These Are the Best Sheets to Catch Some Z’s

Sweet dreams start with soft sheets. Or, at the very least, great sheets mean I sleep better, whether my dreams are peaceful or a hallucination of failed superpowers and the internet. There's a lot to navigate when buying sheets for your bed, from understanding percale and sateen to thread counts. But the right set of sheets can make your old bed feel like a hotel, or be the perfect pairing with a brand-new mattress. (Because what's the point in pairing your new mattress with stale sheets?)

We've tested dozens of options to find the best sheets in nearly every style. However, there's an endless supply of sheets out there, so we'll keep updating this guide as we test more. All of the prices shown are for queen-size sets. Don't miss our guides on cleaning your sheets and whether you need a duvet cover as you shop, and if you're looking for bedding beyond sheets, check out our guides to the Best Mattresses, Best Mattresses for Back Pain, Best Organic Mattresses, Best Pillows, and Best Down Comforters.

Updated March 2025: We've updated this guide with new flannel picks, and updated links and prices.

• Linen Sheets
• Percale Sheets
• Flannel Sheets
• Sateen Sheets
• Bamboo Sheets
• Silk Sheets
• Organic Sheets
• Budget Sheets
• Sheets to Skip
• Do You Need a Top Sheet?
• What Does Thread Count Actually Mean?
• How I Test Sheets

Why buy linen sheets? Linen is a woven fabric made from flax plants. It’s a highly breathable material and doesn’t trap heat, so it keeps you cool during the summer months. It’s great for people who sleep hot. It’s rougher at first than a simple cotton set, but it should soften up the more it's washed. Linen is often expensive, but it's also more durable than cotton, so a good sheet set should last a lot longer. Linen sheets are not for everyone, but if you love linen clothing, you'll probably love linen sheets.

Photograph: Nena Farrell

The Citizenry Stonewashed Linen Sheet Set

$299 at The Citizenry

$299 at The Container Store

I've slept on a lot of linen (don't miss my entire guide to linen sheets), and the Citizenry's linen set are my Goldilocks sheets. They're lightweight and breathable but still have a nice drape and softness you don't often find in brand-new linen. It usually takes a little breaking in to get to this stage, but the Citizenry's sheets feel like you've already washed them and soften them up. Thanks to great airflow, these sheets are cool enough for warm nights but not so cool that I wouldn’t use them year-round. They're also Oeko-Tex certified, meaning they've been tested for harmful substances and have been deemed harmless.

The Citizenry's linen sheets not only feel fantastic to sleep on but come in lots of colors to go with any color scheme your bedroom might have. Parts of the sheet set (just the top sheet, pillowcases, etc.) can be purchased individually if something happens to one of your pieces.

Photograph: Nena Farrell

Cultiver Linen Sheet Set

$445 at Cultiver

These sheets are the softest linen I've ever tried—so soft that my husband didn't even realize I had swapped out a soft flannel set for these! They're super comfortable to sleep on but still have that light linen feel. The Cultiver sheets feel a little silkier (a word I never thought I'd use to describe linen) and drape a little more nicely around my body and on the bed. These sheets are a splurge, but if you want extra-soft linen, these are the way to go.

The only thing I didn't like about them was the overflowing lint tray after drying them. My husband noted that they were “slippery” compared to other sheets we usually slept on, adding to the almost-silky experience of these sheets. But such softness doesn't come cheap, and these sheets are a splurge. You're able to buy pieces individually if you want to work your way up to a full set or worry that one piece could get shredded by your cat (though my cat has yet to do any damage to these).

• Pottery Barn Belgian Flax Linen Sheet Set for $299: These are my favorite cooling linen sheets, as they have the most breathable weave I've slept on. The airflow is great with these sheets, keeping me nice and cool. These sheets are a little thinner than the Citizenry's but not quite as soft.
• Rough Linen Orkney Sheet Set for $540: If you're a linen lover and wish for heavier linen, then this Rough Linen set is perfect for you. These are the heaviest our team has tested, with about 260 gsm (grams per square meter) of linen—most others we've tested and recommend are around 160 gsm. WIRED reviewer Scott Gilbertson says despite the heavy weight, these still dry quickly, and he loves the rich colors these sheets come in. He says the forest green is one of the most intensely green sets of sheets he's ever tried.

Looking for more linen? Read about every set of linen we've tested and our shopping advice in our guide to the best linen sheets.

