Soft, breathable sheets can work wonders for your sleep quality. And when it comes to comfort, cotton sheets are a top choice. But not all cotton sheets are created equal. There are many types of cotton sheets, each with its own unique characteristics and benefits. This guide will help you find the perfect cotton sheets to enjoy the luxuriously soft feel of your new bedding, regulate your sleep temperature, and enhance your overall sleep quality. If you're wondering how to make your bed more comfortable, choosing the right cotton sheets is a great place to start.
Yumerest's cloud-like fluffy duvets will help you achieve your objectives even faster. These ultra-soft, breathable duvets will keep you cozy and comfortable all night so you can feel truly rested and refreshed.
What are the Best Types of Cotton Sheets?
Many bed linens are made from cotton. The soft, breathable, and lightweight material is ideal for creating optimal sleeping conditions. But with so many options on the market, selecting the correct brand or cotton style can be difficult. After all, there are plenty of factors to take into consideration, many of which go beyond the conventional markers of:
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Color
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Size
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Thread count
Shopping Considerations
To help you find the best cotton sheets for your needs, we're sharing a few key things to remember as you shop.
Types of Cotton Sheets
There are different types of cotton sheets. Knowing what distinguishes them can help you find the right set for you.
Egyptian Cotton
Egyptian cotton sheets are made with extra-long staple cotton, making them more durable and breathable than regular cotton sheets. "Egyptian cotton also tends to be much softer right out of the package and will only get softer over time, a lot like your favorite t-shirt," says Tom Ryan, product director at Sleep Foundation.
Supima Cotton
Supima cotton sheets are American-made, extra-long-staple cotton. They feature fine threads that translate to a durable and soft set of sheets. "They will run you a little more money overall, but they should last longer than a traditional cotton sheet," says Ryan.
Organic Cotton
Sheets made from organic cotton must meet certain environmental requirements and are a great pick if you want ethically sourced materials. "The plants cannot be grown using GMO seeds, and farmers must avoid using chemical pesticides and fertilizers," says Ryan.
"Look for certifications from the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), or another certifying agency that holds farmers and manufacturers to strict criteria."
Jersey Cotton
Jersey cotton sheets are known for being soft and stretchy. "The knitted feel gives them a cozy, lived-in look," says Ryan. "We like jersey sheets because they’re breathable, resist wrinkles, and are overall quite low-maintenance."
Flannel
Flannel sheets are made by napping the cotton after it's been woven. "Napping raises the fibers to give the fabric a soft, fuzzy, and cozy feel," says Ryan. "Flannel sheets are a great pick for cool or cold winter nights because they provide additional warmth, and they often come in a variety of fun and striking prints, too."
Brushed Cotton
Brushed cotton or flannelette is an extremely cosy fabric. This type of cotton is a woven fabric that is brushed to create texture and additional softness during the finishing process. As such, flannelette is a firm favourite for bed sheets as it is warm and snug, perfect for keeping you warm at night.
This makes it ideal for winter bed linens as the weather cools while retaining the breathable qualities of regular cotton.
Polycotton Percale
Polycotton is a mix of polyester and cotton. It is a popular choice for bed linen for many reasons, including its easy-care qualities. The way these two fabrics are joined together is referred to as percale. So, you can have cotton percale or polycotton percale related to the weave, rather than the material itself.
The weave of polycotton percale is tighter than regular cotton bed linen, which makes it highly resilient. It’s usually around 50:50, so it shares equal benefits from both materials. Alongside cotton’s breathability and durability, polycotton is also wrinkle-resistant. Polycotton percale is usually less expensive than 100% cotton too.
Percale vs. Sateen Weave
There are two main weave patterns to consider when choosing sheets; the one you choose ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Percale
Percale is a plain weave with a cool hand feel and a matte finish reminiscent of crisp hotel sheets. "If you’re a hot sleeper or prefer a crispy, cool sheet, we recommend a percale weave," says Katie Elks, Brooklinen's design director.
Sateen
Sateen is a satin weave, creating a smoother hand feel and a slight sheen. "If you want a warmer sheet and are looking for something a little more buttery with a smoother hand feel, we recommend sateen," says Elks.
Consider Thread Count
Thread count refers to the total number of threads within a 1 square-inch section, says Ryan, adding that consumers should take this number with a grain of salt. It is often difficult for consumers to notice count variations, and sometimes, brands inflate thread count to denote a higher quality.
When in doubt, select a set with a mid-range thread count, which will give you the softness, durability, and high-end appearance many people crave, says Leana Salamah, vice president of marketing for the International Housewares Association. Anything between 200 to 400 is usually a safe bet.
Measure the Depth of Your Mattress
Once you've decided on the cotton you want, don't forget to measure the depth of your mattress before choosing a sheet set. "We tend to buy sheets in good faith regarding size because mattress sizes are supposedly standard," Salamah says. It doesn't have so much to do with the length and width of your bed, but the depth.
