When it comes to bed sheet shopping, there’s a lot products out there. There’s advertising telling you high thread count means better quality sheets, and the more you spend, the better the bed sheet will be.
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On top of this, there are many different bed sheet materials out there, and if you’re not a textile expert, these waters can be confusing to navigate through.
Popular Bed Sheet Materials
- Cotton: This is probably the most common material for bed sheets, although the material cotton is a broad category. There are different types of cotton that impact the quality, feel, price, and texture of the sheet. Some of these include: flannel, percale, jersey knit, sateen, organic cotton, Egyptian cotton, and Pima cotton.
- Microfiber: This material is becoming increasing popular for its similarities to cotton and its inexpensive qualities. It synthetic, so it is made from chemicals, but it’s incredibly soft, which makes it a great bed sheet.
- Bamboo: Although many products claim they are 100% bamboo, these sheets are usually made of rayon. Sheets actually made of bamboo, involve an incredibly chemical process and the product would most likely be really stiff and rough.
We’ve listed a few examples for each bed sheet material:
1. Cotton
California Design Den Cotton Sheets
These are a staple if you’re looking for a good set of cotton bed sheets. These sheets are crisp, like the kind you’d find at a luxurious hotel, and 100% cotton. While they do have a lower thread count of 400, this keeps the sheets cooler, and does not speak to the quality of the sheets. The way these sheets are made, by skilled artisans by hand, is more of a testament to their quality than the thread count.
They’re made with a sateen weave to give the look of luxury, and come in many different bright colors. High quality dye is used to ensure the color of the sheets stay through many washes! These sheets can be washed on a regular wash cycle, and on short dry cycles.
Pros:
- 100% cotton
- Cool to sleep in
- Ethically made
- Crisp sheets
- Deep fitted sheet
Cons:
- Colors may not be consistent
- Thin sheets
- Not soft enough for some
2. Microfiber
Utopia Bedding Microfiber Fitted Sheet
This Utopia Bedding is made of a soft brushed microfiber, making it extremely soft even after just one wash. This sheet is great for someone that has allergies, as microfiber is hypoallergenic and repels dust mites. This comes as one fitted sheet, not as a set of sheets. It’s great for thicker mattresses that may not fit into other fitted sheets, having a 15-inch pocket.
Microfiber is also known for being stain, wrinkle, and fade resistant. This sheet has even been said to get softer with each wash! It’s recommended to wash it in hot or warm water with mild detergent in order to let the microfibers expand, which allows for any dirt to come out. All in all, with its low price, this sheet is a bargain.
Pros:
- Deep pocketed sheet
- Inexpensive
- Have sturdy weight to them
- Dries quickly
- Smooth
Cons:
- Thin sheet
- Sizing may be inconsistent
AmazonBasics Microfiber Sheet Set
Since Microfiber is increasingly popular nowadays, this is another option that sells a microfiber set instead of just a fitted sheet. This is 100% polyester microfiber, making it resistant to shrinking and wrinkles. These sheets do tend to sleep cool, so if you have a warmer mattress such as memory foam and don’t like to sleep hot, this may help fix to keep you cool at night. However, they do feel more like a polished lightweight cotton with the sateen look to them, opposed to an extremely brushed material like flannel. Like most microfiber sheets, these are great if you’re looking for an economical buy! It’s recommended to wash these on machine wash cold and tumble dry on low.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Sleeps cool
- Fit thicker mattresses
- Offered in many colors & patterns
- Softer after washing
Cons:
- Can pill
- Some experienced stains from washing/drying
3. Jersey
Brielle Cotton Jersey Sheet Set
This cotton sheet set is jersey knit, making it t-shirt material. Since cotton material is on a spectrum, this single-ply yarn is a cheaper option of cotton, that is great for those looking for bed sheets that are more affordable. This material is soft combed, meaning these sheets are just as soft as your favorite t-shirt. This Jersey Sheet Set is on the thinner side, so if you get really hot at night, these may be better as summer sheets. These sheets are also not deep pocketed, so if you have a thicker mattress you should size up. It’s recommended to wash these on machine wash cold in a gentle cycle and tumble dry low, without completely drying. Remove immediately to avoid wrinkles!
