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Connie Chen/Business Insider
The best sheets make your bed a cozy, dreamy oasis that make crawling into bed each night something to look forward to — they're comfortable, well-fitting and don't slide off the mattress, and hold up to regular use and washing.
After several years of testing and retesting sheet sets, the L.L.Bean Percale Sheet Set remains our top pick. It offers the ideal balance of breathability, comfort, and fit at a midrange price. For cozy softness, the Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set is well worth the hype and gets softer with use.
We slept on over 25 sheet sets to test the best sheets, and put them through multiple wash cycles to test for long-term comfort and durability. The ones we really like stay in the rotation every time we change our bedding. We also spoke to hospitality experts and a textile scientist. Most of our picks are made from cotton, which offers the best balance of comfort, durability, and affordability. Experts told us a high thread count doesn't necessarily make for better sheets, though you should look for 100% long-staple cotton for your sheet material.
The best sheet sets are just one part of curating your ideal sleep setup: check out our guides to the best mattress, best pillow, and best comforter for more expert-tested bedding picks.
Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches home products.
Top picks for bed sheets
Best overall: L.L.Bean Percale Sheet Set - See at L.L.Bean
Best sateen: Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set - See at Brooklinen
Best budget: Threshold Solid Performance Sheet Set - See at Target
Best hotel: H by Frette Classic Sheet Set - See at Amazon
Best flannel: L.L.Bean Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheets - See at L.L.Bean
Best deep-pocket: Cuddledown 400-Thread Count Sateen Sheet Set - See at Cuddledown
Best bamboo: Quince Bamboo Sheet Set - See at Quince
Best linen: Brooklinen Washed Linen Core Sheet Set - See at Brooklinen
Best cooling: Sijo AiryWeight Eucalyptus Sheet Set - See at Amazon
Best overall
Of all the percale cotton sheets I tested, L.L.Bean's set stood out for its ultra-softness and comfort. It's our overall pick for best sheets because it boasts a bit of everything that most shoppers are looking for: lightweight, breathable, and cool fabric; crisp yet soft feel; and strong construction that can reliably stand up to multiple washes.
The sheets are made from Pima cotton, a high-quality, extra-long-staple cotton. Karen Leonas, a professor of textile sciences at the Wilson College of Textiles, 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.
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. (You notice and appreciate these things when you're constantly trying and washing different sheets.)
Connie Chen/Business Insider
The sheets are available in a handful of light colors and have hemstitched detailing (decorative threading at the edges). If you prefer a simple look that fits into pretty much any room style, the L.L.Bean sheets won't disappoint. If you like fun prints and patterns, try Brooklinen's sheets. They came in a close second to L.L.Bean for comfort and durability and are also reasonably priced.
Read our full L.L.Bean Percale Sheets review.
Best sateen
No one does sateen sheets better than Brooklinen. Sateen is a type of cotton weave that produces a silky, buttery 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). While we think percale sheets are best for most people since they sleep a bit cooler, sateen has a luxurious and soft feel that many prefer for a hotel-like experience.
Brooklinen's Luxe sateen sheets are incredibly comfortable to sleep in, and they have many thoughtful touches that make them a great buy. For starters, you can choose whether or not you want to include a flat sheet in your set — a nice way to eliminate waste and save some money if you prefer to sleep without one. The short and long sides of the sheets are also labeled, so making the bed is a breeze. If you don't love them, you'll have a whole year to initiate a return.
Connie Chen/Business Insider
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 sheets we've tried, Brooklinen's sleep a bit hot.
Read our full Brooklinen Luxe sateen sheet review.
Best budget
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. Of all the sets I tested, Threshold's fitted sheet was the easiest to put on and fit my mattress the best, despite being designed for mattresses up to 18-inch deep. 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.
Once on, the sateen sheets are smooth and silky. They're made from 100% cotton and have a 400-thread count on the higher end of all the sets I tried.