"Measure the depth of your mattress with any added pieces (like pads or toppers) and note the depth measurements in any sheet purchase," she says.
Related Reading
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- How to Make Your Bed Like a Hotel
The Best Cotton Sheets of 2025
By far the most popular bed sheet material, cotton offers the whole package. Not only does cotton have a natural, soft, and substantial feel, but it's also breathable and durable. While some novelty sheet materials, like linen sheets, silk sheets, and microfiber sheets, are growing in popularity, they aren't as universal as cotton.
Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set
This set earns our top spot due to its overall fabric quality and hassle-free features. The sateen sheets have a smooth feel, which many testers said is softer than others they've slept on. One tester shared, "I really liked the material they were made of. It was a much softer material without being a silk sheet. They are nice on my skin."
Thousands of online reviewers gave the sheets a five-star rating, many highlighting their comfortable and cozy feel. Plus, they're a favorite of GH analysts and editors who keep them in their regular bedding rotation.
Lab Results & Features
Along with receiving top marks for comfort, the sheets also performed well in our Textiles Lab evaluations and are backed by the Good Housekeeping Seal. The sateen material proved strong and pill-resistant, and it held up well to repeated laundering without significant changes in appearance or wrinkles.
With a 15-inch depth, the sheets aren't quite as tall as others we've assessed and, as a result, may not fit well on extra-tall mattresses or beds with an added mattress topper. One of our favorite aspects of the sheets is the convenient labels marked on the long side and short side, so making the bed is a breeze.
Color & Return
Brooklinen carries the sheets in a dozen essential colorways, including neutral hues and graphic prints, and regularly offers seasonal styles.
We and online reviewers think the sheets are worth the splurge, but if you aren't entirely convinced, know that the brand offers an any-reason return policy for a year after purchase to receive a full refund (minus a $9.95 return fee).
Sizes:
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Twin
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Twin XL
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Full
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Queen
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King
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California King
Depth: 15 in
California Design Den 400 Thread Count Sateen Sheet Set
It's hard to find cotton sheets under $100, let alone good-quality ones. We were amazed when this under-$50 set outperformed even pricier cotton sheets, earning good scores from Textiles Lab and consumer tests.
Though some of our reviewers said the material wasn't quite as soft or luxurious as other sheets they've slept on, most gave it high praise for its:
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Substantial weight
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Smooth feel
Comfort & Durability
One tester described the fabric: "The sheets are very comfortable and crisp, without being overly crisp to the point of being stiff." Another tester added, "They felt clean and fresh."
In our durability tests, the sheets also proved to be pill-resistant and received average scores for fabric strength. When we washed them repeatedly according to their care label, the sheets held up well and resisted shrinkage, but they showed some signs of wrinkling after drying.
Popular & Versatile
Besides standing out in our evaluations, the set is popular on Amazon, with more than 82,000 five-star reviews and an average 4.5-star rating. You can choose from a wide range of colors, patterns, and sizes, and you can buy pillowcases separately if you need extras.
The brand says the sheets are made for mattresses ranging from 8 to 16 inches tall, and our testers found the fitted sheet fit well on their beds.
Sizes:
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Twin
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Twin XL
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Full
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Queen
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King
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California King
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Split King plus six-piece sets with extra pillowcases
Depth: 16 in
L.L.Bean Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set
Percale weaves are for those who prefer a classic, cool, crisp cotton sheet set over one that feels silky smooth. They're also popular for hot sleepers who prefer cotton sheets because percale weaves are:
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Airy
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Breathable
Though they can sometimes feel rough compared with sateen, this L.L.Bean set is made of Pima cotton (a premium variety) and was rated soft by most testers. One tester even described the material as feeling like quality hotel sheets.
Percale Performance
It also outperformed all other percale sheets during our extensive evaluation process, earning high scores across categories. The fabric proved strong and durable in our tests, with hardly any pilling. The sheets looked great after being washed repeatedly, withstanding major shrinkage.
Appearance & Options
While percale often has a wrinkled look, this one had a smoother, more polished appearance compared to others. There's something for most style preferences, thanks to a wide range of solid neutrals, brighter colors and prints like:
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Fun floral
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Classic checked
Sizes:
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Twin
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Full
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Queen
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King
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California King
Depth: 15 in
The Company Store Legends Hotel Supima Cotton Wrinkle-Free Sheet Set
This luxury sateen set costs more than most of our recommendations, but it's certainly worth the splurge due to its substantial thickness and incredible softness. The sheets are made with Supima cotton, a long-staple cotton grown in the U.S. that is of higher quality than other cotton fibers.
