After conducting thorough research, we selected California Design Den as the best percale sheet set in our guide. We liked that it was made from long-staple combed cotton fibers, with deep 16-inch pockets in the fitted sheet, and availability for non-standard mattress sizes such as twin XL, split king, short queen, and California king.

To create our guide for the best percale sheet set, we looked at the following criteria: size, thread count, bedding accessories, durability, fiber quality, and design. We prioritized options that accommodated standard mattress sizes while also looking for selections that offered a thread count in the goal range of 200 to 400. Likewise, we made note of the fibers being used, and the color choices available to you. Keep reading to learn more about our selection criteria and to upgrade your bedroom using our recommendations.

Top 7 Best Percale Sheets

 #1  California Design Den 400-Thread Count Percale Sheet Set

Award: TOP PICK

WHY WE LIKE IT: Long-staple combed cotton fibers are woven into a breathable and lightweight sateen finish with a fitted sheet with 16-inch pockets, for the best percale sheets for frequent use.

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  • Large choice of colors and prints
  • Options for wide variety of sizes
  • Deep pockets accommodate thicker mattresses

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  • Maybe a little loose for standard depth mattresses

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If you love the soft sheen and feel of sateen sheets and the breathability of percale, then our Top Pick from California Design Den should be in your shopping cart. We like that this set is available for a wide range of mattress configurations — including less common options like twin XL, split kings, short queens, and California kings. Plus this pick also features a fitted sheet with 16-inch deep pockets, making it one of the best percale sheet sets from our research.

With 20 solid hues and five prints to choose from, it’s easy to find the right set to match your bedroom’s decor scheme. These sheets are woven using long-staple cotton for an even smoother finish with a 400 thread count. They offer maximum breathability yet are also a medium weight. And we liked that the fitted sheet featured full elastic throughout the hem. So no matter how active a sleeper you are, that sheet won’t slide off your mattress. You’ll also like the best bedroom & sleeping products to help you sleep, or just to improve your quality of life.

Related: The best pillow for sleeping will also leave you feeling rejuvenated in the morning.

 #2  Mellanni 100% Cotton Percale Sheet Set

Award: HONORABLE MENTION

WHY WE LIKE IT: A sleek sheet set made from 100% cotton and with a 300 thread count ensures durability, with OEKO TEX certification that they’re chemical-free makes these the best luxury percale sheets.

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  • Soft sateen finish
  • 4-piece set with deep-pocket fitted sheet
  • Deep pockets accommodate thicker mattresses

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  • Sets not available in twin sizes

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These days, people want to feel confident that the items they’re bringing into their homes won’t harm them. This means products that are free from harsh chemicals or questionable production practices. Our Honorable Mention goes to Mellanni for the best luxury percale sheets that are still affordable yet OEKO TEX certified free from chemicals.

With this pick, you’ll get 300 thread count sheets for standard-sized mattresses as well as California king mattresses — except for twin mattresses. The fitted sheet has deep pockets with elastic throughout the hem that can fit mattresses up to 16 inches high. Good for with the best headboards for sitting up in bed. And we liked that the care instructions were easy for this option, just machine wash on cold and tumble dry on low.

 #3  Peru Pima Percale Sheet Set

Award: Best Quality

WHY WE LIKE IT: A set of heavyweight percale sheets made from premium Peruvian Pima extra-long-staple cotton fibers that’s OEKO TEX certified to be chemical-free for added peace of mind.

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  • Woven with extra-long staple length fibers
  • OEKO TEX Certified free from harsh chemicals
  • Available in 13 colors with sets for Twin XL & California King

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  • Fitted sheet can come off if not careful

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If you’ve ever wondered how to get crisp sheets like hotels, then you should consider our Best Quality pick from Peru Pima. We say this because Peru Pima is a brand trusted by major hoteliers including Westin, Hilton, Sheraton, and Marriott to name a few. These 415 thread count heavyweight percale sheets are ethically sourced and produced using the finest Peruvian Pima cotton.

The fitted sheet has a 15-inch deep pocket, making it ideal for most standard mattresses. And while it comes with elastic throughout the hem (a standard feature these days), we did note that a common issue was that this fitted sheet tended to come off if you’re an active sleeper. Still, you’ll like that these sheets are also OEKO TEX certified chemical-free and that you can choose from 13 colors with sizes available twin XL and California king mattresses. The best twin futons also provide multiple options for mattress colors.

 #4  Lacoste 100% Cotton Percale Sheet Set

Award: Best Designer Brand

WHY WE LIKE IT: A designer set of percale sheets with the iconic crocodile that is available in 13 colors with a 200 thread count makes these the best sheets for people with sensitive skin.

