We spend about a third of our entire lives sleeping, so we best put a lot of attention to making the bedroom the most comfortable as possible – starting with the bed itself.

While the mattress is undoubtedly the star of the show (tip: a mattress topper is game-changing) and pillows and blankets extremely vital supporting acts, bedsheets also have a significant role to play in helping you catch that coveted good night’s snooze. After all, it’s what comes into direct contact with your skin.

From good ol’ regular cotton to luxurious silk to trendy bamboo fabric, here’s a guide to 10 different types of bedsheets — along with their pros and cons — that you can buy.

Regular cotton sheets

Cotton is one of, if not the oldest and most commonly used fabrics on the planet, used for everything from clothing to towels to home decor. Cotton fibres are derived from fluffy cotton plans and spun into yarn, which is then woven into fabric to be sewn into anything, such as a bedsheet.

When buying cotton sheets, you might want to check if it’s made out of 100% cotton or blended with another fabric. While a hybrid fabric is usually cheaper and more resistant to wrinkles, it also tends to be less comfortable and breathable than pure cotton.

Pros: Soft, durable, breathable

Cons: Easily wrinkled, takes a long time to dry

Shop regular cotton sheets here:

1. Weavve 100% Cotton Bed Sheet Set, from $98.102. Pizuna 400 Thread Count Cotton Fitted Bed Sheet, from  $27.99

Egyptian cotton sheets

Egyptian cotton is — as you can probably tell from the name — grown in Egypt and is widely regarded as one of the finest materials in the world. It reportedly owes its quality to the unique climate and fertile soil in the country, which allows the cotton fibres to grow longer and finer than regular cotton, resulting in a very smooth weave.

If you’re looking for something that lasts, Egyptian cotton is also a great choice as it ages like a fine wine, getting softer and softer with each wash. 

Pros: Breathable, durable, moisture-wicking

Cons: Requires careful care, needs multiple washes to reach maximum softness, expensive

Shop Egyptian cotton bedsheets here:1. Oak & Sand 100% Giza Egyptian Cotton Bedsheet Set, from $138.502. Threadmill Home Linen 100% Egyptian Cotton Sheet Set, from $82.34

Supima cotton sheets

Supima cotton is so rare that it makes up just 1% of cotton grown all over the world. Hailing from the United States, it has long and fine fibres like Egyptian cotton and generally offers similar benefits like durability and softness.

One edge that it has over Egyptian cotton is that if you purchase something that claims to be Supima cotton, you know you’re getting the real deal as it is better regulated — in fact, the name “Supima” is a trademarked brand, so authenticity and quality won’t be a concern.

Pros: Very soft, durable, breathable

Cons: May be difficult to find, expensive

Shop Supima cotton bedsheets here:

EPITEX 100% Supima Cotton Bedsheet Set, from $149.50Kinu Gold Supima Cotton 1500TC Premium Quality Fitted Sheet Set, from $151.20 

Cotton percale sheets

The name percale refers to the type of weave used to make these sheets, which is a traditional criss-cross pattern that results in a smooth, matte finish that’s both soft and strong. Because of how tightly it’s woven, you can be assured that these sheets will last you for years to come as well.

Some users have reported percale sheets producing a more audible rustling noise when moving about on the bed, so light sleepers who jolt awake easily at the slightest noise might want to take note of this.

Pros: Smooth, breathable, low maintenance

Cons: Easily wrinkled, audible rustling when sleeper moves

Shop cotton percale bedsheets here:

1. Sojao Crisp Percale Set, from $107.202. Laura Ashley Home 6-Piece Percale Weave Sheet Set, from $95.52

Bamboo sheets

Bamboo sheets are a fabulous choice for those looking to make more environmentally conscious lifestyle choices. This is because their fabric is made from bamboo, a famously sustainable and renewable resource.

