Ultimate Consumer’s Guide to Cotton Sheets and Consumer Reports Update 11/2024

The use of cotton sheets has been commonplace in bed linens for many years. In any case, not all of them are created equal. With so many options, it can be difficult to find a high-quality cotton sheet set at a reasonable price. Our top picks were determined after we compared prices, looked into the quality of the materials used, and tried out several of the featured models ourselves. If you’re looking for the best cotton sheets, we’ve broken it down for you.

Brooklinen Classic Core Sheet Set

This set was chosen because of its superior construction and ease of use. The fitted sheet in this set is labeled for your convenience. Our rigorous testing revealed that the silky fabric was resilient, resistant to pilling, and simple to maintain. This set’s fitted sheet is designed with both long- and short-side tabs for your convenience.

Best for

If you like crisp cotton sheets but tend to get hot at night, the Brooklinen Classic Core Sheet Set is a fantastic option. Really airy bedding like that shouldn’t make you too hot while you sleep.

Key notice

The high quality of the fabric was confirmed by extensive laboratory testing. Tags for labeling your sheets, for your comfort and ease Products can be returned for any reason. Because of its unusual shallowness, it can only accommodate exceptionally high mattresses.

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Peacock Alley Soprano Sheet Set

During the warmer months, many people opt to buy cotton sheets due to their breathable nature. However, not every set of cotton sheets is at home in the winter. Soprano Sheet Set by Peacock Alley has a sateen weave and a medium thread count, making it a good compromise between breathability and warmth. In the end, you get bedding that can be used year-round.

Best for

Sensitive individuals. Individuals whose mattresses are unusually thick. This set of sheets is perfect if you want something that can be used throughout the year.

Key notice

Also, the extra-long staple cotton we use is very durable and breathable. Sateen weaving gives this fabric an extra layer of softness. There are six distinct hues and seven distinct sizes to choose from.

L.L.Bean Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set

All of our testers agreed that this L.L.Bean set was the softest of the bunch, despite the fact that percale weaves are typically rougher than sateen. They were compared to “high-end hotel sheets” in one review. The fabric was durable and would not wear out quickly; it would shrink very little and not pill at all. In addition, wrinkles are common in percale, but this particular piece was noticeably smoother than the rest. There is also a great deal of variety in terms of solid neutrals, bright colors, and lovely prints; thus, there should be something to suit the tastes of everyone.

Best for

Percale weaves are popular among those who prefer crisp, cool cotton sheets at night. These cotton sheets have a perforated weave that makes them feel light and airy, making them a popular choice for warm-blooded snoozers.

Key notice

Strong stuff that fits the bill for “cool and crisp.” Available in a wide variety of solid and patterned hues This fabric is not as silky as sateen.

Parachute Sateen Sheet Set

The significance of fiber length and weave structure is beautifully demonstrated by this sateen-style bedding. Strong, smooth, and shiny fibers. Egyptian cotton is used to make the fabric because of its luxuriously long and smooth fibers. What you get is a fabric that lasts a lot longer than one made from short-staple cotton.

Best for

If you’re in the market for some ultra-pampering, shiny sheets, this sateen set is hard to beat. If you sleep better on a mattress that’s deeper than 16 inches, you’ll love these sheets.

Key notice

Sheets in sand, blush, and other muted tones are available. These fibers are strong, smooth, and shiny. They are light, crisp, and soft to the touch, just like traditional percale.

Riley Organic Cotton Sheet Set

Our focus group found that sateen sheets, with their sumptuously silky feel, were one of the most popular styles. You won’t regret spending your money on the Riley set. Combing long-staple cotton removes the shorter fibers, leaving behind a fabric that is not only smoother but also more durable. The reviewers were very impressed with the unusually light feel of these sheets. In addition to performing well in the laboratory against pilling, this set also shrank very little. These sateen sets fared better in terms of wrinkle resistance than conventional cotton sheets. Despite the label’s assertion that organic cotton was used throughout production, we were unable to independently confirm this. You’ll love these sheets if you’re looking for something more breathable than regular sateen can offer. sheets made of sateen are my favorite because of their silky feel and cozy comfort.

Key notice

Conspicuously well-made, with a solid build quality. Incredibly lightweight and airy Completed all of our tests with flying colors. We weren’t able to confirm that it was truly organic.

