Bamboo sheets vs cotton bedding—this is a dilemma bedding shoppers often face.
Which is more comfortable? What are the main differences between the two and is bamboo really better than cotton?
Let’s find out the answers.
Cotton or Bamboo Sheets: A Quick Overview
Before we get started with the pros and cons, let’s go over the basics.
What are bamboo sheets?
Bamboo sheets are created from soft, sturdy and long bamboo fibres. The raw fibre goes through a process where the cellulose is chemically extracted from the pulp. It’s then spun into yarn and afterwards processed to create threads.
Since the fibres are long, bamboo threads can be woven together, increasing the thread count of the material and its softness. Bamboo sheets are usually sold in a sateen or twill weave, with the former making the sheets feel softer and silkier.
Types of bamboo sheets
There are three different types of bamboo sheets:
Where can you find the best bamboo sheets in Australia? Find out in this article!
Rayon/Viscose bamboo
Both rayon and viscose go through several chemical processes to create soft and smooth silky sheets. They are more cost-effective than lyocell, but not very environmentally friendly. On the plus side, they are hypoallergenic so great for people with allergies or sensitive skin. Plus they easily absorb dye giving you bedding in vibrant colours and designs.
Lyocell (Tencel) bamboo
The most popular type of bamboo sheets, lyocell is made from bamboo cellulose and is an eco-friendly option since it uses non-toxic solutions (unlike the viscose procedure which generates carbon sulphide).
Bamboo linen
This is a bamboo composite that has been manufactured entirely by machine, with no chemical additives. Bamboo linen is very durable and eco-friendly, however, the end product can feel a bit coarse and stiff.
What are cotton sheets?
Cotton sheets are the most popular types of bedding on the market.
As the name implies, they’re produced from cotton plant fibres. The cotton is collected and cleaned, straightened to align the fibres, and then woven and dyed into sheets.
Cotton is a seasonal shrub that requires a lot of water and pesticides to grow, so it is not as eco-friendly as the production of bamboo fibres.
Another issue with cotton is that the quality depends a lot on thread count, the weave and the type of fibres used. Egyptian cotton sheets that can have TC of 700 and over often feel incredibly soft and luxurious, however, cotton bedding with lower thread count can feel rough and uncomfortable.
Cotton is typically available in two weaves: percale, which is a bit more durable and softer, and cotton sateen which resembles silk or sateen sheets thanks to its subtle sheen and smooth texture.
Types of cotton sheets
There are several types of cotton bedding available.
Egyptian cotton
Egyptian cotton refers to the finest quality, long-fibre varieties of cotton, produced along the Nile River. The long fibres are woven into a variety of patterns to give your sheets that wonderfully smooth sensation.
Egyptian cotton sheets tend to have a higher thread count than regular cotton bedding. This combo of high TC and quality, hand-picked yarn, make Egyptian cotton the most durable and softest cotton out there, as well as one of the most expensive.
Pima cotton
Pima cotton and Egyptian cotton are both made from the same plant variety and both use long-staple cotton. The only difference between them is that Pima cotton is primarily grown in the US, which makes it a more affordable option.
Upland cotton
This is the most common form of cotton, accounting for about 90% of all cotton goods. Upland cotton is cheaper than other types of cotton bedding, but it is considered lower quality as it is rougher and wrinkles easily.
What is the difference in thread count between bamboo and cotton?
Thread count, which measures the number of horizontal and vertical threads per square inch of fabric, differs a lot in bamboo and cotton sheets.
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When it comes to cotton sheets, a higher thread count is better. Cotton sheets typically have a thread count of 200 and 600 (depending on the weave and type of cotton), with Egyptian cotton sheets going up to 700 TC.
This is not the case with bamboo bedding as these sheets usually have a TC between 150 and 250. Since bamboo threads are so long, there is more space for them to be woven together allowing the fabric to feel smooth and soft even with a low thread count.
Tip: Thread count is not always the best measure for quality. Always look at the fabric, the reputability of the brand and the weave when shopping for bedding.
Bamboo Sheets vs Cotton: How Do They Compare?
Let’s take a look at how bamboo and cotton compare in terms of softness, durability, price and other factors.
Feel
Bamboo sheets are some of the softest on the market—in fact, bamboo feels much like silk except it is not as heavy or slippery.
Winner: Personal preference
Cotton is also quite lightweight and soft, especially Egyptian cotton sheets that feel exquisitely delicate thanks to their high thread count. What’s more, cotton tends to get softer over time as fibres loosen with use and washing, which is why many users prefer their older cotton bedding to new sheets.
That said, the softness of cotton varies greatly in terms of thread count and quality. Sheets with a lower thread count can start to feel scratchy over time—the same is true for bedding made of low-quality cotton.
When it comes to this cotton vs bamboo sheets battle, it is up to personal preferences. Some might prefer the softness of cotton to the silkiness of bamboo, while others want that elegant look and feel in the bedroom that bamboo can provide.
Durability
Cotton and bamboo are highly durable materials. However, the lifespan of cotton depends a lot on the thread count and the weave as lower TC can cause the material to pill over time. High-quality cotton products, such as Egyptian cotton sheets, can have a longer lifespan, but even with this high-end fabric, there is no guarantee of durability.
