The best sheets

Whether you sleep hot, have a thick mattress, or are shopping on a budget, everyone has different needs when shopping for sheets. Some prefer crisp and cool, while other like a soft, cozy feel. But regardless of what you're looking for, the best sheets should be durable, easy to care for, and well-fitting.

We've spent years objectively testing sheets for comfort, breathability, and durability, and integrating sets into our bedding rotation to make long-term observations. Below, you'll find our favorite sets along with guidance on what sheet set is best for you and your sleep needs.

Learn more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches home products.

Our top picks for the best sheet sets

Best overall: L.L.Bean Percale Sheet Set - See at L.L.Bean

Best budget: Threshold Solid Performance Sheet Set - See at Target

Best cooling: Sijo AiryWeight Eucalyptus Sheet Set - See at Amazon

Best bamboo: Quince Bamboo Sheet Set - See at Quince

Best hotel: H by Frette Classic Sheet Set - See at Amazon

Best sateen: Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Sheet Set - See at Brooklinen

Best linen: Brooklinen Washed Linen Core Sheet Set - See at Brooklinen

Best deep-pocket: Cuddledown 400-Thread Count Sateen Sheet Set - See at Cuddledown

Best patterned: The Company Store Patterned Sheets - See at The Company Store

Best flannel: L.L.Bean Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheets - See at L.L.Bean

Best overall

These sheets feel crisp, cool, and breathable. L.L.Bean's Percale Cotton Set is our overall favorite because it boasts a bit of everything that most shoppers are looking for: They're lightweight, durable, and breathable.Percale sheets are fresh and crisp, so this set is best for people looking for subtle coolness and softness in their bedding.

They look as good as new after multiple wash cycles. Karen Leonas, a professor of textile sciences at the Wilson College of Textiles at NC State University, told us extra-long-staple cotton is even stronger and more resistant to abrasion than long-staple cotton. That's likely why the L.L.Bean sheets are extra soft and durable, even though the 280-thread count is on the lower end of the spectrum. Even after many washes, they had a great feel and experienced no loose threads or shrinkage in the last three months. When shopping for sheets, that extra durability is so important — since you should wash your bedding weekly, the strength of extra-long-staple cotton helps your sheets last longer.

I appreciate the bed-making tags. The fitted sheet fit well and never slipped off, but there was a little excess (it fits up to 15-inch mattresses) on my Ikea Haugesund mattress. I loved that the long and short sides were labeled, a thoughtful touch that always sped up the annoying task of putting on my sheets — a handy feature for anyone who hates making the bed. The sheets are available in a handful of light colors and have hemstitched detailing (decorative threading at the edges). If you prefer a simple, minimalist look that fits into pretty much any room style, the L.L.Bean sheets won't disappoint.

Read our full L.L.Bean Percale Sheets review.

Best budget

Our favorite affordable sheets are comfortable and well-fitting. It's the price tag that'll catch your eye first, then the great fit and soft feel that'll sell you completely on these budget-friendly sheets from Target brand Threshold. The Threshold Performance Sheet Set is made from 100% cotton, with a thick, substantial feel. Like other sateen sets, it's notably soft with a finish to give it a luxurious, smooth sheen.

The fitted sheet stays snug all night. Of all the sheets we tested, this set was the easiest to put on and fit my mattress the best. The extra stretch in the corners of the sheet made a big difference and helped the sheet cling to my mattress without showing excess material on top. It also has a top and bottom label to speed up the fitting process.

They need to be washed frequently. Though they're touted as "performance sheets," most notably as being wrinkle-free, they certainly wrinkle. And after some use, I noticed that they seem to trap body oils more readily and feel greasier than other sets, making them less pleasant to sleep on. To avoid these problems, wash your sheets frequently and take them out of the dryer quickly to avoid wrinkling.

This set is our pick for guest beds, college students, and anyone on a budget. You get more than you pay for with these sheets — every reviewer over the years has been pleasantly surprised by their quality, durability, and feel. In addition to solid colors, Threshold Performance Sheets are available in prints. We tested the tulip toss pattern and loved the cute, simple addition of pink flowers to traditional white sheets.

