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The Best Soft Sheets

Candace Osmond
RankProductsHighlightsWarranty
#1Cozy Earth sheet set in original carry bag

Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set


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Cool to the touch
Perfect for summer months and hot sleepers
Deep pocket fitted sheet is ideal for thicker mattresses
10 years
#2

Malouf Sleep Woven Tencel Sheets

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Soft to the touch
Cooling properties
Eco-friendly fibers
Variety of sizes and colors
 5 years, limited
#3Brooklinen 'Luxe' sheet set in original packaging

Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set


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Thick and luxurious sheets
Deep pockets for thicker mattresses
“Long” and “short” side labels
1 year return period, 1 year additional warranty
#4

Casper Breathable Soft Sheet Set

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    Cool and breathable
    Grip strap on a fitted sheet Inexpensive
    Attractive two-tone design
10 years (with 100-night free trial)
#5

QuickZip Zip Sheets Fitted Sheet

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    User-friendly zip-on sheets
    Durable and easy to change 100% cotton
N/A

The Best Soft Sheets Reviews

#1. Editor’s Choice – Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set

SPECS

  • Material: 100% premium viscose from bamboo
  • Sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal. King, Split King
  • Colors: Oat (pictured), White, Light Grey, Driftwood (dark grey), Charcoal
  • Warranty: 10 years

The iconic Bamboo Sheet Set from Cozy Earth has been plastered all over my social media for months, so I figured I’d see what all the fuss was about. This sheet set has also been famously endorsed by Oprah, which she named in her list of ‘Oprah’s Favorite Things’. Although they’re a little on the pricey side, if these sheets have been raved about publicly, I needed to find out if they’d be worth it. And my official report is that… these sheets are without a doubt some of the softest, most luxurious I’ve slept on. If you’re looking for cooling sheets to keep you from overheating during the night, bamboo is a great option. I started using these sheets in the wintertime, which I felt was a big mistake. Since I’m typically a cool sleeper, so I’ll be keeping these aside for the summer months.

One of my favorite things about these sheets is the deep-pocket fitted sheet that comes in the set. My mattress is 15 inches in thickness, and it easily covers the whole thing. I’d say you can get away with these sheets on a 16 or even 17-inch mattress, which will be perfect for those with lofty mattress toppers. While the deep pockets were perfect for me, it won’t suit you if you love your fitted sheet to be super tight like a drum – as you’ll find in hotel beds. Keep in mind that the satin-like feel of these sheets means that they’re slippery, so they won’t stay in place all night long. Although they’re slippery, wrinkle easily and may not be as fitted as you’d like, these are some of the best sheets if you value a soft, silky feel. Cozy Earth will occasionally have sales to sweeten the deal (since this set is expensive), so keep a lookout for these if you want to invest in this popular bedding set.

Pros

  • Cool to the touch
  • Perfect for summer months and hot sleepers
  • Deep pocket fitted sheet is ideal for thicker mattresses

Cons

  • Slippery – expect your fitted and flat sheet to move around a lot
  • Wrinkles easily

If you’re looking for silky-soft, breathable sheets to keep you cool in the summertime, Cozy Earth’s Bamboo Sheet Set may be one of the best options for you.

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#2. Runner Up – Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set

SPECS

  • Thread Count: 480
  • Material: 100% long staple cotton
  • Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal. King
  • Colors: 14 to choose from, incl. limited edition colors
  • Warranty: 1 year return period, 1 year additional warranty

The Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set may not read ‘Egyptian cotton,’ but these sheets are constructed from 100% long staple cotton, which gives you the same long fibers that make Egyptian cotton so soft and smooth. These sheets are designed to grow softer with every wash and use, and after several washes I can confidently say that this rings true. The lower thread count of 480 keeps them lightweight and breathable, with a percale weave for strength and comfort. The biggest highlight for me was that the fitted sheet is sized for mattresses up to 15 inches deep, which I needed since my mattress measures exactly 15 inches. It’s difficult to find a fitted sheet that claims to have “deep pockets”, but will actually fully cover my mattress.

Another bonus is that there was no shrinkage after my first wash, which I was wary of. Since this is a common complaint about cotton sheets, this went a long way for me and I would definitely purchase from Brooklinen in future. If a company decides to name their sheets “luxe” or “luxury”, this automatically creates high expectations that the sheets will feel luxurious, and almost hotel-quality. These are by far some of the softest, most luxurious sheets I’ve ever slept on, and the fact that they become softer after each wash is just icing on the cake.

