The best twin XL sheets for dorm rooms and split-king beds

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Whether you are packing up for college and hunting down the best dorm sheets, outfitting a guest room, or configuring a split-king adjustable bed, you cannot skimp on a proper set of Twin XL sheets. Because a Twin XL mattress is exactly five inches longer than a standard twin, an ordinary sheet set simply won't stretch to fit, leaving you wrestling with popped corners in the middle of the night.

We've tested dozens of sheet sets over the years in making our best sheets guide, and many of our favorites are available in twin XL sizing. The L.L. Bean Percale Fitted Sheet is our best overall pick, with a crisp, cool feel thanks to its extra-long-staple cotton construction. If you're on a strict budget, the Threshold Performance Sheet Set offers incredible quality and softness for just $35 and features deep pockets for thick mattresses or beds with a mattress topper.

If you are in the middle of campus prep, you can also check out our comprehensive guide to the best college dorm essentials and the best dorm essentials for good sleep.

Our top picks for the best twin XL sheets

Best overall twin XL sheets: L.L.Bean Percale Fitted Sheet - See at L.L.Bean

Best budget twin XL sheets: Threshold Performance Sheet Set - See at Target

Best cooling twin XL sheets: Sijo AiryWeight Eucalyptus Sheet Set - See at Sijo

Best bamboo twin XL sheets: Quince Bamboo Sheet Set - See at Quince

Best sateen twin XL sheets: Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set - See at Brooklinen

Best linen twin XL sheets: Quince European Linen Sheet Set - See at Quince

Best patterned twin XL sheets: Urban Outfitters Patterned Sheets - See at Urban Outfitters

Best flannel twin XL sheets: L.L.Bean Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Fitted Sheet - See at L.L.Bean

Best overall

These are our favorite sheets of all time. L.L.Bean's percale sheets are the top pick in our guide to the best sheets. We were impressed with almost everything about them: They're lightweight and breathable, very soft yet still crisp, and they still look great after multiple washes.

The cotton is premium and durable. While a 280-thread count may sound low, a higher thread count doesn't guarantee a better sheet. The type of cotton is also important for luxurious-feeling sheets. Made from Pima cotton, a high-quality, extra-long-staple cotton, L.L.Bean's percale sheets are extremely soft and very durable. 

You'll have to buy the pieces separately. One drawback of L.L.Bean's twin XL sheets is that the flat sheets and pillowcases are sold separately, unlike the ease of a set. While buying these pieces is a slight chore, it lets dorm shoppers skip a flat sheet if they don't want one (a common preference among students), saving them money on premium cotton.

Best budget

These sheets feel as good as options twice the price. Target's Threshold sheets are smooth, soft, and silky, made from materials that usually match the specs of sheets four times the price. We didn't find them actually wrinkle-resistant, as advertised, but they're great otherwise — both comfortable and durable. In addition to solid colors, the set comes in a variety of patterns, such as florals, stripes, and modern geometrics.

One of their most notable features is the deep fitted sheet. Extra stretch is built into the corners of the sheet, helping it cling to any twin XL mattress and reduce fabric bunching. The deep pockets are especially great if you want to add one of the best mattress toppers to your bed. There are also labels for "top" and "bottom" to further speed up the process of making your bed.

You'll need to wash them regularly. Because they are synthetic-blended sateen, they can trap body oils quicker than percale, meaning you'll want to stick to a strict weekly wash schedule. If you are unsure how to do that, check out our guide on how to wash sheets.

They hold up well. After many washes, we haven't had any pilling, durability, or shrinkage issues. We recommend washing them first to remove any manufacturing dust, as they did have an initial odor.

Read our full Threshold Performance Sheet Set review.

Best cooling

Eucalyptus is the best material for cooling bedding. When testing options for our best cooling sheets guide, we looked at the moisture-wicking of linen sheets and the breathability of cotton. Yet, the top pick was eucalyptus, specifically the Sijo AiryWeight Eucalyptus sheets. It combines durability, softness, affordability, coolness, and comfort.

Sijo's set is a favorite for hot sleepers. Air flowed freely through the sheets as they wicked away moisture and heat. We also liked how cool to the touch they were. Sets come in 13 colors, with or without top sheets. We wish the sheets had top and bottom tags for faster bed-making, but we're glad Sijo offers a 30-day trial, so you can try them out before deciding if they're for you.

Best bamboo

Bamboo sheets are simply the best. The Reviews team loves bamboo bedding because it's breathable, environmentally friendly, and remarkably soft. After thoroughly testing several options, the Quince Bamboo Sheet Set earned the top spot in our best bamboo sheets guide for its affordable price, color selection, breathability, and luxurious softness, with a crisp, silky sateen weave. The sheets are Oeko-Tex certified and made of viscose from organic bamboo. Pick from 23 color options, and whether you want a flat sheet bundled in.

