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Buttery soft, durable and affordable alternatives to cotton sheet sets.

Microfiber sheets have gained popularity over the past few years for being super smooth and inexpensive. They are synthetic and use ultra-thin strands of polyester (hence the “microfiber” name). While some shoppers may be skeptical because they're made with polyester instead of natural fibers like cotton or linen, microfiber is a great option for those who prefer a super soft feel over crisp and anyone looking to spend less on their bedding.

Here at the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, we test sheets of all kinds to find the best sets for every preference, from cooling sheets for hot sleepers, to warm and cozy flannel sheets and everything in between. Over the past few years, we've tested over 200 sheet sets and reviewed over 10,000 data points. You can learn more about how we test microfiber sheets, plus shopping tips to pick your perfect set at the end of this article, but first, here are the best microfiber sheets you can buy in 2021:

This sheet set has gone viral with over 160,000 5-star reviews! Our panel gave it some of the highest softness ratings compared to the hundreds of other sheets we've reviewed, and our testers described it as “feeling like butter.” 

The fabric also stood up to our shrinkage and pilling tests. Take note though, the synthetic material might not be as breathable as natural cotton, and those who prefer a crisp sheet might find the fabric too soft, but that's on par for all microfiber sheets.

This Amazon Basics set is an incredible value at just over $20. In our Textiles Lab tests, the material scored high in durability for pilling, shrinkage and fabric strength. Our consumer panel also gave it high marks for softness, though a few testers thought the material felt thin and flimsy, especially compared to other fabrics.

These also come in a wide variety of colors and prints, so you’ll be sure to find something you love. Plus, it's wildly loved by Amazon shoppers with over 240,000 reviews and an average 4.6-star rating.

Testers gave these sheets perfect softness and comfort ratings in our at-home sleep test. Our panel also unanimously said they stayed at a comfortable body temperature while sleeping on these sheets, so there’s no need to worry about overheating. 

The fabric excelled in our shrinkage and strength tests, but because it has a slightly fuzzy surface (which makes it feel extremely soft), the tradeoff is it showed more pilling than others we tested. 

If you’re willing to spend more on microfiber sheets, testers said these were ultra soft. One commented, "These feel like quality fabric,” making it stand out from other microfiber sheets that can feel thin or flimsy compared to cotton. Based on this tester feedback, these sheets are the perfect compromise between the softness of microfiber and the substantial feel of cotton sheets. In Lab testing, they performed on par with other microfiber sheets for standing up to wrinkling, shrinking and pilling. 

Printed sheets are an easy way to liven up your bed, and this set from Country Living Home has a wide range of stylish options, from floral, to nautical, to geometric prints and more. It also earned high scores for softness from testers. Though these sheets didn't have as high durability scores as others, they performed well overall in Lab tests. One downside: they wrinkled after washing more noticeably than other sheets.

Microfiber sheets are made with extremely fine (or "micro") strands of polyester, making them different from your typical polyester fabric. These sheets are ideal for someone who loves a silky soft sheet rather than a crisp sheet. The thin synthetic fibers give microfiber sheets their buttery smooth feel, and polyester is often durable, so you can expect them to last.

Microfiber sheets also tend to have excellent drape, as opposed to cotton which tends to be more structured. For some, this soft and drapey quality can make the sheets feel too thin or flimsy. Because they are made with polyester they also tend to be less expensive, making them a great value for those that want a soft yet durable sheet.

The key difference between microfiber and cotton sheets is the fiber they're made with. As described above, microfiber sheets are made from thin strands of polyester, whereas cotton is a naturally-grown fiber. 100% cotton sheets are most popular, though sometimes cotton is blended with other fibers like polyester or viscose to make the sheet's fabric.

Microfiber sheets are usually smoother than their cotton counterparts and they also tend to be less expensive. Microfiber sheets in our tests were typically more resistant to wrinkles, shrinkage and pilling. Cotton sheets, on the other hand, feel more luxurious and substantial than microfiber. They’re ideal for people who prefer a natural, crisp feel or for those who are looking for organic sheets since microfiber is not considered a sustainable fabric.

Our tests have shown that microfiber sheets do live up to their hype for being soft and affordable. That being said, they're not for everyone. Here's what to consider when deciding if they're right for you:

When we test microfiber sheets, they go through rigorous Lab and consumer testing to evaluate strength, pilling, shrinkage, wrinkle-resistance, softness and more.

To test the sheet's strength, we use a specialized machine (called an Instron), which pulls fabric swatches until they break and tells us the strength of each sheet. We also use an abrasion machine that rubs two fabrics swatches together to mimic tossing and turning on the sheets, as well as regular wear and tear. We reference textile industry standards to visibly score the signs of pilling.

Each sheet is repeatedly washed and dried according to its care label and gets scored multiple times on both shrinkage and how it looks after being laundered. Immediately after the sheet is dried, it’s taken to our standardized lighting room and visually measured for wrinkles and creases following industry standards.

Not only do our sheets go through many lab tests, but we also use a consumer panel to help us assess which sheets are the softest and most comfy on the market. After the sheets are laundered to remove any leftover finishes from production, dozens of consumer testers feel each fabric in a blind comparison test and score each one. Lastly, all the scores are tabulated to give a final overall score.

Not necessarily. If you’re already a hot sleeper or sweat at night then you may benefit more from cooling sheets that are specifically designed to wick moisture away and prevent overheating. However, most people who slept on microfiber sheets in our tests didn’t report feeling hot; in fact, many said they remained at a comfortable body temperature throughout the night. If you’re concerned about sleeping on polyester because of overheating, consider this: Most workout clothing you wear while exercising is made of polyester.

Believe it or not, thread count does not matter for microfiber sheets. You may see thread counts over 1,500 labeled on microfiber sheets, but that doesn't mean they're higher quality. Thread count is simply the number of yarns per square inch of fabric, and microfiber can squeeze in a high number because its fibers are purposely made to be tiny.