We've Tested Over 300 Sets of Bed Sheets. These Are the Best. (2024)

Material: 100% cotton sateen | Colors: 9 options, plus seasonal colors available | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King

This popular set is consistently an excellent performer in our tests and has an easy online shopping platform with free shipping. The smooth cotton fabric comes in a variety of neutral colors and prints, with limited edition options added regularly. Brooklinen has a variety of sheet offerings available (including a cotton percale), but the Luxe Sateen set is its bestseller and our favorite because of its durability and positive feedback from users. In fact, it earned the Good Housekeeping Seal (meaning we stand behind it with our limited warranty) and it's the set I prefer on my own bed.

As a bonus, making my bed is easier with this set thanks to clever tabs labeled "long side" and "short side" on the fitted sheet. The brand offers a lenient any-reason return policy for an entire year (minus a $9.95 return fee), so there's low risk in trying it out. The fitted sheet is 15 inches deep which should be generous enough to fit most mattresses, though it may be a tighter fit on taller models or beds with mattress toppers.

TESTING NOTES: We found the fabric to be durable across the board in our Lab tests: It was strong, didn't pill easily and held up well to repeated laundering. Testers liked its basic, no-frills construction and shared comments like, "These are a classic sateen sheet — soft and smooth," and, "I really liked the material they were made of. It was a much softer material without being a silk sheet. They feel nice on my skin."

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: These Luxury Brooklinen Sheets Are Actually Worth the Hype

Material: 100% cotton sateen | Colors: 35 options | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King, plus six-piece sets with extra pillowcases

This one is hands down your best bet on a budget. It's hard to find any cotton sheets for under $100, let alone any that perform as well as this set. The sheets feel substantial with a good weight and the fabric is comfortable with a balance between soft and crisp. I regularly recommend this set to friends and family, and they always tell me they're thrilled with the purchase after trying it out. It's also popular on Amazon with over 70,000 reviews and an average 4.5-star rating.

It comes in a wide range of colors, patterns and sizes to fit just about any bed. You can purchase pillowcases separately if you need extras (a simple yet genius offering that we don't always see with popular sheet sets!). The brand says it's made to fit mattresses ranging from 8- to 16-inches tall, and our testers found that to be true in their reviews.

TESTING NOTES: Most of our reviewers loved the feel of these sheets and provided feedback like, "I like the weight and quality of the fabric. It also had a nice sheen and a smooth feel." One tester said they weren't quite as soft as other sheets she's slept on but noted, "I liked the shape and fit of these better than any other sheets I've tried. There wasn't any additional fabric that bunched or came untucked easily." In Textiles Lab tests, we especially loved how this set could be washed in warm water (which is better for keeping your sheets clean). It had average scores for fabric strength but perfect ratings in our pill-resistance tests, meaning you're less likely to see those unsightly balls on the surface.

Material: 100% polyester microfiber | Colors: 45 options | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King, plus extra deep options for taller mattresses

If you're looking for something less expensive and smoother than cotton, this best-selling Amazon sheet set is a great option. I first tested it years ago because of its popularity and low cost — and it continues to be a top performer year after year. The set stands out for its soft, buttery feel, and it has over 320,000 reviews from real users. On top of that, it comes in variations to fit a wide range of bed sizes — with options for split or extra deep mattresses — plus dozens of colors and prints.

Besides having a smooth feel, the polyester material also helps keep it durable and easy to care for. Just keep in mind that the synthetic fabric might not be as substantial or breathable as natural cotton, and those who prefer a crisp sheet might find the fabric too soft.

TESTING NOTES: Our panel loved the comfy feel and shared comments like "extremely soft," "smooth and luxurious" and "silky and lightweight" in a feel test. Some noted that it felt thinner than other sheets in a blind comparison, but that can be expected for this material. One at-home tester described them by saying, "I like the softness and smoothness of these sheets. My body felt like it was gliding over them as I moved." In Lab tests, the sheets were generously sized on our sample bed, hardly shrunk in the wash and stood up to pilling tests.

RELATED: Top-Tested Microfiber Sheets For a Smooth and Cozy Feel

Material: 100% cotton sateen | Colors: 17 options | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, plus deep pocket options

This high-quality set has one of the softest cotton fabrications you can find. Some ultra-soft sheets made from polyester and rayon feel noticeably thinner, but this sateen fabric is thicker and made with Supima cotton, a premium fiber grown in the U.S. It also comes in plenty of colors to match any bedroom.

Another perk: If you prefer to build your own set, you can purchase the fitted sheet, flat sheet and pillowcases separately, with the option for a deep-pocket version that fits mattresses up to 20 inches tall. You can even request a free swatch from its customer service if you want to see and feel the fabric before you buy it.