Making the bed is a breeze, but they aren't the most durable. We loved how easily the fitted sheet goes on the mattress. And the top and bottom labels saved time when making the bed. You have a one-year return period to decide if the Quince bamboo sheets suit you. Like Quince's linen sheets, the bamboo sheets aren't the most durable. We noticed torn threads and pilling after washing. They stain easily, too.

Read our Quince Bamboo Sheet Set review.

Related: What to try from Quince

Best sateen

Brooklinen's sateen sheets are iconic. In contrast with the cool, matte feel of percale, sateen cotton has a more buttery, silky texture. It's similar to the difference between a button-up shirt (percale) and a soft T-shirt (sateen). Brooklinen's Luxe Sateen Sheet Set is our favorite if you like a hotel-like experience and the smooth, luxurious feel of sateen.

Recently revamped and better than ever. Sleeping between Brooklinen's sateen sheets is a comfy experience. The brand recently relaunched its flagship product with finer, long-staple cotton yarns to enhance breathability and durability while maintaining its original softness. Plus, making the bed is easy, thanks to labels on the long and short sides of the sheets.

We stand behind these sheets. A Business Insider Reviews editor has used the same Brooklinen sateen sheet set for nearly a decade, and despite years of use and cleaning, the set has held up well. Yet, like most sateen sheets we've tested, these sheets sleep warmer. Brooklinen also offers a 365-day return policy to try these sheets for yourself.

Read our full Brooklinen Luxe sateen sheet review.

Related: Our favorite products from Brooklinen

Best linen

Some love linen, some don't. Even on hot, humid nights, linen stays dry and promotes airflow, thanks to its hollow flax fibers that let air through and absorb moisture. Plus, when you follow the care instructions, it will last you for many years. However, linen isn't for everyone. It's expensive, feels rough, and wrinkles easily. Yet, it gets softer with use and time, and you may appreciate its casual, lived-in appearance.

Quince is one of the few brands with affordable twin XL linen sheets. Twin XL linen sheets are a little harder to come by, likely because they're a niche product that's typically more expensive than most people want to spend on twin-sized sheets. Quince fills a gap in the twin XL market with its sheet set, which comes in 25 colors. They're among the most affordable options for the best linen sheets, costing around $150 for a Twin XL set. Plus, they have a lovely soft texture right out of the package.

They have a middle-of-the-road weight. While thread count is used to describe sateen and percale, linen sheets are measured in grams per square meter (GSM), which indicates the textile's weight. A higher GSM indicates a denser fabric. At 150 GSM, Quince's Linen Sheet Set is on the medium side compared to most linen sheets.

But they sleep warm and rip easily. Quince's linen sheets did sleep warmer than others we tested, and they're not the most durable we tried; our tester's flat sheet ripped after about a year of frequent use. But, if you're looking for linen Twin XL sheets to use during your time in the dorms, these are the best option.

Best patterned

Urban Outfitters makes the cutest, trendiest prints. When you're looking to lean into whimsy, Urban Outfitters has you covered with the best patterned sheets, available in a range of trendy styles and in Twin XL. Urban Outfitters cotton patterned sheets have designs spanning florals, food prints, animals, toile, and more. If you're looking for an eclectic look in your dorm room, these are a must-have.

They're affordable, lightweight, and breathable. At $49 for a Twin XL set, they're affordable, too. They aren't the softest sheets we've tried, and they're a little thin and loose on the mattress — but they're lightweight and breathable. The Mariana Tile Set we tried is a cotton/polyester blend; if you want full cotton, look for the core cotton collection.

Best flannel

Flannel sheets are warm and cozy. L.L.Bean is also our top pick for the best flannel sheets. Though flannel sheets are typically considered a winter staple, the Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel is suitable for year-round. We tried them in the summer, and they were surprisingly comfy and breathable. The top sheet isn't overly heavy, so you won't overheat. On the flip side, these might not be the sheets for you if your dorm is excessively frigid.

The sheets stay soft and vivid after washing. As you might expect, L.L.Bean's flannel sheds a lot in the dryer. However, we noticed significantly less lint after a couple of initial washes. After several washings, the flannel was as soft and unpilled as ever. The sage green color stayed true, too.

Twin XL sizing has a limited selection of colors and patterns. Sadly, L.L.Bean doesn't offer as wide a variety of patterns and colors for its twin XL flannel sheets as it does for its other sizes. You can still get them in eight different hues, though. As with the L.L.Bean percale sheets, the twin XL fitted sheet is sold separately from the flat sheet and pillowcases.