Read our full Threshold Performance Sheet Set review.

Best cooling

If you sleep hot, check out a set of cooling sheets. For hot sleepers, a set of cooling sheets specifically designed to be cool-to-the-touch and breathable can make the difference between waking up sweaty in the middle of the night and a peaceful sleep. Our top pick for the best cooling sheets is the Sijo AiryWeight Eucalyptus Sheet Set, a refreshingly soft option that strikes the right balance of comfort, coolness, durability, and price.

This set balances cooling capability with softness. The Sijo sheets actually wick away heat and moisture and allow air to flow through, which prevented night sweats during testing. They're made with eucalyptus, a soft, unique fiber with a similar feel to bamboo. Some cooling sheets can feel overly slick and not particularly soft, but that's not the case here.

Making the bed takes a little extra time. You can also opt in or out of a flat sheet, which provides great flexibility and can bring the price of your purchase down. They lack the easy top and bottom labels found on many of the other sets we love, but that by no means makes them a dealbreaker — they just require more patience to fit the bottom sheet on the bed.

If you prefer a substantial feel, check out Sijo's linen. The AiryWeight edged out our previous cooling pick, also from Sijo, the LuxeWeave Linen Sheet Set. Both sleep exceptionally cool — it really comes down to your desired feel of silky eucalyptus versus weightier linen that gets softer with each wash.

Best bamboo

If you want breathability and softness, bamboo sheets are for you. Bamboo bedding has become a team favorite sleeping material for its soft, breathable, and eco-friendly properties. After a lengthy testing process to find the best bamboo sheets, the Quince Bamboo Sheet Set emerged as a favorite for its luxurious softness with a crisp and silky-smooth sateen weave, breathability, affordability, and color offerings.

They don't slip off the bed, but be wary of pilling. We also liked the ease of use when it came to making the bed with these bamboo sheets, from top and bottom tags on the fitted sheet to fitting the bed well. Quince also offers a year-long trial to decide if you love them. Our only drawback to these sheets is that they pill and stain easily, but we haven't seen any major durability issues like rips or tears during long-term testing

Read our Quince Bamboo Sheets review for more details.

Best hotel

Frette's sheets are one of our favorite little luxuries. Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, and Kimpton hotels worldwide turn to the iconic bedding brand Frette for their bedding needs. The Italian luxury brand was also once the official linens maker for the Italian royal family. So, needless to say, you'll feel like royalty when sleeping in H by Frette's Classic Sheet Set.

They're simple, soft, and durable. Frette uses 100% extra-long-staple cotton, so this set is pleasantly soft. Extra-long-staple cotton is also very durable — important for hotels where housekeeping teams are washing each room's sheets constantly and important for you as a consumer if you want to be sure your investment goes a long way. The sheets are, of course, only available in white, and you can get them in sateen or percale, depending on your preference. The sateen is soft and cozy — but not overly warm — while the percale has that classic, crisp hotel sheets feel. The sheets have a subtle gloss and a silky feel and remain comfortable after every wash. The resulting bed looks simple, clean, and fresh.

Opt for this set if you want bedtime to feel luxurious. You'll find less expensive and equally comfortable sheets in the rest of this best sheets guide, but if you want the sheets used in and approved by hundreds of hotels, then you'll be very happy with Frette's. I look forward to this set whenever I rotate through my sheets because I know it'll feel like a treat.

Best sateen

For those who prefer soft and cozy over crisp and cool, sateen is your best option. Sateen is a type of cotton weave that produces a silky texture when compared to the matte, cool texture of percale. Think of it as the difference between a soft cotton t-shirt (sateen) and a crisp button-up shirt (percale). Hot sleepers usually gravitate towards percale, but if overheating isn't an issue for you, you'll probably appreciate the luxurious feel of sateen.

No one does sateen like Brooklinen. The Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Sheets are incredibly comfortable to sleep in, and they have many thoughtful touches that make them a great buy. The short and long sides of the sheets are also labeled, so making the bed is a breeze.

