The thread count may be as low as 50-140, but still be a high quality fabric and with incredible strength. Linen which is stiff when constructed, softens with use and lasts decades. On the other hand, good quality cotton with a higher thread count of 180 or more, won't last as long.
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.
Luxury sheets have no limits on thread count or price. Generally, the more you pay, the better sheets you get. Most hotels use sheets with a thread count of 250 while high-end hotels use sheets with a 300 thread count. Some luxury hotels even use sheets of 600 or 800 thread counts, but it varies from hotel to hotel.
Gopinath said a 250 to 300 thread count was optimal (there's wiggle room, though, as Maher said 200 was also good). Gopinath told us a 400 to 500 thread count for percale could reflect a denser sheet made of fine, good-quality yarns. Over 500 was “not necessary or likely,” she said.
Textile expert Julian Tomchin told the New York Times “Once you get beyond 400 threads per square inch, be suspicious”. The reason is that there is a limit to how many threads can fit in a square inch, and that number is usually 400 or less.
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.
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.
Single-ply sheets are softer and more durable, according to Brooklinen—and Consumer Reports notes that 400 is the best thread count to look for if you're factoring it in. So, while thread count does matter, other factors may play just as big of a role in determining softness and durability.
A sheet of a better-quality fiber with a lower thread count will feel softer and stand up to washing better than a sheet of a lower-quality fiber with a higher thread count.” It will also let air flow through the weave, giving you superior breathability and allowing for a more comfortable sleep.
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.
Once you get to thread counts over 400, you get into real luxury cotton bedding. If you start to get closer to 1,000 it's always worth checking this is 1000 based on single ply cotton (rather than a marketing figure embellished by the use of multi ply and lower quality cotton).
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.
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.
“Cotton sheets with a high thread count will be gentler on the skin since they are more breathable,” says Dr. Peredo.
In short, more threads are used to make the sheet, which affects the texture of the fabric, but has nothing to do with quality. “Once you start getting into higher thread counts, the fabric becomes thicker and actually loses breathability and flexibility," says Foley.
You've probably seen a sheet set ranging from 200-500 TC. The highest thread count bed sheets can go up to 1500. And though questionable, some brands even claim to provide a 3000 thread count sheet marketed as luxury sheets.
Generally, the higher the thread count, the softer the sheet, and the more likely it will wear well — or even soften — over time.
Myth-busting: high sheet thread count equals high quality
Thread count has nothing to do with a fabric's breathability, comfort or softness. A 400 thread count sheet may be softer and more breathable than a 1000 thread count sheet. Breathability comes down to what the sheet is made from.
Why do we even need to change our bedsheets? To cut to the chase, Dr Browning says we should be changing our sheets once a week, or every two weeks at the most. Hygiene is a big factor, and one of the reasons is sweat. If you've ever tried sleeping in a heatwave, you'll know how difficult it can be.
Best Thread Count for Cool Sheets
Buying a set of bed sheets with a high thread count may not be the best idea when it comes to breathability, because more threads result in a tighter weave and less airy construction. If keeping cool is your priority, look for low thread count sheets in the range of 180 to 280.
Is Egyptian Cotton worth it, and why does it make a difference? Egyptian cotton is extraordinary - producing extra-long fibres that are smaller in diameter than regular cotton. These longer, finer fibres create super smooth yarns when combed and spun, and therefore super smooth, soft cloth when woven.
On the front of the pack, you'll usually find the sheet's thread count. It tells you the number of threads (both vertical and horizontal) in a square of fabric. It's either shown per 10cm2 or per square inch. We found thread count can range from 180 to 1000.
Silk Sheets Have Unrivalled Comfort
Silk is a luxurious, soft fabric that looks and feels fragile but is incredibly durable. Its temperature regulating properties has low heat conduction, helping you stay cool in warm weather and warming you up in cooler climates.
Bedding made from bamboo, eucalyptus, linen, or even cotton with a percale finish has natural cooling properties that will help hot sleepers stay cool and everyone else sleep well during hot weather. Just as you may flip your pillow to the fresh side, these cooling bed sheets will feel crisp to the touch.
However, thread count greatly affects heat and higher thread counts create hotter sheets. In fact, 1000TC sheets are the hottest cotton sheets you can buy. Conversely, lower thread counts (250TC-350TC 10cm2) create cooler sheets but must be made from good cotton so they last.