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The Spruce / Rachel Marek
Given the fact that you spend a third of your life in bed, it’s important to make sure you have the most comfortable bedding available. Getting eight hours of sleep a night is easier said than done, especially if you find yourself struggling to get—and stay—comfortable under your sheets. "I feel like I hear two questions the most: Is it soft? Will it keep me cool?," says Anna Brakefield, co-founder of Red Land Cotton. "To answer those two questions the customer needs to look at the weave structure and weigh the pros and cons."
If you find yourself tossing and turning all night, breaking out into a sweat, or just not comfortable in the sheets you have, it could be time to invest in a new set of sheets. We spent 300 hours researching and testing the best bed sheets from all the top bedding brands, evaluating quality, fit, durability, breathability, and value. Our top pick, the Olive + Crate Cooling Eucalyptus Sheet Set, is made using 100 percent Tencel lyocell that looks and feels luxurious and gets softer after each wash.
Here are the best bed sheets for a restful night.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
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Best Overall
Olive + Crate Natural Eucalyptus Sheet Set
Buy at AmazonMade of soft and silky Tencel lyocell, these sheets wowed our testers with their soft and silky feel.
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Runner-Up, Best Overall
Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set
Buy at BrooklinenSmooth to the touch and with a slight sheen, these cult-favorite sheets earned high praise for their soft feel and breathability.
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Best Budget
Target Threshold Printed Performance Sheet Set
Buy at TargetThese sheets are proof that you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars on comfortable bedding.
More To Consider
Reviews
Best Overall
Olive + Crate Natural Eucalyptus Sheet Set
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Amazon
Silky look and feel
Sophisticated color options
Breathable and cooling
On the pricey side
Out of the 30+ sheet sets that we tested, the Olive + Crate Eucalyptus Cooling Sheets are our favorites. For one, they're incredibly soft and silky, with cooling capabilities that can't be beat. Plus, they come in a handful of sophisticated colors that will complement a variety of different bedroom styles.
A key factor in these sheets' star quality is their material—100% Tencel lyocell, derived from organic eucalyptus fibers. This gives the sheets a naturally soft and breathable feel that our testers loved. It also makes them a sustainable option, as eucalyptus requires far less water to process than linen or cotton, and the sheets can be composted at the end of their life span.
All in all, this is a high-quality option that will give you a comfortable, sweat-free night's sleep for years to come.
Price at time of publish: $99-$169
Material: 100% Tencel fiber | Weave: Sateen | Thread Count: 300 | Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King | Depth: 15-17.5 inches | Certifications: STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX, FSC & PEFC-certified eucalyptus wood
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Runner-Up, Best Overall
Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set
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Brooklinen
Limited edition colors and patterns released throughout the year
Labeled sheets
Can purchase in bundles for a discount
Pattern and color options limited in the core collection
The Brooklinen Luxe Sateen 4-Piece Sheet Set is one of our favorite sheet sets because of its incredibly soft and high-quality feel. Made with 100 percent long-staple cotton, these sheets have achieved a cult-like status for their durability and luxurious finish. Our testers agree with the accolades, giving them a perfect 5 out of 5 for overall quality and durability. Wash after wash, these sheets maintained their quality, even getting more soft and comfortable with use.
In the set, you get a fitted sheet that’s 15 inches deep, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases. You can choose from a number of colors and patterns, including limited edition ones released throughout the year. To achieve a satiny finish, the fabric is woven into a 480-thread count sateen weave that’s soft and smooth to the touch. Our testers also say they appreciate the care that goes into creating these sheets. All of Brooklinen’s bedding is OEKO-TEX certified, which means it's free from potentially harmful chemicals and synthetics.
Tester Takeaway: "Brooklinen claims that these sheets are 'buttery smooth.' In our experience, this holds true, including after the first wash. These sheets felt like a cozy, soft cocoon when we crawled into bed. Also, even though they’re made with breathable cotton, they still feel sturdy—which makes them more versatile during colder months."
