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Thread count is a misleading marketing gimmick. It should not be the factor in selecting sheets. Instead, look at fiber content and weave. Fiber: Long-staple cotton, such as Egyptian or Pima cotton. Supima is just a trademark name for Pima, not a cotton cultivar. Bamboo is misleading. it is actually a viscous rayon. rayons are made by dissolving plant fiber in caustic chemicals, then extruding the liquid through a die. Nearly all of the bamboo plant fiber is destroyed in the chemical processing. Weave: percale is a weave that produces a lighter, airy fabric. Sateen is a weave that produces a tighter, denser fabric. Both produce a soft, smooth sheet. One is not better than the other. It’s just a matter of preference. some people want a warmer, slightly heavier, sheet; others prefer a lighter sheet. If you want a detailed explanation about thread count and fiber let me know. I don’t want to bore people to death with a long post. Answer from Deleted User on reddit.com
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Good Housekeeping
goodhousekeeping.com › home & outdoor products › sheet reviews › the softest sheets, tested by gh bedding pros
10 Softest Sheets of 2025, According to Hands-On Testing
November 13, 2025 - If you're a big linen fan, we found that Cultiver's linen sheets are the softest we've tested, but sateen, flannel, microfiber, and rayon constructions will be much softer and smoother overall.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/bedding › what are the lightest and softest bedsheets?
r/Bedding on Reddit: What are the lightest and softest bedsheets?
July 11, 2024 -

I recently bought high thread count cotton bed sheets. I expected them to be way softer and lighter but recently I found out that lower thread count cotton sheets are way softer. I thought high thread count was good, but I guess it’s preference. I like bed sheets that are super soft and light as a feather. Like you can see light through them after a couple washes but they don’t end up getting balls of fabric all over them. It’s so hard to find nice and light soft sheets like this.

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Thread count is a misleading marketing gimmick. It should not be the factor in selecting sheets. Instead, look at fiber content and weave. Fiber: Long-staple cotton, such as Egyptian or Pima cotton. Supima is just a trademark name for Pima, not a cotton cultivar. Bamboo is misleading. it is actually a viscous rayon. rayons are made by dissolving plant fiber in caustic chemicals, then extruding the liquid through a die. Nearly all of the bamboo plant fiber is destroyed in the chemical processing. Weave: percale is a weave that produces a lighter, airy fabric. Sateen is a weave that produces a tighter, denser fabric. Both produce a soft, smooth sheet. One is not better than the other. It’s just a matter of preference. some people want a warmer, slightly heavier, sheet; others prefer a lighter sheet. If you want a detailed explanation about thread count and fiber let me know. I don’t want to bore people to death with a long post.
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This is a piece I'm still researching and trying to figure out, but my personal experience tells me that Bamboo fits what you're looking for. The thing is, that's a bit of a controversial opinion on this sub because in order to get soft weavable fibers, they have to use a very harsh chemical breakdown process. Some people on this sub just straight up call them plastic and on the same level as microfiber (which I will call plastic). That said, I've bought 2 sets of bamboo sheets, one set for my old queen and one for my new king and I LOVE them. They were basically always on my bed until I started messing with Linen and Hemp. They're really perfect for summer. Complete opposite of microfiber that traps in all the heat. The other option is cotton percale and that's going to be most people's recommendations, but from what I can tell, they mostly start out pretty rough and scratchy until you wash them a bunch of times, and I'm not sure how many. You want to look at the material (Pima, Egyptian, etc) and the staple size. The longer the staple size (long staple vs extra long staple) the softer the sheets. If it's unlisted, it's probably moderate quality.
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What is the best thread count for sheets?
The best thread count for sheets varies by the fiber type and weave, but you can typically find excellent sheets with thread counts between 200 and 800. Fabric characteristics differ according to fiber type. An Egyptian cotton sheet with a 600 thread count will be softer and have a lighter feel than a linen sheet with the same thread count, as linen fibers are naturally thicker than cotton. This means you don’t need as many of them within one square inch.While the best thread count is subjective, there are ranges by fiber type that you can refer to when buying sheets. These measurements are ty
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sleepfoundation.org
sleepfoundation.org › best sheets of 2025
Best High Thread Count Sheets of 2025
Are high thread count sheets hotter?
Some high thread count sheets feel hot because they're made of densely-woven fabric. You can offset heat retention by choosing a fiber like Egyptian cotton or viscose from bamboo, which are both breathable and moisture-wicking. Percale sheets use a pattern of one thread over, one thread under that enhances airflow, while sateen sheets have a pattern of one-under and three- or four-over that traps a bit more heat.
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sleepfoundation.org
sleepfoundation.org › best sheets of 2025
Best High Thread Count Sheets of 2025
Are high thread count sheets worth the price?
High thread count sheets tend to be both comfortable and long-lasting, so they’re often worth the price if you want a sheet set with a long lifespan. That said, some companies manipulate thread counts by counting all the plies within a piece of fabric, which doesn’t accurately reflect softness and durability. Sheets made with single-ply threads are typically softer than those that use multiple plies. If a luxurious feel is important to you, check to see how a manufacturer calculates its thread count.
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sleepfoundation.org
sleepfoundation.org › best sheets of 2025
Best High Thread Count Sheets of 2025
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/bedding › help finding the softest sheets ever?
r/Bedding on Reddit: Help Finding the Softest Sheets Ever?
November 4, 2024 -

