The Best Cotton Sheets

I’m Wirecutter’s bedding reporter, and I’ve covered sheets here for almost a decade. I also wrote our pieces on luxury sheets, sheets for hot sleepers, flannel sheets, linen sheets, and dorm sheets, as well as our guides to duvet covers, blankets, throws, pillows, and comforters.

I’ve spent years researching fabrics, weave patterns, construction, and fabric care, and interviewing textile and bedding experts. I’ve also been a quilter for nearly 20 years, and I’ve published several quilt patterns. I know a lot about how to assess good bedding.

Most cotton sheets are made in one of two weave patterns: percale or sateen. The different weaves affect the weight and feel of the fabric; choosing between them is a personal preference. We’ve found exceptional sheets in both styles.

Up close, percale weave looks like the lattice on a pie. The warp (vertical) and weft (horizontal) yarns in percale alternate in a simple over-under pattern, which leaves less room to squeeze in extra strands. This means percale sheets generally have lower thread counts and weigh less than sateen. They’re lightweight and breathable, and they feel crisp and cool on the skin. We love percale sheets for hot sleepers and hot weather, but some people find them a little scratchy.

Sateen weave is a looser weave with weft yarns that skip, or “float,” over multiple warp (vertical) threads. This allows more light to bounce off the surface, adding luster. It also leaves room to pack more strands into the fabric. So sateen generally has a higher thread count than percale, and it’s heavier and warmer—more threads means more insulation. It is luxuriously smooth and drapes over the body. We love the silky, decadent feel of sateen sheets, but they can be too warm for some climates or seasons.

We’ve researched hundreds of cotton sheets since 2013 and tested scores of them. Our criteria for the best are simple:

• High-quality cotton: The quality of the cotton is more important than the thread count or where it’s from. Long-staple and extra-long staple (ELS) cotton fibers make the smoothest, softest, and strongest sheets. (We explain in more detail in our post on Egyptian cotton.)
• Smooth, soft feel: We look for sheets that feel smooth and soft on the skin, especially after several washes.
• Durability: We look for sheets that last for years and that show no signs of pilling, loose threads, shoddy seams, or holes after just a few washes.
• A wide choice of colors and prints: We look for sheets that come in a variety of colors, and we love when they come in prints.
• Reasonable thread count: We focus on percale sets with thread counts between 200 and 300 and sateen sets between 300 and 600 (our expert-recommended rule of thumb). We go into more detail from those experts in our piece on what makes a good thread count for sheets.
• Positive owner feedback: We try to find sheets with a long history of good reviews, but we do consider newer startup brands that may have few (or no) reviews yet. We also gather feedback from our staff and our readers on the sheets that work for them.

My testing continues to evolve over the years, sometimes in unexpected ways. In 2023 I loaned a dozen test sheets to my daughter’s fifth-grade class. They used the sheets to cover all of the tables and bookcases in their classroom and displayed their history projects as if it were a museum. The kids and teachers eagerly gave me their feedback on which sheets were wrinkly, soft, easy to drape over furniture, or too thin and flimsy.

In my more-official sheet testing, these are the steps I currently take:

• I take notes on the look and feel of sheets right out of the packaging. And I set aside a pillowcase (unwashed) from every set for comparison, as the rest of the set goes through the test process.
• I measure the sheets when they’re new, and then I wash and dry them once, according to their care label. Then I measure again to check for shrinkage. I compare the fabric to the unwashed pillowcase, to note any changes to the finish or construction.
• I narrow down which sets to sleep on after the first wash. And my husband and I spend time sleeping on each set (anywhere from a single night to an entire week) and then taking notes.
• I photograph and document how well the sheets fit my bed (a 10-inch-deep king-size Leesa mattress), as well as the seams, edges, wrinkles, and any other construction details worth looking at.
• After I’ve narrowed the list down to the most promising sets, I wash and dry the finalists four more times, for a total of five washes (still following the care instructions). I compare the washed sheets to their unwashed pillowcases, and I use a pick glass to see how the fibers look up close. Then I measure them one last time and note any additional shrinkage. And then I put the sheets back on the bed for a final look and fit test.
• After the guide has published, I keep using and washing the picks and the best of the rest to see how they wear over months and even years.

