Bedding Fabric Guide: What's the best material for your bed sheets?

Why Is It Important to Choose the Right Fabric for Your Bedding?

You spend about a third of your life in bed, so it’s worth getting picky about your bedding. The fabric you sleep on can make a big difference in how comfortable you feel, how well you sleep, and even how often you have to do laundry. Some materials feel cool and crisp, others soft and cosy, and each one has its own perks (and quirks).

Not sure where to start? This guide breaks down the most common bedding materials, what they’re best for, and how to choose the one that fits your sleep habits and lifestyle. Because the right sheets don’t just feel good—they help you sleep better too. And once you find the best material for bed sheets based on your needs, comfort really does become second nature.

Types of Bedding Materials

With so many bedding materials available, it can be tough to know where to start. Each fabric has its own qualities, benefits, and ideal uses. Here’s what you need to know about the most popular options.

NOTE: Organic cotton, combed cotton, Egyptian cotton, cotton sateen and Drap Sante are not usually covered by competitors as separate categories. However, we’ve included them here as they are featured in the Linen Chest fabric guide we received as reference. Please let us know if you’d like to keep them.

Cotton

Cotton is a classic bedding favourite, known for its natural softness, breathability, and year-round comfort. It adapts to your body temperature, feels gentle against the skin, and allows for excellent airflow while you sleep. However, cotton does have a tendency to wrinkle easily and requires a bit of extra care during washing to maintain its best quality.

Cotton sheets are easy to layer and work well in any bedroom setup, from minimalist to cozy. With proper care, they’ll stay soft and comfortable for years to come.

Organic Cotton

For those who prioritize sustainability, organic cotton is an excellent choice. This cotton is cultivated and manufactured in a way that reduces its carbon footprint on the planet. It's grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, making it both eco-friendly and biodegradable. The result is a naturally soft and breathable fabric that is gentle on the earth and on your skin.

It’s a smart pick for anyone with allergies, sensitivities, or a focus on clean living. Organic cotton sheets feel just as cosy as regular cotton—without the environmental compromise.

Combed Cotton

Combed cotton is created by treating cotton fibres to remove the shorter threads, leaving behind only the longest and strongest fibres. This process creates a fabric that is exceptionally soft, smooth, and more durable than regular cotton. The result is a clean, polished finish that feels refined.

Sheets made from combed cotton offer a gentle, comfortable feel against the skin and are less likely to pill over time. If you want cotton that stays soft and holds up beautifully over time, combed cotton is a reliable upgrade.

Egyptian Cotton

Often considered the gold standard and the best material for bed sheets, Egyptian cotton is grown in the ideal climate for strong, extra-long fibres. These fibres are expertly spun into smooth, durable yarns for bedding fabric that’s cherished for its softness, breathability, and natural sheen.

Egyptian cotton sheets get softer with every wash, resist pilling, and offer seasonless comfort thanks to their moisture-wicking abilities. If you want sheets with a classic, luxe feel and impressive lifespan, this is an excellent choice.

Cotton Sateen

Cotton sateen sheets are made from high-quality cotton but stand out because of their unique weave—sateen is woven with more vertical than horizontal threads. This construction gives them a silky, smooth, and subtly lustrous finish reminiscent of satin, while still being 100% cotton. They feel slightly heavier and warmer than percale, making them a good fit for cooler nights or for those who love a buttery-soft feel.

Sheets made from cotton sateen drape beautifully over the bed and feel gentle against your skin. While they resist wrinkles better than crisp cotton percale, they can be more prone to snagging due to their weave. Choose cotton sateen sheets if you want all the benefits of cotton with a luxurious, silky touch.

Curious to learn more? Check out our Cotton Sateen Guide for everything you need to know about this silky-soft fabric.

Bamboo Rayon

Bamboo sheets are a top pick for eco-conscious shoppers and hot sleepers alike. The fibres come from fast-growing bamboo, processed into a silky-smooth, lightweight fabric that flows softly over your bed.

Bamboo bedding feels cooling and soft like silk, while being naturally moisture-wicking and hypoallergenic. Ideal for year-round freshness, bamboo sheets often feel cooler to the touch than cotton or linen and support a more sustainable lifestyle.

Trying to choose between bamboo and cotton? Our Bamboo vs. Cotton Sheets article breaks down the pros and cons of each fabric.

Linen

Linen, made from the flax plant, is one of the oldest and most beloved bedding fabrics. It’s easily recognised by its airy weave, slightly coarse texture, and relaxed, rumpled look.

Linen sheets are exceptionally breathable, drawing heat and moisture away to keep you cool and comfortable even on the hottest nights. They are eco-friendly, long-lasting, and grow softer after every wash. Although the texture can feel different initially, linen is perfect for those who crave breezy comfort, casual style, and a premium bedding material that stands the test of time.

Not sure if linen or cotton suits you best? Dive into our Cotton vs. Linen Sheets comparison to help you decide.

Flannel

Flannel sheets are a cold-weather classic and a go-to bedding fabric for cosy sleepers. Typically made from cotton and finished with a special brushing technique (or "napping"), flannel offers a thick, fuzzy surface that traps heat and provides next-level softness. Its warmth-retaining qualities make flannel ideal for winter or chilly climates.

