Editors Agree: These Incredibly Soft Sheets Will Put You To Sleep

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We're well into winter, and that means you've probably already busted out the warmest, coziest sheets you own. But spring is on the horizon, and that means it’s almost time to switch out your best cold-weather bedding for something crisper and cooler. Whatever the season, though, the one thing we all look for in every piece of bedding is maximum softness. If you don’t already own a buttery soft sheet set, don’t worry. With the help of some serious experts, we're here to help.

There’s no shortage of ultra-cozy sheet fibers and fabrics to choose from. From all-natural options like organic cotton and super-stretchy jersey knit to blended-fabric flannels and buttery soft microfiber, the possibilities are enough to make you dizzy. There’s no one perfectly softest sheet set. It’s all about finding the one that feels best for you. That's why we chatted with Deborah Young, owner of TheTextileExpert.com and Clinical Assistant Professor of Textiles at Arizona State University, to find out what makes sheets soft, what are the softest sheets, and how you can find your "perfect soft."

Softness is "difficult to quantify," says Young. "What makes [sheets] soft is a number of things: High thread count, good fiber, and finish. Those are the three different places that softness can come from." In general, "the longer the fiber, the softer it’s going to be. That’s why the polys and the models and the bamboos are really taking over the market because they’re longer fibers and so they’re inherently soft.” So which is right for you?

Over the last six months, our snooze-obsessed editors and writers researched and personally tested dozens of top-ranked and best-selling bedding, from cotton sheets to silk sheets to bamboo sheets. We wanted to find the absolute softest sheets worthy of our favorite hotels (and our hard-earned money). We compared the look, fabrics, machine-washability, price, durability, and, of course, how amazing (or not) they felt to sleep on for hours. These are our top 10 picks for the softest sheets worth buying in 2024.

Luxe Sateen Hardcore Sheet Bundle

Not gonna lie: We're obsessed with everything Brooklinen. It never disappoints. The Luxe Sateen Hardcore Sheet Bundle is no exception. It's made from 480-thread-count, long-staple cotton that uses a one-yarn-under, three-yarn-over weave. Translation: More exposed thread surface for luxurious, buttery-soft sheets. The sateen is tightly woven to keep you toasty warm in fall and winter yet breathable enough to use year-round.

"These sheets are amazing! They're literally the best thing I've ever put on my bed," said one of our editors. Several on our panel agreed that these feel like the sort of sheets we'd expect from a luxury hotel like the Four Seasons. We loved that the included duvet cover makes this a true all-in-one set, too, so there's really nothing more to buy. It's also made with ties at all four corners to keep it secure. Washing was a breeze with no noticeable shrinkage. Plus, when it's time to make the bed, the fitted sheets include "Short" and "Long" tags to indicate which side of the sheet is which. Easy-peasy.

At nearly $270 (on sale), this set isn't cheap. But the quality is among the best we tested in 2024. Add to that a great color selection, thoughtful design details, an included duvet cover, and the fact that these are some of the year's softest sheets, and we think it's well worth the price.

400-Thread-Count Organic Percale Sheet Set

If you're looking to upgrade from the absolute cheapest sheets you can find but aren't quite ready to "splash out" on a $200 set, Pottery Barn has you covered. Its 400-Thread-Count Organic Percale Sheet Set is almost as soft as our favorite premium picks at roughly half the price. The 400 thread count feels great against the skin, and the available muted colorways look and feel more luxurious than the surprisingly affordable price tag lets on.

"These feel like five-star hotel sheets," said one of our happy testers. Our team agreed that they're a great combination of crisp, soft, and smooth—perfect for all-season use because they don't run too hot or too cold. The brushed organic cotton has a premium feel (no surprise, given the Pottery Barn branding), which we unanimously agreed felt great against the skin. They're perfect for cozying up under, especially on cool fall nights. The high-quality percale construction also made for reliable, stress-free washings with almost no shrinkage, fading, or pilling.

Don't let the midrange price tag (around $130 for a queen-sized set) fool you. These are a clear step up from some of our favorite budget or value picks. They're also a solid option for anyone shopping with sustainability in mind, as they're certified organic and made in a Fair Trade Certified factory.

