The Softest Sheets for Your Bed (original) (raw)

1

Overall Softest

The Company Store Legends Hotel Supima Cotton Sheet Set

Now 25% Off

Credit: Good Housekeeping/Danielle Daly

Pros

• High-quality cotton material
• Top rated for softness and comfort
• Available in a variety of colors and sizes

Cons

• Some pilling in Lab tests

Material: Cotton sateen | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, plus deep pocket options | Colors: 16 options

These hotel-quality sheets are both super soft and substantial, thanks in part to their Supima cotton fabric: The fibers are longer and more uniform than traditional cotton, making the fabric smoother and more durable. Though they're somewhat pricey, you can expect these to hold up longer than other low-cost alternatives.

Another highlight is that they're available in an excellent assortment, including deep-pocket options for taller beds and a wide range of colors. In our Textiles Lab tests, they proved to be strong and had only slight shrinkage, though they did show some pilling after the fabric was repeatedly rubbed together.

TESTER NOTES: The material aced all of our softness evaluations, including a blind comparison in our Lab and at-home sleep tests. In fact, all of our sleep testers gave it perfect scores for softness and comfort. "I liked the silky and smooth texture of the sheets; they were extremely comfortable," said one tester. "It also felt like the perfect thickness." Beyond that, users highlighted how the fitted sheet stayed put on the bed and how the construction helped keep them at a comfortable temperature.

RELATED: Best Hotel Sheets for Your Most Luxurious Sleep Yet, Tested by Experts

2

Softest Value

Bedsure Rayon Sheets

Pros

• Smooth and pill-resistant
• High comfort ratings
• Testers said they felt luxurious

Cons

• Some testers noticed a fabric odor when new
• Despite being derived from bamboo, the material is made from chemical processing

Material: Rayon | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King | Colors: 29 options

If you're looking to spend under $100 on soft sheets, this set is your best bet. Comfy sets can be pricey, especially when they're made with premium cotton fibers, but these sheets from Bedsure are silky soft without costing a fortune. They're also fairly light, making them a good choice for hot sleepers compared to thick and tightly-woven cotton sheets. They also proved to be pill resistant in our Lab's durability tests.

The fabric is made of rayon, a type of fiber that's manufactured from a plant source but gets chemically processed into a soft material. Just note that although it's promoted as being derived from bamboo, there is no bamboo left in the finished fabric and this material is not considered eco-friendly.

TESTER NOTES: All our at-home testers said it was comfortable to sleep on, while our in-Lab testers rated it highly for softness in a blind comparison. Although they're inexpensive, testers had no idea: "They remind me of sheets you would see on a bed at a nice hotel," one said, while another added, "I like the luxurious texture." Some testers noticed a fabric odor when the sheets were new.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

3

Softest Microfiber

Mellanni Iconic Collection Microfiber Sheet Set

Now 31% Off

Credit: Good Housekeeping/Danielle Daly

Pros

• Popular among Amazon shoppers and our testers
• Held up well to washing
• Generously sized for tall mattresses

Cons

• May feel a bit warm for hot sleepers

Material: Polyester microfiber | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, RV/Short Queen, Queen, King, California King, Split King, plus extra-deep pocket options | Colors: Over 40 options

These microfiber polyester sheets feel buttery soft and cost a fraction of the price of others. And because polyester is durable, these were shrink- and pill-resistant in our evaluations. Not only were they impressive in our Lab's tests (and winners of Good Housekeeping's most recent Bedding Awards), but they're also best-sellers on Amazon with over 340,000 reviews and an average 4.4-star rating.

The fitted sheets are generously sized with a 16-inch depth to fit tall mattresses, plus they come in an extra-deep 21-inch version. There are also plenty of sizes and a ton of colors and prints so you can find the perfect set for your bedroom.

TESTER NOTES: Our panel loved how soft the fabric felt in a blind comparison, and sleep testers unanimously gave them high softness ratings. "These have maintained their smooth feel with time and use," said one tester. "Compared to other microfiber sheets I’ve owned, these are much smoother. They’re also the softest sheets I’ve owned." Some testers found these sheets to sleep a bit warm, but that wasn't a unanimous complaint and can be expected for most microfiber sheets.