Bamboo fabric is also naturally hypoallergenic, making it ideal for those with allergies and sensitive skin. Those of us who constantly find ourselves complaining about Singapore’s warm weather would also be thrilled to know that it’s cooling — three degrees cooler than cotton, in fact.

Pros: Soft, cooling, hypoallergenic, eco-friendly

Cons: Wrinkles easily, requires careful care, expensive

Shop bamboo bedsheets here:

1. Bedtribe Iced Bamboo Sheets Set, from $992. Sunday Bedding Bamboo Sateen Sheet Set, from $228

Linen sheets

If cottagecore is your preferred aesthetic, go for linen bedsheets, which have a distinctive texture that adds a gentle rustic charm to anything they’re draped over.

Linen is made from fibres derived from the flax plant and can start off feeling a little crisp at first, but a few washes will soften it up in no time. Like bamboo, it’s also ideal for a cool night’s sleep as it can wick away moisture from the body — a win in our humid weather.

Pros: Durable, moisture-wicking, gets softer with every wash

Cons: Expensive, easily wrinkled

Shop linen sheet sets here:

1. Annette Singapore French Linen Bedding Set, from $1682. Shilucheng Pure Linen King Size Bed Sheet Set, $203.38

Tencel sheets

Tencel is the trademarked name for lyocell fabric, which is made from wood cellulose, typically that of eucalyptus trees. Their absorbent, cooling properties make it yet another choice contender for those in warmer temperatures.

Being made from wood pulp also means the sheets are biodegradable, meaning you don’t have to worry about any nasty environmental impact, but before that, rest assured that they’ll last you a long time without losing colour or smoothness.

Pros: Absorbent, soft, durable, eco-friendly

Cons: Expensive, can shrink

Shop tencel bedsheets here:

1. Chateau Home Collection Tencel Cotton Sheets for Queen Size Bed, $158.242. Sleep Tech Cooling Pure Tencel Lyocell 1600TC Bedsheet, from $49.90

Silk sheets

Want a bedroom fit for royalty? Look no further than silk sheets.

Posh aesthetics aside, silk sheets are extremely soft and are great for keeping your hair and skin in tip-top condition. This is because the lack of friction prevents the fabric from rubbing too much on your body. Of course, silk sheets can be extremely pricy, but they will be well worth the investment if you can afford it.

Pros: Gentler on skin and hair, soft, breathable

Cons: Very expensive, delicate

Shop silk bedding here:

1. LilySilk Silk Fitted Sheet Set, from $1,439.052. Bask Silk Bedding Set, from $1,159

Jersey sheets

Jersey is more widely known to be used in T-shirts, but they make great bedsheets too due to their soft and snuggly feel. Because they’re knitted instead of woven, they’re also stretchy, making them easy to put on your mattress and pretty much wrinkle-free.

Best of all, jersey sheets tend to be on the more affordable side, so if you’re a little tight on cash because of home renovations and rising costs, this is a great option that’ll let you save while enjoying ultra comfortable sleep.

Pros: Breathable, low maintenance, affordable

Cons: Prone to shrinkage, feels less luxurious

Shop jersey sheet sets here:

1. LIFETOWN Jersey Knit Cotton Sheet Set, from $73.982. Bedding Day Jersey Cotton 800TC Fitted Sheet Set, from $19.90

Microfibre sheets

Another affordable option is microfibre sheets, which are made from synthetic materials and cheaper to produce while remaining soft, lightweight, and easy to clean and maintain.

However, these sheets can be quite thin and not be as durable as the other options on this list. The manufacturing process is also a lot less environmentally friendly and the sheets are non-biodegradable — something to think about if you want to make more eco-conscious choices.

Pros: Affordable, easy to clean, soft

Cons: Thin, not very breathable, not eco-friendly

Shop microfibre bedsheet sets here:

1. CGK Unlimited Sheet Set, from $42.092. MaxCoil Essential Microfibre Fitted Bedsheet Set, from $19.90