Best Cotton Percale Sheets
The feel of crisp cotton sheets against your skin can hardly be topped by anything else: and the signature softness and coolness of cotton percale sheets will have you feeling like you’re sleeping on cloud nine. Made from natural and hypoallergenic material, percale sheets stand out for their durability, breathability, and exceptional softness that only increases with time.Their secret is not only in the natural fiber used to make this fabric, but also in the specific type of weave which grants percale sheets their coveted properties.
While perfect for hot sleepers and those that prefer the traditional feel of cotton bedding, cotton percale sheets are not without their cons – this type of sheets won’t suit everyone. If you’re in the market for long-lasting sheets that can be used year-round and come in a variety of colors and prints, cotton percale sheets are the way to go- but if you’re looking for wrinkle-free sheets, you might want to skip on crisp cotton percale.
To help you find out if cotton percale sheets are the right choice for you, we go in depth about the fabric itself and its upsides and downsides – both on its own and when compared to other types of cotton fabrics. If this helps you to determine that cotton percale sheets are in fact the perfect choice for you, you’re in luck – we’ve selected the best cotton percale sheets on the market today to save you the trouble of researching the web for a perfect set.
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 |  THOMAS LEE Percale Sheet Set
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| #2 |  Laura Ashley Home Percale Sheet Set
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| #3 |  Linen Home Cotton Percale Sheets
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| #4 |  Royal Hotel Abripedic Crispy Percale Sheets
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| #5 |  TL Care 100% Natural Cotton Crib Sheet
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| #6 |  Sleep Mantra Organic Cotton Sheets
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What Is Cotton Percale?
Many people make the common mistake of assuming that percale or cotton percale is some kind of special fabric related to cotton, but the truth is that percale only refers to a type of weave used to, well, weave cotton fibers into a finished product- in this case, sheets, but it is also a very popular choice for all types of bedding and men dress shirts. Percale weave is achieved by placing one weft (thread) over and one weft under to create a tightly woven, dense grid pattern. As a result, cotton fabric with percale weave is much more durable owing to its density, and the grid pattern is what makes percale crisp and more breathable than other types of weaves. Another unique feature of cotton percale is that its finish requires fewer threads per square inch to create that tightly-woven grid, which makes it durable and lightweight at the same time.
This also means that cotton percale sheets have a lower thread count than what you’d expect from say, sateen, so high-quality cotton percale sheets will have 200 to 300 TC and be more durable and softer than regular cotton with two or three times that in TC values.
Sateen vs Cotton Percale Sheets: Pros and Cons
The two most popular cotton weaves are sateen and percale– each has its advantages and downsides as they are very different both in their structure and feel. Where cotton percale is crisp, densely woven in a weft over and weft under pattern, and durable as a result, sateen is constructed by placing four wefts over one which creates a fuller fabric. As the majority of the threads are weaved in the same direction, sateen fabric also has a certain sheen to it which can be a great feature if you prefer the look and silkiness of satin but want an alternative made from natural materials.
While cotton percale sheets might lack the shine of sateen, they are much cooler to touch and better at temperature regulation because of their super breathable grid weave. Similarly, the density and the type of weave also make cotton percale sheets more resistant to pilling and more durable, as wear and tear of regular washing can only contribute to the softness of these sheets rather than make them feel and look ratty. Cotton percale sheets are made to last, and if you value quality and durability over an elegant silky finish, you’ll prefer percale sheets over sateen ones. In addition to the matte finish that not all people find appealing, the biggest downside of cotton percale sheets is that they are prone to wrinkling. Cotton sheets in general tend to wrinkle a lot out of the washing machine, but sateen is more wrinkle-resistant due to its silky, smooth finish. Crispy percale sheets, on the other hand, will require ironing- or people that don’t mind the wrinkled look of their bedding. However, the silky feel of sateen cotton sheets comes with a significant downside for hot sleepers – the density of the weave means less breathability and poorer temperature regulation.
What to Pay Attention to When Buying Cotton Percale Sheets
When it comes to cotton sheets, there can be a drastic difference in quality and feel. Not only that there are different types of weaves, but there are other factors to consider to make sure that you’re getting the best bang for your buck- and sheets that will last you for years to come. Read on to find out how to spot quality cotton percale sheets that are made to stand up to wear and tear:
— Thread count
Even though a high thread count isn’t necessarily an indicator of good quality- in fact, sometimes numbers that seem too high can mean that the sheets are poorly made- certain values are considered to be optimal thread count for percale sheets. Most sheets are 200 TC to 400 TC which is more than enough for durable, soft sheets that will stand up to the test of time. Sheets that tout unrealistically high TC numbers are often deceptive marketed as such, as the manufacturers use cheaper multi-strand cotton yarn to create fabrics that can boast high thread count, but lack the quality and the softness you’d expect to get from them.