Our top picks, compared

How to Choose Twin XL Sheets

Bed sheets are made of natural fibers, including linen and cotton, and synthetic materials such as polyester. While we generally prefer the breathability of natural fibers, shopping for a Twin XL mattress requires considering unique setups that don't apply to standard sizes. For a broader look at fabrics, thread counts, and care, check out our main guide to the best sheets.

Otherwise, if you are outfitting a college dorm or configuring a luxury split-king bed, here is exactly what to look for before buying.

Match the sheets to your bed setup (Dorms vs. split kings)

• For college dorms: Focus on pocket depth, flexibility, and laundry durability. Most dorm mattresses are notoriously thin (6 to 8 inches), but students almost always add a thick foam mattress topper. Look for deep pockets (15+ inches) with thick, heavy-duty elastic that can snugly hug a variable mattress height without slipping. Additionally, dorm sheets must survive industrial, high-heat campus washers and dryers, making crisp cotton percale or performance synthetic blends the most resilient choices.
• For split king and adjustable beds: A Split King setup consists of two Twin XL mattresses side by side on a motorized base. When you elevate the head or foot of the bed, standard sheets will easily snap right off the corners. Prioritize Twin XL sheet sets that feature built-in corner anchor straps or extra-deep elastic rims to keep the fabric pinned securely as the mattress pivots.

Choose the right weave for temperature regulation

The weave of the fabric dictates how well the sheets manage heat and airflow, which is critical if you are dealing with unpredictable, centralized college dorm HVAC systems:

• Cotton Percale: A crisp, matte, plain-weave cotton that feels like a cool, structured button-down shirt. It offers maximum breathability and airflow, making it perfect for hot sleepers. Our top pick, the L.L.Bean Percale Fitted Sheet, is an excellent example.
• Cotton Sateen: A satin-weave cotton with a smooth, silky texture and a subtle sheen. It is slightly heavier and more tightly woven, making it ideal for cooler climates or a hotel-like luxury feel, such as the Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set.
• Performance Synthetics (Eucalyptus & Bamboo): Materials like Tencel lyocell and bamboo viscose are naturally cool to the touch and offer exceptional moisture-wicking properties. If you are prone to night sweats, options like the Sijo AiryWeight Eucalyptus Sheet Set will keep you dry.

Check the pieces and packaging (set vs. open stock)

Pay close attention to how the sheets are sold so you aren't caught off guard on move-in day. Most twin XL sheet sets include a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and a single pillowcase, but some premium brands sell their bedding as "open stock," meaning the fitted sheet, flat top sheet, and pillowcases are sold individually rather than bundled together. If you are someone who prefers to skip a flat top sheet entirely, buying open-stock pieces can actually save you money. Buying pieces individually can also be helpful for split-king mattresses too, since you'll need two fitted sheets. Just double-check the product description to ensure you aren't accidentally buying a fitted sheet alone.

How we test sheets

Our picks for the best twin XL sheets are all taken from our guides to the best sheets.

Here's how we tested: 

1. We sleep on each set for at least one week and note texture, comfort, breathability, and coolness.
2. We wash and dry each set according to the instructions at least five times. That usually means washing the sheets in a cold cycle with gentle detergent and drying them on low. We noted any fabric degradation or shrinkage.

Twin XL sheet FAQs

How long is a twin XL mattress?

A Twin XL mattress measures 80 inches long by 39 inches wide. While it shares the same width as a standard twin mattress, it features an extra 5 inches of length, making it the exact same length as a standard queen or king mattress. This size is specifically engineered to comfortably accommodate sleepers up to 6 feet 6 inches tall.

Do twin sheets fit a twin XL bed?

No, twin fitted sheets won't fit on a twin XL bed. Because a twin XL mattress is 5 inches longer than a traditional twin, a standard twin fitted sheet will rip or snap off the corners if stretched. However, you can technically use a standard twin flat (top) sheet on a twin XL mattress in a pinch, though it will tuck in with significantly less overhang at the foot of the bed. You can use a twin XL sheet on a twin bed but you may have some excess fabric to tuck in.

What twin XL sheets are best for college dorms? 

The best college dorm sheets balance breathability with extreme durability in laundry. We highly recommend our top budget pick, the Threshold Performance Sheets. They feature an affordable price point, deep 18-inch pockets with extra corner stretch to easily accommodate thick memory foam mattress toppers, a reinforced elastic band to keep sheets in place, and a resilient cotton sateen construction that handles the high-heat cycles of campus laundry facilities without pilling.

How do you buy sheets for a split king bed?

Buying a single "Split King sheet set" can be incredibly difficult and expensive, plus there are limited options at the mass market. Instead, the most cost-effective strategy is to mix and match open-stock pieces: buy two individual Twin XL fitted sheets to cover the independent mattresses, and one standard King-size flat sheet to spread across the top. This ensures your adjustable base can pivot freely on either side without leaving you with two useless twin top sheets.

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