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- After reviewing dozens of contenders for the best sheets, our top pick are the 280-thread-count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets from L.L. Bean.
- Crisp, cool, and comfortable against your skin, these sheets make bedtime a treat.
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 all, you spend nearly a third of your life between those sheets, so why wouldn't you want the best? So we've made it easy for you: We checked out all the top consumer buying websites, listened to opinions from bed sheet buyers, and tried sheets ourselves to compile our list of the five best bed sheet sets you can buy.
Thread count: higher isn't always better
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 cottons: Pima, Egyptian, or Supima. These long-fiber cottons weave into the softest, most comfortable sheets.
What about 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, 400 to 600 if you prefer more weight.
- Sateen sheets (not the same as satin, which is a fabric, 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.
Here are our top picks for the best sheets:
- Best sheets overall: L.L. Bean 280-thread-count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets
- Best sateen cotton sheets: Brooklinen Luxe Sheets
- Best budget sheets: Threshold Performance Sheet Set
- Best sheets with patterns and colors: Crane & Canopy Sheet Sets
- Best flannel sheets: Pinzon Velvet Flannel Sheets
- Best organic cotton sheets: Boll & Branch Signature Soft Hemmed Sheet Set
- Best modal sheets: Pure Beech Modal Sateen Sheets
- Best microfiber sheets: Brooklyn Bedding Microfiber Sheets
Updated on 12/14/2018 by Kylie Joyner: Added Brooklyn Bedding sheets based on testing. Also updated prices and formatting.
Read on in the slides below to learn all about our favorite sheets.
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