The Softest Bed Sheets 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The key to quality sleep is investing in quality bedding. As a mom of three who deeply values her Zzzs, I can attest to a great sheet set making all the difference between a good night’s sleep and a night full of tossing and turning. With so many viral bedding brands and companies claiming to sell the softest bed sheets ever, though, it can be hard to know which bedding to invest your hard-earned money in and what’s just good marketing.

In my experience, the softest bed sheets are well made, easy to clean, and maintain their softness over time. Other features to consider are material, breathability, wrinkle-resistance, cost, and crispness. Over the past six weeks I’ve put eight popular sheet sets from some of the most beloved bedding brands to the test, to discover which sheets live up to the hype. Discover my top picks and what I loved (and didn’t) about each sheet set.

Our top picks for the softest sheets

Best soft bed sheets for most people: Cariloha Resort Bamboo Bed Sheets

In short: Best bamboo sheets ever! I’ve been sleeping on these sheets for more than six months, and they are an actual dream. They’re made from the softest, sustainable bamboo viscose and feature a silky smooth sateen finish that’ll make you never want to get out of bed.

These sheets were incredibly soft right out of the package, so if you’re looking for a sheet set you don’t have to break in–and retains its softness over time–these are worth every penny. They keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, thanks to their natural temperature-regulating properties. They also repel odors and allergens without all the toxic chemicals, so you can rest easier.

The one thing I didn’t love about these sheets—and all bamboo sheets tested—is that they do feel “slept in” (i.e., slightly rumpled, not fresh out of the dryer) sooner, so I wash them more frequently than I would a more crisp sheet. They’re also pretty thin, which can be a positive or negative depending on how hot you sleep.

That said, they’re easy to care for and are machine washable. After six months plus and plenty of washes, they still look as good as the day I got them–no pilling or rips. Another thing: The sheet set comes with extra deep pockets to fit even the biggest pillow-top mattress.

Specifications:

• Materials: 100% viscose from bamboo
• Weave: Sateen
• Sizes available: Queen, king, Cal king, split king
• Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low heat
• Colors: 8
• Price on publish: $329 - $369

The bottom line:

These buttery soft bamboo viscose sheets are luxe, lightweight, silky smooth and extra cool.

Best budget soft bed sheets: Quince Classic Organic Percale Sheet Set

I love Quince for the premium quality, planet-friendly practices, and wallet-friendly prices. This Classic Organic Percale sheet set may not have felt quite as luxurious or soft as some of the more high-end picks I tested, but the quality is exceptional considering the price (less than $100 for a Queen set!)

The perfect combination of crisp, cool, and soft, these are great for those who sleep warm. I also appreciated how fresh and clean they still looked (and felt) after a week of sleeping in them. While they do come out of the dryer pretty wrinkly, this isn’t a big deal breaker for me–they’ve only gotten softer with each wash, so I can imagine I’ll love them even more as time goes on. The fitted sheet also fit our queen-size mattress perfectly, so five stars there.

In terms of their environmental friendliness, they’re made using windmill-powered green energy and without the use of GMOs, harsh pesticides or toxins, so those concerned about sustainability will sleep a little easier.

Specifications:

• Materials: 100% organic cotton
• Weave: Percale
• Sizes available: Twin, full, queen, king, Cal king
• Care: Machine wash cool with mild detergent, tumble dry on low
• Colors: 14
• Price on publish: $79.90 - $119.90

The bottom line:

These crisp, cool sheets get softer with each wash, and you can’t beat the quality for the price.

Best bamboo soft bed sheets: Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set

These sheets are like butter, with an ultra cozy, silky soft texture. In my testing, the fitted sheet fit like a glove without budging at all overnight—it’s one of the best-fitting sheets I’ve owned and comes out of the dryer perfectly. The flat sheet, however, does tend to be a bit wrinkly out of the dryer so if you prefer a crisp, made bed or for your sheets to feel fresh for longer, the material of these sheets (bamboo viscose) probably isn’t for you.