After some use, however, I noticed that they seem to trap body oils more readily and feel greasier than other sets, making them less pleasant to sleep on. I wondered if this was because Target uses a short-staple cotton, or if they applied some kind of treatment over the sheets to give them their "performance" qualities (wrinkle-resistant, bleach-friendly), but the brand didn't respond to my requests for additional clarification. The problem seems to disappear if I wash the sheets more often.
Connie Chen/Business Insider
Either way, I had a comfortable experience overall; they just weren't the best sheets I tried. And though they're touted as "performance sheets," most notably as being wrinkle-free, they certainly wrinkle. The best way to get rid of the wrinkles, as with all cotton sheets, is to iron them.
Be warned — the sheets have a strong sour and chemical smell when you first take them out of their packaging. The smell lingers even after the sheets are aired out for a couple of days, so you'll definitely want to wash them first. It's also good practice to wash before using any new textile you bring into your home, regardless of whether it arrived with a manufacturing odor.
If you're on a budget, a college student, or a frequent host looking to outfit a guest bed, these sheets are a smart decision. The 365-night return policy also gives you ample time to live with them and decide for yourself.
Read our full Threshold Performance Sheet Set review.
Best hotel
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.
You'll feel like royalty when sleeping in Frette's soft and smooth sateen sheets. H by Frette is Frette's consumer line of linens and whisks you away into the sumptuous hotel bed of your dreams. But rather than paying for a single night in a high-end hotel, you're dropping $300 for years of hotel luxury from the comfort of your own home
The sheets are, of course, only available in white, and you can get them in sateen or percale, depending on your preference. The resulting bed looks simple, clean, and fresh.
Frette uses 100% extra-long-staple cotton, so it feels very soft even though the set doesn't have the extraordinarily high thread count (300) you might expect from hotel sheets. 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.
Connie Chen/Business Insider
Sateen sheets can be too warm for me sometimes, but Frette's felt perfect and cooler than other sateen sets I've tried. The sheets have a subtle gloss and a silky feel and remain comfortable after every wash.
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 flannel
From lined sleeping bags to shirts, L.L.Bean is renowned for its flannel products. The company's flannel sheets are a fantastic buy if you 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.
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.
Connie Chen/Business Insider
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. And, the sage sheets have maintained their pleasant green hue without any color loss after several washes.
Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheets are available in an array of patterns and colors, including floral, striped, and checkered options.
Best deep-pocket
I have a mattress that's about 16 inches thick. Even sheets labeled as deep pocket tend to slip off one corner somewhere around night four or five. After trying over 10 sets of deep-pocket sheets, I can say the sateen set from Cuddledown was one of the few that stayed on for a full week.
Cuddledown says its deep-fitted version of the sateen sheet set fits mattresses up to 21 inches. I measured the pocket at around 20 inches, and it was the deepest I tested. (The next closest were 17 inches.) I didn't have to tug the fitted sheet to make it fit over the mattress.
The 400-thread count sheets are made of long-staple cotton and have a sateen weave. They feel soft and have a bit of luster. They're available in 26 colors, several of which are deep or vibrant.
Jenny McGrath/Business Insider
After several washings, the sheets were still exceptionally soft and hadn't started the 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.
One unique feature of Cuddledown's sheets is its guarantee, which lets you return them if you're not satisfied. They're also Oeko-Tex-certified, meaning they meet safety standards to ensure they're not made with harmful substances.
If you have a thick but not overly deep mattress, the standard size is still accommodating at 16 inches. Otherwise, you'll likely have some excess fabric hanging down if try to use the deep-fitted set. —Jenny McGrath
Best bamboo
Bamboo bedding has become a team favorite sleeping material for its insanely soft, breathable, and eco-friendly properties. After a lengthy testing process to find the best bamboo sheets, Quince's 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 are made with 100% viscose from organic bamboo and Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified. There are 11 colors to choose from, and you can purchase a set with or without a top sheet.
Kayla Kitts/Business Insider
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 yearlong trial to decide if you love them, one of the longest beyond Brooklinen.
Our only drawback to these sheets is that they produced a lot of lint in the dryer.
