An exceptional set of bed sheets could be the missing link to getting a great night of sleep. If your bedding feels too pilled, too stiff, or too threadbare to be enjoyable, then it’s time to make that upgrade for your sleep's sake.
Here are all of the best bed sheets that we most recommend, spanning a range of materials and price points, so you can find your perfect fit.
The Best Bed Sheets
- Best Sateen Sheets: Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Sheets
- Best Percale Sheets: Parachute Percale Sheets
- Best Linen Sheets: Lands' End Garment Washed Linen Sheets
- Best Flannel Sheets: Riley Reversible Flannel Sheets
- Best Bamboo Sheets: The Purple Sheets
- Best Jersey Sheets: Pure Beech Jersey Knit Modal Sheets
- Best Microfiber Sheets: Mellanni Brushed Microfiber Sheets
- Best Eucalyptus Sheets: Sijo Eucalyptus Sheets
What to Consider
The most important decision-making factor when it comes to buying the best bed sheets is the material of a set. Bed sheet material is largely a matter of personal preference — linen, cotton, bamboo, and eucalyptus are airier and cooler-feeling, while flannel, microfiber, and cotton blends typically retain more body heat for a warmer night's sleep.
The sheets' thread count number (where available) is also helpful for noting the difference in feel between different sets. Check out the bottom of this page for more information on thread count.
Of course, it's tough to discern variances in quality — let alone performance over time — from specs alone, which is why testing sheets in-house is important to us. We evaluate the best bed sheets based on the following criteria:
- Softness
- Thickness
- Breathability
- Fit on mattress
- Change in feel and fit after washing
We also look for transparency in the sheets' construction and material sourcing, which usually includes third-party certification for eco-friendly and ethical practices (e.g., GOTS certification, Fair Trade certification). Bed sheet sets that are available in a wide range of mattress sizes and many color choices are a bonus, though not a strict deciding factor in determining which are the best quality.
How We Tested
Many of these bed sheets were the top contenders from in-house product tests, while others were one-off trials. We took into consideration products that have been highly rated by other bedding review sites, buyer-favorite sets, and sheets from newer brands that prioritize quality materials and company transparency.
Our short-term testing trial for all sheets is 14 nights of sleep. Testers on our team are instructed to wash sheets before sleeping on them, and then wash them once more after the first full week to note the change in feel, if any.
After getting the chance to try these sheets and live with them for a few weeks, these are the best bed sheets that impressed us the most in terms of construction, feel, and longevity.
Learn more about how we test products, from the questions we ask our testing team, to the types of products we feel are actually worth testing, to the overall time we put into our testing process.
Best Sateen Sheets
Cotton sateen sheets are known for their silky feel and subtle sheen, which is the result of a tight three-over-one weave. If you pinch the corner of a sateen sheet and rub your thumb along it, you should feel smoothness back and forth, but more friction up and down — this is due to the elongated weft stitches. Sateen is usually made with thicker cotton yarn than percale, though most sets that we've tested are a comfortable weight to sleep with in all seasons.
The Brooklinen Luxe Sheet Set is one of the best sheets in this category, because the material is exceptionally well made for a fair price. These long-staple cotton sateen sheets have a 480 thread count, which strikes the right balance between crisp and casual. They're way more flexible and breathable than hotel-quality starched linens — yet their tight weave is smooth, soft, and not see-though whatsoever.
They come in a variety of product permutations, depending on your particular bedding needs. To read on about our experience with using these sheets over the last few years, check out our full review here.
Available in seven core colors, the Brooklinen Luxe Sheet Set starts at $135 and comes in sizes twin/XL through California king.
More of Our Favorite Sateen Sheets:
Best Percale Sheets
Percale sheets, though made with nearly the same type of fibers as sateen sheets, have a slightly more textured feel. If you do the above-mentioned rub test on percale sheets, you won't find any variance of friction in any direction; this is because percale sheets have a symmetrical over-one-under-one weave that is slightly more porous and breathable than sateen. Percale sheets may be a better choice for those who tend to sleep hot, as the material isn't as insulating as other types.
