Best Material for Bed Sheets | Sleep Foundation

Types of Sheets, Explained

You can find sheets made from a variety of fabrics, and each of these materials meets different needs. Certain fabrics help keep a sleeper cool, and others are made to be warm and insulating. Some materials offer a luxurious feel, while others are appealing due to their low cost. We’ll explore commonly used fabrics in sheets, detailing what type of sleepers they suit.

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Cotton

Cotton is the most common fabric used for sheets. Generally speaking, cotton has excellent breathability and moisture-wicking abilities. Additionally, cotton sheets are typically durable and easy to maintain. There is a range of both cotton types and fabric weaves, each with their own properties.

Linen

Linen is derived from the flax plant, which provides long fibers for textiles. As a result, linen is highly durable. Linen sheets offer excellent breathability and moisture-wicking abilities, making them a good choice for sleepers looking for effective temperature regulation. 

New linen sheets may be slightly coarse to the touch, but the material softens after multiple washings. Sheets made from linen wrinkle easily, though they can be ironed if you’re looking for a crisp, smooth appearance. 

Linen is a good option for those looking for an all-natural, hypoallergenic sheet with great thermal regulation. However, linen sheets tend to be pricier than sheets made with other materials.

Flannel

Flannel sheets are often soft and heavy, offering excellent heat retention. Flannel does not describe a textile’s material origin but rather a process. Creating flannel involves brushing a fabric to increase its thickness and softness, which in turn increases the fabric’s insulating properties. 

Although flannel can be made from wool, cotton, or synthetic fibers, most flannel sheets are cotton. Flannel sheets are typically reasonably priced and are a great choice for cooler months or for people who tend to sleep cold at night.  

 Polyester

The polyester used in most clothing and sheets is a synthetic material made from plastic fibers. Polyester sheets are inexpensive, machine-washable, and relatively resistant to wrinkles. 

Sheets made from polyester tend to have poor breathability and may not be ideal for those looking to sleep cool. Because polyester can trap moisture, it may feel unpleasant to some sleepers.

As with clothing, polyester is often blended with cotton to create a smoother feel and better temperature regulation than polyester on its own.

Bamboo

Sheets made from bamboo are rarely made directly from bamboo fibers. Instead, they are made from rayon, a material derived from bamboo pulp via a chemical process.

Bamboo-derived sheets are very soft and offer excellent breathability, making this sheet type a great choice for those who want to sleep cool. The sheets are also fairly durable and offer some stretch. 

Bamboo rayon sheets are usually pricier than cotton sheets. Some manufacturers may advertise their bamboo-based sheets as green or sustainable. However, shoppers should note that harsh chemicals are used to process bamboo into rayon.

Silk

Silk is a luxurious fabric that comes from the cocoons of silkworms. Silk is hypoallergenic, and the smooth feel of silk is great for sleepers who prefer extremely soft sheets as well as those with sensitive skin. In addition, silk has excellent temperature regulation and moisture-wicking capabilities.  

Silk sheets tend to be more expensive, and caring for them requires following specific instructions to prevent damaging the material. Silk should be washed on the cold delicate cycle and air dried. Even with careful maintenance, silk sheets may wear out faster than sheets made from other materials. 

Microfiber

Microfiber is a type of polyester with fine and tightly woven fibers. Microfiber may also be brushed, which lends the material a soft, velvety feel. 

Microfiber sheets tend to have an approachable price-point and are a good choice for sleepers wanting a warm and soft sleep surface. Like polyester, microfiber is wrinkle-resistant and easy to clean and maintain. 

Microfiber is not as breathable as cotton, so sleepers prone to overheating at night should consider sheets made from other materials. Microfiber sheets are also not a good option for people who value all-natural materials.

Tencel

Tencel is derived from eucalyptus trees. The material is soft, smooth, and durable. It’s also resistant to dust and bacteria. Tencel typically sleeps cool thanks to its excellent moisture-wicking properties.