In nearly a decade of testing, we’ve tried 32 sets of percale sheets. And L.L.Bean’s 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set has been our top pick since 2014.

I’ve written this guide since 2017, and three writers before me also found these percale sheets to be the best they tested. In total, we’ve tried seven different sets of the L.L.Bean sheets, and though there are some other fantastic percale sheets available, none have offered everything this classic set does.

The construction and materials are top-notch. These L.L.Bean percale sheets are impeccably stitched, and they’re made with pima cotton—an extra-long-staple (ELS) cotton grown in the US and known for its strength and smooth feel. They’re the only pick in this guide made with ELS cotton (we talk more about cotton types here).

The L.L.Bean sheets don’t shrink much in the wash, even over years of use. The fabric is a little thicker than most of the percale sheets we’ve tested, and we think this makes them more durable over time. That heft also makes the L.L.Bean sheets feel more substantial when you slide into bed.

We know these sheets last for years. The oldest test set we have is the set I tried in 2017, and I still use them regularly. They’re well loved, but they look and feel newer than many test sets I’ve washed just a few times, such as the percales from Coyuchi and Homebird.

If they do shrink, tear, or unravel, L.L.Bean offers one of the best satisfaction guarantees we’ve found (you can return them within a year of purchase).

They’re breathable and comfortable to sleep on. Cotton percale is one of our favorite materials for hot sleepers and warm climates. And even though these sheets feel a little thicker than their competitors, they still feel crisp, dry, and cool on the skin.

The cotton fibers in the L.L.Bean sheets absorb well, keeping moisture off the skin and giving the sheets the classic cool feeling that percale is known for.

They get better with every wash. I’ve consistently found that the L.L.Bean sheets softened with more washes and became less prone to wrinkles, unlike some percales I’ve tested that get scratchier in the wash. They do still wrinkle, though—all percale sheets do, especially compared with sateen sheets.

They’re a good value. L.L.Bean’s sheets are nicely priced for the quality. In fact, over the years I’ve noticed that many more expensive percale sets have come down in price to compete, but we haven’t found a set that’s better.

Similar to other picks on our list, these sheets come in both solid colors and prints. We also recommend the duvet cover in the same fabric. You can buy these sheets by the piece (including extra pillowcases), but the set currently saves you about $10 to $25 (depending on the size).

How the L.L.Bean sheets have held up

My test set from 2017 still outperforms brand-new percale sheets in testing. The edges aren’t quite as straight as they used to be, but the white color is still bright. And they haven’t shed, snagged, or lost any fibers or stitches along the seams.

One of our writers found a hole in one sheet (due to a cat claw—which may go beyond the spirit of the company’s guarantee). L.L.Bean still honored its return policy and sent her another set.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• Some reviews and comments from readers note that these sheets feel too rough. This is probably a matter of personal preference. The sheets come out of the package feeling crisp, but they do break in and get softer over time. Several years ago we even purchased a set from a reader to compare to our test set; they performed equally well. If you find these too rough, either give them time and wash them frequently (you have a year to return them), or try silkier sateen sheets.
• These sheets aren’t Oeko-Tex–certified.

In nearly a decade of testing, we’ve tried 38 sets of sateen sheets. And JCPenney’s Wrinkle Guard 400 TC Cotton Sheet Set has been our top pick since 2014.

These sheets have been rebranded three times since we first tried them in 2014—they were originally Royal Velvet, then JCP Home, and now they’re simply Wrinkle Guard. We’ve confirmed with JCPenney that they’re all the same sheets, and I’ve tested every version, directly comparing them to older sets under previous brand names to confirm. In total we’ve tried five sets over the last decade, and they’ve consistently been smooth and sumptuous.