Parachute's Luxury Percale Sheets are gorgeous linens with a crisp feel and clean look. Made in Portugal, the Egyptian-cotton percale material is pleasantly lightweight and airy, making them an ideal summertime set. It's certainly a sheet set that gets better with time, as washings with the proper care will relax the fibers and make the sheets even cozier. If you sleep with a cooling pillow, this set is the perfect thickness to allow you to feel the pillow's coolness without being too thin or as porous as linen.
As with all of their sheet sets, Parachute allows users to choose whether or not they want to include a top sheet, making a difference of $60-90 on the total, depending on the chosen size.
Available in eight colors, the Parachute Percale Sheet Set starts at $109 and comes in sizes twin/XL through California king.
More of Our Favorite Percale Sheets:
Best Linen Sheets
Looking for bedding that's even lighter than cotton percale? Get yourself a set of linen sheets, stat. Linen sheets are ideal for summertime sleeping, because the fabric itself tends to be lighter and more porous than other weaves. It's woven of sustainably sourced fibers derived from the flax plant, which is a fast-growing crop that requires far less water to grow and harvest than cotton. Although linen sheets tend to feel a little grainy to the touch upon first use, they usually soften up after a few washes into an unbelievably soft and cozy material that won't pill or produce as much lint as others.
The Lands' End Garment-Washed Linen Sheets topped our own in-house user test, ticking off all of our baseline criteria in terms of comfort, breathability, and value. They're made from Belgian flax and are pre-washed for a cotton-like feel that’s far softer than linen’s traditionally rough texture. This set got high marks for breathability, which is perfect for those whose body (or bedroom) temperature errs on the side of warm at night. For the long-term, these sheets are touted as holding up incredibly well to countless washes and near-constant use. Users can also monogram these sheets for just $8 more!
Available in five colors, the L.L.Bean Garment Washed Linen Solid Sheets starts at $225 and comes in sizes twin through king.
More of Our Favorite Linen Sheets:
Best Flannel Sheets
Come winter, you'll want to tuck into something a little warmer. Cotton flannel sheets get a bad rap for being a little too warm at times, which is why a well-made set makes all the difference. At its best, flannel material should feel smooth and velvety and should keep the sleeper feeling warm and cozy, without making them sweat. We prefer lighter-weight flannel sheets for this reason.
Everything about the Riley Flannel Sheets appeals to the modern consumer's tastes, from their reversible colorways to the lightweight, silky texture. Crafted in Portugal, they're made of OEKO-TEX-certified 100% combed-cotton flannel. They're far more breathable than other flannel sets and have deep pockets to accommodate a tall mattress plus a topper. This set also washes beautifully and doesn't pill after a season of use.
Available in three colors, the Riley Reversible Flannel Sheet Set starts at $199 and comes in sizes full through king.
More of Our Favorite Flannel Sheets:
Best Bamboo Sheets
Bamboo sheets tend to have a very relaxed, flexible feel to them, and the breathable, moisture-wicking material gives them a casual texture akin to performance wear.
The Purple sheets are made of bamboo-derived viscose and Spandex, and the texture is very comfy and T-shirt-like. The sheets’ fabric isn’t thick or weighty at all, making them great for the warmer seasons, and though the material isn’t infused with anything to make it “cooling,” it does have a slinky, breathable feel.
Quite simply, these sheets are a hot sleeper's dream. They form-fit perfectly to a 12-inch-high mattress and securely stay on, thanks to the fitted sheets' thick elastic band. To learn more about our experience testing this material, check out our full review.
Available in four colors, The Purple Sheets start at $89 and comes in sizes twin/XL through California king.
More of Our Favorite Bamboo Sheets:
Best Jersey Sheets
Jersey sheets are typically made of modal, which is a semi-plant-derived textile made from beech-tree pulp that's used often to make T-shirts, pajamas, and underwear. The fabric is slinky and stretchy, and it feels great against the skin. It also tends to have a slight cooling feeling as well, making them great for warm-weather sleeping.
The Pure Beech Jersey Knit Sheet set may be on the affordable end of the bedding spectrum, but they're also irresistibly soft and flexible. They require no breaking in at all. Though the material is slightly more prone to pilling and shrinking, washing the set on a gentler and cooler laundry setting will extend its lifespan considerably. We also think that these are the best sheets for college students — to learn why, check out our full review here.
Available in 10 colors, the Pure Beech Jersey Knit Modal Sheets start at $30 and come in sizes twin/XL through California king.
