• Few would deny that at the end of a long, hard day, sliding into a comfortable bed outfitted with soft, smooth sheets that pamper your skin is one of life’s greatest pleasures.
  • After testing and reviewing dozens of contenders for the best sheets, our top pick is the 280-thread-count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets from L.L. Bean.
  • If you’re looking to further increase your bed’s comfort, check out our guide to the best pillows.

To get the best sleep possible, we invest in the best mattresses and pillows that our budgets allow. But the journey to dreamland doesn’t just stop there – you need quality bed linens too. Because why buy an expensive mattress only to ruin the experience with inferior bedding?

Besides, we spend nearly a third of our lifespan sleeping on our beds, so you’ll want something soft and comfortable that’s also durable and can hold up to regular washes too.

We tested the best sheets after narrowing down our list by researching top brands and reading through tons of buyer reviews.

Here are the best sheets for your bed:

Prices and links are current as of 8/20/2020. Our current picks stand, but we’re also actively testing new sheets for consideration, including Serena & Lily’s percale sheets. We’re also looking into Ettitude’s bamboo sheets.

The best sheets overall

L.L.Bean’s wonderfully smooth 280-thread-count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets are durable, comfortable, and just the right weight to give you sweet dreams all year round.

Woven from 100% Pima cotton for the smoothest, softest, make-you-want-to-wiggle feel, L.L.Bean struck gold with its highly rated percale sheet set.

As with all percale sheets, these have just a bit of a "crisp" finish, which feels nice and cool against your skin. They are the perfect weight for summer, and unless you live in a very cold climate or prefer to switch to heavier winter sheets, they are cozy enough for the colder months with the addition of a heavier blanket or comforter.

When you toss them in your washing machine and dryer, the sheets come out fresh, unwrinkled, and ready to coax you into the land of Nod. Sized to fit over mattresses up to 15-inches thick, these cotton sheets won't slip or slide as you sleep, and they hold firm to the mattress. They are available in seven basic colors, although alas, no brights. There are a few prints, as well.

L.L.Bean shoppers praise these sheets for their refusal to pill, long life, and wrinkle resistance. Quite a few customers commented that they have purchased several sets of the L.L.Bean sheets, and a common remark was, "These are the only sheets I'll buy."

We chose these sheets as our top pick in our guide to the best cotton sheets. In our testing, these sheets had a soft feel right out of the packaging and they were cool and soft to sleep on. Though L.L.Bean recently discontinued its famous lifetime guarantee, your purchase is still covered for a year, so if you find you're dissatisfied you can return the sheets for any reason.

Pros: Smooth, crisp feel, durability, reasonable price

Cons: Only fit mattresses up to 15 inches thick, no bright colors, few prints

Find more picks of the best cotton sheets

The best sateen sheets

Foto: Source: Brooklinen

If you take your sleep comfort seriously, the pampering touch and good looks of Brooklinen's Luxe Sheets will have you sleeping like a baby.

Started as a Kickstarter project in 2014, Brooklinen has quickly soared to the heights of success, due to its reasonable prices for high-quality bedding. Luxe Sheets start with the long-fiber cotton, which is woven into single-ply yarn for the finest, yet softest threads. This also means that the finished thread count of 480 is the true number; many other manufacturers weave lower quality, three-ply yarn into their sheets, then use this trick to inflate their thread count.

Brooklinen's Luxe Collection is a sateen weave with a soft-as-the-clouds feel. Because sateen is woven more tightly than percale, you'll find these sheets cozy and warm, with a soothingly "heavy" feel that many sleepers love. In fact, Insider Reviews' executive editor Ellen Hoffman has been sleeping on these sheets for more than three years, and says that they are "hands down the best sheets I've ever put on my bed."

She washes her Brooklinen sheets every two weeks and hasn't experienced a degradation in quality; in fact, she says they've softened with time and, thankfully, don't hold on to stains. Her white sheet set has not yellowed after frequent washings either. Overall, Ellen's sheets are in great condition (no rips or tears, no stains, etc.) after years of use, which is comforting to hear given their higher price.

The sheets get softer every time they are washed. As a bonus, the sheets' wrinkle-resistance improves with each wash, as well. You can do that washing in your machine, then either line-dry your bedding or use your dryer on low heat.

Brooklinen currently offers the Luxe Sheets in five solid colors, along with patterns like stripes and grids. It also frequently releases limited-edition colors and patterns. You can even mix and match colors or patterns within a sheet set, which is a unique perk. The sheets fit mattresses up to 15 inches thick, so be sure to measure before ordering.

Pros: Super soft, high quality, mix-and-match sheet sets

Cons: Expensive, best if line-dried

The best percale sheets

Foto: Source: Jada Wong/Business Insider

Riley's percale sheets are smooth, crisp, and stay cool to the touch all night long.