Why buy percale sheets? Percale is a type of cotton weave, not a type of fabric. It's also referred to as a plain weave. It looks how you might picture a classic weave to look, with an over-under style like a checkerboard. These sheets tend to be crisp, cool, and lightweight, and they make for great cooling sheets. Think of hotel sheets or your favorite button-up shirt. They're a good middle ground if you sleep hot but don't want to spring for linen and its higher prices.

Photograph: The Citizenry

The Citizenry Organic Stonewashed Percale Sheet Set

$179 at The Citizenry

I shouldn't be surprised how much I loved these percale sheets, after how much I loved the Citizenry's linen sheets. The Citizenry launched its percale line this summer, and it has become one of my favorite cooling sheets to sleep on. I'm usually not a huge percale fan, since I don't like a super crispy sheet, but the Citizenry's percale manages to be soft without losing the airflow and slight stiffness that makes percale, well, percale.

While these aren't as super soft as Supima or Egyptian cotton—more options with those below!—the Citizenry uses long-staple cotton that helps these sheets feel softer than regular cotton percale sheets. This sheet set is also organic and is Oeko-Tex and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified.

Photograph: Buffy

Buffy Supima Cotton Percale Sheets

$195 at Amazon

$150 at Buffy

Buffy is famous for the alternative materials behind its bedding. Specifically, Buffy usually uses eucalyptus-based lyocell to make its sheets and comforters. But Buffy now has its first cotton bedding on the menu: Supima Cotton Percale Sheets. The name gives away that it's not made of just cotton, but Supima cotton, which is a higher quality cotton that has a longer fiber and better strength. That longer fiber helps make these cotton sheets softer than your standard percale without sacrificing the airflow and structure that makes percale so nice to sleep on.

Buffy runs a ton of sales, so while these sheets are usually a similar price to the Citizenry's, you might be able to find them for even cheaper.

• Saatva Percale Sheet Set for $205: I love these sheets as much as the Citizenry's above. They cost a little more, but both are fantastic percale sets that keep you cool and are crisp while still being soft.
• Pure Parima Ultra Percale Sheet Set for $230: These sheets are super soft thanks to their Egyptian cotton. They're a little more expensive and a touch heavier than other percale, but if you want something super soft without going full sateen or bamboo, these are a great choice.
• Riley Percale Sheet Set for $260: Riley makes nice percale sheets, but they’re pricey—a fitted sheet and pillowcases cost $135, and the flat sheet costs an additional $85. We liked their crispness, but Brooklinen’s are cheaper for even the organic set.
• Parachute Percale Sheet Set for $269: WIRED reviewer Julian Chokkattu says these sheets feel rough at first but soften up the more they’re washed. They've held up extremely well after years of use, even with a dog sleeping in the same bed.

Looking for more percale or cooling options? We've got a whole guide to cooling sheets that includes more percale picks and testing notes.

Why buy flannel sheets? Flannel sheets are made of cotton, but the cotton fibers are brushed out to create a fuzzy texture. Those fluffed-out fibers also are what make flannel so warm and cozy to sleep on—the teased layers of cotton do a better job of retaining heat than other styles of cotton sheets, so you'll stay much warmer sleeping on these than other sheet styles. They're great for cooler climates and seasons.

What about brushed cotton? Brushed cotton is similar in that it has brushed-out fibers, but it is usually brushed out on just one side, making it a little less fluffy and warm than your classic flannel. It's a great choice for hotter sleepers who are trying to stay a little warmer without overheating.

Photograph: Nena Farrell

Lands' End Comfy Super Soft Cotton Flannel Sheet Set

$135 at Lands' End

These flannel sheets have a long name, but it's an accurate one. This set from Lands' End really is comfy and super soft and was the perfect combination of cozy without being too heavy. I love that these sheets are so soft and warm without making me sweaty—a tall task for a hot sleeper in San Diego, though I did test them during the coldest time of year. I also like that it's easy to buy these sheets as a set or purchase just a top sheet or pillowcases individually if something needs to be replaced.

Photograph: Nena Farrell

Boll & Branch Cozy Flannel Sheet Set

$299 at Boll & Branch

The only set of flannel softer than the Lands' End set above is the Boll & Branch Flannel Sheet Set. Not only is it extra soft, it's made with 100 percent organic cotton, making it a great choice to pair with an organic mattress. (What's the point of an organic mattress if you're using nonorganic bedding, after all.) This flannel set runs a little warmer than the Lands' End sheets, so it's a good choice if you want to stay on the warm side, but it wasn't overly hot and heavy, either.