TESTING NOTES: This fabric earned a higher softness rating than other cotton sheets in a side-by-side comparison test. One tester described it as "buttery soft and very luxurious without being slippery." In fact, several testers told us they wanted to buy these sheets after feeling them. The fabric was also strong and shrink-resistant in our tests, though it did show some pilling after the fabrics were rubbed together and some creases after laundering, despite the "Wrinkle-Free" claim in the name.

RELATED: The Softest Sheets for a Blissful Bed

Material: 60% Tencel lyocell, 40% Outlast viscose | Colors: 4 options | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King

If you sleep hot or experience night sweats, this cooling sheet set can help keep you cool and dry all night. The fabric is a blend of moisture-wicking Tencel lyocell and viscose with Outlast technology, which uses phase-change materials to store and release your body heat, thereby keeping your temperature regulated at night. Besides its cooling features, it's also incredibly soft and smooth against the skin.

The brand offers a 60-day any-reason return period, meaning you can get a full refund if you don't love the set after sleeping on it. Just note that this set only comes in white, grey, blue or tan.

TESTING NOTES: At-home reviewers unanimously said they stayed at a comfortable body temperature throughout the night while sleeping on this set. The fabric also earned high ratings for softness and overall comfort from our panelists, who told us they wanted to continue using it on their beds. One tester also noted, "I didn't have trouble making the bed, and the elastics on the fitted sheet were functional and didn't shift in the night." The fabric held up to wash testing without shrinkage, though it wasn't as durable as other materials in our fabric strength evaluations.

RELATED: The Best Cooling Sheets to Prevent Overheating

Material: 100% Tencel lyocell | Colors: 10 options | Sizes: Full, Queen, King, California King

Lyocell is a type of rayon that's super trendy in bedding because it feels substantially softer and smoother than cotton, and Tencel is a brand of lyocell that's known for its sustainable production practices. West Elm's set is made entirely from Tencel and outperformed over a dozen other rayon sheets in our evaluations.

The fabric is both lightweight and moisture-wicking (great for managing night sweats!). Besides its sustainable sourcing, it's also made at a Fair Trade Certified factory. I've used this set many times on my bed at home and can attest to its softness, though it certainly doesn't feel quite as substantial or crisp as cotton.

TESTING NOTES: Despite being lightweight, the fabric proved to be strong and pill-resistant when we tested it with our Lab equipment. It experienced slight shrinkage that was on par with sheet sets made with similar fabrics. During sleep testing, users loved that it was cooling and soft without feeling too slippery.

Material: 100% cotton percale | Colors: 9 options | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King

Percale sheets are ideal for anyone who prefers a light and crisp feel instead of a silky smooth one, but they sometimes get a bad rap for feeling rough. This luxe set stood out for outperforming other percale fabrics, both in our Lab and with consumer testers.

It's made of premium Pima cotton, which uses longer cotton fibers for more softness, and it has a simple weave that offers good breathability. It's also more affordable than other premium cotton sets on the market. Besides its range of solid colors, the set is also available in prints at a slightly higher cost.

TESTING NOTES: Lab analysts were all impressed by the set's durability after the fabric held up to strenuous strength, shrinkage and pilling evaluations. And while some percale sheets wrinkle easily, these became noticeably less creased than others. One tester who felt the fabric in a blinded comparison described it as feeling "like quality hotel sheets" and said, "It also feels a bit cool to the touch, which I like. I would love these sheets in my home."

RELATED: The Best Airy and Crisp Percale Sheets

Material: 100% polyester microfiber | Colors: 30 options | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King

If you're looking to spend as little as possible, you can find popular sheets on Amazon that'll help you save. In fact, this set from Amazon's own brand is a total steal for under $20. Similar to the Mellanni set, the polyester microfiber has an incredibly smooth feel which the brand describes as a "peach-like finish." The synthetic fiber also has built-in shrink- and wrinkle-resistant properties.

On top of that, it comes in tons of colors and has nearly 400,000 reviews with an average 4.5-star rating. With its low cost and impressive feedback, it's an ideal set for anyone on a budget.

TESTING NOTES: Despite its low cost, this was another top performer in our tests thanks to its durable material, meaning you can expect it to hold up to long-term use. And while some testers thought these sheets felt thin compared to others, most raved about the smoothness, with one calling it "soft and lightweight."

RELATED: The Best Sheets to Buy on Amazon

Material: 100% cotton sateen | Colors: 5 options | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King

Riley's splurge-worthy set uses an indulgent sateen weave, long-staple cotton (ideal for smooth and durable fabrics) and a combing technique so there are no short fibers to poke you. The result is a sturdy yet soft fabric that impressed our testers and analysts alike.

