Best sheets for an adjustable bed (and split king sheets)
Hi, we’re John and Mimi. Sheets are the part of an adjustable bed nobody thinks about until the first night, when the head of the bed goes up and a corner of the fitted sheet pops off. The fix is mostly about size and fit, not fancy fabric: the right size for the way your bed is built (one piece or split), a fitted sheet deep enough for your mattress and protector, and a split set when each side moves on its own. Here’s how to get it right, with every sheet set and bedding bundle we carry and today’s prices.
The short answer
- One-piece base, one mattress (twin XL, full, queen, king or cal king): buy regular sheets in the same size as the mattress. Our Bamboo Viscose & Cotton Sheet Set comes in all five.
- Split king (two Twin XL mattresses on two bases): each half needs its own fitted sheet, so get a split set with two fitted sheets, or two Twin XL sets. Our bamboo sheet set comes in King Split, Cal King Split and King Split-Top by email order, and the Essentials Bedding Bundle comes in two split sizes you can order online.
- Make sure the fitted sheet is deep enough. Measure the mattress plus the mattress protector on top of it. The Essentials bundle’s fitted sheet lists a 16" skirt with elastic.
- Put a protector on first, then the fitted sheet. Split protector sets fit each half separately.
- Not sure which split you have? Text John a photo of the bed before you order.
Pick by the bed you have
| Your bed | Sheets you need | From our shop |
|---|---|---|
| Twin XL base, one sleeper | Twin XL sheets (regular twin sheets are too short) | Bamboo sheet set, Twin XL |
| Full or queen base | Full or queen sheets, same as any bed | Bamboo sheet set, Full or Queen |
| One-piece king base | Regular king sheets | Bamboo sheet set, King |
| Split king (two Twin XL) | Two fitted sheets (one per half), one king-width flat sheet | Bamboo King Split set (email order), two Twin XL sets, or the Essentials bundle in its split king size |
| Split cal king (two 36" × 84" halves) | Two fitted sheets sized for the halves | Bamboo Cal King Split set (email order) or Essentials bundle, Cal King Split |
| Split-top king (split at the head) | A split-top sheet set made for that style | Bamboo King Split-Top set (email order); text John first |
| Starting from scratch | Sheets, pillows and a protector in one go | Essentials Bedding Bundle |
Why sheets act differently on an adjustable bed
On a flat bed a fitted sheet just sits there. On an adjustable base the mattress bends when you raise the head or the feet, so the fabric gets pulled toward the bend and the corners at the other end take the strain. A few things keep everything in place:
- The right size, not one size up. A loose sheet slides around as the bed moves. Buy the size that matches the mattress exactly: Twin XL for each half of a split king, cal king for a cal king. Our mattress size chart has every measurement.
- Enough depth. The fitted sheet’s pocket has to wrap all the way under the mattress edge, with the protector on, so the elastic grips underneath. If it barely reaches the sides, it will pop off when the bed bends.
- One fitted sheet per moving part. On a split king, each half moves on its own. One big king fitted sheet across both halves gets yanked every time one side goes up, which is why split sets come with two fitted sheets.
- Don’t tuck the flat sheet tight at the foot if you raise your feet often; a looser tuck gives the fabric room as the foot section lifts.
Split king, split cal king and split-top: what’s the difference?
- Split king is two Twin XL mattresses (38" × 80" each) on two Twin XL bases, 76" × 80" together, the same footprint as a king. Each side raises on its own. Sheets: two Twin XL fitted sheets and one king flat sheet over the top. More in our split king guide.
- Split cal king is the same idea with two narrower, longer halves; the Essentials bundle lists them at 36" × 84" each, matching a California king.
- Split-top (also called split head) king is one king mattress that is split from the head part of the way down, so each side’s head can rise separately while the foot stays one piece. It needs sheets made for that shape. Our bamboo set offers a King Split-Top version by email order.
If you’re not sure which one you have, text John a photo of the bed from the foot end. It takes him a minute to tell you which set to order.
