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Sweet dreams begin with soft sheets. Or, at the very least, great sheets mean I sleep better, whether my dreams are peaceful or hallucinations of failed superpowers and Internet. There’s a lot to navigate when buying sheets for your bed, from the weight of percale and satin to the thread count. But the right set of sheets can make your old bed feel like a hotel, or pair perfectly with a brand new mattress. (Because what good is pairing your new mattress with stale sheets?)
We tested dozens of options to find the best sheets in nearly every style. However, there’s an endless supply of sheets out there, so we’ll keep updating this guide as we test more. Prices shown are for all queen size sets. For more bedding recommendations, read our related guides, e.g best mattress, Best mattress for side sleepersBest mattress for back pain, Best organic mattress, best pillowAnd Best Pillows for Side Sleepers .
Updated January 2025: Flannel section updated with new picks for the winter season. There are also new notes on rough linen and bowl and brunch sheet sets.
table of contents
Linen sheet
Why buy linen sheets? Linen is a woven fabric made from the hemp plant. It’s a highly breathable material and doesn’t trap heat, so it keeps you cool in the summer months. It’s great for hot sleepers. It’s rougher than a normal cotton set at first, but it should get softer the more it’s washed. Linen is often more expensive, but it is also more durable than cotton, so a good sheet set should last much longer. Linen sheets aren’t for everyone, but if you like linen clothing, you’ll probably like linen sheets.
Our favorite linen sheets
I’ve slept on a lot of linen (don’t miss Linen sheets are my complete guide), and Citizens linen sets are my Goldilocks sheets. They are lightweight and breathable but still have a nice drape and softness that you don’t often find in brand new linens. It usually takes a while to get to this stage, but the Citizens sheets look like you’ve already washed and softened them Thanks to great airflow, these sheets are cool enough for warm nights but not so cool that I wouldn’t use them year-round. They too Oeko-Tex certifiedMeaning they have been tested for harmful substances and deemed harmless.
Citizenry’s linen sheets not only feel great to sleep on but also come in a range of colors to go with any color scheme in your bedroom. Some parts of the sheet set (just the top sheet, pillows, etc.) can be purchased separately if something happens to one of your pieces.
The softest linen ever
These sheets are the softest linens I’ve ever tried – so soft that my husband didn’t even realize I swapped out a soft flannel set for them! They are very comfortable to sleep on but still have that light linen feel. The Cultivar sheets feel a bit silkier (a word I never thought I’d use to describe linen) and cling to my body and bed a bit more nicely. These sheets are a splurge, but if you want extra-soft linens, these are the way to go.
The only thing I didn’t like about them was the lint tray overflowing after drying them. My husband noted that they were “slippery” compared to other sheets we usually sleep on, adding to the almost silky feel of these sheets. But that kind of softness doesn’t come cheap, and these sheets are a splurge. You can buy the pieces individually if you want to work your way up to a full set or worry that a piece might get ripped off by your cat (although my cat hasn’t done any damage to them yet).
Other great linen sheets
- Pottery Barn Belgian Flax Linen Sheet Set for $299: These are my favorite cool linen sheets, as they have the most breathable fabric I’ve ever slept in. The airflow is great with these sheets, keeping me nice and cool. These sheets are a little thinner than the national ones but not quite as soft.
- Quince Linen Bamboo Deluxe Sheet Set for $240: These aren’t 100 percent linen, but I love the combination of the softness of bamboo and the breathability of linen. This is a great pick if you want the convenience of linen, but are unsure about the roughness or texture of standard linen (or about spending too much!) The original sheet set has been discontinued, but there’s still the deluxe set, though it’s sold out and right now On the waiting list. European Linen Sheets by Queens ($170) This is a great price if you’re looking for affordable all-linen sheets.
- Rough linen Orkney sheet set $540: If you are a linen lover and want heavy linen, then this rough linen set is perfect for you. Our team tested the heaviest with linens around 260 gsm (grams per square meter)—many we’ve tested and recommend are around 160 gsm. Wired reviewer Scott Gilbertson says that despite the heavy weight, they still dry quickly, and he likes the rich colors these sheets come in. He says that the forest green is one of the most intense green sets of sheets he has ever tried
Looking for more linens? Read about every set of linens we’ve tested and our shopping advice Our guide to the best linen sheets.
Percale sheet
Why buy percale sheets? Percale is a type of cotton weave, not a type of fabric. It is also referred to as a plain weave. Shows how you can portray a classic knit look with an over-under style like checkerboard. These sheets tend to be crisp, cool and lightweight and they make great cooling sheets. Think hotel sheets or your favorite button up shirt. They’re a good middle ground if you sleep hot but don’t want to spring for linen and its high price.
Our favorite breathable percale sheets
I shouldn’t be surprised at how much I loved these percale sheets, given how much I loved the Citizens linen sheets. Citizenry launched its percale line this summer, and it’s become one of my favorite cooling sheets for sleeping. I’m not usually a huge percale fan, since I don’t like a super crispy sheet, but Citizenry’s percale manages to be soft without losing the airiness and slight stiffness that makes percale, well, percale.
While they’re not quite as soft as Supima or Egyptian cotton—more options with the ones below!—Citizen uses long-staple cotton, which helps these sheets feel softer than regular cotton percale sheets. This sheet set is also organic and Oeko-Tex and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified.
