ConsFirst / Bed sheets
Bed sheets: the downsides, first
Fit is the sleeper complaint: fitted sheets that slip off, run tight on tall mattresses or fit loosely come up for five of the eight sets we compared, and linen and bamboo sheets wrinkle easily. Experts disagree on bamboo and microfiber — Wirecutter won't recommend either. Here are the most popular sheet sets in the US, with their downsides first.
8 models compared19 sources readUpdated October 2026
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All 8 bed sheets, ranked
Ranked by test scores, minus how common and serious the complaints are. How we rank
#1
L.L.Bean
$$Cotton percaleScore 4.1/5
Amazon 1–2 star share
not available
The percale set both Wirecutter and Good Housekeeping rank first: cool, breathable and very durable, and it gets softer over the years. It feels stiff and textured at first, and one Wirecutter editor found it baggy on her bed. It's sold by L.L.Bean, not on Amazon.
Top complaints
- Stiff and textured at firstVery common
Wirecutter says some people find it rough and that it comes out of the package more taut than other percales, softening only over time. Good Housekeeping notes percale isn't as smooth as sateen.
- Can fit looselyOccasional
One Wirecutter editor found the sheets huge on her regular foam mattress: baggy, billowy, too loud and slippery.
- Shallower pocket than some rivalsOccasional
The fitted sheet is 15 inches deep, versus 18 inches for Target's Threshold sets (Wirecutter's measurements).
What owners love
- Exceptionally durable
Wirecutter still uses a 2017 test set and says it only gets better with washing. In Good Housekeeping's lab it held up to strength, shrinkage and pilling tests.
- Cool and breathable
Wirecutter calls it very breathable and ideal for warm weather. A Good Housekeeping tester said it feels like quality hotel sheets and a bit cool to the touch.
- Softer than most percale
It stood out for softness against other percale in Good Housekeeping's lab and consumer tests, and Wirecutter calls it the smoothest, best-made percale it has tested.
Skip it if…- You want silky, smooth sateen
- Your mattress is deeper than about 15 inches
- You want lots of prints and colors
Good for- Hot sleepers who like a crisp, cool feel
- Sheets meant to last for years
- A generous one-year return window
Scores (tap for why)
- Feel & softness4.0
Why 4.0?
Softest percale in Good Housekeeping's comparisons and the smoothest Wirecutter has tested, but stiff at first and textured, like all percale. - Breathability4.5
Why 4.5?
Very breathable and cool to the touch (Wirecutter, Good Housekeeping). - Fit (deep pockets)3.0
Why 3.0?
15-inch fitted sheet; one Wirecutter editor found it baggy on her bed. - Holds up in the wash5.0
Why 5.0?
Held up to Good Housekeeping's strength, shrinkage and pilling tests; Wirecutter's 2017 set still improves with washing. - Wrinkles & pilling4.0
Why 4.0?
Noticeably less creased than other percale in Good Housekeeping's lab, and pill-resistant; percale still wrinkles more than sateen (Wirecutter).
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT), cotton sheets guide: Best percale (updated 2026-10-02): smoother, better-made and more durable than any percale tested; stiff out of the package.
- Good Housekeeping: Best overall percale (updated 2026-04-03): crisp yet soft, cool and durable in lab tests; not as smooth as sateen.
- CNN Underscored: Named as a cheaper alternative to its Brooklinen percale pick if you want a stiffer percale.
#2
Mellanni
$MicrofiberScore 3.8/5
7%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Queen white 16-inch listing (380,131 ratings), pooled across colors, sizes and pocket depths.Amazon's best-selling sheet set, with about 380,000 ratings, and Good Housekeeping's best microfiber pick for years: very soft, wrinkle- and shrink-resistant, and about $50. But it's thin polyester that isn't as breathable as cotton, Amazon owners are split on whether the fitted sheet stays on, and Wirecutter avoids microfiber for heat and shedding.
Top complaints
- Fitted sheet may not stay onMentioned often
Amazon's summary says fit is mixed: some say the sheets stay in place, others say they don't stay on the bed.
- Thin and syntheticMentioned often
Good Housekeeping says the polyester doesn't feel crisp or substantial, and some testers found it thinner than other fabrics.
