Microfiber vs. Cotton Sheets: Which One Leads to Better Sleep?

Spoiler alert: The answer really depends on how you sleep.

When it comes to sheets, people can be very picky. And rightfully so! We sleep around 8 hours a night (hopefully) on them, which is a lot of time to spend on a specific fabric. Therefore it’s important to choose the right one for your lifestyle—factors like material, weave, and thread count all matter in the decision making process.

Perhaps the most important factor though is material, and cotton reigns supreme in the bedding industry. It’s natural, soft, and universally beloved. However, microfiber sheets are also becoming increasingly popular, thanks to its affordability. So what are the differences between these two textiles, and which will give you a better, more comfortable night of sleep? Below, we debate microfiber versus cotton sheets.

Related: The 16 Best Sheet Sets of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

What is Cotton?

Cotton is one of the oldest, most important raw materials in the textile industry. It’s a natural fiber consisting of over 90% cellulose and is harvested from the fruit capsules of the cotton plant, says Melanie Kaplan, director of product development from The Company Store, which produces their own line of cotton sheets.

Some of cotton’s most favorable qualities in bedding are its high breathability and softness, in addition to its easy maintenance. Kaplan adds, “Cotton sheets are available in an assortment of weaves and fabrics, making them ideal for all seasons—percale, sateen, jersey knit and flannel.” Kaplan goes on to explain that there are different types of cotton to consider as well.

Upland cotton

Upland cotton, known for its short fibers, is the most popular type in the world thanks to its accessible price point. In fact, it’s the most common type of cotton grown in the U.S., making up 95% of cotton plantings here.

Pima Cotton

Pima cotton is grown in different parts of the world, including Peru, Australia, and the United States. It has a silky touch and is regarded as one of the finest types of cotton in the world. Its extra-long fibers also make it smooth and resistant to tears.

Supima Cotton

Supima is exclusively grown in the U.S. and is strictly regulated. It is an extra-long staple cotton that yields a soft, strong, and high-quality fabric. Supima cotton is known for having the most consistent fiber quality. Additionally, the cotton fibers are a bit longer than regular Pima cotton, which creates a smoother and more luxurious fabric.

Definition

Staple refers to the length of the cotton fibers, the little strands that make up cotton. Some types of cotton have short staple fibers, while others have long ones.  Typically, as staple length increases, so does cotton’s silky feel.

Egyptian Cotton

Egyptian Cotton is an extra-long staple cotton grown (technically it’s actually a type of Pima!) and handpicked in Egypt. Sheets made with Egyptian cotton are extremely soft and long-lasting. Plus, this fabric gets softer and better with each washing. Some manufacturers may claim their cotton is Egyptian when it’s actually sourced from India or China, so make sure the cotton is certified before adding to your cart!

Organic Cotton

Organic cotton is grown in an environment where no pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or herbicides have been used for a minimum of three years. It is used to produce a variety of fabrics, including percale, sateen, flannel and jersey. Look for certifications like the Global Organic Textile Standard and Oeko-Tex Standard 100 so you know those sheets have been properly vetted.

Cons of Cotton

There aren’t too many drawbacks to using cotton, but there are a few. For instance, they wrinkle quite easily. Plus, not all cotton sheets are made the same—some brands produce sheets that are lower-quality than others and are more likely to pill or tear. They can also get pricey, costing more than $300 for a set.

Cotton Weave and Thread Count

Note that weave is just as important as material if you’re concerned about temperature regulation. If you sleep hot, a percale weave is best—this weave helps with airflow throughout the night. If you’re normally frigid, a flannel or jersey might be better. But if you’re somewhere in the middle, a sateen will hit the sweet spot.

As for thread count—higher doesn’t always mean better. Thread count just refers to the total number of yarns per square inch of fabric. When looking at thread count, consider the quality of the cotton and the type of weave. For example, if you’re looking at sateen sheets, aim for a lower thread count (closer to 400), so your sheets are soft and drapey, versus stiff.

What is Microfiber?

Microfiber is a synthetic (or man-made) fiber made of polyester, nylon, or wood pulp. Microfiber sheets are typically less prone to shrinking compared to natural fibers, and they don’t wrinkle as easily. They’ve also been engineered to be extremely soft and silky. Plus, they’re very affordable. Just like with cotton, there are different types of weaves, like percale or sateen, which matters when it comes to temperature regulation and durability.

Cons of Microfiber

One disadvantage of microfiber sheets is that they trap heat more than other materials like cotton, so if you’re a hot sleeper, you might want to try something else. They can also get very staticky after you pull them from the dryer.

But perhaps the biggest disadvantage of microfiber sheets is that they’re not the most eco-friendly. The threads shed tiny microplastics during the laundry cycle, and those microplastics end up in our waterways, polluting our oceans and lakes. There are attachments you can add to your washer that filter out those microplastics, but consider that those plastic micro strands are not biodegradable. So even if they don’t end up in an ocean, they’ll still end up in a landfill and stick around for a very long time.

So Who Wins in the Microfiber vs. Cotton Debate?

Technically, it really does depend on how you sleep, your preferences, and what your lifestyle is—there are many factors you’ll need to take into account.

Softness

Technically, both microfiber and cotton are quite soft. Though if we had to choose, microfiber is the softest, at least starting out. It’s often described as “silky.” The more you wash cotton sheets though, the softer they get! (This also means they’re not as durable as microfiber.)

Breathability

Cotton wins out on breathability. The natural fibers allow for more air circulation. Microfiber notoriously traps heat, making it a poor choice for hot sleepers.

Maintenance

Both are fairly easy to care for and don’t require much special treatment. Microfiber sheets are less likely to pill or shrink after washing though, compared to cotton.

Affordability

Microfiber sheets are typically much more affordable than cotton sheets, and most are under $100. Cotton sheets have a much broader price range in comparison, and high-quality sets can cost well over $200.

Environmental Impact

Cotton is a renewable resource and it’s a biodegradable material, whereas microfiber is not. Microfiber sheets will also shed microplastics that end up in our waterways, and keep in mind synthetic materials often require more chemicals to produce.

Related: Learn How to Fold a Fitted Sheet Like a Professional House Keeper

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