The 25 Very Best Bedsheets

Material: Cotton percale, GOTS-certified organic cotton, 200 thread count | Style: Seven colors

Throughout my reporting, West Elm’s percale sheets kept coming up as an excellent not-too-expensive option for someone in the market for, well, a nice set of cotton sheets. And after I tested a set of them myself, it was clear that what everyone told me was true: The quality is great.

While they’re made of a percale weave, they have a more substantial feel than other percale sheets on this list, perhaps owing to the lower 200 thread count. Still, they’re crisp, cool, and smooth to the touch, with a little more bite (they’re the al dente version of percale sheets, if you will). I actually think they’re a great option for someone who might be on the fence about percale but still prefers it over a drapier, silkier sateen. Made of organic cotton that’s been garment-washed for extra softness, they’re just a really solid, straightforward cotton sheet that sits squarely in the middle on the crispness scale. As I said, they’re on the thicker side for this particular weave, but I still found them to be breathable.

They’re also a great price. Courtney McLeod, the founder and principal designer of New York City–based Right Meets Left Design, loves how they feel, as does skin-care executive Rebecca Zhou, who purchased three of the brand’s percale sets during her last move. “The texture means our bed always looks made but not overly perfect,” she says. In addition, the sheets are made from fabric that is Global Organic Textile Standard certified (GOTS certification is the leading standard for textiles made of organic fibers).

Material: Cotton percale, long-staple Oeko-Tex cotton, 350 thread count | Style: Two colors, monogrammable

If you’re ready to dive in to a truly crispy set of percale, consider Matouk, which manufactures all of its bedding in the United States. I tested a set of the Sierra sheets, which are made of 350-thread-count, Oeko-Tex-certified long-staple cotton and have a classic hemstitch detail, and the first thing I noticed was just how nice they were — lightweight, beautiful, smooth, and cool to the touch, like the platonic ideal of high-quality, “elevated” percale. And they washed well, too.

They do cost more, as Matouk sells each piece separately, and the fitted sheet shown here is about the same price as the West Elm set, to give you an idea of the price difference. Matouk’s sheets are the go-to for many interior designers as well. Designer Sasha Bikoff loves that “everything’s customizable, from the color of the threading to the monogram and the ruffles,” she says. (You can monogram pillowcases, flat sheets, and duvet covers for an extra fee, and buying things piecemeal means it’s easy to mix and match styles.) While there are plenty of designs, trims, and patterns to choose from, interior designers Anne Hepfer and Elizabeth Gill recommend the timeless Sierra hemstitch sheets, which Hepfer says “are a beautiful, classic base that can pair with any bedding.”

Material: Cotton percale, Egyptian long-staple cotton | Style: Embroidered borders in three colors

Of course, you can’t talk fancy sheets without mentioning Frette, which was recommended by two of our experts. It comes as no surprise that Frette’s happen to be the most recommended sheets by hotel insiders. Says Michael Shome, the visuals director at Architectural Digest, “My absolute favorite sheets are the hotel classic from Frette, which are kind of like the fantasy version of Upper East Side hotel bed linens. They’re Italian made in this Egyptian cotton that’s just the softest and butteriest fabric to laze around in. I love the chic and simple double-line embroidery, too.” Interior designer Ariel Okin turns to Frette sheets when she’s looking for something classic. According to Frette’s website, its percale sheets have a thread count between 200 and 240.

Material: Organic cotton percale, Oeko-Tex certified | Style: 11 patterns

Percale sheets will give you that crisp, hotel-sleeping experience at home, but if you’re looking for a bit more visual excitement, check out these patterned sets from Anthropologie that Strategist writer Ambar Pardilla recommends. “The sheetscape is known for its plainness, and I don’t want my room to feel like a hotel,” she says. “I very much want something ridiculously maximalist when I go to bed. I don’t want my bed to be serious at all.” Pardilla, who first encountered the sheets when she worked at Anthropologie, bought two sets, and while those prints are sold out, she appreciates “the eccentricity of the super-colorful florals” of the ten other prints. As for their quality, Pardilla has owned both sets for over a year and says that “the colors are still bright and vivid” and that the sheets “always come out smooth from the dryer.”

