Ooh, look at you taking proper care of yourself by investing in high-quality sheets. Unlike most grown-up decisions, the current market is making this one pretty easy. Why? Because only two brands are truly dominating the world of bedding right now: Brooklinen and Parachute.
They're both organic sheet brands, and they carry a fairly similar bedding lineup, (sateen sheets, percale, linen, you get it.) But besides that (and the fact that the brands are basically beloved by sleepers across the country,) there are important distinctions between them.
That's why instead of making you go through the annoying-as-hell process of reading tons of reviews and trying to figure out who to trust and which to choose, we sleep-tested both brands. Now, we're going to break down exactly what makes both Brooklinen and Parachute so special—and why you may prefer one over the other.
Welcome to Lebron James vs. Michael Jordan: organic sheet brand edition (or Beyoncé vs. Rihanna. Just think GOAT vs GOAT). Let’s cuddle up, shall we?
The $$$
- Brooklinen's bedding runs at a slightly lower price than Parachute's, but not too far off. A full-sized linen duvet cover will run you $245 at Brooklinen, versus $320 at Parachute. Brooklinen's best-selling full-sized satin sheet set starts at $189 pre-sale, and Parachute's goes for $269. Brooklinen also regularly has sales going on throughout the year, and might we mention that we have an exclusive Brooklinen discount code? just use the code 'COSMO15' at checkout for 15% off your whole order. Parachute offers discounted items on its final sale page. Who doesn't love a good deal?
Return Policy
- Brooklinen accepts most returns up to a year after purchase, subject to a $9.95 return fee deducted from your refund amount. Your refund can either be used as store credit, or you can opt to have it returned to your original method of payment.
- Parachute accepts returns on most purchases (WOMP: final sale items, furniture, gift cards, and fabric swatches don’t count) within 60 days or 100 for mattresses. You can send the stuff back three ways: in-person at one of their stores or Happy Returns locations, or by mail. Refunds are provided instantly if items are returned in person, or within 10-14 business days if it's done by mail. Original shipping costs cannot be refunded.
Sizes
- Both Brooklinen and Parachute carry bedding in sizes from Twin to Cal King. Solid range!
Colors
- Brooklinen loves that whole minimalist vibe, so most sheets are white, beige, blue, and gray. Want something that feels spesh? Limited-edition patterns and shades are up for grabs too.
- Parachute rarely strays from the neutrals, but some top sheets are reversible. That means you’ll score a chic contrast when (or if) you make your bed.
Parachute Home Sateen Top Sheet
Parachute Home Percale Top Sheet
Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set
Now 15% Off
Brooklinen Core Sheet Set
Brooklinen Core Sheet Set
Parachute Home Linen Top Sheet
Parachute Home Sateen Fitted Sheet
Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet Set
Marlow Pillow
Marlow Pillow Protector
Marlow Marlow Cooling Bundle
Care
- Brooklinen sheets can go in the washer on either a cool or warm setting. If you have the time (and space), skip the dryer and hang the sheets on a line.
- Parachute sheets are also washing machine and dryer-friendly, but the brand suggests swapping traditional fabric softener for wool dryer balls, which cuts down on drying time—a major laundry-day win.
Shipping
- Brooklinen has free shipping for order over $75 to 48 U.S. states, and free shipping for order over $250 to Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico!
- Parachute ships all of their products (except oversized items) ship via UPS Ground to all 50 states.
Challenge 1: Percale Sheets
First, a quick primer on how sheets are made. There are two common weaves: The first, percale, is a simple stitch pattern associated with a lightweight and crisp feel. If you’ve ever seen bedding that appears perfectly disheveled, with little peaks and folds falling just so, you’re probably looking at percale.
Brooklinen’s Percale Sheets
The Classic Hardcore Sheet Bundle starts at $245 and is crisp to the touch. The fabric is 270-thread-count organic cotton, slightly low for what’s considered “good,” thread count but it’s also probably why they’re so airy and breathable. I thought these would be too light for winter, but I was wrong. My room is extremely warm, thanks to my overzealous radiator, and these keep me cool all night long. They are my new staples.
My rating: 5/5
Parachute’s Percale Sheets
Parachute’s Percale Venice Set starts at $299 and includes a fitted sheet, duvet cover, and pillowcases. Because I’m not a monster and I prefer sleeping with a top sheet, I opted for the set that includes one, which starts at $449. Not going to lie, this price seemed like a lot to me. Thread count is not listed, based on the argument that it’s not an ideal way to discern quality—but these feel ever so slightly thicker than Brooklinen’s. They’re still extra soft, they drape beautifully on my bed, and they keep me from sweating in my super-hot room.
My rating: 4.5/5
The winner:
If you want a classic, all-season percale set, go with Brooklinen. Both sheets feel incredible and get the job done in terms of keeping me cozy and not sweaty. But unless you just really love to spend money, Parachute’s don’t feel $130 better.
Challenge 2: Sateen Sheets
Okay, so the other common sheet weave is sateen, which is known for being a little bit heavier, hugging the body more, and being more shiny than matte—not, like, face-grease-level shine but not as matte as percale. I was a longtime sateen hater because I thought (wrongly) they’d make me too hot. These sets completely turned me. Sateen should be in your regular rotation.
Brooklinen’s Sateen Sheets
Brooklinen Luxe Hardcore Bundle
Credit: BrooklinenPros
- SO smooth
- Feel like hotel sheets
Cons
- A little too warm
If you want sheets that feel smooth like buttah, these are for you.