Besides its quality material, this set was also beloved for its convenience features, like its side envelope-closure pillowcases, "top" and "bottom" tabs on the fitted sheet and generous sizing that fits even tall mattresses. Just note that while the set is made of organic cotton, we weren't able to verify that the entire production process follows organic standards without proper certification. We also noticed that it typically has some sizes and colors listed as out of stock.

TESTING NOTES: Testers especially loved that these sheets were comfortable yet still lightweight. One even highlighted how they felt "more breathable than most sateen sheets." And while cotton sheets tend to wrinkle easily, these resisted creases better than other sets in our Lab's evaluations. Beyond that, they held up to washing with minimal shrinkage and didn't pill during our durability tests.

Material: 100% organic cotton sateen | Colors: 3 options | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King

Good news: You don't have to spend a fortune or sacrifice quality to go green. Smooth luxury sheets that are truly organic can cost several hundred dollars, but this set is GOTS-certified and costs less than $200.

The GOTS certification is especially important because it means the entire manufacturing process is organic, not just the way the cotton is grown. This set doesn't come in a wide variety of colors like some others, but it is available in neutral hues to go with almost any bedroom palette. You can also purchase extra pillowcases and a matching duvet cover to complete your set.

TESTING NOTES: This fabric outperformed other organic sheets in our series of tests. Though the sheets did see some shrinkage and creases after washing, the sateen fabric proved to be both soft and strong in Lab and consumer evaluations. Sateen sheets tend to be thicker, but still one tester shared, "I love the lightweight feel and overall smoothness."

RELATED: The Best Organic Sheets for Eco-Conscious Shoppers

Material: 100% organic cotton percale | Colors: 12 options | Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King

This sheet set stands out for being GOTS-certified organic as well as crisp and breathable thanks to its airy percale weave. It's ideal for people who like a relaxed, lived-in look and feel for their bed as opposed to super crisp fabric; the brand uses a special process to achieve its unique crinkled texture.

Besides its GOTS certification, it's also Fair Trade Certified, which focuses on ethics throughout the supply chain. So even though this one's a bit pricier than others, the brand works to improve the wages and working conditions at the farms and factories where it's produced.

TESTING NOTES: At-home users praised the comfort and aesthetics of this sheet set. One user even described it as "soft, luxurious and yet crisp and cool." The fabric also held up to in-Lab laundering tests with hardly any shrinkage. It did show some pilling, and the fabric looked creased after washing, but that's expected for these "crinkled" sheets and their casual appearance.

Material: 100% cotton sateen | Colors: White with 10 color embroidery options | Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King

If you love the elegant and smooth look of a hotel bed, this sateen set has a wrinkle-resistant finish that keeps it looking smoother than other cotton fabrics. And while there are sometimes concerns around chemicals like formaldehyde in wrinkle-resistant fabrics, this one is Oeko-Tex certified which means it's been tested to ensure there are no unsafe levels in the fabric.

The cotton is also combed to remove short fibers so it feels extra soft. It comes in white with colored stitching as a decorative accent, and the brand says these sheets are used in luxury hotels throughout the country.

TESTING NOTES: Compared to other cotton sheets, this set had the smoothest appearance after laundering. Our testers also said the fabric had a smooth feel and gave it high softness ratings in a blind comparison. The fabric wasn't the strongest in our test, but it still proved to be durable overall, and the set was generously sized, fitting our test mattress with room to spare.

RELATED: The Best Hotel Sheets for a Five-Star Bed

Besides the traditional sheet fabrics described in this article, there are also some non-traditional materials on the market that I recommend trying if you're interested in a unique feel.

• Best Flannel Sheets: The Garnet Hill Hemstitched Supima Flannel Sheet set performed better than any other flannel set in our test. It's made of 100% cotton and is brushed on both sides to trap warmth and provide ultimate softness. In fact, it earned a perfect softness score from sleep testers. It pilled easily, which is typical for flannel fabrics but was fairly strong in our durability evaluations.
• Best Brushed Sheets: The Parachute Home Brushed Cotton Sheet Set is ideal if you want the softness of flannel sheets without the warmth. Its fuzzy texture gives it a cozy feel that the brand describes as feeling like "your favorite lived-in T-shirt." It also was more durable than flannel, and testers liked how soft it was compared to traditional percale fabrics.
• Best Linen Sheets: We recently tested The Citizenry's Stonewashed Linen Sheet Set and it outperformed all other linen sheets in at-home consumer evaluations. Users especially loved the comfort, appearance and temperature regulation, with one adding, "I like these sheets more than other linen sheets I have slept on."
• Best Hemp Sheets: The Tuft & Needle Hemp Sheet Set has the unique texture of linen sheets but feels substantially softer. It's pricey — a Queen set costs $270 — but hemp is considered sustainable because it doesn't require as much water to grow. Testers gave it nearly perfect ratings across the board, though it's less ideal for people who prefer the traditional feel of cotton.
• Best Jersey Sheets: Most bed sheets are woven, but jersey sheets are knit and feel more like comfy apparel fabrics. The Pact Organic Favorite Tee Jersey Sheet Set was a top performer in our most recent jersey sheet test. It earned high softness ratings in a blind comparison and good resistance to both wrinkling and shrinkage in Lab tests.

