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Ready to sleep comfortably again? We tested over 55 of the best sheets available today to bring you this selection of the top 14 sets on the market. We first tested subcategories, from Egyptian cotton and microfiber to bamboo and flannel, and even those made specifically to keep you cool. From those contenders, we identified the best of the bunch. Not only did we sleep on every set, we also tested them up against red wine spills, copious dog fur, and on blazing hot and bitterly cold nights. Leaving no sheet unturned, we laundered them repeatedly and scrutinized every stitch. No matter where you live, how you like to sleep, or your budget, we identify the best ones for you.
Editor's Note: We updated our sheets review on June 13, 2023, to ensure our lineup is current and to share our thoughts on which products offer the best value.
It's a tall order, asking bedding to work in every season for every person, but if any set can do it, it's the Brooklinen Luxe Core 480. This 100% cotton set has something to offer everyone. It's crisp enough to keep its shape and look perfectly pressed every morning while still soft enough to feel like you're slipping into your favorite t-shirt each night. The 480 thread count is maximized by a sateen weave, combining incredible smoothness and comfort with impressive breathability that keeps you cool when it's hot and cozy when it's cold. The fitted piece stays put impressively well on mattresses of varying thicknesses, while the envelope pillowcases easily contain all puffiness of pillows. Between their exceptionally attractive modern patterns, an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification, and their supreme comfort, you too will want to work from home so you never have to get out of bed again.
If your mattress is exceptionally thick, these 15 inch deep pockets may not stay put. However, due to some very careful stitching and completely rounded corners, it came very close to covering our 18-inch mattress. If you're searching for a specific bright color to match your bedroom decor, you're out of luck, as the Luxe Core comes in all neutral tones — though we think they complement just about every space. And if you tend to eat in bed, you may want to get a darker color, as it took 6 full washes to remove a red wine stain from the white pinstripe set we tested. That said, at the end of the day, we think this set breathes exceptionally well, feels fantastic, and has something to offer just about everyone.
Perhaps you're here in search of good quality bedding that's comfortable and breathable, but you don't need the added expense of luxury. Don't worry; we've got you, and so do the supremely soft Pizuna Linens 400. This 100% cotton set still has a smooth, sateen weave with a pleasant 400 thread count that doesn't let you down, even if you prefer to sleep sans pajamas. We had no issues with them slipping around in the middle of the night and appreciate their breathability when it's truly hot. Though it may sound a bit odd, we found it easy to forget about these even while laying in them, further proving their worth as a set that won't take away from the comfort of your mattress. They also manage to retain a pretty perfect level of crispness that keeps them looking fairly fresh even after sleeping in them. Neat seams add to the durable nature of the cotton fabric, upping their value as a low-cost-high-reward item.
We have very few complaints about the Pizuna Linens 400. Our few gripes stem only from their comparison to bedding of vastly different materials. They're not as silky smooth as bamboo, nor quite as ridiculously breathable as linen. They require more care than microfiber and aren't quite as durable or soft as Egyptian cotton. But for what they are, we're pleased with this set. However, if you have an overly thick mattress, these 15 inch deep pockets may not quite do the trick. And if you're set on envelope-style pillowcases, these are just standard. But if you're after a good quality set of cotton coverings that feel good without reaching astronomical prices, the Pizuna Linens are here for you.
Thread Count: 400 Weave Type: Sateen Pillowcase Style: Standard
Health & Sustainability Rating: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
A balance of crispness and softness, this Pizuna set is also a great value.
Can't compete with the breathability of natural fiber
Microfiber is a great choice for saving some dough and finding your favorite color. We put over 15 microfiber sets to the test, and the Danjor Linens Hotel Luxury Soft 1800 are our favorite of the bunch. Defying the typical micro-felt-feel despised by microfiber's harshest critics, these impress us with their delicate softness that continues to improve with every wash. Microfiber definitely isn't known for its breathability on sweltering summer evenings, but these are one of the few microfiber contenders that didn't end up a sweaty mess by morning. They drape and wrap with ease, providing a solid level of temperature regulation and a serious level of snuggle-ability. And while, like most microfiber sets, these are thinner than most, it's easy to see the obvious care that goes into every stitch — and their impressively low price tag isn't a bad bet either.
