A luxurious mattress and a pricey set of pillows won’t promise a good night’s sleep if they’re paired with low-quality sheets. If you find yourself tossing and turning throughout the night, it may be time to invest in a great set of bed sheets, which can help your skin thermoregulate your body, explained Dr. Erum Ilyas, a board-certified dermatologist and functional textile expert. “If your bedsheets are not supporting your skin’s ability to do its job, you will find your sleep may not be as restful,” she said.
SKIP AHEAD Top-rated bed sheets | Types of fabric and weave to consider
To help you find the best sheets for you and your sleeping habits and preferences, we spoke to a variety of experts, including dermatologists and interior designers. Below, you can find their tips on what to look for in a great set of sheets, some of their top picks and highly rated sheets we chose based on their guidance.
How to shop for bed sheets
Fabric that feels smooth enough to wrap yourself in for eight hours a night isn’t the only priority when shopping for bed sheets. Experts told us to consider several key factors, including thread count and material like cotton, flannel and microfiber.
- Material: Different materials suit some people’s sleep needs better than others. Lindsay Stedman, a stylist and former textile technologist for Ralph Lauren and Victoria’s Secret, told us that sheets made from bamboo, cotton or microfiber are best “if you are looking for sheets that have a cooling effect,” whereas a material like flannel is warmer for those cold, winter nights. Some sheets might advertise themselves as organic, but that can be misleading: For example, if your goal is to buy organic cotton sheets to avoid added chemicals in the production process, Ilyas suggested looking for undyed organic cotton to meet your goals. “To be labeled as organic, the only criteria to meet is to utilize USDA certified organic crops in production,” Ilyas explained. “The word organic can still be ascribed to cotton that utilizes certified organic crops even if it has been chemically modified with finishes or dyes.”
- Thread count: Stedman told us thread count is important, but emphasized that it’s not the end-all-be-all. She noted that high quality materials with high quality weaves — how the individual fibers are brought together — “can still feel great” regardless of the thread count. Conversely, a high thread count may not mean much if the materials are poor and the construction is shoddy.
- Oeko-TEX certification: The experts we spoke to recommended shopping for sheets with Oeko-TEX certification, which ensures no harmful substances were involved in the manufacturing of a product. “The goal of this certification process is to try to add another level of consumer confidence for a growing concern about textiles, human health and our environment,” Ilyas said. “I consider this one more bonus to look for.”
Top-rated bed sheets to consider
Based on guidance from the experts we consulted, we compiled some highly rated bed sheets worth considering right now. We included options across fabric type, like cozy flannel to cooling bamboo, and got some specific recommendations from experts as well.
All of the sheets below are machine-washable, but keep in mind that their recommended drying settings (and the type of laundry detergent you’ll want to use) differ by item.
LuxClub 6-Piece Sheet Set Bamboo Sheets
- Size: Twin to split king
- What’s included: One fitted sheet, one flat sheet and four pillowcases
- Rating: 4.5-star average rating from over 182,000 Amazon reviews
These machine-washable sheets are made from a bamboo viscose fabric blended with microfiber — according to the brand, these materials make the sheets softer than jersey fabric. Due to the percale weave, the wrinkle-free and hypoallergenic sheets also help regulate temperature to keep you cool. You can purchase the set in over 40 colors like light teal, cream, dark grey and more.
Mellanni Bed Sheet Set – Brushed Microfiber 1800 Bedding
- Size: Twin to split king
- What’s included: One fitted sheet, one flat sheet and two pillowcases
- Rating: 4.5-star average rating from over 333,000 Amazon reviews
Mellanni’s machine-washable microfiber sheets are made from 100% polyester with an 1800 thread count. The brand says the sheets are resistant to fades, stain, shrinking and wrinkles. In addition to the brand’s standard sheets, you can also buy sheets with extra deep pockets if you have a thicker mattress. The sheets are available in over 40 colors like purple, white, brown and more.
PeachSkinSheets Night Sweats Soft Sheet Set
- Sizes: Twin to split king
- What’s included: One fitted sheet, one flat sheet and two pillowcases
- Rating: 4.5-star average rating from over 5,000 Amazon reviews
Stedman told us these machine-washable sheets are “hands down the best all-around sheets for hot sleepers.” The brand says the 1500 thread count sheets are designed from a poly-fiber material that’s hypoallergenic and ideal for hot sleepers — the material is breathable and moisture-wicking, according to PeachSkinSheets. They’re also pill- and wrinkle-resistant, as well as antimicrobial, according to the brand. You can purchase them in 24 colors like eggplant, sage green, toasted marshmallow and more.