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  • Available in 13 colors with iconic logo
  • 200 thread count sheets
  • Great for sleepers with sensitive or acne-prone skin

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  • Not wrinkle-free
  • Some may not like the thinner texture

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For some people, only designer brands will do. And for this reason, we included Lacoste as one of the best sheets from our research for percale sheet sets. These 100% cotton sheets feature the iconic Lacoste crocodile on the pillowcases and are available in the same classic Lacoste colors that you would normally see in their staple polo shirts.

While we noted that these sheets had a tendency to wrinkle and were a bit thinner than other percale sheets — possibly because of the 200 thread count — we did like that they still offered the core features that make percale a smart buy. Specifically, they’re lightweight, breathable, have a durable matte finish, get softer with every wash while resisting pilling, and are ideal for people with sensitive or acne-prone skin. And if you also suffer from a sensitive neck the you will need the best pillow for neck pain.

 #5  Shilucheng Microfiber Percale Sheet Set

Award: Best on a Budget

WHY WE LIKE IT: An affordable set of percale sheets with a 16-inch deep pocket on the fitted sheet that is wrinkle-resistant and designed to dry quickly.

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  • Full elastic for better grip
  • Wrinkle-resistant and quick drying
  • Available in 9 colors

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  • 1,800 thread count may reduce breathability

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Because percale sheets are known for being so durable, many people often think that they also have to be extremely expensive. But our Best on a Budget pick from Shilucheng proves that you don’t have to spend next month’s rent just to upgrade your bedding. Shilucheng’s percale sheet set is available in nine colors and for standard mattress sizes along with twin XL and California King.

The fitted sheet features 16-inch deep pockets with elastic throughout the hem for a more secure fit. We also like that these sheets are wrinkle-resistant and dry quickly so you don’t have to spend all day checking the dryer. However, we did note that while the 1,800 thread count is impressive, there’s always the risk that a thread count that high can reduce breathability. This could be a problem for people who naturally sweat when they sleep. The best pillow for sleeping can help with this.

 #6  Fraylon 600 Thread Count Percale Sheet Set

Award: Best for Taller Mattresses

WHY WE LIKE IT: A set of old fashioned percale sheets made from 100% pure cotton, with a 600 thread count for a soft, breathable hypoallergenic option perfect for sensitive skin.

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  • Reinforced stitches for enhanced durability
  • Available in classic neutral tones
  • Made from 100% cotton

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  • Limited color choices

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If you have sensitive skin, you know that 100% cotton is usually recommended over synthetic or blend materials. We’ve included Fraylon from our research because we feel this is a great old fashioned percale sheet set that’s perfect for most deep mattresses thanks to the fitted sheet with 14-inch pockets.

We liked that this option is available in traditional mattress sizes and includes California king mattresses too. With a 600 thread count, you’ll still enjoy a breathable sheet set that’s durable, can hold up in the wash, and is soft to the touch. You’ll appreciate that although there are only four neutral hues to choose from, these sheets are fade and pilling resistant. You should use this on the best mattress for sciatica since it is ideal for deep mattresses.

 #7  Sleep Mantra 100% Organic Cotton Percale Sheet Set

Award: Best Sustainable

WHY WE LIKE IT: A set of percale sheets that are ethically sourced and produced in India, with 16” deep pockets that excel with fitting onto taller mattresses.

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  • Ethically sourced and produced in India
  • Lightweight with maximum breathability
  • 16” deep pockets for taller mattresses

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  • Limited color selections
  • Only available for Twin XL, King, & California Kings

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Now more than ever, people are scrutinizing supply chains, production processes, and the ways that brands are treating their employees. So, if ethical behaviors — not just with natural resources but with people too — are a priority, Sleep Mantra is a percale sheet set that you can buy with confidence. In addition to being GOTS certified that their sheets are free of harmful materials, they also adhere to workplace conditions assessment to ensure that employees aren’t being exploited throughout the supply chain.

Additionally, Sleep Mantra’s percale sheet set is made from 100% organic cotton, has a 300 thread count, and a 14-inch deep pocket fitted sheet which will fit most standard and deep mattresses. The only real drawback we found with this option was that their mattress compatibility was limited. While normally brands offer sheet sets for twin through king, this brand only offers twin XL, king, and California king. And if you love a bed in a bag, take a look at one of the best comforter set that comes complete with a comforter, flat and fitted sheet, two pillow shams, and two queen-sized pillowcases.