Queen Sheets Set Iconic Collection Bedding

If you're not cool with dropping $300 on a set of luxuriously soft sheets, we get it. The good news is you don't have to. Mellanni's catalog includes plenty of budget-friendly bedding, like its Iconic Bedding Collection Sheets Set. It's an affordable microfiber set that's non-scratchy and gets even softer with every night's sleep. Plus, these sheets are wrinkle-, fade-, and stain-resistant, making them a great option for households with kids, pets, or both.

Our team didn't know what to expect from this sub-$50 sheet set. But we were pleasantly surprised to find them incredibly soft, even by microfiber standards. Despite the synthetic construction, they're actually moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating, too, so we never found ourselves too hot or too cold. "I could totally use these in summer and winter," said one of our testers. They're also available in more than three dozen colorways, more than any of the other softest sheet candidates in this year's roundup. So you'll have no problem finding a look that matches your bedroom decor.

It's hard to find anything to complain about with a solid set of sheets for under $50, especially one that's routinely available on Amazon for under $40. They're also insanely well-reviewed, with more than 350,000 (!) overwhelmingly positive reviews at the time of this writing. Seriously, did we mention that a queen set is around $38?

Read more: Best Sheets on Amazon

Legends Hotel Premium Smooth Supima Sheet Set

We're big fans of The Company Store, and its bedding is no exception. The Legends Hotel Premium Smooth Supima Sheet Set is our pick for this year's softest all-cotton sheets. It's a premium option (with a premium price tag to match), but the upside is a Supima cotton construction—a more durable and overall better cotton fabric. Plus, with over a dozen basic colors (from plain white to olive green to royal blue), it's easy to coordinate with your existing decor.

In our months-long test, we couldn't find anything to dislike about these sheets. They're among the best we tested and the softest all-cotton option, in particular. The fabric feels more substantial and luxurious than many of the sheet sets we tested this year but without the slippery feeling of some other fine cotton sheets. It also held up extremely well, wash after wash, with only minor shrinkage and pilling.

At almost $300 (for a queen set), this is among the pricier options we tested this year. But this is not only one of the softest but also one of the best sheet sets we tested overall. If you're looking for a premium option that'll last a decade or more, this is definitely worth a look.

Signature Hemmed Sheet Set

For an all-natural alternative, Boll & Branch's Signature Hemmed Sheet Set is a great option. It's one of the company's bestsellers, and it's easy to see why. This set is made from 100% organic, long-staple cotton that's designed to get even softer with every wash. The 4-over-1-under sateen weave feels luxurious and thick enough for fall and winter. Yet, it's still plenty breathable for year-round comfort, even in the summer.

The first thing our testers noticed was how stiff these felt out of the box. But we washed them twice before sleeping on them and were surprised at how much they softened up. In the months since, they've only grown softer and softer. They've held up extremely well after repeated machine washings with zero pilling. Our panel also agreed that these look great in any of the dozen available colors, with a soft drape that feels elegant and sophisticated.

At almost $300, these are another premium sheet set buy. But the ultra-luxe construction means you won't need to replace them any time soon. Plus, they look amazing and are some of the softest sheets we tested in 2024.

6-Piece Bamboo Sheet Set

Of course, color isn't usually the most important consideration when shopping for sheets. But we still like being able to find that one perfect colorway to match our bedroom decor. This six-piece set from LuxClub is available in over 40 colors, so there's plenty to choose from. It doesn't hurt that these bamboo-derived sheets are also some of the softest we tested for this year's roundup.

Thanks to a blend of 80% microfiber and 20% bamboo-derived rayon, we found these sheets to be softer and more breathable than many cotton sheet sets that cost three times as much. By adding bamboo to the mix, they're better at regulating body temperature and wicking away night sweats, too. Our only real gripe was the mediocre durability. The construction is thinner than most, and we saw noticeable shrinkage after washing.

Still, the biggest selling points for our team—and the reasons why these are easily some of our favorite sheets of the year—were the price and color selection. At roughly $30 on sale for a six-piece, queen-sized set, it's hard to complain. Plus, with a whopping 40-plus colors available, these are a great way to add "pop" to a guest room or kid's room on the cheap.

