A luxurious mattress and a pricey set of pillows won’t promise a good night’s sleep if they’re paired with low-quality sheets. If you find yourself tossing and turning throughout the night, it may be time to invest in a great set of bed sheets that will keep you comfy and cool through the night.
“Your bedroom should be a haven of comfort,” says Pamela O’Brien, principal interior designer at Pamela Hope Designs. “I believe it’s worth the extra effort to make sure you create a bed you love and that helps you relax.”
To help you shop for the best sheets, we spoke to experts across disciplines, from dermatologists to interior designers. Below, you can find their tips on what to look for in a great set of sheets, some of their top picks and highly rated sheets we chose based on their guidance.
SKIP AHEAD The best bed sheets in 2023 | How to shop for bed sheets
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How we picked the best bed sheets
To determine what makes a great set of sheets, we spoke to textile experts. This is what they say to keep in mind while shopping:
- Material: Linen, cotton, satin and flannel are all common materials in bed sheets. They all offer different benefits, which we outline below. For our list, we included options made from a variety of materials.
- Size: Almost every bed sheet is available in twin to king sizes. Some options are also available in California King and split king.
- Machine washable: All of our picks are machine-washable, but keep in mind that their recommended dryer settings (and the type of laundry detergent you’ll want to use) differ by item.
The best bed sheets to buy in 2023
Below are some highly-rated bed sheet options across fabric types — our experts recommended some as well.
Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set
“I’ve owned Cozy Earth’s bamboo sheet set for over a year now and find it extremely breathable, even on hot summer nights,” says Select associate editor Nishka Dhawan, “I’ve machine-washed it over 20 times in the past few months and both the color and the fabric still look and feel as good as new.” It’s also gentle on sensitive skin and extremely soft, according to the brand.
Size: Twin to split king | What’s included: Fitted sheet, flat sheet and pillowcases (numbers vary based on size)
Brooklinen Classic Percale Sheet Set
Brooklinen’s Classic Percale Sheet Set is a Select Bed & Bath Award-winner and favorite of Dr. Erum Ilyas, a board-certified dermatologist and functional textile expert. “Percale carries the cool, crisp feel that is great for hot sleepers,” she says. Stedman agrees, calling the set “the perfect percale sheet if you are after that classic cool and crisp hand feel.” The sheets are made with a 270-thread count weave and are Oeko-TEX certified, which means they’ve been tested independently for harmful substances, according to the brand. You can purchase them in five of Brooklinen’s essential styles like solid white and a striped pattern (as well as six limited edition styles).
Size: Twin to California king | What’s included: One fitted sheet, one flat sheet and two pillowcases
Parachute Percale Sheet Set
These percale weave sheets are made from Egyptian cotton and strike a good balance between feeling structured yet smooth to the touch, says Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin. The Oeko-Tex certified sheets soften with each wash, according to Parachute. The set comes in eight colors with a fitted sheet and two pillowcases but no top sheet.
They’re “very crisp, lightweight and breathable sheets,” says Malin, adding that they washed well, too.
Size: Twin to California king | What’s included: One fitted sheet, one pillowcase set
The Citizenry Stonewashed Linen Sheet Set
The soft, lightweight and cooling feel of this set is why it earned one of our best overall Bed & Bath Awards. Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez says that, as a hot sleeper, she finds the sheets to be very light — “I didn’t feel hot or sweaty once throughout the night.” The sheets come in 17 different colors and patterns, and also have a matching linen bag for easy storage when they’re not in use, which Select commerce editor Lindsay Schneider says the sheets “fit quite nicely back into”.
Size: Twin to California king | What’s included: One top sheet, one fitted sheet, two pillowcases
California Design Den
Winner of our 2023 Wellness Awards, these 400-thread-count cotton sheets are 100% cotton and have a sateen weave. They’re Oeko-Tex certified,breathable and soft, yet crisp, according to Malin. “They remind me of sheets you’d find in a hotel room,” she says. “I’ve slept on them and washed them over a dozen times at this point, and they have not lost their softness or shape at all.” Each set comes with one flat sheet, fitted sheet (that fits both low profile and tall mattresses) and pillowcases and are available in over 20 colors and patterns.
Size: Twin to split king | What’s included: Fitted sheet, flat sheet, one pillowcase
Sijo AiryWeight Eucalyptus Sheet Set
Another Bed & Bath Awards-winner, these sheets are made of sustainable, eucalyptus-derived Tencel Lyocell, which makes the set naturally hypoallergenic, antibacterial, cooling and moisture-wicking, according to the brand. Those cooling properties are what we love most about them — Select senior social media editor and “notoriously hot sleeper” Rosalie Tinelli, found herself “consistently missing the cooling effect of these” after testing them out. The set comes in seven colors, including Snow, Forest and Blush, and is also coated in an antimicrobial treatment to slow the spread of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms, according to Sijo.
Size: Twin to California king | What’s included: One fitted sheet, two pillowcases, optional top sheet
Boll & Branch Signature Hemmed Sheet Set
Boll & Branch’s Signature Hemmed Sheet set is also a Wellness Awards winner and is made with long-staple cotton, which means “the sheets are incredibly soft but durable,” says Lindsay Stedman, a stylist and former textile technologist for Ralph Lauren and Victoria’s Secret. The machine-washable sheets, which have a 4.8-star average rating from over 11,000 Boll & Branch reviews, are Oeko-TEX certified, too. Plus, it’s designed to get softer with every wash.
