Buying guide for Best bed sheets
Sheets are complicated — who knew? Thread counts, construction, and material all play a part, so we’ve whittled it down to the best options over a range of features.
The first thing to look for is the thread count, which is the number of horizontal and vertical threads per square inch. The higher the count, the softer the sheets. Most range from 200 to as much as 800, with 300-400 being considered in the luxury range. Fitted bottom sheets are the easiest and neatest, although harder to fold and store, while a set will also include a flat top sheet.
For material, cotton, specifically Egyptian or Pima cotton, is the best of the best, though cotton-polyester blends will stand up to more washes. For a luxury look, we also looked at satin, as well as Microfiber for allergen relief. Look for the type that works best with your needs — consider if they need to endure a lot of washes, or just need to look good in the guest room.
Bed sheet materials
First thing's first – you must decide which sheet material is right for you. Here are some of the most common bed sheet materials you'll find on today’s market.
Cotton
Cotton is by far the most popular bed sheet material. It's a natural, breathable fiber that tends to be soft and comfortable (though several factors affect the texture; more on that later). The highest-quality options include Egyptian cotton, pima cotton, and supima cotton. Cotton is usually dyed and heavily processed, but if you're looking for an eco-friendly option, go for undyed organic cotton.
Cotton bed sheets are lightweight, breathable, and comfortable. When it comes to cotton, we often favor sheets made of high-quality Egyptian cotton, pima cotton, or supima cotton.
We look for sheets that don’t pill. Bamboo is a good example of a fabric that doesn’t pill since it’s made from natural fibers and is hypoallergenic.
We check the packaging of each bed sheet to see if it identifies the depth of the mattress it can accommodate. The depth will be classified as standard (7 to 9 inches deep), deep (up to 15 inches deep), or extra-deep (16 to 22 inches deep).
For bed sheets that last, we often research linen offerings. Linen is a high-quality soft material that works in both warm and cold climates.
We consider the thread count—the number of threads both horizontal and vertical— in each square inch of fabric. For a luxury bed sheet, the range is 400 to 500 threads.
When looking for the best sheets, we take note of microfiber, silk, and satin offerings. It can be difficult to find high-quality microfiber sheets, and some people dislike silk and satin because these materials feel slippery and hot.
Bed sheets should be easy to clean. We take note of the washing instructions of all bed sheets we consider.
Jersey fabric sheets have a cotton texture that’s knitted rather than woven, and it feels like a T-shirt. It’s very comfortable and warm. An alternative to jersey fabric is flannel, another warm and comfortable fabric.
The best bed sheets won’t shrink, wrinkle, or fade over time. We consider these factors in our quest for the best bed sheets.
For consumers who like crisp bed sheets, we consider polyester and cotton sheets with thread counts of 800 to 1,000.
Jersey
While jersey is technically cotton, its texture and properties are different enough from traditional cotton to warrant its own section.
Jersey fabric is knitted rather than woven, and it feels like a soft T-shirt. While undeniably comfy, these sheets will make you warm in your bed, so they're best reserved for winter.
Flannel
Flannel is another bed sheet material best left for winter. It's thick compared to most other sheet materials, so it will keep you warm, even in a cold climate.
Flannel is definitely one of those fabrics people either love or hate. Some users find flannel to be warm and comfortable, but others find it stifling and scratchy.
Linen
Linen is a high-quality material that's strong and durable. If you want to be the kind of family that passes bed sheets down through generations, linen is the way to go.
Linen is often pricey, but it gets softer with use, tends to be cool in hot weather, and doesn't pill.
On the downside, it's prone to wrinkling, so you'll either need to take a clothes iron to your linen sheets or live with the creases.
Did you know?
For years, linen was the go-to material for bed sheets, which is why they're sometimes called bed linens.
STAFF
BestReviews
Microfiber
Microfiber sheets are made from finely woven synthetic fibers. They tend to have a very soft feel and an affordable price, especially when compared to high-quality sheets made of natural fibers.
Microfiber is hypoallergenic and stain-resistant, but it can sometimes feel thin and cheap, and you may encounter problems with pilling after a number of washes.
Silk or satin
Silk and satin sheets were big back in the '80s and '90s but have mostly fallen out of favor now. Even if you like their shiny appearance, they tend to get hot at night and feel slippery rather than soft.
While nobody's stopping you from buying silk or satin sheets – and everyone's idea of comfort is different – they certainly aren’t the preferred sheet type in most camps anymore.
Bamboo
Bamboo sheets are luxuriously soft and durable, and they rarely pill. They have antimicrobial properties and are hypoallergenic.
