Sateen sheets tend to sleep warmer due to their heavier weave, although temperature regulation also depends on thread count and the type of material. The percale weave is highly breathable, making it a good choice for hot sleepers.
A sateen weave does produce a thicker, less breathable sheet than a percale weave does, making sateen sheets well-suited to the cooler months. They aren't quite as warm and cozy as flannel, but sateen sheets tend to be heavier and warmer than percale sheets.
Sateen sheets are more prone to heat retention than some alternatives. In winter, this may feel cozy to sleepers. Most individuals choose to use sateen sheets year-round, but especially hot sleepers may find them too warm. Since they regulate temperatures well, percale sheets are good for all seasons.
Individuals who like a silky feel and finish might find sateen sheets more comfortable. Since sateen sheets tend to be heavier and warmer, they could also be ideal for people who often sleep cold. Budget shoppers may prefer sateen sheets to Egyptian cotton sheets because they are often available at a lower price point.
Sateen on the other hand, uses a three over (or more) and one under weave (see image) which traps more heat, making it an excellent choice for cooler seasons or cold sleepers. Many buy both weaves and match them to the season, preferring sateen sheets during winter and percale sheets during summer.
Several of the sleep experts I spoke to suggested linen sheets. According to Dr. Joshua Tal, a psychologist who specializes in sleep disorders, they are very breathable and “pick up cool air.” Oks says that since linen is made of a looser weave than, say, a cotton sheet with a high thread count, it traps less heat.
Linen and cotton are both great options for hot, sweaty sleepers. Both fabrics are breathable (and therefore, cooling). "Fabrics like bamboo are breathable and cool, even in warmer seasons," Holliday-Bell explains.
If you're a hot sleeper, percale is going to be a better choice than sateen because of its natural cooling properties. For those who sleep cool and comfortably, sateen is the ultra-soft fabric your bed needs.
Compared to traditional cotton, satin is much smoother. This means that while you sleep on satin bedding, your hair will become much less tangled and matted and you won't have to worry about static. It's great for your skin. Less expensive fabrics often retain moisture, but that's not the case for satin.
You may think because percale sheets have a tighter weave that they are also warmer. However, due to the less thick yard used, Percale sheets will give you a cooler sleep experience. Percale sheets are better for those who sleep hot or live in warmer climates and will give you a crisp, cool sleep year round.
If you love a light, crisp sheet with good breathability and aren't bothered by wrinkles, go with percale. If you prefer a soft, smooth sheet with a little more wrinkle resistance and thickness, go with sateen.
For hot sleepers, we narrowed down the best materials to cotton, linen, satin, and silk. Dr. Peters says these materials work well because they allow heat to dissipate and feel airy and breathable. They're also durable and long-lasting.
Percale sheets are primarily composed of cotton, featuring a signature tight weave that resembles your favorite crisp white button-up. Sateen sheets are made with 100% cotton fiber, a high thread count, and lustrous feel. Think of slipping into your favorite silk robe.
But sateen is dryer than percale because it's drapier. It sits much closer to your body thus absorbing any excess sweat on the skin. If you shop for a cooling sheet at a store that only offers these two weaves, percale is a better bet.
Using too much detergent causes a build up to accumulate, contributing to that unwelcome stiffness in the fabric. It may help to put your sheets through an extra rinse cycle to remove detergent residue. Take your brand new sheets and pop them in the machine before use.
Although percale sheets are popular for their lightweight and cool texture, they also have a few drawbacks, like being wrinkle-Although percale cotton sheets are popular for their lightweight and cool texture, they also have a few drawbacks, like being wrinkle-prone and not being ideal for cold sleepers.
Due to its tighter weave and lower thread count, percale sheets tend to be very lightweight and breathable. Cotton percale is also absorbent and will wick moisture away from the skin. Percale sheets and pillowcases feel crisp at first but soften over time, striking a fine balance between smooth and scratchy.
Percale vs Sateen for Sleeping Comfort
The tighter sateen weave retains heat more effectively than percale, so if you tend to feel cooler in the night, you'll be happy with sateen. If you're a hot sleeper though, sateen may not be your best choice of bedding.
Sateen sheets feel soft when new and have sheen to them, while Egyptian cotton sheets soften over time with use. Both are made from cotton and have much to offer, making the choice one of budget and personal taste.
Its unique weave—four-over-one-under—gives the material the sheen and drape of satin with the comfort and durability of world-class cotton. Ultra smooth to the touch, sateen fabric feels luxurious against your skin and comfortable any time of the year.
The Advantages of Satin
Satin has a luxurious look and feel – this is often the key advantage and who it is chosen. It is also versatile, as shown by the different types of satin and sateen listed above, and it can be durable, the taut nature of the fabric stronger than many plain weaves.
For people who get hot during sleep, choosing sheets made of bamboo, cotton, or linen — breathable fabrics that wick away moisture from the body and help maintain a comfortable temperature — can help.
This means choosing natural fibres such as cotton, viscose, linen or silk. These fibres allow moisture to evaporate through the fabric, helping you stay cooler while you sleep and wake-up feeling fresher. Linen is a great choice for managing night sweats.
Eucalyptus silk one of the best fabrics for night sweats, making it the perfect pick. Not only is it great at keeping you comfortable in any temperature, but it's also made with cool-to-touch technology that stays fresher for longer and keeps you snug and cosy without overheating.