Material: Oeko-Tex certified organic long-staple cotton percale, 270 thread count | Style: 14 colors

If night sweats are a concern, you’ll want to get a set of percale sheets, as they’ll be the crispest and lightest out of all the cotton varieties. My favorite cooling sheets are from Quince, which makes an exceptionally airy set that feels almost paperlike. Made from organic, long-staple cotton, they’re soft, smooth, comfortable, and wash well, too. Plus, they’re a great price.

Material: Cotton sateen, Oeko-Tex certified long-staple cotton, 480 thread count | Style: 13 colors 

Thanks to their weave, sateen sheets, like this 480-thread-count Brooklinen set made of long-staple cotton, have a silkier (and more substantial) feel than percale. I’ve owned this set for four years, and they’re among the softest sheets I have and only get better with time. They’re definitely thicker and therefore sleep a little “warmer” than percale sheets, but if you’re looking for that silky (but still cottony) drape, these are a great place to start. I would say these traditional sateen sheets are better for cooler weather. They’re also recommended by two of our experts — design historian Alessandra Wood, and interior designer Molly Schoneveld. Wood and Schoneveld agree that they’re an excellent value. “It is really hard to beat the quality of these sheets for the price,” says Schoneveld. “They feel like butter and still look and feel great after many times in the wash.” The design pros aren’t their only fans: Former Strategist writer David Notis and Michelin-starred chef Missy Robbins love Brooklinen’s Luxe sheets, which made our list of the best products to buy at Brooklinen. “I want to be super-cozy, but I don’t want to sweat to death — these have that balance,” Robbins says. For those looking for a less shiny sateen option, see below for my review of Morrow’s matte sateen sheets, which have a similar smoothness but are slightly lighter in feel and weight.

Material: Cotton sateen, Oeko-Tex certified, 400 thread count | Style: 11 colors

Target’s in-house Threshold line makes some of the best, most affordable sateen sheets you can find. (They’re also a Strategist best seller.) Not only are they a favorite of interior designers Tavia Forbes and Monet Masters of Atlanta-based studio Forbes + Masters, who recommend them for being “great quality for a great price,” they’ve become the go-to sheets for New York Magazine’s deputy editor Alexis Swerdloff. She has a couple of sets for her 5-year-old son’s twin bed. “Threshold sheets are just really solid sheets,” she says. “They get extremely soft after some washes, and the twin size is around $30, which feels appropriate for sheets that my son is gonna pee on a lot!” Plus, she adds, “The many times I have fallen asleep in his bed (with him, or when I just need a place to sleep), I have found them very comfortable.” The sheets come in a nice range of colors and patterns, including light blue, cream, and these blue-dotted ones, all three of which Swerdloff personally owns. Made of 100 percent cotton, the 400-thread-count sheets are wrinkle, pill, and shrink resistant for easy upkeep.

Material: Matte sateen, organic Oeko-Tex cotton | Style: Six colors

I love a crisp percale sheet, but sometimes you want something a little cozier. I was intrigued by the idea of these matte sateen sheets by Morrow, one of our favorite brands for tonal bedding, and as soon as I got them, they immediately became my favorite sheets. They’re buttery like regular sateen but not shiny — instead, they’re perfectly lived in and so, so soft, and they get better with each wash. They feel a little heftier than percale while still feeling lightweight and breathable, making them ideal for all seasons. I’ve been using the sheets for nearly two years now, and they’re always the first set I reach for no matter the season. They also feel just as durable as they did on day one. I got them in a soothing eucalyptus, but they’re available in five other muted colors that are great for mixing and matching. (There are more color options for the twin size.) Kitchens, who owns a set in terra-cotta, seconds that “these are the world’s softest sheets.” She’s also had them for about a year and agrees that they get softer over time — and, importantly, don’t pill — are great for all seasons, and never feel too hot, even in the summer.