The only real downside to bamboo sheets is that they tend to be costly.
Bamboo is an extremely breathable natural fiber. In fact, it’s even more breathable than cotton. As such, bamboo makes for lightweight bedding that won't make you overheat in hot weather. It's also great if you're prone to night sweats.
Did you know?
Rayon is a material made from highly processed bamboo fibers. Watch out for rayon sheets mislabelled as bamboo.
STAFF
BestReviews
Polyester
Polyester sheets are inexpensive, durable, and relatively wrinkle-resistant. The problem is, they tend to be stiffer and more scratchy than cotton.
If you’re looking for sheets that are cheaper than 100% cotton yet softer and more comfortable than polyester, consider a cotton/polyester blend.
Thread count
If you've ever bought bed sheets or towels, you've probably heard the term "thread count," but what does it mean?
Thread count refers to the number of threads – both horizontal and vertical – weaved into each square inch of fabric. Thread counts range from about 180 to 1,000, but sheets with the higher thread counts aren't necessarily the most comfortable.
If you're looking for a luxury bed sheet, opt for something in the 400 to 500 range. Any higher than that, and sheets start to feel stiff because they have so many fibers packed into them.
Mattress depth
Some mattresses are deeper than others, and if your sheet isn't the right depth, it won't be large enough to tuck in and is likely to start sliding off the corners of the bed.
Fortunately, you can usually look on the packaging (or in the online product specs) to see whether the depth of a given sheet set is classified as standard, deep, or extra-deep.
-
Standard-depth sheets fit mattresses that are 7 to 9 inches deep.
-
“Deep” sheets fit mattresses that are up to 15 inches deep.
-
“Extra-deep” sheets fit mattresses that are between 16 and 22 inches deep.
Did you know?
High-quality cotton has longer fibers that make bed sheets stronger and less prone to pilling.
STAFF
BestReviews
Mattress size
Naturally, you need to choose sheets that fit your mattress. If you’re not sure whether your bed is a king, queen, or full size, these measurements might help you out.
-
Twin mattresses: 39" x 75"
-
Twin XL mattresses: 39" x 80"
-
Full mattresses: 53" x 75"
-
Queen mattresses: 60" x 80"
-
King mattresses: 76"x 80"
-
California king mattresses: 72" x 84"
Sheet set prices
The average price of a bed sheet set varies depending on factors such as size, material, and thread count.
Low-cost bed sheets
The most affordable bed sheets tend to be made of synthetic fibers, such as microfiber or polyester, or a cotton/poly blend.
Did you know?
It's harder to get a neat corner if you use a flat sheet as your bottom sheet. Fitted sheets are designed to solve this problem.
STAFF
BestReviews
Mid-priced bed sheets
Bed sheets priced in the mid-range tend to be made of basic cotton with a low to mid-level thread count.
Expensive bed sheets
High-end bed sheets are the priciest of all. They are typically made of high-quality natural fibers. In the highest price range, you’ll find sheets made of Egyptian cotton, pima cotton, and supima cotton with a high thread count. You’ll also find sheets of linen and bamboo.
Choosing the most comfortable bed sheets
There's no single equation for comfort, which is why we can't simply tell you what the one best bed sheet out there is. Everyone has their own preferences. But these simple guidelines can help point you in the right direction.
-
If you like your bed sheets lightweight and crisp, opt for percale weave cotton sheets.
-
If you like sheets that are soft and smooth yet heavy in weight, go with sateen weave cotton sheets.
-
If you like warm, extra-soft sheets, we recommend jersey knit sheets.
-
If you like cool, extra-soft bed sheets, bamboo sheets are your best bet.
-
If you like crisp and fairly stiff bed sheets, consider polyester sheets or cotton sheets with a thread count of 800 to 1,000.
FAQ
Q. Can I buy bed sheets in a range of colors and patterns?
A. Some fabrics dye better than others, but if you're not set on one particular fabric, you can find bed sheets in all the colors of the rainbow – plus a range of attractive patterns such as stripes, floral patterns, polka dots, and more.
Q. Should I buy a single sheet or a set of sheets?
A. This depends on whether you just need a bottom sheet to go on your mattress or if you need a top sheet and pillowcases as well. Unless you're buying plain white sheets, however, it may be advisable to buy a full set so the colors match.
Q. Do my bed sheets have any special care requirements?
A. Most bed sheets can just be thrown in the washer and dryer, but you should definitely separate whites and colors. You should also check the label to learn the best temperature for washing the sheets. To help kill germs, sheets often benefit from washing at a higher-than-average temperature.
