Bed Sheets Guide: 9 Types of Bed Sheets for Better Sleep

Thread count is a measurement of the fineness or coarseness of bedsheets. Thread count includes the total weft threads (horizontal threads) and warp threads (vertical threads) within a square inch of fabric. If the fabric is multi-ply (two or more layers of fabric stitched together), the threads in each extra later also count.

For example, a single-ply sheet set with 150 weft threads and 150 warp threads per square inch would have a thread count of 300. If that same sheet set was made from two-ply yarn, the thread count would be doubled to 600. A high thread count is not always an indicator of quality, and it only matters up to a point. A set of high-quality Egyptian cotton sheets might only have a 300 or 400 thread count and still feel like the best sheets you've ever used.

There are nine main types of bed sheets with varying comfort, durability, and price points.

1. 1. Cotton sheets: Cotton is popular in all segments of the bedding market, from pillowcases to sheet sets. Long staple cotton—or cotton that has long fibers—works particularly well for bed sheets. Egyptian cotton and pima cotton are examples of long staple cottons. Upland cotton sheets, which are made from shorter fibers, can be found at a lower price. Most cotton sheets come in either a sateen or a percale weave. Sateen sheets appear more luxurious and are wrinkle resistant, but if you like your sheets crisp, percale may be more to your liking.
2. 2. Linen sheets: Linen sheets are a thicker variant of cotton—not as thick as twill, but heavier and more substantial. Linen sheets are woven to have a lower thread count than sateen or percale cotton. A linen sheet set with a 200 thread count is considered good. Linen sheets have moisture-wicking properties, but they are prone to wrinkling.
3. 3. Flannel sheets: Flannel sheets are made from cotton fibers that are shredded to create a softer feeling. Flannel sheets trap body heat and are popular for winter months. Flannel sheets are not measured in thread count but rather in grams per square meter or ounces per square yard. High-quality flannel sheets can last more than a decade, but lower-grade versions can fall prey to pilling.
4. 4. Satin sheets: Satin does not refer to a specific material but rather a particular weave of vertical threads. Whether they’re made from cotton, rayon, wool, bamboo, or a mix of different materials, nearly all satin sheets are shiny and slick.
5. 5. Polyester sheets: Polyester is a synthetic material made from petroleum. Polyester sheets lack the breathability of pure cotton sheets, but they are durable and more affordable.
6. 6. Microfiber sheets: Microfiber is a shredded, finely woven form of polyester. Microfiber sheets boast a high thread count per square inch, and they are extremely soft at an affordable price point. They tend to lack breathability, which makes them less than ideal for hot sleepers. These sheets are also susceptible to pilling after many wash cycles.
7. 7. Silk sheets: Silk sheets are soft, smooth, antimicrobial, and hypoallergenic. Silk sheets are some of the most expensive sheets on the market, due to the fact that producing silk from silkworms is a lengthy process. Their high price is offset by their durability; a well-made silk sheet set can last for decades.
8. 8. Bamboo sheets: Bamboo features the smoothness of silk at a much lower price point. Since bamboo sheets are made from a natural fiber, they are antimicrobial and breathable.
9. 9. Lyocell sheets: Lyocell is a form of rayon made with the dissolved pulp of plant fibers, such as bamboo or eucalyptus. Lyocell sheets are breathable and affordably priced.

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