While these sheets are a bit more expensive, our testing shows that they’re worth the investment because you’ will get a few years of use out of them. Plus, these sheets come with a two-year warranty—if they rip, pill, or fray during this period, Brooklinen will replace or repair them for you free of charge. After a year and a half of testing these sheets at home, our reviewer says they have held up well and have continued to get softer over time. All in all, between the thought construction and design of these sheets to their proven durability, these sheets deserve our best overall title.
Price at time of publish: $159-$229
Material: Cotton | Weave: Sateen | Thread Count: 480 | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Depth: 15 inches | Certifications: STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX
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The Spruce / Avery Stone
Best Budget
Target Threshold Printed Performance Sheet Set
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Target
Budget-friendly
Available in lots of patterns
Wrinkle-resistant
Not as durable as other options
Not as soft as other options
If you’re looking for budget-friendly cotton sheets, one great option is the Threshold Performance Sheet Set. With patterns ranging from delicate snowflakes to bright florals, you can purchase a different set for each season. Each set comes with a fitted sheet, flat sheet, and two pillowcases.
Made of 100% cotton with a thread count of 400, these sheets have a smooth finish that makes slipping into bed a dream. Our tester was a big fan of their cooling sensation, giving them a 5 out of 5 for both breathability and quality. Another standout feature was the fitted sheet's special fit technology, which ensures it doesn’t slip off your mattress.
Tester Takeaway: "The cotton material is light and cooling and stays pretty much in place even if you toss and turn a lot throughout the night; I felt like my limbs could slide through the sheets rather than get caught and tangled in them."
If you're worried about how these sheets will wear over time, the fabric is wrinkle-, pill-, and shrink-resistant which will help them look brand new even after months of use. After laundering them, these claims checked out: our tester was pleasantly surprised by the lack of shrinkage and wrinkling. Overall, this set is proof that you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a high-quality sheet set.
Price at time of publish: $35-$69
Material: Cotton | Weave: Sateen | Thread Count: 400 | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Depth: 18 inches | Certifications: MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX
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The Spruce / Claudia Fisher
Best Bamboo
BAMPURE 100% Organic Bamboo Sheets
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Amazon
Silky and smooth texture
High cooling factor
Great value
Prone to wrinkling
Color options might not be for everyone
Softer than traditional cotton, bamboo is a naturally cooling and odor-resistant material that's perfect for sleepers who tend to run hot. BAMPURE's Organic Bamboo Sheets are one of our favorite options in this category, offering a soft and breathable feel. During testing, we were impressed with their silky look and feel, and they didn't wrinkle nearly as much as other cooling options. Throughout use, these sheets maintained their initial coolness, leaving our tester comfortable and sweat-free.
The BAMPURE Organic Bamboo Sheets are available in five sizes and nearly a dozen colors, from softer neutrals to bright purple and blue. If you're looking for a more sophisticated look, however, we'd recommend you steer clear of the bolder colorways—they have a very saturated look that might not work for everyone.
Price at time of publish: $89-$109
Material: 100% organic bamboo | Weave: Sateen | Thread Count: Not listed | Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King | Depth: 16 inches | Certifications: STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Best Eucalyptus
Nest Bedding Eucalyptus Tencel Luxury Sheet Set
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Nest Bedding
Exceptionally cooling
Good value
Washed well
Wrinkle easily
If you're looking for a set of cool, comfortable, and sustainable sheets to add to your rotation, check out Nest Bedding's Luxury Tencel Sheet Set. Tencel fiber is derived from the wood pulp of eucalyptus trees, and this 100 percent Tencel sheet set is ultra-soft, durable, and wrinkle-resistant. The silky-smooth sheets are also breathable and moisture-wicking, so they’re perfect for warm nights and sweaty sleepers.
During testing, we were impressed with the cooling capabilities of these sheets—no surprise there, given the material. We also found this sheet set easy to machine wash and tumble dry, with little to no shrinkage or changes. It’s available in a handful of versatile colors, including white, and fits mattresses up to 15 inches thick.
