The average human spends 33 years of their life sleeping, which is around 12,045 days or an incredible 289,080 hours! As we spend so much time in bed, it's important to invest in bedding that not only looks good but will also keep you feeling cosy at night-time.
In this article, we’ll look at both form and function when it comes to bed sheets, helping you to choose the best set for your personal taste, bed size, and budget. From cooling cotton for king-size and double beds to breathable bamboo for single sleepers, we'll list our favourites to buy at Amazon, eBay, and John Lewis. So grab yourself a mug of warm milk and read on!
Quick List - Top Bed Sheets
The Bettersleep Company
Hotel Quality Cotton That Provides a 5-Star Experience
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Table of Contents
While a lot of your décor decision-making will be based on personal taste, there are a few key factors to think about carefully when shopping for a new set of bed sheets. Let's take a look at the main considerations.
This may sound obvious but it's always worth checking that a bedding set will come in a size that's suitable for your bed - typically, brands will cover regular sizes like single or double but not all will make king-size or super king-size sheets!
It’s also worth mentioning that just because you have a double bed, it doesn’t mean you have to buy a bed sheet that size. If you and your partner have an ongoing tug of war battle over the duvet on chilly nights, you might prefer to invest in a king-size cover that'll give you both a bit more room to manouvre.
When you’re browsing bed sheets online, always have a peek at the washing instructions to make sure you’re not caught out. Most sets are totally machine-washable, which is always handy!
However, if you’re often pushed for time and like to get laundry done quickly, you may be disappointed to find that some bedding isn’t suitable for tumble drying due to the fabric or the design.
The material that your bedding is made from will influence the price, comfort, durability, and how long it takes to dry. Let's run through the pros and cons of the most popular ones.
Freshly washed cotton sheets blowing in the breeze on a sunny day - is there a more beautiful sight? Cotton has been traditionally used for bedding because of its durability and how lovely it feels next to your skin. Furthermore, it's breathable and moisture-wicking, meaning it'll keep you feeling cool and fresh on hot summer nights.
Some heavier cotton sheets can take a while to air dry though, so they're not ideal if you don’t have a tumble dryer. Cotton also tends to crease a lot in the wash, requiring regular ironing to keep it smooth.
Poly-cotton is a really popular bedding choice for a number of reasons. Firstly, it offers great value for those on a budget, as it's generally the cheapest option. It combines low-cost polyester with more expensive cotton fibres, whilst still retaining the softness of regular cotton.
Like pure cotton, poly-cotton is very breathable so it'll keep you cool while you're sleeping. It also dries beautifully, minimising the need for ironing. However, it does have a tendency to pill, so may need replacing every few years.
A synthetic fabric such as polyester microfibre feels wonderfully soft against your skin. It also dries very quickly and will remain crease-free straight from the washing machine.
However, this type of material isn't good at staying cool in hot weather, so it may leave you feeling quite sticky and uncomfortable. For this reason, we recommend it for use during the winter only, to keep you toasty on cold nights!
Bamboo is a fairly new option in the world of bedding fabrics, but it's becoming more and more popular. It's a sustainable material that's grown without the use of insecticides or pesticides. Remarkably soft, it stays crease-free and is the most breathable fabric available on the market for bedding.
Although it's usually more expensive material than cotton or synthetic materials, you'll get your money's worth out of a bamboo set. Since it's very durable, it'll last for years while still looking brand new after each wash!
Choosing a bedding design ultimately depends on your personal taste and the kind of atmosphere you want to create in your bedroom. Bright, floral sheets won't work if you prefer minimalist style, and plain white bedding may look a bit bland if your walls are white too. Here, we'll examine a few different styles, to help you decide.
Plain dye bedding – especially in crisp white – keeps things looking classic and elegant. It's clean and fresh, but also cosy and inviting after a long day at work.
This type of bedding is very adaptable so even if you redecorate often, it'll still match whatever print or colour you decide to put on your walls. Also, if you plan to invest in a higher quality set that costs a bit more, we reckon it's a good idea to stick to a plain dye design as you know it'll never go out of style!
If you love keeping up with the latest fashions, printed bedding is an easy way of making sure that your bedroom is always Instagram-worthy!
Printed bed sheets look particularly great if you have plain walls, as the colour or motifs will really stand out. From funky florals to eye-catching paisley, you can pick up trendy bedding on pretty much any budget.
A textured bedding set can keep things interesting without the need for bright colours or loud prints. Seersucker and waffle textures give the illusion of ruffled stripes or squares on the surface of the fabric.
Even if your bed sheets are a plain shade like white or grey, one of these raised patterns will give them a bit of 3D pizzazz!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Panda 100% Bamboo Bedding Set - Pure White | ![]() | Silky, Hypoallergenic, and Fantastic Value for Money | |
2 | The Bettersleep Company 100% Cotton Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set | ![]() | Hotel Quality Cotton That Provides a 5-Star Experience | |
3 | Joules Dogs Duvet Cover and Matching Oxford Pillowcases | ![]() | A Fun Nautical Design to Get Tails Wagging | |
4 | Sophie Allport Bee Duvet Cover Set | ![]() | Simple Yet Chic, With a Cute Motif | |
5 | Sleepdown Waffle Bedding Set with Pillowcases - Cream | ![]() | Waffle-y Good at Keeping You Warm and Cosy | |
6 | Highams Seersucker Duvet Cover With Pillow Case | ![]() | Stylish, Affordable, and Adds Some Texture | |
7 | Fairyland Duvet Cover Set With Zipper Closure - White | ![]() | Unbelievably Soft and Perfect for Chilly Nights | |
8 | Dreamscene Paisley Blue Super King Duvet Set | ![]() | A Low-Budget, Reversible Cover | |
9 | bluebellgray Taransay Duvet Cover Set | ![]() | Gorgeous, Hand-Painted Cotton Sheets | |
10 | Rapport Bee Mine Duvet Set | ![]() | A Buzzingly Beautiful Set That's Easy to Wash |
It's hard to do this set from Panda justice in a short review, but we'll give it our best shot! These top-quality sheets are made from natural bamboo fibres which feel like silk. They're incredibly breathable, anti-bacterial, and hypoallergenic, making them suitable for everyone.