The sheets come in many colors with the option to mix and match your set for a customized look. Plus, if you have a tall mattress or use a mattress topper and need deep-pocket sheets, this set is offered in both a standard 14-inch depth and an 18-inch deep pocket for sizes such as:
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Queen
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King
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California King
Softness & Durability
The sheets also earned among the highest softness ratings in a blind comparison test, and our reviewers told us they would purchase them for themselves. One tester shared, "They were a good balance of soft and crisp," and another commented, "They are soft, feel luxurious, and look amazing."
The fabric was strong and shrink-resistant in our Lab tests, though there were some more noticeable pills and wrinkles compared to other sets we evaluated, despite the brand's wrinkle-free claims.
Sizes:
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Twin
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Twin XL
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Full
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Queen
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Deep-Pocket Queen
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King
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Deep-Pocket King
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California King
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Deep-Pocket California King
Depth: 14 or 18 in
Silk & Snow Egyptian Cotton Bed Sheets
Egyptian cotton is considered more luxurious than conventional cotton because of its long, uniform fibers that make the fabric:
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Smoother
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More durable
It's important to know that there have been instances when the Egyptian cotton claim is:
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Inaccurate
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Misused
Certified Quality
This set from Silk & Snow is certified by the Cotton Egypt Association, making it a more reliable purchase.
In our Lab tests, the sateen fabric performed well across categories. It proved its durability with high scores for:
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Strength
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Pilling resistance
Shrinkage & Feel
The sheets did experience some shrinkage, though, after being laundered repeatedly according to their care instructions, but they withstood wrinkling.
According to our consumer testers and reviewers in our Textiles Lab softness evaluations, the material is:
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Soft
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Smooth
Comfort & Colors
One tester said, "The pillowcases are very comfortable on my face and don't make my hair tangled." The set comes in seven neutral colors, including shades of:
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White
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Grey
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Blue
Sizes:
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Twin
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Twin XL
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Full
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Queen
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King
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California King
Depth: 15 in
Riley Organic Cotton Sheet Set
Not only is this set smooth, but it's also lightweight and incredibly airy compared to other cotton sheets we've evaluated, making it ideal for hot sleepers. Our testers even highlighted that the set felt more breathable than the sateen sheets they've slept on.
A tester remarked that the sheets are lighter weight and perfect for summer. The sheets' smoothness comes from the silky weave, long-staple cotton fibers, and combing process, which removes any short cotton fibers that could stick out and poke and cause discomfort.
Lab Highlights
This set impressed us in our Lab tests, exhibiting:
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Excellent pilling resistance
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Minimal shrinkage
While most cotton sheets wrinkle easily, this one outperformed other sateen sets we tested with:
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Fewer creases
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Deep-set wrinkles
Softness & Labeling
Testers also liked that the sheets felt even softer after being laundered compared to right out of the package.
According to our testers, the sheets' convenient labels marking the top and bottom make bed-making easy. Just note that although the brand designates this an organic cotton set, we couldn't confirm whether the manufacturing process is organic because it lacks relevant certifications.
Sizes:
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Twin
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Twin XL
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Full
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Queen
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King
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California King
Depth: Ranges from 14 in. for Twin to 16 in. for California King
Coyuchi Organic Crinkled Percale Sheets
This sheet set meets the needs of a variety of sleeper preferences: It's made with GOTS-certified cotton for those who prefer organic, the fabric is light and airy for those who like breathable and cool material, and it's slightly crinkled for those who love a natural, lived-in look and feel.The brand uses a special softening process to achieve its unique finish.
Besides its organic certification, the sheet set is also Fair Trade Certified, which means the sourcing and manufacturing processes meet standards for ethical issues like:
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Wages
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Working conditions
Texture & Breathability
The fabric performed well in our Textiles Lab evaluations, though it did experience some wrinkling after laundering (which is expected for a crinkled fabric). We also noted some pilling after the material was rubbed repeatedly by our abrasion machine.
At-home testers told us they loved how the sheets felt soft yet crisp simultaneously, and they appreciated the material's breathability. One tester said, "I really like how cool they keep me. I never felt overheated, even when I was dressed more warmly overall like in flannel pajamas."
Sizes:
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Twin
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Twin XL
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Full
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Queen
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King
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California King
Depth: 15 in
Cuddledown Hotel Sateen Sheet Set
Cotton sheets can look crumpled and messy at times (even when you take them out of the dryer right away), but this set has a wrinkle-resistant finish and looked the smoothest after we washed it. The cotton fibers are combed to remove short, poking fibers for a super luxurious feel as well.
Testers agreed the fabric felt soft and smooth and gave it high softness ratings in our blind comparison test. And because it’s certified by OEKO-TEX, you don’t need to worry about unsafe chemical levels from the finish.
Hotel Style & Durability
Cuddledown claims that the hotel sheets are used in hundreds of luxury accommodations across the country. Like at a high-end hotel, the sheets look polished on the bed. They're only available in white but feature chic colored stitching for a decorative accent.