Though microfiber can never really compete for breathability with the best natural-fiber fabrics out there like linen, cotton, and bamboo, these do a pretty good job for a fraction of the cost. Still, they're not without their faults; we feel their elastic could be thicker and stronger to better hold the mattress of all-night tossers. And though they're smooth compared to other microfiber options, up against the silkiness of a sateen weave bamboo or Egyptian cotton, they're less impressive. However, they're one of the only microfiber sets we actually wanted to keep on our beds when the testing period was over. And with prices a fifth or even an eighth of the cost of some other sets in this review, there's a lot to love about this set from Danjor Linens.
Attractive design with modern functionality (duvet cover instead of flat sheet)
REASONS TO AVOID
Construction could be beefier
Extremely limited color choices (just white or white & grey)
If you've heard all the hubbub about bamboo and are dying to find out what the fuss is about, the Wooflinen 6-Piece Duvet Set exemplifies everything we love about being swathed in bamboo. This 300 thread count sateen weave set sleeps like being cradled in a cool cloud. Skipping the flat sheet for a duvet cover instead is high on the list of hip happenings in the modern world of bedding. Though we were skeptical of how well this would work on a hot night, the Wooflinen boggled our minds by how breathable and fantastic this combo can be. But don't worry, if you're not sold, you can still get a flat sheet for this set. Not only does this set prove itself to be lovable by both hot and cold sleepers, but it's also impressively resistant to the hazards of everyday existence, from reclined red wine in bed to canine cuddles. And their OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification provides peace of mind even for sleepers with sensitive skin.
As much as we adore sliding into this soft, supple set, they're not totally perfect. Bamboo fabric, by its very nature, is less durable than sturdier choices like linen or cotton. We also feel that the Wooflinen seams could be a bit beefier to bolster the innate snagability of this sateen weave. Yet we didn't have any durability issues during our extensive testing process. While we're big fans of the bicolored charcoal/chalk set we tested, if you're craving color — or any other look, really — no other options currently exist. And if you hate wrinkly bedding, you're unlikely to be satisfied with bamboo — though this is one of the least wrinkly bamboo sets we tested. Bottom line, if you're ready to upgrade your sleep experience to the silky softness of bamboo, we wholeheartedly recommend this modern bedding set from Wooflinen.
A high thread count isn't everything (more on that later), and the Pure Parima Luxury 400 is proof of that. Despite having “just” a 400 thread count, this set perfectly exhibits what's really important in cotton bedding: using only extra-long staple fibers to create a fine-spun yarn that results in a stronger weave. And while many manufacturers claim their bedding is Egyptian cotton, this is the only set we tested that's actually certified by the Egyptian Cotton Association (CEA). That claims to ensure this set is genetically tested Giza cotton grown exclusively in the Nile River Valley. This super smooth, gloriously luxurious set is crazy comfortable and an absolute joy to sleep in even on the hottest nights. With careful attention to detail, it fits perfectly even on thicker mattresses. The sateen weave makes the tan set we tested appear almost gold, further enhancing the illusion of sleeping in a bed made up for royalty.
This magnificence also comes with an extravagant price tag — this is one of the most expensive sets we tested. Much like a custom-made costume, these require careful laundering and maintenance, perhaps entering the realm of being high maintenance. They can be ironed but must be done on a low, cotton setting with care. We managed to inflict an accidental burn mark on a pillowcase due to an overlapped seam beneath the section we were ironing. However, with the right care, this classy, comfortable set of Egyptian cotton is the real deal and sure to last for years of some of the most comfortable sleep of your life.