“Both of the Boll & Branch options I tested are — and I’m not being hyperbolic — life-changing,” says former editor Christina Colizzo. “I’ve always had nice-ish sheets, but these are the softest and most breathable I’ve ever slept on.”
Size: Twin to split king | What’s included: Fitted sheet, flat sheet and pillowcases (numbers vary based on size)
Mellanni Bed Sheet Set — Brushed Microfiber 1800 Bedding
Mellanni’s machine-washable microfiber sheets are resistant to fades, stains, shrinking and wrinkles, according to the brand. They’ve got a 4.5-star average rating from over 347,000 Amazon reviews and can be bought with extra deep pockets if you have a thicker mattress. The edges have elastic sewn in to give these sheets, which come in over 40 colors, a snug fit on your bed.
Size: Twin to split king | What’s included: One fitted sheet, one flat sheet and two pillowcases
PeachSkinSheets Night Sweats Soft Sheet Set
These machine-washable sheets, which come in 24 colors, are “hands down the best all-around sheets for hot sleepers,” says Stedman. “They are made from performance poly-fiber which wicks away sweat in order to stay drier and cooler.” The 1,500 thread count sheets are also hypoallergenic and the material is breathable, according to PeachSkinSheets. They’re also wrinkle-resistant, as well as antimicrobial, according to the brand.
Size: Twin to split king | What’s included: One fitted sheet, one flat sheet and two pillowcases
Sheex Performance Sheet Set
This Sheex performance set comes recommended by Stedman for its moisture-wicking properties and its soft, breathable feel that comes from polyester and spandex materials. The sheets, which are available in seven colors, shouldn’t fade or shrink with continuous use, according to the brand. Plus, you can throw them in the dryer on a low-tumble dry setting.
Size: Twin to split king | What’s included: Fitted sheet, flat sheet and pillowcases (numbers vary based on size)
Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet Set
“These linen sheets from Brooklinen really hit all the marks,” Stedman says. “They are a washed, 100% linen that gives it that perfect lived-in feel with little shrinkage after washing.” The machine-washable sheets are made from European flax and are Oeko-TEX certified, according to Brooklinen. They’re also a favorite of Select editor Lindsay Schneider and featured in our guide to the best cooling sheets. “These are the only sheets I want to use come summertime,” Schneider says. “As a hot sleeper, I really noticed a difference when using these. They’re softer than other linen sheets I’ve tried, which can be incredibly stiff at first. These don’t feel like sandpaper and keep me from overheating at night.”
Size: Twin to California king | What’s included: One fitted sheet, one flat sheet and two pillowcases
Nordstrom 400 Thread Count Organic Cotton Sateen Sheet Set
“These sheets have a luxurious look and feel and cover multiple categories: breathable, durable and comfortable,” says Ilyas. They’re machine washable, made from cotton and are Oeko-TEX–certified, according to the brand. The included fitted sheet can accommodate mattresses up to 16 inches deep and each set is available in two colors.
Size: Queen to California king | What’s included: One fitted sheet, one flat sheet and two pillowcases
Boll & Branch Flannel Solid Sheet Set
This flannel bedding set is popular among experts we consulted, who recommend these sheets for their softness and warmth. While flannel sheets are traditionally warmer, these 100% organic cotton sheets are surprisingly breathable, according to our experts. They might feel a little oversized when you first purchase them, but after a few washes, they’ll be the right fit, says the brand.
Size: Twin to split king | What’s included: Fitted sheet, flat sheet and pillowcases (numbers vary based on size)
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How to shop for bed sheets
Fabric that feels smooth enough to fall asleep in isn’t the only priority when shopping for bed sheets. Our experts say several key factors, including thread count and materials like cotton, flannel and microfiber, also matter.
- Material: Different materials suit some people’s sleep needs better than others. Bedding made from bamboo, cotton or microfiber is best for hot sleepers because of its cooling properties, whereas a material like flannel is better if you tend to cool down quickly on winter nights, according to Stedman. Some sheets might say they’re organic, but that can be misleading. “The word organic can still be ascribed to cotton that utilizes certified organic crops even if it has been chemically modified with finishes or dyes,” he says. For example, if your goal is to buy organic cotton sheets to avoid added chemicals in the production process, Ilyas suggests looking for undyed organic cotton to meet your goals instead.
- Thread count: Thread count is a measure of the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric, according to the Sleep Foundation. It is essentially how tightly woven the fabric is. Thread count is important, but Stedman emphasizes that it’s not the end-all-be-all. High-quality materials with high-quality weaves — how the individual fibers are brought together — “can still feel great” regardless of the thread count, she says. Conversely, a high thread count may not mean much if the materials are poor and the construction is shoddy.
- Oeko-TEX certification: Look for sheets with Oeko-TEX certification, which ensures that no harmful substances were involved in the manufacturing of a product. “The goal of this certification process is to try to add another level of consumer confidence for a growing concern about textiles, human health and our environment,” Ilyas says.
Meet our experts
At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Pamela O’Brien is a principal interior designer at Pamela Hope Designs.
- Dr. Erum Ilyas is a board-certified dermatologist and functional textile expert.
- Lindsay Stedman is a stylist and former textile technologist for Ralph Lauren and Victoria’s Secret.
- Susan Peters is the owner of and an interior designer at 9108 Designs.
Why trust Select?
Justin Redman is a former reporter at NBC Select, Lauren Levy is a former contributor at NBC Select and Nishka Dhawan is a former associate editor at NBC Select.
For this article, Justin, Lauren and Nishka spoke to textile experts about bed sheets and included top-rated options based on expert guidance.
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