This factor is purely aesthetic, but still important to many consumers. Percale sheets are available in a wide range of designs, including neutral and earth tones, bright shades, and multi-colored patterns. Depending on the brand, you may need to pay more for certain colors and patterns, such as “limited edition” styles. Preethi Gopinath, director of the Textiles MFA program at Parsons and one of the writers of our cotton sheets guide, and Shannon Maher, chairperson and assistant professor of the Home Products Development department at the Fashion Institute of Technology, both weighed in on the best thread counts for each weave: When it comes to thread count, most people forget that the quality of threads is far more important than the quantity." —Missy Tannen, co-founder of Boll & Branch While percale sheet sets made from synthetic fibers like polyester and rayon are widely available and – in most cases – relatively affordable, cotton percale sets generally offer higher quality, better durability, and more consistent temperature control. When thinking about the best thread count for sheets, it’s important to remember an age-old saying: Quality over quantity. The quality of the yarns or threads used is often more important than the quantity of threads, or thread count.

Looking for sheets with a reasonable thread count (200-600 for most styles) will typically produce the best results. Be sure to modify your expectations somewhat depending on the material used. When it comes to thread count,” Tannen said, “most people forget that the quality of threads is far more important than the quantity." Andrés Modak, co-CEO and co-founder of Snowe, noted, “Luxury sheets aren't simply the result of a high number; first you need the highest quality yarns, expertly woven.” Sheets with a higher thread count are generally more expensive, and are marketed as being higher quality. As we’ve discussed, however, a higher thread count can be an indication of higher quality, but that’s not necessarily the case. All percale sheets are woven with the weft threads floating over the warp threads in a tight, one-by-one pattern. Unless this technique is used, then the sheets should not be considered percale. Keep in mind that some brands prefer the more traditional “plain weave” label, which is synonymous with percale. Yusuf Ozkanli is the founder and product manager of luxury bedding brand Beddable and has over 7 years of experience in sourcing home textiles from across the world. The best thread count for bed sheetsPlain weave has the warp (vertical) and weft (horizontal) threads evenly alternating. In satin weave the weft threads “float” over several warp threads (usually four) at a time, resulting in smoother and more lustrous fabric. Cotton percale tends to be more durable than percale produced from other fibers. However, the material will still break down over time. Pilling, or the appearance of small bumps of cotton on the fabric’s surface, is a common sign of wear. As your sheet set nears the end of its lifespan, you may also notice rips and tears developing, and the fitted sheet’s elasticated corners may lose some of their stretch. Sateen is smooth and silky-soft when new. Over time, sateen will become softer and drapier. Since the thread count is higher, sateen is usually heavier than percale and also not as breathable. Higher-thread-count sheets are made with finer (thinner) yarns. The more yarns that fit into a square inch, the smoother, denser, and more durable the fabric.

Do you enjoy crisp, lightweight bedding that sleeps cool and doesn’t drape or cling to the body too closely? If so, you’ll probably enjoy the feel of percale sheets. Percale is a type of weave that produces material with a crisp hand-feel and an airy structure. It is also known as “plain weave.” In addition to sheets, percale is used to construct men’s dress shirts. Percale sheets are normally produced from cotton, but this weave can also be used for other fabrics such as polyester and rayon from bamboo.In our tests, top-rated bed sheets often have thread counts between 300 and 500. Anything above 500 isn’t necessarily better (so don’t be deceived when you see thread counts over 1,500), and on the flip side, you can still find quality sheets with thread counts under 300. On top of that, even though our tests have shown that the 300 to 500 thread count range is a sweet spot, a sheet that falls into this range isn’t guaranteed to be high quality: Again, fiber content and construction are more important. It should also be noted that many popular bed linen materials are not measured in thread counts at all. Silk, for example, is assessed by momme, a Japanese measurement which indicates the weight in pounds of a given fabric measuring 45 inches by 100 yards. The tight weave gives percale an initially crisp feel that many compare to men’s shirting material, but it will soften with use. Percale is also very lightweight and breathable since it requires fewer threads. Surprisingly, it's not the thread count that makes hotel sheets so luxurious, it's the type of weave. Most hotels use percale sheets with a thread count of 400-500, with the idea they with suit most sleepers and stay in good condition despite washes. Percale itself is the simple weaving technique of one yarn over, and one yarn under, resulting in a matte finish that's cool to the touch. This is what creates the fresh, high-quality feel you get with hotel bedding. What type of sheets are the best quality? Like percale, sateen is a weave commonly used for sheets and pillowcases. In the table below, we’ll outline the key differences between these two weave types.