[Editor’s note: White and oat ship immediately, but other colors are available for preorder for April 15. ]

Material: European flax | Style: 21 colors

Linen sheets, made from the natural fiber of the flax plant, are generally more expensive than cotton because of their more involved manufacturing process and durability. They’re said to get better and softer over time, too, making them a nice long-term investment. Quince’s European linen set is my best overall pick for how soft and lived-in it is right out of the box. Strategist writer Dominique Pariso is also a fan, calling them “superlight with a slightly textured weave,” like a “worn-in, gauzy linen button-down you’d throw on in the height of July heat.” Pariso, who sleeps extremely hot, also loves that they keep her cool during the winter when the heat is cranked up.

Material: Flax linen, Oeko-Tex certified | Style: 10 colors

When I first tested this set, the first thing I noticed is that they have that quintessential rustic look and feel of linen. I would even venture to say they are a bit on the scratchy side at first but soften over time, if that’s what you’re going for. Top Chef judge Gail Simmons turns to Parachute for her linen sheets in part because they “won’t cost you a crazy amount.” They’re a solid all-around option for linen because of their “middle-of-the-road price, the substantial feel of the linen, and the color options,” as some of our reviewers have noted. The set is sold with or without a top sheet, and the price shown here includes a top sheet.

Material: Flax linen, Oeko-Tex certified | Style: 7 colors

If you’d like to try linen sheets for the first time, Brooklinen’s Luxe Hardcore set is a good place to start. According to former Strategist senior writer Lauren Levy, “Brooklinen made me fall in love with linen sheets.” She says they’re “so cozy and so soft” and have “an immediately worn-in feel that only gets softer over time and with each wash.” Wood loves this set, saying it makes for a bit of an “unexpected” look in the bedroom.

Material: Flax linen | Style: 29 colors

According to Strategist contributing editor Margaret Rhodes, Linoto’s linen sheets “felt heavier and more like the idea of an heirloom sheet than any other I’ve encountered.” That’s because, she explains, they’re all made in upstate New York without chemicals or an enzyme prewash that many other manufacturers rely on to get that “lived-in” feeling. Interior designer Leah Alexander is a fan too. “They’re beautiful and made stateside for a palatable lead time, which is saying something these days,” she says. All of Linoto’s fabrics are sourced from mills in Italy and Belgium, and Rhodes says these sheets have the “right ratio of soothing to crisp” that you want in a good linen set. Forbes and Masters love these linen sheets, calling out their whopping 28 available colors. You can choose from different fitted sheet depths, including standard, deep pocket, and shallow fitted.

Material: Bamboo viscose | Style: Four colors

As mentioned in the materials section, sheets made from naturally derived fibers like bamboo are a good choice for warm sleepers. “I recently used bamboo linens for a large project, and I will definitely be using them more going forward,” says Anishka Clarke, co-owner of Ishka Designs. “Bamboo is one of the strongest and hardest natural materials, yet when you feel the fibers on these sheets, they’re just incredibly soft. Softer than you’d imagine. Supersoft — like, baby soft on your skin.” And since they’re made of this strong bamboo, she adds, the sheets are “extremely durable — they generally last about two times longer than cotton sheets. Bamboo sheets are usually more expensive, but overall quality and durability make the fabric a hands-down winner.”