What Thread Count Means

Thread count is a measure of the number of threads per square inch of fabric. Generally, a higher thread count denotes finer thread and a tighter weave, which translates to a softer and more durable sheet.  

A higher thread count may reduce breathability, as air cannot pass as easily through tightly woven fabric. In addition, some very high thread counts are a product of using double- or triple-ply threads that do not actually reflect the quality of a sheet set.

Ultimately, thread count is only one factor to consider as you shop for sheets, and this measure alone does not determine a sheet’s quality. Instead, it is important to evaluate thread count along with other elements that affect the performance of bedsheets, including the material type and weave.

Is a Higher Thread Count Better?

While noting a sheet’s thread count is important, shoppers should keep in mind that a higher thread count isn’t always better. Depending on the material, most sheets function best within a certain thread count range. 

After a certain point, extra thread count may not convey any additional benefit. For example, a thread count over 600 may not have a noticeable effect on the feel, performance, or durability of the sheets.

Shoppers should also note manufacturers who advertise sheets with thread counts over 900. Manufacturers can manipulate the definition of thread count to boost the number on the packaging. For example, while a weave with double- or triple-ply threads has two or three fibers, the manufacturer counts each thread two to three times, inflating the overall thread count. Manufacturers who employ these tactics may be selling lower-quality sheets.

What Thread Count Should You Look For?

Different materials and weaves have different ideal thread count ranges. For example, cotton sheets tend to have higher thread counts, while sheets made from linen have lower thread counts. Consider these ideal thread count ranges as you shop for sheets.

• Regular cotton: 200-400
• Egyptian cotton: 300-400
• Percale weave: 200-400
• Sateen weave: 300-600
• Twill: 200-500
• Bamboo: 300-500
• Tencel: 300-400
• Linen: 80-140 

For linen sheets, the thread count often does not correspond to quality, so many linen sheet manufacturers do not list a thread count.

Grams Per Square Meter

Certain fabrics are measured in grams per square meter, or GSM. The higher a material’s GSM, the denser or thicker a material will be. 

Flannel, for example, is often classified according to GSM. One of flannel’s primary characteristics is its warmth, and a flannel’s insulative potential will be directly related to its GSM. 

The following list provides ideal GSM ranges for sheets made from various fabrics.  

• Linen: 170-190 GSM
• Flannel: 170+ GSM
• Microfiber: 90-120 GSM
• Jersey: 150 GSM

Silk Measurements

Silk fabric is measured in the form of momme. Momme measures the weight in pounds of silk that is 100 yards long by 45 inches wide. Silk may also be measured by denier, which describes the weight of a single fiber. However, it’s not as common to come across the denier unit when shopping for silk sheets.

• Momme: Momme describes the tightness of the weave. The higher the momme, the denser and more durable the silk. Look for silk sheets in the 17 to 22 momme range.
• Denier: Denier measures the weight in grams of a single fiber of silk that is 9,000 meters long. It is not as common for manufacturers to use this measurement.

What Sheets Should You Choose?

There is no single sheet material or weave that will fit everyone’s needs. There are many types of bedsheets available on the market today, making it easy for sleepers to find a sheet that’s best for their needs.  

Most Common Best Sheets

The most common material used for sheets is cotton. A big part of cotton’s appeal is that it provides a variety of options at many different price-points. Cotton sheets can be anything from light and breathable to dense and warming. Cotton is also easy to clean and maintain.

Because of the diversity of cotton sheets, it’s important to look closely at the details when considering this type of sheet. Things like the types of cotton, weave, and thread count can provide essential information to help select the best sheets for your bed. 

Best Sheets for Hot Sleepers

Hot sleepers should seek out sheets that are light, breathable, and have moisture-wicking properties. Sheets with these properties enable airflow while pulling sweat away from the body to prevent sleepers from overheating. 