Many of us turn to flannel to stay warmer in the winter, and the best all-around flannel bedding set we tested is the Eddie Bauer Premium Cotton Flannel Collection. These comfy linens provide a middle ground of warmth, comfort, and breathability that proves itself pleasant to sleep in for a range of sleeping preferences. They're just heavy enough to be effective on cold midwinter nights without being so thick that you'll sweat through them. Both cold and hot sleepers found happiness snuggled in this set. They're soft and fuzzy but not so fluffy that they have the common flannel issue of clinging horribly to your clothing. Though we clearly didn't spend a decade sleeping in them, this set stands out from all the rest as one of the only ones to have numerous online testimonials proclaiming they can indeed last for many years. Our durability testing and inspection of their construction and materials lead us to believe this is possible, with their shockingly low level of pilling (particularly for flannel, which is renowned for pilling) and careful, clever construction, including diagonal corner pockets for a better fit. They also come in an astonishing array of patterns and fun prints that's sure to have something to offer just about every decor.
But if you want super plush, ultra-fluffy flannel, the Eddie Bauer set probably won't be quite velvety enough for you. One of the reasons we love these is because they're not overly extreme and therefore are more adaptable to a wider range of climates and sleeping preferences. But if you do want those thick, fleecy flannels, there are better options for your bed — check out the Bare Home Double Brushed set, further down this list, or our flannel-specific article instead. The Eddie Bauer Premium flat sheet and pillowcases do have a tendency to accumulate some hem creases through repeat launderings, but they are not nearly as wrinkly as others. If you're on the hunt for good quality flannel bedding to get you through the winter, we're big fans of the fit, feel, and wide appeal of this superb set.
GSM (Grams per Square Meter): 170 Weave Type: Flannel Pillowcase Style: Standard
Health & Sustainability Rating: None
The brushed surface of these flannels from Eddie Bauer help keep you warm on cold nights without overheating.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
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Why Trust GearLab
This review involved researching scores of the best options available on the market today and choosing numerous subcategories to test as well. In total, we actually purchased and tested over 55 individual sets to bring you this selection of the best products available. We slept in every single one but didn't stop there. We poured wine on them, cuddled dogs in them, and laundered them all repeatedly. We sweated in them and sniffed them (yes, really), held them up to fans, and changed bedding enough times to put a B&B to shame. We scrutinized every seam, hem, and detail and scoured the internet for recurring complaints about every set. By testing these side-by-side, we strive to offer you the most technical, unbiased, and comprehensive series of sheet reviews we can muster.
Our sheets testing is divided across five different metrics:
Skin Feel (30% of overall score weighting)
Temperature Control (30% weighting)
Utility (20% weighting)
Ease of Cleaning (10% weighting)
Durability (10% weighting)
This in-depth review is the culmination of extensive testing by two of our Senior Review Editors, Maggie Nichols and Aaron Rice. Maggie and Aaron both live in the high desert (Nevada and New Mexico, respectively) and thus appreciate the value of bedding that can handle both scorching hot nights and frigid, snowy winters. They have been working from home on their laptops for years, spending even more than the average third of their lives sandwiched in between covers — and a significant portion of it awake. They each have backgrounds in scientific research and significant experience testing home goods and other products, making them the perfect candidates to put many of the most popular sets on the market through GearLab's notoriously rigorous testing process.
Mmm... a tough day in the life of product testing...
Analysis and Test Results
Most of us spend at least 8 hours a day lying in bed, hopefully sleeping. That equates to around a third of your life that you spend between the blankets, so when it comes to choosing them, there's a lot at stake. We thoroughly tested every set that came across our beds, using a multitude of tests and comparisons across five separate metrics to give a complete picture of each set. If that's not enough, we actually broke down every subcategory of bedding and tested the best in each category before pulling the best from each to add to this overall review. We've gone out of our way to bring you some of the best when it comes to bedding. To get into the nitty-gritty of our five metrics and see which sets we recommend for specific uses, keep reading.
Testing sheets had us staying in bed all day - and we're not complaining.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
What's the Best Value?
Value can go several ways. Perhaps you just want an inexpensive, comfortable set of sheets. In that case, we'd point you towards the microfiber Danjor Linens Hotel Luxury set. If microfiber isn't your bag, the slightly pricier cotton Pizuna Linens 400 set is a great set. Both are standouts for their affordable prices and soft feel. However, given all the time you spend in your sheets, a good value to you might mean you spend a little more up front, but end up with a high-quality set that lasts for years and offers great performance. In that case, it could be worth it to drop the money on our favorite set, the cotton and crisp-yet-soft Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheets.