4

Softest Cooling

SlumberCloud Performance Sheet Set

Credit: Good Housekeeping/Danielle Daly

Pros

• Perfect scores for softness and overall comfort
• Innovative temperature-regulating technology
• Pill-resistant in durability evaluations

Cons

• Some shrinkage in our wash tests

Material: Lyocell/viscose blend | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King | Colors: 4 options

Sometimes the sheets made to feel softest (e.g., flannel or brushed microfiber) can make you feel warmer. This cooling sheet set is unique because it uses a technical rayon blend of Tencel lyocell and Outlast viscose that stores and releases body heat to help keep you at a comfortable temperature all night long.

Besides having a temperature-regulating effect, these sheets also have an exceptionally soft feel. Beyond that, the fabric held up to our pilling tests, though it did shrink somewhat in the wash.

TESTER NOTES: Not only did our reviewers give the sheets perfect scores for softness and comfort, but they also unanimously said they felt the cooling effect throughout the night. One tester noted that the sheets dried quickly, even when she got in bed with wet hair. She added, "I liked that the sheets did not feel damp when my body temperature increased under the blankets. Other sheets start to feel dewy, but these did not accumulate moisture."

RELATED: Best Cooling Sheets for Hot Sleepers

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

5

Softest for Couples

Sijo TempTune Cotton Sheet Set

Pros

• Temperature-regulation appeals to hot and cool sleepers alike
• Secure fit on mattress
• Top marks for comfort

Cons

• Delicate care instructions

Material: Cotton/lyocell blend | Sizes: Full, Queen, King, California King | Colors: 4 options

This set stands out for its unique construction. For starters, its fabric is a blend of Supima cotton and lyocell (a type of rayon), giving it a soft, substantial and breathable feel all in one. It also has temperature-regulating capabilities and a sturdy band on the fitted sheet to keep it in place on the mattress. As a result, it's ideal for sleeping partners, especially those who have different temperature preferences as well as restless sleepers who may undo tucked sheets from tossing and turning. It's also a great option to use on adjustable mattresses.

The fabric proved to be both strong and pill-resistant in our Lab's tests. Just keep in mind that the delicate care instructions call for machine washing with cold water on the gentle cycle with no bleach, which was an issue for some of our testers.

TESTER NOTES: It earned high scores across the board from our sleep testers, especially in areas like ease of making the bed, softness, comfort and temperature regulation. "These sheets are life-changing for me," said a tester, who noted that despite her husband's movements, "The bed linens hardly look like the bed was used when we wake up in the morning." She also added, "I am in the life stage of experiencing hot flashes regularly. I occasionally wake up with night sweats. This has not happened since we started using these sheets."

Aside from our testers, we also noticed similar sentiments from online reviewers. "I bought these recently because I wanted a pair of versatile sheets that could be used in all seasons that also work for both my partner and I who have very different sleeping temperatures," one user wrote.

RELATED: Have an Adjustable Bed? You’re Missing Out If You Don’t Have These Sheets

6

Softest Percale

Pottery Barn Italian 400-Thread-Count Percale Sheet Set

Pros

• Rated softer than other percale sets
• Perfect comfort ratings from testers
• Offers a smooth yet crisp feel

Cons

• Expensive
• Only available in white

**Material: Cotton percale | Sizes: Full, Queen, King, California King | Colors: White

A perfect balance of soft and crisp, these percale sheets have a simple yet more high-end construction than other soft varieties. Pottery Barn describes them as having "the crisp structure of a button-down shirt combined with a smooth, cool-to-the-touch feel," and our testers agreed.

The fabric was strong and had a perfect pilling resistance score, meaning it stayed smooth even after 1,000 rubs in our pilling machine. Just note that they're only available in white (no colors), which may be limiting to some shoppers.

TESTER NOTES: These sheets earned much higher softness ratings than other percale options we've tested, and one at-home reviewer told us, "These feel silkier than other percale sheets I use. They're a good option for people who like percale, but wish it were softer." Another noted, "They felt very luxurious. I liked the smooth crispness to them." Overall, it earned perfect comfort and overall satisfaction scores from our sleep testers.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

7

Softest Breathable

Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set

Now 15% Off

Credit: Good Housekeeping/Danielle Daly

Pros

• Strong fabric
• Users consistently said it feels breathable
• Earned the Good Housekeeping Seal

Cons

• Not quite as soft as others

Material: Cotton sateen | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King | Colors: 12 options, plus seasonal colors available

Soft and sturdy sheets made of cotton often get their comfortable feel from a tight weave, but this can make the sheets feel less breathable. Our testers praised this sateen sheet set from Brooklinen for feeling both smooth and breathable, making it a great choice for those who prefer a more traditional bed sheet fabric.

