[ad_1]
Shopping for the best bed sheets is tricky enough, even if you know you prefer cotton sheets to any other material. But when looking for the best cotton sheets, you may come across technical terms like “percale” and “sateen,” which can make it harder to find what you’re looking for. While these terms may sound foreign to some, they are fairly straightforward once you understand what they mean. Percale and sateen describe how the fabric is woven, which is just as important as knowing the fibers (cotton, linen, silk, etc.) from which the sheet is made.
Luckily, the Good Housekeeping Institute Textile Lab is filled with expert analysts with backgrounds in textile science who are constantly testing sheets. In fact, we’ve evaluated over 250 bed sheet sets in recent years for everything from softness and wrinkle resistance to fabric strength, shrinkage and more. In addition to standardized lab testing of sheets using specialized equipment, we work with hundreds of consumer testers who try them at home and then provide comprehensive feedback on their experiences. The results speak for themselves, we’ve found the best percale sheets and the best sateen sheets for every type of sleeper. Here’s how to figure out which braid is right for you.
What is the difference between percale sheets and sateen sheets?
Premium percale sheets are light, breathable and crisp, while sateen sheets feel silky smooth and strong.the difference is due to how the yarn is woven. Although they are made from the same material (cotton or cotton blend), structural differences result in each fabric having very different textures and physical properties.
Percale sheets have a basic one-ply, plain weave that allows for more interweaving (the points where threads overlap), making it one of the more durable fabrics used in bedding. This construction also provides percale’s signature light and crisp feel, while providing the breathability necessary to maintain a comfortable body temperature. On the other hand, sateen sheets are usually woven in a four-over-under satin weave, which offers a smooth feel and a nice sheen. Plus, it doesn’t wrinkle as easily as percale.
Both types of panels are available in a variety of thread counts. Contrary to popular belief, higher thread counts generally don’t translate to better quality sheets, but we’ve found that sheets in the 300 to 500 thread count range strike a good balance between softness and durability.
What is percale?
percale woven sheets Refreshing feel and light quality And is often compared to button down shirts, which usually have the same 1:1 weave. Airy and breathable, this classic sheet is a great choice for heat sleepers or those who live in warmer climates. The downside to percale sheets is that they can feel rough or scratched compared to sateen sheets and, due to their crisp, durable nature, tend to wrinkle more easily.
advantage:
- feel light and refreshing
- breathable
- durable
shortcoming:
- more prone to wrinkles
- May feel rough when new
Although percale tends to feel harsh compared to sateen, LLBean’s Pima Percale Sheet Set still received high softness ratings from consumer testers and was tested in our lab due to its premium Pima cotton. Excellent performance in the durability test. Testers also liked its breathability and cool feel. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something affordable without compromising on quality, Sweave’s Egyptian Cotton Premium Percale Sheets are an option worth considering. Note that our experts were unable to verify the Egyptian cotton claims.
Looking for softer percale sheets? Choose from Tuck’s crisp sheet set. It scored top marks in blind softness tests thanks to the tactile feel of the cotton-lyocell blend. Or, if organic bedding is more your thing, Coyuchi’s organic percale sheets have the same relaxed look as GOTS-certified organic cotton, which one tester described as “soft” [and] Luxurious yet crisp and cool. “
Top tested percale sheets
Best Overall Percale Sheets
LLBean Pima Cotton Premium Percale Sheet Set
Best value percale sheets
Woven Egyptian cotton percale sheet
Softest percale sheets
Stuffed Crisp Sheet Set
best organic percale sheets
Coyuchi organic crinkled percale sheet
read more: The Best Percale Sheets, Tested by Experts
What is satin?
Sateen sheets stand out for their great properties Smooth feel and slight sheen, some fabrics have a smooth or silky texture. Sateen bedding is perfect for those who prefer softness over crispness. The fabric is also inherently more wrinkle-resistant than percale, and some sateen sheets are even treated to wrinkle-resistant for a no-iron, finished look. But keep in mind that sateen sheets feel heavier or thicker than percale sheets, so they’re best for people looking for comfortable, soft sheets. They do not offer the same breathability as percale.
advantage:
- silky touch
- slight gloss
- durable
- Less prone to wrinkling than percale
shortcoming:
- May feel too thick for some
- not suitable for heat sleepers
One of the most popular sateen sheet sets, the Brooklinen Luxe Core is made from premium fabric that is smooth and durable. Not to mention, the fitted sheet also includes game-changing “short” side and “long” side tabs for easy bed making. California Design Den’s Everyday Soft Sateen Sheets are also an excellent choice, performing more than four times better than other sateen options, and they’re available in a variety of colors at an affordable price.
For an even softer feel, Riley’s Organic Cotton Sheet Set earned the highest softness rating of any other cotton sheet in our tests, and testers called it “soft and breathable.” However, if the organic factor is important to you, we cannot verify that the collection is fully organic. For a fully certified organic option, consider Delilah Home’s Organic Cotton Sheets. Not only are they GOTS certified, they’re organic, soft and lightweight, and they cost less than $200.
Top Tested Sateen Sheets
Best Overall Sateen Sheets
Brooklinen luxury core sateen sheet set
Best Value Sateen Sheets
California Design Den Everyday Soft Sateen Sheet
Now 32% off
Softest Sateen Sheets
Riley Organic Cotton Sheet Set
Best Organic Sateen Sheets
Delilah Home Organic Cotton Sheets
Now 20% off
read more: The Best Sateen Sheets, Tested by Experts
Final Verdict: Percale or Sateen?
In side-by-side comparison tests, our testers generally preferred the sateen feel, but that’s ultimately a matter of personal preference. Our evaluations showed that while percale is inherently stronger and satin is inherently softer, both sheets performed well in our lab and in the homes of our consumer testers.
- Choose if you like sheets that are light, crisp, breathable and wrinkle-free pErcale.
- Choose if you like sheets that are soft, smooth, wrinkle-resistant, and slightly thicker the sArtin.
Why trust good stewards?
Ms. Wu Joining the Good Housekeeping Institute in 2022 as a Textile Review Analyst, focusing on real-world testing and evaluating consumer data. With her strong background in textile engineering, she evaluates a wide range of bedding, including sheets, pillows, silk pillowcases and more, using specialized laboratory equipment and feedback from hundreds of consumer testers. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping, Grace earned an MS in Materials Science and Engineering and a BS in Fiber Science from Cornell University.
Product Analyst for Textiles, Paper and Clothing Laboratories
Grace Wu (she/she) is a product review analyst for the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Textiles, Paper and Apparel Laboratory, where she evaluates fabric-based products using professional equipment and consumer tester data.started before good housekeeping In 2022, she will receive a master’s degree in materials science and engineering and a bachelor’s degree in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degree, Grace worked in the Smart Textiles and Nanotechnology Research Lab and interned at the Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.