Photograph: Nena Farrell

Riley Home Brushed Cotton Sheet Set

$160 at Riley Home (Without Flat Sheet)

These brushed cotton sheets from Riley are my current go-to for winter. These are some of the softest I've tried without being overly hot, thanks to the brushed cotton rather than full flannel, which makes it a little lighter while still being fuzzy to the touch. They retain more heat than percale cotton sheets, but not so much heat that I needed to remove my extra quilt I use in the winter. These have been a perfect option for me and my husband, since we're naturally hot sleepers. (Doesn't help we're in a third-floor room in Southern California!)

Riley also lets you choose if you want a flat sheet (aka a top sheet) or not with this set, which can make it a little cheaper. You might want to skip a flat sheet if you're a super warm sleeper or already have a duvet cover you prefer.

• The Company Store Legends Luxury Luxe Velvet Flannel Fitted Sheet for $85: Velvet flannel is a popular variation of flannel sheets, and my favorite iteration is from the Company Store. The Legends Luxury Luxe set has a fantastic soft feel to it that will keep you very cozy, and the velvet texture feels like quite the upgrade. The only downside is this sheet is sold in separate pieces, so you'll need to add the fitted sheet ($85), the flat sheet ($85), and the pillowcase set ($54) to your cart one by one for a full set. But you could also skip the flat sheet if you've already got a duvet cover, or skip the pillowcases if you prefer a silk pillowcase.
• L.L. Bean's UltraSoft Flannel Sheets for $139: These are definitely soft, but not as soft as our top flannel pick, and they feel lighter too. They're almost like a warm jersey rather than a flannel. If you're looking for a light but still soft set of sheets, this is a good choice.
• Brooklinen Flannel Core Sheet Set for $229: These are fine flannel sheets, with lots of cute prints to check out. They’re thinner and not as soft as our top picks, but they’re a fine choice if you're loving a certain print Brooklinen has.

Why buy sateen sheets? Sateen is a cotton weave similar to percale, but it uses a three-over-one thread style weave compared to one-over-one. Those extra threads give it a silkier feel even though it's still cotton, and it tends to be both cooler and a little heavier. They're great for summer months if you want something cool to the touch, but they also work for colder months if you aren't looking for something too heat-trapping like flannel but still want to retain some heat.

Photograph: Nena Farrell

JCPenney Wrinkle Guard Sateen Sheet Set

$140 $90 at JCPenney

I have a few sets of JCPenney’s Wrinkle Guard sateen sheets in my linen closet thanks to my wedding registry. They’re soft and cool to the touch, with the silky finish sateen is known for without being slippery. They drape well on my bed and don’t keep me too warm, but be careful how you fold them, as they aren't completely wrinkle-free.

The craziest thing to me about these sheets is that I can barely tell the difference between them and the Brooklinen Luxe Core Set, which is double the price (also courtesy of my wedding registry). They’re similar and both incredibly comfortable to sleep on, but JCPenney’s sheets are just hard to beat on value.

• Quince Luxury Organic Signature Sateen Sheet Set for $100: We prefer Quince’s linen sheets, but if you want cotton, these are a good choice. Former WIRED reviewer Haley Sprankle raved about these sheets being the perfect combination of lightweight and sumptuous. Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano liked these too, though she prefers other materials over sateen. Some people might find sateen hot, but we did not find that to be the case with these.
• Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set for $189: These sheets are similar to JCPenney’s set but more expensive. They’re a touch silkier thanks to a higher thread count—Brooklinen has 480 versus JCPenney’s 400. We explain thread counts further below.
• Boll & Branch Signature Sheet Set for $289: Boll & Branch's Signature sheets take the sateen weave to the next level with a four-over-one thread pattern, making it a little extra soft to the touch. I tested the textured stripe color, which gave it a little texture to balance the softness, and it was a great sheet to sleep on that wasn't too hot, while still adding a little more weight and softness than lighter cotton.
• Pure Parima Triple Luxe Sateen Sheet Set Hotel Collection for $350: If you don't think standard sateen is soft enough, then it's time to try Egyptian cotton sateen. The long-staple cotton is Cotton Egypt Association certified, and it's Oeko-Tex certified too. But most important, it's super soft without being overly heavy, and isn't slippery like bamboo or silk. It's a splurge, but if you're craving soft, these are the way to go.

