Silky, Stylish, Durable: These Sheets Are Practical and Sexy

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In romantic comedies and novels, silk sheets are practically a plot device. Their appearance signals a person both in control of their desires, and their needs. A person who values style, luxury, and the good things in life. If you haven’t embraced the silkier side of bedtime, consider this your invitation.

Silk bedding is touted for its otherworldly smooth texture that not only feels incredibly dreamy but also helps to reduce the friction on your skin and hair, so you wake up looking (and feeling) a little less rumpled.

Silk sheets also regulate your temperature, absorbing moisture during hot summer months, and keeping you cool and allowing your body to retain heat as the winter winds howl.

If you’re a particularly hot sleeper though, you may want to check out other types of cooling sheets. Silk is the ideal bedding material choice for those who like to sleep in a cooler room, but don't want to bulk up with a ton of layers.

The Best Silk Sheets

What to Consider

Where should one begin their search for the best silk sheets? Right here. These are the top considerations to keep in mind before you buy.

Material

Where many cotton sheets will list a thread count to indicate a material's thickness, mulberry silk sheet weights are instead measured by their momme count. However, much like with thread count, many brands now opt to leave this spec off their products — we've listed it wherever available. The range for momme count is typically from 12 to 22 momme, but the silk sheets in this guide have a weight of at least 19 momme. This means that the fabric is breathable without being too thin.

Silk is beloved for its buttery softness — however, you'll also want to keep in mind that this material tends to be a little slippery. Many reviewers find that they have to clip their pillowcases closed or use bed straps to keep their sheets in place through the night. We think this is a small concession to make for their sublime smoothness!

Laundry care

If you're investing in a set of silk sheets, you'll also want to take extra care that you wash them correctly. Because of the delicate structure of the silk strands and the material's tendency to shrink, silk sheets generally should not be machine-washed. This means, in most cases, you'll want to hand-wash these and hang them to dry.

However, some brands have designed their sheets so that they can go in the washing machine, and we've denoted those below.

Price

Because of the involved process of producing authentic silk from silkworm cocoons, the material is pretty expensive as a result. However, what's great about silk sheets is that, unlike cotton percale sheets or linen sheets, there is no "breaking in" period necessary to soften up the material. It's ready to enjoy right from the first night's sleep and will stay that way — as long as you take proper care.

In this guide, we've listed individual silk-sheet pieces along with full sets — just in case you're not quite ready to take the plunge. You can always opt for a set of silk pillowcases, too. We're also featuring a few budget-friendlier alternatives, such as satin sheets and cotton-silk blends, for a similar and just-as-enjoyable feel.

Curious to learn more? Get ready to dial up the romance with the best silk sheets.

How We Selected

In the quest for the perfect set of silk sheets, we have compared their performance to linen, flannel, cashmere sheets, from washing, to drying, to breathability, and heat retention. Many silk sheets are designed now to bring the often divergent worlds of indulgence and practicality together. We selected sheets that reflect the need for comfort, and ease of use.

In addition to spending hours researching, sleeping on, and testing sheets, we consulted recommendations from Spruce, Wirecutter, and other hundreds of real-life silk sheet lovers and haters online. We also considered silk alternatives like bamboo and microfiber sheets, both touted for their softness and affordability. Ultimately, we decided to not include bamboo or microfiber options, because of the chemicals sometimes used to produce bamboo sheets, and the environmentally harmful synthetic threads from microfiber sheets that have been shown to pollute waterways.

We also sought out a range of prices, colors, and styles. If you’ve been dreaming of drifting off to sleep on a bed of silk, we’ve got the perfect set for you, below. Sweet dreams!

19-Momme Silk Sheet Set

These 19-momme silk sheets from THXSILK are an ultra-refined foundational element for your sleep space. Crafted from Oeko Tex-certified mulberry silk with a charmeuse weave, it has 16-inch-deep pockets for accommodating high mattresses with a foam topper.

Reviewers tout their irresistibly soft and cool feel and say that these sheets are worth the cost and the extra care in laundering. As one person sums up, "All the things we were afraid of, like [the sheets being] cold and too delicate and hard to wash, were so quickly squashed! They are freaking amazing. The only drawback that I have experienced is they are slippery."