In terms of softness, these sheets deserve a 10 out of 10. We can see why they made it on Oprah’s Favorite Things list in 2018! They’re airy, with moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating properties, and while they’re definitely an investment up front, I’d 100% buy them again.

Specifications:

• Materials: 100% viscose from bamboo
• Weave: Enhanced
• Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king, split king
• Care: Machine wash cold on regular cycle
• Colors: 13
• Price on publish: $271.20 - $375.20

The bottom line:

These silky-soft sheets just might be the coziest on Earth—or at least close to it.

Best organic soft bed sheets: Parachute Home Organic Soft Luxe Sheet Set

These lightweight organic sheets didn’t disappoint. While they’re slightly scratchy when you first put them on, they quickly soften up and are warm and cozy with a matte finish. They do have a bit more texture (closer to linen) than many of the cotton sheet sets on our list and gave my room a relaxing, earthy vibe.

The more I slept in them, the softer they became. I wish there were more color options, though the bone is quite beautiful and the white has that crisp, cuddly hotel-like quality. Overall, I enjoyed sleeping in these, and they wash beautifully.

Specifications:

• Materials: 100% organic cotton
• Weave: Sateen
• Sizes available: Full, queen, king, Cal king
• Care: Machine wash on warm with gentle cycle, tumble dry on low
• Colors: 2
• Price on publish: $189 - $289

The bottom line:

Lightweight yet warm, these earthy sheets are perfect for sleepers who prefer a little more texture.

Best quality soft bed sheets: Boll & Branch Signature Hemmed Sheet Set

There’s a reason these buttery soft and breathable bed sheets have racked up over 10,000 five-star reviews: They’re comfortable, incredibly well made, and luxurious. They’re made of 100% organic, long-staple cotton for softness and durability, and without synthetic pesticides, harmful chemicals or formaldehyde. Unlike many sheet sets you’ll find on our list, these start out soft and get softer over time.

The fitted sheet is designed with very deep pockets, tightly hugging the mattress without stretching out or the corners riding up. If they feel oversized at first, Boll & Branch recommends washing and drying a few times for the right fit.The flat sheet is also generously sized, so if you sleep next to a notorious cover stealer, you’re in luck.

Many reviewers note how well they’ve stood up to washing/drying and how they continue to soften. Other things to love are the extensive color and pattern selection, as well as availability in every mattress size.

Specifications:

• Materials: 100% organic cotton
• Weave: 4-over-1 under weave
• Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king, split king
• Care: Wash in cold water with like colors on gentle, tumble dry on medium heat
• Colors: 24
• Price on publish: $229 - $339

The bottom line:

These luxe, breathable bed sheets are so soft, you’ll find excuses to stay in bed longer.

Best cooling soft bed sheets: Buffy Breeze Sheet Set

These supremely soft sheets are the definition of breezy and exactly what you’d want to climb into if you sleep warm. They’re breathable, transporting moisture quicker than cotton or linen, so if you sweat a lot in your sleep, you won’t be disappointed—they’re the best cooling sheets I’ve owned.

For how strong and durable they are, they’re also incredibly lightweight. I’ve had mine for a few months now, and despite being thin, they haven’t ripped—even with our dogs sleeping on and scratching at them—and there’s been no pilling. They’re third-party tested to withstand 255+ washes, which is about seven years in the average home. Just be warned that because they’re so lightweight and thin, they will lose that fresh and clean out of the dryer feeling faster than a more crisp cotton sheet will.

If you’re still skeptical, the cool thing about Buffy is that you can try these sheets for seven nights at home free before purchasing them, which is hard to beat. They also come in 25 colors, so there’s tons of options to choose from to suit your interior design style.

Specifications:

• Materials: Lyocell (made from eucalyptus)
• Weave: Not listed
• Sizes available: Full, queen, king, Cal king
• Care: Machine wash cool on gentle cycle with mild detergent, tumble dry low
• Colors: 25
• Price on publish: $160.65 - $191.25

The bottom line:

These sheets are soft, lightweight, and breathable, making them ideal for sweaty sleepers.

