Who doesn’t love the feel of Egyptian cotton sheets, they’re the superior choice when it comes to luxury bedding – but they can be so expensive! Did you know that percale or sateen sheets made from Pima or Supima cotton are just as high quality but without the hefty price tag.
We don’t believe you have to spend an entire paycheck on quality bed linens. With all that in mind, here are the top 9 Supima and Pima sheets that are highly rated along with a price tag that reflects their superior quality. We’ve also included a sheets buying guide explaining what to look for when buying them.
What is Pima cotton?
Named after the Pima Native American tribe. This cotton is grown in the Southwest United States and in South America. Bed linen made from Pima cotton has a silken finish, which makes them very comfortable to sleep on. Pima cotton is similar to Egyptian cotton – they’re both high quality cotton with a long fiber staple.
The main difference is geographical with Egyptian cotton being grown in the desert climate of Egypt, which is the perfect environment for cotton to thrive. Pima is a high-quality cotton fabric, but it tends to be less expensive than Egyptian cotton. However, it’s still more expensive than ordinary cotton sheets.
Fact: Some manufacturers will blend Pima or Egyptian cotton with lower-quality cotton and try to pass it off as being 100% Pima or Egyptian.
Supima® Cotton
Supima is a trademarked name for the long staple Pima cotton, grown exclusively in the United States and follows a much stricter quality and purity standard. Supima is an abbreviation for superior pima.
The most common type of cotton has a fiber length of 1-inch, whereas Supima cotton’s fiber averages 1.5 inches. Like the Pima cotton it has a very soft feel. However, Supima is a longer-lasting product. Where Pima is less expensive than Egyptian cotton, Supima can sometimes be more expensive than Egyptian cotton.
Now, let’s look at who makes the best Supima cotton sheets to buy.
9 Best Supima and Pima Cotton Sheets
1. Best Overall Pima Sheets for Most Sleepers: Peru Pima
Why You’ll Like Them: If you want the feel of luxury hotel sheets at an affordable price, you’ll love this set from Peru Pima.
Fabric & Weave type: 100% Peruvian Pima, percale
This set is made of extra-long staple 100% Peruvian Pima cotton fibers with a 415 thread count. The weave is percale, which gives the sheets more durability. The sheets have a cool and crisp feel to them, and they are very breathable. If you have a memory foam mattress these sheets are ideal in regards to fabric choice, weave type and thread count. They do feel a bit stiff at first, but they will soften after a few washes.
These sheets are also Oeko-Tex certified, free from toxic chemicals and synthetics, and hypo-allergenic, making them a good choice for those with sensitive skin or allergies. The dense percale weave also makes them very pill-resistant.
The fitted sheet is fully elasticized with 14-inch deep pockets. They come in a nice choice of neutral colors and sizes that run from twin to California king. You also get a 30-day refund policy with the manufacturer.
Pros: breathable, durable, hypo-allergenic, resistant to pilling, and has a crisp cool feel.
Cons: only fit mattresses up to 14 inches thick
Buy the Peru Pima 4-pce sheet set on Amazon
2. Best Supima Sateen Cotton Sheets: Stone & Beam
Why You’ll Like Them: If you want a really good quality Supima sheet set from a reputable manufacturer, this set from Stone & Beam is a good choice.
Fabric & Weave type: 100% Supima cotton, sateen weave
Made from extra-long 100% Supima cotton that has been finely combed and has a 700 thread count. These sheets are not only highly durable but very soft with a luxurious feel. The sheets have a sateen weave and are hemstitched to give it a classic vintage look. They are thick sheets, but very breathable and moisture-wicking to help keep you feeling cool and dry at night, as well as keeping you warm on colder nights.
The sheets can be machine washed and dried making them easy to care for and maintain. The fitted sheet is fully elasticized with 17-inch deep pockets, so they are great for deep mattresses with pillow toppers. They come in several clean-looking designs and neutral colors, and range in sizes from twin to California king.
Pros: very durable, nice looking hemstitching, soft sateen weave, good for colder nights.
Cons: not the most wrinkle-free right out of the bag
Buy Stone & Beam Supima sheet set on Amazon
3. Best Supima Cotton Percale Sheets: Tuft & Needle
Why You’ll Like Them: If you love sheets that have that crisp and cool feel, this lightweight percale set from Tuft & Needle is one you need to try.