This set comes with a fitted sheet as well as a button-up duvet cover and pillowcases, making it fantastic value for money. A portion of the proceeds go to a wild panda charity too, so you can feel good about splashing out on some new bedding. With over 80% of their reviews on Amazon being rated 5/5, it's clear that these sheets are worth investing in for some bedtime zen!
There's nothing quite like the luxurious feeling of sliding between the sheets in a hotel bed, right? These Egyptian cotton sheets from The Bettersleep Company will give you that amazing 5-star experience each time you get into your own bed! Available exclusively in classic white, they look just like a hotel set too.
These sheets are worth paying a bit more for, thanks to their brilliant quality. Best of all, they need minimal ironing to look pristine, so you won't have to spend ages going over them every time they come out of the washing machine!
The dog motif on this bedding from Joules is just the cutest! Although the sheets are a neutral colour, they incorporate a nautical theme, with the dogs wearing Breton-striped jumpers in mustard yellow and navy.
This high-quality bedding is made from 100% cotton, which will keeping you feeling as cool as a cucumber in the summer and sensationally snug in the winter. Joules also has a range of coordinating blankets, pillows, and throws if you fancy giving your bedroom a style overhaul.
We told you bees were popular! Here's another set with everyone's favourite insect - although this one is a little fancier than our previous listing. It pairs bee motifs with a neutral tone, plus it has stripes on the reverse side.
We think this is a really chic design that's playful without being too overbearing. Durable and breathable, the cotton fabric feels so soft that you'll easily drift off while counting sheep - or bees!
This snuggly set, which is made from waffle fabric, not only looks lovely but will keep you cosy on cold nights. The cream shade is slightly warmer than white, while still being neutral enough to suit any kind of décor.
We love the decorative buttons, but they may come loose over time and they could prove uncomfortable to lie on. Still, this poly-cotton set is good value for money and also comes in two other colour options.
This seersucker bedding set comes in a stylish dark grey shade that will keep your bedroom looking minimalist and sleek.
As this is an inexpensive poly-cotton blend, it understandably doesn't have the luxurious feel of cotton sheets. But if you want something that's simple to wash and doesn't break the bank, then you're sure to be pleased with this set!
This is an unbelievably soft bedding set that feels amazing on your skin. In place of the usual buttons or poppers, it has a zip to keep your duvet in place - this is handy if you tend to toss and turn all night!
The downside is that the polyester microfibre material isn't very breathable, so it may be a little too warm for use in the summer months. During winter though, it'll be perfect!
Blue has long been known to create a tranquil and calming atmosphere. This lovely set has baby blue and teal hues which will turn your room into an oasis of peace at bedtime. Plus, the delicate paisley print prevents it from looking boring!
We love the fact that this bedding is completely reversible, allowing you to effortlessly switch things up. Unfortunately though, while it offers excellent value for money, the sheets could be a little softer on the skin.
This watercolour-style floral print bedding is absolutely gorgeous and will easily brighten up any room. Each set is hand-painted in the brand's Scottish studio, so no two are the same - it's basically a piece of art for your bed!
While the description says that these sheets are made from 300 thread count cotton, they're sadly not that soft. Since this set is the most expensive product on our list, we're disappointed that it isn't comfier.
Bee designs are super popular at the moment, and this soft pink duvet cover set is beautiful. It even has the cute phrase "bee mine" across the pillows! Made from a poly-cotton blend, these bed sheets are easy to wash and only require minimal ironing.
Some reviewers state that the colour of the set is a bit more of a bright shade than they expected, but that's not really a problem if you love pink! Although the fabric isn't of the highest quality, these sheets are affordable and pretty.
There’s no better way to give yourself a mood boost than with an impromptu bedding change so you can inhale the wonderful scent of freshly washed sheets. If you only have one set of bedding though, you might get a bit stuck!
Perhaps you don’t own a tumble dryer and need an extra set of bedding available while one sheet is drying, or maybe you simply like to switch up your bedroom look every few weeks. Either way, owning more than one set is bound to come in handy in any situation where a quick sheet change is needed.
With cheaper options like poly-cotton available too, you've got no excuse - why not buy a few new sets of bed sheets in different shades and patterns?
So you've got your bedding in the bag - what else can you purchase to turn your bedroom into a sanctuary for sleep? Have a look at more of our recommended products that will make every bedtime blissful.
After all this talk of bedding, we bet you can't wait to snooze tonight! No matter what your bed size, budget, or personal taste, we hope you've found something you love amongst our list of favourites. Sweet dreams!
Author: Catherine Torrance
No. 1: Panda|100% Bamboo Bedding Set - Pure White
No. 2: The Bettersleep Company|100% Cotton Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set
No. 3: Joules|Dogs Duvet Cover and Matching Oxford Pillowcases
No. 4: Sophie Allport|Bee Duvet Cover Set
No. 5: Sleepdown|Waffle Bedding Set with Pillowcases - Cream
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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