Best Percale Bed Sheets

This post may contain affiliate links.

It’s summertime and the warm weather is upon us.  This means so are those overly warm nights.  How many of you struggle with losing sleep because you go between having your bed sheet on and then kicking it off, then back on again, repeating this process all night?   I finally broke down and went looking for sheets that were made for the summer months…good old Percale!

Percale sheets are your answer to those warmer nights, as well as for those who are hot sleepers (you know who you are).  I have been using mine for the past 2 weeks now and I am not waking up in the middle of the night because it’s too warm, or because I’ve kicked the sheets off and need to retrieve them because I feel a bit cool.

Percale sheets have a lot of other benefits, and there are things you need to look for when shopping for the best percale sheets.  This review will give you all you need to know about buying Percale sheets, what to look for, and my review of the top 7 best percale sheets on the market.

Without further ado, let’s go shopping!

Top 7 Best Percale Sheets

1. Best Overall Sheets: Linen Home Percale Sheets

100% Cotton Percale Pillowcases Queen Size, Silver, 2 Pieces of Pillow Case, Crisp and Cool Strong Bed Linen, 20 inches X 30 inches

Why You’ll Like Them: The Linen Home 100% cotton percale sheet set ticks all of the boxes that you’d expect from quality percale sheets; durability, comfort, ease of care and cooling factor.

These 100% cotton sheets have a 200 thread count that gives them that crispness you would find in high-end hotels. The long-staple weave is made of combed cotton that was grown in India.  India is one of the best places for growing quality cotton.  I like the fact that they come in a range of colors.  With some brands of percale sheets, the color choices can be a bit limited to natural and white shades.  However, these come in shades of blue, green, purple, and your traditional white/ivory.  Another plus with these sheets is that you don’t get those annoying fabric “pills” or bobbles on the sheets.  Lastly, the fitted sheets have deep pockets, so you won’t have problems with the sheet getting pulled off during sleep.  Let’s face it, there is nothing worse than ill-fitting sheets that keep popping off in the middle of the night.

Pros: They don’t shrink and are easy to care for, plus you get a lifetime guarantee from the manufacturer.  They are very durable due to the high-quality weave, are hypoallergenic, and keep you cool during those hot summer nights.

Cons: They are prone to wrinkle and are not very soft at the start of use.  However, as with any percale sheet, they get softer over time and, if you hang them on the line after washing, it solves the wrinkling problem fairly well.

Buy Linen Home 4-pce sheet set on Amazon

2. Runner Up: Abripedic Percale Sheets

Abripedic 22 Inch Deep Pocket Solid Aqua Sky Queen 300TC Sheet Set, Breathable Crispy Soft Percale Bed Sheets

Why You’ll Like Them: If having your fitted sheet popping off while you sleep is an issue, you will love these percale sheets from Abripedic because it has elastic all around the edges.

The Abripedic pure cotton percale sheets are a close second because they offer all of the main qualities you want in sheets; breathability, comfort, durability, and easy to care for. Also made of long-staple cotton, these sheets come in a 300 thread count, so they are light enough but still durable. These sheets also have the added bonus to fit extra deep mattresses – up to 22″in depth.

Pros: If you love that old fashioned crispness like the sheets you granny used to have, these are for you. They are cool and crisp without having a rough or scratchy feeling.  They also have a lifetime guarantee and can withstand many washes, which makes them feel softer over time.

Cons: The fit is a little too snug for deep mattresses

Buy Abripedic Percale sheet set on Amazon

3. Most Affordable: Mellanni Percale Sheets

Mellanni 100% Cotton Bed Sheet Set - 300 Thread Count Percale - Deep Pocket - Quality Luxury Bedding - 4 Piece (Queen, Ivory)

Why You’ll Like Them: If you want quality percale sheets but don’t want to break the bank, Mellanni sheets are a perfect choice.

This bed sheet set is made of 100% cotton with a 300 thread count.  The sheets have that crispness you would expect from percale sheets and are very breathable, keeping you cool at night.  The fitted sheets are elasticized all around to help keep it in place for those restless sleepers.  You have a choice of 4 colors; white, ivory, grey, and light grey.

Pros: Very affordable while not lacking in quality, these sheets are crisp, cool, and you get a lifetime guarantee from the manufacturer.  They also fit quite well on your standard mattress sizes and have deep pockets on the fitted sheet.

Cons: Color prone to fading after a few washes and they are prone to pilling. However, not everyone experienced this issue, so it may be down to how they were washed or water hardness.

Buy Mellanni 4-pce sheet set on Amazon

4. Best Cotton Percale Sheets: Peru Pima

Peru Pima, Bed Sheets Set with 4 Pieces, 415 Thread Count, Percale, 100% Peruvian Pima Cotton, Hotel Luxury Quality, Extra Soft and Cooling Sheets, King Size, Wide Stripe, Grey

Why You’ll Like Them: Do you long for those clean crisp sheets that your nanna always had?  These 415 TC 100% Peruvian Pima cotton sheets are definitely for you!