Fabric & Weave Type: 100% Supima cotton, percale
This set is made from extra-long staple 100% Supima cotton with a 215 thread count percale weave. They are breathable and moisture-wicking, heavy enough to keep you warm, yet light enough to keep you cool, so they are good all year round. The percale weave also gives the sheets extra durability and will become softer with each wash.
The sheets have also been finished naturally, meaning no harsh chemicals or softeners were used in the manufacturing process. The pricing also makes these sheets a good value given they are Supima sheets.
The fitted sheet is fully elasticized and has 14-inch deep pockets. The pillowcases are of the “envelope” closure variety, which works to keep your pillows in their cases where they belong. They come in 5 neutral colors and range in size from Twin California king. They are machine washable and dryable for easy care, and you can also iron them on a cotton setting.
Pros: percale weave, breathable, can be used all year round, no harsh chemicals, very breathable, good value for high-quality sheets, perfect for hot mattresses like memory foam.
Cons: does not fit deeper mattresses
Buy Tuft & Needle 4pce sheet set on Amazon
4. Best Deep-Pocket Pima Sheets: Renauraa
Why You’ll Like Them: If you are looking for a good quality Pima sheet set that has deep pockets for your deep mattress, you’ll want to give this set from Renauraa a try.
Fabric & Weave type: American Supima, sateen.
Made from 100% long-staple Supima cotton, this 1,000 thread count sheet set has a super luxurious soft feel. The extra-long fibers give these sheets strength and durability, as well as make them more resistant to pilling. They are breathable and airy, and the finer yarns used to give them that extra soft feel. They are finished with a silky sateen weave and are hypo-allergenic, making them great for those with sensitive skin and allergies.
Another great quality of these sheets are the deep pockets to fit mattresses up to 16″ in depth. If you’ve struggled to find Pima sheets with deep enough pockets for your mattress topped beds, this set has the answer for you. The fitted sheet is fully elasticized as well and fits snuggly on the mattress.
The sheet set comes in a nice range of colors and sizes to choose from, and because Supima cotton can absorb dyes really well, these sheets will retain their colors and brightness for longer. They are machine washable and dryable.
Pros: 16″ deep pockets, fade-resistant, pill-resistant, durable, hypo-allergenic, comes in a nice variety of colors.
Cons: only available in solid colors, no patterns or novelty prints.
Buy the Renauraa 4-piece sheet set on Amazon
5. Best Value Pima Sheets: Isabella Cromwell
Why You’ll Like Them: If you want to buy a good quality set of Pima sheets without breaking the bank, this queen set from Isabella Cromwell is very affordable.
Fabric & Weave type: Pima, sateen.
Made from 100% Pima cotton, these sheets have a 500 thread count sateen weave that makes them durable and comfortably soft. They are lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking, and regulate temperature, so you can use them all year round. The sateen weave gives them a nice smooth sheen that looks elegant.
The fitted sheet has elastic bands on the corners and 18-inch extra-deep pockets, giving ample coverage for even the deepest mattresses. They are Oeko-Tex certified, so no toxic chemicals or synthetics have been used, making them hypo-allergenic and the perfect sheets for sensitive skin and allergy sufferers.
You can get these sheets in 13 fade-resistant colors, both in solid and damask stripe designs. Sizing runs from twin to California king. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee from the manufacturer.
Pros: breathable, lightweight, hypo-allergenic, smooth sateen finish, very affordable, can use all year round, over a dozen color choices, can buy extra pillow cases separately, and you get a money-back guarantee
Cons: May be a bit roomy on thinner mattresses
Buy Isabella Cromwell 4-pce sheet set on Amazon
6. Best Hypoallergenic Supima Sheets: GhostBed
Why You’ll Like Them: If you have sensitive skin or suffer from allergies, you’ll find comfort in this sheet set from GhostBed.
Fabric & Weave type: 60 percent Supima & 40 percent Tencel, weave type similar to sateen
Made from a mix of 60% Supima cotton and 40% Tencel, these sheets are durable and soft on the skin. The sheets are said to be 50% more absorbent than cotton for better moisture-wicking and breathability. They regulate temperature, making them perfect for all year round. They are comparable to a 600 thread count sheet set.