Sheets made from linen, silk, bamboo-derived rayon, and Tencel are known for their excellent breathability. Cotton sheets with a percale weave can also be airy and light. 

Sleepers looking for a fabric that has undergone less chemical processing may find silk or linen meets their needs. Silk offers great temperature regulation, and linen is known as an excellent sheet in warmer weather. However, these types of sheets often come at a higher price-point.

Best Sheets for Cold Sleepers

Cold sleepers should look for heavier sheets that will trap heat and provide a warm, cozy feel. Flannel sheets are well regarded for their warmth, and heavier cotton sheets can help retain heat. Brushed microfiber sheets can also deliver a plush feel that helps hold in body heat. 

Cold sleepers should generally avoid bamboo-derived rayon and Tencel options, as sheets made from these materials are generally designed for breathability and cooling.

 Best Luxury Sheets

Shoppers looking for luxury sheets should consider Egyptian cotton and silk. Egyptian cotton has a reputation as the highest-quality cotton and yields sheets with superior softness, durability, and breathability. 

Additionally, silk can provide an extremely smooth feel against the skin. Silk sheets are lightweight and often used during warmer months, but they can also provide year-round comfort. 

If you are the type of person who is meticulous when it comes to choosing high-quality mattresses and pillows, then good for you!

But remember, bed sheets play a significant role in your sleep quality, too, so you might want to hold that thought of skimping on bed sheets because they’re “just bed sheets.”

As we lay out the pros and cons of the most popular bedding fabrics, we hope it helps you with selecting the best sheet sets that work best for you and the environment. So if you care about our planet, you’ll want to take note of the fabrics to avoid.

Here are the most popular fabrics explained in alphabetical order. 

BAMBOO

Bamboo is usually not the first-bed sheet material that comes to mind but it’s gaining popularity for good reasons. One thing though. There are a lot of bed sheets labelled bamboo that is actually rayon – bamboo pulp that’s been chemically processed. Obviously, this isn’t good for the environment.

Our advice? Go for 100% organic bamboo sheets!

Here are general pros and cons to help you weigh your options and consider bamboo bedding:

Pros:

• Highly sustainable; uses an organic solvent to dissolve the plant pulp, allowing the water and solvent to be recovered and re-used.
• Antibacterial, hypoallergenic, thermo-regulating
• More anti-pilling, smoother than bamboo vicose,strong, resilient, lasts for a long time if proper care instructions are followed.
• Similar to Tencel, soft, smooth and strong. Doesn’t have the crisp feel of cotton.

Cons:

• Slightly more expensive than most cotton options due to the technology used to process and the absence of large-scale production.
• Can be more prone to wrinkling, due to their softness and suppleness. They also lack the “crisp” bedsheet feeling, which is a matter of personal preference.
• Slight pilling is normal for natural fibers, especially in response to friction and isn’t a fault or defect.
• It can look a little “fuzzy” after some washes.
• Most bamboo sheets are not 100% bamboo unless labelled as such.

What do you think? Do you want to lessen some of the cons and experience the awesomeness of high-quality bamboo sheets? Then go for the best and make sure to check out organic bamboo bed sheets that are made using an eco-conscious process.

COTTON

Let’s talk about the most popular bed sheet fabric – cotton. This fabric has been used for 7,000 years. It is the most widespread profitable non-food production that covers the income of about 250 million people worldwide. In fact, around half of all textiles in the world are made from cotton fibres. So, it figures why this type of fabric is the most common when it comes to bed sheets. 

Unfortunately, cotton’s current production methods are not eco-friendly— with hazardous materials and chemicals (including pesticides) that are expensive to dispose of properly. Just producing a t-shirt and a pair of jeans takes huge amounts of water. 

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Another thing to note is, the natural fibres of cotton are not made equally into sheet sets. As a result, there is a significant disparity in quality across different types. The most common attributes that will differentiate its quality are staple length and high thread count.

