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after a long day of Zoom calls, seeing friends or family and checking off your to-do list, there’s nothing quite as appealing as your cozy bed at home. However, where you lay your weary head in the evening can make a difference in the quality of your sleep. If you spend the night tossing and turning because you’re uncomfortable, you’ll wake up tired. But if you enjoy the texture of your bed sheets, it makes it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
In recent years many bedding brands have turned away from “thread count” and have instead focused on high-quality materials beyond traditional cotton. (Though, yes, cotton is still a major player!) From satin and bamboo to hemp, plenty of new and revolutionary options are available to the everyday customer — and there is definitely something to meet your needs.
We tested a variety of bed sheets to find the top contenders for excellent sleep in 2022 (and beyond). Read on to see the results.
What to consider when buying bed sheets
Some like sleeping on their side, others catch the most ZZZ’s on their tummies, and many end up on their backs in the morning. Just like we all have preferred sleeping positions, we all look for something different in our bed sheets. You’ll need sheets to help regulate your body temperature if you run hot. If you have sensitive skin, you’ll need to be mindful of the quality and materials of your sheets, so you don’t experience irritation.
We personally reviewed and tested each of these bed sheets, keeping these considerations in mind:
- Material and weave
- Mattress size and depth
- Temperature preferences
- Price and lifestyle
- Verified reviews.
Material and weave
It’s important to remember that thread count isn’t everything. And for many companies, it’s an outdated way of measuring the softness of sheets and bedding. How come? Manufacturers have adopted crafty ways to inflate thread count measurements, creating an unequal playing field. Sometimes, a 300 thread count can feel more luxurious and softer than a 1,000 thread count.
So, instead of looking at the thread count labeling, focus on the materials and the weave. Weave is either sateen or percale. Sateen has a more satin design, while percale is grid-like. Neither is better than the other; it’s up to you to figure out what you prefer. Materials will vary from 100 percent cotton to hemp and bamboo. Again, this is a personal preference, but we picked based on our own experience and online reviews.
Mattress size and depth.
When shopping for bed sheets, you don’t want to lug them home or have them arrive on your doorstep only to discover they won’t fit your bed. It’s important to remember that not all Queen-sized sheets fit all Queen-sized mattresses. Some mattresses have an added topper, and some people may add a pad for more cushion. That’s why you should also know your mattress depth in addition to mattress size. When picking our top bed sheet brands, we gave extra points to those with higher depths to fit more mattress varieties.
Temperature preferences
Many people tend to sweat at night, which can cause them to wake up drenched and uncomfortable. When shopping for bed sheets and bedding, consider the temperature that gives you the best rest. For those who are “hot-blooded” — you’ll need breathable material, like cotton or bamboo. If you can’t seem to get warm, you’ll need a thicker blend, like flannel.
Price and lifestyle
If you’ve shopped for sheets before, you know the price range varies dramatically — from $20 to thousands. Our research found that price doesn’t always dictate the quality and that some budget sheets were just as cozy as expensive ones. In addition to price, we also considered lifestyle. While some people will buy five sets of sheets for their house full of kiddos, others are keen to invest in one solid set of sheets that will last them for years.
Verified reviews
The best way to understand the value of a product is to hear from other people. While our reviewer personally tested each product, they are only a sample of one. When deciding on our final selections, we scoured the internet for verified reviews to help guide our process.
The best bed sheets of 2024
Best affordable sheets: Cosy House Luxury Bamboo Bed Sheet Set
You can’t beat this budget-friendly set of bamboo and polyester blend sheets that feel luxurious without the high-end price tag. Thanks to the lightweight and breathable fabric, the bed sheets work to thermal-regulate throughout the night preventing you from middle-of-the-night sweat attacks. We were also impressed with how well these sheets fought against wrinkles, even after being left in the dryer for a while.
Many verified reviewers rave about the soft texture but do know that the softness wears over time. Some noted loose stitches over many months of use, too.
Pros:
- Keeps cool.
- Wrinkle, stain and piling resistant.
- Super soft.
Cons:
- Loose stitches.
- Loses softness over time.
Specifics:
- Price: $59.95.
- Material: Bamboo Viscose Blend.
- Weave Types: Sateen.
- Color and design: 13 color options.
- Thread count: 1,000.
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Spilt King.
- Mattress Depth: Thin to thick (up to 16 inches).
Cosy House Luxury Bamboo Bed Sheet Set
Best sheets for kids: MakeMake Organic Cotton Sheet Set
Parents always want the best for their children — whether that’s the food they put on their plate or the sheets they lovingly place on their bed. Our top pick for baby and kid sheets is this organic cotton blend from MakeMake. They are free from chemicals and toxins, sustainably made, certified organic, and fair trade. You can feel the softness as soon you touch the sheets, and many reviewers say the cotton sustains for an extended period.
Since toddlers and kids can be super picky about, well, everything, the wide variety of patterns and colors has something for every mini attitude. The only downfall reviewers mentioned was piling fabric, so be on the lookout when you wash and dry.
