Preparation
If your bed doesn’t quite feel like a relaxing respite reminiscent of your favorite hotel, it might be time for an upgrade. If you’re not ready to invest in a new mattress or comforter, you’ll be pleased to know that a new set of bed sheets is often all you need to upgrade your sleep routine. Still, replacing scratchy, worn out sheets with a pillowy soft set isn’t always that simple. There are tons of options on the market, and finding the set that fits your needs requires a little legwork.
To help you on your search, we rounded up the softest sheets our editors have ever slept on. The tried-and-true picks include everything from crisp, cooling percale and heavyweight linen to eco-friendly bamboo and cozy flannel.
Best All-in-One Set: Brooklinen Luxe Hardcore Sheet BundleBest Splurge: Pottery Barn Classic Belgian Flax Linen Sheet SetBest Eco-Friendly: Riley Home Linen Flat SheetBest Organic Cotton: Boll & Branch Signature Hemmed Sheet SetBest Sateen: Parachute Sateen Sheet SetBest Percale: Brooklinen Classic Core Sheet SetBest Linen: The Citizenry Stonewashed Linen Sheet SetBest Flannel: Brooklinen Flannel Core Sheet SetBest Bamboo: Hotel Sheets Direct Bamboo Sheets
With so many different types of sheets available, it’s difficult to know exactly which fabric, thread count, and ply is best for you. Below, we break down each fabric type along with additional information to look out for before making your purchase.
There’s a wide variety of fabric types within the cotton category. In terms of softness and durability, Egyptian cotton sheets are considered some of the most luxurious, but they’re often hard to find and very pricey. There are many cotton varieties that are soft, comfortable, durable, and affordable. When in doubt, look for organic, long-staple cotton with a medium thread count for cozy softness. Here’s a breakdown of the most common cotton varieties.
Percale: If you’re a hot sleeper who prefers a cool and crisp texture, consider percale sheets that are lightweight, breathable, and temperature-regulating.
Sateen: Sateen sheets are known for their silky soft texture you can simply slide onto. The fabric is usually made with a tighter weave than percale, making it more durable, warmer, and softer. These types of sheets often come with a sheen instead of matte finish.
Jersey: Jersey sheets are typically better for winter because of their thick texture. They’re commonly made from knit cotton, making them buttery soft—reminiscent of your favorite T-shirt. And they’re usually the most affordable variety of cotton.
Made from European-sourced (typically Belgian or French) flax plant, linen has a looser weave that’s naturally cooling and absorbent. Although they may not be as soft to the touch as cotton at first, they get softer with each wash. Linen sheets tend to be more expensive than other fabric types, but they’re usually thicker and more durable, so you can count on them to last.
Microfiber sheets have a smooth texture thanks to the synthetic, ultra-thin strands of polyester. They’re usually thicker and less crisp than cotton, and they’re much more affordable than, say, a sateen cotton sheet set.
Sourced from sustainable wood-pulp, Tencel’s cellulose fibers are more eco-friendly and softer on the skin than cotton. The most common variety is Tencel Lyocell, which is breathable, moisture-wicking, and soft to the touch—making it perfect for sweaty sleepers, according to Pottery Barn.
Bamboo sheets are another sustainable option because they require less water to manufacture, and it’s a faster growing crop. They get softer over time, and the breathable fabric is great for hot sleepers.
Similar to Tencel and bamboo sheets, this sheet variety is made of wood-pulp from eucalyptus lyocell. Eucalyptus sheets are cooling, moisture absorbent, and soft to the touch.
Known for being a cozy winter option, flannel sheets provide warmth without sacrificing breathability. They can be made from a blend of cotton, wool, or polyester. They’re measured by weight instead of thread count, and the sheets tend to be thicker and more durable than crisp, lightweight sheet sets.