Best sateen soft sheets: Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set

These Brooklinen sheets definitely live up to the Internet hype, striking the balance between light and crisp, and super soft and silky, with a high-end, hotel quality feel to them. They’re the perfect year-round sheets, as they’re warm without being too hot, yet airy and breathable enough to keep you cool when temperatures rise.

They also dry fast, which came in handy when my kid brought home yet another stomach virus. While I’ve only washed them a few times so far, they’ve softened slightly with each wash and come out of the dryer with hardly any wrinkles at all (although after the very first wash/dry cycle they were quite wrinkly). I also haven’t noticed any shrinkage.

My kiddo can toss and turn a lot in her sleep at night, but the fitted sheet barely budged. I also appreciate the “long” and “short’ tag indicators on the fitted sheet, so making the bed is a no-brainer. Overall, I’d highly recommend these sheets, as would the 20,000+ reviewers who dub these sheets “heavenly.” My only complaint is the flat sheet could be a bit more generously-sized. While not an issue for me, some reviewers note that the fitted sheet rode up on deeper mattresses.

Specifications:

• Materials: 100% long staple cotton
• Weave: Sateen
• Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king
• Care: Machine wash cold with like colors, tumble dry low
• Colors: 16
• Price on publish: $135.15 - $194.65

The bottom line:

Light, crisp, and silky smooth, you’ll love sleeping in these dreamy sheets year-round.

Best linen soft bed sheets: Piglet In Bed Sheet Set

I’ve never been the biggest fan of linen sheets, but this luxe Piglet In Bed sheet set has converted me. It far exceeded my expectations in terms of softness, as it’s made from 100% stonewashed European flax, which keeps you warm and cozy during the winter and cool during the summer. Another perk of linen is it just gets softer with each wash. I appreciate that these sheets come pre-washed to avoid shrinkage and ensure snuggly softness from day one.

While the linen may not be as buttery-soft as bamboo or cotton, I like the fabric’s weightiness and that it feels fresh and clean after sleeping on it for many nights. Wrinkles are, of course, inevitable with linen, but they somehow make this sheet set look homey and inviting, as opposed to the almost sterile look of hotel sheets.

I have this linen sheet set in dusk blue, and the color is absolutely stunning. All the cozy colors and retro prints are to die for, which is why they sell out so quickly. So far, these are the best linen bed sheets I’ve ever tried.

Specifications:

• Materials: 100% linen woven from European flax
• Weave: Not listed
• Sizes available: Twin, full, queen, king, Cal king
• Care: Machine wash at 104 Fahrenheit with similar colors, tumble dry low
• Colors: 40+
• Price on publish: $237.40 - $299.40

The bottom line:

These luxe linen sheets are surprisingly soft and breathable, in an array of gorgeous colors to liven up any room.

How we selected the softest bed sheets

To narrow down our options, I did a deep dive into the bedding brands everyone is buying now and then chose top-rated, quality sheet sets marketed as exceptionally soft, with plenty of rave reviews to back them up. I washed, dried, and slept in each of the sheet sets to test for softness, breathability, ease of cleaning, texture, and how comfortable they felt. I also noted how well I slept in each set.

What to consider when buying the softest bed sheets

There’s a lot to keep in mind when purchasing the softest bed sheets, including your own sleep style, desired material, budget, and preferred texture. Below, we break it all down.

Material and manufacturing techniques

When shopping for soft sheets, Julia Siemen, a certified sleep science coach at Sleep Advisor, tells us that material and manufacturing techniques are very important. “For warm sleepers, moisture-wicking fabrics like cotton and linen are very breathable, keeping you cool during the night,” she says. “For cold sleepers, flannel sheets may be a good option for warmth.”

From my own testing and speaking with friends and family, personal material preferences will undoubtedly differ. I love the instant softness bamboo sheets provide, while others might like a soft, crisp cotton sheet or perhaps the best percale sheets like you’d find at a luxury hotel.

