Out of 34 bamboo sheet sets we tested, these are the very best.
Lindsey Lanquist is an experienced writer and editor specializing in health, wellness, fitness, fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content. You can find her work in Real Simple, VeryWell, SELF, StyleCaster, SheKnows, MyDomaine, The Spruce, Byrdie, and more. Printed Polyester Fabric
We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.
Bamboo bed sheets are best known for their natural temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking properties. They also have a silky-smooth feel and lightweight construction, which makes bamboo sheets basically everything you could ask for in a cooling bed sheet. Even though they can be more costly than other types of sheets, bamboo options might be worth the investment for people who often overheat at night.
But first, some clarification: Bamboo sheets are not actually made from raw bamboo. In reality, they're made of rayon, lyocell, or viscose fabric derived from bamboo fibers. So, don't panic if you see those words on your product tag and think you've been tricked into buying polyester sheets. “If the description doesn't say 100 percent viscose, rayon, or lyocell, it's likely a bamboo blend or another material altogether,” says Stephen Light, CEO and co-owner of Nolah Technologies (a bedding manufacturer).
To find the best bamboo sheets, we tested 34 sets in our Lab and in real-world conditions over a six month testing period, evaluating them on quality, texture, breathability, durability, and value. For expert advice on what to look for when shopping for bamboo sheets, we spoke with Light, as well as Jeffrey Kambak, CEO of U.S. operations at The Trident Group (a textiles manufacturer) and vice president of the Home Fashion Products Association, and Jolanda Thomas, former associate product development merchant at The Company Store.
These soft and silky sheets stay cool through the night and feature deep pockets with elastic corners.
They are not available in split king size.
Bamboo sheets tend to be more expensive than cotton, which is why we were thrilled to find a set of high-quality bamboo bed sheets at such a great value. In our testing, we found the Bampure Bamboo Bed Sheets to be soft, silky, and cool to the touch. In fact, they are among the top-rated cooling sheets. The smooth sateen weave gives them a lovely sheen and high-end appearance, and the thread count is 300, which falls right in the optimal range for bamboo viscose.
After lying on the sheets for five minutes, we noticed very little increase in temperature, and the sheets seemed less prone to wrinkling than many of the others we tested. We particularly appreciate that these sheets have a deep pocket and an elastic corner band to keep them in place.
Post-wash, there were no visible signs of damage and very minimal shrinking—they even became softer after washing and drying. Additionally, the sheets are certified Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex, meaning they’ve been tested for harmful substances. After six months of real-world testing, these sheets proved to be just as silky and lightweight as they were when we opened them. Compared to linen or cotton sheets, they also wrinkled less, so you can achieve a hotel-crisp bed without taking out the iron.
The sheets are available in several colors ranging from neutrals to jewel tones, so you’re bound to find a set that matches your existing bedding. It comes in a set of four with one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, and two pillowcases.
Price at time of publish: $110 for queen
Material: Bamboo viscose | Thread Count: 300 | Pocket: 16 inches | Size Range: Twin-California king | Certifications: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex | Return Policy: 30 days
These sheets offer the cooling, moisture-wicking feel of bamboo at a budget-friendly price.
They aren’t made from 100% bamboo, but a combination of bamboo and microfiber.
Bamboo sheets can get expensive, so one option if you want to save money is to buy sheets made with a bamboo blend. Made of 60 percent brushed microfiber (polyester) and 40 percent bamboo rayon, the Zen Bamboo Luxury Bamboo Sheets offer incredible value.
Thanks to the microfiber, the sheets feel substantial, while also keeping us cool—although they won’t be as cooling as true bamboo sheets, since polyester traps heat. When we subjected these sheets to water, coffee, and oil, they proved moisture-wicking and easy to clean. Most stains came right out in the wash, and unlike other bamboo sheets we’ve tested, these never shrunk, wrinkled, or slid around—even when we machine-washed them or tossed and turned in bed.
