Slipping into the best Egyptian cotton sheets is one of life’s simple pleasures. Once you’ve tried these silky smooth sheets for yourself, you may wonder how you ever went without.
Egyptian cotton is cotton that has been grown in Egypt. One of the most significant differences between Egyptian cotton and regular cotton is the harvesting method. Egyptian cotton is harvested by hand, which puts less stress on the fibers of the cotton and leaves them straighter. The straighter the cotton strands are, the thinner the yarn can be made. Thinner yarn, in turn, can be woven more tightly to create a beautifully silky sheet.
The popularity of 100 percent Egyptian cotton comes as no surprise when you touch this soft and sumptuous fabric. With this popularity comes many knockoff products. To avoid purchasing one of these dupes, look for certification from the Cotton Egypt Association; most authentic Egyptian cotton sellers will be certified.
- BEST OVERALL: Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Mayfair Linen 100% Egyptian Cotton Sheets
- BEST LUXURY: Pure Parima Yalda Sheet Set
- BEST PERCALE: Brooklinen Classic Core Sheet Set
- BEST SATEEN: Boll & Branch Signature Hemmed Sheet Set
- BEST COOLING: Parachute Percale Sheet Set
- BEST COLOR SELECTION: Comfy Sheets 100% Egyption Cotton Sheets
- HONORABLE MENTION: THREAD SPREAD True Luxury 100% Egyptian Cotton Sheets
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Egyptian Cotton Sheets
Thread count, weave, and colors, oh my! These are just some of the things you’ll need to consider before purchasing sheets. Understanding what all these things mean and how they will affect the sheets’ quality will allow you to find the best Egyptian cotton sheets for you.
Thread Count
Thread count is determined by the number of threads woven together widthwise and lengthwise in a square inch. High-quality sheets typically have a thread count of 200 to 800. Higher thread count sheets use thinner cotton yarn allowing more yarn threads to fit within a square inch. The more threads you can work within that square inch, the more silken, durable, and dense the fabric will be.
Thinner cotton yarn is harder and more expensive to make, so these high thread count sheets are often pricier. Some companies will use double-ply sheets to boast of a higher thread count, but 1,000 thread count sheets aren’t always better; it could just be two 500 thread count sheets put together. While thread count is probably the most common way of looking for quality sheets, it’s important to remember it is not the only thing to consider.
In addition to thread count, the type of fibers used will affect the durability and quality of the yarn. Long-staple and long-strand cotton are terms used to refer to the strands of cotton used to spin the yarn that makes the sheets. Many companies will comb out the shorter strands and only use long strands, which creates a softer and more durable yarn.
Weave
The weave of a sheet refers to the method used to weave the fibers of cotton together to create the sheet. There are many ways this is done, but there are two that stand out above the rest.
Percale weave is the most common weave for bed sheets. It’s in a crisscross pattern that ends with each side of the sheet having the same amount of surface thread. Percale weave is durable, lightweight, and results in a matte finish. It is also great for warmer nights because of its breathability; however, it can be rougher than sateen weave.
Sateen fabric is woven in a pattern that produces more thread surface on one side than the other. It’s smoother, shinier, and has a more luxurious feel but can also snag more.
Softness
The softness of a sheet will depend on three factors: the quality of the cotton yarn, the thread count, and the weave used to craft the sheets.
For the softest sheets, look for certified, 100 percent Egyptian cotton with a sateen weave using a 500 to 600 thread count. The combination of high-quality cotton, a soft weave, and a high thread count is going to ensure your sheets are of the utmost softness.
Fit
When shopping for silky-soft Egyptian cotton sheets, be sure to know what size you will need before you begin. Spending hours looking through endless options to finally find the right one and then not knowing which size to buy can sour your experience and may result in you walking away with nothing.
Luckily, measuring your bed won’t be necessary as long as you know your bed’s size. The most popular sizes are twin, full, queen, and king. If you don’t know what size bed you have, you can use one of the many bed sizing charts online. All you have to do is measure the length and width of your bed, compare it to one of these charts, and it will tell you which size bed you own.
Additionally, you will want to note the thickness of your mattress. Some fitted sheets are not designed to fit around deep mattresses or mattresses with toppers. Many are, however, and can fit mattresses up to 20 inches deep.
Temperature Regulation and Breathability
Whether you’re a hot sleeper or want to stay cool during the summer months, temperature regulation can play an essential part in your sheet enjoyment.
Pure Egyptian cotton is breathable and will naturally absorb moisture to allow your body to regulate its temperature more efficiently. Percale weave, particularly, results in light and airy fabric, creating the perfect environment for your body to stay cool even during hot summer nights. Having a set of cooling sheets will allow you to sleep comfortably.
If you’ve ever slept with sheets that made you feel like your skin was suffocating, you might understand the importance of breathability when it comes to bed sheets. To ensure you won’t feel claustrophobic in your own bed, pay attention to the type of weave used by the sheets you’re considering. A percale weave is excellent for a light and airy fabric that won’t feel like it weighs you down while you sleep.
Aesthetic
Like most other fabrics, Egyptian cotton comes in a wide variety of colors, shades, and patterns. This makes it easy to find the perfect fit for your aesthetic.
If you have a patterned duvet or comforter, you might want to look for a color within the pattern and match a solid color sheet set with that color. In contrast, if you have a simple solid comforter, you could spice it up and go for a patterned set of sheets.
Specific colors might be better suited for your home, depending on the design aesthetic you have chosen. If your furry babies sleep in bed with you, a darker color sheet might work best to hide any dirt or dust your pup or kitty might bring with them.
