Let me tell you about my mission to discover the Best Inexpensive cotton sheet sets. It’s been going on for years. It costs a fortune because as you know, when I test products for you I purchase them myself. I do not want to be beholden in any way to a manufacturer, distributor, or company when it comes to determining the best options.
Sheet Snob
When it comes to bedsheets, I am particular. If you were to call me a sheet snob, you’d be right. You might even conclude that my personal standards are too high to be affordable.
It’s not a matter of decor or brand. It’s the way the sheets feel. They should be smooth and wrinkle-free. The sheets need to breathe and not stick to me. But they can’t be slick, slippery, crunchy, or noisy. The weave has to be tight, and the sheets can’t feel like sandpaper.
For me, sheets have to fit well, too. The fitted sheet cannot pop off the corners of the mattress, but it can’t be too big to become baggy, which can lead to bunching up. Above all, my sheets must be 100% cotton. Not linen, not microfiber, bamboo, polyester, or any other type of fiber or blend thereof.
Seriously, I don’t sleep well if the sheets are not right. And by well, I mean sound asleep—not tossing, turning, and continuously waking up.
There was a time when decent sheets were common and affordable. I don’t know for certain what’s happened there, but I blame it on synthetic fibers—microfiber, polyester, lyocell, and their manmade cousins that are cheap to manufacture. But not to worry! Diligence has paid off. I have several option for your consideration that I’m quite certain you will love. But first, let’s talk terms.
About Cotton
Cotton is a natural product with staple fibers, grown in both North and South Americas, Africa, Egypt, and India. There are a number of varieties of cotton. Cotton fiber is spun into yarn or thread and used to make a soft, breathable, and durable textile.
Pima cotton is a naturally occurring variety of cotton, primarily grown in the U.S.
Egyptian cotton is an excellent quality and specific variety of cotton that thrives on the heat and desert conditions of Egypt.
Supima® cotton is a trademark for a specific and superior type of cotton grown in the U.S., representing less than 1% of cotton grown in the world. What makes Supima unique to other cotton is its extra-long staple fiber that gives the cotton premium properties of strength, softness, and color retention.
About the Weave
The words sateen and percale refer to weave patterns. Generally, these weave patterns are associated with cotton, but not necessarily. A label that says 100% Cotton Percale means that the thread is cotton and weave pattern is percale. Another option would be 100% Cotton Sateen.
Percale Weave
Percale weave is a finely woven crisscross pattern. The over-under style creates a tight-knit fabric that is smooth and crisp to the touch. Originally woven on looms, early types of percale weave were exported around the world from India. The benefits of the woven pattern quickly caught the attention of textile manufacturers. Percale weave produces a firmer-feeling fabric. Percale, by its very nature, has a slightly rough feel due to the weave pattern that creates a tiny bump with each over-under. And it tends to soften with every wash. Years from now, a quality percale sheet will be even better than new.
Cotton percale sheets are prone to coming out of the dryer wrinkled, especially if overdried. Tip: Dry one sheet at a time Cotton percale is somewhat stiff, which gives it that crisp feeling. It does not drape softly.
Sateen Weave
A sateen weave is one vertical thread woven for every four horizontal threads. This type of weave produces a fabric that is drapey with a lustrous look and satin feel. Woven with more left threads on the surface, the construction of the weave is four yarns over, one yarn under.
Cotton sateen resembles the feel and luster of satin. Sateen weave feels smooth to the hand, and is far less prone to coming out the dryer wrinkled.
Thread Count
If you’ve fallen prey to the thread count myth, you’re not alone. Companies have been inflating these figures for their sheets for years, tricking consumers into believing that a higher thread count number meant better quality and softer sheets.
In a sea of bed sheets that all looked and felt pretty similar, consumers began relying on this measurement as an indicator of quality and comfort. Bigger must mean better, right? Wrong.
Thread count (TC) measures how many threads are woven into one square inch of fabric. The yarn is woven in a crisscross pattern, with the vertical strands being referred to as warp weaves and the horizontal pieces being called weft weaves. When you add up the warp and weft yarns, you get the total number.
When you see a tag that boasts 120o TC or anything close to that, beware. Either that’s a lie or somehow, someone found thread as fine as human hair in order to line up 600 going up and down and 600 across in the weave pattern. Even if possible, that would create tissue-thin fabric!
In general, look for sheets 200 to 600 range. Anything less will feel similar to sandpaper. Anything higher is going to have a steeper price tag with dubious TC numbers.
With this information, you’re now armed to shop intelligently for bed linens just in the off chance I am not available to go shopping with you!
Best Inexpensive Cotton Percale Sheet Set
Home Expressions Cotton Percale Sheet Set
220 thread count cotton percale sheets are the perfect essential sheets. Woven of 100% cotton yarns, these sheets are cool and crisp. Fits up to 17-in mattress. Available as Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King and 12 color/pattern choices.
SALE: $57.00 (Queen) with code: SAVEHOME
Best Inexpensive Cotton Sateen Sheet Set
Wrinkle Guard 400 TC Sheet Set
Formerly under the Royal Velvet and JCP brand names, these sheets are so soft and luxurious you’ll never want to get out of bed! Made of 400 thread-count, 100% cotton sateen for maximum softness and fewer wrinkles. Deep pocket to 18-in depth. Absolutely fabulous, these sheets are available in 5 sizes—Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King, and your choice of six colors.
SALE: $70 (Queen) with code: SAVEHOME
Best Upgrade Cotton Percale Sheet Set
Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set (Queen)
This percale set is among the comfiest I’ve tested and a great choice if you prefer your sheets to feel cool and crisp.
Long-lasting and breathable, these sheets get even softer with each wash. They stay cool during summer but are heavier than typical percale sheets, making them stand up to multiple washes, high heat in the dryer, and wear tests. Super durable.
Woven from long-staple Supima cotton, these premium percale sheet sets have a luxurious, extra-smooth touch. Fits up to 15-in mattresses. Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, and 9 color choices.
Best Upgrade Cotton Sateen Sheet Set
Lands’ End Premium Supima Cotton Sateen Sheet Set
Available from Kohl’s, made of 100% long-staple Supima cotton—the top cotton grown in the U.S. All-around elastic fitted sheet fits mattresses up to 18″ deep. 400 TC sateen weave. Six sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, and 12 color choices.
Best for Costco Members
Kirkland Signature 680 TC 100% Cotton Sheet Set
Costco members need to know about these absolutely beautiful sheets made in India of the highest quality, U.S. grown pima cotton, made with sateen weave. Accommodate mattresses up to 18-in. Wrinkle resistant. Orientation labels take the guesswork out of making your bed. Just plain lovely!
Available in four sizes: Full, Queen, King, Cal King, and five color choices.
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Updated and Republished for 2024: 1-25-24