Performance Sheet Set

If you demand more from your sheets, sometimes only a "performance" set will do. Slumber Cloud's Performance Sheet Set is made from a blend of TENCEL lyocell and Outlast viscose fibers. The result? Buttery soft sheets that actively regulate temperature and wick away sweat and moisture so you stay cool, calm, and collected all night long.

True to their promise, these sheets proved to be the best at regulating our test panel's body temperatures throughout the night. The rayon fabric does an incredible job at storing and whisking away body heat, so we never felt too hot or too cold. We also found that they dry quickly, whether from sweating in the night or when climbing in bed right after a shower. But the best part is that we unanimously agreed that these are also some of the softest sheets we tested this year with a slightly silky, though not slippery, texture. After our months-long test, they've also held up well in the wash with zero pilling. The only real downside? This set is only available in four colors.

The roughly $230 price tag makes these performance sheets slightly more affordable than our most premium picks. They're a solid buy if you need soft bedding that's very, very good at regulating your body heat and sweat and holds up well after repeated washes.

Organic Crinkled Percale Sheet Sets

In keeping with its all-natural, down-to-earth aesthetic, Coyuchi's Organic Crinkled Percale Sheet Sets feature a relaxed, no-pretense look designed to work with almost any bedroom decor. The "crinkled-by-design" vibe feels like a cozy pair of pajama pants. Even if they're a little wrinkled (and they probably will be, even straight out of the dryer), you kind of don't care. The roughly dozen available colors are or border on subdued earth tones that just ooze "relaxation."

Our testers found these to be soft and smooth, though not slippery like sateen, while also being crisp and lightweight. It's a unique combination not found in most other sheets we tested, especially percale sheets, making these a great all-season option that you may not want (or need) to change out with the seasons. In our tests, they held up extremely well, even after repeated washings. We also dig Coyuchi's dedication to sustainable, eco-friendly products. These are no exception, made with Certified Organic Cotton and they're Fair Trade Certified, too.

We were hard-pressed to find much of anything to complain about. Our only minor beef is the price. At more than $200 (for a queen-sized set), they aren't cheap. But they're also not the most expensive set in this year's roundup, either. If you're willing to splurge a little, we think these are the softest percale sheets of the year.

100% Viscose Derived from Bamboo Sheets

Now that we're deep into winter, you might not be thinking about cooling sheets. But if you tend to run hot in any season, you want a set that's designed for hot sleepers. These viscose sheets from Hotel Sheets Direct are purpose-built to keep you cool all year long. The fabric is derived from bamboo (more on that below), with 144 grams per square meter of fiber. Translation: They're naturally cooling and some of the softest sheets you'll ever sleep on.

For roughly $30, our test panel was pleasantly surprised at just how soft these sheets felt. That's typical for bamboo-derived fibers, which are naturally soft, but these are extremely soft. After several weeks of sleeping on these (including plenty of hot summer nights), we universally agreed that they deliver on their promise of feeling very cool to the touch. We did, however, find that they're not as durable as other sheets we tested this year. Our test sets started to lightly pill and fray after just the first month. The fit can also be finicky, as they seemed to want to come untucked.

Though these aren't perfect, there's a lot to like about these sheets. Namely: They're incredibly soft and cooling. Plus, at around $30 for the complete set, it's hard to complain too much.

Cotton Jersey 4-Piece Bed Sheet Set

For transparent value, it's hard to beat anything Amazon Basics-branded. This cotton jersey set is a basic option that checks all the boxes for what we look for in a decent set of sheets. That includes good looks, a decent price, easy washability, and, of course, a buttery soft design.

Our team had no expectations on this roughly $50 sheet set. But the jersey knit construction surprised us with how soft it was. They truly feel like climbing inside your favorite, well-worn T-shirt. They're also breathable and warm without overheating (a typical problem with jersey anything). We also liked that they're available in a good selection of about a dozen basic colors, from gray to green to pink. Some of our editors noted that these sheets are thinner than most jersey sheets we've tested. That could account for the fraying and occasional small tears we noticed after repeated washings over our months-long test.

But for a basic sheet set, these will definitely get the job done. With more than 35,000 overwhelmingly positive Amazon reviews, it's no surprise that these are an Amazon's Choice pick in the Sheet & Pillowcase Set category. With a roughly $50 price tag, can we really complain?

What types of sheets are softest?