Best linen
Linen is a contentious textile. It wrinkles easily, feels rough, and is notoriously expensive. On the other hand, some prefer the casual, lived-in look, and it does get softer with time and use. Most importantly, because it's made from hollow flax fibers, which absorb moisture and let air pass through, linen is breathable and stays dry even on the warmest, stuffiest nights. When treated according to their care instructions, they should last you years.
Among the best linen sheet sets we've reviewed, the Brooklinen Washed Linen Sheet Set impressed us with its immediate softness, perhaps contrary to what you may expect from a new set of linen sheets. It's thin and light for the ultimate breathability without feeling flimsy.
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, with a higher number indicating a denser fabric. Brooklinen's 145 GSM falls on the light to medium scale of typical linen sheeting.
Shannon Ullman/Business Insider
Brooklinen's linen sheets are available in four core neutral options, and they rotate in seasonal hues throughout the year, with the ability to pick and choose the pieces you need and will use. They also feature long and short label tags that make putting sheets on the bed go by that much quicker. 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. It's also half the price.
Read our full Brooklinen Washed Linen Sheets review.
Best cooling
For hot sleepers, finding a set of sheets that don't leave you drenched in sweat or that you need to kick away your bedding to find comfort can feel like a never-ending cycle of trial and error. When I think about the best cooling sheets, while cotton is a breathable textile and linen's natural moisture-wicking properties is also a great choice, the Sijo AiryWeight Eucalyptus Sheet Set is refreshingly soft and strikes the right balance of comfort, coolness, durability, and price.
These Sijo sheets wicked away heat and moisture and allow air to flow through. Plus, they were slightly cool to the touch. They're available in 13 colors across six sizes, and you can also opt-in or out of a flat sheet, which provides great flexibility and can bring the price of your purchase down.
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We don't love the confusing language surrounding the trial period, which is limited to seven days but has a 30-day return period. They also 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.
The AiryWeight edged out our previous pick, also from Sijo, the LuxeWeave Linen Sheet Set. Both sleep exceptionally cool; it can really come down to your desired feel of silky eucalyptus versus weightier linen that gets softer with each wash.
What else we recommend
Under $150
Casper: Casper's Hyperlite Sheet Set is made from Tencel lyocell, which comes from sustainably sourced wood. The material is indeed incredibly lightweight and soft, with a thin, gauzy construction — so thin that it's a bit see-through. They've held up really well after many washes.
Under $250
Riley: Riley's percale sheets are softer than other percale sheets, but not more so than L.L.Bean's. They felt cool and held up to all our washes well. I also appreciated the fair price point and the flexibility of opting for the add-on flat sheet instead of being stuck with one you don't want.
Snowe: The crisp percale sheets from Snowe have both the feel and sensibility of a light button-down shirt. They're sophisticated and sleek, though not quite as soft as other percale options we've tried. I slept with them during the dead of summer, and they kept me cool and comfortable.
Over $250
Boll & Branch Signature Hemmed Sheet Set: Boll & Branch uses cotton that's both GOTS- and Fair Trade-certified, so if you live an organic lifestyle or are trying to incorporate more organic products into your cart, you'll love these ethically and sustainably made sheets. The sheets are comfortable and durable but keep in mind that the manufacturing process and certifications do come at a cost. Read our full review of Boll & Branch sheets here.
Brooklinen Heathered Cashmere Sheet Set: Brooklinen melds luxury and comfort with its cashmere blend bedding, a cold-weather favorite among the Business Insider team. Read our full Brooklinen Heathered Cashmere sheets review.
Bed Threads Linen Sheets: This is another brand we love for fairly priced linen sheets. Bed Threads offers extended sizing and an assortment of beautiful colors to spruce up your bedroom. (I sampled the lilac.)
Parachute Linen Sheet Set: Some of the softest linen sheets we've tried, Parachute's set doesn't have the scratchy breaking-in period you sometimes get with this fabric. The material is light and airy, and the color has held up very well after multiple washes. It's one of our favorite sets when the weather is warm.
