The best jersey sheets for 2025 will wrap you in coziness — and come in a beautiful range of colors. (Kristin Granero/Yahoo)
Jersey knit sheets are a bedding staple for kids and college students, but that doesn't mean adults should ignore them. These sheets are known for their softness and stretchiness — just imagine the feeling of your favorite well-worn tee. The best jersey sheets are not only ultra-comfortable but also durable, capable of withstanding regular washing and use. Plus (and this might be the most important factor), they won't shimmy off the mattress as you snooze!
As a senior writer at Yahoo who regularly reviews bedding, I recently put eight top-rated jersey sheet sets to the ultimate challenge. I assessed them for look and feel, doused them with water to test their moisture-wicking capabilities and put them through several laundry cycles to gauge any color fading or shrinking. I made (and unmade) my bed more times in one month than I typically do over the course of a year! Though jersey is not always known for wearing well, it's generally affordable, and in the end, I landed on four top picks that combine the best of both worlds.
Jersey is typically made from cotton or a cotton blend. But don't get caught up looking for a high thread count: It's not a good indicator of quality when it comes to jersey. Instead, keep these factors in mind.
Fitted sheet pocket depth: Because jersey sheets are stretchy, they're easy to fit on most beds, but it pays to make sure the fitted sheet has enough depth to comfortably hug your mattress. According to the Sleep Foundation, a standard mattress measures 10-12 inches thick, with a thick/deep mattress 12-14 inches. If yours is on the cusp, I'd recommend going with a higher maximum pocket depth to account for any shrinking in the washer and dryer, and for tucking the fitted sheet under the mattress.
Certifications: These can help you identify bed sheets from reputable organizations that are manufacturered with better practices. A few biggies:
Oeko-Tex-certified sheets have been tested against a list of over 1,000 harmful substances.
GOTS-certified sheets are fully organic and meet the Global Organic Textile Standard's environmental regulations regarding discharges and emissions.
Fair Trade-certified sheets come from companies that fulfill a Trade Standard for a more responsible, sustainable way of operating.
Price: Jersey sheets tend to fall on the budget-friendlier end of bedding. For reference, a queen set of Threshold sheets costs $50 in cotton jersey, $55 in 400-thread-count performance cotton and $80 in Tencel. In my experience, microfiber tends to cost less or around the same as jersey, with linen, rayon and high-thread-count cotton costing more (silk is often the most expensive). Whether sheets are made of organic materials and/or have been awarded certifications like those above can also affect prices.
Because we tested these sheets at home, using our own washers and dryers and sleeping on them in our own beds, we wanted to get a professional take on how best to gauge quality, durability and more without the benefit of professional equipment or a lab. We consulted three fabric experts: Kim Romine, a fabric care scientist at P&G; Liz Eggert, a senior textile scientist at P&G Fabric Care; and Meredith McQuerry, associate professor and director of the ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab and Textile Testing Laboratory at Florida State University. To rank on this list, the sheets had to excel in the following:
First impressions: I carefully surveyed each set of jersey sheets upon arrival, taking note of design elements, softness and coolness, as well as excessive wrinkling, loose threads, snags and any other imperfections. I also measured the pillowcases from each set and set one aside as a control for post-laundry assessments.
Spill test: I used a dropper to apply the same amount of water to a sheet from each set to gauge how well it might handle the occasional spill or moisture. The quicker the water absorbs and spreads, the better indicator of moisture-wicking.
Laundry test: I put each set of jersey sheets through one cycle in the washer and dryer after opening it, and then again after my sleep test, following the label's care instructions. I then reassessed them for any signs of wear, as well as shrinking or color fading.
Sleep test: I made my bed with each set to confirm its various pieces easily and securely fit my king-sized pillows and 12-inch-deep, king-sized mattress. I slept on the sheets for three nights straight to see how well they stayed put, jotting down any additional notes regarding coziness and breathability.
Bare Home Organic Cotton Jersey Sheet Set ($69 for a queen set): These sheets are made of GOTS-certified organic cotton, which was soft and slightly cool to the touch (like a regular cotton tee). I had no issues getting the 16-inch-deep fitted sheet on and around my mattress, and it stayed put. The sheet is moisture-wicking and didn’t show any color fading from washing and drying. That said, the pillowcase shrank significantly, and I found Quince jersey sheets to be slightly softer, with a tad more stretch.
Venice Home 100% Cotton Jersey Sheets ($58 for a queen set): Made of Oeko-Tex-certified cotton jersey, these sheets come in 10 colors and have a similar look and feel to the ones from Bare Home. While I was making my bed, the 16-inch-deep fitted sheet popped off once but didn't budge after I repositioned it. I slept comfortably, and the sheets demonstrated good moisture-wicking abilities. But they also shrunk more than my top picks.
The Company Store Classic Jersey Knit Sheet Set ($164 for a queen set): The sheets in this set are made of cotton jersey and are available in 12 colors. They were comparable to Bare Home and Venice Home in terms of mattress fit, appearance, feel and moisture-wicking capabilities. The test pillowcase shrank less than Bare Home and Venice Home (2.5" lengthwise), but still more than Quince, and this set comes at a higher price.
Amazon Basics Cotton Jersey Sheet Set ($38 for a queen set): Amazon Basics' jersey sheets looked and performed, at least in my "spill test," similar to Pottery Barn Teen and Walmart — and tied with Target Threshold in the middle for coziness. I gave Walmart the win for budget pick because it offers more colors, with Oeko-Tex certification. (Amazon's sheets also shrank a bit more, though, as with all of the sheets I tested, they still fit.)
What are jersey sheets?
Jersey sheets are characterized by their softeness, similar to what you'd expect from your favorite relaxed tee. Because they're knitted, they're also referred to as jersey knit sheets, and they're typically stretchier than other fabrics. I've also found them easier to smooth out, or at least not as prone to deep creases.
Are jersey sheets warm, hot or cool?
If you're looking for cooling sheets, you may want to skip jersey, as it tends to feel warmer to the touch than non-knitted fabrics like cotton, rayon and linen. Jersey sheets are not as hot or heavy as flannel sheets, making them a good alternative for hot sleepers in cold months. Otherwise, I've found that jersey sheets take on a similar temperature to the rest of the environment (i.e., much cooler with air conditioning on).
How do you care for jersey sheets?
Most jersey sheets are low-maintenance — again, just like your favorite tee. All of the jersey sheets I tested are machine-washable, and many brands recommend tumble drying them on low heat. Using a mild laundry detergent (avoiding bleach) and cold or warm water can help preserve, or at least prolong, the lifespan of the sheets in terms of shrinking and color fading.
Liz Eggert, senior textile scientist, P&G Fabric Care
Meredith McQuerry, associate professor and director, ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab and Textile Testing Laboratory, Florida State University
Kim Romine, fabric care scientist, P&G
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective and unbiased criteria.