Tester Takeaway: "The sheets were cool initially and stayed that way throughout the duration of sitting in the bed. I kept on touching them expecting them to become warm and that did not happen...I would buy these in a heartbeat."
While the environmentally-friendly, closed-loop manufacturing process for Tencel and eucalyptus bedding can make it pricey, given the quality, we'd say this sheet set is worth the splurge.
Price at time of publish: $82-$106
Material: Tencel lyocell | Weave: Sateen | Thread Count: Not listed | Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King | Depth: 15 inches| Certifications: STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX
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Dera Burreson / The Spruce
Best Sateen
Brielle Home 300 Thread Count Tencel Lyocell Sateen Sheet Set
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Brielle
Lightweight and breathable
Made from sustainably sourced eucalyptus
Good value
Somewhat limited color options
Prone to wrinkling
Sateen typically has a silkier feel compared to other weaves, with a lustrous sheen that many people love. If you're looking for a new set of sheets in this category, consider the Brielle Home Tencel Lyocell Sateen Sheet Set. Available in several versatile colors, our testers found them to be supremely smooth and luxe.
A standout quality of these sheets is their cooling factor—they're made of eucalyptus-derived Tencel lyocell, which is known to be incredibly lightweight and breathable. After laying in them, our tester felt noticeably cooler and loved how silky they felt. And while sateen isn't known for being as durable as plain weaves like percale, these sheets hold up well over time, getting softer with every wash.
Just note that, because these sheets are so lightweight, they're prone to wrinkling. We'd recommend drying them will wool dryer balls and taking them out of the machine promptly.
Price at time of publish: $53-$79
Material: Tencel lyocell | Weave: Sateen | Thread Count: 300 | Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Depth: 16 inches | Certifications: None listed
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Best Percale
Snowe Percale Sheet Set
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Snowe
Crisp and lightweight
Generous sizing
Expensive
Wrinkles easily
If you prefer the crisp feel of percale, opt for the Snowe Percale Sheet Set. These luxurious sheets are made from 100 percent Egyptian cotton percale that's milled and finished in Italy—and with a 500 thread count, they feel lightweight and cool to the touch. Plus, the sheets are OEKO-TEX-certified, which means they've been independently vetted for high product safety. "A percale weave can be soft but it won't be slick and it won't be "cooling" to the touch," says Brakefield. "However, it will allow for airflow which will help your body regulate its temperate and therefore keep you cool at night."
After sleeping on these sheets for several nights, our tester found these sheets to be "deceptively" soft and lightweight—a welcome departure from medium-weight percale. They earned a perfect 5 out of 5 for both texture and fabric quality, but despite being so lightweight, they hold heat well. Depending on your sleeping habits, this could either be a positive or a negative.
Tester Takeaway: "Initially, they felt like thick tissue paper and made rustling noises similar to it too. Because of this, we didn’t have very high hopes for the comfort level when we slept on the sheets, but they were deceptively soft and comfortable while we were sleeping, which was when it mattered most."
The machine-washable sheet set comes in Full, Queen, King, and California King sizes, and there are five colors to choose from, including classic white and soothing slate blue. Another plus: The fitted sheet is generously sized, so it fits well on thick mattresses.
Price at time of publish: $191-$233
Material: Cotton | Weave: Percale | Thread Count: 500 | Sizes: Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Depth: 17 inches | Certifications: STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX
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The Spruce / Lindsay Boyers
Best Color Options
Linenwalas 100% Tencel Lyocell Bed Sheets
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Amazon
Over a dozen colors to choose from
Breathable and cooling
Great value
Some loose threads upon arrival
If you’re looking to coordinate your sheets with your bedroom decor (or are just sick of white sheets) the Linenwallas 100% Tencel Bed Sheets are worth considering. With eight sizes and over a dozen colors to choose from—including Baby Pink and Avocado Green, two surprising neutrals—the options are truly endless.
