If you hate the look of wrinkled or crumpled bedding, you may not like these. Available sizes: Limited edition prints are available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king sets. These sheets are expensive, but thats because theyre made of high-quality long-staple cotton, which means they should last you many years if you care for them properly. If youd like to feel the fabric before you purchase, you can order swatches in any color. We suspect that they will become less plush over time, but that probably wont happen until after many years of use. Flaws but not dealbreakers: Some people find L.L.Beans percale set rough. Almost all of the picks from our cotton sheet guide now hold that certificationthe L.L.Bean 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets, the Riley Percale Sheet Set, the Cuddledown 400 Thread Count Cotton Sateen Bedding set, and the budget Threshold 400 Thread Count Performance Sheet Set. Flaws but not dealbreakers: Threshold sets in dorm sizes sell out very quickly each year. Many of our favorite sheets now come in California king sets: our favorite percale cotton sheets and budget sateen sheets, the L.L.Bean 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set and the Threshold Performance 400 Thread Count Sheet Set; our upgrade percale and sateen picks, the Riley Percale Sheet Set and the Cuddledown 400 Thread Count Sateen Sheet Set; our favorite flannel sheets, the L.L.Bean Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheet Set; and our favorite summer sheets and budget linen sets, the Cultiver Linen Sheets and the Pottery Barn Belgian Linen Sheets and West Elm Belgian Flax Linen Sheets. At 72 by 84 inches, a California king is slightly narrower and longer than a standard king (which measures 76 by 80 inches). Microfiber sheets tend to be pretty affordable, but washing that fabric contributes to polluting lakes and oceans with synthetic threads. Weve also heard fewer complaints about the fabric wearing thin prematurely. The sharp prints change every few months and suit a range of styles. Flaws but not dealbreakers: In our tests, these sheets shed more lint than other sets. If you fall in love with a sheet set that doesnt come in a California king size, check the dimensions of the king sheets before you buy. You have one year to return them if theyre not right for you. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. This set is one of the softest we tried, its sold by the piece, and it comes in a wider range of colors and prints. Flaws but not dealbreakers: Like any linen sheets, these wrinkle very easily (although not worse than other sets we tried). *At the time of publishing, the price was $60. She sews many of her own clothes, which has made her obsessive about high-quality fabricswhether in a dress or bedsheets. Weve found that some standard king sheets will fit a California king, but most wont. The detail adds to the luxurious feel of these sheets. Supersoft, well-made, and reasonably priced, these flannel sheets will keep most people toasty and happy on cold winter nights. Flaws but not dealbreakers: Pet hair, lint, and other fibers tend to stick to the fabric, but the sheets clean up nicely. Available in twin, full, queen, and king, and offered in eight neutral colors. We dont recommend spending a lot on dorm sheets because youll use them for only a year or two. Weve also recommended the coordinating Brooklinen Classic Duvet Cover for years, if you want to match your whole bed. Linen sheets will always look more rumpled than cotton options. We do, however, recommend several sets that are Oeko-Tex certified, which means they should be free of potentially harmful substances such as heavy metals, formaldehyde, and plasticizers. Why we like them: Everyone should own at least a couple of sets of soft, breathable cotton sheets, and L.L.Beans 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets and Wrinkle Guards 400 Thread Count Sateen Sheets have been our favorites for since 2014 (read more in our guide to the best cotton sheets). Because theyre made of sateen, the fabric is very smooth with a nice drape. Why we like them: One of our favorite cotton sheets for summer, the Brooklinen Classic Core Sheet Set, comes in a rotating selection of modern prints. They also feature some of the richest colors weve seen. Flaws but not dealbreakers: Senior staff writer Jackie Reeve has tested several sets over the past four years, and washes them constantly; they hold up beautifully, but over time they dont soften up as much as the L.L.Bean sheets. Available sizes: L.L.Bean percale set comes in twin, full, queen, king, and California king. These sets might be a better choice for people with extremely sensitive skin. Our favorite affordable cotton sheets are available in one size that will fit a dorm bed, and they come in an assortment of solids and prints. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. The L.L.Bean Ultrasoft flannel sheets have a soft, plush texture, but they dont cling to the skin like some other flannel sheets. The Threshold Performance sheets arent quite as nice as our favorite percale and sateen sets, but in our tests they performed better than sets four times the price. But all percale feels a little textured; if you prefer supersmooth fabric, get a sateen set. As we report in our guide to the best linen sheets, this fabric tends to be slightly scratchy, but the Cultiver set was softer than others we tried. She previously edited cookbooks and craft books for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, and she started reviewing kitchen gear back in 2013. If youre searching for the best Egyptian-cotton sheets, youre probably looking for the wrong thing. Keep in mind, though, that organic cotton wont necessarily make a better sheet (we explain more about this topic in our sheets buying guide). And if you prefer smooth sateen, plush flannel, or airy linen, we have other recommendations to help you get a great nights sleep. But, dont wait to buy a print you likethe popular ones seem to sell out fast. If youre committed to organic growing practices, seeking out organic cotton sheets can be worthwhile. Lyocell, another type of rayon often branded as Tencel, seems promising because its less environmentally impactful, but sheets made from that fiber tend to be more expensive than cotton. Theyre available in twin, full, queen, king, and California king, and in nine neutral colors. If youre confused in the bedding aisle, this guide will help you choose the best year-round sheets for your bed. We think that both sets make a solid base layer for dressing your bed year-round. If you like a cool, crisp feel to your bedsheets, these are comfortable, very breathable, and reasonably priced. The options range from timeless classics like pinstripes and window panes to some truly abstract wonders. These have a similar drape and softness to the JCPenney Home sateen sheets but feel even more luxurious, lightweight, and airy. The Joy (and Anxiety) of Sleeping on $2,000 Sheets, Made of breathable and cool 100 percent pima cotton thats Oeko-Tex certified, All percale feels a bit textured, may feel rough to some people, Hold up over time and become softer with more washes. These sheets are the smoothest percale set weve ever triedthey feel like a perfectly crisp button-down. Wrinkle Guard sateen comes in full, queen, king, and split king. Should You Spring for Egyptian-Cotton Sheets? In the end, all of our experts recommended sheets made from cotton or linen anyway, so weve decided to pass on testing these other sheeting fabrics. We independently review everything we recommend. Heres how (and why) to do that. The embroidered-hem finish on the JCPenney Home sheets is nearly identical to that on the more expensive Cuddledown sheets. But we do recommend getting 100% cotton sheets over jersey knit or microfiber, which are hot to sleep on and also shed harmful fibers when you wash them. Learn more. After considering dozens of linen sheet sets, and sleeping on seven sets on our own beds, were confident Cultivers Linen Sheets are the best. The cotton fibers in the L.L.Bean sheets absorbed well, keeping moisture off the skin and giving the sheets the classic cool feeling that percale is known for. To find the best sheets, weve washed, dried, stretched, rubbed, and slept on dozens of sets, and we think most people will be happy with the L.L.Bean 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set. To get a great set of sheets, thread count matters. They feel nicer than sets twice the price and wear exceptionally well. The sheets themselves are thinner (and lighter) than our top percale sheet pick from L.L.Bean, and they feel crisp and airy to sleep between. So dont wait to buy these. We particularly recommend them for cool temperatures, or if youre partial to very soft fabrics. The L.L.Bean sheets wrinkle a little more than our sateen picks but no more than any of the other top-ranking percale sets that we tried. Weve reviewed our picks and continue to stand by them. Some Wirecutter staffers have used these sheets for years and rave about them. Brooklinens prints are far more modern than L.L.Beans, though, and the company told me it changes out the designs quarterly. Weve tried more than a dozen sets since 2016, for our guide to the best flannel sheets, and the L.L.Bean set consistently ranks among the plushest while never feeling clingy. Heres what you need to know about good-quality sheets. L.L.Beans percale set feels cool and crisp, reminiscent of boutique hotel bedding, making it ideal for warmer temperatures. Cultivers sizing is more limited than other brands. After spending 13 hours researching the many different types of alternative sheeting fabrics, we think that most people are better off sticking with cotton or linen. Crisp and cool, these percale sheets feel lovely against the skin. The seams are securely stitched, which we think will help these sheets stand up to years of use and washing. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). Why we like them: Targets Threshold 400 Thread Count Performance sheet set has been the budget pick in our guide to cotton sheets for years, and the Twin/Twin XL sizes should fit a dorm bed. *At the time of publishing, the price was $202. Here's what we recommend. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. These sheets drape as nicely as sets four times the price, and feel soft and durable. Were commonly asked about sheets made from bamboo (viscose rayon), microfiber, and other alternative fibers. Also, Cultiver doesnt offer a warranty, and its return policy is pretty standard: The company will accept only unused, unwashed, and unmarked sheets within 30 days of your receiving them. This article was edited by Daniela Gorny and Christine Ryan. If you like a cool, crisp feel to your bedsheets, these are comfortable, very breathable, and reasonably priced. Why we like them: We didnt find a perfect set of linen sheets (many suffer durability issues), but for their softness and wide range of colors and prints, we recommend Cultiver Linen Sheets. Target also offers a one-year return policy for these sheets if they dont work out. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. Most experts say you should wash sheets once a week. This set also receives fewer owner reviews complaining about the sheets wearing thin. *At the time of publishing, the price was $134. They were originally under the Royal Velvet brand, then JCP Home, and now simply Wrinkle Guard, but weve tested them all, and they are all the same sheets with the same high quality. Some years theyve disappeared so rapidly that we couldnt recommend them, and we suggested the now-discontinued Heartland Homegrown sheets from Bed Bath & Beyond instead. Why we like them: If you prefer the feel of flannel, we dont think you can beat the performance and price of L.L.Beans Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheet Set. We tested three of the most expensive sheets sets availableranging from $1,000 to $2,000to see how they compared with the cotton sheets we already recommend. The Wrinkle Guard sateen set (rebranded from the JCP Home Wrinkle Guard set in 2020) has a silkier, heavier texture that makes it a little warmer; the sheets are nearly wrinkle-free. Cultivers fabric was in the midrange for weight/thickness. The only complaints we have about the Wrinkle Guard sheets are some mild static cling when folding them, and the fact that this set has been rebranded three times since we first recommended them in 2014. Available sizes: twin, queen, king, and California king sets; twin, queen, king, and California king fitted sheets; one-size queen/king flat sheet. The Threshold Performance set has a nice three-layered edging detail on the hem of the pillowcases and the flat sheet. Why we like them: Many of the cheaper sets we tested for our cotton sheets guide felt scratchy or cheap, but not the Threshold Performance 400 Thread Count Sheet Set. Its thin enough to see a hand through the fabric, but it feels more substantial than the West Elm or Pottery Barn linen sets. Our favorite durable-but-not-too-expensive bedding, accessories, kitchen gear, and tools for your dorm room. Dont wait to buy them, thoughthey sell out fast. Weve tested some organic cotton sheets, but none of them beat our favorite sets. But its not the main criterion you should usethe quality of the cotton and the yarns matters more. Christine Cyr Clisset is a deputy editor overseeing home coverage for Wirecutter. Our favorite flannel sheets, the L.L.Bean Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheet Set, will warm up any bed this winter. If you prefer soft and smooth, drapey sheets that resist wrinkling, this set feels luxurious and is better than sets twice the price. Available sizes: twin/twin XL, full, queen, king, California king. These sheets just get softer with each wash, they keep their color, and over years of testing theyve endured all the wear and tear we can think of to put them through. These sheets are made with a percale weave, a cool, breathable type of cotton weave that feels light and crisp against skin. And these are the best affordable, all-cotton sheets weve ever tried. Weve highlighted some of our favorite prints and patterns among the tried-and-true sheets we love. Theyre Oeko-Tex certified, and theyre made with long-staple cotton that gives them a smooth feel and enough strength to endure years of washing. Theyre also about 60 percent more expensive. We've spent more than 625 hours over six years researching and testing cotton sheets. Subscribe now for unlimited access. L.L.Bean Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheet Set, L.L.Bean 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set, Breathable, soft cotton in percale or sateen: Best cotton sheets, For summer, or hot sleepers: Best linen sheets, For a splash of pattern and color: Best printed sheets, Budget sheets for kids or for guest rooms: Best bedsheets for under $50, For a cozy winter bed: Best flannel sheets, The best sheets for a California king bed, Dont get alternative fibers: Bamboo and microfiber sheets, 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets, Wrinkle Guards 400 Thread Count Sateen Sheets, Targets Threshold 400 Thread Count Performance, Target Threshold 400 Thread Count Performance Sheet Set, Threshold Performance 400 Thread Count Sheet Set, L.L.Beans Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheet Set, Cuddledown 400 Thread Count Sateen Sheet Set, L.L.Bean 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets, Cuddledown 400 Thread Count Cotton Sateen Bedding, Threshold 400 Thread Count Performance Sheet Set, serious health problems for factory workers, How Often You Should Wash Your Sheets (And How to Get Them Really Clean). Bamboo viscose can feel very soft against the skin, but its produced with a solvent that can cause air and water pollution (and cause serious health problems for factory workers). These sateen sheets from Target are almost as soft, durable, and wrinkle resistant as sets weve tried that cost four times the price. Available sizes: twin, full, queen, king, and California king.