Premium and Value Cooling Bed Sheets: Top Luxury Brands or Affordable Options Compared
Choosing the perfect bed sheets isn't just a matter of aesthetics or thread counts - it's about finding the right texture, feel, and performance to suit your sleep style.
Growing up with crisp Egyptian cotton, I thought that high thread count meant superior quality. But when it came to buying my own sheets, I was lost. What are the best thread counts? Which weaves feel great against my skin? Is linen or cotton the best fabric for keeping cool at night? I left the store more bewildered than when I entered and ended up with cheap sheets that didn't last the year.
Five years and a stint working at The White Company later, I've learned the truth. The best sheets come in various fabrics, from breathable linen to buttery sateen, and cater to a range of budgets. So whether you're after hotel-style luxury, no-fuss maintenance, or something that feels wonderful against your skin, I've tested the best options on the market for you.
The ultimate bed sheets, tested and approved
The right sheets are critical to a good night's sleep. As Emily and Jonathan Attwood, founders of sustainable bedding brand scooms, put it: "The bed linen you choose will be in direct contact with your skin all night, so it should feel just right." That means considering more than just price or pattern. Here's what you should know:
Best linen
RRP: £25Composition: 55% cotton 45% linenThread count: 144-1,000Sizes available: Super King, King, Double, SingleCare instructions: machine washable
Feels really premium and gentleClassic style options with multiple coloursFeels scratchy at first (keep washing it)
In recent years, Dunelm's linen sheets have garnered praise for their premium feel and affordability, particularly compared to luxurious brands. Known for their lightweight, breathable nature, these linen sheets get softer with every use. However, they might feel a bit scratchy at first – keep washing them to soften them up.
Best cotton
RRP: £22-195Composition: 100% 400-thread-count Egyptian cottonThread count: 400Sizes available: Emperor, Super King, King, Double, SingleCare instructions: machine washable
Incredible quality and longevityLuxury cording detailLimited colour options
My family has owned these sheets for 25 years. They've withstood the test of time, maintaining their almost-white shade and high-quality appearance. Despite their pricier upfront cost, they represent long-term financial sense.
Best bamboo
RRP: From £110Composition: 100% rayon from bambooThread count: 320 (equivalent of 1,200 in cotton)Sizes available: Super King, King, Double, SingleCare instructions: machine washable
Incredibly cooling and hypoallergenicOrganic and sustainable optionSlippery feeling isn't for everyone
All bamboo sheets take some getting used to. They feel slippery at first, but if you're a hot sleeper, stick with it. These bamboo sheets are incredibly cooling, making them a lifesaver for those suffering from night sweats. Their environmental credentials, unmatched quality, and nice touches, like bamboo buttons and hanging loops, make them a full package.
Best for hot sleepers
RRP: £119Composition: 100% cottonThread count: 300Sizes available: King, Double, SingleCare instructions: machine washable
Perfect for night sweatsSoft, silky feelPrice adds up with different components
Designed to feel like silk, these sheets are almost fluid on the bed, beautifully soft on the skin, and gentle on the body. Yes, they might seem more expensive up front, but they're worth the splurge.
Best budget
RRP: £11Composition: 52% polycotton, 48% cottonThread count: 144Sizes available: King, Double, SingleCare instructions: machine washable
Low-maintenance, easy careLots of colour and style optionsQuite hot to sleep in
Next's polyester-cotton blend is a low-cost, premium-feeling set that's OEKO-TEX certified. With a wide range of colours, it's a dreamy option for those who prefer the softness of cotton without the fuss of ironing.
Best luxury
RRP: from £45Composition: 55% European linen, 45% long staple cottonThread count: 120Sizes available: Super King, King, Double, SingleCare instructions: machine washable
Made with premium, sustainable materialsPlenty of style optionsExpensive
Linen sheets don't get any better than this. Whether you prefer cosy checks, European lines, pretty patterns, or solid colours, you can find pure linen bedding or a blend of European linen and long-staple cotton. It's top quality (and feels it).
Best hotel-style
RRP: From £160Composition: 100% Egyptian cottonThread count: 500Sizes available: Emperor, Super King, King, DoubleCare instructions: machine washable
Classic styleWeighty and soft feel against skinCan get expensive
If you're chasing the luxury hotel feeling for your bed, these sheets get five stars. They come with high-quality thread count, single-ply Egyptian cotton yarn that feels supreme against the skin. Crisp and cool, you'll sleep in style.
Most cosy
RRP: £20Composition: 100% cottonThread count: 300Sizes available: King, Double, SingleCare instructions: machine washable
Uniquely special designUltra-luxurious feelExpensive
I would never normally spend this much money on bedding normally, but I treated myself with these. One year later, I don't regret it. The hand-stitching is beautiful, it feels cosy without being twee, and the linen is top-notch quality. You'll also find special mother of pearl buttons and, if you want to buy the set in parts, they're all sold separately. You can mix and match with some affordable linen too.
Best low-maintenance
RRP: From £29.40Composition: 100% Normandy flax linenThread count: 200-600Sizes available: Super King, King, Double, SingleCare instructions: machine washable
Sold as bundles or separatelyLots of colour optionsRelaxed linen look isn't for everyone
Many claim that French women get good sleep, and after tryings these linen sheets, I've discovered the secret. With an effortless slub and pretty bow ties at the bottom, these sheets look stunning without any maintenance or attention. You'll wake up with your skin feeling refreshed, and there's an endless range of colour options to choose from.
Best pattern
RRP: From £16Composition: 50% cotton, 50% polyesterThread count: 144Sizes available: Super King, King, Double, SingleCare instructions: machine washable
Eye-catching designLow maintenance and easy careSleeps quite hot
Next's bedding collection is nothing short of beautiful. I've been loving all the Furn sheets, and this is their best-seller. The exotic floral and fern patterns on this bedding make for a stunning statement. Plus, it's low-maintenance and easy to keep looking pristine.
