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Getty Images / FreshSplash
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
Learn more about our product testing
These 100% cotton sheets are soft, silky smooth, and fit mattresses up to 15 inches deep. They’re available in a variety of colors and come with two pillowcases per set. Read More
These 100% cotton sheets were delightful to sleep on and are a great option for people who don't want to spend more than $100. Read More
These soft, organic-cotton sheets are incredible to lay on. But they can get wrinkled easily, and it can be tough to get stains out of them. Read More
The Standard Textile Home Sateen Sheet Set will bring your bed one step closer to the feeling of hotel luxury, but they’re a little pricey. Read More
The right bed sheets can make a big difference in your comfort overnight, and if you’re a sucker for all things soft, a sateen set is definitely the way to go. The bedding usually has a slight luster, and is known for its silky smooth feel.
Typically made from 100% cotton, sateen sheets are slightly warmer than percale sheets due to their unique weave, but they’re breathable enough for year-round use. Because these sheets are so popular, nearly every brand sells a set, but not all sateen sheets are created equal.
We tested a variety of top-rated sateen sheets, and the bestselling Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set (available at Brooklinen) was by far our favorite. These super-soft sheets make you feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud, they’re easy to care for, and they old up beautifully over time.
If you’re looking for a high-end feel without the high-end price tag, you should consider our value pick, the California Design Den Cotton Sheet Set (available at Amazon).
The best bed sheets we tested are made by Brooklinen.
These California Design Den sheets have a high-end feel with an under $100 price tag.
Made from organic cotton
Deep pockets
Solid color selection
Stains can be difficult to remove
Wrinkle easily
Wrinkle and stain resistant
Cool feel
Comfortable to sleep on
Fitted sheet isn’t fully elasticated
I’m Camryn Rabideau, a freelance contributor here at Reviewed. I’ve been testing sheets and other bedding for several years now, and I’ve personally slept on more than two dozen sets, ranging from sateen and percale to flannel and linen. (An added bonus is that I’m now an expert at folding fitted sheets!) I also studied textiles, fashion merchandising, and design, learning how to evaluate and differentiate fabrics.
Our tester slept on each set of sheets overnight and for a one-hour nap to evaluate how soft and comfortable each felt, as well as a number of other criteria, including whether they made noise when she shifted.
To evaluate stain and wrinkle resistance, we poured fruit juice and diet soda on the sheets before crumpling them up in a ball and putting them in a bag overnight. The next morning, we looked for wrinkles. We then rinsed the sheets in warm water before washing them with regular laundry detergent. We did not use any stain remover or pre-treatment.
We also examined the construction and considered the depth of the fitted sheets, as well as how easy the sets were to store.
Most of us buy sheets simply based on how they feel, but there are actually quite a few factors that differentiate bed linens. Fiber, construction method, and thread count all affect how sheets feel, perform, and wear over time.
Most people know that sateen sheets have a silky smooth feel, but do you know what sets them apart from percale sheets? Sateen and percale are actually different styles of weaving. They’re both often made from the exact same yarns.
In weaving, the yarns that run vertically are called “warp” yarns, and the horizontal ones are called “weft” yarns. Sateen relies on a over-one, under-three weaving pattern, while percale uses a simple over-one, under-one pattern.
Sateen has a looser weave than percale, which gives it a luxurious sheen. The tight weave of a percale gives it a crisp feel and matte finish. Sateen drapes nicely, and it’s more wrinkle resistant than percale. However, its silky smooth structure can also make it more prone to snagging and pilling.
Most of the sheet sets we tested were 100% cotton, which is a popular fiber for bedding because it is absorbent, cool, and breathable. When shopping, you may see the terms Pima and Egyptian cotton, which both refer to the staple, or length, of a cotton fiber used in manufacturing. Pima, primarily grown in the U.S., and Egyptian cotton, which is only grown in the U.S., Egypt, and Turkmenistan, are considered long or extra-long staple.
Organic cotton has become popular in recent years, as farmers have commonly used a lot of pesticides and insecticides in growing conventional cotton, making it one of the most chemically intensive crops. If choosing organic bedding is important to you, look for the GOTS Organic or Made with Organic seals on packaging.
Thread count refers to the number of warp and weft threads in one square inch of fabric. While many assume that a higher thread count automatically equals higher quality, that’s not necessarily true, as thread count can be calculated differently depending on the manufacturing country.
As long as the thread count isn’t ultralow, say less than 200, you probably don’t need to sweat it. In fact, in our extensive testing, many of the best sheets have a thread count of 250 or 300, so we don’t recommend worrying too much about it.
Camryn Rabideau is a full-time freelance writer and product tester with eight years of experience. She's been lucky enough to test hundreds of products firsthand, and her specialties include bedding and pet products, which often require help from her two dogs, three cats, and flock of rambunctious chickens.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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