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.
Good sheets range anywhere from 200 to 800, although you'll occasionally see numbers over 1,000.
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.
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.
When you search for a sheet that will keep you cool at night, keep in mind a 300 thread count has all the softness and breathability you need.
Cotton. Lightweight and breathable, cotton is your best friend when it comes to bed sheets that keep you cool at night. Try swapping out your current sheets with flat and fitted cotton ones to see the difference.
“Once you start getting into higher thread counts, the fabric becomes thicker and actually loses breathability and flexibility," says Foley. If you truly do like a heavy sheet, then sure, perhaps a sheet set with a high thread count number will help you sleep well at night.
The NSF recommends choosing cooling sheets with a thread count between 200 and 400, since sheets with lower thread counts aren't as comfortable, and sheets with higher thread counts tend to trap heat at night.
We want to keep some heat close to us to keep us warm at night, but some sheets are so dense that they trap too much heat. Any moisture from our skin also gets trapped, raising the humidity with it. That's when the temperature rises, and we wake up sweaty and uncomfortable.
What type of sheets sleep the coolest? In general, sheets made from linen, bamboo, and Tencel offer the coolest, most breathable feel. Cotton sheets that feature a percale weave are also known for being exceptionally lightweight and airy, perfect for hot sleepers.
Another advantage of 800 thread count sheets is that they allow the body to retain more heat. A thread count of 600 is the highest possible for single ply sheets. These sheets tend to be less expensive than 800 thread count. While comparably soft, they are often less durable.
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.
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.
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.
Shoppers should be wary of extremely high thread counts, such as 900 or more. Often, this is an indication of low-quality sheets, as the manufacturer is likely using some sort of trick to disguise the true quality of the product.
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.
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.
Cotton sheets sleep cool, making them a great pick for hot sleepers. Cotton sheets wrinkle easily, which could be a dealbreaker for some shoppers. Cotton sheets are hypoallergenic and made of natural fibers, so they are a great choice for sleepers with sensitive skin.
In fact, as thread counts increase, fabrics can become denser and warmer because there are more threads of yarn per square inch, especially if a multi-ply yarn is used. For example, 1,000-thread-count sheets tend to feel heavy and warm because the excess threads can make the fabric less breathable.
When looking for a cooling sheet set, Mitchell recommends opting for organic and breathable materials, which will help with moisture regulation if you sweat, and opt for a thread count in the 200 to 400 range.
Percale: Percale is generally considered the best weave for cooling bed sheets. It features a simple one-thread-over, one-thread-under pattern that gives the sheets a crisp, cool feel. Most percale sheets are cotton, but they may also use a blend of cotton and synthetic materials.
That means thicker yarns are inserted in the production of the sheet fabric. It also means the sheet itself is thicker, and because the process utilizes a lot of material, the sheets will feel heavy. These sheets can block air, trap body heat, and make you sweat.
Bamboo fiber has millions of micro-gaps which makes our sheets much more breathable than any fine cotton sheet, meaning you stay cooler and more comfortable in summer. Perfect for hot sleepers, night sweats and hot flashes.