There are very few feelings in the world better than getting wrapped up in a soft, cozy bedsheet for a night of deep sleep. Although you have hundreds of options available in the market, buying the right one needs thorough research. Do not worry! We have done all the research on your behalf when it comes to picking the softest sheets for your bed. Just sit back and go through our guide covering everything you need to know about the softest bed sheets ever.
A List of the Softest Bed Sheets
Let us run through the softest bed sheets one by one.
1. Cotton Sheets
Cotton is a popular material for bed sheets. After regular use, cotton becomes softer with each use. Cotton is also available in many different types. Egyptian cotton sheets are absorbing and breathable. They are often considered the premier level of cotton and the softest fabric. However, Egyptian cotton can be hard to find and is expensive.
Pima cotton is another type of cotton known to have a longer lifespan and durability and supima cotton is long-staple cotton with soft weaves.
Organic cotton is a great option if you are allergic. They are one of the most comfortable sheets while being more environmentally friendly than other cotton options.
2. Linen Sheets
Linen sheets are manufactured from flax plants and tend to get softer over time. Linen dries much faster than cotton, and is also a great option for those who sleep without air conditioning as they provide extra breathability and coolness.
3. Bamboo Sheets
Bamboo sheets are made by turning the bamboo plant into rayon. This material also gets softer over time; however, you can buy a pair that have been stone-washed because they are much lighter than the rest.
Bamboo sheets are an eco-friendly option because they use less water than cotton while being produced and bamboo grows faster. They have better breathability and are a good option for hot sleepers.
4. Jersey Sheets
Jersey sheets are a type of knit cotton sheets that are smooth and are affordable. They may not be the best option for cool sleepers since they tend to stay warm and trap body heat.
5. Flannel Sheets
Flannel sheets are popular in the winter since they are super soft and warm. Manufactured from cotton, wool, or synthetic fibers, they are the best option for a snuggly, cozy sleep if you feel cold easily.
6. Tencel Sheets
Tencel refers to a cellulose fiber made from wood. It is more eco-friendly than cotton and is also much softer on the skin. It holds color better than fabrics like cotton. Additionally, it absorbs moisture making it another good option for hot sleepers.
7. Microfiber Sheets
Microfiber sheets are an affordable option with good softness. Made from 100 % polyester they also get softer with every wash and are a great budget-friendly option.
8. Silk Sheets
Silk sheets are the softest bed sheets in the world. Although silk sheets are costly and hard to find, they give a luxurious feeling like no other sheet. If you have a limited budget for the whole set, try picking other material sheets and add silk pillowcases that serve as healthy options for your hair and skin.
How to Choose the Softest Bed Sheets?
There are a lot of factors to consider before buying an amazingly soft bed sheet. These include thread count, weave, material choices, colors, sizes, etc.
We have listed a few factors to keep in mind before picking the softest bed sheets.
Consider Sheet Material and Weave
Sheets are available in several materials that include cotton, linen sheets, bamboo fiber, silk, jersey sheets, microfiber, etc. You can find natural and synthetic fibers or a combination of both, and are natural and hypoallergenic.
There is no perfect or best bed sheet material. It depends on your personal preferences. Different materials feel different depending on the sleeper; you can try sheets that keep you cool or sheets that rrap body heat depending on your preference.
You can also choose the type of weave, either percale or sateen weave. Sateen bedsheets feel silky and ultra-soft, while percale sheets offer a crisp, cozy feel.
Thread Count
Thread count is a factor to consider in sheet softness, but not a very significant one. Manufacturers nowadays use thinner-ply fibers to show a higher thread count. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it is better. Be careful while selecting the thread count in your bed sheet decisions, and watch out for bedsheets made with two-ply thread.
Consider Allergies
Some sleepers are allergic to materials used in processing synthetic bedsheets. If you are one of those sleepers, make sure you pick a hypoallergenic sheet fabric that would not cause an allergy.
Numerous bedsheet materials including cotton, bamboo fiber, silk sheets, natural latex, and more, are naturally hypoallergenic and work better for you. On the other hand, synthetic fibers, may feel soft but can lead to a taxing time on the bed.
Picking the Right Color/ Pattern
Apart from a soft, cozy feel, your bedsheet also reflects the mood inside your bedroom. Pick the color and pattern that radiate a positive feeling and improve the aesthetics of your bedroom. Also, consider the fact that darker sheets hide stains better than lighter ones. It might not matter much for adults, but it could be a significant factor in picking sheets for your kid.
Determine the Sheet Size
The pattern in which your bedsheet fits makes a difference in the quality of your sleep. You don’t want your sheets to get bundled up or leave your mattress exposed.
Mattress Thickness
You need to consider the mattress thickness before deciding on the bedsheet. If you have a thick mattress, you need to pick a bedsheet with an extra deep fitted sheet. Experts recommend measuring the height of the bedding before deciding on the bedsheet. The standard mattresses range between 7 and 9 inches, but some can be as thick as 16 or 22 inches. Pick a bedsheet with an extra deep pockets built into the fitted sheet for such mattresses.
What Makes Soft Sheets Soft?
There are a lot of factors that make sheets soft. We have listed a few of them below to make you understand what makes them so flexible.
Type of Fabric
The type of fabric is the most significant factor that determines the softness of the sheet. Every material used has different qualities that might be favorable to various sleepers. What might seem soft and cozy to some might seem heavy or uncomfortable to someone else.
Ply
Ply refers to how many threads are winded together into one single fabric. A single-ply material uses just one yarn, while double-ply consists of two pieces of fibers twisted together. For example, a 400-thread-count sheet consists of 400 single-ply threads or 200 double-ply threads. A double-ply fabric gives a more long-lasting, heavier sheet, while those made of single-ply are thinner and soft. Although, some single-ply sheets use solid threads that produce delicate and more durable sheets. Go for a ply that suits your preferences.
Weave
Weave refers to the orientation of threads to one another in a fabric. Weaves are typical of two types; sateen or percale. They have more vertical yarns than horizontal ones. These types of sheets are ultra-soft.
Sateen bed sheets are a bit heavier than percale sheets, so they are ideal for the winter months.
Twill weaves refer to threads with two over and one under to create a diagonal boundary on one side of the fabric. These linens are soft and tend to hold their shape well.
Percale sheets come with a plain weave and have an equal number of vertical and horizontal threads woven together. These sheets are known for their durability and crisp feel. Percale sheets are lightweight; hence they are a good option on summer nights.
Processing
Processing of a sheet affects its softness. If a sheet is processed more, it will be less soft. It includes all types of processing color and texture processing. We recommend picking a sheet made that has not been through a dyeing process. It can be difficult for sleepers who want the decor of the sheets to match the bedroom, but try feeling a non-dyed sheet before choosing.
Thread Count
Thread count refers to the number of threads per square inch of the sheet. With the increase in thread count, the softness of the sheet also increases. Although many people go by the idea that thread count is the ultimate factor to decide softness, it is not. Some manufacturers use low-quality thread to increase the thread count, and hence it is safe to say thread count is not a significant factor in deciding the softness of a bedsheet.
The thread count for softest bed sheets is anywhere between 300 to 800. Check out our blog on what is the best thread count sheets to buy to get more information.
The Final Word
By now, you might have understood the softest types of bed sheets. Pickling the fluffiest bed sheet depends on your preferred bedsheet size, pattern, and the kind of fabric that best matches your sleep requirements. Get your softest bedsheet today and dive into the world of quality sleep.
Happy Sleeping!
