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It's time to refresh your collection.
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best, and when it comes to bedsheets, that phrase is definitely true. While there are myriad options on the market, we're partial to the best cotton sheets. They're no-fuss, they're soft, and they're great all year, whether you sleep hot or cold. So, while in pursuit of the best cotton sheets to recommend, we looked within our own homes and consulted the research we had enlisted to inform our own shopping decisions. From fan favorites to relative newcomers, there are numerous worthy options to consider below.
What's more, after we share our top picks and break down why we love them, we share some must-know details to consider before making your purchase. So, if you're in need of a major bedding upgrade, you've come to the right place. You really can't go wrong with any of these sets—especially because you'll enjoy them on the hottest and coldest days of the year, and every day in between, without feeling uncomfortable. Trust us; cotton sheets really are the best. Additionally, we believe now is a great time to invest, as half of our favorites are currently on sale.
We are kicking off the list with a well-known set of cotton sheets: Brooklinen's classic percale core set. As the name implies, these are a core essential in your linen closet because they comprise the non-negotiable pieces you need: a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, and two pillowcases (if you opt for a queen or bigger). Percale is also just a fan-favorite material because it feels like sheets you'd sleep on in a hotel. "During the early days of the pandemic, my roommate had moved home, so I turned her bedroom into a spare bedroom, and the first thing I bought was this set," admits Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner. "Seemingly every few weeks, a friend from out of town would want to visit New York, and I had a spare room, so they'd stay with me, and I am being completely serious when I say everyone could not get enough of these sheets." They have a soft matte finish and a crispness that has an audible crinkle to them, but they are still extremely cozy. If this your first time buying a set of cotton sheets, let them be the Brooklinen percale ones. You cannot go wrong.
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king | Colors: 28 | Thread Count: 270
As for the cotton sheets Cherner has in her primary bedroom, look no further: More often than not, this set from Quince is tucked atop her mattress. "This is another go-to set I love because, unlike the Brooklinen set, these are notably soft. It's not that the Brooklinen ones aren't soft; they just have a crispness to them that these don't have. The Quince ones are 100 percent silky-smooth. They're also a bit thinner, so if you sleep hot, these will help because there's absolutely no weight to them," Cherner says. "The only downside is that they do wrinkle easily. I pull my duvet all the way up to the base of the pillows, so you can't really see, but if that's going to bug you, you may want to steam them in the mornings."
Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king, and California king | Colors: Seven | Thread Count: 700
When on a mission to find the best cotton sheets, know that there will be more than one percale option. This set from The Company Store is our second percale find that deserves a spot on the list, as evidenced by tester Danielle Collins. "I moved to New York from another state and wanted to create a cozy, fluffy bed setup, and the sheets were responsible for a lot of the final look and feel," she admits. "I couldn't test these in person, but I read enough positive reviews to feel confident about ordering a set. Luckily, after sleeping on these sheets for over a year now, I can confirm the reviews claiming these are the softest sheets on the market are real. I love these sheets so much."
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king | Colors: 18 | Thread Count: 300
For anyone who likes their sheets to boast a little glimmer, sateen is for you. If you're wondering what the difference is between sateen and percale, allow us to explain: Sateen has a silky and soft feel with a subtle sheen, and percale is more crisp and matte. Cherner alternates between her go-to set from Quince and this set from West Elm because they're different enough to offer a little variety in her day-to-day. "While I do love these—and I do—I use them more in the winter because they're a bit thicker than the Quince set. As you can see from the photo, though, they're gorgeous. They don't wrinkle at all, and they make the bed look like a cloud," Cherner adds. "I've even given them as a gift."
Sizes: Full, queen, king, and California king | Colors: Three | Thread Count: 400
Now, for a more advanced set, Slumber Cloud is here to put any and all other sheets to shame because its products are made with NASA technology. No, these sheets are not made by NASA, but they're the only bedding that uses Outlast fabric, "the world's only textile technology to have received Certified Space Technology quality mark by the renowned Space Foundation," according to Slumber Cloud. These sheets combine Outlast viscose and cotton to make for the perfect temperature-regulating and cozy bedding. Tester Rachel Elliot got these sheets at the beginning of summer and can confirm that they are as cooling as advertised. She says, "I like to make my New York City apartment really cold at night because I like snuggling up with my huge, fluffy duvet, which is hot." So she layers these sheets underneath, and it is the perfect combination for a comfortable sleep that's neither too cold nor too hot.
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king | Colors: Four | Thread Count: N/A
Anyone who may be unfamiliar Boll & Branch, we don't blame you. It's a saturated market, but this is a brand worth knowing. Why, you may be wondering? It's one of the most sustainable on the market. In fact, its big point of pride is its 100 percent traceability, from farm to finish, meaning you can actually track how, when, and where your specific item was made. The system is called Origin Track, and the only thing you need to use it is the lot number on your specific products. Otherwise, you'll love these sheets because they're just so luxurious and soft. "These were one of the first sheets I bought for my apartment when I moved, and they're well worth the price," says Cherner. "They are on the thicker side, but they're not hot or starchy. They're actually really soft and cozy."
Normally, when determining which elements are most important when buying sheets, we often focus on material, but since these are all made of cotton, we'll focus on one other detail that may matter to you: thread count.
To put it simply, the best thread count for soft sheets falls anywhere between 800 and 1,000 if you prefer your sheets to be silky. That said, high thread counts do come with some drawbacks. According to Brooklinen, thread counts tend to max out at 800—and when you see larger numbers than that, it's often because of a factor called ply (which refers to the number of threads). Single-ply means it's comprised of single strands of thread. Consumer Reports notes that 400 is the best thread count to look for if you're factoring it in. While thread count does matter, other factors may play just as big a role in determining softness and durability. And at the end of the day, the weave also impacts how your sheets will feel. Two main weaves you'll encounter when shopping for cotton sheets are sateen and percale, so understanding the difference is key. Sateen sheets have a silkier, softer finish but are often more expensive. A percale weave may be better if you're a hot sleeper.
When it came to figuring out the best cotton sheets on the market, we, of course, had to test them to decide whether or not they were genuinely worth it. Several of my fellow House Beautiful editors and I tested the aforementioned sheets in our homes for at least a month, allowing us sufficient time to review them properly. Some of us, however, have had our beloved sheets on our beds for more than a year, so you know they're good. It's also a real testament to their durability and longevity.
We break down all the important elements, from weave type to weight and breathability, so that you can make an informed decision on which sheets sound the softest and coziest for your own sleeping habits. We also did not hold back on pointing out some pros and cons of each set for shoppers to consider, as this is the most realistic way to make a purchase. It's up to you if the pros outweigh the cons for you and vice versa. Luckily, we just so happened to love all the sheets we tested and plan on keeping them in our rotation for as long as they last.
When it comes to selecting the best (and most affordable) pieces for any bedroom, including my own, I have been reviewing bedding for nearly eight years, having access to numerous stylish samples. I currently have nine sets of sheets, so who better to write about the softest ones on the market? I'd also say that I'm on a never-ending quest to maximize the comfort and look of my bedroom, so you can trust that I have done my homework to find the best and most beloved pieces on the market. Not to mention, I have covered everything from the best linen sheets to top-notch silk pillowcases, as well as reviews on sheet sets like Cozy Earth, Boll & Branch, and Lands' End. For this story, I and several other House Beautiful editors spent weeks, and even years, sleeping on dozens of top-rated sheets to determine the best cotton options on the market right now.
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