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Our experts reviewed more than 10,000 data points from Lab and consumer tests to find these crisp, lightweight winners.

For hot sleepers and those who just love the crisp feel of cotton fabric, percale sheets are unbeatable. Known for its airy and lightweight qualities, a nice percale sheet is a perfect year-round option reminiscent of your favorite button-down shirt. While they're not always as soft or smooth as sateen sheets, this traditional breathable material is often more durable and feels natural against your skin. But shopping for the perfect percale sheets can feel daunting — especially when you want something light and crisp without feeling too rough or scratchy.

The Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles Lab has tested well over 250 of the best bedsheets in recent years, from cotton sheets and linen sheets to cooling sheets, soft sheets, silk sheets, organic sheets and more. We test all sheet sets for performance and durability features using our specialized lab equipment, then have dozens of real consumer testers rate the sheets for comfort and other first-hand feedback.

We most recently reviewed this article in August 2022 to replace any out-of-stock options and added new picks from Brooklinen and Pact. Read on for more about how we test and tips from our experts on how to shop for percale sheets. Looking for more bedding? Check out our guides on the best pillows and best comforters available.

Made with premium Pima cotton for extra softness, this percale set from L.L.Bean was the top performer in our thorough evaluations, earning top scores in both Lab and consumer testing. Testers appreciated the breathability and textbook crisp and lightweight qualities offered by the sheet set. They also especially loved the soft and cool-to-the-touch feel, with one comparing the set to "quality hotel sheets." The cotton material also impressed our Lab analysts with its strength and durability, earning the top score with minimal pilling and shrinkage after extensive Lab testing. And while percale is known for wrinkling, this set had a smoother appearance compared to similar ones we tested. Our experts also love that this set comes in a wide range of bright colors, solid neutrals and eye-catching prints.

• Material: 100% Pima cotton • Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King • Mattress Depth: 15"

This sheet set from Sweave offers the same durability as our top performers at a fraction of the price. In our Lab tests, the cotton fabric barely pilled after our machine rubbed swatches together 1,000 times and it also received high scores in fabric strength. Our testers appreciated the double elastic on the fitted sheet, making bed-making simple and easy. One tester especially loved the traditional percale feel, saying, "I like these sheets better than the ones I usually use. They feel like the sheets used on my bed when I was a child — soft, comfortable." Our experts also appreciate that this set is certified Made in Green by Oeko-Tex, meaning this set doesn't contain any harmful chemicals and is made in a safe, socially responsible and environmentally friendly facility. Just note that these sheets may take a while to soften and exhibited some mild shrinkage in our laundering tests.

• Material: 100% cotton • Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King • Mattress Depth: 15"

If you love the crispness of a nice button-up shirt, this sheet set from Drumi perfectly replicates that same feel while being lightweight and airy. Our experts were impressed by the strong, pill-resistant fabric and minimal shrinkage in testing. Testers raved about how the sheets kept them "cool and comfortable during the night" and appreciated the subtle seashell design on the corners of the flat sheet. Just note that both testers and lab analysts noticed wrinkling after laundering.

These sheets are also Fair Trade Certified and certified organic by GOTS, which means the entire production process is fully organic as well as ethical. Plus, for each purchase, Drumi donates a portion to the Coral Restoration Foundation in Curacao.

• Material: 100% organic cotton • Sizes: Full, Queen, King, California King • Mattress Depth: Not listed

If you love the textbook lightweight, crisp and airy feel of percale, this set from Brooklinen is for you. It was a favorite among our testers and is a staple for many GH editors and analysts. Percale sheets often take time to soften up, but these sheets immediately impressed our testers with their soft, smooth feel, straight out of the box. Our analysts also love that the brand offers both neutral colors and a rolling selection of fun colors and prints. Just note that this popular sheet set didn't perform as well in Lab durability tests compared to other percale sheets we've tested.

• Material: 100% cotton • Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King • Mattress Depth: 15"

If you're looking for sheets that can withstand time and use without any signs of pilling or wear and tear, this percale set from Standard Textile Home checks all the boxes for a basic, long-lasting sheet set. The fabric is made using long-staple cotton fibers for breathability and crispness without feeling too scratchy. The material also performed well in our intensive Lab durability testing and testers appreciated how it kept them at a perfect, comfortable body temperature all night long. One tester also commented that while the sheet set was initially on the rougher side, it "softened up more after washing."

• Material: 100% Supima cotton • Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King • Mattress Depth: 16"

This simple yet luxurious sheet set from Crane & Canopy is light, airy and perfectly crisp. It's also made with long-staple cotton for better durability that impressed our experts, showing no signs of pilling after 1,000 rubs and earning high scores for fabric strength in Lab tests. Testers loved the textbook percale feel of these sheets, with one calling the fabric "crisp, cool and luxurious." Some testers also appreciate the deep-pocketed fitted sheet that fits mattresses up to depths of 16 inches, noting that they stayed put through any tossing and turning throughout the night. Our experts also love the clean, bright white color and the ability to personalize these sheets with the option to add a monogram.