More: These Sateen Sheets Are the Next-Best Thing to Silk in Softness

19-Momme Seamless Silk Sheets Set

This complete set of 19-momme silk sheets from Lilysilk feels light and airy yet substantially insulating. They're also Oeko Tex-certified, so you can rest assured that no harmful chemicals were used in their crafting.

The four-piece durable, soft set is also 100% organic, made from the highest grade of silk, and dyed to ensure there will be no fading. The deep-pocket fit means they will fit even the deepest mattresses.

Many reviewers love the smooth feel, which enhances the sleeping experience considerably — and a few even have a few helpful pointers for getting the most out of them.

Says one person, "This sheet set has been awesome — and investing in a good set of sheet straps makes them even more enjoyable because even though they have generous pockets, it's still silk and will slowly slide off. Also, you can use a hand vacuum and gentle spot cleaning to reduce the number of full washings." These sheets are pricey to be sure, but 80% of reviewers on Amazon give them 5 out of 5 stars, saying they are “worth every penny.”

Silk Cotton Flat Sheet

Comprised of an almost-equal blend of silk and cotton, this flat sheet from Cuddledown has a soft texture that feels very similar to a set of sateen sheets. The brand also lists its matching fitted sheet and pillowcases right on the same page, so you can build your own set how you'd like.

Not only is it beautifully tailored and Oeko Tex-certified, but this flat sheet is also incredibly durable. You can machine-wash these without them getting worn and fuzzy.

Another benefit of the material’s blend is that it offers a little more breathability than pure silk does. And while they aren’t silk, they are easier to care for, and much less expensive.

As one reviewer sums up, “Best sheets I’ve ever bought. They’re extremely soft and have been great even during a stifling Florida summer.” Reviewers also say that they actually improve with time: “they get better every time I wash them!”

Satin Sheets

While satin may lack the luxe quality of silk sheets, this set from Madison Park does have the major benefit of being vegan-friendly.

Because they're so similar to silk sheets in texture, satin sheets also offer very similar benefits: They help to reduce creases on your face and in your hair as you sleep, and they also don't grip onto your clothing, so you don't have to make adjustments as often in the night. Not to mention, satin is a very inexpensive material.

Users love the gentle weight and feel of this satin sheet set and are surprised with their high-quality feel for such a cheap price. They’re also just as slick as pure silk sheets are, which is an important thing to keep in mind. One person says, “SO happy with these. They are uber-luxurious, and I feel like I’m sleeping on a cloud.”

Fitted Sheets

If you’re keen on finding a top-notch quality silk set of sheets, but you don’t want to pay an arm and a leg, this Lilysilk set is worth considering. The three-piece set comes with a deep, fitted sheet and two pillowcases suitable for standard and queen-sized pillows.

The strong elastic corners of the sheet are easy to fit onto your mattress, but they also stay put. These soft, breathable sheets are made from 100% Mulberry silk 6A grade, and are Oeko-certified to ensure their quality.

Reviewers say these “incredible” sheets are easy to care for, come in “gorgeous packaging,” and feel great, especially for those with skin issues, like pruritus (itchy skin). Others say the customer service is “excellent” if any issues arise.

Mulberry Silk Sheets

This four-piece set of 600-thread-count silk sheets is one of the softest and strongest on the market, thanks to its high-tensile strength.

And if you have ever woken up from a relaxing rest only to find the imprint of your wrinkled sheets or pillowcase on your face and body, you’ll appreciate that this set promises a crease-free sleeping experience. The fitted sheet, flat sheet, and two Queen-sized pillowcases are machine washable, rip-proof, and shrinkage-proof.

Reviewers praise the “pill-free” silky smooth even “buttery” texture, saying they’re a great option for anyone who experiences “night sweats,” and despite the high price are “definitely worth it.”

Silk Sheet Blend

If you have Champagne tastes and a beer budget, this is the set of silk sheets you’ve been waiting for! This silk, linen, and cotton blend feels like the real, 100% silk deal, but due to the blend, can be sold for a relative song. Each set comes with a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases. The sheets are easy to put on the mattress, and stay firmly in place.

You can wash and dry them in cold water, and on low, respectively. The breathable, soft sheets adjust to your body temperature, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The soft material won’t leave marks on skin or mar your careful quaff.

Reviewers love the softness of the texture, but warn that the sheets can get “slippery.” Others say they offer incredible “value,” and are “way more durable” than the alternatives.

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