Best natural
RRP: From £70Composition: 100% cottonThread count: 200-1,000Sizes available: Emperor, Super King, King, Double, SingleCare instructions: machine washable
Endless style and colour optionsOEKO-TEX-certified and gentle on the skinExpensive
Made with Portuguese linen, this is some of the best bedding you can buy. Secret Linen Store, connoisseurs of natural bedding for over a decade, have outdone themselves with these sheets. It's light-as-air to sleep under, which feels lovely – especially during hot weather. Even better, it's free from harmful chemicals and the flax is grown responsibly.
Best for skin
RRP: From £30Composition: 100% cottonThread count: 200Sizes available: Super King, King, Double, SingleCare instructions: machine washable
Incredible value for moneyCooling and gentle on the skinHotter than linen
Available in three classic colourways, this wide stripe is perfect for all-year-round sleeping. The cotton offers a crisp, fresh look while sitting softly against the skin. Your skin will feel refreshed when you wake up, thanks to the sheets' naturally moisture-wicking properties. It's a classic for any bedroom.
FAQs
1. What do I need to know before buying bed sheets?
One essential thing for buying new bed sheets is the size you need. Don't forget to take your mattress's depth into account if it's thicker or if you use a mattress topper. Fitted sheets that are too small won't tuck under the mattress's corners, causing them to continuously pop off during the night. If you don't have the exact measurements of your mattress, it's better to size up rather than down.
2. What are the best materials for bed sheets?
When it comes to popular choices for bed sheets, cotton, polyester, linen, bamboo, and silk are among the top options.- Cotton is breathable, cool, and cheap, softening with time and washing.- Polyester can get a bad rap, but blended variations can create a budget-friendly alternative. Pure polyester sheets might be rough and not recommended unless you're on a tight budget.- Linen is naturally cool and great for hot sleepers or those with allergies. However, it may require multiple washes to soften.- Bamboo sheets are more wrinkle-resistant and can be hypoallergenic, perfect for hot sleepers.- Silk tends to have a higher price point, requiring delicate care due to its natural fiber production.
3. What does thread count mean for bed sheets?
Higher thread count is typically assumed to mean better quality, but not always. Manufacturers may inflate thread count numbers by twisting multiple low-quality yarns together. Choosing high-quality natural materials, like long-staple Egyptian cotton or garment-washed linen, ensures you'll get a good night's sleep. A thread count of 400-600 is ideal.
4. What kind of bed sheets do five-star hotels use?
Luxurious bedding often depends on the fabric and thread count. Generally, hotels use high-quality Egyptian cotton with a thread count of 400-600.
5. How often should I wash my bed sheets?
It's recommended to wash your bed sheets once a week, especially if you sweat heavily or suffer from allergies. However, this depends on personal habits – consider washing them more frequently if needed.
6. How much should I spend on bed sheets?
Spending a bit more on high-quality, natural bedding can make a big difference in both comfort and durability. A smart investment in bedding leads to better sleep and a longer-lasting product. Focus on quality fabrics, sustainable practices, and low maintenance to avoid sheets that disappoint in the long run.
- The right choice of bed sheets matters significantly for a good night's sleep, as proclaimed by Emily and Jonathan Attwood, founders of sustainable bedding brand scooms.
- Finding the best sheets involves considering more than just their price or pattern, since they have direct contact with your skin throughout the night.
- Weighty and soft dunelm linen sheets are praised for their premium feel and affordability, becoming softer with every use but feeling a bit scratchy initially.
- My family has owned Egyptian cotton sheets for 25 years, demonstrating their incredible quality, longevity, and resulting long-term financial sense.
- In recent years, bamboo sheets have gained recognition for their cooling and hypoallergenic properties, though they might take time to get used to.
- For night sweats sufferers, sheets designed to feel like silk offer superior comfort, being soft, silky, and gentle on the body, even though they are more expensive.
- Next's polyester-cotton blend sheets offer a low-cost, premium-feeling set that's OEKO-TEX certified, featuring plenty of colour options for those who prefer the softness of cotton without the fuss of ironing.
- Linen sheets made with premium, sustainable materials provide luxury and multiple style options, though their cost might be prohibitive for some.
- If you're chasing the luxury hotel feeling for your bed, Egyptian cotton sheets with high-quality thread count and single-ply yarn feel supreme against the skin, providing a crisp and cool sleeping experience.
- French women seem to have a secret for good sleep, as evidenced by the unbeatable beauty and easy maintenance of French linen sheets, featuring plenty of colour options.
- Next's Furn exotic floral and fern patterned sheets make for a stunning statement with their eye-catching design, low maintenance, and easy care, albeit sleeping a bit hotter than its competitors.
- When buying new bed sheets, it's essential to consider the size you need, ensuring that fitted sheets properly tuck under the mattress's corners to prevent them from popping off during the night.
- Commonly preferred materials for bed sheets include cotton, polyester, linen, bamboo, and silk, each offering different benefits like breathability, softness, durability, and cooling properties.
- Thread count should not be the sole determining factor, as higher numbers don't always guarantee superior quality, so focus on high-quality natural materials like long-staple Egyptian cotton or garment-washed linen.
- Aiming for a thread count of 400-600 provides an ideal balance, while five-star hotels usually use high-quality Egyptian cotton with thread counts between 400-600.
- Experts suggest washing your bed sheets once a week, especially for heavy sweaters or allergy sufferers, though this depends on personal habits and usage.
- Lastly, investing a bit more in high-quality, natural bedding can translate to long-lasting products, better sleep, and overall satisfaction.
