The best bed sheets to buy right now

With the arrival of a new season, it’s a great time to refresh your bedding with some cooler options or just something new. But with so many different choices—many of which are white cotton, yet certainly not the same—the world of bed sheets can be hard to navigate. This handy guide can get you up to speed on the different types of sheets available and our favorites to buy.

Percale

Matte cotton broadcloth sheeting constructed as one thread (warp) over one thread (weft). It’s crisp, almost stiff, and sleeps cool—which might be why it’s so popular in southern states.

Percale Sheet Set

• $188

Called the “holy grail of bed sheets” by Curbed’s editor-in-chief Kelsey Keith, these percale sheets are crisp even after multiple washings and make for a lovely night’s sleep.

• $188 at Snowe

Dots Sheet Set

• $98

Made with 100 percent cotton percale, these crisp white sheets feature painted colored dots in tan, charcoal, or blue.

• $98 at Thread Experiment

Sateen

Sateen sheets are also woven from cotton, but in a more open weave, one thread over four. The cotton threads are mercerized (soaked in lye and then acid) so the finish emits a slight sheen. Sateen becomes softer with each wash, and carries a nice drape—though, beware, it can pill.

Scalloped Embroidered Sheet Set

• $149

An embroidered hem lines a scalloped edge on sheets woven from 400 thread count of extra-long staple cotton.

• $149 at Crane and Canopy

Pleated Sheet Set

• $210

A 2.25-inch pleated trim adds interest and sophistication to a classic sheet set.

• $210 at Boll & Branch

Linen

The of-the-minute choice for laidback luxe: Think rumpled bedhead in a sheet. Linen is also typically more sustainable than cotton, since flax isn’t sprayed with as many chemicals. And like a linen shirt, linen sheets are a smart choice in scorching climates.

Eileen Fisher Solid Washed-Linen

• $58

Pure linen made from French flax with picot trim detailing and a raw-edge double fringe.

• $58 at Garnet Hill

Linen Sheet Set

• $149

Sheets made in Portugal from 100 percent European flax, this sheet set creates a luxurious but laid-back look.

• $149 at Parachute

Jersey

Stretchy knit cotton that feels like sleeping in a t-shirt and works year-round. Comfortable and low-key, but skews a bit dorm room.

Solid Jersey-Knit Bedding

• $38

These cozy combed-cotton sheets are knit from fine yarns for exquisite softness.

• $38 at Garnet Hill

Pure Beech Jersey Knit Modal Sheet Set

• $20

Lightweight, wrinkle-resistant sheets are affordable and available in several colors.

• $20 at Bed Bath & Beyond

Silk

Not to be confused with its low-rent cousin satin, silk is a rarified taste: smooth, lustrous, and breathable. Two things to look for in silk: Momme refers to the weight (the lower the number, the thinner the sheets)—aim for 16 to 21mm. Also consider the type of silk.

You might see Charmeuse and Habotai (both produced from silk worms in captivity fed on a diet of mulberry leaves) or Tussah, produced from wild silk worms. The latter is slightly lower quality owing to knots and impurities in the fabric finish from broken silk fibers.

19 Momme Charmeuse Classic Sheets

• $430

Made from 19 momme charmeuse silk, these luxurious sheets are available in a large array of colors.

• $430 at Kumi Kookoon

Eileen Fisher Seasonless Silk Comforter, Throw, and Sham

• $98

Take things up a notch with this lightweight and lustrous silk comforter that’s been tufted by hand.

• $98 at Garnet Hill

Flannel

Cotton flannel is made with a raised weave that’s combed to create a heavy, warm, and durable fabric. “Nap” refers to brushing; double-napped flannel means it’s been brushed on both sides for extra softness. Your grandparents passed down these sheets for a reason—they last forever—but flannel isn’t terribly urbane, so save them for the mountain cabin.

Velvet Flannel Bedding

• $29

Gently napped then sheared for a velvety soft hand, this luxurious cotton flannel bedding is designed to resist pilling.

• $29 at The Company Store

Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheet Set

• $89

The brushed softness of our solid colored soft flannel sheet set can work all year, but is especially nice in winter.

• $89 at L. L. Bean

Bamboo

One of the newer sustainable fabrics to be mass-produced in sheeting is viscose made from the renewable bamboo plant. It matches the softness of sateen, but skip them if you’re looking for sheets that maintain body heat. Hot sleepers, rejoice: The material wicks moisture and stays cool in the summer months. The next buzzword in green sheeting? Nettle.

Resort Bamboo Sheets

• $239

Soft and durable, these 100 percent viscose sheets are made from bamboo and feature a sateen finish.

• $239 at Cariloha

Bamboo Collection Rayon

• $100

Made from 250-thread-count, 100 percent rayon from bamboo fabric, these sheets are affordable and soft.

• $100 at Target

Bonus: Printed Sheets

For those looking to punch things up in the bedroom, opt for cheeky prints in an unexpected color palette. Dusen Dusen bedding is our go-to for abstract shapes, but there are plenty of other stores that offer a range of sweet designs. Our best kept secret? Sheets from Crate Kids, formerly known as Land of Nod, some of which are decidedly great for both adults and kids alike.

Allover Fruit Sheet Set

• $79

Add some whimsy to your bedroom with these crisp, fruit-patterned sheets.

• $79 at Urban Outfitters

Organic Balloon Sheet Set

• $69

This vibrant sheet set is topped with an all-over confetti print that’s fun for kids or adults.

• $69 at Crate and Barrel

A note on cotton

Egyptian, Sea Island, and Pima cotton are all the same variety of cotton (Gossypium barbadense) grown in different places. Though Sea Island has a more limited production capacity than Egyptian, and therefore commands a higher price, it’s ultimately a long staple length and tight construction that determines quality.

A version of this article was originally published in June 22, 2016.