The Best Cotton Sheets Are Classics for a Year-Round Bedscape

The best cotton sheets are a staple of any linen closet. Why, you ask? Whether you opt for a refined, hotel-inspired percale set or pearly sateen bedding for a touch of opulence, cotton fibers are naturally breathable and moisture-wicking for nightly comfort.

Featured in this article

Best Overall Cotton Sheets

Brooklinen Classic Percale Core Sheet Set

Read more

$199 $169 (15% off)

Brooklinen

Best Sateen Cotton Sheets

Boll & Branch Signature Hemmed Sheet Set

Read more

$279

Amazon

Best Percale Cotton Sheets

Quince Classic Organic Percale Sheet Set

Read more

$100

Quince

When it comes to choosing the right style and material, consider your sleeping habits—after all, one third of your life is spent snoozing and you want to do so in utmost comfort. For that reason, we suggest you mix things up, including with unique colorways and patterns (stripes, florals, embroidered trim!) to dress up your bed. Also, think through the material, as cotton weaves, thread count, and finishing techniques play a huge role in the softness and crispness of your bed sheets—which we touch on further down in this story.

AD editors took matters into their own hands and tested dozens of sheets—from buttery soft Frette to cooling Brooklinen bedding—to bring you our favorites. Most are made with long-staple cotton that feels softer after each wash. Plus, many are Oeko-Tex certified to ensure your night retreat is never tainted by chemicals and the bedding is a worthwhile investment. See which set is best suited for your bedroom suite.

For consistency, all of the prices reflect queen sizes.

While Brooklinen is one of our favorite destinations for all sorts of bedding, contributor Yelena Moroz Alpert can’t stop praising the airy feel of these long-staple cotton sheets. “I was just folding this set, and the word that came to mind was ‘butterfly wings,’” she says of her set, in the oyster colorway (which is now sold out—all the more reason for you to act fast), though there are more than two dozen options available to fit your style. Compared to other cotton options, Brooklinen’s percale has a matte quality that results in a crisp look and a beyond-smooth texture that keeps Alpert cool through the summer months. “My house is almost 90 years old, and even my new AC won’t fully cool the upstairs bedroom,” she explains. “I never feel as if I am suffocated by bedding when this core set is on my bed. In fact, I pair it with the Brooklinen percale duvet cover and it’s pure bliss.”

In terms of wear and tear, there is none. “The long-staple cotton is more durable than typical cotton, and I can tell that these are woven tightly,” adds Alpert. “I don’t see a way to snag it easily or mess it up in the washing machine.” Compared to Supima cotton sheets that are prone to micro-creases, you can count on these percale beauties to stay pretty smooth out of the dryer. The approachable price point, wide range of colorways and prints (25!) available, and high-quality construction all factor into us naming them our favorite cotton sheets of all time.

These sateen sheets only get softer after each wash, according to commerce director Rachel Fletcher, who has had the high-quality bedding for years and has not spotted fraying or pilling. “That extra-soft feel, paired with the lovely, cooling properties, makes them feel like the luxury sheets they are,” she says in her review for best Boll & Branch sheets. The line comes in 20 solid colorways and 10 floral and striped patterns. While you might not find the thread count on the Boll & Branch site, a representative told us that the brand’s use of organic materials in manufacturing reassures thread quality without putting a number on it. The last time we checked, these organic cotton sheets had more than 9,100 reviews—they are a bestseller for a reason.

Keep your eyes peeled on the Boll & Branch, as the brand hosts sales every now and then to snag this Signature Hemmed Set for a lower price.

Save to wishlist

Quince Classic Organic Percale Sheet Set

$100

Quince

The Quince percale bedding clocks in as a 270 thread count organic cotton bedding set we fully endorse. “I’ve tried many percale styles over the years, and I find that this one skews a bit softer than most, which I’m totally happy about,” says AD PRO senior editor Mel Studach in her review. “I also appreciate that when I make my bed every morning, the sheets maintain their structure sans unsightly wrinkles.” Another perk? The “top” and “bottom” labels are a huge help when it comes to changing the sheets.