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 often very 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 weaved 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.
STeP by Oeko Tex: 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 STeP by Oeko Tex. 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.
How we tested the best sheet sets
Here's how we tested for the best bed sheets over the course of nine months.
1. Washed and dried each set according to its respective instructions at least five times. Usually, we washed the sheets in a cold cycle with gentle detergent and dried them on a low tumble cycle.
2. Put the fitted sheet on a 10-inch-thick mattress and noted slipping, sliding, post-wash shrinkage, and stretchiness of elastic.
3. Slept on each set for at least one week and noted texture, overall comfort, breathability, and coolness.
4. Evaluated policies around trial and warranty periods and noted colors and bedding assortment.
Bed sheet FAQ
Jenny McGrath/Business Insider
Does thread count matter?
Yes, to a certain extent. However, don't use it as your sole determining factor because its definition can be manipulated, and after a certain number, the difference in feel and durability is negligible. You can read more about thread count here.
Percale vs sateen: which is better?
Percale and Sateen are two of the most common fabrications among the best cotton sheets, and that decision ultimately comes down to personal preference. Percale offers a cool and crisp feel that typically sleeps cooler and is more breathable, while sateen is regarded for being silky and smooth and sleeps warmer.
Percale is a good option for warmer months, while in the winter, you may like the coziness offered from Sateen.
Read more about the topic in our percale vs sateen cotton comparison.
What sheets do hotels use?
Top hotel brands often use 100% long-staple cotton sheets because they're soft, breathable, and durable, resulting in luxurious sleep experiences for their guests. 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?
If you want to rid sheets of wrinkles, the best way is to iron them before fitting them onto your bed or removing them from your dryer a little before the cycle ends and putting them onto your bed while slightly damp. We also like to use wool dryer balls to help efficiently release wrinkles too.
What kind of duvet cover do you pair with your sheets?
It's best to choose a duvet cover with the same fabrication as your sheet set — if you like how your sheets feel below you, you'll like how the same type of fabric feels on top of you. If you want to mix and match bedding pieces. Check our guide to the best duvet covers for more information.
How to care for your sheets
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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.
| Fabric | Cotton | Flannel | Linen | Silk | Bamboo |
| Description | Durable and soft, cotton is one of the most common materials for sheets. Long-staple Egyptian and pima feel smoother. | Flannel is often made of cotton, but it's brushed so it feels cozy and fuzzy. It's a good choice for cold weather. | Linen is a thick, natural fiber that many people prefer to sleep on during the summer because it's fairly breathable. | Silk is a natural material made by silkworms. As the name suggests, it feels smooth and luxurious. | These sheets are actually made of rayon fabric from processed bamboo fibers. They're typically soft and durable. |
| Tips for care | Cotton is usually fairly forgiving. Even if you prefer to wash your sheets in cold water, you may still want to wash them in hot regularly to kill dust mites. | Dry flannel sheets on a gentle cycle to prevent excessive friction, which can cause pilling. | Wash linen sheets in cool or lukewarm water and dry on low. Adding white vinegar to the washer's fabric softener compartment can help soften them. | A cold, gentle wash cycle and low-temperature delicate dryer cycle are best for silk sheets. | Most bamboo sheet manufacturers recommend washing their products in cold water and drying them on a gentle cycle at a low temperature (or line drying instead). |
Always read the label for care instructions for your sheets, and find out more tips for washing sheets here.
Connie Chen/Business Insider
Pros: High-quality construction, very soft and comfortable, fitted sheet is labeled, accessible price
Cons: Lack of prints and patterns, fitted sheet may be loose on thinner mattresses
Of all the percale cotton sheets I tested, L.L.Bean's set stood out for its ultra-softness and comfort. It's our overall pick for best sheets because it boasts a bit of everything that most shoppers are looking for: lightweight, breathable, and cool fabric; crisp yet soft feel; and strong construction that can reliably stand up to multiple washes.
