Polyester vs. Cotton Sheets
Polyester and cotton sheets are popular options if you’re looking for a new sheet set. But polyester and cotton sheets offer very different materials, price points, and breathability. Here’s how polyester and cotton sheets compare and how to figure out which sheet set is right for you.
Polyester vs. Cotton Sheets at a Glance
Cotton sheets are made with natural cotton fibers that breathe easily and absorb moisture well. Over time, cotton sheets will get softer, but they are more expensive and less durable than polyester. Polyester sheets are more affordable, but their synthetic fibers do not breathe well and are more likely to make you sleep hot. However, both sheet types are easy to wash and offer varying levels of softness.
| Polyester Sheets | Cotton Sheets | |
| Material | Synthetic materials | Organic or non-organic cotton fibers |
| Typical thread count | 200-1000+ | 200-600 |
| Breathability | Poor breathability | Good breathabilty |
| Feel | Lightweight and silky smooth, may feel slightly sticky or create static | Crisp, buttery, or silky smooth |
| Typical care | Machine-washable and wrinkle-resistant, but prone to pilling | Machine-washable, but thins and shrinks over time |
Polyester Sheets: Overview
Polyester sheets are made by weaving thin petroleum-based synthetic fibers (aka plastics) into a soft and lightweight fabric. Also marketed as microfiber sheets, polyester sheets can be made with 100 percent polyester or polyester blended with cotton and nylon.
Breathability
Polyester sheets do not breathe as well as cotton and are more likely to make you sweat. The synthetic fibers and tight weave of polyester sheets limit breathability, causing polyester sheets to trap heat and moisture.
Thread Count
Polyester sheet thread counts can range from 200 to 1000 and are often higher than cotton sheets. Polyester sheets are woven using ultra-thin fibers that help create a soft, strong fabric, but thread count does not indicate quality. Polyester sheets are available in multiple weaves, including percale and sateen, and fabric blends that improve the quality.
Durability
You’ll have more longevity out of polyester sheets. Polyester sheets are more durable than cotton and are less likely thin, rip, and fade. However, the fabric is more likely to snag or pill on rough surfaces.
Maintenance
Like cotton sheets, polyester sheets are easy to wash—simply machine wash and dry. But unlike cotton, polyester sheets will not shrink. Polyester is also wrinkle-resistant, so no fussing with ironing or immediately grabbing your sheets out of the dryer.
Feel
Polyester sheets often have a silkier feel than cotton, but they can also feel sticky against the skin. Polyester is also known to build up static.
Variety
You’ll find polyester sheets at most bedding and online retailers, but most polyester sheets are made with polyester blends, including:
- Microfiber sheets
- Polyester/cotton blend sheets
- Polyester/nylon blend sheets
Polyester Sheets Pros and Cons
Pros
- More durable
- Smooth and lightweight
- Wrinkle-resistant
- Less expensive
Cons
- Less breathable
- Made with synthetic material
- More likely to pill
Shopping Tips for Polyester Sheets
- Note the percentage of polyester: Higher-percentage polyester sheets are more likely to pill or pull on rough skin or jewelry. They are also less breathable.
- Choose polyester blends. 100% polyester sheets are not breathable and will make you feel hot and sticky. Sheets that include cotton, Tencel, or nylon will feel cooler and help absorb moisture.
- Don’t buy based on thread count. Polyester sheets can come in astronomically high thread counts, but an 1800 thread count doesn’t make a high-quality sheet. Weave and fabric blends are more important.
Cotton Sheets: Overview
Cotton sheets are made by weaving together threads made from the fibers of cotton plants. These threads come in various staple lengths—short, long, and extra-long fibers—that affect the quality of the fabric. Extra-long fibers like Egyptian cotton and Pima offer the highest quality cotton sheets. Cotton sheets also vary in weaves like percale, sateen, and jersey—affecting breathability and softness.
Breathability
Cotton sheets are usually more breathable than polyester since the fabric is naturally airy and wicks away moisture. Percale cotton sheets significantly help airflow for cooler sleeping.
Thread Count
Cotton sheet thread counts range from 200 to 600. However, thread counts higher than 400 can make cotton sheets less breathable. Thread count is also more of a marketing ploy than a measurement of softness and quality. Cotton sheets with long-staple fibers and single-ply threads are more important than a high thread count.
Durability
Over time cotton sheets will start to thin and shrink, making them slightly less durable than polyester. Percale sheets are tightly-woven, making them the most durable cotton option. However, sateen, jersey, and flannel sheets are more prone to pilling and snags.
Maintenance
Cotton sheets are easy to machine-wash and -dry, but follow your manufacturer’s washing, drying, and ironing instructions for best results. Since cotton shrinks, air or line-dry cotton sheets can help reduce shrinkage.
Feel
Cotton is known for feeling buttery soft and typically becomes softer each time you wash them. Percale cotton sheets feel crisp, like an ironed dress shirt, while sateen feels silky. Flannel cotton sheets feel fuzzy, while jersey feels like a soft, worn-out T-shirt.