Despite their budget-friendly price point, the sheets look and feel expensive. They’re finished with luxurious details, like clean stitching and French seams. The 16-inch deep pockets fit a range of mattresses, and we love that it comes in several sizes (twin to California king), as well as a dozen different colors.
Price at time of publish: $39 for queen
Material: 60% brushed microfiber, 40% bamboo rayon | Thread Count: 1,500 | Pocket: 16 inches | Size Range: Twin-California king | Certifications: Not listed | Return Policy: 30 days
These sheets are extremely soft, breathable, and wrinkle-resistant. They also come with extra-deep pockets to accommodate all mattress sizes.
They developed a few loose threads with regular washing.
Cozy Earth’s internet-famous bed sheets gave an impressive performance during our testing. We were immediately struck by the soft and smooth feel of these sheets, and the embroidered logo makes them seem very high-end.
The bamboo sheets had an immediate cooling sensation that remained even after lying on them for five minutes. After we washed them, they were extremely soft and free of wrinkles—a huge advantage over other bamboo sheet sets. We slept in these sheets for six months straight because we couldn’t get enough of their super-soft, hotel-quality feel. With regular washing every two weeks we noticed a few loose threads, but considering we used them nightly, this level of wear is minimal.
The 320 thread count is within the ideal range for bamboo sheets, and the 20-inch pockets are deep enough to fit almost any mattress. The sheet set is available in six different sizes and five different earth-tone colors. These are the most expensive bamboo sheets we tested, but if you can swing it with your budget, we feel confident this set will give you a comfortable night’s sleep for many years to come. Plus, the sheet set comes with an impressive 100-day trial and 10-year warranty.
Price at time of publish: $369 for queen
Material: Bamboo viscose | Thread Count: 320 | Pocket: 20 inches | Size Range: Twin-split king | Certifications: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex | Return Policy: 100 days via manufacturer
Because these sheets are made of bamboo and cotton, they're more lightweight and breathable than other blends.
They’re not silky smooth like other bamboo sheets.
Many bamboo-blend sheets combine bamboo with polyester—a synthetic fabric known to trap heat. But these Brooklyn Bedding Bamboo Cotton Sheets take a different approach. Made of bamboo rayon and cotton, the sheets feel sturdy and substantial, yet they’re still breathable and moisture-wicking.
Like bamboo, cotton is lightweight and breathable, so these sheets feel cool to the touch. They passed our heat test, hardly warming up when we spent 10 minutes lying on them. And while they weren’t as fast-absorbing as all-bamboo alternatives, they still wicked moisture quickly and effectively. The sheets also held up well in the wash. They didn’t thin, fray, or dramatically shrink. And while they emerged from the laundry looking wrinkly, they felt even softer and silkier than they did before.
Because 300-thread-count cotton is pricier than polyester, these sheets aren’t as cheap as other bamboo-blend options. They’re still a good value though, and we also like that they come in a bunch of sizes, including hard-to-find options like twin XL and split king. And thanks to their deep elastic pockets, making the bed is a breeze—even if you have a thick mattress.
Price at time of publish: $159 for queen
Material: Bamboo rayon, cotton | Thread Count: 300 | Pocket: 17 inches | Size Range: Twin-split king | Certifications: Not listed | Return Policy: 30 days
These sheets combine the breathability of linen with the softness of bamboo.
They're only available in queen and king sizes.
Blending bamboo with other fabrics can often compromise its cooling ability and softness, but the Kassatex Linen-Bamboo Sheet Set is an exception. The blend of 60 percent linen and 40 percent bamboo viscose combines the best of both of these fabrics. Linen is renowned for its temperature-regulating capabilities, meaning it keeps you cool in the warmer months and warm in the cooler months. And combining it with bamboo helps to offset the crispness and scratchy texture of linen, leaving you with a softer and more durable sheet set.
