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

Looking for the best sheets is hard sufficient, even when you understand you like cotton over another supplies. However when in search of the best cotton sheets on the market, you’ll doubtless come throughout technical language like “percale” and “sateen” which might make it harder to search out what you’re in search of. Whereas these phrases could appear international 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 understanding what fibers (cotton, linen, silk, and so on.) the sheets are made from.

Fortunately, the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab is stuffed with professional analysts with backgrounds in textiles science who’re continuously testing sheets. In reality, we’ve evaluated greater than 250 sheet units lately for the whole lot from softness and wrinkle resistance to material power, shrinkage and extra. Along with placing sheets by way of standardized Lab checks utilizing specialised gear, we’ve labored with a whole lot 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 the very best percale sheets and greatest sateen sheets accessible for each sort of sleeper. Right here’s find out how to 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 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 material.

Percale sheets have a fundamental 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 offers percale’s signature mild and crisp really feel whereas providing the required breathability to keep up 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 inclined to wrinkle as a lot as percale.

Each forms of sheets can be found in a variety of thread counts. Opposite to in style 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 an ideal stability 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 basic sheet can also be ethereal and breathable, making it an ideal possibility for warm sleepers or those that reside 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 usually really feel tough in comparison with sateen, L.L.Bean’s Pima Percale Sheet Set nonetheless earned excessive softness rankings with shopper testers, due to 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, in case you’re in search of one thing that’s a fraction of the value with out compromising on high quality, Sweave’s Egyptian Cotton Percale Sheets are one to have a look at. Simply observe that our consultants weren’t in a position to confirm the Egyptian cotton claims.

Trying to find a good softer percale sheet? Go for The Crisp Sheet Set from Tuck. It earned the very best marks in a blind softness check, due to the texture of the cotton-lyocell mix. Or in case you desire organic bedding, Coyuchi’s Natural Percale Sheets have the identical relaxed look with GOTS-certified natural cotton that one tester known as “delicate [and] luxurious but crisp and funky.”

High-Examined Percale Sheets

Finest Total 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 clean really feel and slight sheen, with some materials having a slippery or silky texture. Sateen bedding is right 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 understand that sateen sheets can really feel heavier or thicker than percale sheets, in order that they’re greatest suited to somebody in search of a comfortable, delicate 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:

• Might really feel too thick for some
• Not nice for warm sleepers

The Brooklinen Luxe Core is likely one of the hottest sateen sheet units accessible with high quality material that’s each clean and sturdy. To not point out, the fitted sheet contains game-changing “quick” facet and “lengthy” facet labels for simple bed-making. California Design Den’s On a regular basis Tender Sateen Sheets are additionally a wonderful possibility, outperforming different sateen choices greater than 4 instances its value, they usually are available in all kinds of colours at an reasonably priced price.

For a good softer really feel, Riley’s Natural Cotton Sheet Set earned a number of the highest softness rankings throughout all different cotton sheets in our checks, with testers calling them “delicate but ethereal.” Though, if the natural issue is necessary to you, we weren’t in a position to confirm if the set is totally natural. For a totally licensed natural possibility, contemplate Delilah Residence’s Natural Cotton Mattress Sheets. Not solely are they GOTS-certified natural, delicate and light-weight however they’re additionally underneath $200.

High-Examined Sateen Sheets

Finest Total Sateen Sheets

Brooklinen Luxe Core Sateen Sheet Set

Finest Worth Sateen Sheets

California Design Den On a regular basis Tender Sateen Sheets

Now 32% Off

Softest Sateen Sheets

Riley Natural Cotton Sheet Set

Finest Natural Sateen Sheets

Delilah Residence 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 checks, however in the end it’s a matter of non-public desire. 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 delicate, clean sheet with somewhat 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 critiques analyst with a give attention to hands-on testing and evaluating shopper knowledge. With a robust background in textile engineering, she has evaluated all types of bedding merchandise together with sheets, pillows, silk pillowcases and extra utilizing specialised laboratory gear 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 critiques analyst on the Good Housekeeping Institute‘s Textiles, Paper and Attire Lab, the place she evaluates fabric-based merchandise utilizing specialised gear 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.