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Credit:
Getty / DNY59
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
Learn more about our product testing
These 100% cotton sheets are soft, silky smooth, and fit mattresses up to 15 inches deep. They’re available in a variety of colors and come with two pillowcases per set. Read More
These 100% cotton sheets were delightful to sleep on and are a great option for people who don't want to spend more than $100. Read More
Brooklinen's percale sheets check all the boxes: lightweight, luxe, and high-quality. Read More
Featuring brushing on both sides, these Lands' End flannel sheets are soft and warm yet remain lightweight. Read More
Of all the flannel sets we tested, these Company Store sheets were the heaviest. We'd recommend them for anyone looking for very warm sheets. Read More
We spend a third of our lives sleeping, and the right bedding can make all the difference between a good night and a bad one. But with thousands of sheets out there at just about every price point, how are you supposed to pick the perfect set of sheets?
Well, we did the testing—and napping—for you. If want buttery soft sateen, you can’t go wrong with our top pick, the Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set (available at Brooklinen) , and if you’re after a crisp percale feel, we recommend the Brooklinen Classic Core Sheet Set (available at Brooklinen). Hoping to cozy up under flannel? We’ve got picks for you, too.
The best bed sheets we tested are made by Brooklinen.
These California Design Den sheets have a high-end feel with an under $100 price tag.
Brooklinen's percale sheets are airy, lightweight, and more affordable than many other luxury brands.
These Lands' End sheets are available in all sizes, from twin XL to California king.
The Company Store Legends Luxury Velvet Flannel Sheets were the warmest and coziest out of all the flannel sheets we tested.
Linen Home's percale sheets are crisp, breathable, and budget-friendly.
The best linen sheets we tested from Buffy keep you cool and feel soft to the touch.
Camryn Rabideau has been testing sheets and other bedding for several years (and is an expert at folding fitted sheets). In addition to her experience in product testing, she studied textiles, fashion merchandising, and design.
Jamie Ueda has spent years working for various apparel and textile companies, and prides herself on helping Reviewed readers make smart purchasing decisions for everything fabric-related—whether it be cooling sheets or other bedding, or clothing, shoes, and accessories, like breathable face masks.
Lindsey Vickers, former senior staff writer covering sleep here at Reviewed, also contributed to testing additional sheets that we've added to this guide.
We have our testers sleep on bed sheets multiple times, evaluating factors like softness, comfort, temperature regulation, and even whether they make noise when shifting around. Our sheet testers also use their textiles expertise to examine the stitching and construction, as well.
We also assess them for factors like wrinkling and staining, and how easily they clean up. We stain them with fruit juice (and sometimes soda,) then crumple them up and leave them in a sealed bag overnight. Afterwards, we wash them without any pre-treatment, to see whether they retain any staining.
The easiest thing to figure out about sheets is whether they feel nice against your skin, and that’s obviously important. But there are other factors to consider, as well. The fiber, construction method, and thread count can all affect how sheets feel, perform, and wear over time, and we consider them all when testing and recommending the best sheets.
There are three types of fiber that go into sheet material: natural, synthetic, and semi-synthetic.
Natural fibers include plant-derived fabrics like cotton and linen, as well as animal-derived fabrics like silk and wool. Synthetic materials like polyester are made from petroleum. Semi-synthetics start with natural products such as wood pulp or cellulose from plants, which are then chemically broken down so they can be made into thread and woven or knit into fabric. Rayon, bamboo viscose, and lyocell (sold under the brand name Tencel) are semi-synthetics.
The best sheets are going to combine high-quality, long-staple fabric with a quality weave. The types of construction, from sateen to percale to flannel, aren’t any better or worse than the others. They each have unique qualities that make them suitable for different people or situations.
Cotton is known for breathability. Popular types include Pima, Egyptian, and American Upland. Each has a different staple length—the length of a piece of fiber once it’s harvested. Longer-staple cotton makes more durable fabrics.