These sheets are made from 100% Peruvian Pima cotton with an extra-long-staple weave, giving it high durability.  They are manufactured in Peru, which is known for having the perfect weather conditions for growing high-quality cotton.   The sheets are smooth and quite soft, getting softer over time as you wash them. These 415 thread count sheets have a nice matte finish to them and feel cool on the skin. These are the sheet sets that are sold to top hotels!

Pros: The Peruvian Pima sheets are easy to care for, resistant to pilling, and very comfortable.  They have a durable, 4-inch hem to eliminate fraying over time, and you get a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.

Cons: A little pricey.

Buy Peru Pima 4-pce sheet set on Amazon

5. Best Organic Sheets: Alterra Pure Percale Sheets

Alterra Pure Sheet Set - GOTS Organic Cotton Percale - Available in Twin, Queen, King, and Cal King

Why You’ll Like Them: Because no pesticides, harsh chemicals, or dyes are used in the cotton-growing process, these percale sheets from Alterra Pure are perfect for those with allergies or sensitive skin.

The sheets are a 310 thread count of organic long-staple cotton, giving them the durability needed to last a long time.  They have a cool and airy feel to them, making them comfortable to sleep in.  They are easy to care for and make a great option for children’s bedding due to their organic nature.  Like most percale sheets, they get softer over time and the manufacturer recommends washing them twice before putting them on your bed.

Pros: The fabric is very breathable to help you keep cool.  The fitted sheet has deep pockets for a more secure fit.  The cotton used is 100% organic and ethically sourced.

Cons: With most organic cotton sheets you get wrinkling.  This is because chemicals that are used in other sheets that help resist wrinkles are not used is organic sheets.  They can easily be ironed, however.

Buy Alterra Pure sheet set on Amazon

6. Best Cooling Percale Sheets: Nautica

Nautica - Percale Collection - Bed Sheet Set - 100% Cotton, Crisp & Cool, Lightweight & Moisture-Wicking Bedding, Queen, Curt Stripe

Why You’ll Like Them: If you are like me, a “hot” sleeper, then these Nautica sheets are perfect for you. The 200 thread count makes these sheets feel cool and crisp throughout the night.

You normally don’t find 100% cotton percale sheets that come in patterns. I liked the fun nautical striped design of these sheets, which come in a few striped color choices, as well as nautical themes like anchors, whales, and fish.  The 200 thread counts make these sheets look a tad thinner than you would expect, however, are really breathable, feel crisp, and don’t pill.

Pros: The Nautica percale sheets offer a good fit for all bed sizes and are affordable.  The fitted sheet is elasticized all the way around to keep the sheet where it belongs, on the bed.

Cons: The main issue with these sheets is that the print is only on one side of the sheet.  So, if you like folding down that top sheet to show it off, it may be a problem.  They do wrinkle easily as well, but this isn’t anything a good old ironing can’t fix.

Buy Nautica sheet set on Amazon

7. Best Luxury: Pisano Eucalyptus Percale Embroidered Sheets

Pisano Eucalyptus Percale Embroidered Sheets

Why You’ll Like Them: Do you want truly luxurious, classic percale sheets?  You will love these eucalyptus percale sheets from Luxor Linens then.

These Italian made sheets are hand-crafted using a blend of Egyptian cotton and Eucalyptus fibers that are processed in an eco-friendly way.  This gives them an anti-bacterial property, moisture-wicking to keep you cool and dry, and is resistant to pilling. If you are a warm sleeper, these sheets are perfect for you.  Italian linen is also known to be much more durable than other fabrics.

Pros: The moisture-wicking properties makes these sheets perfect for all seasons. Many customers pointed out the fresh, cool feel of these sheets and that they were soft feeling straight out of the package.  You also get a 90 day free trial period and can have your sheets monogrammed.

Cons: The sheets are a bit on the expensive side and come in only one color.  They are also prone to wrinkling, however, they are machine washable and dryable.  So, if you take them straight out at the end of the dry cycle, they won’t hold all of those wrinkles.

Buy Pisano Eucalyptus percale sheets

Percale Sheets Buying Guide

Alright, I’ve given you 7 awesome percale sheets to think about.  Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of buying percale sheets, what you need to look for, and considerations to take into account.

Couple making a bed with clean white sheets

First, a bit of a lesson on Percale.

What exactly is percale?

Percale is a specific weave, which looks like a basket weave pattern, used in making bedding.  The weave is made of a blend of carded and combed cotton, giving a close lightweight weave that creates the crisp and smooth finish that percale is known for.  Because percale bedding is made from 100% cotton, it is very durable, as well as breathable, so it’s great for keeping you cool.

Different types of percale sheets

As I mentioned earlier the majority of percale sheets are made of 100% cotton that is long or extra long stapled.  Other sheets tend to be made from short-staple cotton.  With long-staple cotton, you get a smoother softer texture that won’t fall prey to pilling after many washes, which you get with short-staple cotton.