Pros

  • Cool and breathable
  • Deep pockets for thicker mattresses
  • “Long” and “short” side labels

Cons

  • More expensive than most sheets on our list

If you’re looking for a set of sheets that feel hotel-quality and become even softer after several washes, consider the Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set.

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#3. Customer’s Choice – Casper Sheets

SPECS

  • Thread Count: 200
  • Material: 100% extra long staple California cotton
  • Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King Colors: Cream, Navy w/Azure, Sky w/Azure, White w/Slate, White w/White
  • Warranty: 10 years (with 100-night free trial)

Made from 100% extra-long staple California cotton, the Casper sheets are highly breathable, keeping the air flowing around your sleep environment so you don’t overheat while sleeping. They have a 200 thread count, which seems low, but based on their performance, it doesn’t seem to be an issue. The percale weave is a common construction and keeps the sheets lightweight, thin, and sturdy. There’s an elastic band on the bottom of the fitted sheet to keep it more snug on your mattress, and the flat sheet is slightly oversized for ease of use. The sheets experience a below average shrinkage on the initial wash, while the pillowcases do reach that threshold, but it doesn’t seem to affect performance. Casper sheets can be a little slippery, so you might find them sliding off your body in the middle of the night, but they’re light and airy while still warm and cozy.

Pros

  • Cool and breathable
  • Grip strap on a fitted sheet
  • Inexpensive
  • Attractive two-tone design

Cons

  • Low thread count
  • Noisy for sleepers who move a lot

If you’re looking for something that doesn’t cost a fortune and may not be top of the line, but is still high quality and satisfying, consider these Casper sheets. They’re excellent for your guest bed as well.

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#4. Best Design – Quick Zip Sheets

SPECS

  • Thread Count: 400
  • Material: 100% cotton
  • Sizes: Crib, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
  • Colors: White, Gray (other colors in Crib)

The Quick Zip sheets are intriguing and unique with the fitted sheet consisting of two parts – a traditional deep pocket base that fits on thick mattresses snugly and a zipping top panel for a complete sound fit. The sheets are made from 100% cotton with a sateen finish that is smooth and soft to the touch. The weave of these sheets is tight enough to be incredibly durable while also offering the needed breathability to keep your sleep space cool, no matter how much body heat you give off during the night. While they are heavier than many cotton sheets, they are still easily lightweight in comparison to other materials. In addition, the shrinkage usually experienced for cotton sheets during the first wash is typically close to five percent. However, Quick Zip sheets have less than half as much shrinkage, which means they continue to fit as expected at the time of purchase for years to come. The sheets are kid-friendly since you can easily remove the zip top panel in case of accidents.

Pros

  • Cool and breathable
  • Durable and easy to change
  • 100% cotton

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Heavier than some cotton sheets

Quick Zip sheets offer not only excellent comfort, high quality with impeccable softness, but they’re also perfect if you need to change your sheets frequently (and the fitted sheet won’t slip off your mattress as you sleep).

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You may want to read: Sheex Performance Cooling Duvet Cover

#5. Best Cooling – Malouf Tencel Sheets

SPECS

  • Thread Count: 300
  • Material: 100% Tencel
  • Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, Queen, King, California King, Split Cal King, Split King, Split Queen
    Colors: Dusk, Ecru, Ivory, Harvest, Opal, White
  • Warranty: 5 years, limited

Malouf Tencel sheets offer an alternative to cotton that is extremely soft and strong with great breathability for a cooler night’s sleep. These sheets have a thread count of 300, which is average, but the sateen weave and the use of Tencel aid in creating a cozy sleep environment. The universal fit of the sheets means you can expect them to fit mattresses as shallow as 6 inches or with depths of up to 22 inches, though they probably work best on an average mattress height. You can also order the set in all standard as well as extended sizes. Choose from a variety of colors and can be machine washed with less than average shrinkage.

Pros

  • Soft to the touch
  • Cooling properties
  • Eco-friendly fibers
  • Variety of sizes and colors

Cons

  • Extremely wrinkled after a wash

If you don’t mind ironing your sheets, the Malouf Tencel sheet set is some of the softest available and can definitely hit the mark in terms of satisfaction on comfort and price.

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You may want to read: What is the Best Material for Sheets to Keep You Cool?

The Best Soft Sheets – Buyer’s Guide

When it comes to your health, rest is vital, and that doesn’t mean tossing and turning in discomfort during the night. You need a restful sleep, which means you need to make sure your sleep environment is conducive to that. If you have rough sheets or old, thin, and threadbare linens, you’re likely not going to get the peaceful slumber you need, and you certainly won’t wake up on the right side of the bed. But how can you make sure you have the right sheets to make your dreamland a happy place, rather than the stuff of nightmares?