We've put over 300 bed sheets through the wringer in recent years, both in our Textiles Lab and with consumers to see how comfortable they feel and how well they'll hold up over time. Here's what we consider when we test sheets in our Labs:

• Fabric strength: As part of our durability evaluations, our specialized machine called an Instron (pictured here) pulls swatches of fabric until they break, letting us know how sturdy each material is.

• Washability: Each sheet is repeatedly washed according to its care label and gets scored multiple times on both shrinkage and appearance after laundering.
• Wrinkle resistance: Immediately after the sheet dries, each one is taken to our specialized lighting room and visually measured for wrinkles and creases following industry standards.

• Softness: Dozens of consumer testers feel and rate each fabric in a blind comparison (pictured here), which occurs after laundering to remove any leftover finishes from production. Fabrics are compared against similar constructions — e.g., sateen sheets, percale sheets, linen sheets, etc.
• Sleep tests: Our panel of reviewers try out sheets for several weeks at a time, weighing in with feedback like the ease of making the bed, softness, comfort, temperature regulation, appearance and overall satisfaction. They also share responses to open-ended questions, which gives us more insight into their experiences.

• Pilling resistance: We use our abrasion machine (pictured here) to rub swatches together, which mimics tossing and turning as well as regular wear and tear. We then visibly score signs of pilling against textile industry standards.
• Other factors: We also check measurements to see how well the sheets fit onto a mattress and consider any special specifications, from cooling features to organic claims.

The two most important aspects of a bed sheet are the fiber content and the construction. Here's the difference between the two:

• Fiber content tells you what the sheet is made of and it's the first thing you should look at when you shop. You can find the fiber content on the website listing or product packaging, and all fabrics should be labeled with their fiber content on the product tags.

• Construction tells you how the fabric is built (regardless of the fibers used) and has a major effect on how the sheets feel. Most brands list the construction in online descriptions and packaging.

✔️ Cotton: It's by far the most popular sheet material, and with good reason. Cotton is soft, durable and feels the most luxurious against your skin.

Long-staple cotton is considered the highest-quality sheet material because the fabric is smoother and more durable than regular cotton. Types of long-staple cotton include Egyptian and Pima, but just note that there have been instances where brands falsely label their sheets with these premium cotton names.

Sometimes cotton is described as "combed." This is a special production process that removes shorter cotton fibers, which are weaker and could stick out and poke you. As a result, it leaves behind only the longest, smoothest and strongest cotton fibers to be used in the sheets.

✔️ Polyester: This fabric costs less than cotton, plus it's more affordable, shrink-resistant and wrinkle-resistant. Polyester sheets feel super smooth, though not as luxurious or crisp as cotton. You can also find cotton and polyester blends, which typically feature more cotton than polyester but give you the benefits of both materials.

✔️ Rayon, viscose or lyocell: These are called "regenerated cellulose" fibers because the raw material is some type of plant, which gets chemically processed into a fiber. Rayon is the umbrella term, and viscose and lyocell are types of rayon. They stand out for feeling incredibly soft; in fact, they're usually softer than cotton, though they're typically thinner and less substantial.

You may see these fibers described as bamboo or eucalyptus. That's because rayon is often made using bamboo or eucalyptus trees as the raw material. Just note that although it may sound luxurious and eco-friendly, there is actually no trace of this original raw material in the finished rayon fabric.

✔️ Linen: Breathable and airy, these textured sheets are the most popular during summer. They also have a relaxed look and feel and some people even prefer them for year-round use. Similarly, hemp sheets feel like linen and are starting to gain popularity for their sustainability aspects; hemp needs very little water to grow.

✔️ Silk: Incredibly smooth and naturally temperature regulating, silk sheets are considered a luxury option and are likely not ideal for most shoppers. They're expensive (usually several hundred dollars per set) and won't hold up to laundering as well as other sheet materials. You can always opt for a silk pillowcase to get the smooth feel without outfitting your entire bed.