The sheets are made from pima cotton, which is a high-quality, extra-long-staple cotton. Karen Leonas, a professor of textile sciences at the Wilson College of Textiles, 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 also had a great feel and experienced no loose threads or shrinkage in the last three months.
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. (When you're constantly trying and washing different sheets, you notice and appreciate these things.)
The sheets are available in a handful of light colors, and they have hemstitched detailing (decorative threading at the edges). If you prefer a simple look that fits into pretty much any room style, the L.L.Bean sheets won't disappoint. If you like fun prints and patterns, try Brooklinen's sheets. They came in a close second to L.L.Bean for comfort and durability and are also reasonably priced.
Read our full L.L.Bean Percale Sheets review.
Connie Chen/Business Insider
Pros: Affordable, great fit
Cons: May trap body oils more, smell terrible out of the package
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. Of all the sets I tested, Threshold's fitted sheet was the easiest to put on and fit my mattress the best, despite being designed for mattresses up to 18-inch deep. 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.
Once on, the sateen sheets are smooth and silky. They're made from 100% cotton and have a 400-thread count on the higher end of all the sets I tried.
After some use, however, I noticed that they seem to trap body oils more readily and feel greasier than other sets, making them less pleasant to sleep on. I wondered if this was because Target uses a short-staple cotton, or if they applied some kind of treatment over the sheets to give them their "performance" qualities (wrinkle-resistant, bleach friendly), but the brand didn't respond to my requests for additional clarification. The problem does seem to go away if I wash the sheets more often.
Either way, I had a comfortable experience overall; they just weren't the best sheets I tried. And though they're touted as "performance sheets," most notably as being wrinkle-free, they certainly wrinkle. The best way to get rid of the wrinkles, as with all cotton sheets, is to iron them.
Be warned — the sheets have a strong sour and chemical smell when you first take them out of their packaging. The smell lingers even after the sheets are aired out for a couple of days, so you'll definitely want to wash them first.
If you're on a budget, a college student, or a frequent host looking to outfit a guest bed, these sheets are a smart decision. We're continuing to test and wash them to look for any durability issues, but so far, we haven't run into any.
Connie Chen/Business Insider
Pros: Very comfortable, lots of colors and patterns to choose from, labeled short and long sides, can buy individual pieces and sets without flat sheet, Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex certified, long return period
Cons: Sleeps a bit hot
No one does sateen sheets better than Brooklinen. Sateen is a type of cotton weave that produces a silky, buttery texture when compared to the matte, cool texture of percale. Think of it as the difference between a soft cotton t-shirt (sateen) and crisp button-up shirt (percale). While we think percale sheets are best for most people since it sleeps a bit cooler, sateen has a very luxurious and soft feel that many people prefer for a hotel-like experience.
Brooklinen's Luxe sateen sheets are incredibly comfortable to sleep in, and they have many thoughtful tuches that make them a great buy. For starters, you can choose whether or not you want to include a flat sheet in your set — a nice way to eliminate waste and save some money if you prefer to sleep without one. The short and long sides of the sheets are also labeled, so making the bed is a breeze. If you don't love them, you'll have a whole year to initiate a return.
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 sheets we've tried, Brooklinen's sleep a bit hot.
Read our full Brooklinen sateen sheet review.
Connie Chen/Business Insider
Pros: Stays dry and cool, casually wrinkled style, flexible flat sheet option
Cons: Doesn't come in as many colors and sizes as competitors, may experience some shedding
Linen is a contentious textile. It wrinkles very easily, feels a bit rough, and is notoriously expensive. On the other hand, some prefer the casual, lived-in look, and it does get softer with time and use. Most importantly, because it's made from hollow flax fibers, which absorb moisture and let air pass through, linen is breathable and stays dry even on the warmest, stuffiest nights.
Sijo sheets are the best linen sheets I've tried because they strike the right balance of comfort, coolness, durability, and price. After a couple of months of testing, they knock out our former best pick, MagicLinen, because of how downright soft and comfortable they are, even while having the signature grainy texture of linen. And they get softer and better after multiple washes.