Pima or Egyptian cotton tend to be longer-staple. While Egyptian cotton is a kind of cotton, some people will refer to any cotton grown in Egypt as “Egyptian cotton.” To make sure you’re getting the right, high-quality material, look specifically for cotton labeled “long” or “extra long.”
Synthetic fibers aren’t generally as breathable as cotton, though some polyesters can be soft and have moisture-wicking properties. Some synthetic blends combine benefits from different fibers, such as the softness of cotton and strength of polyester. Microfiber sheets also fall under synthetics.
Synthetic naturals, or semi-synthetics, include fabrics like bamboo viscose and rayon. They’re made from processed wood pulp or plant cellulose that’s chemically processed to create fiber that can be woven or knit into fabric. These materials may provide benefits like moisture wicking and cooling, but they can lack the durability that cotton offers.
Pilling is when fibers break, pulling to the surface and forming little balls. Longer-staple fabrics can help prevent pilling.
Linens or “bed linens” are common, general names for bedsheets. However, there is also a fabric called linen that comes from flax. Some sheets actually are made of linen, but you may hear the term thrown around for bedding in general.
Thread count refers to the number of threads in a square inch of fabric. The number is everywhere when shopping for woven sheets like percale or sateen. Most people assume that higher thread counts equal higher quality. Unfortunately, it’s not that straightforward.
Different countries measure thread count differently. In the United States, the ply—the number of fiber pieces twisted together to make a thread—is not counted toward the total thread count. In other countries, plies get counted, so thread counts may appear double those of comparable sheets manufactured in the U.S.
On top of that, thread count is less important than the quality of the cotton. Long-staple cottons like pima cotton or Egyptian cotton can be key to making soft, durable sheets. (Just make sure that you’re buying actual, long-staple Egyptian cotton and not just “cotton made in Egypt.”)
Finally, too-high thread counts can actually make sheets feel stiff and uncomfortable. Generally speaking, experts recommend not worrying too much about thread count. You may generally aim for a thread count above 200 to 250 for durability’s sake. But it’s not the most important factor, and some companies no longer even share the information.
Fabric’s construction, whether woven or knit, also affects the texture. Woven fabrics used in bedding include percale, satin or sateen, twill, and flannel. The main type of knit used is jersey.
Percale weave follows a simple over-under weave pattern and is usually made from long-staple cotton. The long fiber and the weave combine to make a smooth, durable fabric.
Satin/sateen weaves are composed of threads woven together in a perpendicular and parallel pattern. The unique weave makes the fabric smoother and gives them their characteristic sheen. However, the floating threads in these fabrics can be more prone to snagging. Because of its soft feel, sateen is highly recommended for people with sensitive skin.
Twill is newer to the bedding market and known for its durability. The diagonal weave allows for a higher number of yarns to be packed tightly together. Twill sheets tend to have a more textured feel than satin and sateen. Even if you haven’t seen twill sheets, you’ve encountered at least one twill fabric in clothing: denim.
Flannel starts with a plain or twill weave, usually with a higher thread count. It’s then treated with a process called “calendaring” to make it fuzzy. Flannel is extra warm, and popular in cooler seasons and locales.
Jersey sheets have a soft and stretchy feel. Because this type of knit fabric is commonly used for T-shirts, many jersey sheets feel like you are sleeping on one.
Camryn Rabideau is a full-time freelance writer and product tester with eight years of experience. She's been lucky enough to test hundreds of products firsthand, and her specialties include bedding and pet products, which often require help from her two dogs, three cats, and flock of rambunctious chickens.
Lindsey writes about sleep, lifestyle, and more for Reviewed. In her waking hours, she likes to spend time outside, read, cook, and bake. She holds a master’s in journalism from Boston University and bachelors' degrees in English Literature and Anthropology from the University of Utah.
Jamie Ueda
Apparel Staff Writer
Jamie writes about clothing, shoes, and accessories for Reviewed. She loves apparel and doesn't like to sacrifice fashion, comfort, or quality in whatever she wears.
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