Top Sheet Bedding Debate: Do You Really Need One? (+ We Shared Our Top Pick!)
Our top sheet bedding debate may be something you never thought about until now.
Top sheet or none? Turns out people have strong opinions. Our team weighed in on the top sheet bedding debate. Here’s how we’re sleeping…
Before we get to the debate, what is a “top sheet”?
A top sheet, otherwise known as a flat sheet, is the fabric that you lie under. It goes directly above the fitted sheet and underneath blankets, quilts, duvets, and/or comforters that might be on the bed and is the barrier between the other layers of bedding.
Here’s what our team said about having a top sheet:
Top sheet 👍vs. no top sheet 👎
“YES! I have always used a top sheet! It seems icky to me to NOT have one as I feel like it keeps my comforter/duvet cover cleaner if my body is not fully in contact with the comforter. If I was to not use a top sheet, I would feel pressure to wash my comforter weekly.” – Bryn
“Team Top Sheet! I love the soft feel of the Quince top sheet. In fact, I pull my top sheet up, fold it over the top of my comforter, and then get in. Best feeling!” – Lina
“I completely agree with Bryn! ‘Icky’ is definitely the word and the fact that’s how my mom taught us, it’s just a habit. Although, my husband does NOT like the top sheet so it’s an interesting half top sheet, half kicked to the bottom top sheet combo!” – Chelsey
“Team Top Sheet all the way! 🙌🏼 There’s no way I’m sleeping with just a comforter on me – NOPE! 😆 I need that perfectly tucked-in sheet, all smooth and cozy. Meanwhile, my husband? He kicks it around like he’s doing karate in his sleep, leaving it crinkled at the bottom of the bed. And let’s just say I get a wee bit annoyed by this. 🙄 Some people just don’t appreciate the art of a well-tucked sheet!” – Collin
“I keep it traditional around here – mattress pad, fitted sheet, top sheet, soft blanket, and a duvet. I need to be super comfortable in order to get any sort of sleep. Plus, the weather is so cray in WI – I’ll use just the top sheet to start off, then pull my soft blanket up about halfway through the night and by morning I have my duvet on as well.” – Jessica
“I love how my crisp, cool cotton sheets feel on my skin! And washing my comforter is just a pain. Without a top sheet, I would feel like I had to wash my comforter as often as my sheets, and I’m not into that.” – Jenna R.
“I don’t mind washing my sheets often, but if I didn’t have the top sheet layer, I would feel like I needed to wash the comforter every time I wash the sheets too. Also (and this might be some ocd talking) but it would drive me crazy to have only the top sheet chillin’ in our linen closet separate from its whole bottom sheet + pillowcase gang. 😆“ – Emily
“Yes, I use a top sheet. I like the smooth feel of a sheet rather than the stitching of a quilt or comforter.” – Kelli
“Top sheet every time! Honestly, I never thought there was another option since it comes in the set. To not use feels like a waste! But also I get hot at night all year long (I use a fan every night whether it’s summer or winter) so using a comforter even in the winter is too much for me.” – Denise
“Team top sheet over here too! The bed just feels more cozy with one. Plus, like others mentioned, I can avoid washing the comforter every time I wash my sheets.” – Kara
“I feel like I need a top sheet for a cool smooth feel to the covers. Just feels wrong to leave it out.” – Amber
“Team top sheet, also! There’s just something about cool sheets when you go to bed.” – Liza
“Definitely team top sheet!!! It’s great for when you get too hot for the comforter and it gives the bed a lighter, crisper feel! My hubs would also say it’s a necessity because he likes to wrap it all over his legs (we often fight over the sheet in the middle of the night 😂)! Also, when you have the right set of sheets, it just makes going to bed even more luxurious.” – Alli
No top sheet 👍 vs. Top sheet 👎
“I don’t use a top sheet, but that’s not because I am passionately against them, I just found that they aren’t worth the hassle. They are hard to keep on the bed and I’ve just found it easier to skip one. I think if I invested in some amazing sheets though, I would reconsider. (I’ve heard all the rave about Quince sheets!)“ – Melinda
“I personally use a top sheet because I grew up with them, but as my teen boys have gotten older I stopped putting one on theirs. They end up at the bottom of the bed literally a day after I wash and remake their bed so I just realized one day it saves me the stress of seeing them all over the floor by skipping it altogether. It’s easier for them to make their beds and we don’t have to have the arguments anymore!” – Sara
Yes, most of our team thinks you need a top sheet.
So why might you need (or not need) a top sheet?…
1. It’s just what you’re used to.
Many of our Hip sidekicks and readers never gave a top sheet a second thought because it’s what they’ve always used growing up. Many also mentioned, they never gave a top sheet a second thought since any set they’ve ever bought came with one.
2. Your sleeping partner might need a top sheet.
Something, or should I say, someone, to think about when deciding if you need a top sheet or not is your sleeping partner (if you have one)! Oftentimes, one of you may not be able to sleep without one, whereas the other could totally do without it…or kick it down to the bottom like my Hip sidekick, Chelsey shared. 😏 Depending on your reasons, you might decide to compromise (whether you like it or not). 😂
3. It makes more laundry.
Arguably, having a top sheet or not having one may make you feel like there’s more consistent laundry to do. Many of our Hip Sidekicks agree that not using a top sheet creates the need to wash your comforter more regularly. The others think you just have more laundry in general with the top sheet being on the bed.
