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10 amazing twin XL sheets to make a dorm feel like home

Is it a dorm or a 5-star hotel? You be the judge.

These sheets will make your dorm feel much more homey. Credit: Parachute / Amazon Basics

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

To put it mildly, college dorms are often bare-bones. But there are plenty of ways to make the accommodations more homey and welcoming—starting with adding some of the best bed sheets. Dorms typically feature twin XL mattresses for students, and while this might not be a standard size, there are still plenty of amazing twin XL sheets out there.

In fact, after I tested lots of bedding, it happens that many of the top performers are available in the longer size. Whether you want super-soft jersey sheets or buttery sateen ones, these are our favorite options to turn a dorm bed into a plush oasis.

What’s the difference between twin and twin XL?

If you’ve ever tried to stretch regular twin sheets onto a twin XL bed, you know that there’s definitely a difference between the two sizes—even if it might not look like it. Twin and twin XL mattresses are the same width (38 inches), but the twin XL beds are 5 inches longer, measuring 80 inches. This makes them suitable for individuals taller than 6 feet, and it's why they’re a staple in college dorms.

These affordable sheets feel much more expensive than they are.
Credit: Reviewed / Camryn Rabideau

These affordable sheets feel much more expensive than they are.

These sheets have basically gone viral, and for good reason. I personally tested the Mellanni sheet set when comparing the best bed sheets, and I was instantly smitten with their super-soft, cozy feel. In fact, they feel much more expensive than their $35 price tag. The sheet set comes in more than 40 colors and patterns, and there’s even a twin XL option with a deep pocket, in case you’re putting a mattress topper on your dorm bed.

Get the Mellanni twin XL sheet set from Amazon for $35.97

2. The only sheets I’ll use on my bed

You can truly never go wrong with Brooklinen sheets.
Credit: Brooklinen

You can truly never go wrong with Brooklinen sheets.

I’ve tested more than a dozen popular sheet sets in my career, and my all-time favorite is the Luxe Core sheet set from Brooklinen. In fact, I’ve gotten rid of all other sheets, and we only use these in my house! The linens are buttery soft and have the perfect weight, and they’re easy to clean with minimal wrinkling. The brand offers seven main colors, but they have additional seasonal options, too.

Get the Luxe Core sheet set from Brooklinen for $121.50

3. These durable yet affordable cotton sheets

These cotton sheets come in several fun patterns.
Credit: Target

These cotton sheets come in several fun patterns.

If you’re shopping for value, you can’t go wrong with the Threshold Performance sheet set, which comes in a variety of fun patterns that are sure to spruce up a dorm. These sheets are made from 400-thread-count cotton, and when we tested them, we really liked the double-stitched seams and extra elastic, which helps keep them in place on a mattress.

Get the Threshold Performance sheet set from Target for $29

4. Super-cozy jersey sheets from Amazon Basics

Jersey sheets feel like your favorite worn-in cotton T-shirt.
Credit: Amazon Basics

Jersey sheets feel like your favorite worn-in cotton T-shirt.

Jersey sheets are a popular choice for college students, and this set from Amazon Basics is a top choice if you’re looking for that super-soft T-shirt feel. The fabric is made from 100% cotton with a heathered effect (a.k.a. two colors of yarn create a dappled appearance), and the set is available in nearly a dozen colors. They’re easy to wash, and reviewers love that the fabric is stretchy and soft without being too hot.

Get the Amazon Basics heather cotton jersey bed sheet set for $34.75

5. Genuine hotel-quality sateen sheets

This brand *actually* makes sheets for 5-star hotels.
Credit: Standard Textile

This brand actually makes sheets for 5-star hotels.

Most people agree that there’s something about hotel sheets that makes them incredibly welcoming, and you can get that same je ne sais quoi in your dorm with the Centium satin sheets from Standard Textile. In fact, this brand provides sheets for high-end hotels across the world, and when we tested them, we loved the fresh, crisp feel of the cotton-polyester blend. These high-end sheets come in four colors, and they stay in place nicely, even if you toss and turn during the night.

Get the Standard Textile sateen sheet set for $115

6. Another set of cult-favorite sheets from Amazon

Affordable? Check. Super soft? Double check!
Credit: Utopia Bedding

Affordable? Check. Super soft? Double check!

If you’re dorm shopping on a budget, the Utopia sheet set is a top choice on Amazon, boasting more than 90,000 reviews. Brushed microfiber (a.k.a. polyester) lends a super-soft feel, and they’re shrink- and fade-resistant, helping to keep them in good condition for longer. They come in eight colors, and reviewers say that the sheets feel just like cotton—but are a fraction of the price.

Get the Utopia Bedding bed sheet set from Amazon for $21.95

7. These amazing cooling sheets from Casper

Hot sleepers, meet your new favorite sheets.
Credit: Casper

Hot sleepers, meet your new favorite sheets.

For those who frequently get hot during the night, the Casper Hyperlite sheets are as breathable as sheets can be. They’re made from Tencel™ Lyocell, a type of rayon, and the fabric has a unique grid pattern that lets air and heat escape. When we tested the sheets, we found them to be extremely light and airy—perfect for hot nights in air conditionless dorm rooms. The sheets come in five trendy colors, but their one big downside is that the fabric is fairly see-through.

Get the Casper Hyperlite sheets for $98.10

8. Organic cotton sheets that are worth the splurge

If you're looking for high-end sheets, these are some of our favorite.
Credit: Boll & Branch

If you're looking for high-end sheets, these are some of our favorite.

They’re soft; they’re organic; and yes, they’re expensive. Boll & Branch's signature hemmed sheet set is no small investment, but these high-end sheets will surely stand the test of time. They’re crafted from 100% organic cotton that’s the perfect balance of soft and crisp, and during testing, we were impressed with their quality construction. The Boll & Branch sheets come in seven basic colors, and I have no doubt that they’ll instantly elevate any dorm room.

Get the Boll & Branch signature hemmed sheet set for $168

9. Top-rated percale sheets for that crisp, cool feel

These percale sheets come in several trendy colors.
Credit: Parachute

These percale sheets come in several trendy colors.

Parachute is another one of our favorite director-to-consumer bedding brands, and its percale sheets are top-rated among thousands of reviewers. The fabric is made of 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton, and the brand describes the feel as “crisp, clean, and classic.” The material will soften with every wash, and you can opt to get a set with or without a top sheet, depending on your sleeping preferences. There are eight colors to choose from, and reviewers rave about the crisp, cool feel of the percale weave.

Get the Parachute percale sheet set for $109

10. Cozy flannel sheets for cold nights

Flannel sheets have a brushed texture that's toasty warm.
Credit: Lands' End

Flannel sheets have a brushed texture that's toasty warm.

Dorms can get pretty chilly during the winter, but this Supima flannel sheet set will keep you toasty warm. These delightfully soft Lands' End sheets are made in Portugal using 100% Supima cotton, and the fitted sheet features an all-around elastic to keep it snuggly in place. The sheet pocket fits mattresses up to 18 inches—handy if you’re using a mattress topper—and there are eight colors to choose from. Oh, and you can even have them monogrammed for an extra $16!

Get the Lands' End Supima flannel sheet set starting at $99.97

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