Best Bed Sheets: Buyer’s Guide

Bed sheets are an important part of the sleeping experience. They offer smooth, consistent comfort and warmth. Depending on your sleep needs, you can find sheets to help with temperature regulation, or you can choose a set that best matches your other bedding. Ultimately, the best bed sheets for your needs comes down to a matter of personal preference. However, there are still some things to consider to ensure you get the most comfortable set of sheets for you, such as fabric, weave, and thread count.

In this article, we’ll talk about our recommended bed sheet sets. We’ll also explore bed sheet materials, weaves, and the importance of thread count, along with any other considerations that may affect your purchase.

A set of sheets usually comes in the standard sizes: twin, full, queen, king. Each set contains one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, and a pillowcase. Queen and king sheet sets may contain an extra pillowcase.

A fitted sheet has elastic bands sewn into each corner, keeping the sheet tightly secured to the bed. This is the first sheet placed on top of the bed and mattress protector.

The flat sheet is the one you sleep underneath, and it goes on top of the fitted sheet. The top sheet offers extra warmth and comfort on cooler nights. On warmer nights, the flat sheet can serve as the only covering layer, so the sleeper doesn’t overheat.

You’ll need to consider fabric type, weave, and thread count when bed sheet shopping, as they can greatly affect your sleep quality. After you have a list of products, you can make a decision by looking at the sheet’s washability, warranty, sleep trial, and price.

Consider the climate you live in before choosing a fabric. The fabric will keep your body at the right temperature. Those who live in a colder climate will want an insulative fabric, such as flannel or brushed microfiber. Alternatively, individuals who live in hotter weather need a lighter material with moisture-wicking abilities.

For people who live in a hotter climate or overheat, breathable fabrics are a must. Some materials are more cooling if they’re made from natural fibers.

Natural fibers are air-permeable and moisture-wicking to regulate the sleeper’s temperature. There are several natural materials you can choose from to get a comfortable night’s sleep.

Cotton

Cotton is commonly found in bedding products. Long-staple cotton sheets (or sheets made with long cotton fibers) are more breathable and durable. If you find a bed sheet set labeled combed cotton, it refers to the removal of short fibers, which produces smoother material. Other than the way cotton is made, there are different types of cotton, ranging in quality and durability.

Egyptian cotton sheets have extra-long fibers, which create super-soft, highly durable products. Egyptian cotton is pricey, although it’s the highest quality cotton you can get.

Pima/Supima cotton has long fibers, resulting in soft texture and strong durability. Pima/supima cotton isn’t as expensive as Egyptian cotton.

American Upland cotton is made with short-staple fibers, which produce a rougher fabric. The finished product is durable and affordable. Products marked 100% cotton are typically made of American Upland cotton.

MicroCotton is made in India and made from long thin staples. It’s known for its durability, softness, and absorbency.

Linen

Linen has a history surpassing 36,000 years. It’s made from the flax plant. Even though linen materials aren’t super soft at first, they do get softer with every wash. Linen is one of the most durable fabrics on the market, lasting for decades if taken care of properly. It’s also antimicrobial, hypoallergenic, and extremely breathable.

Silk

Nothing says luxury like silk sheets. The soft material is made from delicate silkworm fibers. It’s naturally hypoallergenic and cool to the touch; however, silk is very expensive and high maintenance. It needs special cleaning due to its delicate fibers and snags easily.

Tencel®

Tencel® is a cellulose fiber made from eucalyptus tree wood pulp. This fabric is soft, durable, antimicrobial, and moisture and heat-wicking.

Bamboo

Bamboo or rayon fabric is made from bamboo pulp. It promotes air circulation and is very moisture absorbent. Like Tencel®, it retains antimicrobial and hypoallergenic properties thanks to the bamboo plant, making this fabric great for those with allergies or sensitive skin.

Polyester

Polyester is an inexpensive man-made fabric with insulative and stain-resistant properties. This fabric is a good option if you have poor circulation. Alone it can be scratchy and unpleasant; however, combined with different materials, polyester becomes breathable and long-lasting.

Thread count is the number of horizontal and vertical threads in a square inch of fabric. Depending on fabric type, a thread count range may make the material durable, breathable, and affect the overall feel.

Some believe that quality sheets have a higher thread count, but this isn’t always true. Companies make their cheaper fabrics seem higher quality by using double-twisted threads or multiple plies. Multiple plies cut the fabric’s durability and are more at risk for pilling, shedding, and pilling.

