Looking for sheets with a reasonable thread count (200-600 for most styles) will typically produce the best results. Be sure to modify your expectations somewhat depending on the material used. Excessively high thread counts (600-800) likely won't change much beyond the price tag.
What's the best thread count for sheets? In our tests, top-rated bed sheets often have thread counts between 300 and 500. Anything above 500 isn't necessarily better (so don't be deceived when you see thread counts over 1,500), and on the flip side, you can still find quality sheets with thread counts under 300.
The best sheets typically have a thread count between 200 and 400. Any thread count lower than 180 tends to have a rougher texture. Any number over 400 is most likely an inflated figure due to multi-ply thread, meaning you'll pay a premium price for a sheet that doesn't actually feel any softer.
There isn't really a best thread count for sheets. Depending on budget, aim for a thread count between 400 and 1,000. The highest thread count you should look for is 1,000. Anything above that number is unnecessary and often lower quality.
What Is a Good Thread Count for Sheets? If you must measure thread count, look for something in the 400-600 thread count range, and remember to be certain that they're single ply. But really, there are much better ways of choosing fine quality sheets.
If you want lighter sheets, Joanna says, a 400 thread count sheet can be soft and light, while an 800 percale would be soft and dense. The higher the thread count, the more likely multiple-ply thread is used or picks are added, making the fabric denser and heavier.
According to the many experts we've interviewed, really good sheets—the ones that feel soft and wear well after years of use and washing—generally have thread counts ranging from 200 to 600, depending on whether they're percale or sateen. But honestly, thread count isn't the most important thing to consider.
Thread count refers to the number of horizontal and vertical threads per square inch. Generally, the higher the thread count, the softer the sheet, and the more likely it will wear well — or even soften — over time. Good sheets range anywhere from 200 to 800, although you'll occasionally see numbers over 1,000.
If you're hot at night, then high thread count sheets are some of the worst sheets you could buy because besides synthetics, 1000TC sheets are the hottest, non-flannel sheets available. High thread count sheets are hot for two reasons; 1) the amount of cotton in the sheet making them thick.
Thread counts of 800–1000 or more likely use multi-ply threads which are more expensive and less durable with limited benefits. So in terms of thread count alone, anything around 200–400 will be good quality and comfortable, broadly speaking.
The higher the thread count, the finer and more luxurious the fabric will feel. Cotton percale sheets found in hotels usually have a thread count between 250 and 600, while cotton sateen sheets will usually have a thread count between 300 and 600.
Understanding thread count
120-170: Affordable and basic; these are thin and mainly used in hospitals. 200: Ideal for budget hotels, these sheets are light cotton and suitable for summer months. 400: Used by most hotel chains, these sheets are extremely popular as they are durable and remain cool.
Egyptian cotton can come in a range of thread counts, typically from 200 to 800. We picked 600 thread count for our scooms satin-weave bed linen. It gives scooms sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases a dense and silky-soft feel.
Although an exceptionally high-end product, 1000 thread count bedding is available in the majority of home stores around the country, so it's easy for us to enjoy the extravagant experience of sleeping in thick, crisp cotton.
If you want your sheets as soft to the touch as possible and if you like to stay cool thanks to the high-breathability fabric, a lower thread count is probably the best. If you are looking for super warm sheets that are thick and durable, you need to go with the highest thread count sheets possible.
You should be looking for a range from 200 to 400. If the number is between 150 and 180, then the sheets are going to be rough and not at all soft. A number over 400 means that the fibers are likely woven together to get an inflated figure.
The best Egyptian cotton sheets can be extraordinarily soft, breathable, and durable while infusing your sleep surface with a luxury-hotel feel. Other types of long-staple and extra-long staple cotton can feel similarly luxurious at a fraction of the cost.
Overall, the Sweet Home Collection 1500 Thread Count Sheet Set gets points for softness and color but loses a few for quality. The thin fabric and loose threads point toward a product that won't last for more than a few washes—but the price makes them tempting.
“The idea that higher thread count is better quality is a myth that's completely false,” she says. “Breathability comes down to what the sheets are made from. Natural textiles have better breathability than synthetic materials (like polyester), even if they are the same thread count.”
Egyptian cotton is a term usually applied to the extra long staple (ELS) cotton produced in Egypt. The climate in Egypt allow for the cotton fibers to grow extra long which classifies it as an ELS fiber. Egyptian cotton is usually a 1 ¼ to 2-inch staple.
Besides utmost comfort, silk bedding drapes well, bringing a luxurious touch to the bedroom and making it look like a five-star hotel. The benefits of silk are plentiful - it is a soft, smooth, and durable fabric. In addition, it is hypoallergenic, breathable, and temperature regulating.
Bedding made of viscose from bamboo is extremely soft and silky, much more so than traditional cotton. It is also more breathable, which means it won't trap excess heat under the covers with you; you'll stay cool and comfortable no matter the season.
For starters, it's crafted from exquisite super-duper-seriously-soft-400-thread-count Egyptian cotton, which is known for being one of the finest cottons around (it really doesn't get any softer than that). Cool for the summer, warm for the winter. It's the ideal bedding material because it lets your skin breathe.
Quality and Wear
You will do well with purchasing either of these fabrics for your sheets, but if you are looking for higher-quality sheet material, you may want to select Egyptian cotton. You will pay more for Egyptian cotton, but you will have a softer and more comfortable sheet to sleep on.
Durability: While 100% cotton is durable enough for most residential users, 100% cotton is sensitive to high temperature wash and drying processes. The rigors of commercial laundering take a toll on pure cotton products, often resulting in rips, tears, or loss of color.