The Buffy Supima cotton is what we think cotton sheets should be. There is a level of crispness that comes with cotton but it is not as perky as percale cotton. It also has some heft to it, but it is not heavy or suffocating. “For my mom, no fabric is more breathable and superior than cotton, so I grew up sleeping on cotton sheets,” says Alpert. “These are not the cotton sheets of my childhood, which in comparison could be described as very, very basic.” In terms of durability, the cotton fibers are undeterred by the washing machine cycles. “The pillowcase covers have a nice double stitch around the perimeter, which gives me confidence that it is more durable than your typical run-of-the-mill pillowcase cover,” she adds. Having an envelope closure is another nice touch and makes the bedding look more finished and neat.

Save to wishlist

Frette Naturalismo Sheet Set

$4,825

Frette

The Italian legacy brand, Frette, has quite a history and goes hand in hand with the world’s most bespoke hotels. One of their newest ventures is introducing sustainable organic cotton into their collection. “Despite being 100% cotton, the Naturalismo collection has a sheen and striation in the fabric that gives it added richness and visual interest,” says Fletcher in her Frette sheets review. “The sheets actually reflect the light in the room as it changes throughout the day, a testament to how thoughtfully made they are.” She does note that this set is flat sheets only, which may surprise you, as it is not the American standard. The perk? No more guessing which side is long versus short side. In terms of the softness factor, these are “remarkably light and cooling for cotton that isn’t percale,” adds Fletcher, explaining that the lovely ecru hue leans a little more sandstone and is more forgiving when pets jump into your bed.

As far as cooling sheets go, the Peacock Alley Fern percale set lives up to its name. “The texture is soft, but feels a bit like a parachute when you flutter the flat sheet over the bed,” says Alpert, who was initially drawn to the artsy botanical pattern that reminded her of an abstract take on foliage. The print is perfect for adding dimension to your bedscape as it pairs beautifully with her block-printed lumbar pillows from the Citizenry and the gingham linen duvet cover from Piglet in Bed. “Unlike the overly light bamboo sheets, the weight of these is just right for transitional weather, and it is definitely the way to go if you’re into layering your bed with blankets,” she adds.

Of all the bedding on this list, this California Design Den set has the highest thread count–1,000 and feels a bit thick, which made commerce editor Audrey Lee a bit weary (at first) but she was happy to purport that the sheets felt “cool and airy on warmer nights and particularly cozy in cooler temperatures” when she paired them with her favorite comforter. What’s more, these sheets only get softer after a couple of washes, she notes in her best Amazon sheets review. After year-round use, Lee also confirms that this set is breathable enough to take you from season to season without any issues of wear. That’s the type of good night’s sleep we all dream about.

Rifle Paper Co. fans can now add the signature floral designs to their bedrooms. The Company Store collaboration includes this Peacock-print bedding set for hot sleepers looking to get cozy but don’t want to go the heavier flannel sheets route. “Amazingly, these linens are virtually wrinkle-free, or at least camouflaged by the exotic woodland creatures,” says Alpert. “The textile texture is ultra soft, as expected with sateen, but it also feels very much down-to-earth.” With 18-inch deep pockets, it also works on lofty mattresses or a topper. Most recently, Alpert has been putting it over the Legends Hotel wool mattress pad, and her bed feels like something out of a storybook.

Those looking for a smooth feel with a touch of extra luxury might want to consider the Sferra Giotto fitted sheet, an opulent piece of bedding tested by Nashia Baker, senior commerce editor. “It has the classic, light sheen you’d expect from sateen, but they don’t feel slippery like some lower quality sets,” she says. “Since my skin can get slightly sensitive—especially in the summer—I appreciate how soft and supple they feel. They have an airiness to them that keeps me from overheating too.” Baker has these in the honey hue that reads like a rich butter yellow that’s been trending across all home decor arenas.

The Prossioni Boutique Hotel sateen signature sheet set is definitely worthy of a posh vacation spot. “Sateen sheets tend to be a bit thicker, likely because they are higher in thread count, but Prossioni managed to give the sleekness and softness of sateen with the airiness of bamboo bedding,” Alpert says of her moscato beige set. “These are the lightest and thinnest sateen sheets I’ve tested. Usually I reserve sateen sheets for cooler months, but these are breathable when the temperature outside breaks 90 degrees.” Alpert also notes that the sheets stayed pretty fresh for more than a week, a likely side-effect of NordShield Crisp technology that’s designed to handle odor control.