They’re one of the softest sateen sets we’ve tried. The Wrinkle Guard sheets have a silky feel on the skin and a smooth, luxurious texture. They’re very similar to our sateen upgrade pick (even down to the embroidered hem), but they’re considerably less expensive.

In my tests these sheets have shown minimal wrinkles, and they get smoother with age and washing. They wrinkle less than most sateens I’ve tried. That’s thanks, in part, to their Wrinkle Guard finish—companies often use chemical finishes to soften their fabrics and prevent wrinkles, and JCPenney told us Wrinkle Guard is a low-formaldehyde resin treatment.

They’re warm and cozy. If you’re looking for a cozy cotton sheet for chilly nights, or if you’re just a cold sleeper, these sheets are warmer than our L.L.Bean percale pick. They’re thicker and heavier than some sateens I’ve tested, but they don’t cause overheating. They drape around the body, keeping warm air in and blocking drafts. They’re still very breathable, but they aren’t ideal for summer nights.

They’re durable, and they wash beautifully. After a few years of use, the sheets show no signs of pilling, the seams are still intact, and the fabric hasn’t thinned out. I haven’t tested a single set for as long as I’ve tested the L.L.Bean percales (six years and counting) because of the many brand-name changes. But I have tested several different sets for two to three years each, and they’re in fantastic shape after at least that long.

They’re often on sale for a steal. For the quality, these sheets are a good deal, but JCPenney has frequent sales, so you can almost always find them for less—we’ve seen these sheets going for just a few dollars more than our budget pick from Target. If you buy a set of these sheets on sale, we think they’re the best value on our list. They come in seven solid colors (fewer choices than any other pick), and they’re available in California king and split king sizes. As with all of our picks, extra pillowcases can be purchased separately (but the sheets are sold only in a set).

JCPenney has a 60-day return policy.

How the JCPenney sheets have held up

After two to three years testing white versions of each of these sheets—Royal Velvet, JCP Home, and Wrinkle Guard—I found them to be almost as smooth and soft as they were out of the package.

Several members of our staff have owned these sheets for longer under various brand names, and they agree that they feel fantastic and barely wrinkle. One staffer noted that they were comfy, but the color on her set has faded over time.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• We know the use of chemical finishes—like the resin used on these JCPenney sheets—isn’t appealing to everyone, and these sheets are not Oeko-Tex–certified. Finishes like this have been shown to sometimes cause contact dermatitis, but none of our testers or staffers have complained about this in our nearly 10 years of recommending these sheets.
• Without lab testing, we can’t say whether the resin washes out over time. If you’re concerned, we definitely recommend sticking with the Cuddledown or Target sateen sheets (although both of those also use different treatments to make them smoother, they do have Oeko-Tex certification).
• We have some concerns about the frequent rebranding on these sheets, given JCPenney’s pandemic-related bankruptcy filing. However, the company seems to be recovering, with new owners as of late 2020. And as of 2023, it was investing in remodeling stores, so we’re hoping these sheets stick around and stop changing names—the last rebrand was in 2021.

• A coordinating duvet cover is not available—L.L.Bean and Cuddledown do make matching duvets for their sets.

If you want sateen sheets that feel more luxurious and can hold their own against the most expensive sateen sheets we’ve tested, try Cuddledown’s 400 Thread Count Sateen Sheet Set.

They feel wonderful, and they come in lots of colors. Similar to the JCPenney Wrinkle Guard sheets, these have a silky feel, a nice drape, a nearly identical embroidered hem, and a subtle luster. On all counts, though, the Cuddledown sheets are just a little better than the JCPenney Wrinkle Guard sheets. They have an “it” factor that’s hard to explain. When I put the Wrinkle Guard sheets on the bed, my husband (who loves the feel of sateen) says, “Oh that’s nice.” When I put the Cuddledown sheets on, he says, “Ohhhh, that’s nice.”

