Best Sheets for Memory Foam Mattress (2020): Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

A memory foam mattress offers you a cushioning surface that automatically adjusts to your weight and sleeping position. This conforming ability is how memory foam beds are so effective at relieving pressure points in your body. However, since memory foam softens under heat and pressure to conform to your body, heat may become trapped and cause night sweats. The right bed sheets can reduce this discomfort for a comfortable night’s sleep.

Some types of memory foam retain heat, but choosing sheets made of breathable materials, like cotton, linen, or bamboo, can regulate temperature.

Best Sheets for Memory Foam Mattresses

1. Amerisleep Percale Cotton Sheets

We recommend Amerisleep’s Percale Cotton Sheets. This set includes a fitted sheet (two for split king), a flat sheet, and a pillowcase (two pillowcases for a queen, king, Cal king, or split king sets). At a 310 thread count of cotton percale, we love this soft, breathable fabric.

Durable and lightweight, Amerisleep’s Cotton Bed Sheets feel lovely year-round, providing airflow in the spring and summer, and warmth during fall and winter. Additionally, these sheets have little wrinkling and fit mattresses that are 18” thick. Furthermore, Amerisleep includes a 5-year limited warranty.

2. Amerisleep Tencel® Sheets

Amerisleep’s Tencel® Sheets is another option we recommend. You’ll enjoy wrapping yourself in these soft and breathable sheets night after night. Tencel® is made from wood pulp which is broken down, spun into threads, and woven with cotton, creating a luxuriously smooth texture you’re sure to love.

Amerisleep Tencel® Sheets are an excellent choice if you have sensitive skin because they’re soft-to-the-touch and won’t scratch or irritate your skin. They’re ultra-lightweight and have a silky sheen. Plus, they’re naturally wrinkle-resistant, making them look fabulous on your bed. Amerisleep Tencel® Sheets include a fitted sheet, an oversized flat sheet, and two pillowcases (one pillowcase for twin and twin XL sizes).

3. The Purple Sheets

You’ll love the soft and stretchy fabric of The Purple Sheets. Purple® uses bamboo-based material combined with spandex to create bed sheets that flex with your memory foam mattress. You won’t have to worry about tight areas which could damage your sheets.

The Purple Sheets are also cool to the touch and feel wonderful to your skin. Bamboo is naturally breathable like cotton, so there’s less risk of waking up hot. The Purple Sheets come in four different colors and are backed by a 1-year warranty.

4. L.L. Bean Pima Percale

Made from 100% Pima cotton with a percale weave, the L.L. Bean Pima Percale sheets are crisp and breathable, making them perfect for summer. They also do well when paired with a warm blanket when the weather starts to cool. The L.L. Bean Pima Percale sheet set is durable and wrinkle-resistant, fitting mattresses 15” thick.

As an extra perk, tags have been added to identify the long side from the short side. Additionally, this set is machine washable and can be tumble dried on low. L.L. Bean Pima Percale sheets may not feel as soft as other brands, but they’re excellent if you prefer a crumpled texture.

5. Parachute Percale Sheet Set

As a 100% cotton percale weave, the Parachute Percale sheet set is a nice choice for those looking for an Egyptian cotton option. The 400-count sheets have a crisp feel that stays cool, especially during the warmer seasons, something you may enjoy, especially if you live in a warmer climate. The Parachute Percale sheets may slightly shrink in the wash. Also, they may not be as soft as other sheet sets and easily wrinkle.

The Parachute Percale sheet set fits mattresses 16” thick. The set includes a fitted sheet with two matching pillowcases, but the flat sheet can be purchased for an extra $60 to $90 depending on the size.

6. Cuddledown Hotel Sateen

At a 400 thread count and 100% cotton, the Cuddledown Hotel Sateen sheets are an excellent option. These sheets are wrinkle-resistant and have minimal shrinkage after washing. Manufacturers comb the cotton, removing any short, protruding threads, to give the sheets an added softness.

The Cuddledown Hotel Sateen sheet set fits mattresses 16” thick. Please note that since it’s made from a sateen weave, the sheets are heavier, making them more ideal for colder seasons.

The Best Sheets for a Memory Foam Mattress

Don’t give up on a memory foam mattress if you experience night sweats. The problem could be your sheets. To find the best sheets, look at fabric, weave, and thread count. It might seem tedious, but doing your research first can narrow down potential options and help you find the right sheet set for a good night’s rest.

Fabric

Some materials are great all year, while others will be best for certain seasons. All-natural materials, like linen and silk, will be more expensive than synthetic fabrics like microfiber.

Cotton

Durable and wrinkle-resistant, cotton is an excellent choice as a year-round sheet. It’s also highly breathable and soft. Egyptian cotton sheets are the best because they contain long fibers that are stronger and softer than other cotton types. Cotton blends can also perform very well. Cotton blends combine cotton and synthetic or natural fibers. Cotton blend sheets are more affordable and wrinkle-resistant compared to natural cotton sheets.

Linen

Linen is a luxurious option for sheets, made from all-natural flax fibers. Linen sheets are highly breathable and wick away moisture. They do have a more rustic look and are prone to wrinkling.