4. Top sheets keep the bed feeling fresher.
There’s nothing like crawling into a bed after a long day and cozying up with fresh, clean, and crisp sheets. That’s until you might get a little too hot. Adding a top sheet can create a cool barrier helping keep you from overheating with a heavy blanket or comforter. Not only that, but it provides an extra layer that gives you the option to take some blankets off if you tend to get too hot.
5. It might be too much of a hassle!
Frustrated about making your bed with all those layers? A top sheet might not be your best option. I found that so many people complain about what a hassle they can be, and I have to say, they have a great point! Not only is tucking them in a pain, but more times than not, they become lopsided or bunched up at the bottom (normally thanks to their sleeping partner). 😉
6. Some change their mind seasonally.
The seasons may influence your decision to have a top sheet. When cold weather comes, some people look forward to crawling in bed with some warm and cozy flannel sheets. Come spring or summer, you may be ready to throw them off the bed.
7. Some top sheets are just too good to pass up.
Many of our Hip sidekicks recently bought Quince bamboo sheets and mentioned how they’re simply too soft to not sleep with. Our Hip Sidekick, Liza, said she tends to go to bed a little earlier just to enjoy them longer.
If you’re in the market for some new sheets, many people from our team think you should try Quince bamboo sheets:
I’ve tested many sheets over the years, and this is the first set where my husband wasn’t kicking them off his side. No matter what your sleeping preferences are, we all think you’ll love these sheets!
Bamboo sheets are known for their softness, ultra-smooth texture, and unparalleled breathability. They’re also hypoallergenic and naturally repel dust mites and other allergens, making them an excellent choice for individuals with sensitive skin or allergies.
Typically, bamboo sheets come at a very high cost. (Hundreds, in fact, when considering popular brands like Cozy Earth bamboo sheets and Cariloha bamboo sheets).
Best of all, you don’t need to choose whether you’re “Team Top Sheet” or not because they offer these amazing sheets with OR without a top sheet! 🙌🏼
Read more about the best bamboo bed sheets!
We tested all of this luxury-like bedding for a year, but it’s affordable.
I am from Europe. We always use duvet covers instead of sheets.
My husband and I have our own bedcovers so we don’t of using the flat sheet as a top sheet –it would get in the way of wrapping myself in my cover like a cocoon. Instead, I buy elastic corner clips and an extra set of pillowcases and use the flat sheet as a second fitted sheet.
My mattress is super heavy and awkward so I make the bed with four layers: mattress allergy protector, fitted sheet, mattress allergy protector, flat sheet with clips, and then every other week I just need to peel off the top two layers and change the pillowcases.
I am not an every day bed maker (my mother would be horrified!), but as a result we don’t do the top sheet thing. It just ends up bunched at the bottom and feels like an extra step when I actually do make the bed.
😂
A top sheet is all I really need
I wear clothes to sleep, so Im not sure how different it is to use pj’s vs top sheet vs duvet to keep blankets clean? Esp as a child lol. Anyways my top sheet is used to sleep on. I hate it. Sometimes I throw it off and just sleep with a fitted sheet on the bed. I need to feel my cozy blanket at night,a top sheet makes me feel chilly instead of cozy. All my kids are the same, they don’t like the top Sheet. Abs fwiw, I’ve always called it a flat sheet.
We don’t use a top sheet – I have my own full blanket that is heavier and thicker, and Hubby prefers a light blanket because he sleep hotter than I do. Since they are full size blankets ( on our Cal King bed they are easy to wash. And we are both night time shower takers so I haven’t found they get dirty and need tons of washing. Our pillow case get. Switched and washed once a week. We both sleep MUCH better having our own blankets. Also I have a toddler that comes into bed around midnight and it was awful getting stuck in the middle! I always woke up so hot! Or DJ tossed and turned because he was hot …. it was miserable! This solution means I can always kick a leg out if I need to!
I either drape the top sheet over the fitted (it clings pretty well without having to be tucked in all the way around) and sleep on top of it so it acts as another bottom sheet that can be pulled off after a few days leaving the clean fresh fitted sheet…does that make sense? Or I sew two of the top sheets together and make my own duvet cover…then I have two fitted sheets, four pillow cases and a matching duvet cover.
I am absolutely team top sheet. When I am hot, and am often because of menapause, I like the top sheet over me at least. Usually comforters, quilts, etc (not sure about duvets b/c I have not had one) are not meant to be washed once or twice weekly, however my top sheet is. For those that wash their top covers every time they change their sheets i can understand if that’s what they choose to do. However, for the ones that said having a top sheet means more washing, I think they must not wash their blankets, comforters every time they change their sheets and again, in my opinion only, is not very wise or sanitary to me. I happen to enjoy getting into bed with freshly washed and dried sheets. I would not feel that way if my top covers touched me and had not been washed and dried as well. My age is showing with my opinion. My oldest daughter and her husband do not use a top sheet but they wash their top cover every time they wash their sheets. I still see it as taking up much room in the washer and dryer than a top sheet does. But all different perspectives is what makes the world interesting. Maybe not sanitary, but definitely interesting.
No top sheet, I move around way to much and they end up on the floor or at the bottom of the bed at my feet. I have a cheap comforter I use instead of a top sheet. I wash the comforter with the sheet and pillow cases everytime I wash them. I wash them weekly. I do have a nice thick comforter I use to make the bed look fancy when I want to do that. I make my bed everyday. It makes getting into bed more pleasant.