Another great percale set
Buffy is famous for alternative materials behind her bed. Specifically, Buffy typically uses eucalyptus-based Lyocell to make her sheets and comforters. But Buffy now has its first cotton bedding on the menu: Supima Cotton Percale Sheets. The name gives away that it is not only made of cotton, but Supima cottonWhich is a high quality cotton with a long fiber and good strength. These long fibers help make these cotton sheets softer than your standard percale without sacrificing the airflow and structure that makes percale so nice to sleep on.
Buffy runs a ton of sales, so these sheets are usually the same price for civilians, you might even be able to find them for cheaper.
Other great percale sheets
- Shipping percale sheet set for $205: I love these sheets as much as the Nationals. They cost a little more, but are both excellent percale sets that keep you cool and crisp while still being soft.
- Pure Parima Ultra Percale Sheet Set for $230: These sheets are super soft thanks to their Egyptian cotton. They’re a little more expensive than other parkels and a touch heavier, but if you want something super soft without going full satin or bamboo, they’re a great choice.
- Riley Percale Sheet Set for $260: Riley makes nice percale sheets, but they’re expensive—a fitted sheet and pillowcase costs $135, and flat sheets are an additional $85. We liked their crispiness, but Brooklyn’s is cheap, even for the organic set.
- Parachute percale sheet set for $269: Wired reviewer Julian Chokkattu says these sheets feel rough at first but soften the more they are washed. They have held up very well after years of use, even with a dog sleeping in the same bed.
Looking for more percale or cooling options? We got one The Complete Guide to Cooling Sheets Which contains more Percale picks and testing notes.
Flannel sheet
Why buy flannel sheets? Flannel sheets are made of cotton, but the cotton fibers are brushed to create a fuzzy texture. These fluffed-out fibers are also what make flannel so warm and comfortable to sleep on — the cotton twill layers do a better job of retaining heat than other styles of cotton sheets, so you’ll be much warmer sleeping in them than other sheets. These styles are for cooler climates and seasons. great
What about cotton swabs? Brushed cotton is similar to flannel in that it has brushed-out fibers, but brushed cotton is usually brushed on one side, making it a little less fluffy and warmer than your classic cotton. It’s a great choice for hot sleepers who are trying to stay a little warmer without overheating.
Our favorite flannel sheets
These sheets are super soft and great for sleeping on. They’re warm and cozy, yet a little lighter than the company store sets we’d recommend, making them a great pick for people who want to stay cozy without overheating. It’s a splurge compared to other flannels you can find, but won’t cost more than a great linen set. Also, these sheets are made of organic cotton.
Our favorite brushed cotton sheets
This brushed cotton sheet from Riley is my current go to for winter. These are some of the softest I’ve tried without overheating, thanks to brushed cotton instead of full flannel, which makes it a bit lighter while remaining fuzzy to the touch. They retain more heat than percale cotton sheets, but not so much heat that I need to remove the extra quilts I use in the winter. These have been a perfect option for me and my husband since we are naturally hot sleepers. (Our third-floor apartment in Southern California doesn’t help!)
If you want a flat sheet (aka a top sheet) or not with this set, Riley also lets you get it a little cheaper. You may want to skip a flat sheet if you’re a super warm sleeper, or already are A duvet cover of your choice.
Other great flannel (or similar) sheets
- LL Bean’s Ultrasoft Flannel Sheet $139: They’re definitely soft, but not as soft as our top flannel picks, and they also feel light. They are almost like warm jerseys instead of flannel. If you are looking for a light but still soft sheet set, this is a good choice.
- Company Store Legends Hotel Velvet Sheet Set for $179: This was our previous top pick, but the Company Store replaced it with this one Company Cotton Velvet Flannel Sheet Set ($184) The one I’m currently testing, along with the Legends Luxury Luxe Ultra-Cozy Flannel Fitted Sheet ($63) And Flat Sheet ($59). I will update this guide soon with my notes.
- Heathered cashmere sheet by Brooklyn $350: These sheets are a major splurge. They are 95 percent cotton and 5 percent cashmere wool, which gives them a slightly rougher texture than your typical flannel sheets. I still really like sleeping on them and find them warm and cozy, but my husband, who likes soft sheets, doesn’t care for them.
Satin sheet
Why buy satin sheets? Satin is a cotton weave similar to percale, but it uses a three-over-one thread style weave as opposed to one-over-one. These extra threads give it a silky feel even though it’s still cotton, and it tends to be both cooler and a little heavier. These are great for the summer months if you want something cool to the touch, but they also work for the cooler months if you’re looking for something that doesn’t trap too much heat like a flannel but wants to retain some heat.
Our favorite Sateen sheet
I have a few sets of JCPenney’s Wrinkle Guard Satin Sheets in my linen closet for my wedding registry. They are soft to the touch and known for being satiny with a cool, silky finish without being slippery. They cling well to my bed and don’t keep me too warm, but be careful how you fold them, as they aren’t completely wrinkle-free.
The weirdest thing to me about these sheets is that I can’t tell the difference between them and the Brooklynne Luxe Core Set, which costs twice as much (also courtesy of my wedding registry). They’re similar and both incredibly comfortable to sleep on, but JCPenney’s sheets are hard to beat on price.
