How we test bed sheets: Inside our expert review process

Tom's Guide reviews and buying guides are rooted in rigorous review processes and our bedsheet recommendations are no exception. Just like our guide to the best mattresses for all sleepers, this involves a combination of both subjective and objective testing.

First, we select the most popular bed sheets on the market based on extensive research, hand picking offerings from leading bedding brands such as Coop Sleep Goods and Brooklinen, ensuring our selection spans all budgets and sleep needs.
Our team of bedding and sleep experts then put the bed sheets to test with one goal in mind: to find bedding sets that feel as good as they look on the bed. We do this by carefully asses factors such as fit, feel and durability, as well as the temperature regulation of the material and ease of maintenance. Here's a closer look at our bed sheet testing methodology:

Our approach to testing bed sheets

Our testing process begins by measuring the dimensions of the sheet to see if it matches the brand specifications. We always advise against using bedding without washing them first. Once this is done, we re-measure the sheets and check for any shrinkage.

It's only once these two crucial steps are complete that we get into the actual hands-on use — sleeping on the sheets for a week, paying attention to the comfort, feel and breathability. Going by the fact that we should change our bed sheets every one to two weeks, sleeping on a sheet set for a week also gives us the time to wash it twice (before and after 7 days) to check for any wear and tear, color fading or pilling.

Finally, we weigh the overall experience and ease of maintenance to assess the value for money. Each parameter is scored on scale from 1-5, with 5 being the highest rating.

How we collect bed sheet testing data

• In-house bed sheet testing
• User reviews across retailer websites
• Bedding manufacturers

Let's take a closer look at each parameter:

Bed sheet performance rating

We use a score system of 1-5 to evaluate bed sheet performance:

1: Poor
2: Unsatisfactory
3: Satisfactory
4: Good
5: Outstanding

The final score awarded to a bed sheet set is calculated by finding the mean score across the following areas of performance:

1. How they feel

Look is subjective but comfort is universal. How it feels is a primary factor which helps us determine the quality of a bedsheet.

Depending on the type of fabric and thread count (the sum of horizontal and vertical threads in one square inch of fabric) we check if the quality matches the claims made by the brand.

We sleep on it for 7 days which helps us understand how soft they feel against our skin, note any changes after the first wash and over time during the testing period.

2. How they fit

Based on the size opted for, we check if the sheet set correctly fits our bed without having too much fabric left to be tucked in or being too short for the mattress.

Our tester tries changing sleeping positions to check if it stays securely in place or if it bunches up or slips off easily during the night. A very slippery bedsheet will shift too much beneath you which can feel uncomfortable when trying to sleep.

3. Temperature regulation

Top quality bedsheets are often made from plant-derived fibers like cotton and hemp, which are known for their breathability and moisture-wicking properties. On the other hand, those crafted using synthetic materials can lead to overheating and sweating, a recipe for sleep disaster.

We assess the temperature regulation of a bed sheet based on user experience. This is subjective and also dependent on other factors like room temperature, season and the type of mattress.

Our tester report if they experience any discomfort, overheating or nightsweats during the 7-day testing period, as well as noting the season, temperature of the bedroom and any other lifestyle factors that could elevate their temperature at night.

4. Durability

We wash the bed sheets twice, as per the manufacturers specifications: once before and once after our one-week testing period. This helps us determine any shrinkage or size changes, color fading or pilling.

We also do a tug test by gently pulling at the seams to asses the stitching strength. We check for any noticeable thinning or wear and tear after the wash cycles. A cheap bedsheet with a low thread count can thin out fast, which means having to replace them frequently.

5. Ease of care

We also score a bed sheet set for how easy it is to care for. If a bed sheet set looks and feels great on the bed but requires specialist cleaning, we'll tell you. In this section, we examining care labels; how hot can you wash your bed sheets at, are they tumble dryer friendly and how wrinkled are they post wash and dry?

A bed sheet set will get a full score of 5 out 5 stars for being machine-washable on a cool cycle with a normal mild detergent, tumble dryer friendly and relatively wrinkle-free for low maintenance care. We also remeasure the sheets post wash and dry to assess for any shrinkage.