You spend one-third of your life sleeping, so you might as well do it on the best sheets possible, right? But with so many different types of sheets on the market, it can be hard to know where to start when shopping for a new set. Do you want Egyptian cotton or linen? Do you need a fitted sheet or will a flat sheet do?

To help you make the best decision for your bed, we’ve put together a list of the best sheets you can buy. We’ve also included a buyer’s guide with everything you need to know about sheets, from the different types of fabrics to the difference between a fitted sheet and a flat sheet.

The best sheets overall

If you’re looking for the best sheets to buy, Brooklinen’s Luxe Core Sheet Set is our top pick. These sheets are made from 100 percent long-staple cotton, which is a durable and breathable fabric that only gets softer with each wash. The set includes a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases, and it’s available in eight different colors, including neutral shades like white and ivory and bolder hues like navy and plum.

Brooklinen’s sheets are also available in four different sizes to fit any bed, from twin to California king. And if you’re not happy with your purchase, Brooklinen offers a risk-free trial period of 60 days, so you can return the sheets for a full refund.

The best budget sheets

If you’re looking for a more affordable option, we recommend the AmazonBasics Microfiber Sheet Set. These sheets are made from 100 percent polyester microfiber, which is a lightweight and wrinkle-resistant fabric. The set includes a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases, and it’s available in eight different colors, including neutral shades like white and beige and brighter hues like purple and yellow.

AmazonBasics’ sheets are also available in six different sizes to fit any bed, from twin to king. And if you’re not satisfied with your purchase, Amazon offers a 30-day return policy, so you can return the sheets for a full refund.

The best luxury sheets

If you’re willing to splurge on a luxury set of sheets, we recommend the Parachute Linen Sheet Set. These sheets are made from 100 percent linen, which is a durable and breathable fabric that gets softer with each wash. The set includes a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases, and it’s available in eight different colors, including neutral shades like white and ivory and bolder hues like navy and plum.

Parachute’s sheets are also available in four different sizes to fit any bed, from twin to California king. And if you’re not happy with your purchase, Parachute offers a risk-free trial period of 60 days, so you can return the sheets for a full refund.

The best organic sheets

If you’re looking for an organic option, we recommend the Bamboo Bed Sheets from Cariloha. These sheets are made from 100 percent viscose from bamboo, which is a soft, breathable, and environmentally friendly fabric. The set includes a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases, and it’s available in eight different colors, including neutral shades like white and ivory and bolder hues like navy and plum.

Cariloha’s sheets are also available in four different sizes to fit any bed, from twin to California king. And if you’re not satisfied with your purchase, Cariloha offers a 30-day return policy, so you can return the sheets for a full refund.

The best flannel sheets

If you’re looking for a cozy option for the winter months, we recommend the Pinzon Velvet Flannel Sheet Set. These sheets are made from 100 percent cotton flannel, which is a soft and warm fabric. The set includes a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases, and it’s available in eight different plaid patterns.

Pinzon’s sheets are also available in six different sizes to fit any bed, from twin to king. And if you’re not happy with your purchase, Amazon offers a 30-day return policy, so you can return the sheets for a full refund.

The best silk sheets

If you’re looking for a luxurious option, we recommend the Mulberry Silk Sheet Set from LilySilk. These sheets are made from 100 percent mulberry silk, which is a soft, smooth, and hypoallergenic fabric. The set includes a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases, and it’s available in eight different colors, including neutral shades like white and ivory and bolder hues like black and red.

LilySilk’s sheets are also available in four different sizes to fit any bed, from twin to California king. And if you’re not satisfied with your purchase, LilySilk offers a 30-day return policy, so you can return the sheets for a full refund.

The best cooling sheets

If you’re looking for a cooling option, we recommend the Sheex Original Performance Sheet Set. These sheets are made from a proprietary fabric that’s designed to wick away moisture and regulate body temperature. The set includes a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases, and it’s available in four different colors, including white, grey, and blue.

Sheex’s sheets are also available in six different sizes to fit any bed, from twin to king. And if you’re not happy with your purchase, Sheex offers a 30-day return policy, so you can return the sheets for a full refund.

Buyer’s guide

Types of sheets

There are four main types of sheets: Egyptian cotton, linen, microfiber, and flannel.

Egyptian cotton sheets are made from 100 percent cotton that’s been grown in Egypt. Egyptian cotton is a durable and breathable fabric that gets softer with each wash.

Linen sheets are made from 100 percent linen, which is a durable and breathable fabric that gets softer with each wash.

Microfiber sheets are made from 100 percent polyester microfiber, which is a lightweight and wrinkle-resistant fabric.

Flannel sheets are made from 100 percent cotton flannel, which is a soft and warm fabric.

Fabric weights

When shopping for sheets, you’ll also want to consider the fabric weight, which is measured in GSM (grams per square meter). The higher the GSM, the thicker and warmer the sheets will be.

For example, most Egyptian cotton sheets have a GSM of 200 to 400, which is considered a medium-weight fabric. Linen sheets have a GSM of 180 to 190, which is considered a lightweight fabric. And microfiber sheets have a GSM of 90 to 100, which is considered a ultralightweight fabric.

Thread count

Thread count is the number of threads per square inch of fabric. The higher the thread count, the softer and more durable the sheets will be.

Most Egyptian cotton sheets have a thread count of 200 to 800, which is considered a medium- to high-thread count. Linen sheets have a thread count of 180 to 190, which is considered a low-thread count. And microfiber sheets have a thread count of 90 to 100, which is considered a ultralow-thread count.

Fitted sheets vs. flat sheets

A fitted sheet is a sheet that has elastic around the edges to fit snugly around your mattress. A flat sheet is a sheet that doesn’t have elastic around the edges and can be used as a top sheet or bottom sheet.

Most sheet sets include one fitted sheet and one flat sheet, but some sets only include a fitted sheet.

Pillowcases

Pillowcases are usually sold in sets of two and are used to cover your pillows. Most sheet sets include two pillowcases, but some sets only include one pillowcase.

Conclusion

When shopping for sheets, there are a few things to keep in mind, including the type of fabric, the fabric weight, the thread count, and the size of your bed. We hope our buyer’s guide has helped you narrow down your options and find the perfect set of sheets for your bed.