The Best Inexpensive Cotton Sheets
Above-average ratings, below-average prices, no fake reviews.
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A good set of cotton sheets has several benefits when compared to the sythetic materials that are increasingly used in bedding materials.
- Comfort — Synthetic fibers retain more body heat than cotton does, according to a study that measured the thermal resistance of 10 bedsheets.
- Freshness — Sweaty cotton smells better than sweaty polyester, according to results published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology. On top of that, 71% of Americans say they “get a more comfortable night’s sleep on sheets with a fresh scent,” according to a National Sleep Foundation poll.
- Useful Life — The best cotton sheets get softer over time. On the other hand, rayon, polyester or microfiber sheets can stiffen with age. “Synthetic fibers can be scratchy,” said Roxana Hayda to Cotton Inc. The former housekeeping executive, who held roles at the Waldorf Astoria, NoMad Hotel, and Gramercy Park Hotel, continued: “In any luxury property, you will have cotton sheets.”
The best cotton sheets use extra-long-staple Egyptian cotton. Pima (or Supima) cotton is almost as good, and is usually more affordable. Inexpensive sheets use short-fiber cotton, which isn’t as soft or durable. The way cotton is woven or knitted also impacts how a bedsheet feels and how long it will last.
Types of Cotton Sheets
- Percale — A crisp, durable and breathable weave that wrinkles easily;
- Sateen — A soft, smooth and warm weave that pills over time; and
- Jersey — A soft, breathable and stretchy knit that pills and pulls easily.
High Thread-Count Sheets Are Hotter, Not Better
“When you see a thread-count higher than 400, the number is nearly always a lie,” according to the American Sleep Association. Even if the claim is truthful, “higher thread counts trap heat, resulting in sweaty, uncomfortable sleep,” according to ISPA’s Better Sleep Council.
Being too hot increases sweat production, which lowers the thermal resistance of a sheet. The end result is the feeling of being hot and cold at the same time. 200–400 threads per square inch is the best thread count for sheets: It’s a happy medium for softness, durability and breathability.
How Much Do Good Bed Sheets Cost?
A good set of cotton bed sheets (with verified, above-average reviews) costs approximately $45, according to a 12-month analysis of price trends. Those same queen sheets cost around $38 while on sale: an average discount of 16%. This data also suggests that Wayfair is the best place to buy cotton sheets online. Here are the best inexpensive queen sheet sets for the money:
Methodology for Selecting Products
I use data science to discover above-average products that are selling for below-average prices. To find cotton sheet sets with below-average prices, I first assemble a list of candidates, then organize those products by their 12-month average sale price, determine the median value and then exclude any sheet set with a price above the mid-point.
To find cotton sheets with above-average reviews, I measure the relationship between 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 star ratings and flag outliers that fall outside of a normal statistical distribution. I also discount paid, sponsored and unverified reviews as well as unhelpful review behaviors from verified customers. Queen sheets with an average adjusted rating of less than 3.9 out of 5 are excluded; in the end, approximately 85% of the products that are analyzed are eliminated for one or more of the reasons above.
Feather & Stitch 100% Cotton Percale Weave 4-Piece Sheet Set
Good Value: $45 | Great Deal: $39
This inexpensive queen-sheet set fits deep mattresses, retains its color after washing and it feels crisp like the percale sheets of yesteryear, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say that these sheets wrinkle when they come out of the dryer; others wish the sheets were made of thicker material.
Threadmill Home Linen 100% Extra-Long Staple Cotton Sheets, 4 Piece
Good Value: $42 | Great Deal: $33
This inexpensive cotton sheet set is soft, comfortable and it fits a queen mattress properly, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say these sheets look thinner and duller after washing them.
Twillery Co. Baum 4-Piece Cotton Sateen Sheet Set
Good Value: $55 | Great Deal: $26
Check Current Price on Wayfair
This inexpensive sheet set has rich colors, a good fit (even on deep mattresses) and it sleeps cool, according to several online customers. Some reviewers wish these sheets where softer, thicker and less wrinkly.
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Amazon Prime Day.
Home Decorators Collection Sateen 4-Piece Queen Sheet Set
Good Value: $43 | Great Deal: $33
Check Current Price on Home Depot
Home Decorators’ affordable sateen sheet set washes well, feels great against the skin and stays relatively wrinkle-free, according to several customers. Some reviewers say their sheets had an unfinished seam.
Note: This item was heavily discounted on Cyber Monday.
Sleep Philosophy 4-Piece Liquid Cotton Sheet Set
Good Value: $40 | Great Deal: $30
Check Current Price on Amazon | Check Current Price on Bed Bath & Beyond | Check Current Price on Kohl’s
Sleep Philosophy’s “liquid cotton” sheet set is soft, comfortable and durable in the wash, according to several online customers. Some reviewers caution that the fitted sheet doesn’t stay in place on a deep mattress.
Woolrich Tasha 100% Cotton Flannel 4-Piece Sheet Set
Good Value: $50 | Great Deal: $40
Check Current Price on Wayfair | Check Current Price on Bed Bath & Beyond
Woolrich’s inexpensive flannel sheets are soft, warm and ideal for the winter months, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say that these sheets fade and stiffen when they are laundered.
Mayfair Linen 100% Egyptian Cotton 4-Piece Sheet Set
Good Value: $60 | Great Deal: $50
Mayfair’s affordable Egyptian cotton sheets are durable, comfortable and they get softer each time they are washed, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say the sheets have a chemical smell when they are first removed from their package; others caution that the sheets do not fit a 14-inch mattress.
Isabella Cromwell 100% Pima Cotton Sateen Weave
Good Value: $50 | Great Deal: $40
These pima cotton sheets have deep pockets and get softer after each wash, according to several online customers. Many reviewers say these sheets wrinkle easily; others say the true color of the sheets doesn’t match the product photograph. The most unhappy customers say these sheets are stiff and scratchy.
Pizuna 400 Thread Count Cotton Queen Size Sheets Set
Good Value: $40 | Great Deal: $33
Check Current Price on Amazon | Check Current Price on Overstock
These sheets are cool and comfortable, according to several online customers. Many reviewers say the fitted sheet is too snug; others say that these sheets feel rough and wrinkled when they come from the dryer.
Feather & Stitch 500 Thread Count 100% Cotton Sheet Set
Good Value: $50 | Great Deal: $47
Check Current Price on Amazon | Check Current Price on Walmart
These sheets fit deep mattresses, sleep cool and feel comfortable, according to several online customers. Many reviewers say these sheets wrinkle easily; others say the sheets have an odor out of the package.
About the Author: John DeFeo was formerly the creative director of Debonair Magazine. During that time, he had journalistic access to houseware executives as well as textile manufacturers who produced bedding materials. Additionally, he worked in collaboration with the editorial team that published Elle Decor as well as the editors responsible for the sleep science research that was published on Live Science.
