Purchasing for the best sheets is difficult sufficient, even when you understand you like cotton over some other supplies. However when in search of the best cotton sheets on the market, you’ll possible come throughout technical language like “percale” and “sateen” which may make it tougher to seek out what you’re in search of. Whereas these phrases could seem overseas to some, they’re pretty easy when you be taught what they imply. Percale and sateen describe the weave of the material, which is simply as necessary as realizing what fibers (cotton, linen, silk, and so forth.) the sheets are manufactured from.
Fortunately, the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab is filled with skilled analysts with backgrounds in textiles science who’re continually testing sheets. Actually, we’ve evaluated greater than 250 sheet units in recent times for every little thing from softness and wrinkle resistance to material energy, shrinkage and extra. Along with placing sheets by standardized Lab assessments utilizing specialised tools, we’ve labored with lots of of shopper testers who attempt them out at dwelling earlier than offering thorough suggestions on their expertise. The outcomes converse for themselves, and we’ve discovered one of the best percale sheets and finest sateen sheets obtainable for each kind of sleeper. Right here’s how one can determine which weave is best for you.
What’s the distinction between percale and sateen sheets?
Percale sheets are light-weight, ethereal and crisp, whereas sateen sheets really feel silky easy and substantial. The distinction is because of how the yarns are woven. Regardless that they’re made with the identical supplies — cotton or cotton blends — the structural variations lead to very completely different textures and bodily properties for every material.
Percale sheets have a primary one-over, one-under plain weave that permits for extra interlacings — factors the place the threads overlap — making it one of many extra sturdy materials utilized in bedding. This construction additionally gives percale’s signature gentle and crisp really feel whereas providing the required breathability to take care of a snug physique temperature. Then again, sateen sheets usually have a four-over, one-under satin-like weave that gives a easy really feel and good sheen. Plus, it doesn’t are likely to wrinkle as a lot as percale.
Each forms of sheets can be found in a variety of thread counts. Opposite to common perception, larger thread counts typically don’t translate to raised high quality sheets, however we’ve discovered that sheets within the 300 to 500 vary have an excellent steadiness of softness and sturdiness.
What’s percale?
Percale sheets are identified for his or her crisp really feel and light-weight high quality and are sometimes in comparison with button-down shirts, which usually have the identical 1:1 weave. This traditional sheet can also be ethereal and breathable, making it an excellent choice for warm sleepers or those that dwell in hotter climates. The draw back to percale sheets is that they’ll really feel tough or scratchy in comparison with sateen sheets and have a tendency to wrinkle extra due to their crisp, sturdy nature.
Execs:
- Feels light-weight and crisp
- Breathable
- Sturdy
Cons:
- Wrinkles extra simply
- Can really feel tough when new
However whereas percale can typically really feel tough in comparison with sateen, L.L.Bean’s Pima Percale Sheet Set nonetheless earned excessive softness scores with shopper testers, because of the premium Pima cotton, and excelled in sturdiness testing in our Lab. Testers additionally cherished the breathability and raved in regards to the cool-to-the-touch really feel. Alternatively, if you happen to’re in search of one thing that’s a fraction of the worth with out compromising on high quality, Sweave’s Egyptian Cotton Percale Sheets are one to take a look at. Simply be aware that our specialists weren’t capable of confirm the Egyptian cotton claims.
Trying to find a good softer percale sheet? Go for The Crisp Sheet Set from Tuck. It earned the best marks in a blind softness take a look at, because of the texture of the cotton-lyocell mix. Or if you happen to desire organic bedding, Coyuchi’s Natural Percale Sheets have the identical relaxed look with GOTS-certified natural cotton that one tester known as “gentle [and] luxurious but crisp and funky.”
High-Examined Percale Sheets
Finest General Percale Sheets
L.L.Bean Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set
Finest Worth Percale Sheets
Sweave Egyptian Cotton Percale Sheets
Softest Percale Sheets
Tuck The Crisp Sheet Set
Finest Natural Percale Sheets
Coyuchi Natural Crinkled Percale Sheets
READ MORE: The Best Percale Sheets, Tested by Experts
What’s sateen?
Sateen sheets stand out for his or her easy really feel and slight sheen, with some materials having a slippery or silky texture. Sateen bedding is good for many who desire softness over crispness. The material can also be inherently extra wrinkle-resistant in comparison with percale, and a few sateen sheets are even handled with a wrinkle-resistant end for a no-iron, picture-perfect look. However remember that sateen sheets can really feel heavier or thicker than percale sheets, in order that they’re finest suited to somebody in search of a comfortable, gentle sheet. They don’t present the identical breathability as percale.
Execs:
- Silky and easy really feel
- Slight sheen
- Sturdy
- Tends to wrinkle lower than percale
Cons:
- Could really feel too thick for some
- Not nice for warm sleepers
The Brooklinen Luxe Core is among the hottest sateen sheet units obtainable with high quality material that’s each easy and sturdy. To not point out, the fitted sheet consists of game-changing “quick” aspect and “lengthy” aspect labels for simple bed-making. California Design Den’s On a regular basis Mushy Sateen Sheets are additionally a wonderful choice, outperforming different sateen choices greater than 4 instances its worth, they usually are available all kinds of colours at an inexpensive price.
For a good softer really feel, Riley’s Natural Cotton Sheet Set earned a number of the highest softness scores throughout all different cotton sheets in our assessments, with testers calling them “gentle but ethereal.” Though, if the natural issue is necessary to you, we weren’t capable of confirm if the set is totally natural. For a completely licensed natural choice, take into account Delilah House’s Natural Cotton Mattress Sheets. Not solely are they GOTS-certified natural, gentle and light-weight however they’re additionally below $200.
High-Examined Sateen Sheets
Finest General Sateen Sheets
Brooklinen Luxe Core Sateen Sheet Set
Finest Worth Sateen Sheets
California Design Den On a regular basis Mushy Sateen Sheets
Now 32% Off
Softest Sateen Sheets
Riley Natural Cotton Sheet Set
Finest Natural Sateen Sheets
Delilah House Natural Cotton Mattress Sheets
Now 20% Off
READ MORE: The Best Sateen Sheets, Tested by Experts
The ultimate verdict: percale or sateen?
Our testers usually desire the texture of sateen in side-by-side comparability assessments, however finally it’s a matter of non-public choice. Our evaluations present that whereas percale material is inherently stronger and sateen is inherently softer, each sheets carry out effectively in our Lab and at dwelling with shopper testers.
- When you love a lightweight, crisp sheet with good breathability and aren’t bothered by wrinkles, go along with percale.
- When you desire a gentle, easy sheet with a bit extra wrinkle resistance and thickness, go along with sateen.
Why belief Good Housekeeping?
Grace Wu joined the Good Housekeeping Institute in 2022 as a textiles product evaluations analyst with a concentrate on hands-on testing and evaluating shopper knowledge. With a powerful background in textile engineering, she has evaluated all kinds of bedding merchandise together with sheets, pillows, silk pillowcases and extra utilizing specialised laboratory tools and suggestions from lots of of shopper testers. Previous to working at Good Housekeeping, Grace earned a Grasp of Engineering in Supplies Science & Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell College.
Textiles, Paper & Attire Lab Product Analyst
Grace Wu (she/her) is a product evaluations analyst on the Good Housekeeping Institute‘s Textiles, Paper and Attire Lab, the place she evaluates fabric-based merchandise utilizing specialised tools and shopper tester knowledge. Previous to beginning at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a grasp of engineering in supplies science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell College. Whereas incomes her levels, Grace labored in analysis laboratories for sensible textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Model Lab and Lease the Runway.