Knowing what to look for when shopping for bed sheets can really make a difference in determining how to find the softest and most delightful bedding available.

Does Thread Count Really Matter?

To answer this question, you first need to understand what thread count really refers to. The thread count of any material should be the number of threads woven into a single square inch of the fabric. This can give you an idea of smoothness and durability since a higher thread count is likely to be sturdier and come out smoother. However, the thread count woven into the material isn’t the only factor that determines how soft your sheets will be. In fact, you could have a very high thread count and still end up with sheets that are not soft to the touch depending on the type of material and thread used. Keep in mind that most sheets incorporate cotton in one way or another, but there are several kinds of cotton. This means you could end up with high thread count, but a rough cotton blend that drives you nuts, making you itchy and restless throughout the night.

Picking Cotton

While you don’t literally have to go out into the field and pick cotton now that we have machines to do it for us, you do need to determine which cotton is best for your sheets. Remember, cotton is used to make denim, so just because you’re thinking of cotton as the soft material on swabs and in cotton balls doesn’t mean this is what your sheets are necessarily using. By all standards, 100% Egyptian cotton is going to be the highest quality material for sheets. Egyptian cotton has longer fibers, which weave more smoothly with fewer protrusions and less pilling, leading to much softer sheets. These sheets are also thinner and more breathable than those with shorter fibers. For a top of the line, check out sheets with a percale or sateen weave, which are perhaps the smoothest and softest sheets you’ll find. If you can’t find Egyptian cotton, look for a set of 100% Pima cotton. Pima also has long fibers and pills less.

If sheets are labeled ‘100% cotton’ and don’t specify that they are Egyptian or Pima, you can assume they are, instead, an American upland cotton. While this cotton is sturdy and holds together well, the short fibers lead to fall pilling of the sheets, and they tend to be rougher because the weave can’t be as thin and smooth.

Cotton Blends

In many cases, 100% cotton in a weave that will keep you cozy when you sleep at night may be cost prohibitive. After all, you need more than one set of sheets for your bed so you can keep those Egyptian cotton sheets clean. You probably also need guest sheets and sheets for children’s beds. Let’s face it – children are rough, and you don’t particularly want to drop the coin on sheets that they’ll be using. At the same time, you want your guests and your children to be comfortable. And you don’t want to be plagued with scratchy sheets that are too hot while you’re washing your ‘good sheets’.

An option you might consider for these applications is a cotton blend, particularly with polyester. One of the best traits of a cotton-polyester blend is that it’s sturdy and easy to care for, which means you can wash these sheets over and over again and still get comfort and great performance. They’re great for rambunctious children who spill and get dirt everywhere, and they are still smooth enough for a great feel. Try to find something with just a small amount of polyester in the mix – maybe 10 percent – since this is going to give you that great, fresh, unwrinkled look right out of the dryer while maintaining the soft surface you enjoy. Keep the synthetic material under 30 percent to avoid night sweats and other discomforts.

Conclusion

While cotton is probably the most luxurious of materials for sheets, and you can really get high end, high-quality linens if you seek out Egyptian cotton, you can find several more affordable options in other materials that are just as pleasant. Some sheets incorporate materials that aren’t organic, but still provide a restful and soft sleep space at a fraction of the cost. And if you don’t mind a less luxurious cotton, you can find plenty of affordable choices, such as the Casper sheets. Remember that sheet sets don’t necessarily need a high thread count to be soft. For example, the Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set doesn’t have a super high count, yet they’re some of the softest sheets out there. It’s a combination of both material and thread count that can create optimal softness.

Recent Updates

January 10, 2023: Removed Sheex Original Performance Sheet Set due to limited stock, replaced with Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set after hands-on testing. Included original photography, added FAQs.

FAQs

What are the softest type of sheets you can buy?

After hands-on testing, I discovered that cotton and bamboo are some of the best materials that make the softest sheets.

What thread count sheets are softest?

While thread count isn’t the sole determining factor for soft sheets, ideally anything around or above 300 will feel soft and luxurious.

Are bamboo sheets softer than Egyptian cotton?

Bamboo sheets are often softer than Egyptian cotton sheets due to their silk-like feel. They’re typically durable, cool to the touch and breathable.

Does a high thread count mean soft sheets?

Not necessarily – the quality of the thread used is far more important than the number. Some sheets with a lower thread count may be more durable and become softer after washing if the fibers are better quality.

What are the softest sheets that won’t pill?

Soft fabrics like bamboo, silk, linen and 100% cotton generally won’t pill easily.