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The 7 Best Percale Sheets
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When people talk about the good old days, they may not automatically think of bed sheets. But for many, most modern-day sheets pale in comparison to your grandmother's cool, crisp linens. And that's why the best percale sheets are so in demand (and so difficult to find): These are the lightweight, breathable, cooling, old-fashioned sheets that you slept in during summer sleepovers at your grandparents' when you were young.
What To Know When Shopping For Percale Sheets
As you’re making your pick, here are a couple things to keep in mind:
The Weave
Referring to the type of weave used in their design, percale cotton sheets are closely woven, flat, and smooth — and pretty much always made from 100% cotton. Unlike sateen weave sheets, you should never expect percale sheets to be soft and satiny — that would defeat their purpose. Instead, these crisp, cooling sheets are ideal for spring, summer, sweaty sleepers, and anyone who simply prefers a lighter, less clingy sheet that stands the test of time.
Thread Count
When it comes to thread count, it's important to forget everything you've been told about needing sheets that boast nothing less than 1,000 threads. Percale sheets typically range between a 200- and 300-thread count, and that number does not affect their quality.
Regardless of your budget, mattress size, and color or fabric preference, the seven choices below are the best percale sheets you can buy online today.
Shop The Best Percale Sheets
In a hurry? These are the best percale sheets:
- The Overall Best: Linen Home Cotton Percale Sheets
- A GOTS-Certified Organic Set: Fabdreams Organic Cotton Sheets
- A Set That Won’t Show Wrinkles: Nautica Cotton Percale Sheets
- A Budget-Friendly Set In Pretty Prints: Comfort Spaces Cotton Percale Sheets
- A Deep-Pocket Set For Bigger Mattresses: Abripedic Bed Sheets
- A Budget-Friendly Set That’s OEKO-TEX-Certifed: Welspun Basics Percale Sheets
- A Luxurious Set Of Pima Percale Sheets: Peru Pima Percale Sheets
1The Overall Best Percale Sheets
With a wallet-conscious price tag, 100% cotton percale weave, and outstanding reviews from more than 5,000 Amazon reviewers, these are the overall best percale sheets you can buy. They’re OEKO-TEX certified to ensure they aren’t made with harmful chemicals, and the fitted sheet can fit mattresses up to 16 inches deep.
Reviewers say these 200-thread count sheets are crisp, cool (and that they stay cool throughout the night), durable, and that they fit well. They’re also very easy to care for, though you may want to run an iron over them if wrinkles bother you. And they get softer and even more comfortable after a few spins in the washing machine.
Helpful Review: “Love crawling into a bed with crisp, cool sheets! [...] These sheets aren’t particularly thick. In fact, when I first got them I thought they might be too thin. But, nope, they are fine once on the bed. Deeper corner pockets than I expected. Wash well. Great price. I’m headed back to buy a 2nd set.”
- Available sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King
- Available colors and styles: 12
2A GOTS-Certified Organic Sheet Set
These GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified-organic percale sheets may cost more than most, but reviewers say they're worth every penny and you’ll have them for years to come. These sheets have one of the tightest, crispest weaves around, with a 300-thread count. The four-piece set includes a fitted sheet, flat sheet, and two pillowcases. It comes in recyclable packaging and includes a reusable tote bag, plus the company goes to lengths to procure its cotton straight from farmers in an effort to sustain fair trade. Choose from six colors that include neutrals like ivory and white, as well as lilac and dark blue.
Helpful Review: “These sheets are soft and washed beautifully. They remind me of the percale sheets I slept on as a girl. They do wrinkle but I don't care about that. I plan to order another set and am getting rid of my other sheets.”
- Available sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
- Available colors: 6
3A Set That Won’t Show Wrinkles
Here’s the deal when it comes to percale cotton sheets: Wrinkles are going to happen. Unless you purchase sheets made from a blend of percale cotton and polyester, which means compromising when it comes to that crisp, cool feeling that you get from 100% cotton percale, there really is no such thing as wrinkle-resistant percale sheets. But (in case wrinkles are a real pet peeve) one way to get around having to iron your sheets is to opt for a striped set, as the design does a great job of concealing wrinkles. These 200-thread count striped sheets come in multiple colors and prints. The four-piece set comes with a fitted sheet, flat sheet, and two pillowcases.
Helpful Review: “These sheets are super cute! The stripes + whale print is great, and the fabric is a nice weight for spring/summer. They aren't stiff, and didn't wrinkle much at all from regular washing/drying.”
- Available sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King
- Available colors and styles: 7
4A Budget-Friendly Set In Pretty Prints
This set of 100% cotton percale sheets rings up at an amazing price. The breathable four-piece set includes a fitted sheet designed with all-around elastic, flat sheet, and two pillowcases. The 200-thread count sheets are available in a range of prints in soft, soothing shades. At this affordable price, these are a great pick for outfitting several rooms in your home at once. This is a popular pick with more than 6,000 reviews.
Helpful Review: “I was looking for an extra set of sheets for our new king sized bed. I wanted 100% cotton because they sleep cooler. Wasn’t expecting much for the price but figured they were my extra set so I’d give them a shot. Love them! Cool, crisp just like I like my sheets. So surprised at the quality.”
- Available sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
- Available colors and styles: 12
5A Deep-Pocket Set For Bigger Mattresses
A lot of sheets will claim they have deep pockets that fit deeper mattresses, but this quality set of percale sheets truly lives up to that promise. These 300-thread count sheets feature pockets that can fit mattresses up to 22 inches deep. They come in nine colors, including ivory, white, and periwinkle. The four-piece set comes with a flat sheet, fitted sheet, and two pillowcases — both the flat sheet and pillowcases feature elegant hemming and piping.
Helpful Review: “Love these sheets. They stay cool and the extra deep pockets mean they fit perfectly on my deepest mattress without ever popping off. Great color too!”
- Available sizes: Queen, King, California King, Split King, Split California King
- Available colors and styles: 9
6A Budget-Friendly Set That’s OEKO-TEX-Certified
This 200-thread count percale cotton sheet set combines affordability, quality, and piece of mind — it’s OEKO-TEX-certified, which means the manufacturing has been carried out in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. The set come with four pieces: a fitted sheet, two pillowcases, and a flat sheet. The best part? You can choose from a super wide range of sizes and colors.
Helpful Review: “These sheets fit my deep mattress very well, no yanking and pulling to get the pocket corners on! They are crisp and cool for summer time heat. There aren't to many wrinkles when I take them out of the dryer.”
- Available sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
- Available colors and styles: 35
7A Luxurious Set Of Pima Percale Sheets
When you want a one-and-done percale sheet set pick, this luxurious find is a gem. Although the sheets are pricier than other picks, they’re also designed with a higher 415-thread count and 100% Peruvian pima long-staple cotton, so they’re smooth, cool, and durable. The sheets are OEKO-TEX-certified, so they’r guaranteed to be manufactured using socially and environmentally responsible practices. The four-piece set includes a fitted sheet, flat sheet, and two pillowcases.
Helpful Review: “They are a medium weight and provide that cool, crisp sensation everyone wants with percale. There was a slight sheen when I opened the package but this disappeared after the first washing. [...] These sheets have been washed weekly and used daily, and the elastic is as strong as the day I received them. Will be purchasing a second set!”
- Available sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, California King
- Available colors and styles: 14
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