Although the fabric didn't perform as well as other cotton sheets in our strength test, it proved durable overall in our washability tests with minimal shrinkage. The sheet set is also generously sized with a 16-inch deep fitted sheet, and it fit nicely over a standard Queen mattress during our evaluations.
Sizes:
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Twin
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Full
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Queen
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King
Depth: 16 in
Other Cotton Sheets We Tested
We've tested hundreds of sheets in recent years. Here are a few more options we've tested but didn't feature:
Garnet Hill Hemstitched Supima Flannel Sheet
This cotton sheet set outperformed other flannel styles in our tests. The sheets are brushed on both sides, which helps trap warmth and creates a super soft and cozy feel. The sheets pilled more than others in our evaluations but performed well overall for strength.
Parachute Home Brushed Cotton Sheet Set
The sheets have a soft feel similar to flannel but aren't as warm. The brand describes the sheets as similar to your favorite lived-in T-shirt. In our evaluations, the sheets were more durable than flannel but wrinkled more than others during washability tests.
Pact Organic Favorite Tee Jersey Sheet Set
While most cotton sheets are woven, these are knit, so they feel comparable to a T-shirt or a cozy pair of pajamas. They performed well in our recent evaluations of jersey sheets, receiving high scores for softness and resistance to shrinkage.
Related Reading
- What Are the Softest Sheets You Can Buy
- What Kind of Sheets Do Hotels Use
- What Material is Best for Bed Sheets
- Top Luxury Bedding Brands
- Down vs Down Alternative
- Types of Bedding
How to Shop for Cotton Sheets
Get Cozy with Quality Cotton Fibers
When it comes to cotton sheets, the fibers matter. Long-staple cotton is a premium choice, for its longer strands mean there are no short fibers to stick out or break off, making the fabric:
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Smoother
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More durable
Egyptian and Pima cotton are both types of extra-long-staple cotton. Supima cotton is a brand name of Pima cotton grown in the U.S. You should also know that Egyptian cotton claims are hard to prove, and there have been instances of brands mislabeling their sheets when they don’t contain this luxury fiber.
Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is another option. It’s grown without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Don’t confuse organic cotton fibers with organic cotton sheets: A fully organic product will follow strict standards throughout the supply chain, not just the cotton growing. Check to ensure it’s certified by a trusted source, such as the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
Pick the Right Sheet Fabric for Your Sleep Style
Like fibers, the fabric of cotton sheets can vary widely, and each one has its unique feel and characteristics. Percale is a basic weave that feels light and breathable. It’s ideal for hot sleepers or those who prefer a crisp feel. Sateen is a satin-like weave that feels silky smooth.
Our testers prefer this over other sheet types because sateen sheets are softer than percale sheets but aren’t quite as breathable. Flannel is a thick, brushed fabric that feels warm and cozy. Jersey is a knit fabric that feels like a T-shirt. It’s stretchier and often very soft, but it’s not as durable and pills more easily.
Look for Quality Manufacturing Techniques
In addition to the types of cotton sheets and their fabric construction, there are other characteristics to consider as you pick out your sheet set. Combed cotton undergoes a process that removes shorter cotton fibers, leaving behind the longer ones that feel smoother and are less likely to break.
Brushed cotton has a brushed surface to give it a fuzzy finish similar to flannel. This feels softer and helps trap air inside to make it cozier. Wrinkle-resistant cotton has added finishes to make wrinkle-prone cotton look smoother.
OEKO-TEX Certification
Although this process often uses chemicals, you can check for an OEKO-TEX certification on the brand’s website or the sheet set’s physical packaging to ensure that the finished fabric does not contain unsafe levels of known harmful chemicals.
More Shopping Tips for Cotton Sheets
Aside from the type of cotton and its fabric construction, there are other characteristics to consider as you pick out your sheet set:
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Thread count: This tells you the number of threads per square inch of fabric, and it matters only when the sheets are 100% cotton. Top performers in our tests are typically in the 300-to-500 range, but thread count isn’t super important, and it’s better to focus on the fabric specifications listed above.
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Price: Cotton sheets are more expensive than ones that use synthetics, like polyester and cotton-poly blends, but you don’t need to spend a fortune. Most of our top-performing cotton sheets are in the $100-to-$200 range for a Queen-size sheet set.
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Care instructions: There’s usually no special care required because cotton is machine washable, but some sets call for gentle cycles or cold-water washing. Warm water is best for cleaning cotton sheets, especially if you’re a hot sleeper or don’t wash your sheets regularly.
Related Reading
- Best Sustainable Bedding
- Best Comforter for Hot Sleepers
- Best Bed Sheets for Allergies
- Best Cooling Sheets for Hot Sleepers
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