Mattress Accessories & Bedding
Best Cotton Sheets
A guide to the best cotton sheets, the pros and cons, who they’re good for, and what to consider when shopping for them.
When shopping for new bed sheets, most people think that high thread count is synonymous with high quality. You might be surprised to learn that thread count isn’t the only factor to consider when looking for a comfortable, durable and soft sheet set.
Choosing the right sheets for your bed should involve consideration of the fabric type, weave, color, pattern and fit as well as the thread count. In our opinion, thread count isn’t the most important factor, but understanding what it is, how it’s calculated, and the ideal range for a great set of sheets is crucial when investing in a new set.
In this article, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about thread counts to help you find the best sheets for your sleeping needs. We hope this guide will help you shop informed and avoid falling for any marketing gimmicks along the way.
Thread count is essentially a measure of fabric density. The specific thread count number a sheet set is assigned refers to the number of threads (vertical threads or horizontal threads) per square inch. In general, higher-thread-count sheets feature thin yarns, so more material fits into one square inch of the fabric. The result is a smoother, denser feel that may also be more durable no mater how many times you wash them.
Fine yarns are difficult to deal with and weave with, which is why higher-thread-count products are typically more expensive. Alternatively, low-thread-count fabrics may be the result of products that are manufactured with thicker yarns. These products can wind up having a rough feel and may be prone to unraveling over time.
Thread count is calculated by the addition of horizontal (or “weft”) yarns and vertical (or “warp) yarns in just one square inch of fabric. The amount of yarn that fits into one square inch can indicate how the sheet feels, how dense it is, and how long the bedding will last.
It’s important to understand that some manufacturers can inflate thread count by how they calculate it. If you see very high thread counts for a product that’s relatively affordable, it could indicate that the manufacturer has added up the ply, or the individual threads that are twisted together to make each strand of yarn, instead of the stands of yarn themselves. For example, a sateen sheet set that is constructed with yarns woven from two pieces of ply (multi-ply yarns) could be advertised as 1,000 thread count instead of a 500 thread count. It’s a little bit of tricky marketing that ultimately doesn’t represent a higher-quality product.
Now that you know some brands practically cram as many low-quality threads as possible into a square inch, you’re probably wondering, “What is the right thread count?” The truth is that the quality of the yarn is essential in determining the quality of a sheet.
In general, high quality yarns are made from raw materials. That’s why Egyptian cotton is considered the world’s most ideal source of yarn for bedding. This material is very fine, so it’s twisted together for strength, which creates the high thread count Egyptian cotton sheets that the material is so well known for.
You can achieve a quality similar to that of high thread count Egyptian cotton with lower quality yarns, however. The yarn will be thicker, so it will need to be woven a bit more tightly but not so dense that the fabric feels lumpy.
For example, you can have a 1,000-thread count sheet set made from Egyptian cotton and a 600-thread count percale cotton sheet set that are similar in quality because the yarns’ thicknesses vary (fine Egyptian cotton fibers and dense cotton fibers, respectively).
Our point? Thread count isn’t the final word in determining whether a sheet set is well made. The best bedding will have a balanced weaving construction that results in a strong, soft fabric.
Weave refers to how the threads are made into fabric. Each weave type has a different texture, density, and feel that can affect your sleeping experience. The optimal thread count range also varies for each weave type, as you saw in the previous section. Here are some of the most common weave types for bed sheets and linens.
For more of our top picks for sheets, check out our 2020 Best Bed Sheets Guide, which includes options available on Amazon.
While thread count matters when selecting new bedsheets, high-quality sheets don’t have to be high-thread-count sheets. Armed with this knowledge, you should be able to pick a sheet set that works for your price point and preferences, without solely focusing on thread count.
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