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Editors Tested The 5 Best Percale Sheet Sets (That You’d Find at a Luxury Hotel)—Here’s How They Compare

From Sferra to Frette

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Sydney Meister for PureWow

If you’ve ever wondered why sleeping in a hotel bed feels so luxurious, I have the answer: percale sheets. These crisp, cool linens are a staple in five-star accommodations because they’re not only breathable but also incredibly durable, holding up to endless washes (and guests). Plus, for hot sleepers, percale is a total game-changer—unlike heavier weaves like sateen, percale lets air flow freely, keeping you cool all night long. So below, I had our editors test some of the top-rated percale sheets on the market—from Brooklinen to Frette to Riley—plus a full breakdown at the bottom of this article on why hotels (and your body) love them.

The Best Percale Sheets at a Glance

1

Best Percale Sheets Overall

Riley Home Percale Sheet Set

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2

Best Cooling Percale Sheets

H by Frette Percale Classic Sheet Set

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3

Best Percale Sheets Under $100

Quince Classic Organic Percale Sheet Set

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4

Softest Percale Sheets

Brooklinen Percale Classic Core Sheets

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5

Most Splurge-Worthy Percale Sheets

Sferra Celeste Sheets

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How We Tested the Best Percale Sheets

First, I rounded up a list of the top-reviewed percale sheets on the market. Then, I made sure each editor slept on the sheets for 30+ days—and washed/dried them at least once. After a month of testing and washing, I narrowed down each selection based on whether it was a) crisp and smooth enough to feel comfortable instead of scratchy, b) breathable for hot sleepers and c) durable with a minimum 185 thread count to ensure it holds up in the wash. (And yes, before you balk at that thread count, lower counts—but not too low—are key for breathability and comfort with this weave. More on that at the bottom of thist story.)

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Best Percale Sheets Overall

1. Riley Home Percale Sheet Set

What We Like

  • thicker than most percales/good for medium-cold sleepers
  • not overly stiff or crisp
  • durable enough to withstand kids and pets

What We Don't Like

  • Riley does not include details on thread count

Riley Home

“As soon as we put these on our bed, my husband said he felt like we were sleeping in a hotel bed,” says PureWow’s Executive Editor Alexia Dellner. This is thanks to the set’s 100 tight percale weave, which includes a dainty, color-on-color baratta stitch on the flat sheet and pillowcases. “Overall, I found these sheets to be good for medium to cold sleepers…They're not as cooling as bamboo sheets (good for me, since I tend to get cold at night) and they definitely have some weight to them. The material almost feels linen shirt-like, so there's some structure to it, but they're not overly stiff or crisp.” 

What’s more, Dellner notes, “Amazingly, they don't look dirty even after a week of sleeping on them, and also having my kids crawl and play on them, probably thanks to their thickness and durability. Yes, they wrinkle a fair amount, but this doesn't bother me.  I feel like they wrinkle in a kind of lived-in chic kind of way.”

Fast Facts

  • What’s Included: 1 fitted sheet and 2 pillowcases (option to add flat sheet)
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

Best Cooling Percale Sheets

2. H by Frette Percale Classic Sheet Set

What We Like

  • breathable enough to reduce night sweats
  • 240 thread count
  • holds up after years of constant use

What We Don't Like

  • might not be thick enough for winter

Amazon

I’m obsessed with this set from Frette for two reasons: A) they keep me cool all night long, and B) the set makes me feel like I’m crawling into a neatly made bed at the Four Seasons. For those who don’t know, the Italian label has become synonymous with the high-end hotel industry—and this sophisticated, open hemstitched design lives up to its reputation (yet at a price point you can actually stomach). Not only does the crisp, 240 thread count percale offer maximum breathability—making a noticeable difference in my night sweats—but after a year of constant use, it still comes out of the wash looking brand new. My only warning, however, is that the fabric is designed to be breezy and lightweight (as opposed to super soft and thick). If you’re looking for a more substantial version, I’d recommend going with the more luxurious Doppio Ajour Sheet Set (which features a thicker sateen weave).

Fast Facts

  • What’s Included: 1 fitted sheet, 1 top sheet and 2 pillowcases 
  • Sizes: twin, queen, king, California king

Best Percale Sheets Under $100

3. Quince Classic Organic Percale Sheet Set

What We Like

  • starts at $80 (twin-sized)
  • 270 thread count
  • durable and resists pet hair

What We Don't Like

  • some reviewers complained about softness

Quince

This set’s $80 price point may say, “budget-friendly,” but PureWow Assistant Commerce Editor Natalie LaBarbera argues that doesn’t mean they’re cheaply made. “They’re super lightweight and breathable—not at all heavy, which I love for the warmer months,” she adds. This is thanks to the 270 thread count percale weave, which was engineered to be ultra-crisp and cooling. “I tend to get pretty hot when I sleep and the airy feel of these sheets have definitely kept me cooler,” she explains. Plus, aside from the fact that they’re breathable enough for hot sleepers like LaBarbera, she says they’re durable: “I cleaned the sheets on a regular wash cycle in cold water and dried them on normal heat; they’re just as soft as when I first got them! The pet hair from my dog sleeping next to me totally came out, too.” Bonus: The fitted sheet fits mattresses up to 16 inches deep—and it comes with top and bottom labels with elastic all the way around.