Generally, cotton fibres are a little more stretched and flexible than linen fibre. It’s also softer and smooth to the touch and usually costs lower than linen. In terms of care, cotton sheets can be a little easier than linen sheets. However, we do know that linen lasts longer than cotton. Cotton also tends to warm up with the body, allowing less air to move between threads, providing less breathability.

While these are the general descriptions of cotton, we shall see how it still varies per type.

1. Upland Cotton

Upland cotton comprises nearly 90% of all cotton produced around the world; the majority of standard bed sheets are made with upland cotton. 

Pros:

• Inexpensive vs. Egyptian, Pima, and Supima
• Still soft, comfortable, and breathable.

Cons:

• Made with short fibre cotton that is rougher and less durable.
• More likely to pill and become coarse over time.

Egyptian cotton is only grown and handpicked in Egypt, where the climate is best (warm and dry) to grow cotton; considered the best type of cotton fabric. 

Pros:

• Luxury, long-staple cotton, therefore the softest
• High-quality, higher thread count, strong, incredible durability
• Porous: breathable and comfortable 

Cons:

• Expensive
• Many knockoffs (cheap imitations)

Pima cotton is regular cotton but with better fibres, 50% longer fibres than usual. 

Pros:

• Not as long as Egyptian cotton, but still soft (the next choice if you can’t afford Egyptian cotton) 
• Strong, durable, flexible

Cons:

• Expensive
• Often blended with regular cotton

4. Supima® Cotton

Supima® is a trademark name for American-grown Pima cotton that highlights luxury, quality, and craftsmanship. 

Pros:

• Twice as strong as regular cotton, resilient
• Superior comfort, extra-long-staple cotton fibre, softer as time passes
• Retains colour
• Hypoallergenic, resistant to mould and dust mites

Cons:

• The most expensive

5. MicroCotton®

MicroCotton® is a trademark of fine cotton produced in India, initially developed for making towels due to its super-absorbent properties. 

Pros:

• Very soft, made with long-staple cotton, similar to Pima.
• 250% more absorbent than regular cotton.

Cons:

• More expensive than standard Upland cotton sheets.
• Very few manufacturers use it, so MicroCotton sheets are challenging to find.

FLANNEL

We’re not veering away from cotton yet as Flannel is still made from cotton fibres. It is also referred to as brushed cotton since it’s finely brushed to pull loose tiny top fibres. 

Although flannel is still cotton, it’s distinct from other cotton fabrics because flannel sheet sets are suitable for cold nights. 

Apart from wool, flannel is best known for winter as it’s made to be heavy to trap body heat more effectively, thus, keeping you warm.

The quality of flannel bed sheets is measured by their weight (ounces per square yard) and not by their thread count. 

Pros: 

• Very warm and cozy feeling
• Slight fuzziness or fleeciness to the touch, which some people find comfortable.

Cons: 

• Flannel bed sheets are likely to feel stifling for those in warm climates. 
• Won’t work for those who experience night sweats or need to fall asleep in a cool environment
• Can take a long time to clean and dry because of its thick texture.

LINEN

We’d all agree that linen shouts premium and best value for money. 

Linen sheets are made of high-quality natural fibres from flax plants that elevate them to their premium status. Its inherent charm is its rough texture with a crinkle-crushed appearance that is calming to the touch. 

True to its promise, bed linen boasts an extraordinary heat conductivity that can withstand elevated temperatures to keep you fresh and cool in warm weather and pleasantly snug in the winter. 

Pros: 

• Flax plants require less water to grow than other plants such as cotton.
• Biodegradable
• Durable/long-lasting with proper care, as flax fibers are much stronger than cotton fibers (it can be passed down through generations or up to 3 decades)
• Hypoallergenic and antimicrobial
• Breathable. Good with temperature regulation

Cons: 

• Can last many years and gets softer with time, while cotton is usually softer immediately out of the box.
  Linen feels stiff in the beginning.
• More expensive than cotton.
• Wrinkles easily.
• Softer linen sheets require higher yarn count and additional production process which drives cost higher.
• As linen get softer over time, it does so by shedding excess and unnecessary fibres after few initial washes, with little balls or pieces of lint and fluff gathering on your sheets. It’s totally normal and is part of the life cycle of linen fiber. Through a couple of right wash cycles, the shedding usually comes to an end.