- Less breathable than cotton; sheds fibersMentioned often
Good Housekeeping says it may not be as breathable as cotton. Wirecutter calls microfiber hot to sleep on and avoids it because washing sheds synthetic fibers into waterways.
What owners love
- Extremely soft
Earned some of the highest softness ratings of any sheets Good Housekeeping tested; Amazon's summary calls them amazingly soft.
- Shrink-, pill- and wrinkle-resistant
Kept its shape after five laundry cycles, hardly shrank and resisted pilling over 1,000 rubs (Good Housekeeping); owners say it washes and dries without wrinkles.
- Many sizes and colors
Over 40 colors and prints, plus short queen, split king and extra-deep (up to 21-inch) versions (Good Housekeeping).
Skip it if…- You sleep hot
- You prefer natural fibers
- You want a crisp, substantial feel
Good for- The lowest-cost soft sheets
- Easy care with few wrinkles
- Odd sizes (RV/short queen, split king, extra-deep)
Scores (tap for why)
- Feel & softness4.5
Why 4.5?
Among the highest softness ratings Good Housekeeping recorded, though thin and not crisp. - Breathability2.0
Why 2.0?
Not as breathable as cotton (Good Housekeeping); Wirecutter calls microfiber hot to sleep on. - Fit (deep pockets)3.5
Why 3.5?
Generously sized on Good Housekeeping's test bed, with extra-deep options, but Amazon owners are mixed on whether it stays on. - Holds up in the wash4.5
Why 4.5?
Kept its shape through five washes and hardly shrank (Good Housekeeping). - Wrinkles & pilling4.5
Why 4.5?
Resisted pilling over 1,000 rubs; polyester is more wrinkle-resistant than cotton, and owners praise it as wrinkle-free.
What experts say
- Good Housekeeping: Best microfiber (updated 2026-04-03), a seven-time GH Bedding Awards winner: smoother, more durable and cheaper than cotton; not crisp.
- Good Housekeeping, best sheets on Amazon: Best microfiber on Amazon (2026 Bedding Award winner): highest softness ratings; not as breathable or crisp as cotton.
- Wirecutter (NYT), best sheets: Wirecutter doesn't test or recommend microfiber sheets: hot to sleep on and they shed synthetic fibers when washed.
#3
California Design Den
$Cotton sateenScore 3.5/5
7%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Queen white listing (47,706 ratings); may pool colors and sizes.Good Housekeeping's best-value pick: all-cotton sateen for about $53, with perfect pill-resistance scores and a fitted sheet that testers said stays put. It isn't as smooth as luxury cotton, its fabric strength was only average in the lab, and Amazon owners disagree on wrinkling.
Top complaints
- Not as smooth as pricier cottonMentioned often
Good Housekeeping says it may not feel as smooth or luxurious as premium cotton sets, and one tester said it wasn't as soft as other sheets she'd used.
- Some owners say it wrinklesMentioned often
Amazon's summary says some customers find it almost wrinkle-free while others say it wrinkles.
- Average fabric strengthOccasional
Good Housekeeping's lab rated fabric strength as average; it wasn't as strong as some other sheets tested.
What owners love
- Big value
About $53 for a queen set; Good Housekeeping calls it hands down the best bet on a budget.
- Pill-resistant and washes warm
Perfect pill-resistance scores and resisted shrinking; it can be washed in warm water (Good Housekeeping).
- Fit that stays put
Testers found the 8-16 inch fit claim accurate, and one liked its fit better than any sheets she'd tried; Amazon's summary says the sheets stay put and soften with washing.
Skip it if…- You want a luxury-smooth sateen
- You want wrinkle-free sheets
- Your mattress is over 16 inches
Good for- All-cotton sheets on a budget
- Mattresses 8 to 16 inches deep
- Lots of colors and sizes
Scores (tap for why)
- Feel & softness3.5
Why 3.5?
Most Good Housekeeping testers loved the soft, substantial feel, but it's not as smooth as luxury cotton. - Breathability3.0
Why 3.0?
Good Housekeeping describes a comfortable weight and breathable feel; no temperature test reported. - Fit (deep pockets)4.0
Why 4.0?
Fits 8-16 inch mattresses as claimed, and Amazon owners say it stays put. - Holds up in the wash3.5
Why 3.5?
Warm-washable and shrink-resistant, but only average fabric strength in the lab. - Wrinkles & pilling3.5
Why 3.5?