Okay, I don't fully understand sheets, but I've tried and I need help. I keep buying "soft" sheets, and then when I use them, they're just...sheets.

But! There were some sheets I bought in person before Bed, Bath, & Beyond closed their brick and mortar stores that were just luxurious. I don't think they were jersey sheets, but I guess they might have been cause that's the only type of sheet that comes close. I can't remember anything else about them except they were so soft that I used to just climb into bed randomly to enjoy how soft they were. I'm an insomniac and these made laying in bed unable to sleep a delight. There's a poem by Danusha Lameris called Feeding the Worms (link to another Reddit post with the poem) and in those sheets, I felt like a worm described in that poem except with touch instead of taste. Seriously they just made me so happy to be alive and able to feel that kind of softeness around me. They inspired peace deep in my soul.

Maybe I'm just being cheap and I need to spend more than $60 on sheets to get that kind of softness in a non-jersey sheet, but within that price range I've tried Cosy House, Ugg, polyester, tencel, and random sets with high reviews and praise, and every set is just not what I'm looking for. I'm only avoiding jersey because I am not so heat tolerant these days, but if that's really the only way I'll get that softness, I'll accept it. I just need to know for sure that's the case from you, fine redditor sheet specialists.

If that's not the case though, I would love to know what I should buy for a softness that makes a person forget the human condition for a little while. I'm willing to go up to $100, but higher than that and my husband will probably protest.

Thank you for any help in advance!!