— Cotton type
As percale refers just to the type of weave, you should still pay attention to the type of cotton used to make cotton percale sheets. As a rule of thumb, long-staple and extra-long-staple cotton are the superior choices as these types of cotton plants are softer, more durable, and generally more luxurious than plain short-staple cotton. Long-staple and extra-long-staple cotton is also known as Pima cotton or Peruvian cotton, Egyptian cotton, and Upland cotton. Also, if having chemical-free, completely natural fabrics against your skin is important to you, be sure to look for organic cotton that is certified by GOTS or OEKO-TEX. GOTS certification ensures that the raw material was organically grown, and OEKO-TEX certifies non-hazardous end-products and all of their components.
— Size and fit
What good would even the softest, coolest sheets be if they just won’t stay put on your mattress or they end up being too wide or too long, making your bed look like a complete mess even when it’s made? While most manufacturers will stick to standard dimensions for standard mattress sizes (queen, king, twin, etc) it pays off to double-check the listed dimensions against your mattress size to verify it will be the right fit. Furthermore, always check if the sheet pocket depth is deep enough for your mattress, especially if it’s a hybrid or multi-layered foam mattress that tends to be thicker than most.
Best Cotton Percale Sheets
1. Editor’s Choice: THOMAS LEE Percale Sheet Set
SPECS:
- Thread count: 500 TC
- Available sizes: Full, Queen, King, Cal King
- Available styles: 2
These high-quality cotton percale sheets are well-made with attention to detail and with the finest fibers, and as a result- they are crisp, cool, and luxuriously soft to sleep on. Made with US-grown long-staple Pima cotton, these sheets have a single-ply thread count of 500 TC which speaks volumes about their durability and feel, too. These hotel-quality cotton percale sheets are available in white or ivory, and are meticulously sewn: the uniformity of 12 stitches per inch is great both for the durability of seams and for a neat look.
The sheet set includes two pillowcases, one flat sheet, and one fitted sheet with an extra-deep pocket of 18”. This will be a good match for most mattresses on the market, and since the flat sheet is slightly oversized, you can rest assured you’ll be able to tuck everything in for a tidy finished look.
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Who Should Buy These Sheets?
Whether you’re a sheet snob or just appreciate exceptional craftsmanship, these Pima cotton percale sheets will be the right match for you. Made with the finest fibers and with attention to detail, their crispness and softness will impress you- not to mention their durability.
2. Runner Up: Laura Ashley Home Ticking Stripe Ultra Soft Percale Sheet Set
SPECS:
- Thread count: 200 TC
- Available sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King
- Available styles: 3
Not everyone prefers the solid colors and muted neutral tones when it comes to their bedding, and luckily, it’s not just microfiber and other synthetic materials that come in a range of colorful patterned designs. These vintage-inspired cotton percale sheets combine charm with function to offer these beautiful-looking sheets that also feel great and stand up well to wear and tear. Made from cooling, breathable cotton percale these sheets mix and match cottage floral print with complementing stripes: the 6-piece set includes two floral and two striped pillowcases, a flat sheet with floral print, and a striped fitted sheet.
Light and airy, these 200 TC cotton percale sheets will fit mattresses up to 18” tall. The fitted sheet is fully elasticized to ensure a snug fit.
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Who Should Buy These Sheets?
If you want to add a bit of color and vintage charm to your bedroom, these floral and striped cotton percale things are just the thing. Crip, cool, and soft to touch, they’ll complement any romantic, rustic, or vintage-inspired bedroom style.
3. Customer Choice: Linen Home Cotton Percale Sheets
SPECS:
- Thread count: 200 TC
- Available sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King
- Available styles: 13
If you are shopping for cotton percale sheets on a budget or just want some nice cooling sheets without overspending, these affordable cotton sheets will be a good choice. Available in an impressive range of colors that will match any bedroom’s interior decor, these 200 TC percale sheets are made from fine long-staple cotton in an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 factory to ensure utmost safety from toxic substances during the manufacturing process. Crisp and temperature-regulating, these sheets might feel a bit stiff at first- but with the first wash (and every subsequent one) they’ll only get softer and softer.
