“I’ve been selling bedding to people now for six years, and I really think it does all come down to personal preference,” says Anna Brakefield, the co-founder of Red Land Cotton. “When it comes to being happy at the end of the day, we’re going to be looking at texture and sleeping temperature.” Brakefield says that keeping your sleeping style in mind while shopping for sheets will also lead to finding a set of sheets that work best for you. Over the last five years, we’ve spent hours researching and testing sheets from the most popular bedding brands, evaluating softness, breathability, ease of care, and value. Our favorites, the Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set, have a 480-thread count and a buttery smooth look and feel. What do buyers say? 85% of 19,700+ Brooklinen reviewers rated this product 5 stars. The four-piece set is made from a 480-thread count in a soft sateen weave for an ultra-deluxe feel, which makes sense given that they’re part of the brand’s Premium Line. Since they’re constructed of long-staple cotton, these OEKO-TEX certified sheets are heavier and more durable than your average cotton sheets. “These sheets felt like a cozy, soft cocoon when we crawled into bed,” said our tester. “Also, even though they’re made with breathable cotton, they still feel sturdy—which makes them more versatile during colder months.” They’re available in a variety of neutral colors and patterns, along with an ongoing rotation of limited edition hues. Our tester found these sheets to be a standout for their “buttery” smoothness and breathability (especially useful in the warmer months!). Wash after wash, the sheets maintained their quality and even got softer and more comfortable with use. However, given their steep price, we did deduct a point for overall value. Price at time of publish: $169 The sheets feel softer than other cotton sheets, while not quite silky like other fabrics feel. Our tester noted that this set felt breathable through the night and held up beautifully after washing, with no shrinkage or signs of wear. “The sheets are expensive, but the quality is high and the texture is soft and cozy,” said our tester, “I also like that they’re Oeko-Tex certified.” That’s right: In addition to washing and wearing nicely, these percale cotton sheets are also free of harmful or toxic substances. Plus, Parachute uses climate neutral shipping on every order. Price at time of publish: $129 for a Twin Set The lightweight fabric of these sateen cotton sheets makes it extremely easy to make the bed and keeps you cool all through the night, according to our tester. She noted the luxurious touch, comparing experience with the sheets to sleeping at a fancy hotel. We think the elegant look and extreme softness make this pick worth the high price tag. Price at time of publish: $209
All of the brand’s sheets come with a 4-inch hem and are tailored with deep pockets to enhance your bedroom decor. The long-staple Egyptian cotton fabric wicks away moisture to keep you cool through the night, with a crisp, hotel-like appearance that our tester absolutely loved. As our tester noted, “Straight out of the package, they feel very thick, crisp, and cool to the touch—like a freshly made hotel bed…I imagine they will become increasingly soft over time.” Just note to make sure to wash the sheets before using: Upon unpacking the sheets, our tester found them to have an unpleasant odor and deep creases. While the scent dissipated after washing, it was hard to keep the wrinkles at bay. This led us to dock one point on durability, quality, and overall value. Price at time of publish: $80 The set is available in five classic colors, including white, gray mist, and soft rose, and comes in all standard bed sizes. Each set includes a flat sheet, fitted sheet, and two pillowcases (except for the twin-size sets, which come with one pillowcase). The fitted sheet fits mattresses up to 16 inches deep, and the sheets are machine washable for easy care. After washing them a couple of times, our tester found that the sheets held their form well. However, they do wrinkle fairly easily—unless you put them on your bed straight after drying. Because of this, we deducted a point for both texture and value. All in all, though, these classic sheets are versatile and sure to look great with your duvet cover. If you want to make them extra personal, you can add an embroidered monogram for an additional charge. Price at time of publish: $119 The luxe sheet set comes in a range of sizes and includes a fitted sheet, flat sheet, and two pillowcases. You can choose from a selection of classic colors, like white or cream, or opt for a bold color like limited-edition shades ink blue and rust. Just note that the cashmere cotton can pill easily, although these sheets are pretty simple and straightforward to care for. Price at time of publish: $299 While these crisp and nicely breathable percale cotton sheets are thin, they’re also surprisingly durable. The fabric holds up well with regular use and washing, and it’ll even withstand tougher wear and tear. Our tester said they even held up in a household with pets: “These sheets are well-made and have held up over the past month… they were completely resistant to snagging and easy to clean.” However, you’ll want to make sure to remove these sheets from the dryer ASAP after each wash. Our tester noted that they became incredibly wrinkly, and leaving them in a bundle may mean they need the wrinkles ironed out when you’re ready to make the bed. Price at time of publish: $139

What to Look for in Cotton Sheets

Type

Cotton sheets are known for being soft, breathable, and affordable. But if you want the best of the best, choose an extra-long staple cotton like Egyptian or Pima cotton, which are considered premium options. You can also look for eco-minded options, like sheets made with 100 percent organic cotton and cotton that meets GOTS or OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification requirements.

Thread Count

A higher thread count isn’t always better, since thread count can be manipulated during the manufacturing process. Most of these options we tested fall between 200 and 400. This makes for the softest, most breathable cotton sheets. Our best organic pick, the Pottery Barn Classic 400-Thread-Count Organic Percale Sheet Set, has a thread count of 400 and is made with a breathable percale weave for a cool, comfortable night’s sleep. “Anything above 500 thread count is probably just a falsehood,” says Brakefield. She adds that a thread count above 500 is no longer an indication of softness and quality, as it’s usually achieved by counting twists in the yarn, rather than threads per square inch of fabric.

Weave

The majority of our picks fall under two weave options: percale and sateen. If you like lighter, crisper sheets, choose percale. If you prefer smooth and silky sheets, try sateen instead. Just note you’ll pay a premium for sateen, since it’s a more complicated weave, but our testers love the shiny look of this pick best.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was edited and researched by Cristina Sanza, a lifestyle writer specializing in home products and organization hacks. To keep our product picks current, she reads customer reviews, third-party articles, and brand websites. She owns and loves the Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set, which feels super smooth and soft. Emma Phelps, an Updates Writer for The Spruce, also offered additional support for this roundup by speaking to Anna Brakefield, the co-founder of Red Land Cotton, a family owned and operated bedding business. Brakefield offers a unique, expert perspective on bedding by having previous professional experience in marketing and branding, and working on her family’s North Alabama cotton farm, which supplies all of the fibers for Red Land Cotton’s bedding.