Of course, there’s more to these sheets than just their appearance. During testing, we were particularly impressed with their material—like some other options on this list, the Linenwalas sheets are made with 100% Tencel lyocell, an über-breathable material derived from eucalyptus. This gives them a naturally cooling effect and a silky feel, so you can slide into bed with ease.
Price at time of publish: $59-$99
Material: Tencel lyocell | Weave: Not listed | Thread Count: Not listed | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Short Queen, Queen, King, California King, Split King | Depth: 16 inches | Certifications: STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX
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Best Cooling
PeachSkinSheets Night Sweats Sheets
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PeachSkinSheets
Affordable
Breathable
Lots of color options
No quality certifications
If you tend to get hot during the night, check out the Night Sweats Sheet Set from Atlanta-based brand Peach Skin. While these sheets may look basic, they're made from a high-performance, athletic fabric that’s designed to wick away moisture while regulating your body temperature. When using them in humid Miami, our tester found them to keep her at the perfect temperature all night long.
The star-factor of this sheet set comes from the brand's "smart fabric", which, besides being breathable, is designed to resist fading, pilling, snagging, and stains. While technically microfiber, the fabric has a brushed finish that gives them a high-end feel (the equivalent of a 1,500 thread count). We found the sheets to feel soft and cool to the touch—even after multiple rounds of washing. They earned perfect scores across all categories, thanks to their breathability, color options, and reasonable price point.
Tester Takeaway: "Right away, we noticed that the material did not feel as cool to the touch as our usual cotton sheets, which made us skeptical that they would do what they were supposed to do. However, we woke up that first night around 3 a.m. under a thick pile of blankets and noticed we felt drier and more comfortable than usual."
The Night Sweats Sheet Set comes with a fitted sheet that can fit mattresses up to 22 inches deep, as well as a flat sheet and two pillowcases. When it comes to washing, you'll want to avoid high heat—this has the potential to break down the fabric.
Price at time of publish: $99
Material: Polyester | Weave: Microfiber | Thread Count: 1500 | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King, Split Head | Depth: 22 inches | Certifications: Not listed
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The Spruce / Joline Buscemi
Best Linen
Parachute Linen Venice Set
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Courtesy of Parachute
Incredibly breathable
Lots of color options
Top sheet is optional
Runs large
Expensive
Linen fabric is great for warmer climates because it's breathable, absorbent, and durable. The fiber itself comes from the flax plant, and it's considered a "luxury fiber" because it's more expensive to prepare and spin. If you decide to invest in linen sheets, you can rest assured they’ll last for many years to come. This pick from popular home brand Parachute is a high-quality set of linen sheets, and it's designed to be intermixed with their other linen bedding offerings for an integrated look.
The Parachute Linen Venice Set is made from certified European flax, and the sheets have been pre-washed for improved softness. After sleeping on them for 2 weeks, our tester gave these sheets high marks for their soft, breathable fabric and overall look. As with most linen sheets, these wrinkle quite easily—but for buyers who prefer a more bohemian, lived-in aesthetic, it shouldn't be an issue. We gave them perfect scores for quality and texture.
When it comes to size, these sheets run a bit large—the fitted sheet can accommodate mattresses up to 16 inches deep, which is ideal for thicker mattresses. The set also comes with two pillowcases, which have a back envelope closure to keep your pillows in place. Choose from seven different colors, and then decide whether or not you want a top sheet with your set.
Price at time of publish: $469-$569
Material: Flax linen | Weave: n/a | Thread Count: Not listed | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Depth: 16 inches | Certifications: STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX
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The Spruce
Best Jersey
Royale Linens Soft Tees Jersey Knit Sheet Set
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Courtesy of Walmart
Budget-friendly
Good color variety
Wrinkle-resistant
Not 100% cotton
If you want your sheets to feel cozy and welcoming, you might prefer jersey sheets, which are made from a knitted fabric that’s similar to T-shirt material. In this category, the Royale Linens' Soft Tees Jersey Knit Sheet Set is a stand-out option. They come in a variety of muted colors, and the fitted sheet accommodates mattresses up to 15 inches deep. The fabric is made from 70 percent modal and 30 percent combed cotton, and it’s breathable and shrink-resistant.