Snowe Sateen Sheet Set

Sateen-woven sheets are thicker and heavier than other types. Maintaining your body heat while you sleep during the colder months. According to the advertising, this bedding has “all the buttery softness of sateen, without the high sheen,” a phrase coined by Snowe. If you like the feel of cotton sateen but not the sheen, this set of sheets is for you.

Best for

If you’re looking for a luxurious feel without the sparkle, the Snowe Sateen sheet set is for you. It’s also a great option for people who live in chilly climates or who find the evenings to be chilly overall. These sheets are designed to keep you cool all night long. You won’t overheat in them, despite their insulating qualities.

Key notice

White, slate blue, and ash gray are just a few of the muted colors available to you. Supple sateen material. Passed the strictest tests for a battery of potentially harmful chemicals and synthetics.

Silk & Snow Egyptian Cotton Sheets

Cotton from Egypt is highly sought after because of its resilience and ability to keep you cool. This long-staple variety of cotton resists shrinking and pilling better than its shorter-staple counterparts. Silk & Snow’s Egyptian Cotton Sheets are labeled as “Genuine” because they contain only Egyptian-sourced fibers. This sheet set is an excellent option for budget-conscious shoppers because of its low price compared to similar offerings on the market.

Best for

Sleepers who generate a lot of body heat at night and those who own mattresses up to 15 inches thick. Anyone in the market for durable sheets at a fair price should consider this option.

Key notice

All of the garments are woven with breathable Sateen thread from high-quality Egyptian cotton. With a palette of five neutral colors

Saatva Organic Percale Sheet Set

The Saatva Organic Percale Sheet Set is a great choice for shoppers who care about supporting fair labor practices. Each bed linen set is crafted from GOTS-certified cotton, and the factories where they are made are Fair Trade-approved, guaranteeing that workers are treated fairly and ethically. Saatva’s supply chain is open and honest because every step of it can be traced.

Best for

Those who have mattresses up to 16 inches thick and prefer a warm night’s sleep. Also, this is a great buy for anyone seeking durable sheets at a fair price. Furthermore, consumers who care about supporting ethical production practices.

Key notice

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certifies the organic cotton used in all of the production. The percale woven material, which gives it a luxuriously crisp feel, comes with a 1-year warranty and a 45-night sleep trial.

Parachute Home Brushed Cotton Sheet Set

The significance of fiber length and weave type is beautifully demonstrated by this sateen-style bedding. The fibers are robust, smooth, and shiny. These sheets are available in a range of beautiful, subtle tones, from sand to blush. It is made from high-quality Egyptian cotton, which is widely regarded for its luxuriously long and smooth fibers. The finished fabric is significantly more long-lasting than that made from short-staple cotton.

Best for

Hot sleepers often look for sateen or other silky fabrics with deep pockets.

Key notice

Fabricated Entirely of Cotton If you need to iron your clothes, do so on the warm setting and dry them on the cold setting. Not suitable for dry cleaning. Compliant with the requirements of the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certification Program

Pure Parima Yalda Sheet

Egyptian cotton sheet sets are among the most expensive on the market because of the quality of the cotton used. The Yalda Sheets by Pure Parima are more costly than your average sheet set, but they are reasonably priced considering they are made of deep-pocketed cotton. The deep pockets of the fitted sheet can fit mattresses of up to 18 inches in height, which covers the vast majority of mattresses available today.

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Best for

Whoever sleeps comfortably on a mattress up to 18 inches in thickness and appreciates the feel of fine linens. Those in the market for luxurious, yet affordable Egyptian cotton sheets

Key notice

Satin weaving gives each item a luxuriously smooth and soft hand, and real Egyptian long-staple cotton is used throughout.

Boll & Branch Signature Hemmed Sheet Set

Boll & Branch is a company that manufactures many different types of bed accessories. The Signature Hemmed Sheets are a customer favorite due to their sumptuous softness and the fact that they are among the brand’s most popular products. Made from long-staple cotton woven in a sateen pattern, the sheets and pillowcases are luxuriously soft and smooth. In addition, the set is certified organic, so you know it was made in a sustainable manner.