Why buy bamboo sheets? Companies are making sheets from materials beyond your classic cotton and linen, like bamboo and eucalyptus. The latter usually takes less water than cotton and less-harsh chemicals than bamboo to produce sheets. Because bamboo plants grow so quickly, it's thought to be an eco-friendly resource we can use without depleting the planet. However, it's not a perfect solution. The process of turning bamboo into fabric uses harsh chemicals, which can actually add to air and water pollution. Bamboo viscose is slightly better than bamboo rayon.

Photograph: Nena Farrell

Luxome Bamboo Luxury Sheet Set

$180 at Luxome

These bamboo sheets from Luxome truly have everything I want in a sheet: incredibly soft, not too heavy for summer sleeping, Oeko-Tex certification, and deep pockets with elastic straps to keep them secure on both your mattress and around your pillow. Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano told me these were the softest bedding she's ever slept on, and I have to agree with her that these are one of the softest I've tried, too. The quality is amazing for the price; similar bamboo sheets will easily cost you over $200.

Like most bamboo, these Luxome sheets are cool to the touch when you climb into bed, but warm up nicely around you as you settle in. Luxome's sheets didn't get so warm that I woke up sweating during the September heat in Southern California, though they aren't the most breathable bamboo I've tried.

Photograph: Nena Farrell

Ettitude Signature Sateen Bamboo Sheets

$235 at Amazon

$289 at Ettitude

Bamboo is often touted as cooling, mainly due to how cool the sheets feel to the touch. But I've found bamboo sheets will warm up through the night, leaving me just as hot as warmer sheets. Ettitude's Signature Sateen Bamboo Sheets, however, have been my go-to bamboo that actually keeps me cool all night long.

It's a little surprising since these sheets still have a solid 300 thread count and sateen weave (which is heavier than other weaves), but Ettitude's Signature sheets feel super lightweight to the touch and don't warm up as much as heavier bamboo I've tried. They're still nice and soft, too, retaining that silky cool feel bamboo is known for. These sheets are worth the splurge if you want something that's super soft, breathable, and won't leave you sweating at 3 in the morning.

• Bedsure Bamboo Cooling Sheet Set for $43: This is one of the best cheap sets of sheets we found from stores like Amazon and Walmart, and it happened to be bamboo to boot. It's made from bamboo rayon (instead of viscose, which is better for the environment), and while it isn't as silky and cool as the Luxome sheet set above, it's a close second.
• Quince Organic Bamboo Sheets for $130: This is another great affordable bamboo set. These bamboo viscose sheets use a sateen weave, giving them a silky feel, and are organic with an Oeko-Tex certification. They've got a nice weight to them for the price, too, but are still comfortable to sleep on without getting too warm.
• Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set for $331: Similar to Luxome, these bamboo sheets are 100 percent bamboo viscose, but they're pricier. Still, they're insanely soft and nice and cold to the touch. They warm up after about 15 minutes of lying in bed but still feel almost as if they've melted around you.

If you're interested in more bamboo, check out my guide to the best bamboo sheets you can buy.

Why buy silk sheets? Silk stays cool and slick when you need it, so you shouldn't heat up and stick to your bed in the middle of the night. But it also is capable of insulating you decently well to keep you warm in the winter months. Silk is also better for your beauty rest and the reason why silk scarves, bonnets, and pillowcases are so popular. It absorbs less moisture from your hair and skin, so you stay hydrated and don't lose all your expensive beauty products to your pillow. It also causes less friction, pulling less at your skin during the night. If you're a side or stomach sleeper where your face makes direct contact with your pillow, silk is a great option to consider.

If you Google silk sheets, you'll see results for things like “eucalyptus silk” or “silky Tencel.” These might still be comfortable and soft, but they are not real silk. Real silk sheets are categorized by their density and weight, called momme. A higher number equals more threads, a higher density, and more durability. For example, 25-momme sheets are a higher quality and more durable, but also more expensive. The 19-momme sheets we recommend here are a perfectly good set. It's worth noting that some people find sleeping on a full silk bed to be annoying, with their pillows slipping around and the corners coming untucked, but we didn't encounter this.

