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Hundreds of sheets have been thoroughly reviewed by at-home sleep testers. These sheets earned the highest softness ratings. Rayon
Soft sheets are arguably the most important bedding you can buy; after all, they're the materials that directly touch your skin all night long. But every brand claims their sheets are supremely soft, so it's hard to know which ones to believe, especially when you're shopping online. Not to mention, all the other attributes you should consider, like durability, ease of bed-making and cost.
What's the softest sheet set? The PeachSkinSheets Set is our pick for the softest sheets. It's made of microfiber and earned perfect softness ratings from all sleep testers who tried it. If you prefer cotton sheets, we recommend The Company Store Legends Hotel Supima Cotton Sheet Set, which were the softest cotton sheets we tested.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab regularly tests bedding to find the softest sheets for every material preference, including cotton, microfiber, silk, flannel and more. We evaluate them with Lab equipment to see how strong and durable they are, then we have consumer testers rate the softness and comfort during real-life use. In the past few years, we've tested more than 275 sheets and analyzed over 10,000 data points from our evaluations. For this article, we specifically focused on the best sheets with the highest softness ratings from our reviewers.
After our picks, you'll find more information about how we test sheets and shopping tips to help you find the softest sets, including the best materials and why thread count is often irrelevant. But first, here's everything you need to know about our top-tested soft sheets, with prices listed for Queen-size sets.
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If you're looking for the softest possible sheets, these earned perfect ratings from our panel of sleep testers, who described them as feeling "luxurious" and "much softer" than other sheets they'd used. They also highlighted the wide elastic band on the fitted sheet, which made for easier bed-making and helped it stay in place on the mattress.
One tester told us, "The minute I took them out of the packaging, I noticed how soft they were!" Another described them as feeling "like high-quality hotel sheets." One thing to note is that they were a bit thinner than cotton sheets, and a tester said she could see her mattress topper through the white sheet.
The material is a polyester microfiber, which makes the sheets more shrink- and wrinkle-resistant than many cotton sheets. The downside is that they pilled easily in Lab tests, which is fairly common when sheets are brushed for added softness. Still, they're a great option for the ultimate softness.
Material: Polyester microfiber | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, Queen, King, Split King, Split Head King, California King | Colors: 24 options
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Here's Why PeachSkinSheets Are Top-Rated for Softness
These sheets are also made of buttery soft polyester microfiber, but they're a fraction of the price of other picks. Not only were they impressive in our tests (and winners of Good Housekeeping's 2023 Best Bedding Awards), but they're also best-sellers on Amazon with over 340,000 reviews and an average 4.5-star rating.
The fitted sheets are generously sized with a 16-inch depth to fit tall mattresses, plus they come in an extra-deep 21-inch version. There are also plenty of sizes and a ton of colors and prints so you can find the perfect set for your bedroom.
Our panel loved how soft the fabric felt in a blind comparison, plus it was shrink- and pill-resistant in our tests. At-home sleep testers called it soft and comfortable without feeling too slippery. A recent tester found it to sleep a bit warm, but that wasn't a unanimous complaint and can be expected for most microfiber sheets.
Material: Polyester microfiber | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, RV/Short Queen, Queen, King, California King, Split King, plus extra deep pocket options | Colors: Over 40 options
These quality sheets cost a bit more than others, but they're the softest option if you prefer natural cotton instead of synthetic fibers. They also feel more substantial and are made with Supima cotton, which is considered higher quality than conventional cotton because the fibers are longer and more uniform, making the fabric smoother and more durable.
Like some other sets. these sheets come in an excellent assortment, including deep pocket options for taller beds and a range of colors. In Textiles Lab tests, they proved to be strong and had only slight shrinkage, though they did show some pilling after the fabric was repeatedly rubbed together.
Our panel of reviewers liked them better than other cotton sheets in our test and appreciated that they didn't feel "slippery" like some soft sheets. Even though they felt more substantial than some of the thinner materials we've tested, they still didn't feel too thick or bulky. After feeling the fabric in a blind comparison with dozens of other sheets, testers commented that they wanted to buy this one.
Material: Cotton sateen | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, plus deep pocket options | Colors: 17 options
Sometimes the sheets made to feel softest (e.g., flannel or brushed microfiber) can make you feel warmer. This set is unique because it uses a technical rayon blend of Tencel and Outlast viscose that stores and releases body heat to help keep you at a comfortable temperature all night long. And our testers unanimously said they felt the effect throughout the night.
One tester noted that the sheets dried quickly, even when she got in bed with wet hair. She added, "I liked that the sheets did not feel damp when my body temperature increased under the blankets. Other sheets start to feel dewy, but these did not accumulate moisture."
