The Best Cotton Sheets Reviews

One of the little luxuries you should indulge in should be considered a necessity: the best cotton sheets. Whether the idea of a soft, satiny set of sheets or a set of crisp, cool sheets is your idea of ideal, you can find both in cotton sheets – you just have to get the right kind. Cotton has several benefits over other fabrics, and you can benefit from dressing your bed up with the best ones. The trick is figuring out which ones are the best. And believe it or not, some of the best-rated cotton sheets are surprisingly affordable.

Of course, you can go all out and drop a couple hundred dollars on a set of sheets, but you may not have to go that far. There are all sorts of terms that may or may not make a difference in your best sheet experience, including thread count, sateen, and percale. We’ll go over those differences below, as well as what you should expect when you go 100 percent cotton. But first, take a look at our picks below of some of the best cotton sheets that are currently on the market.

 Best Cotton Sheets

Why You Might Want Cotton Sheets

It seems like cotton has been around since the dawn of time, and that’s probably true. For how long we’ve been using the fluffy white balls to weave into clothes and bedding, well, we don’t really know. We’ve been turning cotton into cloth for at least several thousand years, and possibly longer than that. In any case, it’s been the go-to fabric for sheets since the 15th century.

Cotton is durable, so you should expect your bed sheets to last quite a long time. The fabric holds up well after several times of washing and drying. Additionally, cotton is breathable. That means, it can keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Cotton can be easily dyed almost any color, so you can find a variety of colors that match your bedroom. The color may fade after several uses, but it shouldn’t fade entirely.

What is Egyptian Cotton?

You may have noticed that the sheets that come with the highest price tags are often associated with something called Egyptian cotton. The cotton is actually from Egypt, and it’s a totally different kind of cotton than that which is grown in other countries. The Gossypium Barbadense is the species that are grown in Egypt, and it’s still harvested by hand, while most other cotton is harvested mechanically. Whether that plays into the softness of Egyptian cotton is up for debate. However, it cannot be denied though that Egyptian cotton creates a longer, stronger, softer fiber. When you turn those fibers into threads and weave them together to create a set of sheets, you’re getting all those benefits.

The longer the thread, the higher the thread count can be and that in turn makes for a more durable fabric. It resists pilling, and it is supremely soft. Of course, this also means that Egyptian cotton is the most expensive choice when it comes to cotton sheets. Does this also mean that these are the best cotton sheets? For some, yes. There are other options that are comparable, though.

Pima cotton is the next best thing to Egyptian cotton, and it costs quite a bit less. These sheets are made from the same plant that Egyptian cotton is, but the fiber isn’t quite as long (you can blame the climate in Egypt for that). Still, pima cotton is quite soft and durable. Alternatively, you can find cotton blends that hold up well to regular use and going through the wash. They’re more affordable, and they can still be quite soft. So, the main factor you may need to consider is your budget.

Things to Consider When Buying Cotton Sheets

Not all cotton sheets live up to the expectations. To make sure that you’ll be getting high-quality, durable, and soft sheets, here are the factors you’ll have to pay attention to.

Types of cotton

To begin with, not all cotton fabrics are the same. When it comes to sheets, certain types of cotton fibers are favored, and the most common choices include Egyptian cotton, Pima cotton, organic cotton, and Upland cotton. Upland cotton is plain regular cotton grown in the USA and it is the one that is most commonly used (it’s not always labeled as Upland, sometimes it’s labeled as just cotton). It is characterized by short-staple fibers which make it durable and slightly stiffer than you’d want- at least at first until it softens with use. Egyptian cotton is well-known as the luxurious choice in bedding- it is exceptionally soft and breathable, thanks to handpicked long fibers of the plant. Pima cotton is originally from Peru and it is prized for the extra-long staple fibers that make it softer, silkier, and less prone to wrinkling than regular cotton. Finally, organic cotton is any type of cotton that has been grown organically from non-GMO plants and without any use of chemicals and pesticides. Each type has its pros and cons and your choice will depend on your personal preferences and budget, as the finer choices such as Pima cotton or certified organic cotton sheets come with a higher price tag as well.

Weave

The key to cotton’s versatility is the many different weaves that can significantly influence the properties of the fabric. Sheets made from cotton can be both warming or cooling, silky or fuzzy, wrinkly or wrinkle-free and it all depends on how the fibers of the plant were woven into the fabric. The most common cotton bed sheet weaves are sateen, percale, and flannel. As the name suggests, sateen weave has a silky sheen and feel to it, and it is a great natural alternative to satin. It is also less wrinkly and more susceptible to wear and tear. Percale cotton weave, on the other hand, is more closely woven and feels crisp and cool to touch. It is very prone to wrinkling but very durable- percale cotton sheets can last you years and years with proper care. The most popular option for cold weather is definitely cotton sheets with flannel weave, which is achieved with special combs that give the fabric its fuzzy feel and warmth-retaining properties.

