Oh, percale. The airy, cool fabric that keeps you cozy all night long. The best percale sheets combine breathable comfort with a crisp feel. Percale is cotton (though always double-check the labels) and refers to the weave, which is strong and tight thanks to the basket pattern (one over, one under), hence why the sheets look matte as opposed to shiny. Thread count tends to exceed 200 and percale weave feels weighty but is breathable enough to be one of the top picks for warm weather and hot sleepers. A close cousin to sateen, percale bed sheets and pillowcases aren’t super shiny, pill less than other options, and can’t be beat when it comes to a high-end look and feel—they are often likened to a well-pressed dress shirt. High-quality sheets will get softer with each wash (be sure to follow the care instructions and you won’t have to worry about shrinkage) so your bedding situation will only get more luxe with time.
Not all percale sheet sets are created equal though. There are certain things you may want to look for when it comes to finding the sheet that’s right for you: Oeko-Tex certification, organic cotton, deep pockets. The world is your percale weave oyster, and we’re here to help guide you toward your best match—shop some our editor-reviewed and selects below.
Our Top Picks:
Unless otherwise noted, all prices reflect the cost of queen size sheets or sheet sets.
“I’ve tried many percale styles over the years, and I find that this one skews a bit softer than most, which I’m totally happy about,” senior AD PRO editor Mel Studach said of her Quince sheet set. “Being 100% cotton, the set is also nicely breathable. And while the crisp, smooth texture is incredibly comfortable for sleeping, I also appreciate that when I make my bed every morning, the sheets maintain their structure sans unsightly wrinkles.”
“I was incredibly impressed by the quality of these sheets because they really do feel five-star-hotel-level luxurious,” Lee said when she tested this top selling Amazon set. Like many other sheets on our list, this set is made of organic cotton, is Oeko-Tex certified, and fits mattresses up to 15 inches deep. What makes this set stand out? The incredibly wallet-friendly price tag: You get a fitted sheet, top sheet, and two pillowcases in king sizes. If for some reason you find that these sheets are, in fact, too good to be true, you can take advantage of Amazon’s return policy.
Another one of our favorite sheet sets on Amazon received high praise from contributor Kristi Kellogg, ”If you’re looking for something breathable and cooling, you’ll love this lightweight Lane Linen set. I love the fact that it’s made of organic cotton (and also Oeko-Tex certified).” Coming in at under $60, the sheet set is available in more than 20 colors, including charcoal, dusty rose, silver, navy, white, and lilac.
This is a splurge, we know. But if you are looking for higher thread count sheets (we’re talking 500 high) look no further. These sheets fully won US digital director Allie Weiss over with their hotel-level luxury. “I hate scratchy sheets, and breathed a sigh of relief when I slipped into these. They are both lightweight, crisp-looking, and soft to the touch—talk about a win-win.” Pillowcase and top sheets are available as well.
Nest bedding has proven to be an AD editor favorite (we loved their sateen sheets) and while their snuggle-worthy crinkle percale sheets are the relatively new kids on the block, they check all the right boxes. As “sheets made for summer sleeping,” they’re 100% organic and made of fair trade cotton with a 200TC weave for softness and breathability. They come in five on-trend colors with the sort of relaxed wrinkle that offers your bedroom a romantically lived-in look.
This one is for my duvet cover die-hards. Sometimes all you need in your life is the softest fitted sheet you can find. With a 200 thread count, stone-washed and with a matte finish, these organic cotton sheets by internet sensation Tekla are luxurious. Available in a whopping 11 colors, they’re designed to get softer with each wash and last you a good long while (which is great, considering the price point). If you’re feeling really wild, take a look at the duvet covers; you won’t regret it.
This is one of the best cooling options on the list. With a 300 thread count combined cotton percale and Oeko-Tex certification, these sheets are designed to keep you comfy year-round. Lightweight, smooth, and offered in 18 colors, these sheets are a versatile classic.
Another set of crinkle cotton percale sheet set (crinkle yet wrinkle-free!). This set is made of 100% organic cotton in a factory that recycles 90% of its wastewater. They look like the linen sheets we’ve tested and loved but with the crisp and cool feel of percale.
Made of long-staple cotton, the brand says the sheets look “smooth and structured like a crisp, button-down shirt.” We’re inclined to agree if their tester-favorite hemmed sateen sheets are any indication. The set includes a fitted sheet (that fits mattresses up to 17″), top sheet, and two pillowcases. The sheets are also available in California king sizes and the elusive split king as well. Available in eight soft or neutral colors and two striped options, there’s something for almost every low-key color preference.
“Of all the sheets I’ve tried, these cotton percale sheets feel the most like expensive hotel sheets that I’ve come across, and the price tag certainly reflects that!” hard to beat a review like that, especially from our commerce director, who tests a lot of sheets. These sheets are made from long staple cotton that just gets softer with each wash.
Percale sheets are a favorite amongst hot sleepers for a reason. This set from Tuft & Needle looks crisp and pristine, but can keep you cool all night long. “If you find yourself waking up at night because you’re hot, I think these sheets are a safe bet,” contributor Kellog said in her review. “They’re so light and airy—they’re as close to sleeping with no sheet as you could get!”