Price at time of publish: $59
Material: Modal-cotton blend | Weave: Jersey | Thread Count: Not Listed | Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King | Depth: 15 inches | Certifications: None
Best Wrinkle-Resistant
Room Essentials Microfiber Solid Sheet Set
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Courtesy of Target
Wrinkle-free
Labels for easy bed-making
Affordable
Not great for hot sleepers
One common sheet woe is that they come out of the wash wrinkled—and who wants to go through the hassle of ironing a gigantic sheet? If the constant wrinkles bother you, invest in a set of wrinkle-resistant sheets, such as the Room Essentials Microfiber Sheet Set. These polyester sheets are made of a brushed microfiber weave, which keeps them from getting wrinkled as cotton sheets would.
This set comes with a flat sheet, fitted sheet, and two pillowcases, and the fitted sheet fits mattresses up to 15 inches deep. They come in a number of muted colors, and the fabric is even resistant to benzoyl peroxide, a common ingredient in acne medications.
Price at time of publish: $9-$22
Material: Polyester | Weave: Microfiber | Thread Count: 170 | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King | Depth: 15 inches | Certifications: STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX
Best Hotel-Style
Matouk Lowell Sheets
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Courtesy of Matouk
Over 30 colors
Taped border accent
Your choice of fitted sheet depth
Very expensive
Want to feel like you’re sleeping in a five-star hotel every night? To recreate the elements of luxurious five-star bedding, choose the high-end Matouk Lowell Sheets. These best-selling linens boast a 600-thread count and are made of Egyptian cotton in a breathable percale weave that will keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
The Lowell sheets come in classic white or ivory, and you have to buy the pieces separately. The flat sheet and pillowcases are decorated with a simple sateen tape border for a touch of elegance, and their fabric is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, which means that no harmful chemicals were used in production. This product ticks all the boxes for a luxury sheet set, making the Matouk Lowell Sheets well worth the higher price tag.
Price at time of publish: $475-$975
Material: Egyptian cotton | Weave: Percale | Thread Count: 600 | Sizes: Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Depth: 14-17 inches | Certifications: STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX
Compare
Overall Rating | Quality | Texture | Durability | Value | Breathability | ||
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Best Overall:
Olive + Crate Natural Eucalyptus Sheet Set
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Amazon | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
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Runner-Up, Best Overall:
Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set
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Amazon | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | |
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Best Budget:
Target Threshold Printed Performance Sheet Set
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Target | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 5 | 5 | |
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Best Bamboo:
BAMPURE Bamboo Sheets
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Amazon | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4.8 | 5 | |
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Best Eucalyptus:
Nest Bedding Eucalyptus Tencel Luxury Sheet Set
|
Nest Bedding | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | |
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Best Sateen:
Brielle Home 300 Thread Count Sateen Sheet Set
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Amazon | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
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Best Percale:
Snowe Percale Sheet Set
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Snowehome.com | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4.5 | 5 | |
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Best Color Options:
Linenwalas 100% Tencel Lyocell Bed Sheets
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Amazon | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
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Best Cooling:
PeachSkinSheets Night Sweats Sheets
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Amazon | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
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Best Linen:
Parachute Linen Venice Set
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Parachute | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | |
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Best Jersey:
Royale Linens Ultra Soft Jersey Knit Sheet Set
|
Amazon | ||||||
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Best Wrinkle-Resistant:
Room Essentials Microfiber Sheet Set
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Target | ||||||
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Best Hotel-Style:
Matouk Lowell Sheets
|
Bloomingdales |
After testing, the Olive + Crate Cooling Eucalyptus Sheet Set earns our top spot because they’re durable, soft, and cooling. While the price point is a bit higher, these sheets are a worthwhile investment that you’ll be able to use for years. We also love the L.L.Bean 280-Thread Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set, which is made with a plain weave that ends up being more crisp and cool than other weaves such as sateen or flannel.
