Credit: architecturaldigest.com
Out of all of the linens in the world, the best percale sheets are some of our favorites thanks to their combo of cooling comfort and a crisp handfeel. Percale is cotton (though always double-check the labels) and refers to the weave, which is strong and tight because of the basket pattern—one over, one under—hence why the sheets look matte as opposed to shiny.
A close cousin to sateen, percale bed sheets and pillowcases aren’t super glossy, pill less than other options, and can’t be beat when it comes to a high-end look and feel. They are often likened to a well-pressed dress shirt. This high-quality bedding will get softer with each wash (just be sure to follow the care instructions and you won’t have to worry about shrinkage) so your bedding situation will only have more of a lived-in feel with time. The world is your percale oyster, and we’re here to help guide you toward the best sheets for you. Shop our editor-reviewed selects below.
Our top picks for the best percale sheets:
Unless otherwise noted, all prices reflect the cost of queen size sheets or sheet sets.
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Our favorites
Senior AD PRO editor Mel Studach has tried many percale styles over the years, but vouches that her Quince sheet set skews softer than most. “Being 100% cotton, the set is also nicely breathable,” she says. “And while the crisp, smooth texture is incredibly comfortable for sleeping, I also appreciate that when I make my bed every morning, the sheets maintain their structure sans unsightly wrinkles.”
“I was incredibly impressed by the quality of these sheets because they really do feel five-star-hotel-level luxurious,” commerce editor Audrey Lee said when she tested this best-selling Amazon set. Like many other sheets on our list, this one is made of organic cotton, is Oeko-Tex certified, and fits mattresses up to 15 inches deep. What makes it stand out? The incredibly wallet-friendly price tag: You get a fitted sheet, top sheet, and two pillowcases in king sizes. If for some reason you find that these are, in fact, too good to be true, you can take advantage of Amazon’s return policy.
“Of all the sheets I’ve tried, these cotton percale sheets feel the most like expensive hotel sheets that I’ve come across, and the price tag certainly reflects that!” hard to beat a review like that, especially from our commerce director Rachel Fletcher, who tests a lot of bedding. These are made from long staple cotton that just gets softer with each wash.
This is a splurge, we know. But if you are looking for higher thread count options (we’re talking 500-plus) look no further. These sheets fully won US digital director Allie Weiss over with their hotel-level luxury. “I hate scratchy sheets, and breathed a sigh of relief when I slipped into these. They are both lightweight, crisp-looking, and soft to the touch—talk about a win-win.” Each piece is sold separately, so you can build a set as you see fit (with contrasting shams, extra monograms, and even matching duvet covers).
If your bedroom style leans traditional, these luxe cotton sheets will bring a classic look to your bedding. Senior commerce editor Nashia Baker dresses her mattress with these and is a fan of their design and breathable feel. “I usually stick with sheets in solid colors, but the timeless toile print caught my eye and evoked an elegant aesthetic I wanted to try for my sleep setup,” she says. “The botanical print is like something out of a painting and has shown no signs of fading.” Between humid days and cold nights, Baker adds that the fabric is smooth to the touch and keeps her comfortable amid the ever-changing New York City weather.
More AD-approved percale sheets
Another one of our favorite sheet sets on Amazon received high praise from contributor Kristi Kellogg. “If you’re looking for something breathable and cooling, you’ll love this lightweight Lane Linen set. I love the fact that it’s made of organic cotton (and also Oeko-Tex certified),” she says. Coming in at under $60, the sheet set is available in more than 20 colors, including charcoal, dusty rose, silver, navy, white, and lilac.
Nest Bedding has proven to be an AD editor favorite (we love their sateen sheets in particular) and while their snuggle-worthy crinkle percale sheets are the relatively new kids on the block, they check all the right boxes. As sheets made for summer, they’re extra breathable and soft thanks to their 100% organic cotton makeup and 200 thread count weave. They come in five on-trend colors with the sort of relaxed wrinkle that offers your bedroom a romantically lived-in look.
These are some of the best cooling sheets on the list. With a 300 thread count cotton percale weave backed by a Oeko-Tex certification, these crisp sheets are designed to keep you comfy year-round. Lightweight, smooth, and offered in 18 colors, these are a versatile classic.
Another set of crinkle cotton percale sheet set (crinkle yet wrinkle-free!). This set is made of 100% organic cotton in a factory that recycles 90% of its wastewater. The cotton fibers look like the linen sheets we’ve tested and loved but with the crisp and cool feel of percale that’s great for a range of climates.
Made of long-staple cotton, the brand says the sheets look “smooth and structured like a crisp, button-down shirt.” We’re inclined to agree if their tester-favorite hemmed sateen sheets are any indication. The set includes a fitted sheet (that fits mattresses up to 17″), top sheet, and two pillowcases. The bedding is also available in California king sizes and the elusive split king as well. Available in eight soft or neutral colors like ivory and two striped options, there’s something for almost every low-key color preference.
How we tested the best percale sheets
Instead of relying on customer reviews or lab testing, we brought the best percale sheets into our homes to get a real feel for this crisp, breathable bedding throughout the seasons. While they are some of the best cooling sheets you can shop for, they are some of the softest too. We opted for picks that leaned towards a minimum of a 200 thread count to promote temperature regulation and comfort. It might feel weighty, but it is breathable enough to be one of the top picks for warm weather and hot sleepers. We kept an eye out for Oeko-Tex certifications, certified organic cotton, and deep pockets to ensure the picks are sustainably made and a great fit for a variety of mattress sizes. We also included a range of price point options to fit a variety of budgets and sheets sets that come with extras like a flat sheet and even a matching duvet cover to complete your bedscape.