Save to wishlist

Matouk Bergamo Egyptian Flat Sheet

$445

Matouk

$445

Bloomingdale's

Matouk bedding is a splurge, but in exchange you’ll have sheets with a thread count that hovers around 500. Contributor Allie Weiss is head-over-heels for these luxury hotel-level linens. “I hate scratchy sheets, and breathed a sigh of relief when I slipped into these. They are both lightweight, crisp-looking, and soft to the touch—talk about a win-win,” she says. Matouk offers more than 40 yarn colors for the trim, and you can even request up to 10 samples as you decide between hazy blue and azure.

Here, at AD Shopping, we take sheet testing seriously. Even sets with stellar customer reviews need to go through first-hand experience by our editors and contributors. If you count all the bedding in our linen closets, you’ll likely find more than a hundred sateen sheet sets, high-thread-count percales, and Egyptian cotton sheets worthy of a boutique hotel.

Each tester looks at the softness of the material and whether the crisp, breathable bedding pieces are actually worthy of our best cooling sheets roundup. We examine everything from the packaging to the care routine and sleep on these for months, if not years.

When you’re looking for the best cotton sheets, you need to think about your budget, as this type of bedding includes our favorite affordable Amazon sheets and much pricier higher thread count sets from esteemed bedding brands such as Sferra and Matouk. You’ll also want to consider whether you want to complete your bedscape with a duvet cover or comforters and decorative blankets.

We noticed that most of the best cotton sheets we recommend are made with long or extra-long staple cotton, this means the threads are woven in a way that is more durable and less prone to pilling.

Once you find the sheet set and brand you like, take a closer look at whether the fitted sheet has deep pockets. Most are around 16 inches deep, but if you have a plush mattress topper and protector you might want to look at something roomier, around 18 inches.

Here are a few other factors to consider:

Sheet fabrics: Not all cotton is the same. “Percale refers to a finely woven cotton fabric made in a plain weave structure, where the warp (vertical yarn) and the weft (horizontal yarn) interlace over and under every other yarn,” says Katie Glusica, professor in the fibers department at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Percale is a lighter, crisper weave that is durable and often has moisture-wicking qualities that make it the ideal option for hot summer nights. Supima cotton uses extra-long fibers that require less twisting and offer added comfort over time. Sateen is a silky-soft fabric in a satin weave structure where the warps and wefts interlace at irregular intervals as compared to plain weave, Glusica explains. Sateen can have a sheen and is often described as having a buttery feel. For ultra premium sheet sets, look for Egyptian cotton, which is made with extra-long yarn that is also more fine than typical cotton. It is prized for its durability and breathability.

Finishing techniques: The overall feel of the sheets can also be attributed to the manufacturing process. When you have brushed cotton, it means that there is a light nap (brushed with a delicate metal brush) to give it that extra softness. For combed cotton, shorter fibers have been removed to enhance durability and the high-end look and feel. Stonewashed cotton is actually washed with stones, like pumice, to give it a lived-in texture that is beyond soft.

Thread count: Thread count refers to the number of threads per square inch of fabric. Historically, the higher the thread count, the more luxurious the bedding, as high thread count means that the weave is more dense, and that translates into smoothness. Keep in mind that sheets with a thread count of around 300 are typically good for temperature regulation and feel airier—a plus for hot sleepers.

Style: You don’t have to splurge on high-end bedding to have style. It’s all about your preferences. An all-white crisp percale sheet set exemplifies the quality of a top hotel suite, while mixing stripes and florals will lean into the cottagecore aesthetic. Even solid colorways can feel elevated when you add in embroidery on pillowcases, or even ruffles.

Certifications: The cotton manufacturing and production process varies brand to brand, but you can be sure that your bedding is not treated with harmful chemicals if you see that they are Oeko-Tex certified. This designation can also be labelled as Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex, which means the same thing. Most high-quality bedding retailers have this certification. Global Organic Textile Certification (GOTS) is another certification worth noting. It sets the standard for harvesting, manufacturing, and labeling. Fairtrade is a sustainability label to ensure the product is made ethically and the workers are treated fairly.