Costco vs. Amazon Sheets: Here's The Budget-Bedding Winner

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As someone who writes about both home products and interior design for a living, I'm admittedly very picky about my bedding. (I mean, can you blame me? The average person spends a third of their life in bed, so there's no reason you should settle for stiff, scratchy sheets.) While I never thought I'd be writing a Costco versus Amazon sheets set review, I've quickly turned into a budget bedding believer.

Look, high-end bedding brands and direct-to-consumer disruptors are great places to start your search, but they can often cost at least $200 a set. Fortunately, thanks to big-box retailers like Amazon and Costco, it is also possible to buy bedding for under $100. Yes, even if you're shopping for king-sized sheets like me.

Signature 680 Thread Count King Sheet Set

Iconic Collection King Sheet Set

That said, "quality" and "affordability" are often at-odds with each other, so finding a great bedding bundle that only looks and feels expensive can seem as rare as...well, counting real sheep before going to bed. I was eager to find the best bang for my buck, so I spent the past two months alternating between two best-selling, budget bedding bundles: Kirkland's Signature 680 Thread Count Sheet Set and Mellanni's Iconic Collection Bedding Sheet Set. The latter brand has over 300k rave reviews on Amazon, and are a consistent crowd-pleaser.

How do the two stack up? Read on for the similarities and differences between the two, plus the factors I considered when determining which sheet set is better.

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The Sheets' Similarities and Differences

Kirkland and Mellanni's bed sheets have a lot more in common than an affordable price point and best-selling status. For starters, each set includes one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, and pillowcases. (Kirkland's set comes with four pillowcases while Mellanni's four-piece set has two.) Both bedding bundles forgo a duvet cover, but don't worry: You can shop a few of Women's Health's favorite winter comforters here. Not only are these sheets incredibly easy to clean and care for—I threw them in the laundry after I got them, followed each set's directions, and they've held up nicely in the wash since—but they're also treated with wrinkle-resistant technology to keep maintenance to a minimum. And, thanks to the deep pockets, each pick's fitted sheets can fit snugly around thick mattresses.

However, the two sets have their fair share of differences, the biggest one being the material used. Kirkland's Signature Sheet Set is made with Pima cotton, a natural fiber that claims to be inherently breathable, moisture-wicking, and hypoallergenic. Meanwhile, the Mellanni Iconic Bedding Sheet Set uses microfiber, a cotton alternative that uses synthetic materials to be moisture-wicking, breathable, and silky smooth to the touch. Another thing to consider is style. While Mellanni's sheets are available in 40 colors and patterns as well as a bevy of fits—Deep pockets! Twin XL! Options for RV mattresses!—Kirkland's offerings are limited with four colorways and four sizes.

Kirkland Sheet Set Details

Over the past few years, Costco has become a stealth spot to score excellent bargains on everyday home essentials and bizarre-yet-brilliant finds. After hearing that its marquee brand Kirkland has sheets with a cult-like following—thousands of online reviews claim they're the very best value sheets—I knew I had to treat myself to a set. With only four colors to choose from, I selected the cool gray option.

Pros:

• Thick Pima cotton fiber are both soft and sturdy

• 18-inch pockets can accommodate thicker mattresses

• Comes with four pillowcases

• A Grip-On corner technology with reinforced elastic fits snugly and securely on your mattress

Cons:

• Pricier than the Mellanni sheets

• Only available in four colors

• The tighter weave is not temperature-regulating

Mellanni Sheet Set Details

Mellanni may not be a household name yet but with over 351k ratings and a 4.5/5 stars on Amazon, they're arguably the crown jewel of the site's bedding section. When I was picking out my own sheets, I realized there were many sizes and colors to choose from. It can be overwhelming, but on the bright side, it's possible to find a sheet set that aligns with your decor aesthetic. (I ended up getting a few: white, light blue, and the gray pinstripe seen in the photos.)