How We Decided

Sheets are such an essential part of any household. To create our buying guide, we focused on the following factors — size, thread count, bedding accessories, durability, fiber quality, and design. All of our recommendations came with the standard bedding accessories which included a flat sheet, fitted sheet, and pillowcases. Note that normally twin sheet sets only come with one standard pillowcase while full and larger sets come with two pillowcases.

You’ll note that in our recommendations, we’ve primarily linked to queen sheet sets. But all of our picks are available in multiple sizes. We also noted pocket depth for the fitted sheet since this will impact whether you’ll have too much or not enough fabric to properly cover your mattress.

Likewise, we made it a point to include thread counts for each recommendation. However, it’s important to note that the highest thread count isn’t always the best. As a general guide, a 200 to 400 thread count for percale sheets is considered ideal. While going beyond 400 is impressive, it doesn’t necessarily translate to a better bedding experience.

We also made a note of fiber quality since not all percale sheets use long-staple or extra-long staple fibers. So, where available, we included that information to help you make a more informed decision. Durability is also a factor so we looked at features such as wash and care instructions. And finally, we know that design matters. While it’s going to be a personal choice, we made note of color choices — including whether you could choose between solid or print options.

Best Percale Sheet Set Buying Guide

The Most Important Factors to Consider

Size

This is an obvious one, but you need to match your bed sheets to the size of your mattress. Common sizes include Twin, Full, Full/Queen, Queen, and King. But you can also find specialty sizes such as Twin XL, Oversized Queen, or Oversized King. In addition to focusing on the length and width of your mattress, also consider whether you have a standard (seven to nine inches), deep (nine to 15 inches), or extra deep (16 to 22 inches) mattress. This is going to be especially important for the fitted sheet. Not all sheets are designed to fit taller mattresses. So, you’ll need to look for sheet sets that are compatible with your mattress depth.

Durability

Considering that you’re going to use your sheets frequently, you’ll want something that can hold up over time. Likewise, it should be able to make it through several wash cycles without looking damaged such as pilling, holes, or loose threads and seams.

Fiber Quality

While cotton is usually the preferred choice because of its durability, you can also find sheet sets made from cotton blends. Still, if you’re focused on cotton sheets, you’ll want to prioritize long-staple cotton which references the length of the fiber. Long-staple creates a smoother texture that can better withstand wrinkling as opposed to short-staple and is considered high quality.

Thread Count

Thread count refers to the total number of threads woven into each square inch of fabric during the construction of a sheet. This number varies and the higher the number, the softer the sheet will feel. Sheets with higher thread counts tend to hold up better. For the most part, percale sheets with a thread count between 200 and 400 are ideal. While higher thread counts can be found, the benefits can be negligible and often create a less breathable sheet. For example, a 1,000 thread count sheet may trap heat because of the weave.

Bedding Accessories

A sheet set should give you everything you need to properly cover your mattress and pillows. Typically, a set will come with a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, and two pillowcases. While not everyone uses a flat sheet anymore — especially with the rise of duvets — you’ll want the matching pillowcases.

Design

The design is a personal choice that’s going to be based on your color preferences. There are so many options ranging from solid colors and patterns to abstract designs and artistic recreations. The choice is yours.

Best Percale Sheet Set FAQs

Is percale better than Egyptian cotton?

Percale doesn’t refer to fiber content, it represents the weaving method used to create the sheets. Percale sheets can be made from Egyptian cotton. All “percale” means is that the threads are woven in a checkerboard method to create a stronger weave that creates a matte finish for a durable sheet that is more resistant to pilling.

Who makes the best percale sheets?

The best percale sheets are ones that can resist pilling, are durable, breathable, and properly fit your mattress. In our guide, we nominated California Design Den as our Top Pick because it’s a set of 400 thread count sheets with a deep pocket fitted sheet and sets that fit not just standard mattress sizes but additional sizes like short queen, California king, split king, and twin XL.

What is the best thread count for percale sheets?

Percale sheets with a thread count between 200 to 400 are ideal since they’ll be the most durable. Budget-focused shoppers who still want percale sheets can get by with a 180 thread count. And anything over 400 is going to be a premium option but keep in mind that a very high thread count such as 500 could backfire and leave you with a sheet that holds heat and leaves you sweaty in the middle of the night. Multi ply sheets, otherwise known as ply yarns, are also a good option for breathability.

Do percale sheets get softer?

Percale is known as a stronger weave which can create a crisper texture in bedsheets. But with every subsequent wash, the sheets should get softer, even though they’ll still maintain their durability. But a big bonus with percale is that they tend to be odor resistant — which is important if you happen to sweat in your sleep.

Dorian Smith-Garcia Avatar

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