Polyester and microfiber are both popular fabrics for bed sheets, but there are key differences you should know before making your choice. Generally, microfiber sheets are more breathable, while polyester sheets are known for their durability.
What Is Polyester?
Polyester is a synthetic fabric made from petroleum-based products. It’s affordable and easy to clean, but it has a rougher texture and isn’t very breathable, which can be uncomfortable for hot sleepers.
What Is Microfiber?
Microfiber is a synthetic fabric made from a blend of polyester and nylon. It’s a bit more expensive than polyester but offers better breathability and water absorbency. Microfiber is also smoother, softer, and lightweight.
Polyester Sheets
“Polyester is a synthetic fabric made from petroleum and petroleum-derived products,” says Torun Hannam, founder of The Bamboo Shop. “Polyester fabric is cheap to make and one of the world’s most popular textiles. However, in recent decades, the popularity of 100% polyester in clothing and bedding has decreased in favor of mixing it with natural fabrics like cotton to add softness and breathability.”
Pros:
- More affordable
- Longer lifespan
Cons:
- Not very breathable
- Has a more synthetic feel
Microfiber Sheets
Microfiber fabrics come in two main types of weaves: flatweave and split weave. You can often tell the difference by touch—split weave tends to stick to your fingers more. In a split weave, the fibers are split to create a finer, multi-strand material that’s more water-absorbent. “This is why split weave microfiber is popular in activewear, as well as in cleaning products such as mops and cleaning cloths,” shares Hannam.
Pros:
- More breathable
- Feels less synthetic
- Softer and silkier compared to polyester
- Stronger (split-weave)
Cons:
- Slightly more expensive
- Not as durable
- Can create static cling
- Stains easier
Polyester vs. Microfiber for Bed Sheets
Popularity
Polyester has been widely used since the 1950s, while microfiber is gaining popularity as an alternative to polyester and cotton.
Quality
Microfiber is considered an upgrade from polyester because it blends polyester with other fibers. However, the question of quality is subjective, as the two fabrics match up similarly on many points. For some, softness is more important than durability.
Comfort
Microfiber is softer and more comfortable than polyester. Polyester has a rougher, more artificial feel due to its weave, and while it can be smooth, it doesn’t achieve the luxurious softness that microfiber offers.
Hannam explains, “Microfiber and polyester are similar in many ways. Microfiber is usually made from polyester, nylon, polyamide, and other additives. The main difference is that microfiber, as the name indicates, is made from ultra-fine fibers of 0.7 deniers or less. To compare, a strand of silk is about one denier, about a fifth of the diameter of a human hair.”
Durability
Microfiber is a stronger material because of the split weaving method. “Microfiber beddings are stronger than polyester bedding because of the split weaving method,” shares Stephen Light, Co-Owner of Nolah Mattress. “The split weave allows microfiber fabrics to boast a higher tensile strength than traditional polyester fabrics.” However, polyester is more resistant to wear and tear.
Cleaning
Polyester is easy to launder and resists wrinkles and shrinkage, making it ideal for everyday use.
Breathability
If you’re a hot sleeper or live in a warm climate, polyester may not be the best choice. It retains body heat, making it less breathable. Microfiber is more breathable than polyester but still cannot rival natural materials like cotton, linen, or bamboo.
Eco-friendliness
Neither polyester nor microfiber is eco-friendly. Both contribute to pollution, and microfiber adds to the problem of microplastics in oceans and waterways.
Cost
Microfiber is more expensive to produce than polyester due to the complex manufacturing process involved in creating ultra-thin fibers. Both materials are cheaper to produce than natural fibers.
Polyester and Microfiber Sheets: Which Is Better?
Your choice depends on your needs and preferences. If you want something soft and lightweight, go for microfiber, but be mindful of its potential for static cling. If durability and affordability are your top priorities, polyester is a good option.
Hannam advises prioritizing breathability when selecting bed sheets. “Look for 100% natural materials and avoid synthetic materials and blends which can make you sweat and overheat,” she says. For those concerned about sleeping cool, natural materials like cotton, linen, or bamboo are worth considering.