Weave

Percale and sateen are two of the most common weave styles, with percale being more crisp, lightweight, airy, and breathable, as well as more prone to wrinkling. Sateen has a silky smooth finish and sheen, is a bit weightier/thicker, softer, and wrinkle-resistant, with an excellent drape. It’s also more prone to pilling and snags and retains heat more than percale.

Quality

Turns out, a high thread count doesn’t always make for softer sheets. While it matters, the quality of the fiber itself and the construction is more important. Look for long-staple or extra-long staple cottons for the softest sheets.

Certifications

Certifications are also important, according to Siemen. “The OEKO-TEX certification indicates environmentally and socially responsible production, GOTS makes sure they are organic, and the Eco-INSTITUT certification ensures products are free from pollutants and hazardous chemicals.”

Fit

Check the dimensions of sheets, the fitted sheet specifically, to ensure it’ll fit and cover your mattress.

Lifestyle preferences

“Considering personal preferences, lifestyle, and specific needs, such as sleeping temperature, budget, and desired texture, is important for choosing sheets for a good night’s sleep,” says Siemen.

Tips to help keep sheets soft

“Baking soda and vinegar, although different in composition, work well to dissolve residues and keep sheets soft,” says Siemen. “Baking soda is like a natural alternative to fabric softener: It breaks down organic compounds, softens sheets, and prevents detergent build-up, keeping your sheets breathable and helping them last longer.”

“Vinegar counteracts detergent or fabric softener residues because it's acidic,” she explains, adding that she advises against fabric softener if you want your sheets to stay soft, as its residue can make sheets stiff over time.

Other ideas to soften sheets without causing damage, according to Siemen, are to soak them in Epsom salts or borax overnight. You can also wash and repeat to get that super soft-to-the-touch, snuggly texture sooner. “If you wash your sheets multiple times, particularly for sheets like cotton or linen, it helps break them in over time, although it's smart to dry them on low heat or hang them dry to keep them soft,” she says.

How material type affects the softness of sheets

“The softness of sheets can be influenced by the type of material used in their construction,” notes Siemen. “Lower-quality sheets are often made from short-staple cotton fibers, resulting in a rougher texture. The material type and quality can also impact how the sheets retain their softness over time, making it important to consider the fabric when looking for long-lasting softness.”

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is the softest type of bed sheets?

According to Siemen, the softest types of bed sheets are typically Egyptian cotton. “These sheets have a soft feel right from the initial use because of their superior quality and the longer fibers in their composition,” she says. “Linen sheets might feel stiff initially, but they tend to soften over time as they are used and washed, eventually becoming soft once they've been broken in.” Sheets made with premium, long-staple cottons and sateen weaves will also be luxuriously soft, as will bamboo viscose.

What are the softest sheets that don't pill?

Percale or sateen weaves, which, “are less prone to pilling due to their tight construction and smooth textures,” says Siemen. “Specifically, sateen weaves are an ideal choice, especially for those with a thread count not exceeding 700, as they provide a soft feel.”

What makes bed sheets super soft?

Bed sheets’ softness is based on factors including material, weave, how long you’ve owned/washed them, and thread count. “Sheets made from certain materials, like Egyptian or Supima cotton or bamboo, are soft right from the start,” says Siemen. “Sheets that have been washed and used over time also tend to become softer compared to brand-new ones straight out of the package.”

What thread count is best for soft sheets?

While the softness of sheets can correlate to thread count, Siemen says the ideal thread count will vary based on the fabric type. “For cotton sheets, a thread count of approximately 400 tends to be softer. For bamboo sheets, a thread count of around 300 is generally preferable for a softer feel. Linen sheets can be soft with a thread count of around 130.” For more info on the differences between the materials, check out our guide to bamboo vs. cotton sheets.

How often should you wash your sheets?

In terms of how often you should wash your sheets, most experts recommend changing or washing your sheets once a week to maintain maximum freshness. The pillows should stay protected by ensuring you also wash your pillowcases weekly.