If you are willing to invest in nights of good and sound sleep then linen sheets are the way to go! So if you don’t have any problem with the cost and all you’re concerned about is texture, then worry no more.

Check out Ecosa’s 100% European flax linen that is garment washed, blasted and tousled by air to speed up the softening process, creating incredibly soft linen sheets without all the roughness and grain.

POLYESTER

Enough of natural fibres for now and let’s talk about something synthetic — Polyester. It’s a man-made fabric that’s essentially petroleum-derived plastic.

You might not know it, but the same polymers found in our clothes or bed sheets are also incorporated into the manufacture of plastic bottles. 

This synthetic fibre was manufactured as a cheaper, more durable alternative to natural fabrics like cotton. Back then, the synthetic materials and plain weave of polyester were not breathable and trapped sweat against the skin.

However, thanks to fibre science, polyester fabrics are now manufactured explicitly with lots of micro-pores for superb moisture-wicking and breathability. 

Look for “moisture-wicking polyester” or “performance polyester.” These “moisture-wicking” pores of improved polyester fabrics allow perspiration to pass through the material to keep you cool and dry.

Pros:

• Hydrophobic (water-resistant), quick-drying; wicks moisture away from the skin
• Stain-resistant and wrinkle-resistant
• Durable and long-lasting
• Inexpensive

Cons:

• Not as breathable as cotton and can irritate sensitive skin.
• Neither considered sustainable or environmentally friendly (Suggestion: Look for polyester fabrics that are biodegradable or recycled)
• Synthetic materials like polyester contain many toxic chemicals embedded in them that can be bad for your health. 
• According to research, microfibers from polyester are poisoning water sources and wildlife.

SILK

True to its feel and benefits, silk is all about luxury. It’s buttery soft, light, elegant, and provides an unmatched luxurious experience with its elegance and silky feel. 

Silk’s relatively low conductivity allows heat to be retained close to the skin. On the other hand, it will generally remain cool against your skin due to its high emissivity for infrared light. 

The smoothness of silk puts less friction on your hair and skin, making it even more appealing. Who wouldn’t want that? 

Clearly, women love silk. It helps reduce rosacea, frizz, and wrinkles. It’s even suitable for those with skin asthma or with sensitive/dry/eczema-prone skin.

Pros:

• Incredibly soft, silky, and comfortable
• Prevents dust mites, antimicrobial, hypoallergenic 

Cons:

• Needs specialised treatment and care
• Stain easily, have poor resistance to water
• Prone to tears

TENCEL™

If you’re into sustainability, we’ve got good news with Tencel.

Tencel is a branded material first developed in and has been gaining attention as a cotton alternative due to its eco-friendly production. The process for creating Tencel fibre was designed to reduce environmental impact.

Tencel is made from the wood pulp of the eucalyptus tree. And while still turning out soft and comfortable like cotton, it requires less water, chemicals, and energy to produce. It’s known for its “closed-loop process,” – meaning no chemicals leak into its surrounding ecosystem.

Pros:

• Soft and cool
• Wicks moisture away from the skin
• Durable and long-lasting

Cons:

• Smoother and slicker feel, which some dislike
• Susceptible to mildew
• More expensive than 100% cotton or upland cotton

What to Choose?

These are just the most common bed sheets out there and there is a myriad of options online and in-store. But once you get to choose the best option for sustainable living and comfortable sleep, you’ll realise that it pays to make a fully informed choice more than just personal preference based on price or look. 

Isn’t it also a valuable exercise to know the materials that add value to your sleep now that consumers are becoming more attuned to what they can do to improve their sleep habits?