We Asked Hundreds of College Students About the Best Sheets for Your Dorm Bed — Here’s the Clear Winner

See all the dorm must-haves — from mattress toppers to storage — that real college students swear by for making your space cozy and functional. Check out the full list of Dorm Therapy Awards 2025 winners!

When I lived in a dorm in 2020, I quickly learned that finding the right sheets is VERY important, and all sheets are not created equally. Choosing the best dorm sheets can be tricky: You want to make sure they fit the aesthetic of your room, while being comfortable and durable. You also need to make sure they come in that extra-special twin XL size.

There are a lot of options when it comes to dorm bedding, and that can quickly get overwhelming. You could spend hours browsing online (and that’s totally your prerogative!), but if you want a shortcut to a well-trusted recommendation, I’ve got you. In fact, I have a runaway winner to share for the best dorm sheets.  

Dorm Therapy is dedicated to helping students at every point of their college experience, and that includes shopping for their dorm! We’re a website powered by real college student contributors (who have recently experienced dorm living) and experienced editors, creating service-first content about navigating life at school and sharing vetted product recommendations for dorms and college apartments.

We went straight to the source to determine our winners for the Dorm Therapy Awards 2025, surveying more than 360 college students and recent grads to learn about their absolute favorite products they used in their dorm.

For the winning sheet set, we first looked at how many students recommended each product, and there was a clear sheet set students shared over and over again. Next, we looked at the average ratings: Students rated their recommendation on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being a product they loved and would “definitely recommend.” This sheet set was a clear winner: It was the most recommended set and happened to be rated well. 

At $12, we can see why students would love these sheets, but since the winner is 100% polyester, we wanted to provide a cotton option as well. Our runner-up was recommended by a good number of students and had a respectable average rating.

While the average rating of 7.6 might seem a little low, the majority of students who recommended this dorm sheet set rated it an 8 or higher. At $12, this 100% polyester microfiber sheet set includes a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and a pillowcase — it has almost everything you need for your new bed.

Plus, it’s available in more than 20 colors and patterns (including floral, plaid, and striped), so you should be set with whatever aesthetic you’re going for.

• “They were perfect, pricing was affordable, they were cute and comfortable! Lasted me all year, no rips or damage ever!” —Corrie C., Purdue University, Class of 2027
• “Super easy to take off, easy to wash and never stained. Super cheap and reliable.” —Samantha G., Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Class of 2028
• “The sheets were super affordable, washed well, and held up great through the year.” —Rachel F., Bemidji State University, Class of 2028
• “I thought that these sheets were comfortable, the price was very affordable, and they lasted me a long time while I was living on campus.” —Alissica T., University of California , San Diego, Class of 2026
• “I love my sheets. Can fit a regular twin and XL. They’re easy to wash and stains come out of them.” —Sharmayne C., St. John’s University, Class of 2026

With a 7.4 average rating, these sheets (also from Target) are a good option if you prefer 100% cotton. They come in a combined 16 colors and patterns, with so many floral options. At $35, they’re almost three times the price of our winner, but if you’re looking for a natural fiber for your sheets, it’s a great option.

• “So comfortable/soft and the cutest pattern ever!” —Indigo A., UCLA, Class of 2025
• “It’s super cozy and super soft!!” —Dora C., University of California, Irvine, Class of 2028
• “The sheets washed well and had a nice floral pattern that went well with the rest of my bedding. I used the same brand of sheets for my bed at home which helped to make my dorm bed feel familiar.” —Abigail C., Savannah College of Art and Design, Class of 2024