Percale sheets are cool and crisp, and have a matte finish, while sateen is soft like silk and has a sheen to match. The fabric is tightly woven but in a way that lends itself to better breathability than sateen, so like linen, it's great for hot sleepers and summer months.

During my testing, I machine-washed and dried these sheets at least three times to test durability and washability. Out of the box, the sheets felt stiff but they were easy to wash and dry, getting softer but more wrinkled with every session. Wrinkling is par for the course with percale, just like linen, and once the sheets were fitted over my bed and pillow, they smoothed out and weren't too obvious.

Despite the wrinkles, the fabric felt silky-smooth and crisp, and was a dream to sleep on. In fact, it felt like I was staying at a luxury hotel every night I tested the sheets because they were so crisp. There's an immediate cooling effect, which comes in handy during balmy summer nights, and stays cool throughout the night without any air conditioner. It's a good alternative to linen for hot sleepers looking for something that's more crisp and less drapey.

The fabric is also OEKO-TEX-certified so it's free of harmful chemicals.

Percale creates a bit of noise, almost like the swishy athletic gear of the '90s, so that's something to keep in mind for light sleepers. It's noticeable if your partner tosses and turns in bed.

Prices start at $99 for a sheet set that includes a fitted sheet with a 14-inch depth (for Twin and Twin XL mattresses) or 16-inch depth (for Full, Queen King, and California King mattresses) and two standard or King pillowcases. You can also add an optional flat sheet for $50+.

There are currently 10 solid colors and three patterns to choose from, and a full suite of sizes from Twin to California King. - Jada Wong, senior editor

Pros: Crisp percale is cool and breathable for hot sleepers and warm nights, made with OEKO-TEX-certified cotton, fabric gets softer with every wash

Cons: Potentially noisy for light sleepers, wrinkles easily

The best linen sheets for summer

Foto: Source: MagicLinen/Instagram

Having tested many linen sheets, we found MagicLinen's to be best because of the wide range of colors and an option for thicker mattresses, and they age beautifully.

If linen is your bedsheet material of choice, the best is from MagicLinen. The Lithuanian company may be a little-known brand, but its sheets rival those from established players in terms of price and quality. That's because linen is the only fabric the company works with.

As a linen sheets aficionado who has tested many, Insider Picks' editor Sally Kaplan swears by MagicLinen. Why linen? It's cozy, cooling, and keeps you from sweating through the night, she said.

One problem with linen sheets, she said, is that there are few options for deeper mattresses. She found that linen sheets have "constant bunching and corner flipping." But this is something MagicLinen addresses: Besides the many color and pattern options, there's a "deep" option for thicker mattresses.

Brand new, the sheets won't feel as soft as you might expect. However, over time, they will get softer. After many washes, instead of ripping apart, the MagicLinen sheets only "age as gracefully as Meryl Streep," she said. "I'm wary of linen sheets that come to me super silky right out of the bag because that's often a sign that they were treated with chemical conditioners and softeners. MagicLinen is stonewashed - a softening process that's completely natural and nontoxic - and Okeo-tex certified, meaning they're not processed with any harmful chemicals."

Incredibly, the sheets are hand-cut and sewn, yet the company has managed to keep prices competitive. If you end up loving these sheets as much as she does, MagicLinen also makes other products, like curtains and tablecloths. - Les Shu

Pros: Soft, ages well, comes in many colors and patterns, "deep" option for thick mattresses, natural and non-toxic

Cons: Not the softest right out of the bag

Read our full review of MagicLinen sheets

Find more picks of the best linen sheets

The best flannel sheets for winter

Foto: Source: Pinzon

Cozy as a hug and warm as a sweater, the Pinzon Heavyweight Velvet Flannel Sheets are the perfect accompaniment to your cold-weather Zzz's.

When Old Man Winter starts nipping at your nose, it's time to break out the flannel sheets. The Pinzon Heavyweight Velvet Flannel Sheets will keep you sleeping cozy, and the great price won't have you waking up in a cold sweat.

Made from 100% combed cotton, these sheets are crafted in Portugal, and have a double-napped, velvety soft finish. Flannel sheets are not rated in thread count, but rather, in ounces per square yard. The sweet spot for high-quality flannel sheets is 5 to 6 ounces per square yard, and at 5.6 ounces, these are perfect. The weight adds to the coziness, giving you a snug feeling.

One caution: While the Pinzon sheets are very durable, and resist pilling or ripping, we did come across a few customer reviews complaining that the sheets shed for the first few washes, so you might want to send your set through several washing machine cycles before making up your bed for the first time.

There are several colors to choose from and a few patterns. The Pinzon sheets fit mattresses up to 18-inches thick but are only available for Queen, King, and California King sizes.

