If you want lighter sheets, Joanna says, a 400 thread count sheet can be soft and light, while an 800 percale would be soft and dense. The higher the thread count, the more likely multiple-ply thread is used or picks are added, making the fabric denser and heavier.
Good sheets range anywhere from 200 to 800, although you'll occasionally see numbers over 1,000.
Thread count: Single-ply cotton sheets with a thread count between 200 and 400 are ideal for bedding. Sheets with thread counts above or below this range tend to feel thicker or rougher than the best sheets.
At a thread count of 600 and higher, this cotton takes on insulating attributes as well. As a result, both 800 and 600 thread count sheets will provide warmth in the winter, but still keep you cool in the summer. The 800-thread count sheets, however, will be softer and have more warming properties during cold weather.
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.
Comfortable, durable, luxury sheets – the ones that you reach for again and again that become even softer and more wonderful after years of use and washing – usually have thread counts from 200 to 600, depending on the material and finishing used for the product.
Cheaper sheets or high thread count sheets will always be made from short-staple cotton. Also, for good-quality bedding, look for a thread count between 180-300. Anything higher than a 300-thread count means the sheets and duvet covers will start to feel heavier.
If you want lighter sheets, Joanna says, a 400 thread count sheet can be soft and light, while an 800 percale would be soft and dense. The higher the thread count, the more likely multiple-ply thread is used or picks are added, making the fabric denser and heavier.
Most hotels opt for percale sheets with a 500 thread count, knowing they will be more durable and comfortable than those with other weaves. Not only does white make you feel like you are sleeping in a cloud, it always feels fresh and new, regardless of how many times you have washed your sheets.
The logic behind why a higher thread count is better makes sense: all things being equal, higher thread counts require finer threads (the better to fit into a square inch), and the finer the threads you use, the softer, smoother, and more tightly woven (and thus, stronger) the fabric should be.
Most hotel bed sheets are high-quality cotton, though you'll occasionally find hotel bed sheets made from linen. Look for durable and soft cotton, like Egyptian and Supima, and keep up with cleaning your sheets and bed so your bedroom feels like a luxury hotel.
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.
The general range of 200 to 400 is what to look for, though counts in the range of 300 to 360 will likely be the softest.
The short answer is a resounding “yes” -- but it requires a bit of expert insight. Of course, we think you cannot put a price on a great night's sleep. That said, luxury linen is an investment and you deserve to understand precisely why expensive bed sheets are worthwhile.
We generally recommend Egyptian cotton sheets in the 400-700 thread count range. However, shoppers should keep in mind that there may not feel a significant difference between higher and lower thread count sheets, and many high-quality 200-300 thread count sheets are quite comfortable.
No, probably not. Anything with a thread count nearing (or above) 1000 thread count is almost certain to be significantly lower quality than sheets with a more reasonable number. Most fabrics with a thread count over 600 are a sign of deceptive marketing tactics at work.
Frette. Quite possibly the gold standard when it comes to luxurious hotel linens, Frette has been producing the most famous Italian sheets available for over 160 years. You'll find these perfect linens lining the beds of the world's best hotel brands, including Mandarin Oriental and Ritz-Carlton.
Looking for sheets with a reasonable thread count (200-600 for most styles) will typically produce the best results. Be sure to modify your expectations somewhat depending on the material used. Excessively high thread counts (600-800) likely won't change much beyond the price tag.
One of the most well-known secrets of the hotel industry in keeping their sheets enviably is peroxide-based detergents. Bleach is also added to the mix. While these chemicals are truly effective in preventing white linens from greying or turning yellow, they do require some level of expertise.
Thread count is the number of threads that are woven together per square inch of material. The more threads woven together equals a higher thread count. Egyptian cotton can come in a range of thread counts, typically from 200 to 800.
However, that simply isn't true anymore. High thread counts can certainly make for better sheets, but the quality of the thread matters more than the number. In fact, a better-quality fiber with a lower thread count will feel softer and stand up to washing better than a lower-quality fiber with a higher thread count.
What's The Best-Quality Cotton? Cotton is the best material for bed sheets. Top of the line is 100 percent Egyptian cotton. Second best is 100 percent pima cotton, also known by the trademarked name Supima.
A sateen weave matched with extra-long staple cotton is considered the best combination for luxury sheets. Sheets made with extra-long staple cotton and thread counts between 420 and 600 provide the softest and smoothest texture.
High Thread Count For Bed Sheets
1000 TC sheets are the warmest cotton sheets available on the market. Lower thread counts (250 TC-350 TC), on the other hand, provide cooler sheets but they must be made of high-quality cotton to retain a premium standard.
If keeping cool is your priority, look for low thread count sheets in the range of 180 to 280. This way, you can be sure your bedding is soft and built to last while also allowing for steady airflow while you sleep.