The addition of linen makes these bamboo-blend sheets extraordinarily lightweight and breathable, and we loved the on-trend textured surface. We also found these sheets to be extremely soft to the touch without being overly slippery or silky, like some other bamboo sheets.
Because these sheets are mostly linen, they are more prone to wrinkling than the other options on our list. And while the set comes with a fitted sheet and two pillowcases, you have to pay extra for the flat sheet. We wish they came in more size options, too. Still, they’ve held up remarkably well over time, and are some of the softest sheets we’ve ever tried.
Price at time of publish: $280 for queen
Material: 60% linen, 40% bamboo viscose | Thread Count: Not listed | Pocket: 18 inches | Size Range: Queen and king | Certifications: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex | Return Policy: 60 days
These sheets combine the cooling ability of bamboo with the softness and breathability of cotton.
They lose some of their silkiness after the first wash.
These sheets from The Company Store offer the best of both cotton and bamboo fabrics. Made with 70 percent bamboo viscose and 30 percent combed cotton, these comfortable sheets have the durability and moisture-wicking properties of bamboo, but with the breathability and feel of cotton. In fact, these sheets reminded us of those you would find at an upscale hotel.
In our testing, the sheets had a cooling sensation that lasted the entire time we laid on them, and we found the fitted sheet very easy to slip on and off the mattress, thanks to the smooth sateen weave and deep pockets.
These breathable sheets lost some of their silkiness after our initial wash test, which made them feel closer to all-cotton sheets. Despite this slight drawback, after six months of testing they showed no wear and tear and maintained their silky feel. They quickly became our favorite sheets for warmer months and even displaced our favorite fleece sheets in colder seasons. We also like that the sheets come in several colors, and they can even be monogrammed for a thoughtful gift that will give the recipient years of use.
Price at time of publish: $209 for queen
Material: 70% bamboo viscose, 30% cotton | Thread Count: 300 | Pocket: 16 inches | Size Range: Twin-king | Certifications: None listed | Return Policy: 90 days
They’re not very durable, and they only come in white.
If you’re looking for the most lightweight bamboo sheets you can find, these Nolah Bamboo Sheets are tough to top. Made entirely of bamboo viscose, the sheets feel incredibly soft and breathable—we could feel their cooling effects the moment we touched them, and found that they stayed cool through the night. The sheets also absorbed water in just six seconds, further confirming that they’re a great option for anyone who gets hot and sweaty at night.
When the sheets arrived, they looked and felt high-quality, and they held up in the wash. Our only qualm? The sheets aren’t just lightweight—they’re delicate. When we rubbed them with sandpaper, they developed several small holes. (Most of the other sheets we tested just pilled.) And even after we washed the sheets, stain outlines stuck around. Still, the color hasn’t faded after several months of testing.
Since the sheets are so expensive, we expected them to be more durable. But on the whole, we were still impressed. We also appreciate that the sheets come in hard-to-find sizes, like twin XL and split king—we’d just love to see them available in more colors beyond white.
Price at time of publish: $219 for queen
Material: Bamboo viscose | Thread Count: Not listed | Pocket: 16 inches | Size Range: Twin-split king | Certifications: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex | Return Policy: 30 days
They’re only available in queen and king sizes.
Because bamboo sheets are so cooling and breathable, they’re great for warmer seasons. But if you want a set you can use year-round, we heartily recommend these Bamboo Bliss Bamboo Sateen Sheets.
The sheets are made of bamboo rayon and spun with a sateen weave, so they feel silky smooth. But thanks to their 400 thread count, they’re denser and heavier than other bamboo sheets we’ve tested. (We’d classify them as mid-weight, rather than lightweight.) Still, the sheets are as cooling and moisture-wicking as you’d expect bamboo bedding to be. We found these sheets to be highly moisture-wicking, if not as cooling as other sheets—which is exactly what you want in a year-round sheet set.