Best for

Those with thick mattresses (up to 16 inches) and those who tend to overheat during the night. Furthermore, for the price, these sheets are an excellent investment. Consumers who value sustainable production methods and social conscience.

Key notice

Natural, organic long-staple cotton is sturdy and breathable. It comes in ten different colors and eight different sizes, and the Sateen weave is part of what gives it its luxurious softness.

Coyuchi Organic Crinkled Percale Sheets

Coyuchi’s signature spinning and weaving process was applied to organic cotton, yielding a washed fabric with an allover subtle crinkled effect that makes it the brand’s softest and most relaxed percale to date. The finished product is Coyuchi’s preferred bedding because it is soft, breathable, and beautifully rumpled, and it washes and wears well. This fabric, which is unique to Coyuchi, stands out in terms of both appearance and feel, and it does so in any season.

Best for

Hot sleepers and sheet lovers make up a sizable portion of the total population of threats. These sheets are a wonderful choice for those in search of durability at an affordable price.

Key notice

Cotton that has been verified to be both organic and fair trade Able to be washed in a machine. Clean with other like colors in cold water using a gentle cycle and a detergent made from plants. People, there is no need to use bleaching agents. All bleaches should be chlorine-free. You can either dry them in the dryer on the lowest setting or hang them outside to dry. The phrase “GOTS-approved” means just that. Approved as a Trustworthy Trade Partner

Delilah Home Organic Cotton Bed Sheets

You can rest assured that our organic cotton sheets are chemical and toxin free. These sheets are made from GOTS- and Vegan.org-certified organic cotton, so you can sleep soundly knowing that they are good for both you and the planet. You will never want to sleep on anything else after trying our Good Housekeeping-awarded, ultra-soft, ultra-luxurious sheets.

Best for

This is a great buy for anyone in the market for long-lasting sheets at a fair price. Consumers who value sustainability and fair treatment of workers are another important demographic.

Key notice

Everything is constructed from 100% GOTS-certified organic fair-trade cotton. Fair Trade Certified and gets softer with each wash breathable fabrics

Casper Cool Supima Sheet Set

Sheets test program at Consumer Reports uses the Casper Cool Supima. In our laboratory tests, we look at a number of different factors to determine the quality of different sheet models, such as the Cool Supima. The “fit” of a set of queen-sized sheets refers to how well they cover the mattress. American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) wrinkling standards are used to compare a freshly dried sheet for wrinkles. The durability of a fitted sheet can be judged by how well its seams hold together and how resistant the fabric is to tearing.

Best for

Individuals who sleep warmly and who own mattresses up to 15 inches in thickness. It’s also a good choice for customers who want low-maintenance sheets.

Key notice

Enjoy a 100-Night at-Home Attempt at No Cost to You Honored with the esteemed OEKO-TEX® 100 standard Hotel-like in every respect Becomes softer with each laundering breathable fabric

Sijo TempTune Cotton Sheet Set

The innovative design of the Sijo TempTune Cotton Sheet Set makes it superior to other temperature-regulating sheet sets. All of the pieces in this set are made from Supima cotton, which is known for its durability, softness, and breathability. The phase change material is woven into the cotton fibers so that they absorb and release body heat on contact, creating a comfortable sleeping surface even on hot and muggy nights.

Best for

If you sleep hot or sweat excessively and have a mattress up to 16 inches in thickness, you might want to consider investing in a mattress pad. Individuals who feel most comfortable when the sheets are tightly encircling their bodies while sleeping.

Key notice

Phase change material (PCM) infused fabrics are excellent at maintaining a comfortable temperature. Each part is made from luxuriously soft Supima cotton that has been woven into a sateen pattern. Anyone looking to save money right away can do so by passing on the flat sheet.

Tuft & Needle Percale Sheet Set

Do you wish to sleep on sheets with a five-star hotel’s appearance? The Percale collection from Tuft & Needle is a sumptuously sophisticated choice. This set is as tidy as they come, and it can fit mattresses up to 14 inches in depth with no problem at all. Our in-depth analysis of Tuft & Needle sheets covers everything you need to know about this high-end line.

Best for

These sheets have a deluxe feel while still being comfortable for hot sleepers because of their lightweight construction and perforations. If you’re looking for luxuriously soft sheets, you should check out their linen and jersey cotton sets.

