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You’ve probably heard that we spend about one-third of our lives sleeping, so it makes sense that many of us care about finding the products that improve our rest.

From mattresses to cooling sheets, from viral blankets and comforters, we’ve collectively tested and reviewed numerous types of bedding at Post Wanted, always with the single intent of helping our readers determine the best item for their specific needs.

With Sleep Week (March 8 through March 14) officially here, our team got to thinking about all the different sheets and brands we’ve reviewed in the last few years, and the fact that we’ve never had an official bed sheet standoff where we measure the sets we personally love against each other.

Because everyone has different preferences and needs, we started to ask each other, “What is your favorite sheet set, really?” And then we concocted a plan: four different sheet brands, each tested by four different members of our team.

In the name of science (and some Sleep Week fun), we asked each participating member to give a minimum of one night to every sheet set on the testing list. Along with taking notes throughout the experiment, they were asked to use whatever wearable device they owned to track how they physically responded to each set.

To determine whether a sheet set was really “worth it” or not, each tester had several testing metrics they had to use.

A favorite of hot sleepers everywhere, the Brooklinen Classic Percale Core Sheet Set is award-winning, loved by editors and members of Post Wanted. Although they’re not made from cooling materials, such as silk or bamboo, their lower thread count makes them incredibly lightweight. Along with being OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified for chemical safety, they feature a matte finish and are said to be cool to the touch. Thousands of shoppers (or should we say sleepers?) adore them, citing their weight and softness as reasons to give them a try.

Materials: 100% Long-Staple Cotton | Thread count: 270 | Sizes: Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Split King, Cal King

Brooklinen is a brand that frequently makes an appearance in our bedding roundups, so it wasn’t surprising that its award-winning percale core sheet set was a contender. Matalon was impressed with them enough that she said she’d “definitely put these in a guest bedroom” if she had one, stating they reminded her of hotel sheets.

Not every tester was impressed, however. Tricarico found that the sheets lacked the drapiness she expected and were too stiff for her liking. Although her sleep data indicated a sound night of rest, she didn’t feel like the sheets were responsible. “I felt like I didn’t have a sheet covering me because the blanket didn’t drape around my body at all,” she reported.

When it came to temperature, no tester reported becoming uncomfortably sweaty during the night. However, Schubak was slightly disappointed that they were not cooler, especially in comparison to the other sheets tested.

“I wasn’t warm, but these are listed as cooling sheets and didn’t feel like they were,” he shared. While his sleep data indicated he had the best night’s rest while using the Brooklinen sheets, he emphasized that it was likely because he tested them on the weekend and was more relaxed.

Salemann’s feedback was more positive. “These felt slightly heavier than the other sheets in the bunch, but they still are smooth to the touch and have that “classic” hotel feel, in my opinion,” she shared. “I didn’t wake up hot by any means, but I also didn’t feel quite as well-rested or refreshed the next morning.”

Tricarico also wished the sheets had been cooler. “Since they didn’t really conform to my body in a nice drape-y way, I used a blanket to overcompensate for that and then, predictably, woke up pretty warm.”

While praised for its lightweight feel, the team agreed that the general construction of the sheets indicated a higher level of durability than the lower thread count suggested. Most mentioned that the “crisp” feeling detailed on the product page veered into the stiff territory, with Matalon calling them slightly “crunchy.”

While not the most flexible (the brand does compare the feel of this set to one’s “fave button-down shirt”), and Salemann stated that the sheets became softer after washing. For those who like a tighter fit, it may be the one to try. “They also hold their structure impressively well after you lay them down on the bed,” she shared.

Made of breathable bamboo, what truly makes the Bearaby Second Skin Sheet Set special is that it incorporates smart botanicals in its fabric to fight germs. Marine proteins, mint and peppermint not only make the bedding feel cleaner but fresher, plus the material is silky soft and lightweight. An ideal pick for those with sensitive skin or acne, customer reviewers with allergies even report breathing better after adding these sheets to their bed.

Materials: 100% Bamboo fabric | Thread count: n/a | Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, Cal King

Bearaby makes one of Post Wanted’s favorite throw blankets, so we were eager to see how the brand’s sheets stacked up. Recommended by Matalon, she enjoyed the sheets’ “silk smooth” texture. Similarly, Schubak named the Second Skin Sheets as his second favorite of all that were tested. “I loved these sheets,” he said. “They felt like sleeping on silk — very luxurious.”

Regarding temperature, reviews were mixed. While Matalon gave them a high rating for overall comfort, she did notice that she slept the hottest while testing the bamboo sheets.

Salemann, who didn’t experience a high deep sleep score with these, marked a distinct difference in the temperature-regulation in comparison to the others in review. “Even though it doesn’t seem like I got ‘deep sleep’ with these sheets, I still felt very well rested and refreshed the next morning. I suspect they have some cooling properties, because I left the heat on overnight and still woke up on the cooler side.”

Along with being made from 100% bamboo, Bearaby’s Second Skin Sheets use botanicals, such as mint and peppermint, which are known to have a refreshing quality. This also keeps the bed cleaner for longer. “The antimicrobial feature is a nice touch, especially for acne-prone skin,” Matalon added.

Schubak found the cooling technology comfortable, stating that he “didn’t wake up sweating at all and the temperature stayed consistent through the night.” Tricarico, who did give the sheets a high rating for comfort, didn’t find that the cooling properties had much longevity, stating, “I won’t lie, I got pretty sticky with these!”

When it came to outfitting the bed with the sheets, Schubak had some difficulty, though he couldn’t explain why. However, he still felt their material was on the stronger side, making him confident they’d last a long time.

