I've tested dozens of luxury bedding brands, and these $20 Amazon sheets completely surprised me

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While we think it's worth investing in great products to help you sleep (after all, it's something you spend a third of your life doing), you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars to get the best sheets. 

Amazon Basics, Amazon's private label for affordable everyday essentials, makes queen-size sheets for less than $20. The sheet set is one of the best-selling and top-rated on the site, with over 300,000 five-star reviews.

Like other Amazon Basics products, which include phone accessories and cookware, this sheet set sticks to the basics. There's no marketing story behind it, no fancy, innovative features to wow you. It's a sheet set, plain and simple, and it has exactly the features you'd expect for less than $20.

Design

Each set includes one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, and two pillowcases. It comes in 30 colors and prints, from a frosted lavender to a deep burgundy, so it's easy to find a color to suit your personal style. The prices fluctuate depending on the pattern and color, but most hover around the $20 to $25 mark. I already own a good number of lighter colored sheets, so I got a set in Plum. 

The sheets are made from polyester in an OEKO-Tex Standard 100-certified factory. The fitted sheet was easy to put on my 12-inch tall mattress and stays snug around it. The sheet can fit on mattresses up to 14 inches thick. 

Our review of the Amazon Basics Sheet Set

Comfort

Overall, I've had a good experience sleeping on these sheets. They're soft and comfortable, though they're not the most breathable I've tried. Even though I tend not to sleep hot, I can see someone overheating in them. While some reviewers took issue with how thin the sheets were, I personally thought the thickness was fine. 

They're also a bit wrinkly and that problem might be exacerbated by the fact that I got a darker color. If you care about the appearance of your sheets, I would suggest getting a lighter color or a printed style. 

Comparing these sheets to sets I've tried that cost 10 to 15 times more, I do think there's a noticeable difference. Sheets that I've tried for our best sheets guide from brands like Parachute, Brooklinen, and Frette are indeed better — they're softer, more breathable, and more durable. 

Care

Another perk of this sheet set is its ease of cleaning. Rather than requiring the cold water cycle or low heat in the dryer, these sheets can be washed and dried in your washer and dryer at normal settings. The product description notes that they're shrink resistant, too.

Value

At less than $20 for a queen-sized set, it's difficult to find a pair of sheets at a better value that the Amazon Basics sheets. While not the best sheets we've ever tested, they are surprisingly good quality for the price.

Because the sheet set is sold on Amazon, they have 30-day returns. If you're not happy with your sheets within the first 30 days, you can get a replacement or refund at no cost.

Cons to consider

These sheets are not breathable, which could be a major issue if you sleep hot. If you are looking for cooling sheets for the summer months, we don't recommend the Amazon Basics sheets.

Durability-wise, you get what you pay for when buying sheets. These sheets aren't the best option if you're looking for a product that will last for years. They are also prone to wrinkling, so keep that in mind if you like aesthetic, crisp bedding.

What are your alternatives?

While it's difficult to find sheets that match the value of the Amazon Basics sheet set, there are plenty of other budget options available. We picked Target's Threshold Performance Sheet Set as the best budget option in our best sheets guide. These $60 cotton sheets have a sateen weave, so they are silky-soft and smooth, as detailed by our reviewer in her review.

If you sleep hot, the Mellani Iconic Collection Sheet Set, which are featured in our best cooling sheets guide, is similar to the Amazon Basics sheet set in terms of its microfiber construction and wide array of colors. However, we found the set to sleep far cooler and moisture-wicking.

The bottom line

You really can't beat the value of these sheets. Twenty dollars is a great deal for a full sheet set, and I love that there are so many color and print options. The soft and comfortable material might not last a lifetime of uses and washes, but it's the perfect short-term bedding solution for kids' bedrooms, dorms and college apartments, and guest rooms. It's one of the best budget sheet options you can buy online right now, from a brand with a lot of experience making these types of affordable essentials.