If you want a durable product, you’ll need to look for the appropriate thread count. Even though we encourage you to stay within the ranges we outlined below, a higher thread count typically produces a smoother fabric.

• Best linen sheets: 100-200 thread count
• Best cotton percale sheets: 250-350 thread count
• Best Egyptian cotton sheets: 300-400 thread count
• Best Supima sheets: 200-400 thread count
• Best sateen sheets: 300-600 thread count
• Best bamboo sheets: 300+ thread count

While many fabrics measure their quality based on thread count, other fabrics, such as man-made materials or silk, assess their quality on weight. The unit of measurement can per change from fabric to fabric, although the most common is grams per square inch of fabric.

• Best microfiber sheets: 2-3 ounces per square yard
• Best flannel sheets: 5 ounces per square yard
• Best silk sheets: 14-19 lbs
• Best jersey sheets: 10+ ounces per square yard

Weave indicates how the fabric is constructed. It affects the fabric’s breathability and durability, although personal preference plays a huge role in choosing a weave.

Percale

Percale is a plain weave with a smooth and firm surface and matte finish. Percale sheets are durable and breathable with a cool, crisp texture. Typically cotton, polyester, or combination yarns are used for a percale weave.

We suggest you buy percale sheets with a thread count of 200-300 to ensure the material is breathable.

Sateen

Sateen mimics satin in appearance and texture but has a more affordable price point. The weave involves several yarns tightly crossed over a single yarn, creating a rich, lustrous fabric. The weave is very breathable and cool to the touch, although it is insulating as well, which makes it a warm option for cold seasons.

Like satin, sateen sheets don’t have much friction, which may cause the fabric to slide off the bed if the thread count is too high. On the flip side, a higher thread count makes the fabric more durable.

The way a sheet fits on the mattress is often overlooked. Everyone knows a queen sheet set will fit on a queen bed, although just because a sheet fits your mattress length and width doesn’t mean it will accommodate the depth. The average mattress thickness is anywhere from 10 to 14 inches.

If your fitted sheet keeps slipping off the mattress, the pockets are likely too small. Spend a little extra time measuring out your mattress’s height and shop for a fitted sheet with a deep enough pocket depth.

Ease of maintenance is another factor when you’re deciding which sheets to buy. We encourage washing your sheets at least once a week, which means you’ll need sheets that can be thrown in the washing machine or easily spot-cleaned.

All sheets come with care instructions detailing how to properly clean the sheets. Some sheets you can throw in the washer, while others need dry cleaning or hand washing. We suggest sticking as close to the manufacturing care guide as possible and looking for sheets whose maintenance fits your lifestyle.

Depending on the material, a sheet’s price can fall anywhere between $20 to $500. It’s good to have a general budget in mind. It will help you choose a fabric type.

If you have a budget of $200, cotton and polyester are great choices. These fabrics are budget-friendly and can keep you cool or insulated. Linen sheets, however, are expensive, although they last a long time, so you may consider stretching your budget for a longer-lasting product.

Either way, there is a great bed sheet set for every price range.

Some bed sheets come with special modifications to improve your night’s sleep.

Flat Sheets With Pockets

A flat sheet is typically a simple piece of fabric, although you can also get them with extra material at the foot of the sheet, which creates a pocket. This pocket tucks around the foot of the mattress and prevents the flat sheet from pulling loose, keeping the sheet firmly wrapped around the mattress. It eliminates the need to constantly remake the bed and, instead, allows the user to pull the covers over the bed.

Sensory Compression Sheets

For those with autism or sensory issues, a sensory compression sheet may just be the ticket to make them feel comforted and improve sleep. The sheet’s fabric is stretchy, like a rubber band.

By tucking it under the bottom and sides of the mattress, you can create a compressive pocket, which creates a feeling of security, much like weighted blankets, although these sheets don’t provide extra weight and are naturally cool.

It’s not very common for bed sheets to come with a warranty and sleep trial, although high-end brands may offer a warranty or sleep trial— very few offer both.

A sleep trial offers a customer the chance to try the product for an extended time before deciding to keep it. We suggest reading the return policy before making the purchase as some companies may charge shipping or restocking fees.

We also suggest trying to find sheets with a warranty. It will ensure the company replaces or repairs your product if it has a material or manufacturing defect.

Overall, your preferences will influence which bed sheets are best for you. If you live in a warmer climate, we suggest breathable material and weaves with the appropriate thread count. Those who live in cooler weather may want a more insulating fabric. Follow our shopping guide, and you’re sure to find quality sheets that promote comfortable sleep.