Skin Feel
If you utterly despise how your bedding feels to the touch, no amount of breathability or washing will change the fact that you can't get a good night's rest in them. For this reason, skin feel is the most important feature we considered. Each product faced a side-by-side evaluation to find even the most minute differences between the feeling of the fabrics. We examined various attributes, including softness, slipperiness, suppleness, and texture. Considering everyone wears different attire to bed, we slept and moved in each set in PJs and in the buff to test clinginess and gauge mass appeal.
Lies You've Been Told About Thread Count
It's one of those things we've all heard, but most of us can't quite remember where - that a higher thread count equals a nicer, better sheet. While there is some truth to this, there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding thread count.
First, thread count (TC) is an actual, measurable number, combining the number of horizontal threads and vertical warp yarns in a square inch. Though it sounds straightforward, there are many ways in which manufacturers manipulate their products to be able to report higher thread counts. This “creative calculating” includes things like twisting multiple threads together before weaving to bolster the numbers. Unfortunately, this negates some of the properties of single threads that make the ending fabric attractive in the first place, including softness and absorbency.
Listing a “thread count” is a common practice for many types of bedding anymore, but it's most useful for cotton sets. However, even for 100% cotton options, you don't necessarily want the highest thread count you can find. Too many threads packed into a square inch may give a smoother finish but can also lessen the softness you feel against your skin as well as the wicking and breathability properties of the cotton fibers. The type of weave used also makes a big difference, as they combine threads in different patterns that allow for different spacing. In general, a good, high quality thread count for cotton is 200-300 for plain/percale weave and 300-600 for sateen weave.
Confusingly, microfiber and flannel are measured in GSM (grams per square meter). This metric is a weight, NOT a count of fibers used, but is often incorrectly advertised as “thread count.” Because microfiber weights are often very high numbers (around 1500-1800), consumers tend to believe that the microfiber options in question are “better than cotton.” Which, after reading this, you now know isn't necessarily true. In contrast, flannel is loosely woven to allow the ends of fibers to poke out, creating its classically soft, fuzzy feeling that helps to trap air and keep you warm. These sets have much lower GSM (typically from 130-200), which may make them also appear “inferior” to the high thread counts of other sets. They're not inferior at all but rather constructed differently to serve a different purpose — keeping you warm.
If your idea of the best skin feel includes adjectives like “smooth” and “silky,” then you're sure to love the glamorous feel of the bamboo BAMPURE Organic. This set, above all others, was most frequently described by testers as “luxurious.” They do fall a bit on the slippery end of the spectrum, but if that's what you're into, they feel great over your nighty or on your bare skin. Not far behind are the bamboo Wooflinen and Egyptian cotton Pure Parima Luxury 400. While these two are slightly less silken, they're still absurdly satiny, and we appreciate that they're not as slippery as the BAMPURE.
The BAMPURE bring a whole lot of silken luxury to your bedroom.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
For a skin feel that's best described as “comfortable” or “pleasantly smooth” rather than silky, the Brooklinen Luxe Core 480 is our absolute favorite of the bunch. This 100% cotton set is a smooth sateen weave that's just the right balance of smooth and silky without feeling as though you might slide off the bed or lose your blanket halfway through the night. They're crisp yet relaxed, and our top choice for mass appeal, providing a skin feel that has something to offer almost every kind of sleeper no matter the season. If you're after a cozy set of flannels, we're big fans of the Eddie Bauer Premium set, which breaks in easily and is hard not to be comfortable in. For an upgraded flannel feeling, the Bare Home Double Brushed feels thick and velvety and makes us want to keep hitting the snooze button to stay wrapped up for just a little bit longer.
The easy comfort of the cotton Brooklinen Luxe Core set makes us never want to get out of bed again.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
If your ideal bedding is defined as “familiar” or “feels like it's already worn in,” the Pizuna Linens 400 and CGK Unlimited Pure Cotton (both 100% long-staple cotton) are likely to be in your wheelhouse. Both sets evoke the feeling that your bed is wearing your favorite soft cotton t-shirt. Nice. And, though linen isn't everyone's cup of tea, if you love the grainy texture of woven flax, the DAPU is an excellent option. This set is stone washed, yet softens up readily.