Photograph: Lilysilk

Lilysilk 19 Momme Seamless Silk Sheets

$229 at Lilysilk (Flat Sheet)

$259 at Lilysilk (Fitted Sheet)

Sleeping on these silk sheets feels like true luxury. They're soft and smooth without being freezing cold. Lilysilk is the only brand of silk sheets we’ve tested, and it's very expensive to get a full set—you're looking at almost $600 for one flat sheet, one fitted sheet, and two pillowcases—but the brand offers each piece individually. Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano tried the fitted sheet with a regular percale top sheet and found it cooling and comfortable. If you can spend a little more, Lilysilk has 22- and 25-momme sets available. They're a little more durable, but 19 is still very high quality.

Photograph: Nena Farrell

Quince Silk Mulberry Pillowcase

$45 at Quince

Switching to a silk pillowcase might make a difference for a lot less money than replacing the whole set. Silk sheets boast benefits for hair and skin, and a pillowcase targets those benefits to your face and hair. While using a silk pillowcase didn't fix all my hair problems, my hair was certainly softer while I slept on one of these. Of the silk pillowcases I've tested, these are my favorites.

This silk pillowcase is a great value at $40, and it has a better weight for that price than other brands. Quince's silk pillowcase is 22-momme, where others usually have a 19-momme for that price, and that heavier weight makes it slightly thicker and softer to the touch. It has a zipper enclosure, which I liked since it kept the pillowcase looking polished, and I didn't have to worry about my pillow wiggling its way out of the case while I tossed and turned in the night. Sleep Number's Silk Pillowcase ($50) felt very similar to it and also has a zipper enclosure, but it costs $10 more and is a slightly lighter weight (21-momme).

• LilySilk 19-Momme Silk Pillowcase for $45: This is the same price as the Quince pillowcase, but a lighter weight, though it's barely noticeable side by side. If you prefer no zipper, though, this is the silk pillowcase for you. It does have a few colors and prints that Quince doesn't, so you might want to peruse the two brands and choose based on your color preference.
• Silken Pure Silk Envelope Pillowcase for $98: This pillowcase is a splurge, but the Silken Pure is noticeably higher-end. Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano found it's not as slippery as other, cheaper pillowcases, but it is super cooling on your skin. She says it's held up great in the wash too. She does find she has to adjust it in the morning, since it doesn't have a zipper enclosure.
• Kitsch Satin Pillowcase for $19: This pillowcase is satin, not silk, but Giordano said it's better than similarly priced silk options. If you're not looking to spend more than $20 to $25, she says to choose this one over the cheaper silk pillowcases you'll find on Amazon.

Why buy organic sheets? If you're buying an organic mattress, you probably want to pair it with organic sheets. Otherwise, nonorganic sheets can bring the chemicals and materials you avoided—including anything from formaldehyde and TCEP (a flame retardant) to phthalates—right back into your life. Even if you have a regular mattress, you can still benefit from choosing sheets that are made of natural, organic materials.

Photograph: The Citizenry

The Citizenry Organic Stonewashed Percale Sheet Set

$179 at The Citizenry

These are fantastic all-around percale sheets—lightweight! Crisp without feeling like paper! Still soft to the touch!—that happen to be organic and are better priced than other organic sheets we've tried. The Citizenry's percale set is soft enough that it doesn't get complaints from my husband. The brand also makes my favorite linen for the same reason: The ability to make fantastic sheets that are softer than other, similarly priced options.

This set has a 300 thread count, which is a nice spot for staying breathable (especially if you want organic sheets that will keep you cool) while still staying soft. The long-staple cotton used helps with that softness, too. The Citizenry's percale is made from Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)-certified organic cotton and is Oeko-Tex certified, which means they're tested for and do not contain any known toxic chemicals.

Photograph: Brooklinen

Brooklinen Organic Cotton Sheets

$229 at Brooklinen

WIRED reviewer Scott Gilbertson tests organic mattresses, and these are his favorite organic sheets to pair with them. They're soft but not overly silky, which is a feeling he doesn't care for (if you do, check out the Avocado sheets below). I've also found the organic percale is just a touch softer than Brooklinen's regular percale. The Brooklinen organic cotton sheets are made from Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)-certified organic cotton and are Oeko-Tex certified, like the Citizenry sheets above. They also have a 300 thread count.