Key notice

Each and every one is made with robust, extra-long staple cotton. Percale fabric woven from 100% Supima cotton, the world’s finest and most luxurious cotton.

Cuddledown Hotel Sateen Sheet Set

When compared to the other sets, this cotton sateen one stood out because it was the only one that looked as crisp and elegant after repeated test washings, as is typical of hotel sheets. In addition to being OEKO-TEX-certified (meaning it is free of harmful chemicals like formaldehyde), the wrinkle-resistant finish on these sheets makes them look sleeker and more expensive than the competition. These combed cotton white sheets with colored piping are incredibly comfortable to sleep on.

Best for

Those who tend to sleep warm and those who own mattresses up to 14 inches in thickness will find this to be a pleasant option. This is a great buy for anyone looking for easy-care sheets. If you want to sleep in the lap of luxury, this is the sheet for you.

Key notice

Simplicity and contemporary elegance Sateen-like in softness and smoothness, Only a very minor amount of shrinkage occurs even after multiple washings. The fabric is weaker than anticipated, according to laboratory testing.

Mellanni Cotton Bed Sheet Set

When it comes to high-quality, reasonably priced bedding, no one does it better than Mellanni Fine Linens. We recently tried out Mellanni’s 100% cotton flannel sheet set, which is meant to be perfect for cold sleepers. We slept on the sheets for several nights to determine how well they cradled our bodies, how long they stayed warm, how well they breathed, and how well they stood up to the test of time.

Best for

The elastic all the way around the fitted sheet keeps it in place after washing and drying. Since these sheets are designed to fit mattresses up to 16 inches in depth, you can keep using them even if you purchase a new, deeper mattress.

Key notice

Reasonably priced warm and breathable The smooth and gentle texture is a delight. There aren’t a lot of color and pattern options, and the fabric loses its lint after each wash. Lighter in the tummy

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FAQ

Are 100% cotton sheets the best?

The most breathable and comfortable bedding is made from pure cotton sheets, but not all cotton is created equal. The best option for ultra-soft, long-lasting sheets is long-staple cotton, such as Egyptian or Supima.

What are the coolest cotton sheets to sleep in?

If you tend to get too hot and bothered easily, cotton percale is the fabric for you. Hot sleepers can benefit from sheets made of cotton percale combined with a moisture-wicking fabric like Tencel or bamboo.

How often should you wash cotton sheets?

When you wash your sheets once a week, you reduce the amount of dust mites and allergens in your home. Avoiding bringing food, liquids, and pets into the bedroom is a good way to reduce the number of bacteria in the space.

Consumer Report

A good mattress and worn, scratchy sheets can only get you so much shut-eye. In fact, you may be wasting precious hours tossing and turning each night because you aren’t using the appropriate bedding. But how does one know for sure that the sheets they’re buying are of good quality? It’s not simple, and we’ve learned the hard way that marketing terms like “thread count” aren’t always reliable indicators of a sheet’s quality. Our findings highlight significant variations in durability and quality across manufacturers, despite the fact that all the sheets we examined were made of cotton. Sadly, a standard cotton queen-sized sheet only lasts through about a year’s worth of washings before it can’t even cover a mattress that’s only an inch thick, let alone one that’s 12.5 inches deep. We suggest waiting for a sale before purchasing more expensive sheets.

How Consumer Reports Tests Sheets

An excellent sheet set will be well-fitting, soft, and minimally prone to wrinkles. Considering the importance of a strong and shrink-proof bed sheet set, we perform quality checks on each batch. If a fitted sheet doesn’t have the right dimensions to cover your mattress, the other features are irrelevant. To begin with, all of the sheets could fit a queen-sized bed with a depth of 15 inches. A set of fitted sheets is washed 25 times, per the manufacturer’s instructions, to determine how much they shrink. This is equivalent to about a year’s worth of laundering if you wash your sheets once every other week. We test how well the sheet fits and tucks under mattresses of 8, 10, 14, and 18 inches in depth after each wash. After every wash, the sheets are compared to a reference set of wrinkled sheets. A bed with wrinkled sheets looks untidy and may be unpleasant to lie on. To measure the resilience of the fibers, our experts use a machine that clamps the sheet sample at both ends and pulls with progressively greater force until tearing occurs. The ones we tried didn’t perform poorly enough to cause alarm under normal conditions. A group of sensory testers feel the sheets and compare their responses to a standard of fabric samples that represent varying degrees of softness.