Step 1: find the perfect bedding. Step 2: work from home. Step 3: stay in bed all day.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
Temperature Control
When climbing into your bed, the first thing you notice about your sheets is the skin feel of the fabric, but, the next step is staying comfy all night long. Whether that be a long, cold winter eve or a muggy summer night with three fans on, the ability to not wake up in a pool of sweat or spend all night shivering under your blankets is key. So our testing included sweltering nights, cool mornings, fans, and plenty of sweat.
Choose Your Fabric Wisely
As you've probably noticed, you have the option to cover your bed with all kinds of different fabrics. So what, you may ask, is the difference between them all? Let us break it down for you.
Microfiber is synthetic and made of polyester - a type of plastic. It's less breathable than natural fabrics but is often stronger. This allows thinner fabric construction, thus allowing greater air flow through the fabric to cool you off. It's also reasonably pill-resistant and typically costs much less than natural fabrics. Beware though, as it doesn't wick sweat away very well and is one of the warmest fabrics out there. This is likely a better choice for cool sleepers, or those who live in colder climates.
Cotton is a natural material woven from, you guessed it, cotton. Some use long-staple or extra-long staple fibers, which translates into a softer and more durable material. Cotton is naturally wicking and breathable with lower thread counts and more durability than rayon fabrics. Egyptian cotton bedding is made from cotton sourced from Egypt. However, claims of Egyptian cotton aren't well-regulated, nor is it necessarily “better” than cotton sourced from other areas. In general, longer-staple cotton makes for a better sheet in terms of feel and durability, no matter where it hails from. By weaving cotton loosely, and often brushing or double brushing the fabric to encourage fibers to poke out, comfortable flannel fabric is created. (This same technique can also be used to create flannel from wool or even synthetic fibers, but most commonly flannel bedding is made of cotton because of its breathability).
Bamboo is turned into material that can be woven into fabric by an extensive chemical process that extracts cellulose from the plant (this same process is used to make any woody plant into fabric, including eucalyptus and soy). Any fabric made this way is called rayon, and there are three ways to make bamboo rayon as outlined in our bamboo bedding review. Everything we tested was viscose (the least environmentally friendly manufacturing process). This fabric is more absorbent and breathable than cotton and also lighter weight, but it is less durable and very prone to wrinkling.
Linen is woven from flax. It's well-known for being some of the most breathable, durable fabric you can put on your bed. However, it also has a characteristic rougher feel than just about every other option out there. It will soften the more you wash it, but the texture remains. They require less laundering than most other types but wrinkle rather easily when you do. If you want cool, breathable bedding on a hot night, linen is great, though it is expensive. If you want a silky smooth feel, linen is not for you.
Across the board, natural fabrics outperform synthetics when it comes to breathability. Noticeably, the cotton Brooklinen, Egyptian cotton Pure Parima, and the linen DAPU all do exceedingly well in this regard. Both cotton and linen are excellent moisture-wicking options, and all four of these are superb choices for a hot summertime bed set. The bamboo Wooflinen goes a step further. Not only is the fabric exceptionally wicking and quick-drying, but this modern set also ditches the flat sheet for a duvet cover. For those of us who like sleeping with weight but can't quite make it happen in the heat of summer, the Wooflinen 6-Piece Duvet Set is truly a dream come true.
It's hard to beat the breathability of linen.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
Though slightly less impressive, the bamboo BAMPURE and cotton Pizuna Linens 400 are also quite adept at keeping you cooler on hot nights. If your heart is set on microfiber, know that these polyester (aka plastic) pieces can never approach the breathability of natural fabrics, and you may have to sacrifice your comforter on the warmest nights. However, the PeachSkinSheets Night Sweats do a pretty decent job, with very thin components that are best facilitated by the use of a good fan. They breathe far better than we expected from any microfiber set. And just because you're searching for flannel to get you through the winter, that doesn't have to mean you'll sweat it out when spring rolls around. The Eddie Bauer Premium set proved itself to be warm and cozy without being stifling as temperatures rose.