Our sheets, side by side
We carry two kinds of sheets: the Bamboo Viscose & Cotton Luxury Sheet Set, and the microfiber sheet set that comes inside the Essentials Bedding Bundle. Here is what each listing says.
| What the listing says | Bamboo Viscose & Cotton Sheet Set | Essentials Bedding Bundle sheet set |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | 60% viscose from bamboo, 40% cotton | 100% polyester microfiber, 90 gsm |
| Weave / weight | 240 thread count | 90 gsm (grams per square meter) |
| Feel | Soft, smooth and breathable | Extra soft and smooth to the touch |
| Fitted sheet | Pocket depth not listed; text John with your mattress height | 1 cm of elastic with a 16" skirt |
| In the set | 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, 2 pillowcases (1 pillowcase in Twin XL; 2 fitted sheets in split sets) | Sheet set plus pillow(s) and a mattress protector (see below) |
| Colors | Grey, Light Grey, Ivory, White | Not listed |
| Split sizes | King Split, Cal King Split, King Split-Top (email sales@mimijohn.com to order) | Split king and Cal King Split, order online |
| Warranty | 3-year limited (excludes fading, ripping, pilling and shrinkage) | Sheets: 3-year limited (same exclusions) |
In plain terms: the bamboo set is the softer, cotton-blend upgrade with a choice of four colors, and it is the one named for mattress and adjustable base sets. The Essentials bundle is the easy “everything in one box” option that also gets you pillows and a protector.
What’s in the Essentials Bedding Bundle
Per the listing, every size includes sheets, pillow(s), pillowcase(s) and a mattress protector:
- Twin and Twin XL: 1 pillow, 1 pillowcase, 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, 1 mattress protector.
- Full, Queen, King and Cal King: 2 pillows, 2 pillowcases, 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, 1 mattress protector.
- Split king (two 38" × 80" halves) and Cal King Split (two 36" × 84" halves): 2 pillows, 2 pillowcases, 1 flat sheet, 2 fitted sheets and 2 mattress protectors, so each half is covered and fitted on its own.
The protector in the bundle lists a polyester top, a stretch skirt (92% poly, 8% spandex), 5-sided protection against liquid spills, a guard against bed bugs and dust mites, and a 16" pocket depth. The pillows are polyfill with a zippered microfiber cover and a plush loft. On the site the bundle’s split king size is listed as “King Split Head”; if you have a split-top mattress rather than two Twin XLs, text John before you order so you get the right fit.
Mattress thickness, protectors and deep pockets
Our mattresses run from 6" to 14" thick, and a protector adds a little on top. Measure the mattress height with the protector on, then check it against the sheet. The Essentials fitted sheet lists a 16" skirt, and the bundle’s protector lists a 16" pocket. Our bamboo sheet listing doesn’t give a pocket depth, so for a 12" or 14" mattress text John and he’ll check before you order. Our mattress thickness guide covers what each height is good for.
For split beds, the protector should be split too. Per their listings, our Premium Bamboo protector (fits up to 16") comes in King Split, Cal King Split, King Split Head and Cal King Split Head; the Terry Cloth protector (fits up to 11") comes in King Split and Cal King Split; and the Quilted Cotton protector (fits up to 11") comes in Cal King Split. Our mattress protector guide compares all three.
Care
The Essentials bundle lists the same care for its sheets, pillow cover and protector: machine wash cold on a gentle cycle, wash with like colors only, use non-chlorine bleach only when needed, tumble dry low, do not iron and do not dry clean. For the bamboo set, follow the care label that comes with it. Washing sheets every week or two and the protector per its label keeps the mattress fresh; our how to clean a mattress guide has the rest.
Prices today
Bamboo Viscose & Cotton Luxury Sheet Set, read live from our catalog. Colors can differ in price, so this shows the lowest in-stock price for each size; a dash means that size is sold out today.
| Size | In the set | Fits | Model code | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twin XL (38" × 80") | 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, 1 pillowcase | One half of a split king, or a Twin XL bed | SHEET240-TL |
from $75 |
| Full (54" × 75") | 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, 2 pillowcases | Full mattress or full base | SHEET240-F |
from $79 |
| Queen (60" × 80") | 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, 2 pillowcases | Queen mattress or one-piece queen base | SHEET240-Q |
from $89 |
| King (76" × 80") | 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, 2 pillowcases | One-piece king mattress on a one-piece king base | SHEET240-EK |
from $99 |
| Cal King (72" × 84") | 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, 2 pillowcases | One-piece California king | SHEET240-CK |
from $89 |
| King Split | 2 fitted sheets for split sets | Split king (two Twin XL) | — |
Email to order |
| Cal King Split | 2 fitted sheets for split sets | Split cal king | — |
Email to order |
| King Split-Top | 2 fitted sheets for split sets | One king mattress split at the head | — |
Email to order |
| Bamboo Cotton Luxury Pillowcases (set of 2) | 2 pillowcases, same fabric | Queen or king pillows | PILCAS |
Queen from $45 · King from $49 |
Essentials Bedding Bundle and split mattress protectors:
| Pick | Best for | Model code | Twin XL | Queen | King | Cal king | Split king | Split cal king |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essentials Bedding Bundle | Sheets, pillow(s) and protector in one box; split sizes online | PSP1-TL |
$75 | $95 | $99 | $99 | $99 | $99 |
| Premium Bamboo Mattress Protector | Fits up to 16"; 5-sided spill protection; split and split head sets | MATPROB1-TXL |
$61 | $69 | $76 | $76 | $102 | $102 |
| Terry Cloth Mattress Protector | Fits up to 11"; King Split and Cal King Split sets | MATPROC1-TL |
$31 | $34 | $36 | $36 | $52 | $52 |
| Quilted Cotton Mattress Protector | Fits up to 11"; quilted cotton top; Cal King Split set | MATPROC2-TXL |
$32.99 | $41.99 | $46.99 | $46.99 | — | $61.99 |
Prices are today’s prices, read live from our catalog, with free FedEx shipping included.