If your preconception of linen is that it's too scratchy to enjoy, Sijo's sheets will change your mind. They're also airy and light, keeping me cool on California spring-nights-that-already-feel-like-summer (we recently had temps in the high 80s in late March).
I loved the wrinkled look, especially combined with the soothing Blush color. I'm also a fan of Sky, a dusky blue. The color and overall construction have held up well so far, and the fabric continues to feel both substantial and lightweight. You should expect some shedding in the first few washes — it's a natural part of the process but a little annoying to pick off your bed.
Unlike with MagicLinen, I didn't have any sizing issues with Sijo's sheets. All the sets have a 15-inch depth. You can also opt in or out of a flat sheet, which provides great flexibility and can bring the price of your purchase down.
Our guide to the best linen sheets has more breathable options.
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Pros: Comes in several patterns and colors, not too heavy, doesn't color-fade or pill over time, comfortable and velvety feel
Cons: Pillowcases are open-ended and can slide around, may not be warm enough in extreme cold
From lined sleeping bags to shirts, L.L.Bean is known for its flannel products. If you want to stay warm on cold nights, the company's flannel sheets are a fantastic buy. We love them so much that we named these sheets the best overall pick in our guide to the best flannel sheets.
Weighing only 5 ounces per square yard, the sheets are not overly thick. 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.
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. And, the sage sheets have maintained their pleasant green hue without any color loss after several washes.
If sage isn't your jam, Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheets are available in an array of patterns and colors. L.L.Bean offers the flannel sheets in floral, striped, checkered, and solid colors.
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Pros: Very soft and comfortable, stretchy, fitted sheet is labeled, accessible price
Cons: Lack of prints and patterns, not ideal for hot sleepers
Few things irk me more than sheets that bunch up as you sleep, creating uncomfortable pressure points. I recommend trying jersey sheets if this is a frustration for you, too.
Jersey is a tightly-weaved cotton/polyester blend that has the feel and stretch of a soft t-shirt. The cotton provides softness, while the polyester gives the fabric some snap, which helps keep the sheets taught across your mattress all night long.
I've tried a number of jersey sheet sets, and this one from Target's Room Essentials line provides the most bang for your buck. I particularly like that the ends of the fitted sheet are labeled so that you know which side goes where as you're making your bed.
These sheets are incredibly soft, but they do tend to sleep hot, which could be a good or bad thing depending on your preferences. They're a nice alternative to flannel sheets in the winter if you don't love the look or feel of brushed cotton. The set currently comes in eight colors, including basic black and white.
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Pros: Luxury hotel-approved, quality materials, washes well, the brand has a long manufacturing history
Cons: Only available in white
Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, and Kimpton hotels worldwide turn to this iconic name for their bedding needs. We're talking about none other than Italian luxury brand Frette, once the official maker of linens for the Italian royal family.
Sleeping in Frette's soft and smooth sateen sheets, you'll certainly feel like royalty. H by Frette is Frette's consumer line of linens and whisks you away into the sumptuous hotel bed of your dreams. But rather than paying for just a single night in a high-end hotel, you're dropping $300 for years of hotel luxury in your own room.
The sheets are, of course, only available in white, and you can get them in sateen or percale, depending on your preference. The resulting bed looks simple, clean, and fresh.
Frette uses 100% extra-long-staple cotton, so even though the set doesn't have the extraordinarily high thread count (300) you might expect from hotel sheets, it feels very 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.
Sateen sheets can be too warm for me sometimes, but Frette's felt perfect and cooler than other sateen sets I've tried. The sheets have a subtle gloss and a silky feel, and they remain comfortable after every wash.
You'll find less expensive and equally comfortable sheets in the rest of this best sheets guide, but if you specifically want the sheets used in and approved by hundreds of hotels, then you'll be very happy with Frette's. Whenever I rotate through my sheets, I look forward to this set because I know it'll feel like a treat.
