The softest bed sheets of 2026, tested by Yahoo bedding experts

Let the search for the softest sheets end here. My fellow Yahoo home editors and I have tested dozens of sheet sets over the past year, including linen , flannel , cotton percale , cotton sateen , as well as organic and luxury options . Regardless of the fabric, the softest sheets should look and feel like hotel-quality.

My earliest memories of shopping for bedding involve my mother passing along her non-negotiables. She was a stickler for softness and details such as continuous elastic on a fitted sheet and perfect edging on pillowcases. Many sheets feel decadent off the bat, but that doesn't always equate to quality. The bedding in this guide, though, has held up to numerous nights and wash cycles. They're soft as can be — and have stayed that way.

Softest bed sheets of 2026

Factors to consider when choosing the softest sheets

When possible, look for sheets that are woven from high-quality long-staple fibers. This enhances the fabric's breathability and creates its soft texture and cool feel. Here are some other things to keep in mind:

• Fabric:

  • Synthetic and semi-synthetic materialssuch a viscose and lyocell (sometimes marketed as "bamboo" or "eucalyptus") are often remarkably soft and smooth.

  • Cotton percale or sateen:If you prefer a natural fabric, you can find soft options among both cotton sateen and percale (though sateen will likely be smoother). Look for "brushed" or "cashmere" cotton, which indicates that the fabric has more of a peached texture that adds to its softness.

  • Linen:Though linen isn't always known for its softness, certain linen sheets have been stonewashed which gives them more of a relaxed, less rough feel.

  • Flannel:Often made from cotton, flannel has a brushed texture that when done well, makes the sheets extra-soft — and warm.

  • Silk:High-quality silk can feel like heaven against your skin. We haven't tested silk sheets yet, as they can be quite expensive and tricky to care for.

• Appearance:Most soft sheets won't have that crisp, starched-laundry look, so if that's what you prefer, try cotton percale. Cotton sateen, lyocell and viscose sheets tend to have a subtle sheen. Any sheets you choose should have few wrinkles, but that's generally only possible if you fold them fresh from the dryer.

• Care:You'll find that most care instructions for sheets are similar. Expect to wash the sheets in warm or cool water with your favorite laundry detergent and tumble dry low. This may sound counterintuitive, but we recommend avoiding fabric softener because it can coat fabrics and reduce their ability to wick moisture. Instead, consider wool dryer balls to soften sheets.

• Price:Microfiber sheets, which are often very soft, can cost as little as $20 for a queen-size set. We don't currently recommend any microfiber sheet sets because they're not known for their durability. Instead, we recommend cotton as a lower-priced alternative. Our testing pool ranged from $50 to $500 and beyond for a queen-size set.

• Thread count:Percale sheets typically feature a thread count of 200 to 400. Sateen sheets tend to feature a 300 to 1,000 thread count. Anything higher does not necessarily mean better , and most fabrics other than cotton shouldn't even be measured by thread count. When you're looking for the softest sheets, what matters most is the quality of the fibers used to create the fabric.

How we tested sheets

Because we tested these sheets at home, using our own washers and dryers and sleeping on them in our own beds, we wanted to get a professional take on how best to gauge quality, durability and more without the benefit of professional equipment or a lab. We consulted three fabric experts: Kim Romine, a fabric care scientist at P&G ; Liz Eggert, a senior textile scientist at P&G Fabric Care ; and Meredith McQuerry, associate professor and director of the ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab and Textile Testing Laboratory at Florida State University . To rank on this list, the sheets had to excel in the following:

• First impressions:We carefully surveyed each set of sheets upon arrival, taking note of design elements, softness and coolness, as well as excessive wrinkling, loose threads, snags and any other imperfections. We also measured the pillowcases from each set and set one aside as a control for post-laundry assessments.

• Spill test:We used a dropper to apply the same amount of water to a sheet from each set to gauge how well it might handle the occasional spill or moisture. The quicker the water absorbed and spread, the better the indicator of moisture-wicking.

• Laundry test:We put each set of sheets through one cycle in the washer and dryer after opening it, and again after our sleep test, following the label's care instructions. We then reassessed them for any signs of wear, as well as shrinking or color fading.

• Sleep test:We made our beds with each set to confirm that its various pieces easily and securely fit our pillows and mattress. We slept on the sheets for three nights straight to see how well they stayed put, keeping notes regarding softness and breathability.

Softest bed sheets FAQs

What is the softest bed sheet material?

Like the debate between percale and sateen, everyone has an opinion on what the softest bed sheet material is. Many people prefer cotton sheets (whether it's brushed flannel, shiny sateen or crisp percale) for their natural breathability, while others enjoy the silky softness and moisture-wicking of fabrics like lyocell, rayon and viscose. Some people are die-hard linen sheet fans or prefer the luxuriousness of silk sheets. 

What is the softest bed sheet thread count?

While it's easy to say you should choose sheets based on thread count, the truth is that the quality of fibers matters much more than the thread count when it comes to softness. A very high thread count can feel heavy on your body and may be made from multiple-ply threads that serve to inflate the number, which does not indicate higher quality. 

What is softer, Egyptian cotton or bamboo?

Let's start by explaining that bamboo sheets are made from the pulp of bamboo, which is then processed into fibers such as viscose, lyocell and modal. The processing methods may involve the use of chemical solvents to produce a soft, breathable fabric. Cotton sheets are made from the natural fiber of the cotton plant and are generally quite breathable. But are bamboo sheets softer than cotton? The answer is a matter of personal preference — some people prefer the silky feel and moisture-wicking abilities of bamboo sheets, and others find cotton sheets to be softer and more breathable.

How do hotels get their sheets so soft?

Every hotel has a different secret to the softness of its sheets, whether that's long-staple cotton fibers like certified Egyptian, pima or supima cotton, or an exceptionally soft blend of cotton and polyester. Hotel sheets' softness may also be attributed to gentle detergents, industrial-strength fabric softeners and ironing machines. 

Meet our experts

• Liz Eggert, senior textile scientist, P&G Fabric Care

• Kym Maas, Chief Creative Officer at Lands' End

• Meredith McQuerry , associate professor and director, ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab and Textile Testing Laboratory, Florida State University

• Kim Romine, fabric care scientist, P&G

We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.