Perfect pilling scores (Good Housekeeping); Amazon owners are split on wrinkling.
#4
Threshold (Target)
$Cotton sateenScore 3.7/5
Amazon 1–2 star share
not available
Wirecutter's budget sateen pick since 2015: sturdy, wrinkle-resistant and about $55 for a queen, with deep 18-inch pockets and labeled sides. But Wirecutter says recent sets feel less silky with messier stitching, some testers slept hot on them, and lint and pet hair cling. It's sold only at Target.
Top complaints
- Recent batches feel less silkyMentioned often
Wirecutter says the most recent sets it tested feel less silky and the stitching is messier, though it still rates the quality best for the price.
- Can sleep warmMentioned often
Some Wirecutter testers found these hotter to sleep on than its other sateen picks.
- Lint and pet hair clingMentioned often
Wirecutter notes pet hair, lint and other fibers tend to stick to the fabric, though it cleans up nicely.
What owners love
- Sturdy for the price
Softer and sturdier than many pricier sets, Wirecutter says, with reinforced elastic corners; testers called it almost as durable and wrinkle-resistant as sets costing four times as much.
- Deep, labeled fitted sheet
18-inch pocket with 'top or bottom' and 'side' labels (Wirecutter); Target lists full-perimeter elastic for mattresses up to 18 inches.
- Certified and easy to return
Oeko-Tex Made in Green certified, with Target's one-year return policy for its own brands (Wirecutter).
Skip it if…- You sleep hot
- You have shedding pets
- You want a crisp feel
Good for- Cotton sheets on a budget
- Deep mattresses up to 18 inches
- Prints and many colors
Scores (tap for why)
- Feel & softness3.5
Why 3.5?
Almost as soft as far pricier sets (Wirecutter), though recent batches feel less silky. - Breathability2.5
Why 2.5?
Some Wirecutter testers found it hotter than its other sateen picks. - Fit (deep pockets)4.5
Why 4.5?
18-inch pocket, reinforced elastic corners and labeled sides. - Holds up in the wash4.0
Why 4.0?
Wirecutter says the sets have endured years of wear, keep their color and get softer with washing. - Wrinkles & pilling4.0
Why 4.0?
Wrinkle-resistant in Wirecutter's tests; Target lists it as wrinkle-, pill- and shrink-resistant.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT), cotton sheets guide: Best sateen set around $50 (updated 2026-10-02): softer and sturdier than many pricier sets; recent sets are less silky and some testers slept hot.
- Wirecutter (NYT), best sheets: Best budget sateen: almost as soft, durable and wrinkle-resistant as sets four times the price; lint and pet hair stick.
#5
Cozy Earth
$$$Bamboo/viscoseScore 3.6/5
23%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Queen white listing with only 424 ratings; small sample.A silky, cool-feeling luxury set: Tom's Guide scored it 4.7/5 and Sleep Foundation named it best luxury. But it costs about $308 for a queen, wrinkles easily, is thin enough to puncture, and has the highest Amazon low-star share here, with reports of tearing after four months.
Top complaints
- Wrinkles easilyVery common
Tom's Guide found it very wrinkly after washing, and Reviewed says the thin fabric wrinkles easily and ripples. Tom's Guide also cites low-star owner reviews about wrinkling.
- Thin; tears and stains for someMentioned often
Reviewed says it's thin and a cat's claws punctured it. Amazon's summary mentions tearing after four months, and Tom's Guide cites owner reports of staining from body oils and skincare.
- Expensive and slippery; fit can be oversizedMentioned often
About $308 for a queen (Tom's Guide). Its slippery feel won't suit everyone (Tom's Guide), and Sleep Foundation and Amazon owners say the oversized fit can be too big.
What owners love
- Silky soft
Tom's Guide scored feel 5/5. Sleep Foundation calls it buttery, and Reviewed says it's smooth without feeling slippery.
- Cool to the touch
Consistently cool even in a heat wave (Tom's Guide 5/5); Reviewed's hot-sleeping tester had no night sweats.
- Long trial and warranty
100-night trial and 10-year warranty (Tom's Guide, Sleep Foundation).