What to Look for When Buying Sheets

How obvious is it that a cotton sheet is of high quality? Though consumers hear a lot about thread count, other factors, such as the weave and the type of cotton fiber, contribute significantly to the feel and durability of cotton sheets. Keep the following in mind. Cotton-rich versus cotton-only: Even “cotton-rich” sheets contain less than 100% cotton. According to the tag, at least half of the materials used to make this sheet are cotton, with the other half consisting of synthetic or natural fibers. The thread count of a given fabric is the number of threads per square inch, including both the vertical and horizontal directions. Items we test claim to have thread counts anywhere from 280 to 1,000. The use of finer, silkier yarns, such as Pima or Egyptian cotton, allows for a thread count higher than 400. Nonetheless, the results of our research demonstrate that thread count is not necessarily indicative of quality. We found the L.L.Bean Pima Cotton Percale to be one of the most comfortable and long-lasting options despite its relatively low thread count of 280. They can be washed regularly for a year without deteriorating, and can still fit mattresses that are 14 inches high without revealing the box springs underneath. The weave of the cotton threads used to make percale and sateen is what distinguishes the two fabrics. Percale sheets typically have a “one-over, one-under” weave. As a result, it has a clean, crisp feel and a smooth, matte surface. In sateen sheets, the horizontal threads cross over and then loop under and over the vertical threads multiple times. The finished product is a luxurious-looking and feeling sheet with improved drape and softness. The best sheet, however, is the one you won’t mind sleeping on. Multiple types of cotton fiber: Cotton staple fibers come in a wide range of varieties. Staples come in short, long, and even extra-long varieties. Upland cotton, a type of short-staple cotton, is typically used to make cotton sheets. Those made from extra- or long-staple cotton typically boast about where they were made: Pima and Egyptian cottons are two of the most popular types of extra-long-staple cotton; the American Pima variety is sold under the Supima trademark. Cottons with longer fibers tend to be softer, last longer, and prevent pilling the least. The cotton used in a product may be a mixture of different species, despite the label claiming otherwise.

How to Buy the Correct Size Sheets

Prior to going mattress shopping, take a measurement of your mattress’s height; if you use a mattress topper, add its height to your mattress’s height. If you want your sheets to last through many washes, it’s best to get ones with a deeper pocket than your mattress’s thickness. Our measurements showed that the cotton sheets shrank by no more than 6% under the conditions we used. In almost half of the samples, the sheet is too small for the mattress after shrinking. Our research showed that only one of the cotton sheets we tested actually fit a mattress that was 18 inches deep. Make sure to hang onto your receipt as a memento. Make sure to wash your sheets before using them to get rid of any finishes or excess dye. The fitted sheet should fit the mattress before washing, but if after washing it no longer does or you simply decide you don’t like the feel of the sheets, you may return them.

The Truth About Eco-Friendly Sheets

However, from a sustainability standpoint, conventional and organic cotton production are strikingly similar. “The big differences come down to where the seeds come from, and which chemicals are used to grow and protect the crops,” explains Kavita Mathur, a professor at North Carolina State University’s Wilson College of Textiles in Raleigh. Whether organic or conventional, environmentally friendly farming practices can reduce the crop’s impact on the surrounding ecosystem. Also, she says it’s usually impossible to tell the difference between organic cotton sheets and conventionally grown sheets. According to her, there is simply no way to tell them apart. On top of that, “all cotton, regardless of production methods, is biodegradable, microplastic-free, and carbon-capturing. To make sure that an Oeko-Tex certified textile product is safe for human health, it is tested for toxic chemicals like formaldehyde and harmful dyes. We’re talking about everything from the cotton to the threads to the buttons. Bamboo sheets, despite popular belief, are not particularly eco-friendly. Labels and advertisements referring to rayon fabrics as “bamboo” have been banned by the FTC. Rayon is the name given to the processed plant fiber. (This fiber can also be found marketed as bamboo viscose; however, the two terms are interchangeable.) Because toxic chemicals are used in the processing, there are also harmful air pollutants released during production.

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