Picking the Best Bed Sheets

My absolute favorite thing is going to sleep on clean, crisp, freshly washed sheets. I’m serious. This is my favorite thing. Don’t judge me. And in my quest for finding the best bed sheets, I’ve had my fair share of sleepless nights. Lucky you got me here to give you the deets on choosing the best sheets for your budget.

We spend about a 1/3 of our lives sleeping so this stuff is important! Because we have enough stuff that keeps us awake at night, your sheets shouldn’t be one of them. Aww sheeet!

Before you start bed-hopping…

Finding the perfect sheets can be tricky!

Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you like your sheets to cling or prefer something a little crisper?
2. Do you wear pajamas or sleep in the buff? This will help you determine how your choice will feel against your skin.
3. What type of climate do you live in? Do you want something that will keep you warmer or cooler at night?
4. How thick is your mattress? You will want to make sure that the fitted sheet you choose will be large enough to accommodate your mattress. Bigger is usually better.
5. How much care do you want to put into it? Look for wrinkle-free varieties if you do not want to iron your sheets.
6. What kind of budget are you working with? Sheets can get a little pricey, so you’ll want to get the most bang for your buck – especially if this is where you’ll be doing the most banging.

I’ve tried everything from satin sheets to super expensive 1000 thread count Egyptian cotton. Certain bed sheets have made me too warm, and others just felt like sandpaper. But I finally found the most comfortable bed sheets for me. And they don’t even cost a lot of money! Keep reading…

What does all this sheet mean?

When shopping for bed sheets, they use a bunch of fancy terms that might make no sense to us common folk. So let’s break it down into 3 main categories: Fabric, weave, and thread count. 

Fabric Types

The most common fabric used for sheets is cotton since it is known for its breathability and comfort. There are many different types of cotton sheets to choose from.

Cotton is the most common bed sheet material. But not all cotton is created equal!

100% Egyptian cotton is the finest quality on the market and also the most expensive. Egyptian cotton has long fibers that create a soft, strong bed sheet fabric.

Pima cotton (also known as Supima) is also made of long fibers, but the cotton is typically grown in the United States and is a little less expensive than Egyptian, but you can still expect to pay upwards of $100 or more for a good quality Pima sheet set.

And then you have 100% cotton which is made from shorter fibers and not as soft as it’s more luxurious counterparts. 100% cotton the most common type of sheet sold nationwide due to its accessibility and affordable price.

Other popular types of bed sheet fabrics include

• Jersey is made out of a cotton t-shirt type of material
• Flannel is great for keeping you warm during cold winter nights
• Satin is typically made from nylon or acetate
• Microfiber which is a soft, thin, synthetic or natural blend
• Bamboo sheets are sustainable, naturally antimicrobial, and help absorb moisture (I haven’t tried these yet, but I really want to!)

Weave

Next, you will want to determine the weave. Oxford, Percale and Sateen simply refer to the way the fabric is woven.

Oxford is a heavy, soft blend that is supposed to hold up very well for washing.

Percale has threads that are tightly woven resulting in a finer texture and finish.

And then we have Sateen which produces a silkier and shinier feel.

Thread Count

Finally, you will want to look at thread count. This word is often confusing to many people, but the term thread count is simply the number of threads in 1 square inch of fabric.

So the higher the thread count, the stronger the sheet = higher quality = higher price!

Choosing the best bed sheets for your budget

Now that you know the sheet lingo, it’s time to talk about what type of bedsheets would be right for you.

I’m not going to get into all of them, but these are the most popular and readily available with an average price range of $30-$65 per set depending on size and type.

Cotton Sheets

Cotton sheets are the most common, but not all cotton sheets are created equal.

Egyptian cotton sheets like these are made of the finest quality cotton and are extremely durable.

If you prefer your sheets a little on the crisper side, a good pick would probably be a 250-300 thread count 100% cotton percale. These are a fairly affordable option, but they can wrinkle after washing.

If you’re looking for something softer and stronger, a 500 or more thread count Pima or Egyptian cotton would be a better choice. The higher the thread count, the higher the price!