The set is standard, which includes 2 pillowcases, a flat and a fitted sheet that will accommodate mattresses up to 16”. As an added design bonus, the flat sheet and pillowcases have a decorative Z-hem stitch that makes the sheets look even more elegant.
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Who Should Buy These Sheets?
For those people that want budget-friendly cotton percale sheets that will feel soft and last long without costing too much, these 200 TC solid color sheets fit the bill. Crisp and cool, these sheets will feel wondrous to sleep on all year round.
4. Best Deep Pockets: Royal Hotel Abripedic Crispy Percale Sheets
SPECS:
- Thread count: 300 TC
- Available sizes: Full, Queen, King, Cal King
- Available styles: 9
The biggest downside of thicker mattresses is that it can be difficult finding sheets that don’t slip, slide, and come off as soon as you put them on. In case you have a hybrid or a tall memory foam mattress, these extra-deep cotton percale sheets will help you get a good night’s rest without waking up with your sheets crumpled at your feet. Made from 300 TC long-staple cotton, these crispy percale sheets are definitely up to the challenge that deep mattresses pose: the fully elasticized fitted sheet can fit mattresses up to 22” tall.
In addition to the fitted sheet, the set also includes a flat sheet and two standard pillowcases, all available in one of 9 solid colors.
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Who Should Buy These Sheets?
If you have a deep mattress, you’re not limited to stretchy synthetic sheets: these extra deep pocket cotton percale sheets will suit mattresses up to 22” tall. Cool and soft, they will keep you comfy and stay firmly in place throughout the night.
5. Best for Cribs: TL Care 100% Natural Cotton Percale Fitted Crib Sheet
SPECS:
- Thread count: 220 TC
- Available sizes: Crib size (28″ x 52″ x 9″)
- Available styles: 21
We all want only the best for our babies- and what can top the cool, soft, naturally hypoallergenic cotton percale? Made from hotel-quality 220 TC cotton percale fabric, this fitted crib sheet will keep your little one comfy while they’re snoozing. Not only that cotton percale gets softer with each wash, but it is also breathable, so your child won’t be overheating like they would with synthetic bedding.
Another great thing about this cotton percale crib sheet is that the choice of styles is exceptional- with 21 styles to choose from, you’ll easily find a perfect match for your nursery. The 9” deep pocket ensures a snug fit for mattresses that are 6” tall, so it will easily fit most standard crib mattresses.
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Who Should Buy These Sheets?
Whether you’re looking for a great baby shower gift or want to get something nice for your baby, these cotton percale crib sheets are just the thing. Cute, comfy, and cooling, they will keep any infant cozy in their crib.
6. Best Organic: Sleep Mantra Organic Cotton Sheets
SPECS:
- Thread count: 300 TC
- Available sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
- Available styles: 7
Some people don’t want to “settle” for anything less than the finest fibers against their skin, and that’s completely understandable. Whether you have really sensitive skin or just prefer organic materials, these organic cotton percale sheets can provide what you need. Certified by GOTS, they are made from organic cotton fiber and free from harmful toxins and chemicals that could be used both during the cultivation or manufacture. The 300 TC cotton percale is airy but not too thin, ensuring optimal softness and coolness without compromising on quality.
In this set, you’ll get 4 pieces: 2 pillowcases, a flat sheet, and a fitted sheet that suits mattresses up to 16” tall. The set comes in 7 beautiful neutral colors and features head and foot labels for easier setup.
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Who Should Buy These Sheets?
For sleepers with sensitive skin or people that prefer organic materials, these organic cotton percale sheets are just the thing: GOTS certified, they are soft, airy, and cool to boot.
In Conclusion
Cotton percale sheets are the ideal choice if you want cool, breathable sheets made to last- and made from natural materials, to boot. Perfect for hot sleepers, year-round use, and all people that love the crisp feel of cotton in their bed, cotton percale sheets will stand up well to wear and tear and only get softer with each wash. When you pick quality cotton percale sheets, you’re picking bedding made to last for generations.
In addition to being hypoallergenic, resistant to pilling, and very cool, these soft sheets are exceptionally long-lasting. Cotton percale sheets also come in all colors and patterned designs, so it will be easy finding a perfect match for your bedroom’s interior decor. Whether you’re looking for safe and soft sheets for a child’s bedroom or breathable bedding for yourself, cotton percale sheets fit the bill – and come in sizes and designs suited to all preferences and ages.