Considering we spend one-third of our lives in bed, investing in high-quality sheets is a must. Turning your bed into a comfortable refuge that fosters a good night’s sleep is worth a splurge. Luxury linen, silk, and cotton make for quality sheets that feel like five-star hotel bedding. Read on to learn more about how to choose the best luxury sheets for your home.
- BEST OVERALL: L.L. Bean 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Mayfair Linen 100% Egyptian Cotton Sheets
- BEST SATEEN: Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set
- BEST SILK: THXSILK Silk Sheet Set
- BEST LINEN: Parachute Linen Sheet Set
- BEST ORGANIC: Boll & Branch Signature Hemmed Sheet Set
Before you begin your search for a new set of luxe sheets, there are a few things you should consider. Here’s a list of key shopping considerations to keep in mind while you browse.
Material
Luxury sheets come in a variety of materials, including:
- Cotton is commonly used for bedding because it’s soft, durable, and breathable. American Upland is known for its shorter-length staple fibers and affordable price point. If a label reads “100 percent cotton,” it’s most likely made of American Upland.
- Egyptian cotton is luxurious in every way. Its fine, long-staple fibers and unique growing location of the Nile River Valley make for a soft and supple fabric.
- Pima cotton also features long-staple fibers, making it a superior material to most Upland cotton. It’s generally grown in the southwestern United States. “Supima cotton” is a label used to identify Pima cotton that meets the Supima Association’s standards, ensuring a high-quality product.
- Linen, which is woven from flax fibers, is just as breathable as cotton but is more durable and also provides added moisture-wicking benefits.
- Silk, which is harvested from silkworms, is breathable and provides a cooling effect. Because silk doesn’t absorb moisture, it prevents your hair and skin from becoming dry.
- Bamboo sheets are well-suited for hot sleepers and for those who live in warm climates, because the material wicks away moisture and is naturally antibacterial.
Weave
Cotton can be woven in a number of ways to achieve different results. High-end cotton sheets generally have a percale weave or a sateen weave.
- Percale weaves (or plain weaves) feature the same number of horizontal and vertical threads. This results in a crisp, cool texture and a matte finish.
- Sateen weaves feature more vertical than horizontal threads. Sateen-woven sheets feel buttery soft and silky.
Thread Count
Thread count is a measure of a fabric’s density and represents the number of horizontal and vertical fibers contained per square inch of fabric. In luxury bedding, thread counts range from 200 to over 1000. While many manufacturers tout high thread counts, it’s not always a sure indicator of quality.
Low-quality fabrics can be tightly woven and would therefore have a high thread count. It’s also important to note that percale-woven sheets are becoming increasingly popular and, because of the way that they’re constructed, they inherently have lower thread counts than their sateen counterparts. When shopping for high-end sheets, look for thread counts of 200 or higher.
Softness and Texture
A fabric’s softness and texture are determined by a combination of factors including the material, weave, and thread count. To find the softest bedding, look for sheets made from silk or long-staple cotton with a sateen weave.
Percale-woven cotton has a crisp feel that’s reminiscent of a freshly ironed shirt. Both percale-woven sheets and linen sheets may have a rougher texture at first but become softer with each wash.
Temperature Regulation
If you’re a hot sleeper or live in a warm climate, temperature regulation is a key consideration when shopping for sheets. Sheets made from 100 percent cotton will be breathable, and high-quality, long-staple cotton sheets will offer even better temperature regulation.
Percale-woven sheets have a more airy feeling than sateen-woven fabrics, so they’re often a preferred choice for hot sleepers. Linen sheets are also a good option when it comes to both breathability and moisture wicking.
Wrinkle Resistance
Most high-end sheets are made from natural fabrics and have many benefits, but wrinkle resistance isn’t one of them. Unlike their synthetically-derived counterparts, cotton, linen, and silk sheets are all prone to wrinkling. To minimize wrinkles, consider sateen-weave cotton sheets that are smoother in texture.
With that being said, the laid-back, tousled look is becoming increasingly popular and can be achieved with either linen or percale-woven cotton sheets, which have a naturally wrinkled appearance. If you prefer these fabrics but don’t like a wrinkled look, make your bed the moment your sheets come out of the dryer.
Fit
Determining the size of your mattress is key before you begin shopping. Mattress sizes have standard dimensions in terms of length and width, but their depths can vary from the standard 12 inches to as high as 22 inches. Be sure to measure the depth of your mattress before you purchase a new set of sheets. This way, you’ll know the fitted sheet will fit.
- Standard sheets fit mattresses of up to 12 inches in depth.
- Deep-pocket sheets fit mattresses of up to 15 inches in depth.
- Extra-deep-pocket sheets fit mattresses of up to 22 inches in depth.