I have splurged on 100% Egyptian Cotton 1000 thread count sheets before, and while they were very durable and luxurious, I found that they were a little too heavy for my liking. They made me sleep hot, and after a few days, they started to feel a little sticky from the natural oil and sweat of my skin. Gross!

Silk or Satin Sheets

Satin sheets are often made from polyester, nylon, or silk and are famous for producing a very shiny look. Some people really like them because they are cool to the touch and look sexy on the bed.

But they are also very slippery and not the most durable. If you enjoy the look and feel of satin sheets, make sure you look for a woven blend as opposed to knit which tends to pill up upon washing.

Satin sheets are luxurious, but be prepared for a lot of slippin’ and slidin’!

If you’re a baller, then you might like silk sheets instead.

Silk is a luxurious natural fiber, but it is very expensive and you will need to either hand wash or dry clean. They should never be exposed to sunlight.

Silk sheets like these are super expensive and require extra care to clean.

If you like to sleep in the buff and enjoy the smooth, silky finish of a satin sheet, then these choices might be right up your alley. Just don’t rely on them for warmth.

Compared to silk, satin sheets are more affordable and can really make a statement in your bedroom – if you’re into that look.

As an added bonus, satin and silk bed linens supposedly help prevent facial wrinkles and avoids tangling your hair! But they tear and run easily so it’s best to keep your pets off.

I’ve tried satin sheets before, but my cat used to love clawing them which created a million runs – essentially destroying the fabric. Also, I eventually got tired of my room looking like a disco ball. 

Flannel Sheets

If you live in a colder climate, you’ll probably want to get yourself a set of flannel sheets.

You’ll often find them available in plaids or winter print patterns, but you can also find them in solids as well. They are pretty affordable too.

Flannel sheets keep you warm and toasty. And don’t worry. They don’t all look like dad’s bathrobe anymore.

Flannel sheets trap body heat which helps keep you toasty while you sleep. They are also super durable.

But if you tend to sweat from all that tossing and turning, this might not be the best choice. At least have a backup set of sheets in a different fabric for when it gets warmer.

Flannel sheets are perfect for chilly mountain cabins. Definitely not perfect in Phoenix, Arizona (where I live).

Microfiber Sheets

Microfiber is composed of finely woven fibers and can be made from synthetic polyester and nylon or natural material such as cellulose or wood pulp so they are sustainable.

You can find microfiber on everything these days from blankets to towels, and even furniture like sofas and chairs because it is a very heavy, soft, and durable fabric. Microfiber sheets are usually very thin but are also strong and comfortable.

The varieties out there range from suede and velvet varieties, to soft and plush like a teddy bear.

Microfiber Sheets are affordable and come in a wide range of colors.

But I had never tried microfiber sheets before, so when I had the opportunity to test Mellanni Fine Linens 100% 1800 Brushed Microfiber sheets complimentary for review, I did not really know what to expect.

You can see my little video review here…

I got the king size in white. Right out of the bag they are extremely soft and are not thick like I was expecting. I washed them immediately upon opening, according to the instructions. Machine wash cold and tumble dry low.

I have a latex/memory foam mattress that is very thick, and I had no problems putting the fitted sheet on the mattress. The fitted sheet was deep enough and did not lift up off the corners.

Although if you’re worried, this is a cool product to keep your fitted sheet from slipping off the bed…

I was concerned that being these are microfiber, we would get hot while sleeping. Living in Phoenix, AZ that can especially be a problem.

But my fears were put to bed. They feel fantastic against my skin and I really look forward to climbing into them every night. It’s my favorite thing – remember?

They are luxurious and feel very high end, but extremely affordable – like less than $40!

For me, microfiber sheets are the clear winner and I use them year-round. But I still want to try bamboo…

So whether you are looking for sheets that feel good on your body or just make your bedroom look beautiful, there is something out there for everyone and every budget.

Now quit talking sheet!

Which style do you think would be the best type of bed sheets for you? What do you currently have on your bed? Leave me a comment and let me know!