Thread count, good fibers, and finish are the three things that ultimately determine how soft a sheet set will feel. Deborah Young explained the most common fibers: "Cotton is the traditional one. Linen is historic. Today we've got some newcomers on the market, too: Model, bamboo, and Tencel. Those three are all plant-based... My
favorites these days are model and bamboo. Incredibly soft, incredibly absorbent, and they wick really well. I have bamboo sheets, and if I wake up at night, it just wicks instantly."

"They're also starting to add polyester into the mix. They often don't call it polyester. They might just list it as 'microfiber.' I'm seeing 'miracle sheets' and all these kinds of new names to hide the fact that they're polyester. These are the fibers that things are made of. Then they're made into something." These are the most common constructions and what to pay attention to with each:

Flannel

Everyone’s favorite cozy fall fabric (whether cotton or polyester) is actually brushed, which helps to trap air and keep you toasty warm. The process has the added benefit of making the fabric incredibly soft, too.

Microfiber

Thin polyester fibers make up this all-synthetic fabric, which is extremely smooth and soft. This material rarely feels as natural or “nice” as true cotton sheets, but the upside is that they’re usually more affordable.

Sateen

Typically 100% cotton, this dense, all-natural weave is extremely smooth, thanks to a process that lays (or “floats”) yarn in one direction over yarn in the opposite direction. Young describes them as "more lustrous, more luscious. They feel really good." For true cotton sheets, this is about as soft as it gets.

Jersey

In contrast to woven sheets, jersey sheets are knit. The result is a T-shirt-like feel with a lot more give than, say, percale. They can be made of almost any material, including polyester, cotton, or a natural/synthetic blend. Young notes, "I don't particularly love jersey sheets. They are really soft and cozy on a warm winter night. But they also stretch out and are kind of messy for my taste."

Rayon

This fiber starts with natural raw materials, which are then heavily processed to create a semi-synthetic fiber. It’s used to create some of the silkiest, softest sheets. It’s worth noting, however, that many rayon sheets use “natural-sounding” marketing terms like bamboo and eucalyptus to sound all-natural. But the chemical processes used to create these sheets strip away most of the natural or eco-friendly benefits.

What thread count is best for soft sheets?

Believe it or not, thread count—the number of yarn threads per square inch of fabric—isn’t a perfect indicator of quality. Back in the day, a high thread count was used to reflect premium cotton fabrics. Because, in general, says Deborah Young, "the higher the thread count, the softer it is."

“Historically, we used to do thread counts; the bigger the number, the better. But technology has allowed us to make it so big that it’s not durable anymore," says Young. "For example, it used to be that 600-800 was a really good thread count. But now we can get to 1500-1800, even 2000. My experience with those is that they’re not strong, and they don’t hold up long. But they are seductively soft."

So, ultimately it's about trade-offs. "For me, there’s a point of diminishing returns. Today, since we’re putting in manufactured fibers, the metric has changed to GSM or grams per square meter, which is a weight measure rather than a count.”

Still, thread count shouldn't be totally disregarded. Young goes on to say she "would never go down to, like, a 400 thread count. I just wouldn’t. With a lower thread count, you might find a grid on your face in the morning. 600 is as low as I would go. But I prefer 800 to 1,000."

One final consideration is that hot sleepers may want to shy away from very dense fabrics with high thread counts (sateen is a good example) as these don't breathe as well. "If you’re a hot sleeper, you actually benefit from something with a lower count," warns Young. "Because the higher the count, the denser it is and the better cover it has. So, if you’re a hot sleeper, you don’t want that."

All that said, it's worth keeping in mind that thread counts can be (and often are) easily inflated as a marketing ploy by manufacturers.

How we selected the softest sheets of the year

Our editors and writers spent some serious time between the sheets for this roundup. We researched many customer-favorite options from premium bedding stores like Brooklinen and Pottery Barn and more affordable ones like Amazon and Walmart, too. We wanted to find the softest sheets that not only felt great against the skin but also worked with our bedroom decors, held up to repeated washings, and didn’t cost a fortune. In the end, we chose the ten sets above as our picks for the softest sheets worth a look this year.

Meet the expert

• Deborah Young is the owner of TheTextileExpert.com and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Textiles at Arizona State University

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