Aesthetic
Your bedding often becomes the visual centerpiece of your bedroom, so it’s important that it matches the decor of your home and your personal aesthetic.
When investing in high-end sheets, choose a color or pattern you’ll be able to enjoy for years, rather than one that’s trendy right now. While white sheets are a perennial favorite, they are quick to show dirt and stains. Other neutral shades like cream, beige, and light grey can provide a similar look while showing less use.
Our Top Picks
The list of luxury sheet recommendations takes the material choice, weave, thread count, and aesthetic of each set into account. These top picks feature a variety of top-notch luxury sheet set options to help you find the right one for you according to your needs and budget.
Photo: global.llbean.com
This percale sheet set from L.L. Bean has a thread count of 280 and is made from 100 percent long-staple Pima cotton. Percale sheets have a crisp, textured feel that’s preferred by hot sleepers and those living in warm climates.
The material used to make this sheet set was tested for the presence of potentially harmful chemicals and met the OEKO-Tex 100 standard. They’re also machine washable and dryer safe. These sheets come in a range of soft hues.
The L.L. Bean set includes one flat sheet, one fitted sheet, and two pillowcases. The fitted sheets are designed to fit a mattress with a depth of up to 15 inches.
Photo: amazon.com
This sheet set by Mayfair Linen has high-end features at an affordable price point. The fabric is woven from 100 percent long-staple Egyptian cotton with a thread count of 800. The sheets have a sateen weave, meaning they’re ultrasoft and silky.
This Mayfair Linen set includes one flat sheet, two pillowcases, and a fitted sheet that can accommodate mattresses of up to 18 inches in depth. The sheets are available in 19 different colors, including a few striped options.
Photo: brooklinen.com
Sateen-weave sheets are smooth and buttery soft, providing a luxurious, vacation-esque feeling. This set from Brooklinen is made from 480-thread count, long-staple cotton and includes one flat sheet, one fitted sheet, and two pillowcases. Making the bed is a breeze with Brooklinen, as the fitted sheet is labeled with both “short side” and “long side” tags. This sheet set fits mattresses of up to 15 inches in depth.
These sheets also come in a variety of colors and prints. In addition to its permanent collection, Brooklinen often has seasonal and limited-edition patterns available. For best results, Brooklinen recommends machine washing with cool or warm water and line drying or using a low dryer setting.
Photo: amazon.com
Silk bedding is known to be beneficial for your hair and skin, which is why silk pillowcases are becoming increasingly popular. An entire silk bed set, however, feels like the height of luxury. This set by Thxsilk is made from 100 percent Mulberry silk—the highest quality silk on the market.
The fabric has a thread count of 400 and provides excellent temperature regulation to help keep you warm or cool depending on the season. They can be machine washed in cold water on the gentle cycle and should be air-dried.
The Thxsilk set is available in 10 elegant hues and includes one flat sheet, one fitted sheet, and two pillowcases.
Photo: parachutehome.com
Parachute’s Linen Sheet set is made in Portugal and uses flax harvested in Europe. The linen used is both durable and comfortable for sleeping in either warm and cool temperatures. The fabric is also naturally antimicrobial and eco-friendly. The materials meet OEKO-Tex Standard 100, meaning they’re free of harsh chemicals that may have adverse effects on your health.
This set includes one fitted sheet and two pillowcases, although a top sheet can be added for an additional cost. It comes in eight colors, with both neutrals and bolder on-trend shades available. The sheets can be machine washed and dried on low.
Photo: bollandbranch.com
These sheets from Boll & Branch are made from long-staple 100 percent organic cotton. These 300 thread count sheets have a soft, lightweight, and airy texture to them. The cotton used is also Fair Trade certified and meets OEKO-Tex standards, guaranteeing that no harmful chemicals were used in the production process.
Each set includes one flat sheet, one fitted sheet, and two pillowcases. The sheets are machine washable and can be tumble dried on low. The set comes with an extra-deep-pocket fitted sheet that can accommodate mattresses with depths of up to 17 inches. These sheets are available in nine tasteful, neutral colors that won’t go out of style.
FAQs About Your New Luxury Sheets
Finding the best sheets can be a bit overwhelming, so you may still have questions. Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about sheets.
Q. What is the most luxurious thread count for sheets?
The fibers used for the fabric are, in fact, more important than the thread count. If high-quality material is used, any thread count over 200 can feel luxurious.
Q. What is the best material for sheets to keep you cool?
Sheets made from silk, linen, and percale-woven cotton are best for keeping you cool while you sleep.
Q. What are the best organic sheets?
The Boll & Branch Signature Hemmed Sheet Set is one of the best organic sets on the market.
Q. How often should you change your sheets?
Sheets should be washed every 2 weeks, although those with allergies would benefit from washing them weekly.