Pros: Cozy, soft warmth at a great price

Cons: Some shedding, not available for twin or full mattresses

Find more picks of the best flannel sheets

The best modal sheets

Foto: Source: Pure Beech

If you crave the softness of silk without the diva-level fuss and bother silk demands, you'll love the feel of Pure Beech's Modal Sateen Sheets.

Modal is another fairly new addition to the bed sheet scene, and like bamboo, it's quickly rising in popularity. Also like bamboo, modal is a form of rayon. It starts with beechwood chips, which are dissolved into pulp, dried, and then spun into thread. The resulting material is extremely soft, resists shrinking, fading, or discoloring, and breathes quite well. Modal tends to resist pilling and is very durable.

Pure Beech specializes in modal sheets, and the Modal Sateen Sheets are remarkably soft and breathe well, remaining cool even on hot summer nights.

On the downside, we did come across some customer reviews mentioning that the sheets did not last as long as they expected, and ripped or shredded after just a year or two of use. The problem may well lie in the sheet's care. Unlike cotton, modal must be washed in cold water and dried on low - not subjected to the high temperatures that cotton tolerates.

The Pure Beech Modal Sateen Sheets are 400 thread count, fit mattresses up to 16 inches thick, and are available in many colors for twin through California king beds.

Pros: Extremely soft, resist fading or shrinking, don't pill or become scratchy, good selection of colors

Cons: Need to be washed and dried on cool settings, may weaken or tear otherwise

The best microfiber sheets

Foto: Source: Brooklyn Bedding

The Brushed Microfiber Sheets from Brooklyn Bedding offer comfort and durability at an affordable price, so you can have luxuriously soft sheets on a budget.

Brooklyn Bedding made its first appearance in the bedding industry with mattresses crafted in the US and sold directly to shoppers for a more affordable price. This company was one of the first to become a part of the bed-in-a-box industry. Since then, the product line has expanded to include sheets and pillows.

I tested the Brushed Microfiber Sheets, and was immediately impressed with how soft they felt right out of the package. These aren't the type of sheets you'll have to wash multiple times to "break in." I also liked that they didn't feel too thin. These are durable sheets that hold up well in the wash, and I've washed and dried them multiple times with no issues.

They come out of the dryer feeling as soft as they did when I first took them out of the packaging. These aren't as prone to wrinkling as cotton or bamboo-derived sheets tend to be, which is great if you're like me and you tend to procrastinate when it comes to folding your laundry.

The Brooklyn Bedding Brushed Microfiber sheets are made from 100% polyester, constructed with a tight weave that lends to their soft feel. Surprisingly, these sheets do have a lower thread count at 300, but in my experience, this didn't affect the quality at all. Thanks to the material used, I also like that they won't have you sleeping too warm. They have a durable feel, but they don't trap in heat during the night.

These fit my Saatva mattress perfectly, but if you do have a thinner mattress, you may find that they are a little roomier than you'd like, causing them to slip around a bit. If you're unsure, Brooklyn Bedding offers a 30-night trial, so you can return them no questions asked if you find you don't like them.

With the comfort, high-quality feel, and durability these sheets offer, I was especially impressed with their affordable price.

When it comes to size and options, there are plenty with these sheets. You can choose from several different solid colors, and they're available in a wide range of sizes, from Twin to California King, so you can find the perfect fit for your bed. - Kylie Joyner

Pros: Soft and comfortable, durable, affordable, color options available, come with a 120-night trial and one year warranty for extra peace of mind

Cons: May be a bit roomy on thinner mattresses

The best budget sheets

Foto: Source: Target

The Room Essentials Jersey Sheet Set comes with a fitted sheet, flat sheet, and two pillowcases. Made out of a cotton-poly blend, the jersey fabric is so warm, comfortable, and soft, you may not need a blanket.

This affordable Jersey Sheet Set from Room Essentials is made of 100% cotton or 50-50 cotton-poly blend and has the worn-in feel of a nice T-shirt.

The top sheet is so warm that you can forego the use of a comforter. Plus, the stretchiness of the fabric makes the fitted sheet easy to tuck into the mattress. A couple of downsides are that the jersey fabric runs hot and takes a while to dry after washing.

Given the price and materials used, they're not going to last as long as the other recommendations on this list - they may get small holes after frequent washes. Accordingly, they're great for short-term use by kids and college students and in guest rooms.

The set currently comes in seven colors. Only the solid colors are 100% cotton, while the slightly heathered colors are 50-50 blend.

Pros: Soft and warm, stretchy fabric easy to put on, top sheet can sub for a blanket, affordable

Cons: Runs hot, takes longer to dry, less durable

The best sheets for a variety of fun colors and patterns

Crane & Canopy makes beautiful, silky-soft sheets in tons of fun patterns and colors.