Pros:

• Microfiber material feels silky

• Sheets are built to be shrink-, fade-, and pill-resistant

• Depending on the size, you can snag a set for under $50

• Available in 40 colors and patterns

Cons:

• These sheets are very thin and may be more susceptible to wear and tear over time

• The thin elastic around the fitted sheet may loosen over time. (While I haven't experienced this yet, I have with nearly every other fitted sheet with a thin, elastic band so I think it's only a matter of time!)

• Some reviewers note that unless you purchase the extra-deep sheets, the pockets might be too shallow. (That said, my mattress is 12 inches thick and I thought the standard sheets fit just fine.)
  

How the Sheets Feel

Thread count used to be the strongest indicator of comfort and quality but over the years, experts and discerning shoppers agree that the caliber of fiber matters more. While Kirkland and Mellanni's sheets are both pretty cozy, the materials featured in each set plays a major role into the overall feel.

Take the Kirkland sheets, which are made with a Pima Cotton that somehow manage to deliver the crispness of your favorite percale bedding and the softness of flannel. When I took this set out of its packaging, I was amazed by how nice they felt. These sheets didn't feel flimsy or cheap: They felt thick and sturdy. Expensive. (Honestly, if I didn't know any better, I would assume they were some fancy bedding brand.) Don't just take my word for it: Even my husband, who isn't as bedding-obsessed as I am, noted that they felt really soft and was even surprised they came from Costco of all places.

My only qualm about these sheets is that they felt a little too insulating over night. I typically run warm when I sleep, and noticed that I would wake up feeling hotter and clammier than normal. A small frustration that could easily be solved by ditching my clunky comforter, though.

I had the exact opposite problem with Mellanni's sheet set. The microfiber material used here is lightweight, breathable, and temperature-regulating. While I didn't necessarily wake up feeling cold, I didn't start my mornings in a pool of sweat, either. (I felt fine/normal, which is a win in my book.) The material felt silky smooth against my skin, similar to my favorite cooling bedding. The one drawback was that these sheets are pretty thin: I didn't notice any rips in my sheets after washing, but I wonder how they'll hold up long-term.

How the Sheets Fit on My Bed

When it comes to finding sheets that fit your bed, most people will buy bedding that corresponds to the size of your mattress. However, Kirkland's sheets had some small, thoughtful details to ensure the perfect fit. For starters, orientation labels on the fitted sheet streamline the mere act of making your bed. But perhaps the best part was the Grip-On corner fit technology. The reinforced elastic along the corners keeps the fitted sheet snug and in-place all night long. (So many of my fitted sheets' elastic bands have gotten loose over time, so the extra insurance is a godsend.)

As for Mellanni's sheets? They fit fine. While I've had no problems with the standard size pockets, several reviewers claim the corners are too shallow for what their mattress. Like most of the sheets in my linen closet, the fitted sheet's elastic band is pretty thin. It's been fine so far, but I do wonder if this elastic will loosen over time like all my other sheets. Picking up some sheet suspenders can help remedy a loose elastic band, but it's still something to consider when buying the sheets from Amazon.

The Final Verdict

If you're looking for a solid pair of sheets under $100, you can't go wrong with either set. Both sheets are incredibly smooth to the touch and are easy to care for. That said, if you want to buy just one set of sheets that will last you for years, go for the Kirkland option. The tighter weave and thicker material are soft yet substantial, which makes me think they hold up better over time. (Translation: They might cost more upfront, but that cost-per-sleep is going to go way down.) I also loved the reinforced elastic at each corner, which really keeps the fitted sheet in place without the use of sleep suspenders.

Kirkland's sheets are certainly worth the hype, but they're not perfect. Not only is this set available in limited colors, but anyone who runs warm when they sleep might find themselves a little toasty come morning. Should ample colorways or cooling technology be a priority, Mellanni's microfiber sheets are a great option. Though these sheets are thinner than their Costco counterpart—and might be a little more susceptible to wear and tear long-term—you can buy two of them for about the same price as a Kirkland bundle. This is perfect for those who want to try out some punchy colors and patterns, or who simply want to have a backup on hand.

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