• Material: 100% cotton • Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King • Mattress Depth: 16"

If you tend to overheat at night, this sheet set from Pact was a favorite among testers for its cool and breathable feel. It had one of the highest durability scores in Lab tests, staying pill-free after our abrasion machine rubbed swatches together 1,000 times, and received top marks for softness and comfort. Testers noted that these sheets felt noticeably cooler than other percale sheets they've slept on, thanks to their breathable weave, and one even raved "these sheets provided me the most comfortable sleep in years." Our analysts also appreciate that this set is also Fair Trade Certified and certified organic by GOTS, which means the entire manufacturing process adheres to strict standards. Just note that some testers told us these sheets felt thinner than others they've tried.

• Material: 100% organic cotton • Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King • Mattress Depth: 15"

Parachute is coveted by many for its textbook crisp percale sheets, but for even softer feel, opt for this Brushed Cotton Sheet Set instead. It has a basic percale weave with a brushed surface for a combination of lightweight, crisp and cozy. The surface is brushed similarly to flannel but with minimal fuzziness and without feeling hot at night. Our consumer testers loved the unique texture and relaxed look with one raving about the "natural feel" and how the fabric is "soft without feeling too soft." And while brushed fabrics often show signs of wear more easily, this one performed well in Lab tests without any noticeable shrinkage or pilling. Just keep in mind that these sheets showed noticeable creasing in our laundering tests.

• Material: 100% cotton • Sizes: Full, Queen, King, California King • Mattress Depth: Not listed

These sheets strike a great comfort balance — one tester called them "soft, luxurious and yet crisp and cool." Testers raved about the comfortable feel and said they maintained the optimal sleeping temperature on these relaxed sheets, making them a great option for hot sleepers in search of new lightweight and breathable sheets. The fabric also impressed our analysts with minimal shrinkage during Lab durability tests, although the material exhibited some pilling and wrinkling, as expected by the crinkled broken-in design. The sheets are certified organic by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), meaning the entire production process follows strict organic guidelines. It's also Fair Trade Certified, which focuses on ethical issues during the manufacturing process like wages and working conditions. Plus, there are tons of colors to choose from.

• Material: 100% organic cotton • Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King • Mattress Depth: 15"

The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab rigorously tests sheets using specialized equipment in addition to working with real consumer testers for firsthand feedback on user experience. To determine the best percale sheets, our analysts reviewed test results from recent years for over 250 different sheets and analyzed more than 10,000 data points. Here's what we evaluate to choose the best percale sheets:

✔️Consumer testing: Our large testing panel feels and rates each fabric for softness and comfort, either in a blind comparison or through sleep testing in their own homes. Consumer testers also rate aspects like temperature regulation, fit, ease of use and appearance.

✔️Washability: Sheets are repeatedly washed according to their care labels and scored after the first and fifth wash cycles for shrinkage and appearance.

✔️Wrinkle resistance: After laundering, we transfer the sheets to a room with specialized lighting to assess any creases or wrinkling using industry standards.

✔️Fabric strength: We prepare swatches of fabric and load each in a machine called an Instron that tests tensile strength. It pulls apart each sample to measure the force needed to break it.

✔️Pilling resistance: Our abrasion machine called a Martindale (pictured below) rubs fabric swatches together exactly 1,000 times to mimic real-life wear and tear. The swatches are then scored for pilling — loose strands or balls of fabric that build up over time — using industry standards.

✔️Types of Cotton: Percale is traditionally made using 100% cotton, although some may use cotton blends, and there are a lot of different terms you may hear about the types of cotton used.

✔️Cotton Manufacturing Processes: The cotton in percale sheets may be processed or treated differently to affect the final feel of the cotton and bring out desired features.

✔️Thread count: While it's not the most important factor you should consider when buying percale sheets, it's important to know what thread count really refers to. Thread count is a measure of the total number of threads in a square inch of fabric. A higher thread count doesn't exactly translate to a better quality sheet but does indicate a thicker, more tightly woven fabric. While this may result in smoother, more durable fabric, a tighter weave lowers breathability and creates a heavier sheet. In our testing, we've found that sheets in the 300 to 500 range have a good balance of softness and durability.

✔️Certifications: In addition to GOTS for organic cotton, there are other certifications you can look for to avoid high levels of unwanted substances in your sheets. Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and Made in Green certifications both ensure that there are no unsafe levels of chemicals, and Oeko-Tex Made in Green ensures that the manufacturing process is environmentally friendly.

✔️Care instructions: Most percale sheets are machine washable, but some may call for cold water or delicate cycles. Your sheets will be their cleanest when washed in warm or hot water, so it's best to shop for ones that can withstand these temperatures if you get night sweats or don't wash sheets regularly.

Percale and sateen offer distinct benefits from their different fabric structures. Percale is a cotton fabric with a basic weave that feels light and airy. It's best for hot sleepers who want more breathability or those who prefer a crisp feel. Sateen is a cotton fabric with a satin-like weave that feels smooth and silky. It's often thicker than percale, less likely to wrinkle and feels softer, making it ideal for those who want something cozy.

Grace Wu is a textiles product review analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute and has evaluated tons of bedding products using specialized laboratory equipment in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles Lab and feedback from hundreds of consumer testers. She's written several stories on various types of sheets, including the best linen sheets and the difference between percale and sateen sheets. Prior to joining GH, Grace earned a Masters of Engineering in Materials Science & Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University.