The Cuddledown sheets also come in about two-dozen solid colors, more than any other set we recommend.

They’ve outperformed luxury sheets we’ve tried. These are the most expensive cotton sheets we recommend, so they may be worth it only if you’re particular about your sateen. But when we tested them against $1,000-plus luxury Italian sheets, they were so soft and smooth that some of our testers couldn’t tell the difference, which was a delightful surprise. The quality is outstanding.

They wrinkle less than any cotton sheets we’ve tested. We’ve tested four sets of Cuddledown sheets over the years, and I can confidently say they are some of the smoothest sateen sheets we’ve tried.

The sheets are mercerized, which means they’re treated with sodium hydroxide, to soften them and help prevent wrinkles. They’re not free of chemical finishes (none of our sateen picks are). But they are Oeko-Tex–certified, unlike the JCPenney Wrinkle Guard set.

They’re the only pick in our guide available in two fitted sheet depths. You can choose a 16-inch sheet (called “fitted”) or a 21-inch fitted sheet (called “deep fitted”), though I’ve only tested the 16-inch sheet.

If you have a college student who really wants to splash out for their dorm, this set is also our only cotton-sheet-set pick that comes in a dedicated twin XL size (not a twin/twin XL combo, like our budget pick).

As with the L.L.Bean percale sheets, with these sheets we also recommend the coordinating duvet cover made with the same fabric. You can buy these sheets by the piece, if you’re not looking for a whole set, or pick up extra pillowcases, but a set will save you about $15 to $30 depending on the size. And you can buy shams in the same fabric, which is unique among our picks.

Cuddledown offers the only unconditional guarantee of any of our picks, so you can return these at any time for any (or no) reason.

How the Cuddledown sheets have held up

I’ve been using a white set of Cuddledown sateen sheets since 2017 and a dark gray duvet cover in the same fabric since 2018, and I tested a teal set in 2022. I’ve compared the look and feel against each other, as well as against much pricier luxury sheets. It’s remarkable how well this fabric holds up and how splendid it still feels after years of use.

In 2023, one of our staffers did find a hole in a fitted Cuddledown sheet that was less than two years old. The company sent a replacement set, honoring its unconditional guarantee.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• We blind-ordered these in April 2022, and we retested them after hearing from a reader who felt tricked, during the checkout process, into enrolling in a rewards program that cost money. We didn’t encounter any confusing requests for the company’s rewards program (which does indeed cost money; we do not recommend enrolling). We suspect Cuddledown has since updated its website to make this less confusing.
• Many colors and sizes tend to go in and out of stock. Our sheets were back-ordered for at least a month, but we did receive them eventually (with an apology email from the company).
• When we ordered a new set of Cuddledown’s sateen sheets in 2023, we noticed that the care label now says to launder in cold water (as opposed to warm). This is now our only pick that specifies washing in cold water. We’ll keep an eye on how this new set wears over time.

Target’s Threshold 400 Thread Count Solid Performance Sheet Set is the best budget set we’ve ever tried, in either percale or sateen (these sheets are sateen). These sheets are a screaming deal for guest rooms and kids’ rooms, as well as for anyone who doesn’t want to bother with pricier sheets.

They’re soft and durable. The Threshold sheets have the smoothest, most substantial (as in, not thin or flimsy) feel of any budget-friendly cotton sheets I’ve tested. And they have better construction and fabric than many pricier sateen sheets I’ve tried.

I’ve owned several sets over the past 10 or 15 years, and we’ve tested four separate sets for this guide since 2014. They hold up to several years of use, and the fitted sheet’s double elastic bands do an excellent job of keeping the sheet taut on the bed (better than with most sheets I’ve tested). I currently have a three-year-old set in my guest room—they’re the only sheets I buy for that bed.

These sheets aren’t as soft, thick, or silky as our JCPenney Wrinkle Guard pick (they have a slightly fuzzier, brushed feel), but they wash well, and they’re Oeko-Tex–certified (unlike the JCPenney sheets).