They hold up. One of our editors has owned the same set of Brooklinen sateen sheets for almost a decade now, and they've held up remarkably well to years of use and washing. Our one complaint is that, like most sateen options we've tried, Brooklinen's sheets sleep a bit warmer than percale. We haven't noticed any loose threads or pilling during testing, either, and we trust that a set will last for years.

Read our full Brooklinen Luxe sateen sheet review and check out all of our favorite products we've tried from Brooklinen.

Best linen

Some love linen, some hate it. Many love linen for its casual, lived-in look, and the fact that it does get softer with time and use. On the other hand, linen also wrinkles easily, feels rough on first unboxing, and is notoriously expensive. If you aren't familiar with linen, it's a popular choice for warmer months because it's made from hollow flax fibers, which absorb moisture and let air pass through, so it's breathable and stays dry even on the warmest, stuffiest nights. When treated according to their care instructions, they should last you years.

Brooklinen's linen sheets are a treat for linen lovers. Taking the top spot in our best linen sheet sets, the Brooklinen Washed European Linen Sheet Set impressed us with its immediate softness, perhaps contrary to what you may expect from a new set of linen sheets. They're light and breathable but don't feel flimsy.

They're thick, breathable, and durable. Unlike percale or sateen bedding, linen sheets are not identified by thread count, but by grams per square meter (GSM), which is a measure of a textile's weight. Brooklinen's 155 GSM falls on the light to medium scale of typical linen sheeting, so it balances longevity with excellent durability without losing its soft and airy feel.

We also love Quince's linen sheets. If you're looking for more color choices, Quince is a comparable option with a slightly heavier drape that sleeps a little warmer, though still very breathable. They're also half the price.

Read our full Brooklinen Washed Linen Sheets review.

Best patterned

The Company Store has way more than classic white sheets. For those who love a colorful aesthetic in their bedroom, patterned sheets are a must. The Company Store is the top pick in our best patterned sheets guide for its collection of prints on comfortable, high-quality sheets. The Company Store's patterned sheets include a range of patterns, from vibrant floral prints to classic plaids and stripes in neutral tones. No matter your aesthetic, you're sure to find a pattern that aligns with your style.

They feel great and hold up. Besides the design, these sheets are ridiculously comfortable. The percale sheets are crisp and cool, while the sateen sheets are silky soft. They've held up to wear and tear, too — they've survived weeks of sleeping, scratches from my dog and cat, and multiple washes.

Check out the collaboration with Rifle Paper Co. You'll find plenty of patterns as part of the collaboration with Rifle Paper Co. I tested the Strawberry Fields print in percale and loved the colorful floral design featuring strawberries. Senior home editor, Jaclyn Turner, tried the Peacock Floral print in sateen, featuring elegant peacocks and green leaves. The Rifle Paper Co. collaboration is usually excluded from sitewide promotions and sales, though. Some patterns have limited twin XL availability and there's a return fee of $4.50 per item, but otherwise, these are excellent patterned sheets to spruce up your bedroom.

Best deep-pocket

For thick mattresses, deep-pocket sheets are a must. If you have a thick mattress — think 16 inches or more — you'll probably need deep pocket sheets. Deep pocket sheets are specifically designed to fit snugly on thicker mattresses without sliding off the corners or sides. They also come in handy if you've put a mattress topper on your bed, which adds extra height. After trying more than 10 sets of deep-pocket sheets, I can say the Cuddledown Sateen Sheet Set fit the best — I didn't have to tug the fitted sheet to make it fit over the mattress.

They look and feel as good as new after use and washes. The sheets are made of long-staple cotton and have a sateen weave, so they're durable and noticeably soft. After several washings, the sheets were still exceptionally soft and hadn't started to pill. The color hadn't faded, and the fitted sheet hadn't shrunk much. I used the sheets during the winter and a cool spring. They felt warm yet light, but they weren't as crisp as percale or linen for summer. —Jenny McGrath, former Reviews contributor

Best flannel

L.L.Bean is known for its flannel. From lined sleeping bags to shirts, L.L.Bean is renowned for its flannel products. Its Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheets are a fantastic buy if you sleep cool, live in a cold climate, or just want to stay warm on cold nights. We love them so much that we named them the best overall pick in our guide to the best flannel sheets.