Even though they were super soft right when I opened them, I followed the instructions and washed them before making my bed. Brooklinen’s Luxe Hardcore Bundle is the brand’s best seller, at $423 for a queen set, and it lives up to the hype. At a 480 thread count, they’re definitely heavier than the percale. I kicked off the duvet the second night I slept under these (I'm a hot sleeper, what can I say?). But they have other benefits—they feel, essentially, like softened butter. I was also surprised by how much I liked the slightly shinier look. This bedding made my room look fancier.
My rating: 4/5
Parachute’s Sateen Sheets
Parachute Sateen Venice Set
Credit: ParachutePros
- Silky, not shiny
- Look (and feel) expensive
- Softest sheets tested
If you think you don't like sateen sheets, these will convince you otherwise.
I once again opted in for the top sheet, which brings Parachute’s Sateen Venice Set to $389 for a queen size. That’s a lot more than my old, cheap sateen bedding, which I promptly threw out after sleeping on these for one night. Guys. These are. The softest sheets. I’ve ever felt. Have you ever been outside on a nice day and realized the temperature was so perfect that you couldn’t even feel the air around you? That’s what lying in these feels like. I didn’t wake up sweaty or kick off my comforter. The only bad thing is I never want to leave them.
My rating: 5/5
The winner:
Even though they cost almost half a month’s rent (in NYC, at least), I can’t recommend Parachute enough. Don’t get me wrong—both brands are amazing and instantly will make your room look more grown-up. Something about the shinier look is just FANCY. But if you want something that feels truly luxurious, the Parachute set is your best bet.
Challenge 3: Linen Sheets
Does anyone really need linen sheets? No. Does that mean you don’t want them? Of course not. Something about the fabric’s slightly undone look—like the bedding equivalent of the perfectly messy bun—is just so appealing. And linen is kind of a super-material: It wicks away moisture by retaining more water than traditional cotton can, so they’re a worthy investment if you sweat a lot or have a partner who sweats a lot.
Brooklinen’s Linen Sheets
Brooklinen’s Linen Hardcore Bundle starts at $389 and is made from 100 percent linen. Although they come pre-washed and dried, I washed them beforehand anyway. I also made sure to fold and get them on my mattress super fast because the fabric, ICYMI, is prone to wrinkling. The first night, my bed looked dreamy and amazing. These feel really soft, although not as soft as cotton, and definitely keep me cool. But by nights two and three, they were creasing and wrinkling a bit more than I liked, and my fitted sheet was moving around a lot. Also, linen snags more than cotton does. So if you have a pet who likes to sleep with you, think twice about these.
My rating: 3.5/5
Parachute’s Linen Sheets
Parachute Linen Venice Set
Credit: ParachutePros
- Stay wrinkle-free
- Airy and cool
Cons
- A bit pricey
The brand's signature sheets for a reason. These are the softest linen sheets you can buy at this price.
At $529 for a queen, Parachute’s Linen Venice Set officially costs more than half my rent. But I rationalized the steep cost by reasoning that I’ll probably use these only in the summer, which will prolong their lifetime. Parachute recommends replacing your bedding when it starts showing signs of aging, like frayed hems or stains, but if that stuff doesn’t bother you, I don’t see why you can’t keep these forever. Out of the box, Parachute’s set was softer than Brooklinen’s. They feel equally cool and airy, and I didn’t wake up with even a drop of sweat on my body. One big plus: Parachute doesn’t get as wrinkly. I also noticed the fitted sheet stayed in place better. I’d still recommend keeping your pet out of these—if only because at this price, wrecking them would be sad.
My rating: 4/5
The winner:
This is a toss-up. Brooklinen’s linen set is cheaper, but the fitted sheet moving around is frustrating. Parachute’s stayed in place better and wrinkled less, but spending more than $500 is hard. This is your call, knowing that you probably don’t need them. But I can attest they feel extremely nice and cool.
Okay, so: Brooklinen or Parachute?
It really depends on what you’re looking for.
Brooklinen is best for people who want basic, not too expensive, but still very good sheets. For percale, Brooklinen is the way to go—there’s no real need to spend so much money on such a classic weave. Plus, if you prefer to stock up on several sets, Brooklinen is your friend, since it’s considerably cheaper. You probably won’t miss the extra quality Parachute provides. Finally, Brooklinen feels especially geared toward people like me—20somethings in big cities who move around a lot—due to its branding, array of patterns, and reasonable pricing for such high quality.
But having had the luxury of comparing both brands to each other, I can’t deny how luxurious Parachute feels. I felt like a fancy bitch every single night I slept on them. I don’t see the benefit in spending almost $400 on the percale set, but sateen is worth the investment. Seriously, softest sheets ever. I’ll sleep on them until they disintegrate into dust and then buy another set. Parachute is best for people who want their bed to be the nicest place in their home. The solid, muted colors are all very adult-looking and go very well with the mid-century furniture that’s so very en vogue right now.
Alexis Bennett is the Shopping Editor at Cosmopolitan. She lives for a good sale. You can follow her shopping obsession here and on Instagram.
Annabel Iwegbue is an assistant editor at Cosmopolitan where she primarily covers lifestyle and fashion. Before joining Cosmo, she covered entertainment at Harper's Bazaar, The Knockturnal, and Black Film. She's originally from Charleston, South Carolina, and is currently based in Brooklyn, New York. She holds a B.A. in Journalism and Cinema Studies from New York University. You can check out some of Annabel’s work here and also find her on Instagram and Twitter.
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