Thread count

The ideal thread count will vary with each type of cotton and each weave, but a good rule of thumb is to go for cotton sheets that are between 200 and 600 TC. Anything less or over that number and you’ll be getting lower quality cotton that’s less durable and less soft than you’d want for your sheets to be.

What to Expect from the Best Cotton Sheets

The best cotton sheets require the best care you can give them. That means you should avoid using detergents that contain bleach, as bleach can be a bit too harsh for the fibers. You want your luxurious sheets to last as long as possible, so give them the star treatment. Wash on the delicate cycle, use a gentle detergent, and tumble dry low – or better yet, line dry. Different cotton sheets are going to feel differently, and here’s what you can expect.

• Egyptian Cotton

It’s almost like the word “supple” was coined to describe Egyptian cotton sheets. These are supremely soft, and they’re often quite thick, too. They feel incredible, regardless of the season. Cool in the summer, and warm in the winter, just the way you want them.

• Pima Cotton

Super soft and luxurious are just a few ways to describe pima cotton, which is often stamped with the “Supima” brand. These sheets rival the true Egyptian cotton sheets out there, and usually at half the cost.

• Sateen Cotton

If you prefer a satiny feel and look to your sheets, then sateen is your jam. These sheets almost have a slippery surface, and they’re usually quite thick. They’re excellent to use during the winter, but they may be too warm to use when the weather gets hot.

• Jersey Cotton

For a set of sheets that are soft in the way your favorite old t-shirt is soft, then jersey sheets are the way to go for you. These are soft sheets that are also quite elastic. They’ll fit snugly on your bed, but you won’t be able to easily slip between these sheets.

• Percale Cotton

These are the sheets your grandmother likely used on your bed when you visited her in the summer. They were probably even line dried in the summer sun. These sheets feel thick, but they have a looser weave, which allows for heat to escape. They’re cool and crisp on your skin.

Pros and Cons of Cotton Sheets

For decades, cotton sheets have been the preferred option of most sleepers, but nowadays, there are plenty of great options to choose from, be it eco-friendly bamboo or cheap and durable microfiber. So what makes cotton sheets stand out from the crowd? What are the advantages of cotton and what are its downsides why it’s used to make sheets?

Pros

• It’s a natural fiber. As such, cotton is a great choice for people with sensitive skin and allergies. And in case you really want only the safest and best options against your skin, go for certified organic cotton sheets and those certified to be free from chemicals and toxic substances (which are sometimes used to treat the fabric).
• Cotton is breathable and absorbent. The nature of cotton fibers is such that they let the air circulate and wick away moisture, so cotton sheets are particularly great for hot sleepers and warm weather. That doesn’t mean that you won’t feel cozy with cotton sheets when the temperatures drop, though- just opt for cotton with a flannel weave, and don’t worry about the cold.
• Cotton bedding gets softer with time. Unlike most other types of fabric, cotton only gets better as it ages. With each wash, the fabric becomes softer and more pleasant to sleep on. However, cotton is not as durable as synthetic materials, so if you’re worried about signs of wear and tear, go for high-quality cotton types or cotton and polyester blends.

Cons

• Cotton sheets can shrink in the wash. This is a frequent issue with cotton: if you wash it on hot temperatures (and you probably will since it is bedding), it can shrink. No one wants sheets that are too short or too narrow for their mattress, so go for pre-shrunk or pre-washed sheets to avoid this pesky problem.
• They are prone to wrinkling. If you are a neat freak, cotton sheets will be your biggest nemesis. Cotton wrinkles a lot, especially certain weaves such as percale, and most cotton sheets will require ironing if you want your bedding to be wrinkle-free. Of course, if you are not bothered by wrinkles, then you’ll love that they’re easy to clean: cotton is machine washable and dryable.

Conclusion

Buying cotton sheets means learning to live with wrinkles or pulling out your iron every week. The best things about cotton sheets, though, is that they last a while, they’re breathable, and comfortable, whether you’re looking for that cool, crisp feel, or the soft, satiny touch. The best cotton sheets are affordable and come with details that you might not even think of, and California Design Den 400 Thread Count 100% Cotton Sheet Set should meet or even exceed your expectations.

The sheets are made of 100 percent long-staple cotton, and the threads are combed to produce a softer feel to them. You might not notice the softness at first, but give these sheets some use and washes, and you should notice a softer feel over time. Plus, California Design Den includes head and foot tags on the fitted sheet to help you figure out which way the sheet goes when you’re making the bed – eliminating one of the biggest bed-making frustrations ever.

Recent Updates

October 22, 2021: Two products have been removed due to unavailability: the AmazonBasics Thread Count Sheet Set and the Royal Queen Bed Sheet Set, replaced by the popular Peru Pima Percale Cotton Sheets and Pinzon Signature Cotton Heavyweight Velvet Flannel Sheet Set.