We tested over 275 sets to find the most comfortable, high-quality sheets for every type of sleeper.
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While there are plenty of bedding items that contribute to your overall sleep quality, your sheets are the ones that are directly against your skin throughout the night, so it's important that your sheets are not an afterthought. You should choose ones that feel comfortable and soft but are durable enough to last for years. They should also be breathable if you're a hot sleeper and sized properly to fit your mattress, all while hopefully still being affordable. The good news is that we've tested all kinds of sheets to find the best ones on the market.
What's the best sheet set? Our top recommendation for the best sheets is the Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set. In our tests, it earned high scores across the board without being overly expensive, and the brand offers a lenient return policy, making it a low-risk purchase. If you're looking for a budget pick, we recommend Mellanni's Iconic Collection Microfiber Sheet Set.
In recent years, the bedding experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab have tested over 275 sheet sets and analyzed more than 13,000 data points to find the best sheets for every preference. Our evaluations combine in-Lab testing using specialized equipment with at-home reviews provided by real sleep testers. We also have testers rate the feel of each sheet material in our Lab.
You can find more information about how we rigorously test sheets, how to shop for your perfect set and other helpful tips at the end of this guide. Read on to learn more about the best sheets to buy for your bed, with prices listed for Queen size.
Softest Sheets | Best Cooling Sheets | Best Cotton Sheets | Best Microfiber Sheets | Best Hotel Sheets | Best Percale Sheets | Best Sateen Sheets | Best Linen Sheets | Best Organic Sheets | Best Silk Sheets | Best Flannel Sheets | Best Sheets on Amazon
This popular set is an excellent performer in our tests, and we appreciate that Brooklinen has an easy online shopping platform with free shipping both ways. 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 Core Sheet set is the most popular and our favorite by far because of its durability and positive feedback from users.
As a bonus, making your bed is much easier 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, so there's little 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
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We first tested this best-selling Amazon sheet set over five 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 has nearly 350,000 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 over 40 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. Still, if you're looking to save and want the best bang for your buck, this set's value can't be beat.
TESTING NOTES: Our panel loved the comfy feel and gave 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.
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 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. It's also popular on Amazon with over 100,000 reviews and an average 4.5-star rating.
This set 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 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.
This luxury 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 more than 15 colors to match any bedroom.
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 the company 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.
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: 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 became noticeably less creased than others. One tester 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."
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. The sets come in nine colors, and you can add an extra pillowcase pair to match.
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.
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.
On top of that, it comes in over 40 colors and has more than 470,000 reviews with an average 4.5-star rating. It's the perfect 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 and flimsy compared to others, most raved about the smoothness, with one calling it "soft and lightweight."
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 stores and releases your body heat to keep 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 panel of at-home testers 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 also held up to wash testing without shrinkage, though it wasn't as durable as other materials in our fabric strength evaluations.
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 so you know it's been tested to ensure there are no unsafe levels in the fabric.
The cotton is also combed, which means short 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.
TESTING NOTES: In our test, this set had the smoothest appearance after laundering. Our testers said the fabric had a smooth feel, and the sheets earned 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.
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 of variety 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. 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."
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, without proper certification, we weren't able to verify that the entire production process follows organic standards.
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.
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 bed as opposed to a super crisp fabric; the brand uses a special process to achieve its unique crinkled look.
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 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 aesthetic.
Besides the traditional sheet fabrics described in this article, there are also some non-traditional materials on the market that our experts think are worth trying if you're interested in a unique feel.
We put bed sheets through the wringer 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:
The two most important aspects of a bed sheet are the fiber content and the construction. Here's the difference between the two, and you can find your top choices for each below.
✔️ 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 (depending on where they're grown), 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.
✔️ Percale: This is a basic weave feel that feels light and crisp. It's ideal for hot sleepers because it's more breathable than other fabrications.
✔️ Sateen: A satin weave that feels silky smooth, this fabric is usually preferred over percale by testers in our evaluations.
✔️ Flannel: Bushed fabric that feels warm and cozy, flannel sheets are typically made of cotton, but you can find them in polyester, as well.
✔️ Jersey: Stretchy knit material that feels more like a t-shirt. Cotton jersey sheets are soft, though not typically as durable as percale or sateen, and they may be prone to pilling. Synthetic jersey sheets often have performance moisture-wicking features but may feel more like activewear than bed sheets.
✔️ Microfiber: Tiny polyester fibers that feel buttery soft. They're typically inexpensive but may feel a bit flimsy compared to others.
Lexie Sachs (she/her) is the executive director of strategy and operations 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.
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