The material was also durable in our Lab's fabric strength, pilling and laundering evaluations. It's a personal favorite of many GH editors and Lab analysts, plus it earned the Good Housekeeping Seal, meaning it's covered by our limited warranty.

TESTER NOTES: Testers consistently described them as "soft" and "smooth" in their feedback. The overall softness scores in a blind comparison test weren't quite as high as other options in this article, but testers still enjoyed the feel of the fabric. "They’re a nice breathable option that didn’t leave me or my husband feeling sweaty at night and didn’t cause us to overheat," added a tester. "The color is beautiful, and they have a nice sheen that I enjoy — they look amazing on my bed! "

RELATED: Best Sateen Sheets, Tested and Reviewed by Experts

8

Softest Silky

West Elm Silky Tencel Sheet Set

Credit: Good Housekeeping/Mike Garten

Pros

• Smooth and drapey
• Lightweight and moisture-wicking
• Sustainably sourced

Cons

• Some shrinkage in the wash

Material: Tencel lyocell | Sizes: Full, Queen, King, California King | Colors: 10 options

This set's fabric is lightweight, drapey and incredibly smooth. It's made of Tencel lyocell, a type of rayon fiber that's popular for its softness and sustainable practices — especially compared to other rayon options that are marketed as greener than they actually are.

Even though it's light and breathable, this fabric was strong and pill-resistant in our Lab's durability tests. It showed no signs of pilling, even after the fabric was rubbed 1,000 times in our specialized machine. It did shrink a bit in the wash, but not as much as most other rayon sheets in our tests.

TESTER NOTES: "I really enjoy that the silkiness of the sheets makes my bed feel more lush," one tester told us. Another added, "I really liked how soft and silky they were. I also felt like they looked very luxurious. They were very pleasant and my skin glided across the sheets." Several reviewers noted that these were softer than other sheets they'd previously owned and highlighted the cool feel.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

9

Softest Linen

Cultiver Linen Sheet Set With Pillowcases

Pros

• Unique process for added softness
• Crisp and airy
• Made from natural fibers

Cons

• Expensive
• Linen isn't for those who prefer smooth sheets

Material: Linen | Sizes: Twin, Queen, King, California King | Colors: 15 options

Linen sheets have a reputation for feeling rough because of their unique texture, but these sheets use a special pre-washing process that creates a soft, lived-in feel. In fact, they earned much higher softness ratings than every other set of linen sheets we've tested.

They also held up well to laundering with barely any shrinkage. Other durability scores were average, including fabric strength and pilling resistance, but were on par for linen. They did have more of a wrinkled appearance than other sheets, but again, that's normal for linen. And though linen is pricey, you can request a free swatch from Cultiver to feel it before you buy.

TESTER NOTES: Our reviewers loved the softness, but they also praised these sheets for being lightweight and breathable. In fact, one reviewer told us, "These sheets surprised me!" Another added, "The fabric seems to be of good quality and I like the color choices."

RELATED: The Best Linen Sheets, Tested by Experts

10

Softest Silk

PROMEED 23 Momme 100% Silk Sheets

Pros

• Smooth feel
• Machine washable
• Silk is naturally temperature-regulating

Cons

• Expensive
• May feel too slippery to some users

Material: 23 momme silk | Sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King | Colors: 7 options

Genuine silk sheets are expensive, but they feel luxuriously smooth and have natural temperature-regulating properties. These sheets earned perfect softness ratings from at-home sleep testers and still cost less than other 100% silk sets we've tested. And if you don't want to commit to the whole set, you can buy individual pieces from the brand, including a single silk pillowcase.

In our tests, they also washed well in a machine with hardly any shrinkage, which is a huge feat for silk fabrics. The fabric proved to be strong, which is typical for silk. Just note that silk has a very distinct feel, and may feel too slippery for some.