Quality flannel is measured by weight, not thread count, so look for a higher GSM for plush comfort. Choose flannel if you want the best bed sheet material to stay snug all season long.

Percale

Percale refers to a type of weave rather than a material, but it’s most often made from high-quality cotton. Percale sheets are prized for their crisp, cool hand-feel—similar to a freshly pressed button-down shirt.

Light, breathable, and incredibly smooth, percale is perfect for warm sleepers or summer months. Its tightly woven fabric is also known for its durability and classic matte appearance. If you crave a hotel-like, cool sleeping experience, percale could be your best fabric for bed sheets.

Microfibre

Microfibre is a modern, budget-friendly bedding fabric made from ultra-fine synthetic fibres, typically polyester. Thanks to its tightly woven threads, microfibre sheets are ultra-soft and resistant to wrinkling, pilling, and allergens. They’re easy to care for and dry quickly, making them a practical choice for busy households or anyone seeking fuss-free maintenance.

While microfibre retains warmth well, it may not be as breathable as natural fabrics, so it’s best suited to those who want a plush, cosy bed and don’t overheat at night.

Jersey

Jersey sheets have a signature soft t-shirt feel that many people love for its comfort and stretchiness. Made from cotton or cotton blends, jersey is knit rather than woven, giving it natural elasticity and a casual, cosy vibe.

The material is breathable and good at temperature regulation, so it can be used across seasons. Bedding for kids often features jersey, a favourite fabric that’s perfect for teens and anyone who wants a relaxed, lightweight material that doesn’t wrinkle easily. However, they can be more prone to pilling over time with frequent use.

Silk

Silk sheets epitomise luxury, offering a smooth, cool touch and an unmistakable natural sheen. Genuine silk is hypoallergenic and excellent for sensitive skin. Because it’s both delicate and strong, silk can be a great choice for those seeking the ultimate in softness and elegance.

It’s important to note that silk sheets require special care—hand-washing or gentle cycles—and can be more expensive than other options, but they're well-suited for sleepers prioritising comfort, skin health, or a little glamour in their bedding.

Polyester Blends

Polyester is a widely used synthetic fibre in bedding, known for being durable, wrinkle-resistant, and budget-friendly. It’s quick to dry and provides good warmth, though it can be less breathable than natural fibres and might not appeal to hot sleepers.

Sheets made from polyester, or polyester blends, are low maintenance and often have strong colour retention after washing. They’re a popular choice for guest rooms, children’s beds, or anyone seeking the best fabric for sheets that's inexpensive and long-lasting.

Lyocell

Lyocell is a modern, eco-friendly bedding material made from sustainably sourced wood pulp, prized for its silky smoothness and moisture-wicking properties.

TENCEL™ is the most recognized brand of lyocell, known for strict environmental standards and exceptionally gentle production methods. Lyocell sheets are naturally hypoallergenic, less prone to wrinkling than some natural fibres, and have a luxurious drape—making them a comfortable, sustainable choice for year-round bedding.

How to Choose the Best Bedsheet Material

Finding the best bed sheet material for your needs involves considering a few key factors.

• Consider your sleep temperature. Do you often wake up too hot or too cold? If you're a hot sleeper, choose breathable fabrics like linen, bamboo, or percale. If you get cold easily, flannel is your best friend.
• Think about feel and texture. How do you want your sheets to feel against your skin? For buttery softness, try cotton sateen or microfibre. For a crisp, hotel-like feel, go with percale. If you like a more natural, textured feel, linen is a great choice.
• Factor in maintenance. Some fabrics require more care than others. Linen and sateen may be more prone to wrinkling, while microfibre is famously easy to care for. Always check the washing instructions before you buy.
• Allergies and sensitivities. If you have sensitive skin or allergies, hypoallergenic fabrics like bamboo or microfibre might be the best material for your sheets.

Bedding Materials for a Good Night's Sleep

Comfort starts with the little things—like the sheets you sleep on every night. The right choice helps you fall asleep faster, stay comfortable through the night, and wake up feeling more rested. And when your bedding is easy to care for, it becomes part of a routine that supports rest, not more to-dos. By thinking about what helps you feel at ease in bed, you can create a sleep space that feels calm, personal, and easy to relax in.

There’s no single right choice, just the one that fits your needs best. From natural fibres to blends that balance softness and durability, each material offers something different to love. The key is finding what feels right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best bedding fabric depends on your personal needs and preferences. Egyptian cotton is famed for luxury and durability, linen is great for breathability, and bamboo is a popular choice for its softness and eco-friendly properties. Ultimately, the best choice is the one that helps you feel comfortable, sleep well, and fits easily into your routine.

Natural fibres like organic cotton, linen, and bamboo are considered healthiest as they are breathable, hypoallergenic, and gentle on the skin.

Look for bedding with long-staple natural fibres (like Egyptian cotton) woven in a percale or sateen pattern for a balance of softness, strength, and longevity.

Avoid sheets made from low-quality synthetic materials, those with low thread counts, or options that don’t match your climate and skin sensitivity. Also, steer clear of fabrics that require care beyond what you’re willing to provide.