Our Top Picks
Ahead, this guide rounds up and reviews some of the best Egyptian cotton sheet sets for the bedspread. From an affordable option to top-of-the-line luxury, you’ll find a wide variety of quality bedding from which to choose.
Photo: brooklinen.com
Made with long-staple cotton that is OEKO-TEX certified for chemical safety, these sheets have a 480 thread count. Because of how a sateen weave works, one side of the sheets has a longer weave than the other. The longer side is softer, while the short side will be less lustrous. Brooklinen has labeled the “long” and “short” sides of these sheets, so you always know which side to put down.
The Luxe Core Sheet Set comes in six size options, from a twin to California king. They will fit a mattress that is up to 15 inches thick. With 11 regular color options that include four patterns, in addition to three limited-edition patterns, you’re not likely to find designs more beautiful than these.
Photo: amazon.com
These 100 percent Egyptian cotton sheets are made with long-staple cotton and woven into a sateen weave. Cotton is naturally breathable, and the long-staple cotton makes them durable as well. They come in 22 fade-resistant colors that range from plum to ivory and sand to royal blue.
With a thread count of 800, combined with a sateen weave and high-quality cotton, they are soft and silky. They are also designed to fit over thick mattresses up to 15 inches deep and are available in four size options.
Photo: pureparima.com
Made with cotton handpicked from the Nile River Valley in Egypt, these classic white cotton bed sheets are certified Egyptian cotton. Yalda uses Oeko-tex certified chemicals on their products. This means there are no harmful chemicals used, making their sheets excellent for sensitive skin. The combination of a 400-thread count, sateen weave, and quality long-strand Egyptian cotton makes these sheets durable and great for temperature regulation.
This set comes in five size options and will fit a 10-inch to 20-inch-tall mattress. The pillowcases have an envelope-style closure to keep your pillows tucked in. While these sheets are of high quality, they do not come in colors other than white. This might not be the option for you if you’re looking for more choices regarding colors or patterns.
Photo: brooklinen.com
Brooklinen has created a 270 thread count sheet that is OEKO-TEX certified, meaning it is free of harmful chemicals. These sheets are woven into a percale weave that is great for hot sleepers.
Made with 100 percent long-staple cotton, these sheets are soft and create the perfect environment for a good night’s rest. They can fit over mattresses up to 15 inches in height and are available in six different size options. There are also 10 standard color and pattern options, in addition to the occasional limited-edition patterns.
Photo: bollandbranch.com
These Boll & Branch 100 percent cotton sheets are not only high quality but ethically sourced, produced, and shipped. With a sateen weave that makes them buttery soft and a matte finish that will go great with many aesthetics, these sheets are highly desirable.
They come in nine colors and will fit a mattress up to 17 inches thick. Available in eight size options, these sheets will drape down the side of your bed beautifully and will welcome you in. OEKO-TEX certified means they are free of harmful chemicals, so that you can rest easy, literally.
Photo: parachutehome.com
Parachute has found the magic with cotton sheets. These 100 percent certified Egyptian-cotton sheets are crafted in Portugal with long-staple cotton. The percale weave is the most breathable and lightweight weave you can find, which is why they’ve chosen to craft their cooling sheets in this way.
These airy sheets come in six size options, including twin, queen, and king. Choose from six colors ranging from white to slate. However, the set only includes one fitted sheet and one pillowcase. If you need more, you have to select an add-on, which will bump up the price.
Photo: amazon.com
These sateen sheets come in four size options and use 100 percent Egyptian cotton. The long-staple cotton strands allow these sheets to be durable and anti-pilling while still being breathable. There are 15 fade-resistant colors from which to choose, ranging from white to maroon to navy and dark gray.
The sheets can fit a mattress that is up to 17 inches thick and are stitched with four-way elastic corners for a “no-slip” fit. With a 1000 thread count, these sheets will not only make a statement in your home but will also be soft to the touch and provide a comfortable environment for sleep.
Photo: amazon.com
These sateen woven sheets come in four size options and are crafted from 100 percent Egyptian cotton fabric. The long-staple cotton strands allow these sheets to be durable and anti-pilling while still being breathable.
There are 23 fade-resistant colors from which to choose. These colors range from white to maroon to navy and dark gray. These sheets boast a 1000 thread count, so in addition to adding to your bedroom’s decor, they should add to a restful night’s sleep. The sheets can fit a mattress up to 18 inches thick.
FAQs About Your New Egyptian Cotton Sheets
Buying and caring for Egyptian cotton sheets can be intimidating. Here are some of the questions that pop up the most when purchasing and handling Egyptian cotton sheets.
Q. What is Egyptian cotton?
Egyptian cotton is a durable, silky cotton that is grown in Egypt. It is picked by hand, which causes the cotton fibers to be straighter than other types of cotton. Hand-picked cotton is softer and of higher value.
Q. What is the best thread count for Egyptian cotton sheets?
Thread count is just one piece of the puzzle when looking for the perfect cotton sheets. Staying within the range of 600 to 800 should ensure a soft and sumptuous sheet.
Q. How do you wash Egyptian cotton sheets?
It would be best to wash your 100 percent Egyptian cotton sheets with cold water on a gentle cycle and air dry when you can. To iron them, use the lowest heat setting.
Q. How long do Egyptian cotton sheets last?
If adequately cared for, 100 percent Egyptian cotton will not only last for years but will also get softer and softer with each wash.