Tricarico, who has owned a set of the Second Skin Sheets before, did find that they were easy to fit on her bed, but had experienced significant pilling with them in the past. While pilling is rarer with bamboo sheets in comparison to cotton, it can still occur, especially if made with shorter fibers.

Both Matalon and Salemann were surprised by the number of wrinkles the sheets had, even before being used. “Unfortunately, these sheets showed a few more wrinkles than the others I tested,” Salemann shared. “I had to smooth them out a bit after taking them out of the package. Once they were laid out on the bed, they seemed to settle and flatten out. I do think they got a touch silkier after the first wash.”

While they’re not made from cotton or bamboo, these budget-friendly sheets offer double brush microfiber that’s ultra soft and engineered to be cooling. The sheets also have deep pockets, making them easy to apply to the mattress, and they’re even available in a flex top — a true rarity in the bedding world.

Materials: Microfiber | Thread count: n/a | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King, Split Head/Flex Top

The brand CGK fell on our radar during an update of our cooling sheets roundup. We couldn’t believe how many Amazon shoppers (and Post Wanted readers) were fans of the budget-friendly brand. We shouldn’t have been surprised when we later learned that Salemann had picked up a set herself and was enthusiastic about how comfortable they were.

While Schubak found them cozy, his sleep score wasn’t the best. Matalon’s review was more in line with Salemann’s, with her giving the sheets a slightly higher mark than Brooklinen.

Although the sheets are said to be cooling, both Matalon or Schubak noticed they slept hotter while testing them. “I do think feeling warm played a major factor in why I didn’t sleep as well,” Schubak said. Matalon also reported waking up sweaty, “despite them being the thinnest sheets” of the testing bunch.

Salemann, on the other hand, didn’t feel the sheets affected her sleep temperature at all, crediting their lightweight feel for keeping her cool.  “I don’t consider myself a super-hot sleeper, but I also don’t love it when there are a bunch of heavy blankets/sheets on my bed. These have a nearly weightless feel, and they seemed to keep me at a nice temperature all night.”

Tricarico also reported keeping chill throughout the night, though the lighter material may not keep everyone comfortable during chillier months. “These sheets are nice and lightweight, almost to a fault,” she shared. “While I didn’t wake up overheating and toasty, I needed a second blanket all night.”

“If you’re not a hot sleeper, this value brand is definitely good quality and comfortable,” said Schubak, adding that they were “very soft and comfortable.”

Salemann, who factored in the price of the sheets, was also impressed. “They did wash pretty well without much wrinkling,” she shared. While Matalon did notice some pilling after washing, she was a fan of the detailing on the included pillowcase, feeling it made the set seem more luxurious than its price suggested.

Cozy Earth is one of our top tested brand’s of Post Wanted and a favorite of our readers. Its Bamboo Sheets were awarded one of Oprah’s ‘Favorite Things’ for 2018 and they’ve garnered more than 10,000 reviews, with more than 90% giving a five-star rating. Made from 100% viscose from bamboo fabric, they are said to be temperature-regulating and breathable, exceptionally soft and rich in appearance.

Materials: 100% rayon derived from bamboo | Thread count: 300 | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Split King, Cal King

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All of the testers enjoyed Cozy Earth’s Bamboo Sheets, with each rating them a nine out of 10 in terms of comfort. “These are just the ultimate ‘everyday sheet for me,” shared Schubak. “The softness, the cooling…it all works together magically and sets a new bedding standard for me. It will be hard to switch over to a lesser sheet set now.”

While he had slept on Brooklinen when he had experienced the deepest sleep, he noted that the sheet set had been tested during the weekend when he didn’t need to worry about waking up at a certain time.

“Despite what my Oura ring suggests, this was actually my most comfortable rest,” he shared.

True to its product description of being “breathable and temperature-regulating,” none of the testers noticed waking up hot or finding evidence that they had overheated during the night.

“These are great for hot sleepers,” Salemann commented. “I woke up cool and refreshed, and my skin felt like I just got home from the spa.” Similarly, Matalon didn’t notice “getting hot at all while sleeping.”

Tricarico, who submitted the set from Cozy Earth for testing, remained a fan, even if she had better sleep data with another sheet set. “Cozy Earth was the best sheet I tested, cooling-wise, hands down,” she said.

In terms of hold up, the majority of testers were impressed with the overall feel and construction of the sheets. “They fit the bed well — snug, but still easy to put on,” shared Matalon. Salemann echoed this, calling them “exceptionally smooth and soft to the touch,” adding that she didn’t notice any pilling.

Even after washing, the sheets maintained their glossy sheen, though Matalon noticed they did appear more wrinkly, which is typical of this type of material. “They’re buttery soft, but not overly silky or slippery,” she said.

While Salemann did notice more sweat marks on the sheets in comparison to others, she suspected that it was just a side effect of the bamboo picking up moisture. This didn’t impact her sleep at all.

At the end of testing, the clear winner was easy to see and unanimous: Cozy Earth. Along with being the highest rated for comfort, it was the only set that kept every tester consistently cool through the night. From the sheets’ luxurious look to their softness and durability, it was clear why these remain a favorite of Post Wanted readers.

Although individual sleep data didn’t always reflect each tester’s positive experience, it was noted that the day of the week a sheet set was tested (weekend vs. weekday) and other lifestyle factors seemed to matter for the scores.

Cold, hard numbers aside, it all came down to which set testers wanted to tuck in under after the experiment was complete. In this Sleep Week’s bedding battle, it was clear that the winner was Cozy Earth.

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