Winner: Bamboo
Bamboo, on the other hand, is more durable since it is woven with long fibres that stretch across the entire surface of the sheet, making them less prone to tearing. In fact, bamboo sheets can last as long as 15 years.
Bamboo is also more absorbent which means the colours stay vivid for longer, whereas cotton is more likely to discolour over time. Even though discolouration stains are not connected to cleanliness and hygiene, many people choose to shop for new bedding once their sheets start showing grey or yellow stains.
Breathability
Bamboo outperforms most materials when it comes to moisture-wicking and temperature regulation.
Winner: Bamboo
Bamboo sheets won’t stick to your skin like cotton, allowing more room for the air to circulate between the sheets and keep you cool during those hot and humid summer months. And since they absorb moisture and excess heat, they are a great choice for winter bedding, too.
Cotton is also airy and breathable, which makes it a solid option for hot and sweaty sleepers, although it isn’t as naturally cool and dry as bamboo.
Health
Bamboo sheets are hypoallergenic and antibacterial, which means they are a fantastic option for babies and people with sensitive skin and allergies. Thanks to its moisture-wicking properties, bamboo stops the growth of bacteria and repels dust mites. It prevents odour from clinging to the sheets too, thus contributing to a better and healthier sleep.
Cotton sheets with a higher thread count or organic cotton can also be good for sleepers with allergies, but these are much more expensive than your run-of-the-mill cotton sheets. What’s more, it can be hard to tell whether your sheets are made of organic cotton as some labels can be misleading.
Sustainability
Bamboo is the fastest-growing plant in the world and needs no intervention from humans or pesticides to grow. It is regenerative and reported to reduce carbon emissions—all in all great for the environment.
On the contrary, cotton requires more water, labour and chemicals to grow than other crops. It also occupies a lot of land and degrades it over time making it unsuitable for food production.
Organic cotton is produced with a cleaner manufacturing process and it is pesticide- and chemical-free, but as mentioned above organic cotton can be hard to find.
Note: Not all types of bamboo sheets are 100% chemical-free. Rayon and viscose bamboo use chemicals in the production process, so if you are buying bamboo bedding, opt for bamboo linen or organic bamboo sheets.
Care and maintenance
Cotton is one of the lowest maintenance materials on the market.
Winner: Cotton
It can be washed and dried in any standard washing machine and there is no need to use special detergent or washing cycles. Plus, unlike bamboo, cotton is less likely to shrink in high temperatures.
Bamboo sheets are delicate, so they should be washed on a gentle cycle for the best results. They should also be kept away from high temperatures as they can shrink or get damaged. And even though bamboo sheets are less of a hassle in the post-wash department—they wrinkle less than cotton and are easier to iron—all things considered, cotton requires much less TLC than bamboo does.
Price
Cotton is more affordable than bamboo with prices ranging from $54.99 to $359.99 for organic cotton.
Bamboo sheets, on the other hand, cost between $190 and $399.99 (depending on the brand and sheet size). The high price of bamboo fabric is due to the lower cultivation rate and longer, more complex production process.
Bamboo sheets vs Egyptian cotton: Which is pricier?
The cost of high-quality Egyptian cotton sheets can go up to $429.99 which is comparable to the price of the best bamboo sheets.
Final Verdict: Is Bamboo or Cotton Better?
There are pros and cons of bamboo sheets just as there are advantages and drawbacks of cotton bedding. For instance, bamboo is more durable, safer and more environmentally friendly than cotton, but comes with a much higher price tag. Conversely, cotton is more affordable but manufactured in a way that does not benefit the environment and tends to feel coarser than the silky bamboo.
When choosing the best material for you, consider your needs. If you are a hot sleeper, live in a humid climate or have sensitive skin—bamboo is the obvious choice. Those on a tighter budget who like the familiarity of cotton and want hassle-free care &maintenance should opt for cotton.
1. Are bamboo sheets cooler than cotton?
Yes. Highly absorbent, bamboo can keep you cool, dry and fresh through the night. It also doesn’t cling to the skin providing more breathing room between the sheet and your body.
2. Are bamboo sheets good for the environment?
Yes, bamboo is a regenerative plant that grows on its own without the use of pesticides and human labour. Because bamboo grows quicker than cotton and is more straightforward to harvest, the bamboo industry is much better for the environment.
3. What is a bamboo cotton blend?
Bamboo is sometimes blended with cotton to make the fabric a bit stronger. The blend is usually made of 60% bamboo rayon and 40% cotton (or sometimes a 70 to 30% bamboo-cotton ratio). Bamboo cotton sheets are more affordable than 100% bamboo sheets, but they do somewhat compromise the softness of the fabric.
4. What are the disadvantages of bamboo fabric?
Bamboo is an excellent material and much better than cotton in several aspects, but when it comes down to care and ease of use, cotton takes the lead in the bamboo sheets vs cotton bedding tussle. Bamboo is delicate and requires special care, whereas cotton is incredibly low maintenance.
