To say I'm obsessed with bedding would be an understatement. I own a dozen different sheet sets and change 'em just about every night 'cause there are few things I love more than snuggling into a fresh, clean bed after a long day. The problem: I'm firmly Team Percale, while my husband is very much Team Sateen. Tbh, you really can't go wrong with a set of long-staple cotton sheets, but there's a noticeable difference when it comes to percale versus sateen sheets, and I'm here to break it down for you.
First things first: Percale and sateen are two different types of weaves, not types of fabric, which is a common misconception. While percale and sateen weaves can be used for other fabrics like polyester and rayon, you'll find that both percale sheets and sateen sheets are typically produced from cotton. (Other weave types include satin, twill, jersey, and flannel—buuuuut I won't be getting into all of those today.) Even when percale and sateen sheets are made from the same materials (i.e. cotton or cotton blends), they have a very different feel, which is due to how the yarns are woven. Allow me to explain...
What's the difference between percale and sateen sheets?
Percale or sateen sheets—what's the difference, and which is better? It all comes down to personal preference, but here's what you should know. Cotton sheets with a percale weave traditionally have a smooth feel and a matte finish similar to a hotel bed sheet or a crisp button-down shirt. Because of the basic one-over, one-under weave, percale sheets are durable yet lightweight and a great choice for hot sleepers, with the biggest downside being that they're more prone to wrinkling.
Sateen sheets, on the other hand, have a subtle sheen to them, and the fabric tends to drape well and be wrinkle-free even without ironing. This weave (which is a one-yarn-under, three-yarns-over satin-like weave) tends to be a bit heavier than percale, so while sateen sheets may feel cozier and silkier, they're more likely to retain heat and may pill over time. And while both types of sheets are available in a wide range of thread counts, you'll find that—generally speaking—the optimal thread count is between 200 and 500 for percale sheets and between 300 and 600 for sateen sheets.
What is percale?
Like I said, percale sheets are the best choice for those who like sheets with a crisp, cool, airy feel, and they're often compared to button-down shirts (most likely because they boast the same 1:1 weave—fun fact!). The tight weave means percale sheets are also super-durable and get softer with each wash—but the downside to percale sheets is that they may feel a lil rough or scratchy initially (especially compared to sateen sheets), and they tend to wrinkle more easily.
Pros:
- Lightweight and breathable, so a good choice for hot sleepers
- Incredibly durable (and tend to get softer with every wash!)
Cons:
- Def wrinkle more easily
- May feel a bit rough initially
Our top picks for the best cotton percale sheets
I personally love the 400-thread-count CrispCool Cotton Sheet Set from Sijo, which is made with GOTS-certified organic cotton and cool to the touch with a smooth, matte finish. Not looking to shell out a ton of cash for a new bedding set? You can always opt for the ultra-lightweight Lane Linen percale sheets (which are also made from GOTS-certified organic cotton) or the slightly heavier 270-thread-count Quince Classic Organic Percale Sheet Set.
And if you're *really* looking to splurge on some percale cotton sheets, I hiiiighly recommend the Percale Sheet Set from Parachute. Crafted in Portugal with 100 percent certified long-staple Egyptian cotton, these sheets are truly elite, and while they're pricey, testers say they feel soft right out of the packaging (and only get softer over time!).
What is sateen?
So! While percale sheets are starchy with a matte finish, sateen sheets are basically the opposite: silky with a glossy finish. Similar to satin, sheets made using a sateen weave are typically smooth and slippery and sliiightly heavier than percale sheets, so they feel like they're enveloping you in a silken hug (awwww). Sateen sheets are inherently more wrinkle-resistant, but you'll wanna keep in mind that they're are also a little less breathable and more likely to pill over time, since they have more exposed surface threads that can break.
Pros:
- Less prone to wrinkling
- Silky-soft from the very first wash
Cons:
- Can feel a bit heavy
- More likely to form pills over time
Our top picks for the best cotton sateen sheets
My fave sateen sheets have got to be the Luxe Sateen sheets from Brooklinen, which are made using 480-thread-count long-staple cotton and complete with a luminous sheen. For slightly less $$$ picks, reviewers also <3 the 400-thread-count sateen sheet set from California Design Den, as well as the surprisingly affordable Organic Room Service Sateen Sheet Set from Pact (which, btw, are GOTS- and Fair Trade-certified).
Looking for luxury? Allow me to introduce Saatva's Organic Sateen Sheet Set, made with 300-thread-count, GOTS- and Fair Trade-certified cotton that's both silky-soft and very breathable. These sheets are a great choice for anyone who sleeps hot but loves the feel of sateen (plus, the luster and drape of these bbs is unmatched).
Are percale and sateen sheets always cotton?
While most sheets boasting a percale or sateen weave are made from cotton, not all percale and sateen sheets are cotton. For instance, rayon (aka fibers manufactured from plant cellulose, such as viscose from bamboo and Tencel lyocell) can also have a percale or sateen weave. There's a big debate about whether bamboo- and eucalyptus-derived fabrics are actually cooler than cotton—but you can still expect bamboo or eucalyptus sheets with a percale weave to feel crisper and those with a sateen weave to feel silkier.
Our top picks for the best bamboo and eucalyptus sheets
The bottom line: percale or sateen?
Listen. I'm not going to tell you whether percale or sateen is better because it's a matter of personal preference. (Srsly—I polled the Cosmo office, and the vote for percale vs. sateen was split pretty much 50/50.) Just know the percale sheets are more breathable and durable, while sateen sheets are softer and a bit more polished-looking. In summary:
- Love a crisp, cool sheet with a casual, lived-in lewk? Go with percale, bb.
- Prefer a silky-soft bed with a subtle sheen and v few wrinkles? Sateen is for you.
Why trust Cosmo?
Not to brag or anything, but helping you (yes, you!) obtain The Perfect Night of Sleep™️ is one of our many specialties here at Cosmo. For those who are tired of tossing and turning under subpar sheets at night, our informed editors scoured the internet to select the sheets that really deserve the hype, all for your next relaxing round of Zzzs.
Each of our shopping articles adheres to the 15 Percent Pledge, and we make sure to include products for all budgets in each of our shopping and lifestyle articles. Our lineup of the best percale and sateen sheets were chosen based on functionality, testability, price point, and so many reviews to put together this shoppable list of the very best for you! Sweet dreams.
