Percale vs sateen: what's the difference and which bed sheet should you buy?

Bed sheets are a personal purchase. Whether you've opted for a linen set to suit a laid-back, effortless look or a silky set to enhance a luxury aesthetic, a bedding set can say more about you than you think. This is why choosing a bed sheet material can make all the difference. 

Cotton is the most common bedding material on the market, but thread counts and finishes can alter the look and feel of each set – percale vs sateen sheets, for example, have a different weave construction that puts them apart. Without directly touching the bedding, it can be tricky to figure out which set you'd like best. 

To help you decide between these two popular cotton variations, we've spoken to a bedding expert and broken down the pros and cons of percale vs sateen. If you're after a new bedding set, I've compared the best bed sheets, recommended by me, from two of my favorite brands after testing.

Percale vs Sateen 

What's the difference?

The difference between percale and sateen cotton is how the fabrics are woven. 

Percale cotton 'uses a traditional and simplistic one-yarn-over and one-yarn-under weave,' explains Yusuf Ozkanli, founder of luxury bedding brand Beddable. 'This gives the fabric a matte finish that is crisp and cool to the touch, making it ideal for hot sleepers and warm temperatures'. Its tight weave means it's incredibly durable, washes well, and won't wrinkle. 

Sateen cotton is made using a more complicated 'one-yarn-under and three-yarns-over technique that results in a silky, more luxurious looking fabric', says Ozkanli. 'This is because more thread is exposed to the surface, also making it feel softer. It is of a heavier weight than percale making it suitable to sleep under all year round. It also washes well but may be more prone to creasing. 

Yusuf Ozkanli

Yusuf Ozkanli is the founder and product manager of luxury bedding brand Beddable and has over 7 years of experience in sourcing home textiles from across the world. 

Percale vs Sateen: a comparison

As a sleep editor, I've reviewed plenty of both types of sheets. To make the difference clearer, here's a head-to-head comparison of the best percale vs sateen bed sheets I've tested.

Should you buy percale or sateen sheets?

Whether you buy percale or sateen bedding comes down to personal preference. 'Sateen and percale are both made of high-quality cotton' says Ozkanli, 'so it comes down to texture.'

If you're a hot sleeper, for example, percale is a given. It's breathable and cold to the touch, so you're sure to sleep sweat-free, even in the summer months. Sateen, on the other hand, is proven to help preserve body heat and keep your temperature regulated, as opposed to keeping you cool. Thanks to a smooth composition that doesn't retain moisture, it's also great for those with sensitive skin – just like a silk pillowcase.

If you're unbothered about the finish and feel, and just want the best cotton sheet set, then I'd opt for percale. It's typically used in hotels as it's extremely durable, lasting through many wash loads and maintaining its quality. In fact, it's known to get softer and smoother with time, and since percale is usually the same price as sateen sheets, you're better off investing in the set that'll last you the longest. 

FAQs

There are a lot of myths surrounding what makes the best bed sheets, including thread count. If you're looking for the best bedding, don't rely on common knowledge. Higher thread counts and Egyptian cotton aren't the only indicators of quality bedding. How the fabric feels and the color looks to you is what matters.