• Avocado Organic Cotton Sheets for $179: These 600-count sheets are like sleeping on silk or satin and are 100 percent GOTS-certified organic cotton from India. The only potential issue here is that, because they are such a dense weave, they sleep a little warmer than what you might be used to. There's also a 400-count version we haven't tested.
• Avocado Organic Linen Sheets for $499: These linen sheets are some of the heaviest Gilbertson has tried and will likely last you many years, thanks to the heavy weight. They'll get softer with every wash, but they are initially rougher than other styles of sheets.
• Naturepedic Linen Sheet Set for $549: This sheet set has a nice weight to it while still being cool to sleep on, but wasn't as soft as other linen I've tried. It does have a ton of options to buy individual linen pieces, which is nice, comes in great colors, and is GOTS-certified organic.

On a tight budget? Some of our favorite sheets are surprisingly cheap compared to other similar sets, but they cover a range of sheet styles.

Photograph: Nena Farrell

Room Essentials Easy Care Solid Sheet Set

$35 at Target

After a cross-state move that required me to ditch anything that didn't fit into my car, sheets somehow didn't make the cut. So I popped into Target to grab its cheapest queen sheet set off the shelf and promptly left the store, because my moving budget had dried up. Target's Room Essentials set is made with a plain cotton weave, and I didn't expect them to hold up for long, especially with my claw-happy cat in the house.

It's been four years and I still use these sheets. They're soft and light after years of use and feel a bit like a favorite T-shirt I've worn in the perfect amount. My husband, much to my ire, calls these “the nice sheets” even though we have actual nice sheets. They're affordable and are comfortable to sleep on.

• Bedsure Bamboo Cooling Sheet Set for $43: We tried a few sets of cheap, highly rated sheets from stores like Amazon and Walmart in hopes of finding a great pair well under the $100 mark. This $45 set from Bedsure was the best one (queen is out of stock, so the price is for full). They're made from bamboo rayon, and while they aren't as silky and cool as the Luxome sheets above, they're a close second. Luxome's sheets are made from bamboo viscose, which is better for the environment.

Not every set of sheets was one we loved. Here are some other sheets we tried and would avoid.

• Amazon Basics Microfiber Sheet Set for $17: We really wanted sub-$20 sheets to be the unexpected hero of our testing, but alas, this set is a failure. They feel (and sound!) kind of like those paper robes you have to wear at the doctor's office. We hardly lasted a night sleeping on these.
• Casper Hyperlite Sheet Set for $139: These are cooling to the touch, thanks to the lyocell Tencel material used, but they are incredibly thin and already feel worn after a handful of washes.
• Coop Comphy CoolSpa Sheet Set for $179: These sheets promise cooling properties, but I found myself waking up sweating after sleeping on these.

To sleep with a top sheet or not to sleep with a top sheet has been a matter of debate in the past few years, with some opting to speak for a generation. WIRED is divided on this issue, though most of the Gear team seems to go without. I start out the night with a top sheet but usually find it bunched up in the morning. Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano is passionate about always sleeping with one. ("This millennial has not killed the top sheet industry," she says.)

Do whatever keeps you comfortable. Many companies now offer the option to forgo a top sheet altogether while purchasing a set. If you think you don't like a top sheet because you get too hot, you might just need to find a cooler material.

Thread count is the number of threads you'll find in one square inch of a sheet's fabric. The thread count can range pretty widely on sheets, and some brands like Parachute claim it doesn't matter. You also might see some styles of sheets won't call out thread counts at all—silk uses a different system, called momme, which focuses on the weight of the silk, and flannel sheets usually list the ounces of weight of the flannel.

Ultimately, higher thread counts mean literally more thread—it's a denser weave and weight that can also feel heavy if you're used to lighter weaves and lower thread counts. Some equate thread count with quality or softness, but you shouldn't treat it as the ultimate rule of how good a set of sheets will be. You can use thread count to understand two things: texture (higher thread counts usually mean a smoother feel) and warmth (more threads will retain more heat). If you want lighter sheets, lower thread counts could actually be better for you, but higher thread counts can mean a smoother feel or warmer layers if you're a cold sleeper. Even if you like a toasty bed, you never need a thread count as high as 800 and 1,000, so don't splurge for super high numbers.

This one's easy: by sleeping! I sleep on each set of sheets for about a week to see how they hold up and how comfortable they are. I check how well secured they stay on the mattress throughout that week, how well they retain heat (taking the material into consideration; flannel should be keeping me much warmer than sateen, for example), and how soft or unsoft they feel after prolonged exposure. I also wash them as soon as they arrive in a normal, cold cycle; check whether the texture has changed at all after a wash; and do the same thing after a week of use. I also keep sheets on hand to compare textures side by side with similar styles of sheets.