These hypo-allergenic sheets are allergen, dust mite, and bacteria-resistant, making them perfect for those who have sensitive skin, skin conditions that are easily irritated, and allergies. No toxic or harmful chemicals are used in making these sheets and Tencel is considered to be an eco-friendly fiber.
The fitted sheet is fully elasticized with the company’s “Ghost Grip” thick elastic band and has 18-inch deep pockets for a really secure fit. The top sheet is also extra-large to give you more coverage.
They can be machine washed and dried and have a nearly ironed look straight out of the dryer, so they are very easy to maintain. You can get them in sizes that range from twin to split king, and they come in gray or white.
Pros: hypo-allergenic, Tencel and Supima cotton mix for better moisture-wicking, temperature regulating, easy to maintain, extra-large top sheet, and uses a Ghost Grip band on the fitted sheet
Cons: only available in two colors, no prints or patterns, expensive
Buy GhostBed sheets set on Amazon
7. Best Soft Pima Sheets: Gryphon Home Comfort Washed sheets
Why You’ll Like Them: If you are a hot sleeper and prefer super soft percale sheets that are lightweight and cooling, Gryphon Home Comfort Washed sheets will have you sleeping like a baby.
Fabric & Weave type: 100 percent Supima cotton, percale pre-washed
Made from 100% Supima cotton and pre-washed, these sheets will have a soft and comfortable feel right out of the package. The 300 thread count percale weave gives these sheets breathability and lightness. They have a kind of “lived-in” look that you get with your most comfortable, “broken-in” cotton sheets, kind of like the way your favorite T-shirt looks and feels.
The sheets are eco-friendly and have been both approved by the Better Cotton Initiative, as well as ISO and Oeko-Tex certified, meaning no toxic chemicals have been used. They can be machine washed and dried, making them easy to care for. They come in 5 neutral colors and sizes that range from twin to California king.
The fitted sheet is fully elasticized with 15-inch deep pockets and has a “Top” tag so you never have to wonder which way is up again. The elastic band itself looks very thick and sturdy. They also come in a cotton drawstring bag and pillows cases can also be bought separately.
Pros: 15-inch deep pockets and tagged at the top, very soft, lightweight, breathable, Oeko-Tex and ISO certification, and easy to care for.
Cons: expensive, best if line-dried
Buy Gryphone Home Comfort Sheet Set on Amazon
8. Best Lightweight Supima Sheets: Casper’s Cool Supima Sheets
Why You’ll Like Them: If you are a hot sleeper looking for some truly breathable and lightweight sheets, this set from Casper Sleep is the right choice for you, and they age beautifully.
Fabric & Weave type: 100 percent Supima cotton from California, percale
Made from 100% extra-long-staple Supima cotton, these sheets are very durable and lightweight with their 400 two-ply thread count. The percale weave is breathable, moisture-wicking, and cooling for even the hottest sleepers. They also have a really soft feel to them and nice detailing on the seams and edges.
The sheets are Oeko Tex certified, which means they are free of harmful and toxic chemicals. The fitted sheet is fully elasticized with Casper’s “extra-grippy” elastic band and has 14-inch deep pockets.
All of the sheets have a blue tag at the top so that you always known which end is up. They come in 6 color options, 4 of which have a nice contrasting stripe, and they come in sizes from twin to California king. They can be machine washed and dried and come with their own bag.
Pros: suited for hot sleepers and warm weather, made from high-quality US-grown cotton, affordable, easy to clean, tagged on top, fitted sheet has extra grip, durable, breathable, and easy to care for.
Cons: does not fit deeper mattresses
Buy Casper Cool Supima sheet set on Amazon
9. Best Cooling Pima Sheets: Peru Pima
Why You’ll Like Them: This 100% Peruvian Pima cotton sheet set from Peru Pima are the best temperature regulating we tested and well-priced for truly quality sheets.
Fabric & Weave type: 100 percent Peruvian pima cotton, sateen
This 600 thread count sateen weave set is made with 100% Peruvian Pima extra-long-staple cotton. This gives the sheets durability, extra softness, and a luxurious looking sheen. The sheets have a crisp feel but do soften over time. They are moisture-wicking and temperature regulating, so you can use them all year round.
