I wrote this piece in partnership with Zulily! Read this post on Zulily’s blog here. Please help me share my work by clicking this link and sharing the post with friends!

About five years ago when I moved into my first “grown-up” apartment in New York City, I was so excited to start decorating and organizing my new home. But, if we are being honest, I was probably most excited to purchase a new (BIG) bed. As a beauty lover, I take my beauty sleep very seriously and wanted to invest in the best mattress, pillows, and sheets that I could.

When buying a new mattress, the best way to test them out is to go into a mattress store and jump around like a little kid until you find the perfect one. But, what about bed sheets? To my knowledge, stores don’t let you climb into a set of sheets in your PJs (or birthday suit) to test them out. So, how are we supposed to know how to pick bed sheets?

If you type in a simple internet search of “how to buy sheets” you’ll find a lot of ads, and a lot of material and thread count options. Over the years, I’ve experimented with almost all of the material options and thread count options in order to find my favorite. So, as the Nap Queen herself, I am here to help you out with a bed sheet thread count guide and explanation of the different materials to choose from for your best sleep ever.

MATERIALS

MOST DURABLE: MICROFIBER BED SHEETS

Many of the bed sheet options out there are made of microfiber. According to the University of Washington Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, microfiber is a polyester and nylon (polyamide) fiber that is split into extremely fine fibers to make fabric. Because the fibers are so small, microfiber sheets are extremely durable while remaining relatively affordable.

One word of warning—microfiber sheets aren’t as breathable as other materials. For this reason, if you are a hot sleeper (like me) or have sensitive skin, you’ll probably want to avoid microfiber sheets.

Brushed Microfiber

If you see “brushed microfiber” in a product description, this simply means that both sides of the bed sheets have been “brushed” for softness.

SAVE: Home Expressions Microfiber Plus Ultra Soft Easy Care Wrinkle Resistant Sheet Set (JCPenny, $24)
SPLURGE: PureCare Luxury Microfiber Wrinkle Resistant Sheet Set (Mattress Firm, $80)

BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN: COTTON BED SHEETS

Cotton is another extremely common material when it comes to bed sheets. The difference between cotton and microfiber is that microfiber is artificially manufactured into woven material while cotton has been spun into long, knit yarns. For this reason, cotton is a more breathable option for bed sheets, and great for those with sensitive skin. However, because of the makeup of cotton, these bed sheets are not necessarily as durable as microfiber sheets.

Combed Cotton

Similar to brushed microfiber, “combed cotton” has been combed to remove small, excess fibers, resulting in durable, comfortable cotton sheets.

SAVE: 400-Thread-Count 100% Cotton Sheet Pure White Queen-Sheets Set (Amazon, $40)
SPLURGE: Signoria Firenze Raffaello Queen Sheet Set (Neiman Marcus, $372)

Jersey

If prefer to sleep in your extra-large, beaten up t-shirt from college, jersey bed sheets are for you. Jersey is basically the same material that t-shirts are made from. It is super soft and flexible, and is typically very affordable.

SAVE: Amazon Basics Heather Cotton Jersey Bed Sheet Set (Amazon, $40)
SPLURGE: Organic Favorite Tee Sheet Set (Pottery Barn, $119)

Egyptian Cotton

Egyptian cotton may sound extra-fancy, but the only difference is how the cotton is sourced. Egyptian cotton is hand-picked (vs. picked by machines) which keeps the cotton intact, resulting in stronger, relatively softer cotton.

SAVE: Shailene 300 Thread Count Striped Egyptian Certified Cotton Sheet Set (Wayfair, $32)
SPLURGE: Hotel Collection Classic Egyptian Cotton 4-Pc. Queen Sheet Set (Macy’s, $189)

Pima/Supima Cotton

Pima and Supima cotton is similar to Egyptian cotton because of the makeup of the fibers. Extra long fibers will make up a bed sheet that is softer and stronger, and will most likely last longer than other types of cotton.

SAVE: Charter Club Damask Full 4-Pc Sheet Set, 550 Thread Count 100% Supima Cotton (Macy’s $51)
SPLURGE: Supima Cotton No Iron Sateen Printed Sheets (Land’s End, $180)

BEST FOR HOT SLEEPERS: PERCALE BED SHEETS

Percale is normally produced from cotton, but can also be made up of materials like bamboo or polyester. Percale sheets, also called “plain weave,” have similar feel to a crisp dress shirt. These sheets are lightweight and great for hot sleepers.

SAVE: Jarryl 300 Thread Count 100% Cotton Percale Sheet Set (Wayfair, $34)
SPLURGE: Percale Hemmed Sheet Set (Boll & Branch, $260)

BEST FOR LUXURIOUS COMFORT: SATEEN

Sateen is made with a “satin weave” but is actually made up of cotton fibers that have been treated to feel silky like satin. Because they have been treated or “sealed,” these sheets are more durable than cotton and will likely last longer. If you are looking for a luxe, silky sleep (but don’t want to drop thousands on real satin sheets), sateen is for you! As a beauty blogger, I must also point out that another great benefit to sleeping with sateen sheets and pillowcases is that it is gentle on your hair and skin.

SAVE: Deep Pocket Queen Sheets – 400 Thread Count Long Staple Cotton (Amazon, $47)
SPLURGE: 1000-Thread-Count Sateen Sheet Set (Pottery Barn, $249)

BEST FOR WINTER SEASONS: FLANNEL

If your typical bedtime uniform is your boyfriend’s old flannel button-down, you’ll want to invest in flannel sheets for a super-comfortable sleep. Flannel sheets are great for the cold, winter months, or for those who find themselves easily getting cold at night. Flannel is extremely thick, and often brushed for extra softness.

SAVE: Bragg Super 100% Turkish Cotton Flannel Sheet Set (Wayfair, $36)
SPLURGE: Portuguese Flannel Sheet Set (Eddie Bauer, $134)

BEST ECO-FRIENDLY OPTION: BAMBOO

Bamboo sheets are relatively new to the bed sheet scene, but have become wildly popular very quickly. Companies like Buffy and Purple suggest bamboo sheets for an eco-friendly option. Bamboo sheets are also extremely breathable, and great for those with allergies, as it does not easily absorb allergens.

SAVE: SONORO KATE Bed Bamboo Sheet Set (Amazon, $29)
SPLURGE: Cariloha Resort Viscose from Bamboo Queen Sheet Set (Macy’s, $160)

THREAD COUNT

Finally, let’s talk about thread count. There is a huge stigma that higher thread count means higher quality and better comfort. Any bed sheet thread count guide will tell you that this is not always the case. Thread count is important to consider, but higher isn’t always better.

First, let’s define thread count. According to SleepFoundation.org, thread count is a measure of the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric to gauge how tightly woven a fabric is.

SleepFoundation.org suggests bed sheets with a thread count ranging from 200 to 800 for ideal comfort. Average thread count ranges by material: cotton (200-400); Egyptian cotton (300-400); percale (200-400); sateen (300-600); bamboo (300-500).

Keep in mind that a higher thread count will usually result in a higher sticker price. For that reason, I suggest trying to stay under a thread count of 700, otherwise you’ll probably be spending way too much for comfort similar to a smaller thread count.

I wrote this piece in partnership with Zulily! Read this post on Zulily’s blog here. Please help me share my work by clicking this link and sharing the post with friends!

To read a similar Zulily article I wrote, “The Best Pillows for Your Best Sleep This Winter,” click here.

Bed Sheet Buying Guide – Thread Count & More

MATERIALS