The sheets also impressed us with their durability. When we first unboxed them, they didn’t seem that sturdy, but they held up well in the wash, and most stains came out with ease. Given their silky feel and durability, we think they’re on offer at an amazing price. And while we’re disappointed that they come in just two sizes, we appreciate that they’re available in a range of pretty shades.
Price at time of publish: $109 for queen
Material: Bamboo rayon | Thread Count: 400 | Pocket: 15 inches | Size Range: Queen-king | Certifications: Not listed | Return Policy: 30 days
These sheets are made from certified organically grown bamboo.
They are only available in three neutral colors.
Although many bamboo sheets make claims to be organic, the Simply Organic Bamboo Sheet Set is the only one on our list made with viscose from bamboo that is certified organically grown by Ecocert, an independent organization that offers organic certifications.
These bamboo sheets earned high marks in our testing, too. We loved their softness and breathability, and we think that they’d be especially great for summer. The fitted sheet will be easy to slip over your mattress, and the 18-inch deep pockets can accommodate most mattress sizes. The sheets only come in three neutral colors, so this isn’t the best option for people who prefer bright hues. But we do think the available colors are universal enough to go with any existing bedding or decor you may have.
Price at time of publish: $209 for queen
Material: Bamboo viscose | Thread Count: 300 | Pocket: 18 inches | Size Range: Twin-split king | Certifications: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex and certified organically grown by Ecocert | Return Policy: 30 days
These sheets held up the best after our sandpaper test.
They held onto more heat and absorbed moisture more slowly than alternatives.
Bamboo sheets tend to be soft, lightweight, and breathable, which sometimes comes at the cost of durability. But Bamboo Bay’s Bamboo Sheets don’t force you to choose between the two.
Made of sateen-weave bamboo viscose, the sheets feel incredibly soft and lightweight. And during our tests, they proved remarkably durable. We subjected the sheets to coffee, oil, and foundation, and every stain came out in the wash. And when we rubbed the sheets with sandpaper, they actually got smoother, though they did thin a little. These results were rare: Most of the sheets we tested showed remnants of stains and pilled when exposed to sandpaper.
The sheets also kept us cool, although they didn’t perform as well in our moisture test. But given their impressive performance in our durability tests, this felt like a minor downside (especially since they proved to be cooling in long-term testing). And we appreciate that the sheets come in a range of colors and sizes, making it easy to find a set worth buying.
Price at time of publish: $110 for queen
Material: Bamboo viscose | Thread Count: 300 | Pocket: 16 inches | Size Range: Full-California king | Certifications: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex | Return Policy: 30 days
Our top pick is the Bampure Bamboo Sheet Set because it proved to be soft, cooling, wrinkle-resistant, and durable in our testing—not to mention a great value. We also like Zen Bamboo’s Luxury 1500 Series Bamboo Sheets, a polyester-bamboo sheet set that’s soft, moisture-wicking, and cooling, despite being cheaper than all-bamboo alternatives.
We tested 34 bamboo sheets and evaluated each sheet set before and after washing them.
We first assessed the quality of each sheet by visually inspecting it for loose or uneven threads, imperfections in the dye or pattern, and any other flaws. During this inspection, we used a tape measure to measure the dimensions of each sheet and compared them to the specifications provided by the manufacturer.
Next, we tested each sheet set by making a bed in our Lab, using the fitted sheet, flat sheet, and pillowcases, and taking note of the texture as we worked. Once the bed was made, we laid on it to assess the breathability of each sheet set—wearing short sleeves to make sure to experience how they feel on bare skin—and took note of whether the sheets initially felt cool to the touch and whether they maintained this sensation after five minutes. To account for the density and weave, we also held each sheet up to a light and recorded whether we could see any light passing through and to what degree.
Then we washed and dried each sheet set according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After laundering, we recorded the measurements again to see if the sheets shrank or stretched. Finally, we remade the bed and took note of any signs of wear or damage on the sheets to assess their durability.
Once testing was complete, we reviewed the price of each sheet set and scored its overall value, considering its performance, materials, and price.