They come in more prints than any other set we recommend. I use these sheets in my guest room not only because they are reliable and durable, but also because they come in a number of colors and prints. The selections change seasonally, but Target typically offers about a dozen solids and a dozen prints.

It’s easy to keep a few fun sets on hand, and I can change them out when the mood strikes—or for different guests with different tastes (this is especially fun when Target offers autumn or holiday prints, which disappear quickly every year). Being able to mix and match extra solid or print pillowcases adds to the versatility. This set is also our only pick that clearly labels the “top or bottom” and “side” of the fitted sheet, and these labels are very helpful when I’m making the bed.

How the Threshold sheets have held up

I’ve heard from staffers who have owned these sheets for five to seven years before they replaced them, and we think this is a good range for how long they last. The sets I’ve kept the longest have lasted about five years, and they were still in decent shape when I donated them—no unraveling seams or holes. They had either started to pill or had lost too much softness.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• The description for these sheets says they are “wrinkle-, pill-, and shrink-resistant,” and we’re not sure if that means they’re treated with any chemical finishes, like the JCPenney Wrinkle Guard sheets. But since these sheets are Oeko-Tex–certified, we don’t think they contain anything too irritating.
• Some of our testers have found these sheets hotter to sleep on than our other sateen picks.

Prior to landing on store shelves, most sheets are “finished” to make them softer and smoother—this process includes scouring to remove dirt, bleaching prior to dyeing, and mercerization with sodium hydroxide (basically a type of starch). All of these treatments are gradually washed out before the sheets are sold (and we recommend washing new sheets at least once before using them).

But if your sheets have a “wrinkle-free,” “no-iron,” or “durable press” label, they might also be treated with chemicals, including formaldehyde. And these chemicals might stay on sheets in trace amounts and might cause skin rashes for some people. (The trace amounts of formaldehyde are said to be well below the threshold that would pose a cancer risk.) Unfortunately, it takes more cycles to wash out these additives.

If you and your family members want to reduce the risk of exposure to an irritant, as well as to other potentially harmful chemicals, many of the sheets we test and recommend are Oeko-Tex–certified (Standard 100). This certification means they’ve been independently tested for certain chemicals—including formaldehyde and (as of April 2023) PFAS—and found to be harmless to human health. If a pick has the Oeko-Tex certification, we note this in the guide.

It’s best to change your sheets once a week, even if you don’t wash them right away. When you do wash them, use cool or warm wash cycles, and dry them on low heat. Those settings will help the fabric last longer than if you were to always wash and dry on high heat.

Percale

If you want percale sheets that are so crisp they’re “almost papery”: This is how one of our senior editors describes Riley’s Percale Sheet Set (our former percale upgrade pick); in our 2019 testing they said this set felt like a high-quality shirt fabric. When I retested these sheets in 2023, they were stiffer and more wrinkly. We noticed some stock issues with them in fall 2023, which is why we’ve downgraded these sheets until we can do more testing. They are Oeko-Tex–certified, however, unlike our L.L.Bean percale pick.

If you want percale sheets in bolder colors and prints: Brooklinen’s Classic Core Sheet Set offers punchier prints than our L.L.Bean pick, and The Company Store’s Company Cotton Classic Cool Cotton Percale Sheet Set offers richer solid colors. Both are thinner than the L.L.Bean sheets and not as soft after several washes. For percale, however, they’re very smooth, light, and comfy to sleep on, with minimal wrinkles and no major creases after several washes.

If you prefer organic cotton percale sheets: Brooklinen’s Organic Cotton Core Sheet Set, The Company Store’s Company Essentials Classic Cool Organic Cotton Percale Sheet Set, and Hawkins New York’s Essential Percale Sheet Set are all GOTS-certified organic. And they all performed well in testing, with a crisp, not-too-wrinkly feel (they were still a little wrinkly, since they’re percale). But these sheets are all more expensive and thinner than the L.L.Bean sheets, and they come in fewer colors.