Pros:
- Super soft.
- Wide variety of patterns.
- High-quality cotton.
Cons:
- Fabric may pill.
Specifics:
- Price: Starting at $89.99.
- Material: 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton Sateen.
- Weave Types: Satin.
- Color and design: 10+ color kid-friendly prints.
- Thread count: 300.
- Sizes: Twin, full, queen and crib.
- Mattress Depth: Twin fits mattresses up to 12 inches deep, Full and Queen fit mattresses up to 16 inches deep
MakeMake Organic Cotton Sheet Set
Best hotel-like sheets: Sobel Westex Hotel Sheets
Do you ever notice that you tend to sleep better at a hotel than at home? And you wake up feeling refreshed — not only by the killer views from your room, but the pure zen of your bed? Bring a little luxury home with a sheet set from Sobel Westex. Many top hotel brands get their sheets from Sobel Westex, but you can snag a set for less than $100. They are crafted with 100 percent Egyptian cotton, providing a softness that lasts even with several washes. We also appreciate the elasticity of the fitted sheet, which fits mattress depths up to 17 inches.
The drawbacks of these luxe sheets may be found in the color hues: while they look vibrant online, some reviewers shared they don’t meet expectations in person. Also, due to the materials, these sheets have been known to wrinkle more easily than others, so make sure to snag them out of the dryer ASAP.
Pros:
- Super soft and gets softer over time.
- High-quality materials.
- High-end but affordable.
Cons:
- Colors may not match online photos.
- Wrinkles easily.
Specifics:
- Price: $78.
- Material: 100% Plain Weave Certified Egyptian Cotton. Single Ply. No Pilling. Breathable. OEKO-TEX Certified. Prop 65 Certified.
- Weave Types: 100% Plain Weave Certified Egyptian Cotton.
- Color and design: white, ivory, pale pink, sage, gray, pale blue.
- Thread count: 200.
- Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king and California king.
- Mattress Depth: Fits mattresses up to 17 inches deep.
Sobel Westex Hotel Sheets
Best splurge sheets: Avocado GreenMattress Organic Hemp Sheets
We’ll get right to it: nearly $500 for sheets seems, well, crazy. But if you’re going to splurge on one set of sheets — let it be these. Made of certified organic hemp, the texture is similar to linen, making it soft and breathable. And if the environment is essential to you, you’ll appreciate the fact these sheets are made with one of the most sustainable fabrics on the planet. In practical terms, many reviewers love the thermoregulating nature that matches your body where it’s at, helping you to stay toasty warm on the coldest day, and cool on the hot summer nights. They are pricey — but provide a lot of value for your investment.
Pros:
- All season sheets.
- High-quality materials.
- Comfortable.
Cons:
- Expensive.
Specifics:
- Price: Starting at $459.
- Material: 100% GOTS certified organic Hemp.
- Weave Types: Plain.
- Color and design: sand dune and champagne.
- Thread count: Like linen, hemp sheets are measured by their weight. The grams per square meter of a sheet measure its quality, effectiveness, and feel. We use a premium 165 gsm weight with hemp sourced from India. Our sheets are thick and durable.
- Sizes: Full, queen, king and California king.
- Mattress Depth: Fits mattresses up to 16 inches deep.
Best cooling sheets for hot sleepers: Sijo AiryWeight Eucalyptus Sheet Set
Some people run hot — and some people can’t stop sweating no matter how hard they try. If you’re part of the second boat and sleeping can become a nightmare for you, it’s time to try these sheets. They’re made of sustainable eucalyptus fibers from FSC and PEFC-certified eucalyptus wood pulp. Why does this matter? The material is innately moisture-wicking and cool, so it helps your body regulate throughout the night. In addition to cooling, many online reviewers are fans of the soft texture and the antimicrobial treatment. This is helpful for those with allergies since it fights mold, mites and dust.
Click here for other cooling sheets options
Pros:
- Super soft.
- Prevents night sweats.
Cons:
- None that we could find!
Specifics:
- Price: Starting at $95.
- Material: 100% TENCEL Lyocell.
- Weave Types: Sateen.
- Color and design: Blush, sky and forest.
- Thread count: 300 (equivalent in softness to 1,000 thread count for cotton).
- Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king and California king.
- Mattress Depth: Fits mattresses up to 16 inches deep.
Sijo AiryWeight Eucalyptus Sheet Set
How we chose the best bed sheets of 2024
A good set of sheets is key to a good night’s rest. When buying in person, it’s easy to feel your way to a sheet set you’d like. However, buying sheets online can be a guessing game at best. To get our list of the best bed sheets of 2024, we first consulted with experts and conducted research to find out the features that make for a quality sheet such as: Material and weave, consistent sizing for common mattresses, and breathability. Then, we searched through countless reviews to first find a shortlist of retailers that were reliable and offered sheets that met these standards. We found the top-rated sheets and tested them in person, and considered options for the most common concerns when buying bed sheets.
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