Beyond the cooling aspect, it was also a favorite among our testers because of its softness and overall comfort. One even described them as feeling "silky and luxurious." The fabric held up to our pilling tests, though it did shrink somewhat in the wash.
Material: Lyocell/viscose blend | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King | Colors: 4 options
This set costs over $200 for a Queen bed, but our tests show it's worth the splurge; in fact, it's one of the best-performing sets we've ever tested. It uses long-staple cotton in a sateen weave and a combing technique that removes short fibers. The result is a fabric that's both soft and durable because there are no short fibers that could irritate skin or weaken the material.
We were impressed by its pilling-, shrink- and wrinkle-resistance capabilities in Lab tests. Just note that although it's described as being organic cotton, we weren't able to validate the entire process as certified organic.
Our testers liked that it felt lightweight and breathable on top of being soft and sturdy. They also highlighted that the sheets were generously sized, which made it easier to get the fitted sheet on their mattresses. One of our reviewers summed up her experience by saying, "I love how soft they are. They feel very comfortable at night and are more breathable than most sateen sheets."
Material: Cotton sateen | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King | Colors: 3 options
This set's fabric stands out for being lightweight, drapey and incredibly smooth. It's made of Tencel lyocell, a type of rayon fiber that's popular for its softness and sustainable practices — especially compared to other rayon options that are marketed as greener than they actually are. (Rayon fabrics — which include viscose, lyocell and modal — feel incredibly soft, but some aren't as eco-friendly as they claim to be, like ones that call themselves "bamboo" or "eucalyptus.")
Even though it's light and breathable, this fabric proved to be strong and pill-resistant in our Lab's durability tests. In fact, it showed no signs of pilling, even after the fabric was rubbed 1,000 times in our specialized machine. It did shrink a bit in the wash, but not as much as most other rayon sheets in our tests.
Sleep testers loved that it was soft without a slippery feel, and told us these were softer than other sheets they'd previously owned. They also highlighted the cool feel, with one telling us, "I liked the comfort of these sheets and the way they seemed to wick sweat away from the body."
Material: Tencel lyocell | Sizes: Full, Queen, King, California King | Colors: 10 options
Genuine silk sheets are expensive, but they feel luxuriously smooth and have natural temperature-regulating properties. These sheets earned perfect softness ratings from at-home sleep testers and still cost less than other 100% silk sets we've tested. And if you don't want to commit to the whole set, you can buy individual pieces from the brand, including a single silk pillowcase.
Besides loving its softness, testers also appreciated how beautiful the fabric looked on their beds. One told us, "They feel smooth and are more comfortable than the cotton ones I was using," while another added that they've held up well to weekly laundering.
They also washed well in our tests with hardly any shrinkage, which is a huge feat for silk fabrics. The fabric proved to be strong, which is typical for silk. Just note that silk has a very distinct feel, and may feel too slippery for some.
Material: 23 momme silk | Sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King | Colors: 7 options
Flannel sheets feel extra cozy thanks to their brushed surface that traps in air, creating a warmer cover. This set in particular performed better than any other flannel sets in our test, especially for its softness ratings: It was the only flannel set that unanimously earned perfect softness scores from our consumer testers.
Testers were also pleased that the fitted sheets stayed put on their mattresses, and loved the appearance, saying the colors were beautiful and the sheets looked great on their beds. When we asked testers how they compared to the sheets they typically sleep on, one responded, "These were, by far, the best sheets I've slept on. They were incredibly soft and comfortable, and every single night I looked forward to crawling into bed."
The fabric was fairly strong in our durability evaluations. It pilled easily, but that is normal for flannel fabrics. Note that these pieces are sold individually rather than as a set; the price here reflects a fitted sheet, flat sheet and two pillowcases. This means you can mix and match colors or buy only the pieces you need.
Material: Cotton flannel | Sizes: Twin, Double, Queen, King, California King | Colors: 9 options
Percale sheets are known for being breathable and crisp, but they typically aren't as soft as sateen. This set is unique because it's a perfect balance of soft and crisp without feeling too silky smooth. Plus, it's certified organic by GOTS and is Fair Trade Certified, which focuses on ethical issues during the manufacturing process.
It's a great pick for those who prefer to shop sustainably, and this set is a great option for hot sleepers because percale sheets are lightweight and airy. It was rated softer than other percale sets we tested. One tester raved, "I am not exaggerating when I say that these might be my favorite sheets EVER. I tend to be a hot sleeper and these sheets were soft and luxurious and yet crisp and cool."
The sheets also held up well to laundering, experiencing minimal shrinkage in our Lab tests, though as expected they did show wrinkles due to their crinkled aesthetic. They also had some pilling in our durability tests, though not as bad as other fabrications.