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I sold sheets for nearly a decade at a major department store. They gave us great training, and vendors frequently gave us products. Here's the deal for getting the best, softest sheets. They must be 100% cotton. That's the No. 1 most important thing. You'll never get heavenly soft sheets with polyester in them. You can't compromise on 100% cotton if you want the softest sheets. Full stop. Manufacturers swear that Egyptian and Pima cotton are the best. Maybe they are, but Egyptian cotton, I found, retains a lot of heat. Even though they're incredibly soft, I quit using mine because I was so hot under them that I always kicked them off. Pima cotton is fabulous, but I never found it made a big enough difference to be worth the upcharge. JMO. They really are super soft. Sateen finish is wonderful but not necessary for super soft sheets. I suspect you're mistaking sateen for jersey. Thread counts have gotten so high that imo they don't make as big a difference as they used to. As long as the thread count is 350 minimum and they're 100% cotton, you're going to have fabulous soft sheets. Don't use fabric softener on your sheets (or towels). It leaves a waxy coating on them that makes sheets less soft and towels less absorbent. Bleaching white sheets is fine. Anecdotally, I slept with someone (sorry if tmi) who had bamboo sheets, and they were so decadently soft that I had to get a set. I love them. They're super soft! But after about a year or two of use, they became discolored where my body had slept on them over time. Maybe from my sweat or body oils? So I'm sticking with cotton. Believe it or not, some of the best, softest, most awesome sheets I've found were at Costco - 100% cotton, high thread count, sateen, great quality. My personal favorite brand of sheets is Wamsutta. They're just soft, long-lasting, keep their color and shape, etc. I suspect the Costco sheets are Wamsutta sheets. Hope this helps! Good luck!
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Just know that making bamboo sheets is not environmentally friendly. A lot of bad chemicals are used to turn raw bamboo into a fabric.
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Amazon
amazon.com › Feather-Softest-Percale-Bedding-Breathable › dp › B076ZLZKLP
Amazon.com: Feather & Stitch Softest 100% Cotton Sheets, 300 Thread Count Percale Weave Bedding, 16" Deep Pocket, Cooling Sheets, Breathable Bed Set, Hotel Premium Quality (Queen, Grey) : Home & Kitchen
Buy Feather & Stitch Softest 100% Cotton Sheets, 300 Thread Count Percale Weave Bedding, 16" Deep Pocket, Cooling Sheets, Breathable Bed Set, Hotel Premium Quality (Queen, Grey): Sheet & Pillowcase Sets - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible ...
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NYTimes
nytimes.com › sleep › sheets and bedding › the best sheets
The 8 Best Sheets of 2025 | Reviews by Wirecutter
October 20, 2025 - Many of the cheaper sets we tested for our cotton sheets guide felt scratchy or cheap, but not the Threshold Performance 400 Thread Count Sheet Set or the Target’s Threshold 250 Thread Count Organic Percale Sheet Set.
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The Spruce
thespruce.com › softest-bed-sheets-6951321
The 7 Softest Bed Sheets The Spruce Has Tested
July 14, 2025 - Both sides of the material are brushed for an ultra-soft finish, and the percale weave makes it breathable enough for hot sleepers. Threshold’s 400 Thread Count Printed Performance Sheet Set is a great, affordable sateen set that's also super soft.
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House Beautiful
housebeautiful.com › shopping › accessories › these are the softest sheets money can buy: tested by house beautiful editors
After a Year of Testing, We Found the Softest Sheets Worth Buying
October 2, 2025 - Luckily, we just so happened to love all of the sheets we tested and plan on keeping them in our rotation for, well, as long as they'll last. To put it simply, the best thread count for soft sheets falls anywhere between 800 and 1,000 if you like ...
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Egyptian Linens
egyptianlinens.com › home › luxury & heavy 1000 thread count solid sheet set
Luxury & Heavy 1000 Thread Count Solid Sheet Set
Luxury & Heavy 1000 Thread Count Solid Sheet Set
Experience a luxurious night of sleep with our Luxury 1000 Thread Count Sheet Set. Our highest thread count sheets — they're thick, heavy, and finely crafted from the strongest, finest, and softest 100% long-staple cotton for a superiorly soft fabric at a thread count this high. Treat yourself to the best sheet set, and because of how fine the material is, it won't pill. This set includes a flat sheet, fitted sheet, and pillowcase(s)* with a variety of colors to choose from to keep your bed looking as good as it feels. 100% Long-Staple Cotton 1000 Thread Count Sateen Weave 15" Fitted Pockets
Price   $130.00