Brooklinen Classic Percale Sheet Set
- Sizes: Twin to California king
- What’s included: One fitted sheet, one flat sheet and two pillowcases
- Rating: 4.4-star average rating from over 15,500 Brooklinen reviews
Brooklinen’s Classic Percale Sheet Set comes recommended by Ilyas, who said they’re “super soft.” She also noted that “percale carries the cool, crisp feel that is great for hot sleepers.” Stedman agreed, calling the set “the perfect percale sheet if you are after that classic cool and crisp handfeel.” The sheets are made with a 270 thread count weave and are Oeko-TEX certified, Brooklinen says. And although the brand recommends you line-dry these machine-washable sheets, they can be put in a dryer on low. You can purchase them in five of Brooklinen’s essentials styles like solid white and a striped pattern (as well as six limited edition styles like a toffee color or musical spheres print).
Sheex Performance Sheet Set
- Sizes: Twin to split king
- What’s included: Fitted sheet, flat sheet and pillowcases (numbers vary based on size)
- Rating: 4.4-star average rating from over 5,000 Sheex reviews
Stedman called this Sheex performance set her “go-to for moisture-wicking sheets.” She said they have a soft feel and are breathable, thanks to being made with polyester and spandex materials. The machine-washable sheet set is available in seven colors like bright white, sage mist, black and more.
Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet Set
- Sizes: Twin to California king
- What’s included: One fitted sheet, one flat sheet and two pillowcases
- Rating: 4.3-star average rating from over 3,000 Brooklinen reviews
“These linen sheets from Brooklinen really hit all the marks,” Stedman told us. “They are a washed, 100% linen that gives it that perfect lived-in feel with little shrinkage after washing.” The machine-washable sheets are made from European flax and are Oeko-TEX certified, Brooklinen says. The sheet set is available in five of the brand’s essentials styles (like cream or haze), as well as eight limited edition styles (like hydrangea blue, khaki chambray and more). You can return or exchange the sheets anytime within the first year of purchase — return shipping is free.
Nordstrom 400 Thread Count Organic Cotton Sateen Sheet Set
- Sizes: Queen to California king
- What’s included: One fitted sheet, one flat sheet and two pillowcases
- Rating: 4.1-star average rating from over 300 Nordstrom reviews
“These sheets have a luxurious look and feel and cover multiple categories: breathable, durable, comfortable and look luxurious,” said Ilyas. The 100% organic cotton, sateen sheets are Oeko-TEX–certified, according to the brand, and have a thread count of 400. You can purchase the machine-washable sheets in queen, king or California King sizes, and the set is available in white, grey vapor or pink peony bud colors.
Boll & Branch Flannel Solid Sheet Set
- Size: Twin to split king
- What’s included: Fitted sheet, flat sheet and pillowcases (numbers vary based on size)
- Rating: 4.9-star average from over 1,000 Boll and Branch reviews
This flannel bedding set is popular among the experts we consulted, who recommended the machine-washable sheets for their softness and warmth. They were designed with 100% organic cotton, the brand says, and the fabric is Fair Trade Certified, GOTS Certified, Oeko-TEX certified and certified organic, according to the brand. You can purchase the sheets in three colors: white, natural or shore.
Garnet Hill Hemstitched Supima Flannel Bedding
- Size: Ranges by item
- What’s included: One fitted sheet, one flat sheet and pillowcases sold separately
- Rating: 4.8-star average rating from over 500 Garnet Hill reviews
Another machine-washable flannel sheets option, Garnet Hill’s variety is made from 100% Supima cotton. The brand says these Oeko-TEX certified sheets have a softer feel compared to other flannel options, too. The sheets are available in 10 colors like ivory, light charcoal, mauve and more, and you can add personal monogramming to select items.
Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set
- Size: Twin to split king
- What’s included: Fitted sheet, flat sheet and pillowcases (numbers vary based on size)
- Rating: 4.9-star average rating from over 5,000 Cozy Earth reviews
Similar to the LuxClub sheets, this set from Cozy Earth is also made from viscose bamboo fabric, which the brand says is breathable and moisture-wicking to help keep you cool. The machine-washable set comes in five colors: white, light grey, driftwood, charcoal and oat. It comes with a 100-night sleep trial plus free shipping and returns.
My Sheets Rock The Regulator
- Size: Twin to split king
- What’s included: One fitted sheet, one flat sheet and two pillowcases
- Rating: A nearly five-star rating from over 2,000 My Sheets Rock reviews
The Regulator sheets from My Sheets Rock are constructed from bamboo rayon fabric, a thermoregulating and humidity-reducing material that’s also breathable and wicks away moisture, the brand said. The machine-washable sheet set comes in nine colors like stone, white and blue. My Sheets Rock also offers free shipping and a 90-day free trial with a full refund if you don’t end up loving their sheets.
