Weave: Not listed | Thread Count: Not listed | Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Care: Machine washable

Best Cooling

Molecule Sateen Performance Sheets

4.2
Molecule Sateen Performance Sheets

Amazon

What We Like
  • Attractive sheen

  • Cool to the touch

  • Extra deep pockets available

What We Don't Like
  • Not wrinkle-resistant

Stay cool at night–and enjoy sheets that remain cool to the touch–with Molecule’s Sateen Performance Sheets. At first glance, you’ll love the satiny sheen. Place your hand on the soft fibers, and you’ll notice these breathable sheets are immediately cool to the touch. A great choice for hot sleepers, our tester noted that they remained cool even when body temperature is running warm: “I was actually cooled lying down and underneath the top sheet.”

In addition to their cooling nature, these California King sheets are also available in a wide range of sizes. If you’re working with a particularly large mattress, you’ll love that the sheets cover everything from Twin to Split King–and you can opt for an extra deep pocket set if needed. 

The only drawback noted by our tester was wrinkling. These sheets are very wrinkly, and unfortunately, they don’t live up to their wrinkle-resistant promise.

Price at time of publish: $149 for a California king set

Material: TENCEL lyocell | Weave: Sateen | Thread Count: 300 | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King | Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low

Final Verdict

For soft, breathable comfort, the Nest Eucalyptus TENCEL Luxury Sheet Set is our top choice because it's temperature-regulating and has a luxurious feel that's endlessly comfortable. And if you love low-maintenance sheets, the Royal Hotel Wrinkle-Free Sheets are made from a cotton-polyester blend that's wrinkle-resistant, and they're available in a range of colors.

What to Look for in California King Sheets

Material

When shopping for sheets, be sure to look at the material they’re made from. Cotton sheets are known to be breathable and easy to care for, while flannel sheets are warm and cozy in the winter. Polyester or microfiber sheets are often inexpensive but don’t last as long, and linen sheets are quite pricey but can be used for years if taken care of properly. The best choice depends on your priorities. 

Weave

Most sheets are made from woven fabric (with the exception being knitted jersey sheets), and the type of weave will affect how the sheets feel, as well as their longevity. A percale weave results in a stronger, more crisp fabric that’s easy to care for, while sateen weaves are a bit softer but more prone to pilling. 

Depth

As you shop for sheets for your California king bed, pay special attention to the depth of the pocket on the fitted sheet. Many large mattresses are deeper—sometimes 16 inches or more—and you’ll want to ensure your sheets have a pocket that will comfortably accommodate this depth. Otherwise, they may fit poorly and fall off the mattress.

FAQ
  • What is the difference between king and California king sheets?

    The difference between king and California king sheets comes down to their dimensions. California king beds, in general, are longer than regular king-size beds but almost always narrower, too. King beds need sheets that are 76 inches wide by 80 inches long, whereas a California king bed will require sheets that are 72 inches wide by 84 inches long.

  • Where can you buy California king sheets?

    Shoppers won’t have to go far to find sheets that fit this particular size bed. Most stores and online retailers carry California king sheets now, including popular places such as Amazon, Wayfair, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and West Elm. They are offered in a variety of fabrics as well, like flannel, cotton, and sateen.

  • How big are California king sheets?

    California King sheets measure 72 inches wide and 84 inches long. However, they do vary in depth, so buyers will want to take this mattress measurement into consideration to ensure a good fit and sheets that won’t pop up or slide off. Normally sheets fit mattresses around 15 to 18 inches deep, but there are deep pocket options for mattresses around 20 to 21 inches.

Why Trust The Spruce

Cristina Sanza is a lifestyle writer specializing in home products and organization hacks. She reviews the latest and greatest home products for The Spruce. Her work has been featured on Bustle, Ranker, Inside The Magic, and Upright Citizens Brigade. Additional reporting was done by Melissa Epifano, a news writer for The Spruce covering trends, decor, and design topics with a deep appreciation for all things interiors and exteriors.

Updated by
Melissa Epifano
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Melissa is a news writer for The Spruce. She covers a wide range of topics including trends, decor ideas, and design tips.
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