Matouk bedding is a splurge, but in exchange you’ll have sheets with a thread count that hovers around 500. Contributor Allie Weiss is head-over-heels for these luxury-hotel-level linens. “I hate scratchy sheets, and breathed a sigh of relief when I slipped into these. They are both lightweight, crisp-looking, and soft to the touch—talk about a win-win,” she says. Matouk offers more than 40 yarn colors for the trim, and you can even request up to 10 samples as you decide between hazy blue and azure.
How We Tested
Here, at Shop AD, we take sheet testing seriously. Even sets with stellar customer reviews need to go through firsthand experience by our editors and contributors. If you count all the bedding in our linen closets, you’ll likely find over a hundred sheet sets that span polished, high-thread-count sateens; percales known for a crisp feel; Egyptian cotton sheets worthy of a boutique hotel; and more.
Each tester looks at the softness of the material and assesses if the bedding is breathable and cooling, or thick and cozy for winter weather. We examine everything from the packaging to the care routine, and we sleep on these for months, if not years.
What to Look For
When you’re looking for the best cotton sheets, you need to think about your budget, as this type of bedding includes our favorite affordable Amazon sheets and much pricier higher thread-count sets from heritage bedding brands such as Sferra and Matouk. You’ll also want to consider whether you want to complete your bedscape with a duvet cover or comforters and decorative blankets.
We noticed that most of the best cotton sheets we recommend are made with long or extra-long-staple cotton. This means the threads are woven in a way that is more durable and less prone to pilling.
Once you find the sheet set and brand you like, take a closer look at whether the fitted sheet has deep pockets. Most are around 16 inches deep, but if you have a plush mattress topper and protector you might want to look at something roomier, around 18 inches deep.
Here are a few other factors to consider:
Sheet weaves and fibers: Not all cotton is the same. “Percale refers to a finely woven cotton fabric made in a plain weave structure, where the warp (vertical yarn) and the weft (horizontal yarn) interlace over and under every other yarn,” says Katie Glusica, professor in the fibers department at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Percale is a lighter, crisper weave that is durable and often has moisture-wicking qualities that make it the ideal option for hot summer nights. Supima cotton uses extra-long fibers that require less twisting and offer added comfort over time. Sateen is a cotton fabric in a satin weave structure where the warps and wefts interlace at irregular intervals as compared to plain weave, Glusica explains. Sateen can have a sheen and is often described as having a buttery, silky-soft feel. For ultra-premium sheet sets, look for Egyptian cotton, which is made with extra-long yarn that is also more fine than typical cotton. It is prized for its durability and breathability.