Skip the flat sheet and go straight to a duvet cover with the Wooflinen Duvet Set.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
Utility
Covers that won't stay put, pool in the middle, pop off in the middle of the night, or let your pillows escape while you sleep are annoying to use and can disrupt your rest. We compared each set on a standard queen mattress, taking note of pocket depths, sheet overhang for tucking in, elasticity, and their effectiveness at pillow containment. We took meticulous notes while putting them on, after sleeping in them, and comparing them side-by-side. We also took into consideration versatility by looking at the available sizes, patterns, and colors each set can be purchased in.
Before Buying Your Bedding
You probably know what size your bed is - California King, Twin, etc. But do you know how thick your mattress is? Believe it or not, this measurement varies wildly from bed to bed and makes a HUGE impact on how well your fitted sheet, well, fits. In bedding, this measurement is referred to as pocket depth. To figure out what pocket depth you need, measure the thickness of your mattress and add 1-3 inches. If you forgo this step, you may end up with a fitted sheet that is too deep and puddles in the middle of your mattress, or one that is too shallow and pops off the corners every night.
Among the best-fitting sets we tested are the Brooklinen and Pure Parima. These sets have carefully designed corners and deep envelopes on their pillowcases, with all pieces perfectly sized to fit and stay in place. We love them because they stay put no matter how much you may thrash around, and they subsequently look better even after sequential nights sleeping in them. That's a lot to ask of any sheet set, and these sets happily deliver it. Also notable for its ability to stay put is flannel bedding. Because of the fluffy fabric, they more easily grip onto mattresses and mattress covers without riding up or pooling. Both the Eddie Bauer Premium Cotton Flannel and Bare Home Double Brushed (as well as nearly all of the other flannels we tested) stay put quite well.
The extra-deep envelope pockets of the Brooklinen make them some of our favorite pillowcases.
Credit: Aaron Rice
When it comes to colors and looks, the microfiber Mellanni Brushed 1800 takes the cake, coming in a whopping 43 different colors! The PeachSkinSheets Night Sweats, Eddie Bauer Premium Cotton Flannel, California Design Den 400, and Pizuna Linens 400 all have over 20 possible colors, which is nothing to snuff at. On the other hand, the Brooklinen and Wooflinen both come in very limited colors and patterns that are all black/grey/white, yet we love how classic they look and appreciate their simple ability to complement just about any bedroom decor.
The Eddie Bauer flannels come in over two dozen patterns and fun prints that can be fit into just about any winter bedroom decor.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
Ease of Cleaning
The fabric your sheets are constructed from dictates their ease of cleaning. Every single sheet set we tested comes with its own specific cleaning directions (and we strongly encourage you to follow them). During our testing period, we followed those directions precisely, but no matter how we had to clean them, each set was laundered repeatedly. All the while, we took note of which directions were the easiest to follow and which ones felt like a chore. But we didn't stop there; every single test subject was the victim of a big red wine stain and plenty of pet hair to help inform us which can handle late-night snack habits and non-human bedfellows. We also noted which ones collect odors easily and which would become obnoxiously wrinkly.
Save Those Tags!
The wide array of possible fabrics you could choose to cover your bed with also comes with an equally vast range of care instructions. If you choose not to follow the specific instructions to launder your bed linens, you could be directly contributing to their untimely demise.
Microfiber typically is the most forgiving. Because it's a type of plastic, it's more easily washed in variable temperatures of water, less likely to stain, and the least wrinkly even after sitting folded in your closet for months. Cotton almost always needs to be washed cold and can usually be hand-pressed straight out of the dryer to be relatively wrinkle-free.
Bamboo requires a fairly specific washing and drying regimen. It also is quite wrinkle-prone, no matter how quickly you rescue it from the dryer, and sometimes can't be ironed (it depends on the specific set). Linen softens the more you wash it, but is picky about how you may do so. It's best when line-dried but is also fairly wrinkle-prone.
No matter what type(s) you decide to purchase, we strongly recommend that you keep the tags on and follow their directions to a T to prolong their life and get the most out of your sheets.
