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The Best Cotton Sham

Last updated on October 26, 2021

We looked at the top 8 Cotton Shams and dug through the reviews from 4 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Cotton Shams.

Best Cotton Sham

Our Review Process

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While traditional pillowcases are best used with pillows you plan to sleep on, pillow shams are ideal for pillows you’d like to use for decorative purposes. They can be tossed on top of your bed, over a living room or patio sofa or placed on the floor to create a comfortable seating area in your kid’s toy room.

Begin your search for the best cotton shams by looking for a brand that uses all-natural cotton that is free of any chemicals. Models that are pure cotton are a good choice because they are 100% hypoallergenic and breathable. That means they are safe for individuals who have allergies, as well as those who have sensitive skin.

Check the strength and durability of the cotton shams next. For example, the Pinzon by Amazon 400 Thread Count Egyptian Cotton Sham are made with a two-ply weave that keeps the sham from coming apart. It’s also outfitted with a 2-inch flange all the way around and has a practical envelope closure.

If you’re looking for a more luxurious cotton sham, go with a sham made out of 100% Egyptian cotton. The material is super soft and resistant to wrinkles, stains and fading. Also, look for a company that uses environmentally friendly dyeing technology that won’t irritate your skin.

Determine whether you’d like the cotton sham to come in a solid color with a smooth surface or in a decorative design. For example, the WINLIFE 100% Quilted Cotton Sham is quilted using a floral print. It adds a touch of style to any space and comes in a variety of colors.

Finally, take a closer look at what the cotton sham has to offer and how the company operates. You may prefer shams that are individually tailored and resistant to pilling, or you may wish to purchase shams from a company that donates a portion of their proceeds to further the education of the underprivileged.

Our Picks For The Top Cotton Shams

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Product Overview
Our Take
  Best Overall

La Vie Moderne Organic Cotton Pillow Shams, 2-Set

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

La Vie Moderne

Premium Organic Cotton Pillow Sham, 2-Set

Achieve a restful night's sleep when you go with this 100% natural cotton sham. It's constructed using premium stitching. Consumers will love that the fabric is both soft and breathable. Each set includes two shams in a choice of queen or king sizes.

Overall Take

Comfortable and CozyThis cotton sham is machine-washable in cold water and safe for the low heat setting in your dryer.

  Choose Your Color

NTBAY Breathable 500-Thread Count Cotton Pillow Shams, 2-Pack

NTBAY

500-Thread Count Cotton Pillow Sham, 2-Pack

This cotton sham only gets softer after each wash, which is welcome if you happen to have sensitive skin. It's both lightweight and breathable, as well as durable, thanks to the excellent stitching. The sham even comes in a choice of many colors, including navy, yellow, dark green and red.

Overall Take

Hypoallergenic ShamIf you suffer from allergies, you'll want to go with this cotton sham.

  Stylish Pick

Pinzon Standard Egyptian Cotton Pillow Sham, 400 Thread Count

Pinzon

400 Thread Count Egyptian Cotton Pillow Sham

This cotton sham features a two-ply weave for added strength and durability. It's also decorated with two colored bands, which is great if you're looking for a sham that is simple yet stylish.

Overall Take

Strong and DurableThis durable cotton sham features two colored bands for extra style.

  Quilted Pick

WINLIFE 2-Pack Quilted Cotton Floral Pillow Shams

WINLIFE

Quilted Cotton Floral Pillow Sham, 2-Set

These cotton shams are machine-washable and safe for use in the dryer, making it a cinch to keep them clean. Each set includes two shams with decorative floral embroidery that add a touch of elegance to the room. Since the shams are made from an all-natural cotton, they are also environmentally friendly.

Overall Take

Lots of ColorsWith various solid colors to choose from, you're sure to find a sham set to match your existing bedding.

  Shabby Chic Look

Brandream 2-Pack Vintage Farmhouse Quilted Cotton Shams

Brandream

Vintage Farmhouse Quilted Cotton Sham

Allergy sufferers will appreciate that these are hypoallergenic and breathable. The natural cotton material is soft and comfortable, which is important if you want a peaceful night's sleep. You'll find the sham comes in a vintage design in a choice of pumpkin, beige, blue and gray.

Overall Take

Retro DesignQuality is the best word to describe these shames, which are constructed from 100% cotton.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, Simplemost analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
15

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the cotton shams available to purchase.
8

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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4

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources.

3,188

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

The Best Bang For Your Buck

NTBAY Breathable 500-Thread Count Cotton Pillow Shams, 2-Pack

Our Total Score

9.7

Our Take

This cotton sham only gets softer after each wash, which is welcome if you happen to have sensitive skin. It's both lightweight and breathable, as well as durable, thanks to the excellent stitching. The sham even comes in a choice of many colors, including navy, yellow, dark green and red.

What to Look For

  • Always check the size of the cotton shams to determine if they run big or small. If they’re too small, they won’t fit your pillows. If they’re too large, you’ll have extra material around the pillow’s edges.
  • Carefully read the cotton pillow sham’s cleaning instructions. Some are safe to wash and dry normally, while others must be machine washed using cold water and tumble dried using the low heat setting. In rare instances, you may even be instructed to hand wash and air-dry the shams.
  • If your cotton sham has a stain, apply a gentle stain remover right away and then wash as instructed on the product packaging.
  • Never use bleach or fabric softeners when washing your cotton shams.
  • Keep in mind that the cotton shams do not come with pillows. You must buy the pillows separately.
  • When your cotton pillow shams begin to become a bit worn, you don’t have to throw them away. They can be repurposed and turned into a pet bed, a magazine holder, placemats or even an apron.
  • When comparing the price of cotton shams, make sure you take into account just how many shams you are getting for the total cost. Some offerings are for one sham only, while others provide a set of two. You’ll find the WINLIFE 100% Quilted Cotton Sham and the Pinzon by Amazon 400 Thread Count Egyptian Cotton Sham are both similar in price.

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