Percale vs. Sateen Sheets: What is the Distinction and Which Is Higher?

Looking for the best sheets is difficult sufficient, even when you favor cotton over another supplies. However when searching for the best cotton sheets on the market, you’ll possible come throughout technical language like “percale” and “sateen” which might make it tougher to seek out what you’re searching for. Whereas these phrases could appear international to some, they’re pretty easy when you study what they imply. Percale and sateen describe the weave of the material, which is simply as essential as realizing what fibers (cotton, linen, silk, and so forth.) the sheets are made from.

Fortunately, the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab is filled with knowledgeable analysts with backgrounds in textiles science who’re continuously testing sheets. In truth, we’ve evaluated greater than 250 sheet units in recent times for every thing from softness and wrinkle resistance to cloth energy, shrinkage and extra. Along with placing sheets via standardized Lab exams utilizing specialised tools, we’ve labored with a whole lot of shopper testers who attempt them out at house earlier than offering thorough suggestions on their expertise. The outcomes communicate for themselves, and we’ve discovered the very best percale sheets and finest sateen sheets out there for each kind of sleeper. Right here’s resolve 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 clean 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 totally different textures and bodily properties for every cloth.

Percale sheets have a primary one-over, one-under plain weave that enables for extra interlacings — factors the place the threads overlap — making it one of many extra sturdy materials utilized in bedding. This construction additionally offers percale’s signature gentle and crisp really feel whereas providing the mandatory breathability to take care of a cushty physique temperature. Then again, sateen sheets usually have a four-over, one-under satin-like weave that gives a clean really feel and good sheen. Plus, it doesn’t are likely to wrinkle as a lot as percale.

Each sorts of sheets can be found in a variety of thread counts. Opposite to fashionable perception, greater thread counts usually don’t translate to raised high quality sheets, however we’ve discovered that sheets within the 300 to 500 vary have a fantastic stability of softness and sturdiness.

What’s percale?

Percale sheets are recognized for his or her crisp really feel and light-weight high quality and are sometimes in comparison with button-down shirts, which generally have the identical 1:1 weave. This traditional sheet can be ethereal and breathable, making it a fantastic choice for decent sleepers or those that reside in hotter climates. The draw back to percale sheets is that they will 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 usually really feel tough in comparison with sateen, L.L.Bean’s Pima Percale Sheet Set nonetheless earned excessive softness rankings with shopper testers, because of the premium Pima cotton, and excelled in sturdiness testing in our Lab. Testers additionally liked the breathability and raved in regards to the cool-to-the-touch really feel. Alternatively, when you’re searching for one thing that’s a fraction of the worth with out compromising on high quality, Sweave’s Egyptian Cotton Percale Sheets are one to have 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 when you want organic bedding, Coyuchi’s Natural Percale Sheets have the identical relaxed look with GOTS-certified natural cotton that one tester referred to as “tender [and] luxurious but crisp and funky.”

Prime-Examined Percale Sheets

Greatest General Percale Sheets

L.L.Bean Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set

Greatest Worth Percale Sheets

Sweave Egyptian Cotton Percale Sheets

Softest Percale Sheets

Tuck The Crisp Sheet Set

Greatest 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 clean really feel and slight sheen, with some materials having a slippery or silky texture. Sateen bedding is good for many who want softness over crispness. The material can 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 needless to say sateen sheets can really feel heavier or thicker than percale sheets, in order that they’re finest suited to somebody searching for a comfy, tender sheet. They don’t present the identical breathability as percale.

Execs:

• Silky and clean really feel
• Slight sheen
• Sturdy
• Tends to wrinkle lower than percale

Cons:

• Could really feel too thick for some
• Not nice for decent sleepers

The Brooklinen Luxe Core is likely one of the hottest sateen sheet units out there with high quality cloth that’s each clean and sturdy. To not point out, the fitted sheet contains game-changing “quick” aspect and “lengthy” aspect labels for straightforward bed-making. California Design Den’s On a regular basis Delicate Sateen Sheets are additionally a superb choice, outperforming different sateen choices greater than 4 occasions its value, they usually are available all kinds of colours at an reasonably priced value.

For a good softer really feel, Riley’s Natural Cotton Sheet Set earned a few of the highest softness rankings throughout all different cotton sheets in our exams, with testers calling them “tender but ethereal.” Though, if the natural issue is essential to you, we weren’t capable of confirm if the set is absolutely natural. For a totally licensed natural choice, think about Delilah Dwelling’s Natural Cotton Mattress Sheets. Not solely are they GOTS-certified natural, tender and light-weight however they’re additionally beneath $200.

Prime-Examined Sateen Sheets

Greatest General Sateen Sheets

Brooklinen Luxe Core Sateen Sheet Set

Greatest Worth Sateen Sheets

California Design Den On a regular basis Delicate Sateen Sheets

Now 32% Off

Softest Sateen Sheets

Riley Natural Cotton Sheet Set

Greatest Natural Sateen Sheets

Delilah Dwelling 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 want the texture of sateen in side-by-side comparability exams, however in the end it’s a matter of private desire. Our evaluations present that whereas percale cloth is inherently stronger and sateen is inherently softer, each sheets carry out effectively in our Lab and at house with shopper testers.

• Should you love a light-weight, crisp sheet with good breathability and aren’t bothered by wrinkles, go together with percale.
• Should you want a tender, clean sheet with somewhat extra wrinkle resistance and thickness, go together with sateen.

Why belief Good Housekeeping?

Grace Wu joined the Good Housekeeping Institute in 2022 as a textiles product opinions analyst with a deal with hands-on testing and evaluating shopper knowledge. With a powerful background in textile engineering, she has evaluated all types of bedding merchandise together with sheets, pillows, silk pillowcases and extra utilizing specialised laboratory tools and suggestions from a whole lot 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 opinions 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 good textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Fashion Lab and Lease the Runway.