Material: Organic cotton percale | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King | Colors: 7 options
Linen sheets have a reputation for feeling rough because of their unique texture, but these sheets use a special pre-washing process that creates a soft, lived-in feel. In fact, they earned much higher softness ratings than every other linen sheet we've tested.
They also held up well to laundering with barely any shrinkage. Other durability scores were average, including fabric strength and pilling resistance, but were on par for linen. They did have more of a wrinkled appearance than other sheets, but again, that's normal for linen.
Besides the softness, these were loved by sleep testers for being lightweight and breathable. In fact, one reviewer told us, "These sheets surprised me!" Linen is pricey, but you can request a free swatch from Cultiver to feel it before you buy.
Material: Linen | Sizes: Twin, Queen, King, California King | Colors: 16 options
All bed sheets are evaluated by experts in the Textiles Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute and consumer testers to get the most comprehensive feedback. Each one is reviewed for the following:
✔️ Softness: This important feature can be scored in two ways: a blind comparison where dozens of consumer testers feel and rate each fabric (which occurs after laundering to remove any leftover finishes from production) and during at-home sleep testing with our reviewers.
✔️ Washability: We launder each sheet multiple times according to its care label. It gets scored multiple times on both shrinkage and appearance after laundering. This also lets us know if the soft feel will stay after repeated washes.
✔️ Wrinkle resistance: When the sheet comes out of the dryer, it's taken to our specialized room with standard lighting where we visually assess it for wrinkles according to industry standards.
✔️ Fabric strength: We use a specialized machine called an Instron (pictured here) that pulls swatches of fabric until they break. The machine records how much force is needed to break the swatch.
✔️ Pilling resistance: Our abrasion machine rubs swatches together in order to mimic tossing and turning as well as regular wear and tear. We score signs of pilling against textile industry visual standards.
✔️ Other factors: Depending on the type of sheet, we also check measurements to see how well the sheets fit onto a mattress and consider any specifications, from cooling to organic claims.
Whether it's the fiber or the construction of the fabric, there are several ways to achieve an ultrasoft feel in sheets. Here are the materials to look out for:
✔️ Sateen: This is a smooth weave most typically found in 100% cotton sheets. It's soft because the yarn in one direction floats over several yarns in the opposite direction, making it feel smoother than a basic, grid-like percale weave. Our testers tend to prefer the sateen feel for its softness.
✔️ Flannel: The surface of flannel fabric is brushed so it traps air to keep you warm, but that process also makes it feel extra soft and cozy. Flannel is typically made of cotton, though it can also be polyester.
✔️ Microfiber: These sheets are made of super thin polyester fibers for a buttery-smooth feel. They may not feel as natural and luxurious as cotton sheets, but they’re usually much less expensive.
✔️ Rayon: This fiber is regenerated cellulose, meaning it's made from natural raw materials that get chemically processed into a semi-synthetic fiber. It feels silky smooth and incredibly soft. Variations of rayon include viscose, lyocell and modal, but be wary of any that claim to be bamboo, eucalyptus or another tree fiber: This may be a sign of misleading marketing.
✔️ Jersey: Most sheets are woven, but jersey is a knit that results in sheets feeling stretchy like a T-shirt. You can find jersey sheets made of any materials — like cotton, polyester or blends — but they typically aren't as durable in our tests.
Actually, thread count isn't super important when it comes to soft sheets, especially when the fabric isn't 100% cotton. Thread count tells you the number of yarns per square inch of fabric, and it used to be a sign that soft, fine yarns were used. Now it's easy for manufacturers to inflate the number as a marketing gimmick, so it's better for consumers to focus on the materials outlined above. That being said, when it's a 100% cotton woven sheet (like percale or sateen), a higher thread count can sometimes make sheets softer. The sweet spot, according to our testing, is usually in the 300 to 500 range.
Lexie Sachs is the executive director of the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing for all bedding, including sheets. She has been actively evaluating sheets since she joined Good Housekeeping in 2013 and during this time has rigorously tested more than 200 sets. Lexie incorporates Lab test results, consumer feedback and her own expert analysis before recommending sheets to readers. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Fiber Science from Cornell University and more than 15 years of experience in the textiles industry, including merchandising and product development for home products.
Lexie Sachs (she/her) is the executive director of the Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she researches, tests and reports on fabric-based products ranging from sheets, mattresses and towels to bras, fitness apparel and other clothing. She also evaluates luggage, rain gear, disposable paper goods and baby products. Lexie has more than 15 years of experience in the textiles industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. Prior to joining GH in 2013, she worked in merchandising and product development in the fashion and home industries.
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