TESTER NOTES: Besides loving its softness, testers also appreciated how beautiful the fabric looked on their beds. One told us, "They feel smooth and are more comfortable than the cotton ones I was using," while another added that they've held up well to weekly laundering.

RELATED: The Best Silk Sheets to Buy for Your Most Luxurious Bed Ever

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

How we test sheets

All bed sheets are evaluated by experts in the Textiles Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute and consumer testers to get the most comprehensive feedback. Each one is reviewed for the following:

• Softness: This important feature can be scored in two ways: a blind comparison where dozens of consumer testers feel and rate each fabric (which occurs after laundering to remove any leftover finishes from production) and during at-home sleep testing with our reviewers.

Emma Seymour

• Washability: We launder each sheet multiple times, according to its care label. It gets scored multiple times on both shrinkage and appearance after laundering. This also lets us know if the soft feel will stay after repeated washes.
• Wrinkle resistance: When the sheet comes out of the dryer, it's taken to our specialized room with standard lighting where we visually assess it for wrinkles, according to industry standards.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Grace Wu

• Fabric strength : We use a specialized machine called an Instron (pictured) that pulls swatches of fabric until they break. The machine records how much force is needed to break the swatch.
• Pilling resistance: Our abrasion machine rubs swatches together in order to mimic tossing and turning as well as regular wear and tear. We score signs of pilling against textile industry visual standards.
• Other factors: Depending on the type of sheet, we also check measurements to see how well the sheets fit onto a mattress and consider any specifications, from cooling to organic claims.

What is the comfiest material for sheets?

Whether it's the fiber or the construction of the fabric, there are several ways to achieve an ultra-soft feel in sheets. Here are the materials to look out for:

**✔️ Sateen: This is a smooth weave most typically found in 100% cotton sheets. It's soft because the yarn in one direction floats over several yarns in the opposite direction, making it feel smoother than a basic, grid-like percale weave. Our testers tend to prefer the sateen feel for its softness.

**✔️ Flannel: The surface of flannel fabric is brushed so it traps air to keep you warm, but that process also makes it feel extra soft and cozy. Flannel is typically made of cotton, though it can also be polyester.

**✔️ Microfiber: These sheets are made of super-thin polyester fibers for a buttery-smooth feel. They may not feel as natural and luxurious as cotton sheets, but they’re usually much less expensive.

**✔️ Rayon: This fiber is regenerated cellulose, meaning it's made from natural raw materials that get chemically processed into a semi-synthetic fiber. It feels silky smooth and incredibly soft. Variations of rayon include viscose, lyocell and modal, but be wary of any that claim to be bamboo, eucalyptus or another tree fiber: This may be a sign of misleading marketing.

**✔️ Jersey: Most sheets are woven, but jersey is a knit that results in sheets feeling stretchy like a T-shirt. You can find jersey sheets made of any materials — like cotton, polyester or blends — but they typically aren't as durable in our tests.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

What thread count is best for soft sheets?

Actually, thread count isn't very important when it comes to soft sheets, especially when the fabric isn't 100% cotton. Thread count tells you the number of yarns per square inch of fabric, and it used to be a sign that soft, fine yarns were used. Now it's easy for manufacturers to inflate the number as a marketing gimmick, so it's better for consumers to focus on the materials outlined above.

That being said, when it's a 100% cotton woven sheet (like percale or sateen), a higher thread count can sometimes make sheets softer. The sweet spot, according to our testing, is usually in the 300 to 500 range.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Lexie Sachs is the executive director of strategy & operations the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has been reviewing sheets for over a decade. In fact, during this time she has rigorously tested more than 200 sets. Sachs incorporates Lab test results, consumer feedback and her own expert analysis before recommending sheets to readers. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Fiber Science from Cornell University and more than 15 years of experience in the textiles industry, including merchandising and product development for home products.

Lexie Sachs (she/her) is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute and a lead reviewer of products in the bedding, travel, lifestyle, home furnishings and apparel spaces. She has over 15 years of experience in the consumer products industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. Lexie serves as an expert source both within Good Housekeeping and other media outlets, regularly appearing on national broadcast TV segments. Prior to joining GH in 2013, Lexie worked in merchandising and product development in the fashion and home industries.