Variety
High-quality cotton sheets are available at most retail stores and online. You can find thousands of cotton sheet options in various weaves, fiber lengths, and seasonal weights, including:
- Egyptian cotton sheets
- Organic cotton sheets
- Pima cotton sheets
- Supima cotton sheets (American-grown Pima cotton)
- Cotton percale sheets
- Cotton sateen sheets
- Jersey sheets
- Flannel sheets
Cotton Sheets: Pros and Cons
Pros
- More breathable
- Easy to wash
- Won’t irritate sensitive skin
Cons
- More prone to wrinkles
- Less durable
- Expensive
Shopping Tips for Cotton Sheets
- Don’t stress about thread count. Weave and fiber length are more important than high thread count. Look for sheets with long-staple cotton fibers for quality softness.
- Choose your weave wisely. Percale will feel crisp, sateen luxuriously smooth, jersey soft as a T-shirt, and flannel fluffy and warm.
- Think about breathability. Percale weaves will offer the most breathability if your sleep hot. Flannel and jersey will run warm for the winter months.
- Prepare your budget. You can find less expensive cotton sheets, but you’ll pay more for a high-quality set. A Pima or Egyptian cotton set can cost between $150 and $250.
Who Would Prefer Polyester Sheets?
You may prefer polyester sheets if you:
- Need an affordable sheet set
- Want to avoid wrinkly sheets
- Want durable, long-lasting sheets
Who Would Prefer Cotton Sheets?
You may prefer cotton sheets if you:
- Sleep hot and need more breathable sheets
- Have sensitive skin
- Prefer bedding made with natural materials
Popular Polyester Sheets
Sheex Original Performance Sheet Set
Sheex Sheets
This sheet set allows the body to breathe 10x better than cotton sheets. This will provide you with a cool night sleep, without fear of sleeping hot. Designed by athletes with their athletic wear in mind, they wanted to “sleep fit” and provide everyone with a cool and dry sheet set.
SHEEX sheets stretch, wick moisture, and breathe like athletic wear to help hot sleepers regulate temperature and reduce night sweats. Made with 87% Performance Polyester and 13% spandex, the lightweight non-woven fabric feels cool to the touch and has a soft sheen finish.
Serta Arctic Cooling Sheet Set
Serta Arctic Cooling Sheet Set
The Serta Arctic Cooling Sheet Set was designed specifically to keep you cool all night long. The sheets are comprised of a triple fabric blend of luxe Tencel, cooling nylon, and CoolMAX polyester to provide a cool sleep for everyone, including those who sleep very hot.
Mattress Nerd Score
4.90 / 5
Designed to be paired with the Serta Arctic Mattress, these sheets use the same Reactex cooling system to pull heat away from the body. These sheets feel cool and silky with a 400-thread count blend of Tencel, Coolmax polyester, and nylon.
Popular Cotton Sheets
Casper Percale Sheets
Casper Percale Sheets
These sheets are made with 100% organic cotton and are reasonably priced for their high quality. The percale weave protects the cotton to ensure the sheets are durable and can last you for years, as well as provide a light and airy feel in the sheets to keep you cool all night long.
Made with organic cotton, these Casper sheets boast a 300-thread count that feels crisp and freshly ironed. The sheet’s percale weave adds additional durability and breathability to keep hot sleepers cool.
Boll & Branch Signature Hemmed Sheet Set
Boll & Branch Percale Hemmed Sheet Set
Boll & Branch produces organic, chemical-free, and sustainably sourced bed linens that everyone can enjoy. These sheets provide consumers with an organic item as well as luxurious, with a butter and breathable feel.
Read Full ReviewBoll & Branch sheets use GOTS Certified organic cotton that ensures the material is sourced from safe working conditions, is responsibly harvested, and contains no pesticides or harsh chemicals. Thanks to the fabric’s four-over-one-under weave, the sheets have a soft sheen that feels buttery and breathable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Cotton or polyester sheets better?
Cotton sheets are more breathable and cooling than polyester sheets, but polyester sheets are more durable and less expensive than cotton sheets.
What is the downside to polyester sheets?
Because polyester sheets are made with synthetic materials, they are less breathable and more likely to trap heat and moisture. As a result, you may sleep too hot and wake up in a pool of sweat.
Do cotton sheets make you hot?
Cotton sheets should not make you hot since they are naturally breathable and help absorb moisture. Percale cotton weaves will offer the most breathability for hot sleepers. However, Tencel, linen, and bamboo sheets sleep cooler than cotton.
Takeaway
Cotton and polyester sheets can both be good bedding options depending on your sleep needs and budget. People who sleep hot will prefer the breathability of cotton sheets, especially percale weaves. Polyester sheets are less breathable and often sleep hot. However, choosing polyester blend sheets with more breathable fabrics can improve the breathability and cooling effect. If you’re on a budget, polyester sheets often cost less and will likely outlast more expensive cotton sheets.
Source List
- Shin M, et al. (2016). The effects of fabric for sleepwear and bedding on sleep at ambient temperatures of 17°C and 22°C. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4853167/
- 5 things to know before buying sheets. (2022). https://www.consumerreports.org/sheet/things-to-know-before-buying-sheets-a9843459169/
