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- As you shop for cotton sheets, you'll come across two terms: percale and sateen.
- They refer to the different ways that cotton yarns are woven into fabric.
- We explain their feel and breathability so you can buy the best one for a good night's sleep.
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Looking for the best sheets can be an overwhelming process. If you are certain that you want the best cotton sheets, the words "percale" and "sateen" often come up.
Percale and sateen are types of cotton weave — how cotton yarns are woven together to create a fabric. They're the most common weaves and cotton sheet types you'll see while shopping for bedding. While both percale and sateen are highly popular and comfortable, you'll probably like one more than the other based on your body temperature and what kind of feel you prefer.
The differences in their properties are due to how each weave is made:
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What does percale feel like?
Because percale has a tight, even 1:1 weave, it has a crisp, matte, and lightweight feel, similar to a white button-down shirt. It's airy and breathable. Percale is best for sleepers who like to stay cool throughout the night.
If you are searching for a soft yet crisp set, you should consider our L.L. Bean percale sheet set review.
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What does sateen feel like?
Due to its looser weave, where more yarn is exposed to the surface, sateen feels silky smooth, with a slight sheen to it. It's very soft and warm, but it's less breathable than percale, so it might not work for people who sleep warm. Thanks to its luxurious feel, many hotels use sateen sheets in their guestrooms.
If you want a set that gets better with every wash, you should check out our Snowe sateen sheets review.
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Is percale or sateen better?
The best cotton sheet for you is subjective and depends on how you like to sleep.
Percale is crisp and breathable, and it gets softer over time. Its tight grid pattern also makes it more durable than sateen.
Sateen has a luxuriously smooth and warm feel, but it tends to snag more easily due to its weave. Since sateen is less abrasion-resistant than percale, you must use more care when handling it.
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Percale vs. Sateen: Which is best for you?
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Keep in mind that other factors like the type of cotton used and the thread count also play a role in the feel and durability of your sheet. Long-staple cotton, for example, is longer, softer, and more durable than short-staple cotton. Extra-long staple cotton (also known as pima or Supima cotton) is even softer and more durable than long-staple cotton. Meanwhile, thread count — the number of yarns per inch, horizontally and vertically — also helps make a sheet softer and durable.
Take into account weave, cotton type, and thread count when you shop for sheets.
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Does percale or sateen cost more?
The type of cotton and thread count affect the final cost. All things equal, you should be able to find percale and sateen sheets for about the same price.
However, since sateen tends to come in at a higher thread count, it's usually more expensive than percale. The higher price also helps contribute to the idea that sateen is more "luxurious" than percale.
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How to care for and wash percale and sateen sheets
You should follow any specific instructions given by the brand you purchased. Generally, we recommend you wash your sheets every one to two weeks in cold water with a gentle detergent. Then, tumble dry on low.
Avoid hot water in the washer because it can cause colors to bleed, shrink your sheets, and weaken sheet fibers. Drying on high heat can also weaken the fibers or lead to pilling, especially in sateen sheets, which are already naturally more susceptible to abrasion.
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Where to buy percale and sateen sheets
Many bedding brands offer both percale and sateen sheets. Once you've determined which type you want, try these sheet sets. We've personally tested them and can vouch for their comfort and durability.
The best percale sheets:
The best sateen sheets:
Connie Chen is a former senior reporter on the Insider Reviews team, where she led coverage of home textiles, home entertaining, and food and drink. While at Insider, she specialized in all the things that enhance life at home, from the most comfortable bed sheets and fluffy pillows to cool online wine clubs and bartender-approved co*cktail shakers. She combined rigorous testing methods, conversations with professionals, and active knowledge of the home and kitchen space to help readers get the most out of their money. When she's not changing duvet covers or washing towels twice a day for articles, she loves talking about and trying the newest snacks, drinks, andfood gifts. You can see more of her testing process and other behind-the-scenes of being a product journalist on her Instagram @connayreviews. Connie joined Insider Reviews as an early member in 2017 and has also reported on products and services in the style, tech, fitness, travel, and e-learning spaces, with a particular interest and expertise in emerging startups. She has represented the team at CES and moderated panels on media business and the future of retail. Connie graduated from UC Berkeley with degrees in media studies and business administration, which help inform her perspective on and coverage of industry trends, as well as the competitive e-commerce landscape at large. Read some of her work: The 4 best co*cktail shakers in 2021 The 7 best women's bathrobes in 2021 The 5 best wine openers and corkscrews we tested in 2021 The 5 best bed sheets we tested in 2021 The 5 best cordless vacuums we tested in 2021 12 direct-to-consumer kitchen startups that are changing the way we shop for cookware and knives 8 tableware startups changing the way we shop for dishes Even chefs experience cooking burnout — here's how they get re-inspired in the kitchen How businesses create successful virtual experiences 50 cookbooks from famous restaurants across the US that will help you recreate their best dishes at home Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Learn more about how we test kitchen products.
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