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The Spruce / Dena Burreson
How We Tested the Bed Sheets
We purchased over 30 sheets to put to the test at The Lab in Des Moines, Iowa, evaluating them on the basis of quality, texture, breathability, durability, and overall value. In addition to rating the overall comfort and cooling properties of the sheets, our testers also assessed how the sheets felt right out of the package; how they looked and fit on the bed; and how they held up in the washer and dryer. We combined their insights with input from our editors and home testers to bring you this list.
What to Look for in a Sheet Set
Fiber
When choosing a new sheet set, you’ll first want to consider which fiber you find most comfortable. Cotton is a popular choice for bedding because it’s soft, breathable, durable, and usually affordable. There are also high-end cotton sheets, like those made from Egyptian or organic cotton. If the sheets don’t specify what kind of cotton is used, it’s most likely American Upland, a widely used, basic fiber.
Linen, on the other hand, is considered a luxury fiber for sheets. Linen sheets are incredibly durable, often lasting decades when cared for properly, and they get softer each time you wash them. Additionally, they’re breathable and wick moisture away from the skin, and some people tout linen sheets as a great solution for those with sensitive skin. The downside of linen sheets is they’re incredibly expensive and the wrinkled look might not be appealing to everyone.
Microfiber is a more cost-friendly option that's less prone to wrinkling and soft from day one. This makes it ideal for college students or those wanting a lower maintenance sheet set. With that being set, synthetic fabric does have its drawbacks. "[Microfiber sheets] are probably not the best option for people who get hot when they sleep, as they don’t absorb moisture as well," says Amanda Leather, Interior Designer at Havenly.
Synthetics like Lyocell and other new textile types are also often used as an alternative to cotton in sheet sets. "Synthetics have pros and cons," says Anna Brakefield, the co-founder of Red Land Cotton. "For example, most hotels need polyester in their sheeting so they can stand up to the crazy high temps and bleach used in their laundering. I think the downside to most synthetics is really the chemically intensive process it takes to make them.
"They aren't naturally occurring, therefore, a good bit of energy and processing has to be done to make the fibers. When it comes to performance, I will say the same thing as I have about thread count and weave: Fiber quality, yarn quality, and construction are going to make or break the sheet."
Weave
The type of weave used to make sheets determines their overall feel, and it's generally a key consideration when choosing between different types of cotton weaves. Two of the most common weaves are sateen, which has a smooth, silky feel with a bit of sheen, and percale, which feels crisp and cool. Percale sheets are made with a plain weave—the yarns are arranged in an over-one-under-one pattern—that results in a crisp-feeling fabric. Thanks to their simple construction, these sheets are typically very strong and durable. However, they’re generally not the softest option available and are a bit more prone to wrinkles.
"When it comes to longevity, the more yarn that is exposed on the surface of the sheet, the more likely those fibers are to break as they are vulnerable to friction," says Brakefield. "This results in holes, pilling, fraying, etc. Typically, sheeting with an over-under basket weave will be more durable and last longer. A sheet with a sateen weave gets its slick finish because more yarn is on the surface of the fabric. It may have a softer had but is prone to issues over time."
While sateen sheets have a lustrous feel that many people enjoy, they’re not as durable as percale sheets and are much more susceptible to pilling. Other popular weaves include jersey and flannel. As you might suspect, jersey sheets feel similar to a cotton T-shirt, while flannel sheets feel like, well, flannel shirts. Jersey is known for being soft and cozy, and flannel sheets are incredibly warm and a popular option for winter.
Thread Count
Thread count refers to the number of horizontal and vertical strands of yarn in one square inch of fabric, and sheets have thread counts ranging from 200 to over 1,000. High thread count is often associated with high quality and softness, but a lot depends on the fabric and construction of the sheets.
