Percale vs. Sateen Sheets: Which Should You Choose?
Compare the distinct qualities of crisp, cool percale sheets and silky-smooth sateen bedding to decide which best suits your preferences. Made from premium natural fibers, our sateen and percale sheets are both high-quality options fit for a hotel suite or magazine spread. However, there are some differences between these materials to consider. Read on to learn about these two popular sheet fabrics and find tips for deciding whether sateen or percale is best based on your ideal sleeping temperature, care preferences, and personal style.
What Are Percale Sheets?
Percale sheets are sewn from fabric that’s woven in a one-thread-over, one-thread-under pattern. Ours are made from 100 percent cotton or organic cotton, which lends durability, strength, and comfort to the bedding. The basic one-to-one weave creates the signature qualities of percale sheets, including a cool, crisp hand and matte finish. Percale sheets are lightweight and breathable and get softer over time. However, they may be more prone to wrinkles and creases.
What Are Sateen Sheets?
The fabric that goes into sateen bed sheets is constructed by weaving soft, high-quality fibers in a distinct one-yarn-under, three- or four-yarns-over pattern. While frequently made from cotton, some of our sateen sheets incorporate other materials, including rayon made from bamboo or TENCEL™ Lyocell. The fabric’s unique weave structure gives sateen sheets a variety of distinguishing characteristics, such as a smooth, silky hand, lustrous finish, and heavier—but still breathable—weight. Many people prefer sateen sheets because they are naturally wrinkle resistant, thanks to the fabric’s weave.
Which Is Best: Percale or Sateen Sheets?
Our high-quality sateen and percale sheets are made from the finest natural fibers for breathability, comfort, and style. While neither is intrinsically better than the other, the materials do offer distinct benefits that may make one or the other more appealing depending on your individual preferences. See how sateen and percale sheets compare:
| Percale Sheets | Sateen Sheets | |
|---|---|---|
| Thread Count | 200-400 | 300-800 |
| Materials | Cotton, organic cotton | Cotton, organic cotton, bamboo-cotton blends, TENCEL™ Lyocell |
| Looks | Like the sheets you’d find in your favorite five-star hotel | Elegant and lustrous for a luxurious aesthetic |
| Feels | Crisp and cool to the touch | Soft, silky, and smooth |
| Ideal For | Warm sleepers, year-round comfort | Cold sleepers, cold temperatures |
Choosing the Right Sheets for You
When choosing sheets, take into account your care preferences, ideal sleeping temperature, and personal style. Consider these factors when deciding between percale or sateen sheets:
- Care Preferences: Sateen sheets are low-maintenance and naturally wrinkle-resistant thanks to their smooth, silky surface.
- Sleeping Temperature: Both cotton percale and sateen sheets are breathable for comfort year-round. However, percale sheets have a looser weave and are slightly lighter than sateen, so they’re best for hot sleepers and summer months.
- Personal Style: Sophisticated and refined, or elegant and luxurious? Let your personal style preferences dictate which bed sheets you choose. Percale sheets offer a matte finish and crisp hand, so they’re more relaxed and casual compared to sateen’s lustrous finish, which imparts a formal look.
Both sateen and percale sheets are top-quality options for comfort and style. Choose your preferred fabric, pattern, and size for sheets, then layer the bed with a quilt, duvet, and blankets to create a space well-suited for rest. Explore our other Guides for tips on choosing the best bedding, linens, and decor for every room in your home.