10 Types of Sheets That Make for the Coziest Bed Ever
You may not sleep on a $400,000+ mattress like Drake, but there are a few things you can do to ensure a cozier, more restful sleep. Like investing in a decent—yet far from six-figure—mattress topper, pillow and, most importantly, bedding. There’s a dizzying array of options to choose from, which can give you a total case of decision paralysis: Why spend the money if you’re not sure whether you’ll like it? We get it, which is why we’re cutting through the jargon to bring you the 10 key types of sheets to consider, along with pros and cons for each, based on their breathability, softness and overall value.
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1. Bamboo
If you’re constantly kicking your leg out from under the sheets—or waking up in a puddle of sweat, no matter how low the thermostat—it might be time to switch to bamboo sheets. They’re lightweight, breathable and moisture-wicking, making them great for (cue Danny from Grease) summer niiiiiiights. They tend to feel almost silky, too. However, if you’re buying them for their eco-friendliness, it’s worth double-checking the material first—if it’s bamboo that’s been turned into a rayon or viscose blend, the fabric has gone through a process that involves using toxic chemicals, warns the FTC.
Pros:
Great airflow
Durable
Luxe feeling
Cons:
Viscose and Rayon blends aren’t so eco-friendly
Wrinkles easily
2. Cotton
Ah, the fabric of our lives—and what most of us think of first when we think of sheets. Cotton is the King of bedding, spawning several variations: the much-lauded Egyptian, aka the most luxe of the bunch; Supima, a trademarked alternative to Egyptian that’s nearly as soft and not quite as pricey; Upland, the run-of-the-mill variation that most “100 percent cotton” labels use, according to the pros at Casper; and flannel and jersey, which we’ll break out in depth separately. There are even variations on the weave, like twill (which has more of a denim-like ribbing, making it less soft but long-lasting) and percale (which tends to be more breathable).
Pros:
Gets softer with each wash
Easy to clean/care for
Moderately durable
Cons:
Can shrink in the wash
Egyptian cotton can get pricey
3. Flannel
Technically, flannel is part of the cotton family, but we’re giving it its own spot on this list because it—as the youths say—hits different. As in, the yarn has been brushed in a way that makes the fabric feel heavier and fuzzier. This makes it ideal for surviving a Game of Thrones-caliber winter; just look for a twill or plain weave for softer sheets.
Pros:
Retains warmth in cooler months
Doesn’t wrinkle easily
Cons:
Best for use in fall/winter only
Not as soft as other materials
4. Jersey Knit
It’s become a college staple for three reasons: (1) It’s affordable, (2) it’s soft and (3) it’s stretchy, meaning you don’t have to fight as hard to put on that fitted sheet. It’s also for those reasons that they could be a great fit for anyone’s bedding, at any stage of life (particularly if the thought of making your bed makes you die a little inside).
Pros:
As comfy as your favorite tee
Affordable
Cons:
Fabric starts to pill with age
Can stretch out
5. Linen
Linen sheets are the secret to that rumpled-chic look shown in home magazines and influencers’ breakfast in bed posts. They can give a rustic or boho vibe, depending on how they’re styled, but that carefree look comes at a cost: It takes several washes to get them soft, and you’ve got to be OK with wrinkles…or ironing your sheets.
Pros:
Breathable
Hypoallergenic
Cons:
Wrinkles easily
Stiff at first
6. Lyocell
Lyocell is a relative newcomer to the market, being a plant-based fabric that was first produced in Alabama 30ish years ago. It’s made largely from eucalyptus, which grows quickly, doesn’t require toxic chemicals to get its softness and it can use half as much water when its produced than cotton. On the surface, that makes it pretty eco-friendly, though some experts caution how it’s made could negate those benefits. That said, it tends not to cling to your skin, it doesn’t retain odors as easily as other fabrics and it’s cuddly soft. Tencel—another material you may see advertised on sheets—is a trademarked blend of lyocell fibers.
Pros:
Hypoallergenic
Natural sheen to fabric
Made with sustainable materials (see note above)
Cons:
Retains heat (though not as much as flannel)
7. Microfiber
When you want soft and affordable, microfiber—specifically brushed microfiber—is the way to go. It’s often made from polyester (up next on our list), nylon and/or wood pulp, and it’s revered for its velvety feel. Hot sleepers, take heed: These sheets don’t wick away moisture, so you may wake up sweaty.
Pros:
Soft, silky feel
Tends to be cheaper than comparable cotton sheets
Cons:
Tends to absorb moisture
Staticky
8. Polyester
Polyester may conjure images of cheap, cheesy clothing, but when it comes to bedding, it’s…well, still cheap (or at least, a cheaper option). And, when it’s part of a blend (like, ahem, microfiber), results in cushy bedding that doesn’t wrinkle easily.
Pros:
Affordable
Easy to care for
Cons:
Hard to remove stains
Absorbs moisture
9. Satin
When you want the sexiness of silk sheets without the price tag, turn to satin. It’s made from synthetic materials, which makes it more affordable, and it has a similarly cool, borderline-slippery feel.
Pros:
More affordable than silk
Feels cool to the touch
Causes less friction/static (which can lead to less frizzy hair)
Cons:
Texture can bother some people
10. Silk
They’re more than sleek looking (and feeling); silk sheets are also naturally hypoallergenic and cool to the touch. They’re also expensive to produce, which makes them among the pricier sheets you can buy, and keeping them clean and wrinkle-free can be pretty high maintenance. (We’re talking using special detergent for delicates, washing them in cold water and so on.)
Pros:
Luxuriously soft, slick feel
Better than silk at regulating body temperature
Cons:
Pricey
Air drying recommended
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