Crane & Canopy is a startup that began selling easy-to-use duvet covers in 2012. Since then, the company has branched out into sheets, comforters, pillows, blankets, towels, washcloths, and more. We tried a set of sheets from Crane & Canopy and we loved them. Not only are the sheets silky smooth and soft straight out of the package, but they also come in several fun prints and colors.

If you're bored with solid colors and your pile of white sheets, you'll enjoy looking through Crane & Canopy's selection. You can get polka dots, stripes, herringbone, embroidery, and other unique prints that look different from your run of the mill chevron. There are also fun solid colors like coral and lilac as well as more traditional shades like cream, white, gray, and blue.

I tried the gray striped 300-thread count cotton sheet set on my bed, and it felt amazingly soft right out of the package. The fitted sheet is generous in size so you don't feel like you're running out of fabric when it comes time to tuck it in under your mattress. The stripes look classic and cool, especially with a fun bright blanket and pillowcases on the bed for contrast.

Crane & Canopy gives you the option to buy a set with one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, and two pillowcases or you can buy each piece on its own. It's nice to have the option because sometimes you just don't need more pillowcases or flat sheets, but you do need a new fitted sheet to fit a new mattress or what have you.

All the sheets are made from long-staple cotton or Belgian linen, and the company's bedding is Oeko-Tex certified, so you know your sheets are free from strange chemicals. - Malarie Gokey

Pros: Super soft out of the package, fun colors and prints, can buy as sets or as individual pieces, decent price, long-staple cotton

Cons: Tad pricey for budget buyers

Other sheets we're currently testing

Serena & Lily Cotton Percale Sheet Set (Queen), $268

Home brand Serena & Lily nails the balance between sophisticated and casual style, making sheets with patterns ranging from simple chains to beautifully intricate beachy motifs. Its OEKO-Tex certified, 310-thread-count percale sheets are made in Portugal and have a crisp, light feel.

They're double the price of our current best percale pick, so it might be difficult to knock down Riley. However, there's something to be said for the refined style that Serena & Lily brings to your bed, so we're not taking it out of the running quite yet. I'll want to test them for at least a few more months to see how they hold up after multiple washes. -Connie Chen, senior reporter

Italic Slumber Cotton Sateen Sheet Set (Queen), $75 (currently out of stock)

I'm currently testing the sateen sheets from luxury DTC startup Italic, and it's a real contender to knock off our current best pick, Brooklinen, because a Queen-sized set comes in at just $75 (half the price of a Brooklinen set). Italic enlists the manufacturing skills of the same people who make the sheets at the Four Seasons and St. Regis hotels, so you can experience true hotel luxury in your own bedroom.

These OEKO-Tex certified sheets have a 400-thread count and are made with long-staple cotton. The only potential downsides are that they're only available in two colors and Italic is a membership-based shopping site ($100/year). Still, if you plan on saving on high-quality clothing, cookware, and accessories, the membership quickly pays for itself. -Connie Chen, senior reporter

How to shop for bed sheets

Foto: Source: Brooklinen

What fabric are you looking for?

When it's time to buy sheets, many people simply assume that the higher the thread count, the better, and make their choice based on this feature alone. While it's true that thread count (a measurement of how many threads run vertically and horizontally in one square inch of fabric) is important, it turns out that there's another factor that plays a bigger part in sheet comfort: type of fabric.

In fact, according to Consumer Reports, there's no reason to pay extra for sheets with a thread count over 400, but it is worth your while to spend a little more on sheets made from the best kinds of cotton: Pima, Egyptian, or Supima. These long-fiber types of cotton weave into the softest, most comfortable sheets.

Linen is great for summer and for sleepers who run hot, while flannel is a good choice for colder months. If you have the budget, cashmere sheets can be a solid luxury for the winter months as well.

What about the weave?

Weave is also important when it comes to choosing sheets you'll love. There are two basic weaves: percale and sateen.

  • Percale sheets have the same number of combed, tightly woven threads running horizontally and vertically. If you prefer sheets with a slightly crisp, cool feel, this is the weave to choose. Percale sheets are durable and strong, standing up to repeated washing even in hot water. Look for a thread count between 200 and 400 for lightweight sheets, or 400 to 600 if you prefer more weight.
  • Sateen sheets (not the same as satin, which is a fabric and not a weave) have more threads running vertically than horizontally, creating fabric with a slight sheen and a very soft, silky feel. Sateen sheets are generally more delicate than percale bedding, and more likely to pill or come apart in the wash. Still, if you crave the silkiest feel against your skin, this is the weave for you. Thread counts between 300 and 600 are the sweet spot for softness and strength.

Check out our other great bedding guides

Foto: Source: Zinus

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