The 9 Best Percale Sheets on the Internet Right Now

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When it comes to investigating the best sheet sets, there’s a word you spot again and again: percale. The term is specific to a type of weave that results in a crisp matte finish that’s medium tight, meaning it will snag less easily than looser weaves and lends itself to longer-term durability. That lifespan makes it an appealing factor when investing in a set of super luxurious sheets, but you can also find percale in lower-priced options as well.

Ready to get shopping? We’ve done the work so you don’t have to, taking into account appearance, feel, and performance, both throughout the night and as it goes through the wash cycle. So without further ado, here’s our roundup of the nine best percale sheets out there right now.

Ripple Sheet Set

Compared to other picks in our roundup, this set has a 40 to 60 blend of long-staple cotton and Tencel, the latter contributing to a softer hand feel than pure cotton. The material is also known for its durability, which makes sense when considering how South Carolina–based interior designer Kevin Lowe, owner of SGC by Kevin Lowe, first fell in love.

“My husband and I take a yearly trip to Charleston, and the Charleston Place Hotel is our go-to—we sleep like babies while we’re there. I wasn’t too proud to ask housekeeping what line of sheets they sourced, and I now use Kassatex linens on the bed in my primary.”

Thread count: 300 | Colors available: Sky Blue, Tan

Percale Sheet Set

This set passed muster with ELLE DECOR editor Rachel Silva, who called them “ultrasoft” and awarded them the most durable label after confirming they didn’t pill after laundering and retained their softness.

Wrinkles weren’t too much of an issue, either, so long as they were removed from the dryer relatively quickly after the cycle ended. The set is also billed as being “cool to the touch,” a definite win if you sleep hot (or sleep alongside someone who does).

Thread count: 400 | Colors available: Ivory, White, Taupe, Teal

Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set

The long pima cotton fibers (280 thread count) used in this set make for a durable softness that you’d expect from any product bearing the L.L. Bean name. These “do exactly what you need at a great price,” said Seattle-based interior designer Anne Corgan.

Beyond the softness and classic hemstitching details, she also recommends these due to how you can shop them as a set or a stand-alone fitted option. Hot take: “I’m not a top sheet gal.”

Thread count: 280 | Colors available: Ivory, Light Blue, Cobalt Blue, Light Green, Pink, Tan, Gray, Yellow, White

Giza 45 Percale Collection

With a price tag in the high triple digits, it makes sense that these ultraluxe sheets are woven in Italy from cotton grown in the Nile river valley. They “cannot be beat,” per Birmingham, Alabama–based abstract artist Laura Deems: "These sheets are like sleeping on a cloud, and I couldn’t recommend them more highly.”

Thread count: 270 | Colors available: White, Ivory, Taupe, Green, Navy Blue, Blue Striped, Light Blue

Essex Count Flat Sheet

The classic look and better-with-each-wash element of this luxe top sheet is what makes them a favorite of New York City–based interior designer Sarah Rinehart Fleischer, founder of SRF Interiors. The wide range of colors (13 as of our last count) means they “work well in nearly every bedroom,” a boon when working on outfitting a client’s entire home.

“I also love that it’s an American company with a rich family history and a commitment to sustainability and waste reduction,” she shared.

Thread count: 350 | Colors available: White with White trim, Charcoal, Champagne, Green, Navy, Azure, Lagoon, Pool, Pink, Hibiscus

Classic Core Sheet Set

In a wider Brooklinen test run by our editors, this set turned out to be the top favorite. With a “pronounced cooling effect” that was “so breathable and so lightweight,” it’s become a signature for the brand.

The long-staple cotton used is durable, soft, and billed as improving with time (i.e., the more it’s used and laundered, the softer it gets). Described as "hotel style,” it checks out: No sheet set goes through a rinse cycle more than those in the hospitality industry.

Thread count: N/A | Colors available: Graphite and Steel Oxford Stripe, White, Cream, Pebble, Driftwood, French Moss, Storm, Slate, Window Pane, Green Jasper, Tandem Stripe in Moss, Tandem Stripe in Blue Tide

Daphne Flat Sheet

This handmade sheet is super luxe by nature, clocking in at a mighty 520 thread count, though the super-soft feel isn’t the only reason Manhattan-based Olivia Massie, Maison Venu founder and creative director, suggested them.

“From solids to patterns to embroidered border options, I have never met a Matouk set that I didn’t want to crawl under and enjoy. As a longtime lover of embroidery, the Daphne is one of my favorite styles at the moment.”

If the color of the floral vine isn’t quite right for your decor, you also have the option of customizing.

Thread count: 520 | Colors available: White with Green Trim

Percale Fitted Sheet

Egyptian cotton is known as more moisture-wicking and absorbent than other varieties, making it a smart pick if you run hot while sleeping (or live in a steamier clime).

Multiple reviewers noted these were soft and washed well, with more than a handful saying they’d come back to buy another set.

Thread count: N/A | Colors available: White, Ivory, Taupe, Gray, Mauve, Olive Green, Charcoal

Cotton Percale Sheets

The numbers don’t usually lie, and at over 11,000 Amazon reviews, this set has to be a contender. Made of 100 percent cotton, they have the crispness expected from percale and launder well.

“After washing, they have the crisp cotton-sheet feel of a somewhat higher-end sheet while softening beautifully,” wrote a reviewer from New York City. Multiple notes mentioned their thinness, too, which can go either way. To some, it was a lightweight pro, while other reviewers considered them too thin. Our read? Skip if you prefer a heavier weight.

Thread count: N/A | Colors available: White, Gray, Brown, Light Blue, Navy Blue, Teal, Pink, Terra Cotta

How We Tested the Percale Sheets

We researched the highest-rated percale sheets from a number of leading brands, leaning on the advice of top interior designers. Several of these sheet sets were carefully inspected for quality, durability, softness, and touch. We looked for signs of fabric flaws, shrinkage, loose threads, or how well each survived several washes. Our testing insights were additionally combined with our writer’s independent research to arrive at these final top sheet sets.

How to Choose the Best Percale Sheets

When shopping, keep an eye on the material breakdown. Percale won’t necessarily be the softest sheet on the market—but it can be. Since the term is about the weave, not the fiber, you’ll want to pay attention to the specs as they will affect the feel or other factors of the sheet (i.e., if they’re cooling or extra warm, silky to the touch versus soft).

The majority in our list are 100 percent cotton, though that’s not a blanket designation either. Pay attention to type and length: The longer a cotton fiber, the stronger and more durable it is, an important factor if you’re spending a bit more and hoping for sheets you can sleep on for years. Where the cotton is grown can wildly affect the end price tag, too, and different regions are known for their softness.

When it comes to look and feel, anyone who loves a slight shine to their bed linen might not be a percale fan. The weave is different than what’s used for sateen bedding, and its matte look isn’t for everyone.

Why Trust Us

For more than three decades, ELLE DECOR has covered style makers, trendsetting interiors, and must-have home furnishings. With a focus on the latest design trends and ideas about how to incorporate them into improving your own space, we’re your go-to resource for elevating and beautifying your home. Our team of editors and interior design pros research and review every new article we publish to ensure you have the most up-to-date, expert-approved information.

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