I bet you’ve never thought about sex when shopping for new bed sheets. But if you have an active sex life, it’s something worth thinking about. 

Your bed matters a great deal when it comes to having good sex. A noisy box spring, an unsupportive mattress, hot and clammy sheets and other issues can ruin a good romp. In this post, we focus just on just the bed sheets. 

We discuss why bed sheets matter when it comes to sex and the best kinds of bed sheets for sex. 

How to Choose the Best Bed Sheets for Sex

Obviously, you are not buying bed sheets specifically for sex, unless you are getting waterproof adult bed sheets designed specifically for adult activities. 

First and foremost, the bed sheets you get need to be comfortable for sleep since that’s what you’ll be using them for most of the time. Then from there, you can pick bed sheets that are particularly suited for sex. 

Luckily, most bedsheets that are good for sleeping are also great for sex. So you don't have to compromise on a good night’s sleep for sex-friendly sheets. 

Here are the most important factors to consider when shopping for the best bed sheets for sex. 

Soft 

You don’t realize how good soft bed sheets feel against your naked skin until you buy some good quality sheets. You’ll definitely appreciate the soft texture when you are rolling around nude in bed. Of course, soft sheets are also really comfortable to sleep on. 

Polyester sheets, which are the cheapest in the market, are fairly soft but you can get even softer cotton sheets. In any case, polyester sheets fail in other areas, namely breathability, odors and moisture-wicking. 

When it comes to cotton, not all cotton sheets will feel good in bed. The first thing to check is the type of weave. The two most common ones used in sheets are sateen and percale. Sateen cotton sheets are the softest, but they can tend to get a bit warm. 

Percale sheets have a crisp weave that makes them cooler, but they don't have the same buttery soft feel of sateen. 

Thread count also matters. A 300-500 thread count sheet set will feel soft and luxurious. Under 300 will feel a bit rough and over 500 is likely a gimmick and can get too hot. 

For a bit more money, semi-natural sheets like bamboo, Tencel (eucalyptus) and modal are also soft and breathable. 

If you have a bigger budget, go all-natural with linen or silk sheets. Linen sheets are a bit rough at first but they quickly soften after just 2-3 washes. Silk sheets are the softest you can get, but be ready to spend a lot of money on a set.  

Breathable

Things get hot, literally, during sex. Even if you are not covering yourself during your activities, some sheets can still make you feel uncomfortably hot and sweaty. 

Breathable sheets prevent overheating and excess sweating. For the best cooling performance, stick to natural or semi-natural sheets. These include cotton, bamboo, Tencel, modal, silk and linen. For cotton, percale cotton offers better breathability than sateen, but you’ll have to give up some softness.    

Tip: To avoid overheating, get a breathable mattress as well. Pocket coil hybrid and latex mattresses are great for sex. They offer great support and don't trap heat unlike memory foam. 

Moisture-wicking and Quick Drying 

No matter how breathable your bed sheets are, some sweating is inevitable. Low quality sheets don't absorb sweat, leaving you clammy and uncomfortable. After some time, it can feel like you are lying in a pool of your own (and someone else’s) sweat. 

Moisture-wicking sheets will quickly mop up sweat from your skin, which not only keeps you dry but also helps with cooling. 

Moisture-wicking is not enough. You also want sheets that dry quickly. Otherwise, they’ll get damp and make you uncomfortable especially once the excitement dies down. This is why you should be careful with cotton sheets if you or your partner sweats a lot during sex. 

Cotton does a great job absorbing moisture but it dries slowly. All the other natural and semi-natural bed sheets we mentioned before (bamboo, Tencel, Modal, linen and silk) are both moisture-wicking and quick drying.   

No Odors  

One of the benefits of getting moisture-wicking and quick-drying bed sheets for sex is that they don't hold onto odors. Sex can generate a lot of funky smells. Sheets that stay damp can develop unpleasant odors. 

They can also be a breeding ground for bacteria and other germs. 

This is also one reason we don't recommend polyester bed sheets. They trap sweat, which can cause stronger smells. Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon also tend to smell more strongly compared to natural fabrics. We explained why in a previous post.

For minimal odors during and after sex, go for cotton (unless you are a heavy sweater), bamboo, Tencel, modal, linen or silk sheets. 

For even better odor-control, get antimicrobial sheets like the Hercleon Jax sheets. They actively kill odor-causing bacteria, so they stay fresh no matter how hot and sweaty things get.