All that is to say, the Saatva Percale Sheet Set has a high enough thread count to meet our standards (we generally look for 200 to 600), with a lived-in softness that just feels right. Of note: The sheets are made of long-staple cotton, which makes the sheets extra-durable, and the percale weave has an upscale matte finish that feels as crisp as a fall morning.
The Layla Bamboo Sheets are perfect for hot sleepers on the hunt for breathable, moisture-wicking bedding. Plus, the natural fibers are softer and more odor-resistant than synthetics.
Our Tester’s Take
Bamboo, ICYDK, is similar to cotton in that it’s a natural fiber known for its breathability. It’s also naturally hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, and antibacterial—a win-win-win. Bamboo sheets are often a little more expensive than cotton ones, so we were pleasantly surprised that this set from Layla rang in at under $200 for a queen size.
Right off the bat, our tester noticed the cool-to-the-touch bamboo fabric. “These sheets felt light and soft,” she says. “I never felt overheated throughout the night, even after the initial cool touch faded.” She added that they seem like a great value for the price, especially considering the durability she noticed after washing them several times.
However, we did knock off a few points for spots and stains. Bamboo is known for holding dye well—which is perfect for colored sheet sets that need to resist fading. However, our tester has a chaotic household overrun with dogs and kids, and she found that spots and stains didn’t wash out easily.
The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Breeze Cooling Sheets elevated our Z’s to new heights of fanciness and comfort. The cooling Tencel felt way more luxe than cheaper, “slippery” sheet sets.
Our Tester’s Take
If you’ve decided this is the year you completely devote yourself to getting the best sleep of your life, you may be more willing than most to invest in a set of luxury sheets—something that helps in the fight against bedtime procrastination and quest for deeper quality of sleep. We tried the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Breeze Cooling Sheet Set and thought it lived up to the (somewhat steep) price tag.
Our tester says she was “pleasantly surprised” by the look and feel of the sheets. “I’m so accustomed to the slippery feel of sheets that claim to be cooling, but these sheets were soft to the touch, lightweight, and very breathable.” We’ll attribute this to the Tencel material, a semi-synthetic fabric known for its moisture-wicking and breathability. She also gave points to the elastic bands that kept the fitted sheet “firmly planted” on her mattress overnight. At around $350 for a queen set, these sheets aren’t cheap—but our tester felt like if your bed sees a lot of wear and tear from dogs, kids, or—ahem—other activities, the Tempur-Breeze sheets are well worth it. Just note that the sheets aren’t returnable.
The Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set kept our tester feeling crisp during a Texas summer heat wave—need we say more?
Our Tester’s Take
The best sheets need to be versatile enough to adapt to your environment, and for our tester, that was Texas. She noted right away that the sheets have a smooth, silky feel that made sliding into bed after a shower “an almost transcendent experience.”
As for cooling specifically, the Cozy Earth sheets are made with bamboo viscose, which our tester described as “light and airy, like it breathes well” without being as slick as other cooling sheets. We were able to feel cozy and contained under the covers, without wanting to kick the sheets off our bodies. “I don’t think I can go back to regular budget sheets now,” our tester commented ruefully.
The Quince Classic Organic Percale Sheets break the stereotype that anything 100% organic has to be prohibitively expensive. To further add to their sustainability cred, the sheets are crafted using windmill power and without the use of any toxic chemicals.
Our Tester’s Take
If your wallet preemptively shudders when you pick up something labeled “organic,” you can now rest easy. The Quince Classic Organic Percale Sheets are not only woven from 100% organic cotton, but they’re also among the cheapest sheets we tested for this article. In fact, sustainability is woven (see what we did there?) into every aspect of these sheets, from the windmill-powered green energy used in the manufacturing process to the lack of pesticides, GMOs, or toxins used in the finishing process. They also boast the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 label, meaning they passed third-party regulated tests and are free of harmful substances. All that, and they feel satisfyingly smooth? We’re so in.
The Ettitude CleanBamboo Signature Sateen Sheets feel like pure luxury, thanks to a cool, silky texture that’s fit for royalty.
Our Tester’s Take
If you prefer silky-smooth bedding over crisp, percale cotton, our testers unanimously recommend the Ettitude CleanBamboo Signature Sateen Sheets. “The sheets have a very silky and soft feel and are wildly cooling to the touch,” said one tester, who typically sleeps very hot thanks to her large dog. “They have that refreshing, cool-to-the-touch feel that every hot sleeper dreams of.”