Jenny McGrath/Business Insider
Pros: Very deep pocket, soft feel, available in many colors, generous guarantee
Cons: May be too warm in summer
I have a mattress that's about 16 inches thick. Even sheets labeled as deep pocket tend to slip off one corner somewhere around night four or five. After trying over 10 sets of deep-pocket sheets, I can say the sateen set from Cuddledown was one of the few that stayed on for a full week.
Cuddledown says its deep-fitted version of the sateen sheet set fits mattresses up to 21 inches. I measured the pocket at around 20 inches, and it was by far the deepest I tested. (The next closest were 17 inches.) I didn't have to tug the fitted sheet to make it fit over the mattress.
The 400-thread count sheets are made of long-staple cotton and have a sateen weave. They feel soft and have a bit of luster. They're available in 26 colors, several of which are deep or vibrant.
After several washings, the sheets were still exceptionally soft and hadn't started the 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 aren't as crisp as percale or linen for summer.
One unique feature of Cuddledown's sheets is its guarantee, which lets you return them if you're not satisfied. They're also Oeko-Tex-certified, meaning they meet safety standards to ensure they're not made with harmful substances.
If you have a thick but not overly deep mattress, the standard size is still accommodating at 16 inches. Otherwise, you'll likely have some excess fabric hanging down if try and use the deep-fitted set. —Jenny McGrath
Jenny McGrath/Business Insider
Does thread count matter?
Yes, to a certain extent. However, don't use it as your sole determining factor because its definition can be manipulated, and after a certain number, the difference in feel and durability is negligible. You can read more about thread count here.
Percale vs Sateen: which is better?
Percale and Sateen are two of the most common fabrications, and that decision ultimately comes down to personal preference. Percale offers a cool and crisp feel that typically sleeps cooler and is more breathable, while sateen is regarded for being silky and smooth, and sleeps warmer.
Percale is a good option for warmer months, while in the winter, you may like the coziness offered from sateen.
What is drape?
Drape relates to the fluidity or rigidity of a fabric. A fabric with a high or fluid drape, such as silk, is flowy and clings more to the object. A fabric with a low drape is stiffer and holds its shape more.
What kind of sheets do hotels use?
Top hotel brands often use 100% long-staple cotton sheets because they're soft, breathable, and durable, resulting in luxurious sleep experiences for their guests. 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.
What's the best way to prevent wrinkles?
If you want to get rid of wrinkles, the best way is to iron them before fitting them onto your bed or removing them from your dryer a little before the cycle ends and putting them onto your bed while slightly damp.
What kind of duvet cover do you pair with your sheets?
It's best to choose a duvet cover with the same fabrication as your sheet set — if you like how your sheets feel below you, you'll like how the same type of fabric feels on top of you. If you want to mix and match bedding pieces. Check our guide to the best duvet covers for more information.
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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.
| Fabric | Cotton | Flannel | Linen | Silk | Bamboo |
| Description | Durable and soft, cotton is one of the most common materials for sheets. Long-staple Egyptian and pima feel smoother. |
Flannel is often made of cotton, but it's brushed so it feels cozy and fuzzy. It's a good choice for cold weather. |
Linen is a thick, natural fiber that many people prefer to sleep on during the summer because it's fairly breathable. |
Silk is a natural material made by silkworms. As the name suggests, it feels smooth and luxurious. |
These sheets are actually made of rayon fabric from processed bamboo fibers. They're typically soft and durable. |
| Tips for care | Cotton is usually fairly forgiving. Even if you prefer to wash your sheets in cold water, you may still want to wash them in hot regularly to kill dust mites. | Dry flannel sheets on a gentle cycle to prevent excessive friction, which can cause pilling. | Wash linen sheets in cool or lukewarm water and dry on low. Adding white vinegar to the washer's fabric softener compartment can help soften them. | A cold, gentle wash cycle and low-temperature delicate dryer cycle are best for silk sheets. | Most bamboo sheet manufacturers recommend washing their products in cold water and drying them on a gentle cycle at a low temperature (or line drying instead). |
Always read the label for care instructions for your sheets, and find out more tips for washing sheets here.
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