"Thread count doesn't matter as much in my opinion when it comes to performance and quality," says Brakefield. "What matters more would be the quality of the fibers making up the yarn, the yarn diameter and the weave construction."
For example, a well-made set of sheets with a 300 thread count will be more comfortable than an 800-thread-count set that’s poorly constructed. So, take thread count into consideration, but know that it's not the only way to measure quality.
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Fit
When it comes to how well your sheets will fit your bed, the most important factor to consider is your mattress depth. Mattress depths can range anywhere from 7 inches thick all the way up to 20 inches and can have a big impact on how certain sets of sheets fit. If you have an extra-deep mattress (sometimes referred to as a tall or extra-tall mattress), be sure to look for a fitted sheet with extra-deep pockets and a generously sized top sheet. This will ensure that everything can easily be tucked in and stay in place.
The opposite is true for low-profile, or slim mattresses. Most standard mattresses are 8 to 12 inches deep, and most sheet sets are designed to fit mattresses within that range, but it's worth measuring your mattress before buying new sheets to get a good fit. Also, take into consideration that some fitted sheets have a fully-elasticized hem, while others only have an elastic hem on two sides. If you tend to toss and turn at night, opt for a full-elasticized hem to help keep the fitted sheet in place.
Certifications
When shopping for sheets, you'll come across various certifications, the most common being OEKO-TEX, GOTS, and organic. OEKO-TEX is an international association of 18 independent research and test institutes that sets standards for safer textile products. If sheets are certified by OEKO-TEX, it means they meet the requirements of OEKO-TEX's sustainability standards.
GOTS-certified means sheets contain at least 95 percent certified organic fiber, have not been produced with bleach, formaldehyde, or any other potentially harmful substances, and are colored with natural dyes. If you simply see the term "organic" on a set of sheets, take that claim with a grain of salt: while the sheets may have been produced using some organically-grown cotton, there's no way to know for sure unless they're GOTS-certified.
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How often should you replace your sheets?
This depends on the sheets themselves and how you care for them. High-quality sheets that are washed on a gentle cycle and dried on low heat can last forever. The important thing is to always follow the manufacturer's care instructions on the tag.
"If you are buying a quality sheet, you really shouldn’t have to replace them a lot, at all," says Brakefield. "The only part of a quality sheet that you might need to replaced would be the fitted sheet as it does see the most wear. I would suggest replacing our fitted sheets every 5-8 years."
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Does thread count matter?
As mentioned above, thread count can help you understand the construction of a set of sheets, but it's not always an indicator of quality, like so many people think. Above anything else, the fiber quality, construction, and weave are going to determine the overall longevity and performance of a set of sheets.
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What are the best sheet materials to look for?
Cotton and linen sheets are some of the most durable options on the market, but they also come at a price, especially if you're buying high-quality ones. As mentioned above, synthetic sheets are durable and often used in commercial settings like hotels because they can withstand high wash temperatures and chemicals for sanitation. As recommended by experts throughout this roundup, you should pay close attention to the weave type, and consider the overall quality of materials used before purchasing a set of sheets.
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Can you use a queen-sized sheet set on a full-sized bed?
A queen mattress is 6 inches wider and 4 inches longer than a full mattress. It is possible to use a queen-sized sheet set on a full-sized bed, especially if you prefer more length on the sides of your bed. A queen fitted sheet may be slightly too big for a full-sized bed, but not so big that it will come off the bed in the middle of the night.
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was edited and researched by Cristina Sanza, a lifestyle writer specializing in home products and organization hacks. To choose the best product picks to include in this article, she consulted insights from our team of home and lab testers, along with customer reviews and third-party articles. Each of these options ranked the highest in our testing. Expert advice was provided by Amanda Leather, Interior Designer at Havenly.
Emma Phelps, an updates writer for The Spruce, contributed additional research and reporting. She spoke with Anna Brakefield, the co-founder of Red Land Cotton, a family-owned and operated bedding business. With a background in marketing as well as working on her family's North Alabama cotton farm, Brakefield offers a unique, expert perspective on bedding.