Sateen

If you want high-end luxury sheets: Sferra’s Giza 45 Sateen sheets cost over $2,000 for a queen set. Our sateen picks feel great and will last for years (for a tiny fraction of the price), but I can’t deny that the Giza 45 sheets are incredible. They’ve held up through five years of testing, and I still get a thrill when I put them on the bed. If you’re looking for a true splurge, a company rep told us they go on sale four times a year.

If you’re looking for modern colors: The Company Store’s Company Cotton Classic Smooth Wrinkle-Free Sateen Sheet Set comes in fewer colors than the Cuddledown set. But these sheets are more richly dyed (even the darkest Cuddledown sheets I’ve tested seem a little muted), and the colors are more modern than the JCPenney Wrinkle Guard options. They feel fantastic to sleep on, too.

If you prefer organic cotton sateen sheets: Coyuchi’s Cloud Soft Organic Sateen Sheet Set and Casper’s Sateen Sheet Set performed well in our 2023 testing, but they’re not as silky-smooth or warm as our sateen picks. Delilah Home’s 100% Organic Cotton Bed Sheets were a high-quality, affordable set, but their availability was patchy as of November 2023. All are GOTS-certified organic.

Percale

Authenticity 50’s Signature Sheets are a comfortable, lightweight set for hot weather or hot sleepers, but they are frequently sold out or unavailable in most sizes.

Bare Home’s Organic Cotton Percale Sheet Set felt wrinkly and uncomfortable after five washes.

Snowe’s Percale Sheet Set was once an upgrade pick, and we’ve tested several different sets over the years. However, we stopped recommending the brand in 2019 because of repeated issues with quality and customer service.

Coyuchi’s Organic Crinkled Percale Sheets lived up to their name. In our 2023 testing, these sheets were so scratchy that I woke my husband up in the middle of the night so I could change them.

Target’s Threshold 300 Thread Count Organic Cotton Solid Sheet Set was a delightful surprise, and it almost became a percale budget pick in this guide. I loved sleeping on these sheets. But as of January 2024, this set was almost entirely sold out and appears to be getting discontinued.

Over the years, we’ve also tested and dismissed Homebird’s Cool & Crisp Percale Fitted Sheet Set, CloudTen’s Luna Percale Sheets, Huckberry’s Upstate Pure Washed Cotton Sheet Set, Peru Pima’s Percale Sheet Set, and Red Land Cotton’s Hemstitched Sheet Set.

Sateen

I’ve tried Brooklinen’s Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set several times, including again in 2023, and we’ve heard from readers who love them. However, I just haven’t found them to be anywhere near as soft as our picks.

Riley’s Organic Cotton Sheets were well made, but they’re very thin, and they aren’t GOTS-certified.

I tested Bella Notte’s Bria Fitted Sheet Set in 2023. These sheets are luxurious, but they’re not as luxe as Sferra’s Giza 45 sheets. And at almost $1,000 for a queen set (they’re sold by the piece), they’re not worth the splurge when our sateen picks are so good.

Riley’s Sateen Sheet Set wasn’t that memorable in our 2019 testing. We think the company’s percale set is the one to try.

CloudTen’s Amora Sateen Sheets had loose threads everywhere after a single wash, and they weren’t soft.

Over the years we’ve also tried and dismissed California Design Den’s Luxe Smooth Sateen Sheet Set 600 TC, Target’s Casaluna 300 Thread Count Temperature Regulating Cotton Sheet Set, Parachute’s Sateen Sheet Set, Cozytown Linens’ 310 TC Cotton Sheet Sets, Boll & Branch’s Signature Hemmed Sheet Set, Crane & Canopy’s 400 Thread Count Cotton Sheets, Tribeca Living Egyptian Cotton 500 Thread Count Extra Deep Pocket Sheet Set, and Lands’ End No Iron Supima Sheets.

This article was edited by Daniela Gorny and Christine Ryan.