Bamboo Viscose/Bamboo Rayon: Most bamboo sheets are made of bamboo viscose or bamboo rayon. Both materials are made by extracting cellulose from bamboo and treating it with a chemical solvent. And both are known for their soft, lightweight, and breathable feel, as well as their ability to wick moisture. Bamboo viscose and bamboo rayon also tend to be softer, more durable, and less expensive than bamboo lyocell (another bamboo-based material), though they’re made in a less eco-friendly way, says Stephen Light, CEO and co-owner of Nolah Technologies.
Bamboo Lyocell: Considered the most sustainable bamboo material, bamboo lyocell is produced by dissolving raw bamboo in a solvent. It is considered more eco-friendly than viscose because 99 percent of the water and solvent are reused and recycled during the treatment process. Like viscose and rayon, bamboo lyocell is soft, moisture-wicking, and cooling. But it may not be as soft and sturdy as viscose and rayon, and it’s often more expensive. “In general, bamboo viscose and rayon are softer and more durable, but bamboo lyocell production is more eco-friendly,” Light says. “The ‘better’ option depends on what you want from your bedding.”
Bamboo Blends: When shopping, you’ll also see bamboo blended with other materials, like cotton, linen, or polyester. Blending can make the fabric stronger and more affordable (as is the case with Zen’s Bamboo Luxury 1500 Series Bamboo Sheets, our best budget pick). But it can also make the fabric less breathable, moisture-wicking, or soft.
Bamboo sheets are most commonly found with twill or sateen weaves, but your choice will largely come down to personal preference: “Sheet constructions are deeply personal,” says Jeffrey Kambak, CEO of U.S. operations at The Trident Group (a textiles manufacturer) and vice president of the Home Fashion Products Association.
Sateen uses a one-thread-under and three-or-four-threads-over pattern, which gives it an ultra-soft feel and a slight sheen. “Sateen can retain the silky and soft feel of bamboo to the greatest extent,” says Jolanda Thomas, former associate product development merchant at The Company Store. Twill weaves make a sturdier fabric, but it’s also less breathable than sateen. Bamboo percale sheets are the most breathable, but they’re harder to find.
Pocket depth refers to the maximum mattress height a fitted sheet can accommodate. To determine the pocket depth necessary for your mattress, measure it from top to bottom—and don't forget to include your mattress topper in your measurement.
While a 12-inch pocket depth will technically fit a 12-inch mattress height, you want to give yourself a little wiggle room so your sheets don't end up sliding up the corners of your mattress. As a rule of thumb, subtract two inches from the pocket depth of your fitted sheet to determine if it will fit your mattress comfortably. For example, a pocket depth of 16 inches will comfortably fit a mattress that's 14 inches tall or less. During testing, we found that Cozy Earth's bamboo sheet set would be best for extra-thick mattresses because it has an impressive 20-inch pocket.
Experts agree that a higher thread count is not necessarily better: "We've done a horrible job educating consumers that the quality of sheets is tied to thread count, and it's absolutely not," says Kambak. "It's much more about the quality of the yarn and how good the company is at finishing the textiles." A higher thread count actually makes the fabric denser, which can restrict the airflow of your sheets.
For bamboo sheets, Kambak suggests looking for a thread count between 200 and 400. Anything higher than 1,000 usually indicates lower quality because manufacturers can use thinner fibers to cram in as many threads as possible. “Bamboo fibers are naturally soft, smooth, and durable, so a higher thread count isn't necessary,” Light adds.
Independent third-party tests ensure that textiles, such as bedding, meet specific standards for product safety. Because most bamboo sheets undergo a chemical treatment process, there can be a residual of these harmful substances on the textile's surface. The Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex certification ensures that products have been tested and proven safe from harmful substances—most of the sheets on our list have received this certification.
