Where To Buy Good Bed Sheets
TESTING NOTES: Our panel loved the comfy feel and gave it feedback 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.
where to buy good bed sheets
If you're on a budget but prefer cotton sheets over microfiber, this option is your best bet. In fact, it's hard to find any cotton sheets for under $100, let alone one that performs as well as this set. It feels substantial with a good weight and it's comfortable with a balance between soft and crisp. It's also popular on Amazon with over 85,000 reviews and an average 4.6-star rating.
TESTING NOTES: Most of our reviewers raved about the feel of these sheets with 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 appreciated how this set could be washed in warm water (which is better for getting your sheets clean). It had average scores for fabric strength, but perfect ratings in our pill-resistance tests.
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 form of lyocell that's known for its sustainable production practices. West Elm's set is made entirely of Tencel and outperformed more than 14 other rayon sheets in our evaluations.
This luxury set has among the softest cotton fabrication you can find. Some ultra-soft sheets like 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 more than 15 colors to match any bedroom.
TESTING NOTES: The fabric earned a higher softness rating than other cotton sheets in a side-by-side comparison test. In fact, several testers told us they wanted to buy these sheets after feeling them. One described it as "buttery soft and very luxurious without being slippery." 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.
Percale sheets are ideal for anyone that 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 stands out for outperforming other percale fabrics, both in our Lab and with consumer testers.
TESTING NOTES: Our experts were 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 were noticeably less creased than others. One tester described it as feeling "like quality hotel sheets. It also feels a bit cool to the touch, which I like. I would love these sheets in my home."
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 at around $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.
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 and flimsy compared to others, most raved about the smoothness, with one calling it "soft and lightweight."
TESTING NOTES: Testers especially loved how they 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.
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.
TESTING NOTES: The 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. The fabric is not as thick or hefty as some other sateen sheets we've reviewed, and one tester noted, "I love the lightweight feel and overall smoothness."
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 raved about its relaxed look and feel. One user even described it as "soft, luxurious and yet crisp and cool." The fabric also held up to 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 aesthetic.
The cotton is also combed, which means short, poking fibers are removed so it feels extra soft. It comes in white with various options for colored stitching as a decorative accent, and the brand says these sheets are used in luxury hotels throughout the country.
Lexie Sachs (she/her) is the executive director of the Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she researches, tests and reports on fabric-based products ranging from sheets, mattresses and towels to bras, fitness apparel and other clothing. She also evaluates luggage, rain gear, disposable paper goods and baby products. Lexie has more than 15 years of experience in the textiles industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. Prior to joining GH in 2013, she worked in merchandising and product development in the fashion and home industries.
Cotton is by far the most popular option for sheets, with many different weaves available. The most popular types of cotton weaves for sheets are usually crisp percale, silky sateen, or soft jersey cotton, which is often blended with poly fibers for a soft and stretchy feel. Flannel sheets are also made from cotton with a napped (fuzzy) finish on one or both sides for an extra cozy feel. Rayon sheets are growing in popularity and are made with cellulose derived from plants, such as eucalyptus or bamboo. Linen sheets are made from flax and have a lightweight, airy feel that's perfect for hot sleepers. Microfiber sheets are generally made from synthetic fibers such as polyester, or they can often be a blend of polyester and cotton.
January is the best month to buy bed sheets as many retailers offer deeply discounted merchandise after the holiday season. The beginning of the year is typically associated with renewal and change which makes it a perfect time to replenish the linen closet.
Parachute has expanded beyond bedding in recent years, but the main attraction is still sheets and bedroom essentials. The Cali-based brand is best known for giving customers the option to forgo a top sheet and for featuring a range of materials to choose from. Not only can you find the usual percale and sateen cotton, but you can also buy sheets in brushed cotton, organic cotton, and linen.
Those who appreciate luxurious bedding are certainly familiar with Boll & Branch. Known for their sheets (including flannel and percale options), the brand has incredible bedding for every room in your house, including the nursery. A favorite pick? The Flannel Bonfire Stripe Sheet Set, which features elegant geometric lines and the ultimate bedding luxury: a wrinkle-free design.
Snowe is one of our favorite up-and-coming attainable luxury brands. With a range of home essentials that are made to last, the brand is expensive but worth the splurge. Its commitment to quality is especially evident in the bedding offerings, particularly the linen sheet set, which is made using a special air-washing technology for extra softness. Aside from linen, they also make percale and sateen sheets.
Woven from premium extra-long staple cotton, in a 400-thread count, single ply, sateen weave, these white sheets will feel beautifully smooth and silky against your skin. Its simple yet classic hem gives it crisp and clean lines for a timeless look for your bedroom.
Bedding, and what the best sheets to buy are, depends largely on the time of year. Seasonality hugely affects your sleep, so it's a good idea to have a well stocked linen cupboard so you can sleep comfortably no matter the time of year. In the summer, a flat sheet is a lovely choice instead of a duvet for sleepers who run hot (we also recommend a good cooling pillow and mattress combination), though if you can't live without the latter we have a round up of the best duvets here. This gives you the comfort of coverage whilst remaining lightweight. We think high-quality linen, Egyptian cotton, or cotton percale are the best materials for this. If you don't want to have endless sheet sets in your house, then you always have the option to add a throw or blanket, in cashmere or wool, over the top of your flat sheet. If you're seeking comfort and a good night's sleep over all else, we do recommend buying good quality bedding for the softest finish. 041b061a72