Brooklyn Bedding Deep Pocket Bamboo Cotton Sheets
- Size: Twin to split king
- What’s included: One fitted sheet, one flat sheet and two pillowcases
- Rating: 4.8-star average rating from over 100 Brooklyn Bedding reviews
Brooklyn Bedding’s Deep Pocket Bamboo Cotton sheets are designed to cover thicker mattresses up to 17-inches high, the brand says. Since sheets are made from rayon fibers — which the brand said is derived from bamboo — and cotton, they’re hypoallergenic and promote an antimicrobial sleep environment, according to Brooklyn Bedding. You can purchase the machine-washable sheets in three colors: white, khaki and silver.
Boll & Branch Signature Hemmed Sheet Set
- Size: Twin to split king
- What’s included: Fitted sheet, flat sheet and pillowcases (numbers vary based on size)
- Rating: 4.8-star average rating from over 11,000 Boll & Branch reviews
Boll & Branch’s Signature Hemmed Sheet set is made with long-staple cotton, which means “the sheets are incredibly soft but durable,” Stedman told us. The brand says the machine-washable sheets are Oeko-TEX certified, too. You can choose from nine colors like natural, mist or mineral.
Types of materials
When you’re looking for a new set of bedsheets, the two main features to consider are the sheet’s fabric and its weave.
Fabric
The fabric refers to a textile’s thread type, be it cotton, linen, bamboo or silk.
Jersey sheets
Jersey sheets are made primarily of 100% cotton or cotton blends with synthetic fibers and are similar to the fabric ofT-shirts, Ilyas explained. “The construction of jersey fabric is knit, not woven, and just like a T-shirt, jersey is soft and breathable,” she said. “It is meant for warmer climates as it keeps your skin a little cooler but they’re not as durable as sateen or percale, given the knit construction.”
Linen sheets
If you aren’t afraid of some extra ironing, linen is a classic, natural bedding option made from flax plant fibers. It’s breathable, long-lasting, durable and great for moisture-wicking. Linen is also considered a more eco-friendly product given its recyclable and biodegradable qualities, Ilyas noted. “In the medical literature, linen has also been shown to have antimicrobial and wound-healing properties,” Ilyas said. “Its lightweight quality also makes it a favorable option for those that tend to get ‘overheated’ at night,” she added.
Flannel sheets
Flannel sheets are the ideal option for cold weather to keep sleepers cozy all night while remaining breathable, our experts told us. Although flannel does not wrinkle easily, its fluffy fibers can easily form into fuzzballs.
Bamboo sheets
Bamboo sheets are soft, durable, breathable and oftentimes more expensive than other materials. This material is available in different weaves like sateen and percale, and is also antibacterial as well as hypoallergenic.
Cotton sheets
Not all cotton sheets are the same as they vary greatly in how they feel against your skin based on their construction, weave and thread count, according to Ilyas. Each type of cotton — Tencel, Egyptian cotton, Organic cotton, Pima cotton, American Upland — offers a different feel. “Blends with polyester and other materials make these sheets a little more wrinkle-resistant and softer to touch,” Ilyas said.
But before deciding on cotton, Ilyas suggested considering your preferences when it comes to warmth overnight. “Many of my patients that struggle with hot flashes in the middle of the night may find cotton sheets more likely to trap in moisture and heat and not love this material,” Ilyas highlighted. “However, many people in cooler and colder climates may prefer these to stay warmer at night.”
Silk sheets
Compared to other textiles, silk is a fabric that repels moisture and prevents the absorption of droplets, which Ilyas told us may be of benefit to those with acne-prone or eczema-prone skin.
Weave
The weave refers to how these fibers are brought together, which impacts how the sheet feels.
Percale sheets
Typically made from 100% cotton, percale sheets usually have a matte-like finish since the weave doesn’t take on the shine of sateen or other cotton weaves, Ilyas explained. “Due to the construction, the fabric is lightweight and very breathable,” she said. Percale sheets are a great option for those who sleep hot or live in warmer, more humid environments. “I also have many patients that sleep with a humidifier on for eczema and other skin conditions and tend to find that percale is a good option here too because some patients will feel like their sheets feel damp if they choose a different weave or blend,” Ilyas said.
Sateen sheets
Sateen sheets, unlike Percale, have cotton threads that are tightly woven in the same style as silk, and like silk, have a somewhat shiny appearance. One downside of sateen is that the sheets’ sheen can fade over time with washes.
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Source: | This article originally belongs to Nbcnews.com