Best Microfiber Sheets
As far as budget goes, it's tough to beat microfiber polyester. Though not quite as breathable as cotton, bamboo, or modal, they do have a velvety coziness to them that makes for a good, flannel-like alternative in the colder months.
The Mellanni Microfiber Sheet Set has a very cozy tactility and retains it for months (even years!) later. The material not only feels great, but it has some impressive grip to it, too. It'll grip a mattress cover or pillowcase much better than cotton or other materials, to prevent slipping off in the night.
If these sheets seem a little familiar to you, you likely saw them on Amazon — this is their most popular bedding set, with over 161,000 reviews! We dig into this a bit more in our full review.
Available in 42 colors, the Mellanni Microfiber Sheet Set starts at $36 and comes in sizes twin/XL through California king.
Best Eucalyptus Sheets
If you like the idea of sleeping on silk sheets, but not the reality of how sweaty they'd make you, the Sijo Eucalyptus Sheets are your perfect match. This bedding is made of a eucalyptus-based material called Tencel, and it has a similar cooling, smooth feel to bamboo-derived viscose, but they're a little more crisp-feeling.
The Sijo sheets take virtually no time to break in, feeling supremely soft on the first night's sleep. And fortunately, the feeling doesn't go away after washing. Like with silk, these eucalyptus sheets don't have a lot of friction, so you may feel like you slide around a bit more on them when compared to cotton — though that may be just what you're looking for. Plus, if you tend to feel a lot of heat in your head and neck when you sleep, this cooling set's pillowcases are a dream to have against your face all night.
We also like that this set gives users the option to add on a top flat sheet — if you prefer to sleep without one, these sheets are $50-70 cheaper.
Available in eight colors, the Sijo Eucalyptus Sheet Set starts at $95 and comes in sizes twin/XL through California king.
What does the thread-count number mean?
Thread count pertains to the number of threads woven within 1 square inch of the material. The higher the number of threads per square inch, the higher the thread count, and the more tightly woven that material will be. Luxury-grade sheets tend to be upwards of 700 thread count, giving you that crisp, hotel-quality feel. This doesn’t mean a smaller thread count means lesser quality! Sheets with a 300 or 400 thread count can be much softer upon first night’s sleep, and they usually won’t need to be “broken-in” by repeated washings.
If you buy sheets with a high thread count, you're investing in a fabric that likely won’t degrade or pill over time, but will yield a softer and softer texture the more that it’s used. And yes, that'll usually mean paying a little bit more.
What does OEKO-TEX mean?
OEKO-TEX is an independent certification system for textiles, which, according to its Code of Conduct, "enables consumers and companies to protect our planet by making responsible decisions."
OEKO-TEX certification is a rigorous process, and its label ensures that textile companies are committed to safe, legal, and environmentally responsible business practices, which uphold human-rights and fair-labor standards.
What makes organic cotton sheets different?
For those looking to buy organic cotton sheets, make sure that it's a product with a GOTS-certification seal, because “organic” can be a misleading label. GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard, and attaining this certification means that the material is vetted for environmentally and socially responsible harvesting, manufacturing, and marketing of the product to consumers. The GOTS website is a great resource to find out more about what meeting this criteria entails.
GOTS-certified organic cotton sheets are a little pricier than standard sheet sets, but opting for these is a great choice for any household that’s trying to consume consciously and invest in bedding that was made with the smallest environmental footprint possible.
Is there a right way to wash a new sheet set?
It’s best to consult the care label on a new set of sheets to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Washing with a gentle detergent should suffice, but take care to wash on a warm-water setting, as opposed to the hottest temperature, to avoid shrinking and expedited deterioration. If you’ve invested in dark-colored sheets, just keep in mind that some skincare and acne products like benzoyl peroxide do have the unfortunate side effect of staining dark fabric with light spots.
How often should sheets be changed?
Your pillowcases should be changed every single week, because the oil from your hair can transfer to your skin and make you break out. It's perfectly fine to change your sheets on a weekly or biweekly basis, particularly if you sleep alone and/or shower before bedtime. (But no longer than that, please!)
Read More:
How to Find the Best Mattress for You, According to Sleep Experts
35 Sleep Essentials That You Can Buy on Amazon
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