Fast Facts

  • What’s Included: 1 fitted sheet, 1 flat sheet and 2 pillowcases 
  • Sizes: twin, full, queen, king, California king

Softest Percale Sheets

4. Brooklinen Percale Classic Core Sheets

What We Like

  • mimics the feel of a heathered cotton sheet
  • 275 thread count
  • specially woven to allow hot air to escape

What We Don't Like

  • feels thicker/less crisp than typical percale weaves

Brooklinen

Right out of the box, I was blown away by how soft this set was. They somehow had the sumptuous feel of a heathered cotton sheet, but maintained the crinkly percale look I was going for. Plus, while it’s not as sophisticated as my Frette set, Brooklien’s percale has become my go-to for winter nights. The 275-thread count is woven with an over-under stitching technique, which allows hot air to pass through, but it has a thicker hand that almost passes for a plush brushed cotton sheet. Add to that the fact that I also love the edgy matte finish in each colorway. While I currently have the cream set, I’m constantly seeing new colors introduced—the ‘Botanical Green’ hue is totally in line with this year’s color trends.

Fast Facts

  • What’s Included: 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet and 2 pillowcases
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

Most Splurge-Worthy Percale Sheets

5. Sferra Celeste Sheets

What We Like

  • used at 5-star hotels like The Carlyle 
  • 406 thread count
  • woven in Italy and designed to last

What We Don't Like

  • expensive; starts at $267 for a fitted sheet

Sferra

Finally, if you’re committed to turning your bedroom into a five-star hotel, this set is beloved by luxury resorts like The Carlyle and L'Ermitage Beverly Hills. The 406-thread count has an elegantly polished finish, where the classic-style flanges with minimal hemstitching make it ooze sophistication. “The cotton felt extra luxe, but I found a noticeable difference in the feel after washing it (which helped reduce any out-of-the-packaging stiffness). I love how breezy and cooling it feels, too. The hotel quality can’t be beaten and it only gets better with wear and tear (i.e. additional washes and use),” says Rachel Bowie, PureWow’s senior director of special projects. She continues, “That's the thing about the Celeste bedding set—the more you wash it, the softer it feels. It took a few washes to really feel buttery; the tighter weave of the percale seems to relax a bit the more you wash it.” The best part? While some people reported ironing the sheets to help keep their shape, Bowie said they stayed wrinkle-free without ironing.

Fast Facts

  • What’s Included: flat sheet, fitted sheet and pillowcases are sold separately at Sferra (available as a full set at Amazon)
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Difference Between Cotton and Percale?

The short answer: Percale is cotton. Basically, cotton is the fiber—the fabric that makes up the sheets—and percale is the way the fabric is woven. That said, you can find percale sheets made from cotton, but you can also find percale weaves using other materials (like polyester or rayon blends). Either way, the reason most percale sheets are made from cotton percale sheets is because they’re crisp, cool and guaranteed to hold up over time. 

Do Percale Sheets Keep You Cool?

Without getting too technical into the world of cotton fabric (we could be here all day), you’ll want to focus on one particular weave for cooling: percale. This is because tightly woven fabrics (like sateen) with higher thread counts (400+) have low air permeability. The yarns are so close together—and there are so many of them—that there’s nowhere for warm air to pass through. Percale, on the other hand, has a flexible weave that’s loose enough to draw heat away. The thread count is also important, and you’ll want to cap it at 300 threads max (but no less than 185, which will sacrifice quality in the long run)

Why Do Hotels Use Percale Sheets?

Hotels use percale sheets for a few key reasons: durability, comfort and an unmistakably crisp feel. The weave gives the sheets a cool, smooth texture—and percale is known to hold up to frequent washing/heavy use without losing its shape or softness (which is essential for hotel bedding). In fact, according to Jack J. Sitt, director of Thor Equities Group and developer of ModernHaus Soho, percale bedding is a crucial part of crafting a luxurious stay. “When curating the bedding for ModernHaus, we sourced items that we knew were some of the top in the industry,” Sitt explains, noting that Frette linen was chosen specifically for its unbeatable combination of quality and comfort. 


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Associate Editor

  • Writes across all lifestyle verticals, including sex and relationships, home, finance, fashion and beauty
  • More than five years of experience in digital media, including podcast editing and on-camera coverage
  • Holds a dual degree in communications and media management, law and policy from Indiana University, Bloomington

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