These sheets are as soft as velvet, but they're also surprisingly breathable. The sheets are not overly thick and weigh only 5 ounces per square yard. Yet, they're thicker than sateen and percale sheets. The balanced thickness supplies comfortable warmth without overheating. L.L.Bean claims the sheets work well all year round. After testing them for a summer, we believe it. They were surprisingly breathable and comfortable.

Flannel sheets tend to pill — but these don't . L.L.Bean's flannel sheets shed copious amounts of lint in the dryer, which is typical of flannel. With each subsequent wash and dry, the lint decreased significantly. The sheets stayed velvety smooth and didn't pill. The sage sheets have maintained their pleasant green hue without any color loss after several washes. They're available in an array of patterns and colors, including striped and checkered options.

What to look for when choosing the best sheets

Material

Bed sheets can be made of natural fibers like cotton and linen, or synthetic materials like polyester. The most common material for sheets is cotton, but there can still be vast differences in price, feel, and appearance depending on the type of cotton used. Here are the most common materials and terms to know:

• Long-staple cotton: We've found that the best sheets typically use long-staple cotton. Long-staple cotton has longer-staple fibers that result in smoother and stronger yarn. Short-staple cotton has fiber ends that stick out and cause the sheets to be rougher. Brands will generally call out when they use long-staple cotton; otherwise, you can probably assume it's short-staple. Leonas says the industry definition of long-staple cotton is a fiber length of 1.15-1.22 inches.
• Pima cotton: Also known by its trademark name, Supima cotton, this is an extra-long-staple cotton that is grown only in the US and has a fiber length of at least 1.5 inches. Extra-long-staple cotton is even smoother, more flexible, and more resistant to pilling than long-staple cotton.
• Egyptian cotton: It's often assumed that Egyptian cotton, which is grown in Egypt, is long-staple, but it could also be lower-quality, short-staple cotton that just happens to be from Egypt, so be careful of this labeling and look specifically for "long-staple cotton."
• Linen: Linen is a type of fiber made from flax plants. It's slightly rigid, with a rougher texture, and it feels cool and breathable. It wrinkles easily.
• Polyester: Polyester is a type of synthetic fiber that may be blended with cotton or used to make microfiber. It's less breathable and traps moisture more easily, and it may not be suitable for people with sensitive skin.
• Microfiber:Microfiber is a type of synthetic material made with very fine polyester fibers. It's very soft and drapeable but doesn't breathe well.
• Lyocell: Also known as Tencel, this is a type of semi-synthetic fiber made from wood (often eucalyptus) pulp. It's soft, silky, and breathable. Alternative fibers like bamboo lyocell or microfiber are appealing because they're comfortable and affordable. However, in testing, the durability doesn't match up to that of cotton or linen. They're more prone to pilling, abrasion, and shrinkage. Plus, the production and care of these alternative fibers can be murky and bad for the environment.

Weave

Contrary to popular belief, percale, sateen, and flannel are not different materials. All are made from cotton, just woven differently to produce different textures and appearances. Here are the main differences:

• Percale:A type of cotton weave where one thread is woven with another thread into a tight, grid pattern. It has a matte, crisp feel. It's airy and more breathable.
• Sateen: A type of cotton weave where three or four threads are woven over one thread into a looser grid pattern. It has a smooth, silky feel and a slight sheen to it. Compared to percale, it's less breathable and may not be suitable for hot sleepers. According to Leonas, sateen tends to snag more easily and show dirt more readily due to its unique "float" weave.
• Flannel:Thickly woven cotton that's been brushed to give it a slightly soft and fuzzy texture, and it feels warm.