Silk

One of the most expensive options, silk is known for its durability and moisture-wicking properties. Additionally, silk is naturally hypoallergenic.

Bamboo

Long threads are created from the soft pulp of the bamboo plant to make bamboo fabric. Naturally hypoallergenic and thermo-regulating, bamboo sheets are great for year-round use.

Microfiber

Synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester polymers are woven together to create microfiber sheets. These strands are very thin but durable and water-resistant. Microfiber is an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin.

Weave

How threads are woven can also determine the breathability and cost of a set of sheets. Some weaves result in tightly woven fibers, restricting airflow and trapping body heat.

Sheets with a tighter weave use more material and are ideal for colder seasons. Other weaves are made of less material with loosely woven fibers, increasing airflow, and providing better cooling. Loosely-woven sheets are meant for warmer seasons, though these sheets pair well with a blanket when the season cools.

There are two main types of weave, percale, and sateen. Percale is perfect for sheets used year-round, and due to its exceptional airflow, an excellent choice for warmer months. With its denser knit, Sateen has a smooth, luxurious feel, perfect for cooler seasons.

Thread Count

Thread count refers to the number of threads woven into a square inch of fabric. Back in the 1960s, a 180-count sheet was a luxury. Today, with ever-advancing technology, manufacturers have increased that number significantly.

Many companies claim to offer sheets with high thread counts, some up to 1,800. With the help of some methods, manufacturers can boost their thread count, but this may decrease the quality of the material, preventing it from lasting against wear and tear.

A few manufacturing practices include:

• Thread Thickness

Instead of using strong, quality threads, manufacturers will use thinner, weaker threads. Since the threads are thinner, more can be added to that square inch. Unfortunately, this makes the sheet less durable.

• Count Thread Ply

By twisting together lower-quality fibers into 2-, 3-, or 4-ply threads, manufacturers will count these individual twists instead of the single fiber. This can result in a 500-count sheet set that’s marketed as a 1000-count.

• Picks

While picks are traditionally used to add decorative patterns, manufacturers use them to add a second thread to the main thread. The second thread has no other purpose than to act as filler. Filler picks can end up straining the warp threads and weakening the fabric.

When looking for the right thread count, first, consider the weave. Some weaves perform better at a certain thread count than others. For a percale weave, don’t choose sheets with a thread count higher than 300.

For the denser sateen weave, look no higher than 600. Consumer Reports state that you should aim for 400-count as the “sweet spot” for optimal comfort and durability. Technically, the material is more important than thread count, but because manufacturers put so much hype into thread count as a luxury feature, many consumers make it a priority when shopping for the best sheets. Just remember: if it’s over 600, it may not last.

FAQs

What is the best material for sheets to keep you cool?

Natural fibers are the best when it comes to keeping you cool at night. Natural fibers include cotton and bamboo. These materials wick away moisture and are more breathable compared to synthetic fibers, like polyester.

How do I keep my bed sheets from coming off?

The best way to keep your bed sheets on your bed is by choosing the right size and pocket depth. Measure your mattress dimensions, and include thickness. When buying new sheets, look at the packaging, and check the pocket depth. The right sheet set should match your mattress size and have a pocket depth no more than one inch more than your mattress thickness.

What thread count is the coolest?

Any sheet set with a thread count between 300 to 400 is the coolest. At this thread count, the sheets hold well under regular use and won’t fray easily. The material is also breathable and won’t trap as much heat compared to 600 thread count sheets.

How do you cool down a memory foam mattress?

Memory foam can trap heat and cause night sweats, but simple steps can keep your memory foam mattress cool and prevent overheating.

• Breathable Bed Sheets

Buy bed sheets made from breathable materials, like cotton, Tencel®, and linen. These sheets allow heat to escape instead of getting trapped and causing night sweats.

• Pajamas

Wearing cotton pajamas may prevent your body from retaining heat. Cotton is naturally breathable and wicks away moisture for a good night’s sleep.

• Mattress Topper

Adding a mattress topper not only adds softness or firmness to your current mattress but may keep you cool at night. Many mattress toppers may contain gel memory foam or down feathers. Gel absorbs and disperses body heat, while down feathers provide more airflow.

What are deep pocket sheets?

Deep pocket sheets refer to the corners of a fitted sheet. Depending on the brand, some sheet sets can fit mattresses up to a certain thickness. Sheet sets with deep pockets are a nice feature if you have a bed taller than 12 inches or have a thick mattress pad.

Fitted sheets should fit snugly over each corner, but not too tightly. If your mattress’s shape is slightly distorted from too-tight sheets, you need to choose a different size. Otherwise, you could damage the bed.

Conclusion

A memory foam mattress is an excellent way to reduce pressure points and enjoy a pain-free night, but you may wake up feeling hot and uncomfortable. Bed sheets made of breathable materials, like cotton or bamboo, allow heat to escape and draw in more air, which may prevent overheating. These fabrics are cool to the touch and wick away moisture for a comfortable night’s rest.