I think we can all agree there is nothing more important than a good night's sleep — and the best way to do that? With soft, cozy, and comfortable sheets. But to be honest, I always find shopping for these essential bedding layers complicated. It's the technical terms that throw me: sateen vs percale? What's the difference? What does it mean?
To weigh in on which is the best bedding material, sateen vs percale, I spoke with Kelly Hannon, chief merchandising officer and sheet aficionado at everyone's favorite, Brooklinen. And when it comes to these types of bedding, she quickly put me straight: contrary to what you may think, neither are actually materials, but rather types of weaves used to create fabrics, both commonly made with cotton.
Sateen sheets follow a one-under-three-over weave pattern, while percale sheets are a simpler one-over-one-under weave. But it turns out even the slightest detail like this can have a big difference on the way the sheets feel.
Which is better? From a style perspective, the subtle sheen of sateen isn't necessarily in line with trends in bedding right now, but it goes beyond good looks. I've broken it all down in more detail below.
What are Sateen Sheets?
Looking for sheets that'll make you feel like you're sleeping on a cloud? Go for sateen. Kelly explains that the one-under-three-over weave makes for a fabric that is silky-soft; "Sateen is known for having a more luxurious feel with a soft and smooth hand feel," she says.
In terms of aesthetics, the weave pattern tends to give sateen sheets a stylish, lustrous sheen, too. And if you like to feel cozy and warm while you sleep (who doesn't?) this type of sheet will make sure of that. Ultimately, "those who love a truly soft pair of sheets may prefer sateen, as these are softer and smoother," Kelly says.
What's Included: 1 Flat Sheet, 1 Fitted Sheet, and 2 Pillowcases
This luxe sateen sheet set from Brooklinen has over 18,000 five-star reviews — so it's got to be good. These sheets feature an incredibly soft and ultra smooth weave of cotton with a 480-thread count to add to their luxe nature. While this set comes in several different colors and patterns, this tan stripe is ideal for a summer bedding refresh.
What's Included: 1 Oversized Flat Sheet, 1 Fitted Sheet, and 2 Pillow Cases
These sheets are designed to move and stretch with your Sleep Number smart bed. Since they're 300-thread count sateen, these sheets are sure to feel luxurious to the touch. Plus, this set comes in several different prints and colors to match the style of your modern bedroom.
What's Included: 1 Flat Sheet and 1 Fitted Sheet
This ultra smooth set of sateen sheets is sure to give you the best night's sleep. It's made from a 300-thread count, which adds to its soft nature, and features an ever so subtle stripe pattern on one side and a sleek white finish on the other. These sheets will have your bedroom looking (and feeling) like an oasis.
What are Percale Sheets?
Love slipping into crisp, fresh sheets that make you bedroom feel like a hotel? Percale sheets are the perfect choice for you. As Kelly mentioned, percale features a plain weave, which means the fibers are arranged in a one-over-one-under pattern.
They're still soft like sateen, but percale tends to have an additional cool, crisp feeling. Kelly compares percale sheets to "your favorite button-down shirt" — fresh, clean, and ultra-comfortable.
The percale weave also allows for more breathability than sateen, which makes these sheets ideal for anyone who is a hot sleeper or lives in a warm climate. And in terms of aesthetics, "percale offers a matte look with a casual yet clean finish," Kelly says.
What's Included: 1 Flat Sheet, 1 Fitted Sheet, and 4 Pillowcases
This crisp sheet set will ensure a comfortable and cool night's sleep. Made from US-grown 100% cotton in a percale weave with a 200-thread count, this set is bound to have your bed feeling crisp and fresh to the touch. The gray color would be a perfect feature for a moody, dark bedroom, but the set comes in four other stylish colors if you want something different.
What's Included: 1 Flat Sheet, 1 Fitted Sheet, and 2 Pillowcases
Spring is one of the best times of the year to refresh your bedding. With the influx of warm weather, you might want to consider getting a new set of sheets that'll keep you cool on hot nights. This set, which features a 270-thread count will do just that. Plus, its subtle blue and green pattern is perfect for the spring and summer.
What's Included: 1 Flat Sheet, 1 Fitted Sheet, and 2 Pillowcases
Looking for the best white sheets? Try this percale sheet set. Its 200-thread count ensures both softness and breathability. These sheets are bound to keep you feeling cool all night — ensuring you wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day. Plus, this set has some stellar reviews, with one reviewer writing that there's "nothing to compare" to the quality of this set.
The Verdict: Sateen vs Percale
So, sateen vs percale? They share both similarities and stark differences. While they'll both feel soft to the touch, sateen sheets feel silky-smooth and have a subtle luster, while percale sheets are crisp and fresh, with a matte finish.
So really, it depends what you like. Ask yourself: Are you a hot or cold sleeper? What type of climate do you live in? Do you prefer the crisp and fresh feel, or the silky and smooth finish?
Everyone is different. Kelly Hannon told me she prefers sateen, however, personally, I prefer percale. “Bedding is such a personal piece of home decor, and picking new products is truly up to your personal preference," Kelly adds.
And now you understand the different weaves, it's time to get to know the fabrics. Want to know what the big deal is with Egyptian cotton sheets? We can help with that, too.
