When it comes to choosing the best bedsheets, most people assume the only decisions to be made are the fabric they’re made from and the color or design they sport. We’re here to tell you there’s a third variable to think about in your bedsheet decision — the weave. The way your bedsheets are woven can have an impact on several factors, including breathability, weight and crispness. It’s this third variable that has a lot of people turning to the best percale sheets.
What is Percale?
A common assumption many people make is thinking percale is the name of a material. Percale is actually the name of the weave. It’s always made from long, staple fibers, but it can be constructed from a variety of fabrics, such as bamboo, cotton or linen.
The percale weave is simple. It’s most likely the weave you practiced on toy looms as a child. It goes one-over-one-under. While this might not seem complicated, the process produces a luxurious material that’s crisp and lightweight. When held up across the hand, the material won’t cling, instead, it drapes slightly like a well-laundered cotton dress shirt.
Percale sheets are great for hot sleepers and warmer climates. That’s because the crispness of the fabric allows for air circulation between your body and your bedding. These sheets are what most hotels use, so if you want to transform your bed into an oasis that matches the likes of Marriott or Hilton, choose a set of percale sheets.
Percale vs. Sateen
If you’ve been sheet shopping for a while, you’ve probably noticed that two of the most popular types of sheets are percale and sateen. What you may not know is the similarities and differences between the two.
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Both percale and sateen refer to the weave of the sheets. In general, both of these weaves are considered to be high quality, and that’s mostly due to the fact that both are made with long, staple fibers, which make the material soft and durable. In addition, both percale and sateen sheets can be made from a variety of fabrics, including cotton, bamboo and linen.
Now, what are the differences? As we’ve already discussed, percale is a weave, which goes one over, one under. This results in a crisp and lightweight feel. Because percale sheets don’t cling to your body, they tend to be better in warm climates or for hot sleepers. However, they do wrinkle easily, so you may need to iron these sheets before putting them on your bed.
On the other hand, sateen weaves go one under and two, three or four over the warp threads. This creates a slightly thicker fabric that drapes quite close to any object underneath it. It also makes the fabric shine slightly, giving it the ‘sateen’ name. The smooth-to-touch sheets are best for keeping heat in, meaning they’re perfect for the cooler months of the year. Whichever weave is right for you, know that when you order percale or sateen sheets, you’re getting a quality bedding set.
We’ve put together a list of our favorite percale sheets available for online ordering. The majority of options are made from cotton, and all of them will help you relax into a great night’s sleep.
1. Riley Home Percale Sheet Set
BEST OVERALL
The Riley Home Percale Sheet Set tops our list for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, these sheets boast a high-quality percale weave and 100% cotton construction. This results in a soft, cool and crisp sheet that you’ll wish you owned sooner. Furthermore, these sheets are available in a variety of useful colors, 11 to be exact, which appear slightly matted thanks to the percale weave. Finally, these sheets are Certified Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex, so you know they are made to the highest standards and tested for harmful chemicals.
2. Coyuchi Organic Percale Sheets
BEST BUDGET
Although percale sheets are highly sought after thanks to their crisp, lightweight feel, you thankfully don’t have to spend too much to reap their benefits. That’s mostly because percale is a weave rather than a material. However, you won’t notice you’re sleeping on a cheaper set of sheets, even if you choose to save a little money by purchasing these Coyuchi Organic Percale Sheets. They are organic cotton sheets that are available in a variety of sizes and also come in four muted colors.
3. Wild Sage Brushed Cotton Percale Sheet Set
BEST THREAD COUNT
For sheets that are both crisp and soft, look no further than the Wild Sage Brushed Cotton Percale Sheet Set. These sheets get their crispness from the percale weave, of course, but they also get a hefty dose of softness thanks to the fact that they are made from brushed cotton. In addition, you’ll enjoy a high 300 thread count, which will make you feel like you’re sinking into the luxury of a hotel bed every night. These sheets are available in most standard sizes as well as eight neutral colors.
4. Parachute Percale Top Sheet
BEST INDIVIDUAL BUY
This Parachute Percale Top Sheet is a handy option for anyone wanting to buy the elements of their bedsheet set individually. The top sheet is made from 100% certified long-staple Egyptian cotton and comes in seven muted yet stylish colors. The mix of Egyptian cotton and the percale weave delivers a lightweight and durable sheet with a crisp finish which will only improve with time. And, if you want to add more pieces to your bedsheet set, pillowcases and fitted sheets are also available.
5. Eddie Bauer Home Percale Collection Sheet Set
BEST COVER DESIGN
If you’re looking for a set of bedsheets with a unique design, this set from Eddie Bauer could fit the bill. Tents, trailers, pine trees, maps and deer make up this sheet set’s fun and eye-catching appearance. In addition, the set, which has positive reviews from over 90% of Amazon users, is produced from 100% organic cotton and has a 200 thread count, resulting in a crisp, lightweight feel which is cool to touch. The four-piece set includes two pillows, a flat sheet and a fitted sheet.
6. Sleep Mantra Percale Weave Sheet Set
BEST SIZE RANGE
One major benefit of choosing this Sleep Mantra Percale Weave Sheet Set is the ability to purchase extra pillowcases. Whether you like having spares or simply love being surrounded by more pillows, this handy extra definitely shouldn’t be overlooked. The set itself is made up of four pieces, two pillowcases, a fitted sheet and a flat sheet. It’s made from organic-certified cotton which offers an impressive level of comfort all year round. Other notable elements of this top-rated sheet set are its eco-friendly packaging and the nine color options which you get to choose from, which include a few more vivid color options than many competing sets.
7. Feather & Stitch Percale Weave Bedsheets
BEST COLOR RANGE
If you’re searching for a set of sheets to match your existing bedroom decor style, we’re confident there’s a set of Feather & Stitch Percale Weave Bedsheets to fulfill your needs. These top-rated bedsheets are available in 10 different colors and designs, including both one-color and striped styles. These 100% cotton sheets are also great for all-season use, as they’re lightweight, breathable and soft to touch. Each set, available in either king or queen size, includes a flat sheet, two pillowcases and a fully elasticized fitted sheet that can fit over mattresses up to 16 inches deep.
8. Brooklinen Classic Core Sheet Set
EDITOR’S PICK
Brooklinen’s Classic Core Sheet Set was definitely vying for the number one spot on our list. Not only are they comfortable to sleep in, backed by over 12,000 five-star ratings from Brooklinen customers and available in a wide range of colors, but they’re also smartly designed. They prevent orientation errors and simplify the bed-making process by including sewn-in “long “ and “short” side labels. These 270 thread count bedsheets are also made from 100% long-staple cotton and come in six different sizes. Sheet sets are made up of a flat sheet, a fitted sheet and two accompanying pillows. In addition, for a limited time, you can find limited edition colors, including Stripes in Dreamsicle and Abstract Forest in Bluestone.
9. Casper Percale Sheet Set
BEST SPLURGE
In addition to their high-quality mattresses, Casper also produces outstanding quality bedsheets, like this percale sheet set. Each five-piece set is made up of a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, two pillowcases and a duvet cover. They’re produced from 100% organic cotton in a 1:1 weave with a 300 thread, delivering sheets with an appealingly soft yet crisp feel. This process also involves no added chemicals. In addition, this sheet set comes in six different sizes and 10 different colors, meaning there’s likely one to fit on and match with your existing bed.
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