Bamboo Viscose & Cotton Luxury Sheet Set for Mattress & Adjustable Base Sets
Our pick for an adjustable bed: the set named for mattress and adjustable base sets, in every size plus three split versions.
- 60% viscose from bamboo, 40% cotton; 240 thread count
- Soft, smooth and breathable
- 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, 2 pillowcases (2 fitted sheets in split sets)
- Grey, Light Grey, Ivory or White
- Twin XL to Cal King online; King Split, Cal King Split and King Split-Top by email
- 3-year limited warranty
From $75 (Twin XL) · Queen $89 · See sizes & details
Essentials Bedding Bundle with Comfort Pillows
Our pick for a new bed or a split king you want to order online in one step.
- Sheet set, pillow(s), pillowcase(s) and a mattress protector
- 90 gsm microfiber sheets; fitted sheet with a 16" skirt
- Protector with 5-sided spill protection and a 16" pocket
- Split sizes include 2 fitted sheets and 2 protectors
- Sheets and pillow: 3-year limited warranty
From $75 (Twin) · Queen $95 · See sizes & details
Shop this guide
Everything you need to dress an adjustable bed.
- Bamboo Viscose & Cotton Luxury Sheet Set for Mattress & Adjustable Base Sets, from $75. Bamboo and cotton sheets in every size; split sets by email.
- Essentials Bedding Bundle with Comfort Pillows, from $75. Sheets, pillows and a protector in one box, including split sizes.
- Premium Bamboo Viscose Mattress Protector - Waterproof & Hypoallergenic, from $60. Split protector sets that fit mattresses up to 16".
- Bamboo Cotton Luxury Pillowcase - PILCAS, from $45. Matching bamboo and cotton pillowcases, set of 2.
Questions we hear a lot
What sheets do you use on an adjustable bed?
Regular sheets in the exact size of your mattress work on a one-piece adjustable base, as long as the fitted sheet is deep enough to wrap under the mattress with the protector on. Our Bamboo Viscose & Cotton Luxury Sheet Set is made for mattress and adjustable base sets and comes in Twin XL, Full, Queen, King and Cal King.
What sheets fit a split king adjustable bed?
A split king is two Twin XL mattresses side by side, so each half needs its own fitted sheet. Use a split king sheet set with two fitted sheets, or two Twin XL sets. Our bamboo sheet set comes in King Split, Cal King Split and King Split-Top (email sales@mimijohn.com to order), and the Essentials Bedding Bundle comes in split king and Cal King Split sizes online.
What is the difference between split king and split-top king sheets?
Split king sheets are for two separate Twin XL mattresses, with two fitted sheets. Split-top sheets are for one king mattress that is split at the head so each side can rise on its own. If you are not sure which you have, text John a photo of the bed at 805-617-6878 before you order.
How do I keep sheets from coming off an adjustable bed?
Buy the exact size of the mattress, make sure the fitted sheet is deep enough for the mattress plus the protector so the elastic grips underneath, use one fitted sheet per half on a split king, and leave the flat sheet loosely tucked at the foot if you raise your feet often.
What comes in the Essentials Bedding Bundle split king?
Per the listing, the split sizes include 2 pillows, 2 pillowcases, 1 flat sheet, 2 fitted sheets and 2 mattress protectors, so each half of the bed is fitted and protected on its own. The sheets are 90 gsm microfiber and the fitted sheet lists a 16 inch skirt.
Still not sure?
Tell John what base and mattress you have (a photo of the bed is perfect) and he’ll tell you exactly which sheets and protector to get. Text or call 805-617-6878, 6 AM to 9 PM Pacific, email sales@mimijohn.com for split sheet sets, or use Help me choose.
Written by John & Mimi Venti, MimiJohn. Fabrics, contents, sizes and warranties from the product listings on this site; prices update automatically.