,While the factors above are important, there's no better way to determine which sheets you like best than by sleeping on them in your bed. Fortunately, many companies offer a sleep-trial period, often ranging from 30 to 100 days. (Our top splurge pick, Cozy Earth's Bamboo Sheet Set, offers a generous 100-day trial period, for instance.) You'll typically be able to return the sheets for a refund within this period.
Cosy House Collection Luxury Bamboo Sheets: These budget-friendly sheets are made of a polyester-bamboo blend, so they offer great value, while still feeling soft, sturdy, and cool to the touch. That said, the sheets warmed up more than all-bamboo alternatives, and they’re pricier than our best budget pick.
Layla Bamboo Sheets: Layla's soft and silky sheets held up well in our testing and provided a real cooling sensation. However, the color options are pretty limited: The set only comes in gray and white at the moment.
Quince Bamboo Sheet Set: The only reason these sheets didn’t receive five stars right out of the box is because we noticed they had a funny smell and uneven stitching. But given the great price, we think these minor issues could be overlooked.
Although bamboo sheets are technically derived from bamboo, they don't usually contain any raw bamboo material. Most bamboo sheets start with pulp, which is then dissolved in a chemical solution and forced through a machine to create filaments (or regenerated cellulose) that is then spun into a fabric. "In reality, you can't call them bamboo sheets—people are actually getting fined by the FTC," says Kambak. "You have to either use 'rayon from bamboo' or 'viscose from bamboo' in the labeling."
It depends on your preferences. Bamboo sheets are extremely effective at drawing heat away from the body and wicking away moisture. Cotton is generally softer (depending on its thread count) and crisper, while bamboo has more of a silky finish.
However, cotton tends to be more affordable than bamboo, unless you're splurging on premium cottons such as Egyptian or Supima. In our testing, The Company Store Cotton Bamboo Sateen Sheet Set's blend of bamboo viscose and cotton made it feel less silk-like, making it better suited for those who prefer the feel of traditional cotton sheets.
Although bamboo viscose and bamboo rayon sheets are often marketed as "green" or "eco-friendly,” this topic is hotly debated. Kambak says that from a plant perspective, bamboo is eco-friendly because it doesn't require much irrigation or chemicals and grows back quickly—almost like a weed. "However, chemicals are used in the process of creating cellulose from bamboo," says Kambak.
Bamboo lyocell uses a more sustainable treatment process than viscose and rayon, but it's more expensive and harder to come by. And when not properly sourced, bamboo-derived textiles can contribute to deforestation. Always look for bamboo sheets that are transparent about their production and sourcing processes.
Always default to the specific manufacturer's care instructions before washing your sheets. Generally, bamboo sheets can be washed in cold water with mild detergent and tumble-dried on low heat. Avoid washing them with towels if you don't want linty sheets. Since bamboo sheets are soft right out of the package, fabric softener is not necessary. In fact, Light recommends avoiding it: “To protect your bamboo bedding, you should never bleach bamboo bedding or add fabric softeners,” he says.
“Fake bamboo sheets typically use polyester or microfiber and may have a soft feel and slight sheen to try to mimic bamboo,” Light says. “However, they aren't as smooth as the real thing, won't last as long, and will likely trap body heat.” To ensure you’re getting real bamboo sheets, check the material composition. If it doesn't say 100 percent viscose, rayon, or lyocell, it's likely a bamboo blend, or even a completely different material altogether.
This article was written by Melanie Fincher and updated by Lindsey Lanquist. To find the best bamboo sheets, we tested 34 sets of sheets in our Lab and evaluated them for quality, texture, breathability, durability, and value. For expert tips on how to buy bamboo sheets, we tapped Jeffrey Kambak, CEO of U.S. operations at The Trident Group (a textiles manufacturer) and vice president of the Home Fashion Products Association; Jolanda Thomas, associate product development merchant at The Company Store; and Stephen Light, CEO and co-owner of Nolah Technologies (a bedding manufacturer).
Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn't an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.
Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.
Polyester Elastane Fabric By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.