Certifications

• Oeko-Tex: Some of our best sheet picks have a Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex certification. This label means the final sheet product has been independently tested for more than 100 harmful chemical substances and is safe for human use. While it's not the only certification out there, it's widely used and known in the textiles industry.
• Oeko-Tex STeP: Our experts say you should look for the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification for basic safety, but if you also care about manufacturing, look for Oeko-Tex STeP. It checks for environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and safe practices all along the production process.
• GOTS: The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is another certification used specifically for organic textiles. GOTS-certified sheets contain at least 95% certified organic fibers and meet environmental and social standards at every stage of processing and manufacturing.

Our top picks, compared

How we test the best sheet sets

Our testing methodology

We test the best bed sheets on five main criteria. Our tests include:

• Comfort: We sleep on each set for at least one week and note texture, breathability, coolness, and feel. We also integrate our favorite sets into our bedding rotation for long-term testing.
• Durability: We investigate the sheets for signs of tearing, pilling, or loose threads after use. We wash and dry each set according to the care label at least five times, checking for durability issues after each wash.
• Ease of use: We note how easy the bed-making process is, with priority given to sheet sets with bed-making tags.
• Fit: We put a fitted sheet on our mattress, noting slipping, bunching fabric, post-wash shrinkage, and overall stretchiness. We note whether the fitted sheet slips off the corner throughout the testing period.
• Trial and warranty: We thoroughly read the trial and warranty policies for each sheet set.

Meet our experts behind this guide

Kinsley Searles, associate home editor: I'm the resident bedding expert at Business Insider Reviews, with a deep passion for in-depth research and testing. My linen closet is filled to the brim with sheet sets I've tested in consideration for this guide, from silky, luxe bamboo to budget-friendly cotton. I'm on a personal quest to find the coziest set of sheets on the market.

Connie Chen, former senior reporter: I was the home textiles expert at Business Insider Reviews, specializing in sheets, duvet covers, and comforters. I'm devoted to helping readers get the most bang from their buck on products they use every day. I tested dozens of sheet sets for this guide, carefully evaluating durability, comfort, and fit.

How to care for your sheets

According to various bedding brands, you should wash your sheets every one to two weeks and have alternate sets to preserve their quality. We recommend following the care instructions that come with your sheet set.

Based on our experience, brands generally advise washing the sheets in a cold or warm cycle with gentle detergent, then drying in a low tumble cycle. Hot water can make colors bleed, cause shrinkage, and weaken fibers. Drying at high heat can also weaken fibers and cause pilling.

Always read the label for care instructions for your sheets, and find out more tips for washing sheets here.

The best sheets FAQ

Does thread count matter?

Thread count technically matters, but there's more to consider when buying a sheet set. Sheet sets with vastly different thread counts can have a near-identical feel and level of durability. Also, the definition of "high thread count" can be manipulated by brands for marketing. Be sure to consider material and weave, along with thread count, when buying a set of sheets.

Learn more about thread count here.

What's a good thread count for sheets?

Generally, the best thread count for sheets is around 300-400, but you'll find many excellent sets outside of that range. For example, our best overall pick, has a thread count of 280 but performed wonderfully in comfort and durability tests.

What are the best sheets on Amazon?

You can find most of our top picks on Amazon. For more of our favorite sets on Amazon — including budget sheets and hidden gems — check out our best sheets on Amazon guide.

What's the difference between percale and sateen?

Percale and sateen are two different weaves of cotton. Sateen is silky and warm, with a feel that's best suited for cool months or for those who sleep cold. Percale is crisp and cool, so it's ideal for warm months or hot sleepers. Read more in our percale vs sateen cotton comparison.

What sheets do hotels use?

Most hotels use 100% long-staple cotton sheets, since they're soft and durable. Ave Bradley, senior vice president of design and creative director at Kimpton Hotels, says the hotel uses 200-300 thread count cotton sheets from Frette.

How do you prevent sheets from wrinkling?

To keep your sheets from wrinkling, remove them from the dryer immediately after the cycle is finished. If they're still wrinkly, iron them or use wool dryer balls.

What kind of duvet cover do you pair with your sheets?

It depends on if you'd like a cohesive or varied feel. Using a duvet cover with the same material as your sheets is cohesive and seamless, but you can also experiment with different materials and textures for a mix-and-match look.

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