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Sleep Foundation
sleepfoundation.org › best sheets of 2025
Best High Thread Count Sheets of 2025
February 15, 2024 - The fabric is made of bamboo-derived viscose in a sateen weave. While the Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheets Set has a thread count of 350, the fabric has the balance of softness and durability that’s typical for luxe high thread count sheets. The sheets are available in five neutral colors and six standard sizes.
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People
people.com › best-sheets-7567591
We Tested 224 Sheet Sets, and These Are Absolute Softest to Fall Asleep On
September 5, 2024 - A thread count of 300 is usually ... For instance, the Olive + Crate Cooling Eucalyptus Sheet Set has a thread count of 300, whereas the Lanest Housing Silk Satin Sheets have a thread count of 400....
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HGTV
hgtv.com › home › decorating › bedrooms
Bed Sheet Buying Guide: Materials and Thread Count | HGTV
July 28, 2025 - The highest-quality, softest sheets use cotton with extra-long fibers (called long-staple fibers) that can be spun into fine, strong yarns. Certified long-staple cotton includes Egyptian, Pima and Supima. That doesn't mean that other types of cotton don't make nice sheets, Symmes says. A fabric that is finished nicely with a high thread count can be made of non-certified cotton and still be very comfortable.
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Peachskinsheets
peachskinsheets.com
The Softest Bed Sheets | The Original PeachSkinSheets®
THE ORIGINAL, ONE AND ONLY AUTHENTIC BEST SHEETS EVER · Our affordable luxury bedding is made from an ultra-soft SMART fabric with a brushed PeachSkin finish for a 1500 thread count level of softness
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Architectural Digest
architecturaldigest.com › shopping › shopping › these are the softest bed sheets *ad* editors swear by
15 Softest Bed Sheets, Tested by AD Editors (2025) | Architectural Digest
May 16, 2025 - Super soft sheets tend to come in more traditional patterns and solid colorways—not the ones from the Company Store x Rifle Paper Co. “I was originally drawn to the peacock print because it is just so whimsical and livens up my guest bedroom,” says Alpert, who has them in queen size. “But these are also buttery soft. Maybe too soft—my guests never want to leave.” The higher thread count, 300, is surely part of the reason.
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Saatva
saatva.com › home › blog › choosing the softest sheet set: ideal materials, thread count, and more
Choosing the Softest Sheet Set: Ideal Materials, Thread Count, and More
January 10, 2025 - You can also choose from an array of other materials including linen, bamboo, silk, and flannel for a soft and cozy feel. For softer and longer-lasting cotton sheets, you should opt for a 200 to 400 thread count.
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Brooklinen
brooklinen.com › collections › luxe-sateen-sheets
Luxe Sateen | Silky, Award-Winning Sheets | Brooklinen
Suitable for most sleepers, Luxe Sateen sheets are available in both core and limited edition colors and patterns. This fabric is a luminous addition to our assortment, made from 100% long-staple cotton and featuring a 480 thread count.
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NYTimes
nytimes.com › sleep › sheets and bedding › the best cotton sheets
10 Best Cotton Sheets of 2025 | Reviews by Wirecutter
October 20, 2025 - A smooth, silky feel — at a great price: JCPenney Wrinkle Guard 400TC Cotton Sheets. JCPenney · Luxe sateen, in an array of colors: Cuddledown 400 Thread Count Solid Sateen Sheets.
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The Strategist
nymag.com › strategist › article › best-sheets.html
23 Best Bedsheets 2025 | The Strategist
1 month ago - I love the chic and simple double-line embroidery, too.” Interior designer Ariel Okin turns to Frette sheets when she’s looking for something classic. According to Frette’s website, its percale sheets have a thread count between 200 and 240.
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Boll & Branch
bollandbranch.com › collections › sheet-sets
Sheets & Sheet Sets | High Quality Luxury Sheets | Made with High End Materials | Boll & Branch
Beloved for its buttery, breathable feel that gets softer with every wash. Woven in the highest quality 100% organic cotton threads in all sizes.
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Lands' End
landsend.com › shop › sheets › S-xg5-xf5-xec
Bed Sheets | Lands' End
Supima cotton sheets for all mattress sizes. Our cotton bed sheets are luxuriously smooth and breathable and aid in helping you achieve the perfect temperature for a comfortable night’s sleep on a warm summer night. Once the cold-weather seasons hit, swap out the cotton bed sheets for thick, flannel sheets for extra warmth and coziness.