Without a doubt, microfiber bedding is the simplest to launder, remove stains from, and keep wrinkle-free. The microfiber options in our tests reflect this, and the Danjor Linens Hotel Luxury Soft 1800, PeachSkinSheets Night Sweats, and Mellanni Brushed 1800 lead the pack. These sets are naturally stain and wrinkle-resistant and very tolerant of being forgotten in the dryer or folded for months in the closet.
Microfiber bedding is some of the most forgiving and easiest bedding to clean.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
The cotton Brooklinen Luxe Core are also fairly simple to clean. Though cotton is a bit pickier when it comes to temperature and wrinkling than microfiber, this set proved easy to hand press onto the bed when removed from the dryer immediately. While every set of linen and bamboo bedding we tested were far more wrinkle-happy than other fabrics, the Wooflinen Duvet Set stands out as being less wrinkly than their competitors. However, some see wrinkles as a part of the undone charm of linen, and if you're not picky, you may not even feel compelled to break out the iron.
Even after sleeping in them, the Brooklinen retain excellent shape and structure simply by hand-pressing them.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
Durability
While no set of bedding can withstand your toenails for an eternity, some are better suited to the task than others. Once again, there are certain trends associated with fabric fibers that appeared during our testing. Linen and cotton are some of the most durable fabrics we encountered. Microfiber can be more resistant to pilling, but is also often thinner than many others, and may wear through quicker. Bamboo isn't particularly known for its longevity when assembled with a thin weave, as many of our tested sets were, but again we found there were some exceptions to these general rules. We also scrutinized hems, seams, buttons, and elastic bands on every set of sheets, comparing brands. We did our best to simulate years of sleeping in an abbreviated time span, but to be thorough, we also combed the internet for recurring complaints about each set to see what potential weak spots they may have in the long haul.
Which Is The Most Environmentally Friendly Choice?
Unfortunately, the textile-manufacturing industry isn't known for its environmentally friendly practices. With a few glowing exceptions, most fabrics require at least some resource-guzzling or the introduction of toxic chemicals into the environment - or the fabric itself. Fortunately, there are a few growing third-party certifications that can help you monitor and support business practices you agree with.
One thing to look for is an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification. This certification means that the end product you're putting on your bed has been tested for trace amounts of residual, harmful chemicals and passed the test. You can be pretty certain that products with this certification are safe to put against your skin.
However, the Standard 100 certification doesn't cover any part of the manufacturing process. To take it one step further, the OEKO-TEX MADE IN GREEN certification ensures that not only does the product meet the Standard 100 qualifications for safety, but that the manufacturing process is sustainable, done in environmentally friendly facilities, and utilizes socially responsible working conditions.
The microfiber Danjor Linens Hotel Luxury Soft 1800 is impressively durable, with solidly woven polyester fibers and clean construction. Not far behind are the linen DAPU, which also scored well in our durability category.
Though it may demand ironing from time to time, linen is one of the most durable options out there.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
Bedding made from long-staple or extra-long-staple cotton also offers quality longevity. The Brooklinen and Pizuna both fall into this category. These sets go above and beyond in the quality of their designs and builds, giving us confidence in their longevity. The Pure Parima are made from extra-long-staple cotton, adding even more to our already-strong conviction that they're built to last. Though flannel is usually prone to pilling and wearing holes because of its looser weave, the Eddie Bauer Premium set impressed us with its durable construction and numerous testimonials from users proclaiming the years they've been using the same set.
Whether you share your bed with a human or a dog, or sleep solo, we've found the perfect set of sheets to match your sleep style and decor.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
Conclusion
Sheets are a personal matter, and everyone has their own preferences. We get it. Finding the perfect set of bedding that feels great, keeps you comfortable, and is going to be around for a while is a tough job — made even tougher when attempting to figure it all out from your computer at home. Unlike other reviews that only compare manufacturer specifications and statistics or rely solely on the feedback of single-sheet-set users who lack options for comparison, here at GearLab, we strive to go several steps above and beyond in everything we do. By buying and testing every single set side-by-side, we're here to present you with as unbiased an assessment as possible. No matter what you look for in your sleeping experience, we'll help you find the sheet that will get you there. Sweet dreams!
