Select Page

The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Best High-Quality Bed Sheets

The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Best High-Quality Bed Sheets

About five years ago when I moved into my first β€œgrown-up” apartment in New York City, I was so excited to startΒ decoratingΒ andΒ organizingΒ my new home. But, if we are being honest, I was probably most excited to purchase a new (BIG) bed. As a beauty lover, I take my beauty sleep very seriously and wanted to invest in the best mattress,Β pillows, andΒ sheetsΒ that I could.Β Β 

When buying a new mattress, the best way to test them out is to go into a mattress store and jump around like a little kid until you find the perfect one. But, what about bed sheets? To my knowledge, stores don’t let you climb into a set of sheets in your PJsΒ (or birthday suit)Β to test them out. So, how are we supposed to know how toΒ pickΒ bed sheets?Β 

If you type in a simple internet search of β€œhow to buy sheets” you’ll find a lot of ads, and a lot of material and thread count options.Β Over the years, I’ve experimented with almostΒ all ofΒ the material options and thread count options in order to find my favorite. So, as the Nap Queen herself, I am here to help you out with aΒ bed sheetΒ thread count guide and explanation of the different materials to choose from for your best sleep ever.Β 

The Best Of THe Best Bed Sheet Materials

MOST DURABLE:Β MicrofiberΒ Bed Sheets

Many of theΒ bed sheetΒ optionsΒ out there are made ofΒ microfiber. According to theΒ University of WashingtonΒ Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, microfiber isΒ a polyester and nylon (polyamide) fiberΒ that is split into extremely fine fibers to make fabric. Because the fibers are so small, microfiber sheets are extremely durable while remaining relatively affordable.Β Β 

One word of warningβ€”microfiber sheets aren’t as breathable as other materials. For this reason, if you are a hot sleeper (like me) or have sensitive skin, you’ll probably want to avoid microfiber sheets.Β 

Brushed Microfiber: If you see β€œbrushed microfiber” in a product description, this simply means that both sides of the bed sheets have been β€œbrushed” for softness.Β 

BestΒ for Sensitive Skin:Β Cotton Bed SheetsΒ 

Cotton is another extremely common material when it comes toΒ bed sheets. The difference between cotton and microfiber is that microfiber is artificially manufactured into woven material while cotton has been spun into long, knit yarns. For this reason, cotton is a more breathable option for bed sheets, and great for those with sensitive skin. However, because of the makeup of cotton, these bed sheets are not necessarily as durable as microfiber sheets.Β Β 

Combed Cotton:Β Similar toΒ brushed microfiber, β€œcombed cotton” has been combed to remove small, excess fibers, resulting in durable, comfortable cotton sheets.Β 

Jersey Cotton:Β If youΒ prefer to sleep in yourΒ extra-large, beatenΒ up t-shirt from college,Β jersey bed sheets are for you.Β Jersey is basically the same materialΒ that t-shirts are made from. It is super soft andΒ flexible, andΒ is typically very affordable.Β 

Egyptian Cotton: Egyptian cotton may sound extra-fancy, but the only difference is howΒ the cottonΒ is sourced. Egyptian cotton is hand-picked (vs. picked by machines) which keeps the cotton intact, resulting in stronger, relatively softer cotton.Β 

Pima/SupimaΒ Cotton:Β Pima andΒ SupimaΒ cottonΒ isΒ similar toΒ Egyptian cotton because of the makeup of the fibers.Β Extra longΒ fibers will make up aΒ bed sheetΒ that is softer andΒ stronger, andΒ will most likely last longer than other types of cotton.Β Β 

BestΒ for Hot Sleepers:Β PercaleΒ Bed SheetsΒ 

Percale is normally produced fromΒ cotton, butΒ can also be made up of materials like bamboo-derived fibers or polyester. Percale sheets, also called β€œplain weave,” have similar feel to a crisp dress shirt.Β These sheets are lightweight and great for hot sleepers.Β 

BestΒ for LuxuriousΒ Comfort:Β SateenΒ 

Sateen is made with a β€œsatin weave” but isΒ actually madeΒ up of cotton fibers that have been treated to feel silky like satin. Because they have been treated or β€œsealed,” these sheets are more durable than cotton and will likely last longer. If you are looking for aΒ luxe, silky sleep (but don’t want to drop thousands on real satin sheets),Β sateenΒ is for you! As a beauty blogger, I must also point out that another great benefit to sleeping withΒ sateenΒ sheetsΒ and pillowcasesΒ is that it is gentle on your hair and skin.Β Β 

Best forΒ Winter Seasons:Β FlannelΒ 

If your typical bedtime uniform is your partner’s old flannel button-down, you’ll want to invest in flannel sheets for a super-comfortable sleep. Flannel sheets are great for the cold, winter months, or for those who find themselves easily getting cold at night. Flannel is extremely thick, and often brushed forΒ extraΒ softness.Β 

Best Eco-Friendly Option:Β BambooΒ 

Bamboo-derived sheets are relatively new to the bed sheetΒ scene, butΒ have become wildly popular very quickly. Companies like Buffy and Purple suggest bamboo-derived sheets for an eco-friendly option. Bamboo-derived sheets are also extremely breathable, and great for those with allergies, as it does not easily absorb allergens.Β Β 

Thread Count

Finally, let’s talk aboutΒ threadΒ count.Β There is a huge stigma that higher thread count means higher quality and better comfort. AnyΒ bed sheetΒ thread count guide will tell you that this is notΒ alwaysΒ the case. Thread count is important to consider, but higherΒ isn’tΒ always better.Β 

First, let’s defineΒ threadΒ count. According toΒ SleepFoundation.org, thread countΒ is a measure of the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabricΒ to gaugeΒ how tightly woven a fabric is.Β Β 

SleepFoundation.org suggestsΒ bed sheetsΒ with a thread count ranging from 200 to 800 for ideal comfort. Average threadΒ countΒ ranges by material: cotton (200-400);Β Egyptian cotton (300-400);Β percale (200-400);Β sateen (300-600);Β bamboo (300-500).Β 

Keep in mind that a higher thread count will usually result in a higher sticker price. For that reason, I suggest trying to stay under a thread count of 700, otherwise you’ll probably be spending way too muchΒ forΒ comfortΒ similar toΒ a smaller thread count.

Based on your particular sleeping patterns and preferences, be sure to choose the right material and thread count for you. Sweet dreams, everyone!Β 

About The Author

Kari Emerson

Kari Emerson is a NYC-based blogger and model. She is the writer and creator of The Important Things Blog, chronicling her experiences navigating life as a 20-something in New York City. Her goal is to help her readers attack β€œadulting” in a stylish and resourceful way.

Zulily Clearance

Pin It on Pinterest