Other options that you can choose from are:

Extra-long staple cotton (Pima/Egyptian)

The extra-long staple cotton is reserved for the more luxurious Pima and Egyptian cotton sheets.  These are even softer than long-staple cotton, as well as more durable.  The downside is that they are also more expensive.  You can easily pay anywhere between $150 to $200 for Pima and Egyptian percale bed sheet set.

Tip: Always be sure that what you are paying for is 100% Egyptian cotton and not Egyptian cotton blended with other fibers

Organic Cotton

Organic cotton means that no pesticides, harmful chemicals, or dies are used in the growing and manufacturing process of the cotton.  It also means that organic cotton products are sustainably and responsibly sourced.  It’s because of this that organic cotton sheets can be a bit more expensive than their non-organic counterparts.

Tip: True organic brands need to have certification from GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard).

Blended Percale

Blended percale products are a bit less expensive than 100% cotton products.  These use a blend of cotton and synthetics or other natural fibers.  Rayon and polyester are usually the synthetic materials used, and silk is an example of a natural fiber used to blend with cotton.  The blended percale sheets tend to wrinkle less, however, they can be prone to pilling, or fiber degradation.

What Characteristics to Look for in Percale Sheets?

A set of folded patterned percale sheets

You’ve probably heard terms like “thread count” and “breathability” when shopping for bed sheets.  Let’s take a look at what these mean and why they are important to consider when buying those perfect percale sheets.

Thread Count: You hear this term used often with bedding: thread count. Thread count is the number of vertical and horizontal yarn per square inch of fabric. So, finer yarn allows for more thread counts per square inch, giving it a softer feel. Percale sheets tend to average between 200 to 400 thread count.

Manufacturing: Percale linen is made using either a long or extra-long staple fiber. These longer fibers are what gives percale that smoother and softer feel. The extra-long fibers tend to be used in higher-end, luxury percale, such as Pima and Egyptian cotton. Not all percale sheets are 100% cotton. Some will contain other fibers, such as silk or polyester, which are blended in with the cotton.

Breathability: A percale weave gives those sheets their characteristic breathability. It allows for more airflow through the weave itself, making them the perfect sheets for the warmer seasons, and for people who, like me, tend to feel warmer when sleeping.

Durability: Have you ever had an old cotton sheet that started getting “pills” or bobbles all over them? This is known as pilling and is a sign of wear on the fabric. With percale sheets, the weave is much tighter, which means no uneven clumping of fibers after many washes. This is what makes percale sheets so durable.

Wrinkling: If you abhor wrinkling in sheets, percale may not be the best option for you. Because they are made from 100% cotton, they are prone to wrinkling. You can get blended percale sheets, however, and these tend to wrinkle less.

How to Care for Percale Sheets

Tumble drying sheets

To make your percale sheets last longer, caring for them properly is a must.  Here are my guidelines for getting the most out of your sheets, based on the majority of manufacturer’s instructions.

Washing

In most cases, you should wash your percale sheets on a gentle cycle, using warm water.  Warm water will help kill more germs and bacteria than cold, but will not cause shrinkage like hot water can.

Tip: Percale sheets tend to shrink a slight bit after their first wash, but will remain the same after future washes.

You should always wash your sheets together and never with any other clothing.  Things like buttons, zippers, dangly bits, and rougher fabrics can cause tearing and weaken the fibers, which can lead to pilling.

Drying

Most percale sheets can be tumble dried on a low setting.  Just as recommended with washing them, dry them on their own.  It’s best to remove your sheets immediately after the drying cycle has ended and get them on your bed to help reduce any wrinkling.  If you don’t have a dryer, hanging them on a washline is fine.  I’ve noticed that mine tend to be less wrinkled after being out on the line.  You can iron percale sheets on a low setting to get rid of wrinkles as well.

How often should you clean percale sheets?

For hygienic purposes, bedding of any kind should be changed every two weeks, more if needed.  Each cleaning sanitizes them, as well as refreshes the material, and they get softer over time too.

Tip: Excessive washing can cause percale to deteriorate, especially if you are using a percale blend.

How to store percale sheets?

Percale should be kept in a dry, cool place to ensure the bedding doesn’t come into contact with moisture, which can then cause mold to develop.

In Summary

That wraps up our review and buyers guide for buying the best percale sheets.  What have we learned today?

If you have allergies, sensitive skin, or want safe sheets for kids, organic cotton is the way to go.  We have also learned that percale sheets are great for warm months and hot sleepers. Is percale the best option for bedding?

I give a big resounding yes!  It’s hypoallergenic, keeps you dry and cool, and lasts a lot longer than other sheets do.  I find them cost-effective and you can get some quality percale sheets at a decent price, like the Mellanni Percale sheets I reviewed earlier.  I have to say that my favorite sheets are the Linen Home Percale sheets.  They aren’t bad on pricing and they just feel so nice when you sleep in them.  You just can’t go wrong with those!

I hope this comprehensive guide helps you find percale sheets that you will love for a long time!

You Might Also Like

Best Cotton Percale Sheets