Skip it if…- You're on a budget
- You dislike slippery fabric
- You want crisp, unwrinkled sheets
Good for- Hot sleepers who want a silky feel
- Very deep mattresses (20-inch pocket)
- A long trial and warranty
Scores (tap for why)
- Feel & softness4.5
Why 4.5?
5/5 for feel at Tom's Guide and buttery per Sleep Foundation; too slippery for some. - Breathability4.5
Why 4.5?
5/5 for temperature at Tom's Guide; Reviewed and Sleep Foundation also found it cooling. - Fit (deep pockets)3.5
Why 3.5?
20-inch oversized fit (4.5/5 at Tom's Guide), but it can be too big for some beds (Sleep Foundation, Amazon owners). - Holds up in the wash3.0
Why 3.0?
No pilling or shrinkage after two washes (Tom's Guide), but Reviewed found it thin and dulling, and Amazon owners report tears. - Wrinkles & pilling2.5
Why 2.5?
Very wrinkly after washing (Tom's Guide, Reviewed); no pilling seen by Tom's Guide.
What experts say
- Tom's Guide (Cozy Earth review): 4.7/5 (2025): silky, cool and comfortable after two washes; pricey and may be too slippery.
- Sleep Foundation: Best luxury (updated 2026-07-17): buttery and cooling with a 20-inch pocket; the slightly oversized fit may be too big for some.
- Reviewed (USA Today): Review (2023): silky soft and cooling, but thin, wrinkles easily and dulls over time.
#6
Brooklinen
$$$Cotton sateenScore 3.4/5
15%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Queen cream listing with only 166 ratings; small sample.Good Housekeeping's best overall sheet set: soft, smooth sateen that resisted pilling and shrinkage in its lab. But Wirecutter found its 2026 redesign felt rough after five washes, Amazon owners are mixed on durability and value, and the 16-inch pocket can be tight on tall mattresses.
Top complaints
- Softness may not lastMentioned often
Wirecutter retested the redesigned sateen in 2026: it felt wonderful after one wash but rough and unrecognizable after five.
- Mixed durability and value on AmazonMentioned often
Amazon's summary says quality and durability are mixed, with some owners reporting rips and holes after a year, and customers find the sheets not worth the price.
- Tight on tall mattresses; dyes may runMentioned often
Good Housekeeping and Sleep Foundation say the 16-inch fitted sheet may be tight on taller beds. Sleep Foundation also says some heavier dyes may run at first, so wash colored sets alone a few times.
What owners love
- Soft, smooth and comfortable
A crowd-pleaser with Good Housekeeping testers, soft without feeling like silk. Sleep Foundation calls it very soft and smooth.
- Strong in lab tests
Good Housekeeping found the fabric strong; it didn't pill easily and held up to repeated laundering without shrinking (wash cold, per the brand).
- Easy bed-making and returns
Labeled long and short sides (Good Housekeeping, Sleep Foundation) and a one-year return window (Sleep Foundation).
Skip it if…- Your mattress or topper is taller than 16 inches
- You want a crisp, cool percale
- You want proven long-term softness
Good for- Soft sateen that isn't slippery
- A long return window
- Year-round use
Scores (tap for why)
- Feel & softness3.5
Why 3.5?
Soft and smooth for Good Housekeeping and Sleep Foundation testers, but Wirecutter found it rough after five washes. - Breathability3.5
Why 3.5?
Sleep Foundation found it breathable enough for hot sleepers yet warm on chilly nights; sateen generally runs warmer than percale (Wirecutter). - Fit (deep pockets)3.0
Why 3.0?
16-inch pocket may be tight on taller mattresses or with toppers; sides are labeled. - Holds up in the wash3.0
Why 3.0?
Strong and shrink-resistant in Good Housekeeping's lab, but Wirecutter saw softness fade after five washes and Amazon owners report rips after a year. - Wrinkles & pilling4.0
Why 4.0?
Didn't pill easily in Good Housekeeping's lab tests; no lab wrinkle result was published.
What experts say
- Good Housekeeping: Best overall (updated 2026-04-03): soft, strong and washes well; the 16-inch pocket may be tight on taller mattresses.
- Sleep Foundation: Best all-season (updated 2026-07-17): very soft and breathable yet warm enough for chilly nights; dyes may run at first.
- Wirecutter (NYT), cotton sheets guide: Not recommended (2026 retest): felt rough and unrecognizable after five washes.