Material: Bamboo lyocell sateen | Style: 11 colors

For Strategist contributor Jolie de Feis, who calls herself a “very sweaty person and an even sweatier sleeper,” none of the typically “cooling” sheets ever worked for her, until she tried these bamboo lyocell sheets from Ettitude. As she wrote, “as soon as I touched the fabric I could tell the sheets were different.” Like many other fabrics known to be cooling, these are made from lyocell, but instead of being derived from eucalyptus, they come from bamboo, which she says is a relatively new innovation. Compared to other types of bamboo, viscose, and lyocell sheets she’s tried, she found a noticeable difference in Ettitude’s quality, feel, and performance. “They feel like a cross between cotton and silk, somehow crispy-cool and soft at the same time,” she wrote, adding, “As someone who has frequently slept on a towel to avoid changing my sheets multiple times per week, I am genuinely astonished every morning when I wake up sweat free.”Even though they are a bit on the pricey side, de Feis loves them so much that she’s replaced every other sheet she owns with Ettitude, including her duvet cover.

Strategist junior writer Brenley Goertzen also loves these sheets, saying that they feel even better than her Brooklinen sateen set. “I love how airy they feel,” she says. “They’re also cooler and smoother than the Brooklinen. My boyfriend is a very hot sleeper, and I’m always cold, and we found that these are perfect for both of us.” As for how they compare to sateen, Goertzen says that they feel much closer to cotton sateen than other bamboo sheets she’s tried: “They’re super-soft like cotton, but a tad more slippery, I’d say.”

Material: Tencel Lyocell, Oeko-Tex certified | Style: Eight colors

For some folks, including former Strategist senior editor Chelsea Peng, cotton just feels too rough, which is why she prefers these sheets from Sijo, which are made from eucalyptus-derived Tencel lyocell. “They’re so smooth and slippery,” she says, noting that she can barely feel the difference in texture between her silk pillowcase and these sheets. “I do cricket legs — when you’re under the covers and rub your legs together because you’re comfy — every time I get in because there’s zero snagging and they don’t feel sticky, unlike some other sheets I’ve tried.” And as a hot sleeper, she says they’re definitely cooling. “I hate sleeping under AC even in the summer, and these feel like they somehow create an air pocket around you so you don’t overheat,” she explains. “I’ve tried them in the winter, layered under duvets, and that air pocket quality remains.” Peng adds that they wash really well. “I don’t do anything special, and they’ve stayed silky with no snags, even though I feel like the machines in my building are especially violent.” After receiving them three years ago as a sample, they are still her go-to sheets. “I’ve tried a few other DTC brands, but these are the only ones with cricket legs for me.”

Material: Microfiber twill | Style: Six colors

“For years, I’ve been using Comphy as my go-to for wrinkle-free, supersoft sheets,” says interior designer Caitlin Murray, the founder of Black Lacquer Design. These sheets are made from a microfiber twill that, according to the brand’s website, is comparable to 600-thread-count sheets and is highly breathable. Comphy started as a hotel-spa line, so its sheets are “extra-durable and stain resistant,” Murray adds. Bonus: They’re recyclable.

Material: Cotton-jersey knit, GOTS and Made Safe Certified | Style: Five colors

Jersey sheets often get a bad rap for their association with college dorms, but they can be an excellent choice for folks looking for a lived-in, low-key — and low-maintenance — option. I tested a set and can attest to how cozy, smooth, and soft these sheets feel — even in hotter weather. This set from Coyuchi (maker of some of our favorite linen sheets) comes recommended by Nancy Davilman of ND Interiors, who calls them “incredibly soft.” Made of durable organic cotton knit that resists pilling, “they are very breathable, so they keep your temperature very balanced,” according to Davilman.

Material: Oeko-Tex-certified cotton | Style: 12 colors

Jersey sheets often get a bad rap for their association with college dorms, but they can be an excellent choice for folks looking for a lived-in, low-key, and low-maintenance option. I love this set from the Company Store for how cozy, smooth, and soft they are. They have a good heft to them as well as a bit of stretch — but not too much — making them feel closer to regular cotton sheets than the cheap jersey sheets I had in college. They’re just really nice and a great introduction option if you’re looking for something cozier and laid-back for the winter without committing to something too thick like flannel.