Pros:
- Extremely comfy
- No pilling
- 100% cotton
- Great colors
- Don’t bunch up from movement
- Great price
- Do not shrink
Cons:
- Inconsistent sizing
- Sheets are thin
4. Bamboo
Hotel Sheets Direct Bamboo Bed Sheet Set
These Hotel Sheets Direct are made out of 100% rayon derived from bamboo. As mentioned earlier, this is much better for the environment and leaves you with much more soft and silky sheets. The bamboo in the sheets provides the ultimate softness, while the microfiber in the sheets adds durability. Same as other microfiber sheets, these are great for those looking for hypoallergenic sheets. They’re also thermo regulating, meaning they help keep you cool when it’s warm and help keep you warm when it’s cool. If you love the feeling of silky sheets, but don’t like the hefty price tag of silk sheets, then these are perfect for you! The fitted sheet is made with deep pockets, which is great for those with thicker mattresses that do not regulate heat well, and these sheets also have anti-pilling properties. It’s recommended to wash these on machine wash cool and tumble dry on low.
Pros:
- Extremely cool
- Silky feeling
- Become softer after wash
- Affordable
- Pillow cases have a fold to keep pillows in
- Very comfortable
Cons:
- Few color options
- Tend to wrinkle
5. Flannel
Pinzon Signature Velvet Flannel Sheet Set
Another 100% cotton sheet set is this Pinzon Signature Velvet Flannel Sheet Set. Different from other cotton material options, this is known for its comfy and warm properties. This set is definitely on the higher end, for those looking to invest in a good set of flannel sheets. They have a 190-gram flannel weight (weight, instead of thread count, is used to measure quality of flannel), and they are imported from Portugal! With a double-napped finish on both sides, these sheets have an ultra-velvety feel and are heavyweight. If you’re looking for a must have staple during the colder seasons, these are great quality sheets that are comparable to more expensive designer flannel sheets. It’s recommended to machine wash on cold, and tumble dry on low for the best results!
Pros:
- 100% cotton
- Heavyweight sheets
- Do not shock
- Deep cornered sheets
- Keep warm during winter
- Great price for the quality
Cons:
- Some have issue with pilling
- Produce a lot of lint at first
- Can shrink and affect sizing
As you can see, bed sheet material can great affect the overall quality of a bed sheet. With all the different weaves, thread counts, sheet weights, and textures, it can be hard to just choose a bed sheet based on its material. That’s only part of the equation!
Other Important Factors in Addition to Material
- Feeling: Now this may seem very obvious, but different bed sheet materials can take on the same feeling! Are you looking for an extremely silky sheet? Or do you want more of a crisp sheet? A silky sheet can be made out of bamboo, cotton with a sateen finish, or even microfiber! Crispy sheets are usually made out of cotton, but there are still microfiber sheets that can take on this quality.
- Look: Does the look of your bed sheets matter to you? While a jersey-knit sheet is incredibly comfy, they are definitely not most luxurious looking sheets. Is the finish of the sheet important to you? Sateen weave is very popular for those who like the silky look, but if that’s not for you there are plenty of other options.
- Price: This might be the most important factor into your purchase, as price can narrow down your options more easily. This doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality, though! There are plenty of good quality sheets for under $50 that are long lasting and durable.
While the material of your bed sheets is important, it’s not everything. Look at the other qualities of the sheets to fully make your decision. At the end of the day, the sheets that keep you relaxed and sleeping at night, are the sheets you want. And don’t settle! If you keep the packaging intact and call customer service, most sheets are returnable even after washing or using.
Also, pay close attention to the washing instructions. For a lot of sheets, it is recommended to wash on machine cold gentle, and then tumble dry low. However, some sheets do not need to be dried all the way to avoid shrinking, and other sheets need to be taken out of the dryer right away to avoid wrinkles. Your sheets are the window to your sleeping experience, so don’t be afraid to invest in them!