#7
Bedsure
$$Bamboo/viscoseScore 3.3/5
10%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Queen white listing (65,042 ratings); may pool colors and sizes.A popular $70 alternative to pricey bamboo sheets. Good Housekeeping rated it highly for softness and pill-resistance, and Amazon owners praise how cool it feels. But owners report rips after about six months, wrinkling, and fitted sheets that slip, and Good Housekeeping calls the bamboo marketing misleading: it's rayon.
Top complaints
- Durability worriesMentioned often
Amazon's summary says durability is a concern, with sheets ripping after six months of use, and opinions on value are mixed.
- Wrinkles and a slipping fitted sheetMentioned often
Amazon's summary says the sheets wrinkle, and while some say they fit well, others say they don't stay in place.
- Misleading bamboo claim; odor when newMentioned often
Good Housekeeping says there is no bamboo left in the finished rayon fabric and it isn't eco-friendly; some testers noticed a fabric odor when new.
What owners love
- Very soft
High softness marks in Good Housekeeping's blind comparison; testers compared it to sheets at a nice hotel.
- Cool to the touch
Good Housekeeping says the light, moisture-wicking rayon suits hot sleepers, and Amazon owners praise the cooling feel.
- Pill-resistant
It resisted pilling in Good Housekeeping's lab durability tests.
Skip it if…- You want sheets that last for years
- You hate wrinkles
- You're buying for 'natural bamboo' claims
Good for- Silky, cool-feeling sheets for under $100
- Hot sleepers on a budget
- People who like a slick feel
Scores (tap for why)
- Feel & softness4.0
Why 4.0?
High softness ratings in Good Housekeeping's blind test. - Breathability4.0
Why 4.0?
Light, moisture-wicking rayon (Good Housekeeping); Amazon owners praise the cool feel. - Fit (deep pockets)3.0
Why 3.0?
16-inch pocket; Amazon owners are split on whether it stays in place. - Holds up in the wash2.5
Why 2.5?
Pill-resistant in the lab, but Amazon owners report rips after about six months. - Wrinkles & pilling3.0
Why 3.0?
Pill-resistant (Good Housekeeping), but Amazon owners say it wrinkles.
#8
Parachute
$$$LinenScore 3.4/5
Amazon 1–2 star share
not available
CNN Underscored's best linen and Sleep Foundation's luxury linen pick: airy for hot sleepers and softer with every wash. But it starts at $349, it wrinkles like all linen, it sheds lint in the dryer at first, and Wirecutter dismissed an earlier version. It's sold by Parachute, not on Amazon.
Top complaints
- WrinklesVery common
Every linen set CNN tested wrinkled, and Sleep Foundation says linen is prone to wrinkling.
- ExpensiveVery common
From $349 for a full set to $389 for a king (CNN); Sleep Foundation calls it on the expensive side.
- Lint and crispness at firstMentioned often
Parachute warns of lint in the dryer at first, easing after about five washes; Sleep Foundation says it feels very crisp at first and softens over time.
What owners love
- Airy for hot sleepers
CNN found it lighter and more breathable than its other winning materials; Sleep Foundation says it suits hot, humid weather.
- Durable, softens with use
After a year-plus of use, CNN's tester found it softer and worn-in, with tremendous durability.
- Flexible buying
Every piece is sold separately, with a choice of pillowcase styles, a 60-day return window and a one-year warranty (CNN).
Skip it if…- You want smooth, unwrinkled sheets
- You're on a budget
- You dislike any texture
Good for- Hot sleepers
- A relaxed, rumpled look
- Buying replacement pieces separately
Scores (tap for why)
- Feel & softness3.5
Why 3.5?
Middle of the pack for softness among CNN's 10 linen sets; crisp at first but smoother than many linens (Sleep Foundation). - Breathability4.5
Why 4.5?
Light and breathable for hot sleepers (CNN, Sleep Foundation). - Fit (deep pockets)3.0
Why 3.0?
16-inch pocket on the queen fitted sheet; no fit problems reported. - Holds up in the wash4.0
Why 4.0?
CNN found it durable and softer after a year-plus of washing; lint early on. - Wrinkles & pilling2.0
Why 2.0?
Linen wrinkles; every set CNN tested did. Sleep Foundation says linen doesn't pill like cotton or polyester.