Their ability to absorb colors makes them fade-resistant, and the longer fibers mean they are pill-resistant as well. The materials that are used are eco-friendly and Okeo-Tex certified, so you know that no harmful chemicals have been used.
The set comes in sizes that range from twin to California king and comes in 4 neutral colors. The fitted sheet is fully elasticized with 15-inch deep pockets. They are machine washable and driable and don’t seem to wrinkle as much as some cotton sheets do, so they are easy to care for. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee from the manufacturer.
Pros: eco-friendly materials are used, deep pockets, moisture-wicking, temperature regulating, fade and pill-resistant, easy to care for.
Cons: Only fit mattresses up to 15 inches thick, no bright colors
Buy Peru Pima sheets set on Amazon
Pima Sheets Buying Guide
If you’re still at a complete loss trying to figure out which sheet set to buy, this short guide will help you walk away with a winning set perfect for your bedding needs.
How to choose the right set for your bed
Finding the right sheet set for your bed is about more than just the fabric they are made of. Sizing is actually one of the biggest issues that many buyers run into problems with. Without the right fit, your sheets will either be too loose and crumply or not big enough and keep popping off the mattress. There are other things you will want to consider as well.
Check the fit
When you set out to buy sheets it’s really important that you take the measurements of your mattress and not rely on what size you think it may be. For example, you may have a queen-sized mattress and think the standard queen-sized sheets will fit. But, not all mattresses conform to standard sizing. You also need to consider whether you are using a mattress topper or foam pads, which will add more height to the mattress. So, always measure the length (top to bottom), width (side to side), and height (from the top edge of your mattress to the bottom edge).
This is where pocket sizes come into play. You’ll notice on many sheet packages that they give a pocket depth, rather than giving you a mattress height recommendation. Many people make the mistake of buying a pocket depth that is the exact height of their mattress, which would be too small. When you are looking for a properly fitting bottom sheet for your bed, the rule of thumb is to take the pocket depth and subtract 2-inches. For example, if the package says it has a 15-inch deep pocket, it means that it will fit a mattress that is 13-inches high or less.
In some cases, the packaging will only list standard, deep, or extra-deep rather than an actual measurement.
A standard sheet will fit a mattress that is up to 12-inches in height. Deep will fit a mattress up to 15-inches high, and extra-deep is for mattresses that are from 16-inches to 22-inches high (usually because they have a mattress topper on them).
Colors, patterns vs. room décor
A new set of sheets can be a great way to brighten up or to change the décor in your bedroom. However, it’s easier to care for white sheets than bright colors, novelty or print sheets. While you can use bleach and other whitening products on white sheets to get rid of spills, stains from kids or pets, sweats or period accidents, it will prove near impossible to get rid of stains on colored or patter sheets.
Bottom line, white sheets are easier to maintain. You can wash white sheets on high temperatures, whereas with colored sheets, you can’t if you don’t want them to fade. White bedding tends to be a bit cheaper than colored bedding as well. You can also match anything to white, or even off-white sheets. In our experience white sheets give a room a classic, hotel-like look. We found that patterns and novelty prints date quicker.
There is also a choice between white sheets or colored sheets. This is down to your maintenance preferences.
If you have the time for sheets that are a higher maintenance, you may opt for colored sheets to give your room that splash of color it needs. White can feel boring to some and it just isn’t their choice in color schemes. If you do take the color route, keep in mind that your sheets may need a bit of extra care to keep them looking vibrant.
Buying a set vs. individual sheets
Should you opt for a full set or buy sheets individually? This depends on a couple of things. If you have a mattress that is standard-sized, it can be cheaper to go with a sheet set.
Not everyone has a standard mattress side though. For example, if you have a topper on your queen-sized bed, a standard-sized queen fitted sheet may not cover it, literally. The top sheet may be fine but then you have to go buy a bottom sheet and are wasting money.
While buying sheets and pillowcases on an individual basis can be a bit more expensive, it can save money over time. Your bottom sheet takes the brunt of the wear and tear of a sheet set. So you end up having to replace it before the top sheet. Buying a while new sheet set isn’t really cost-effective in this case. Buying a replacement sheet on its own is.
Buying on an individual basis also means you can mix colors and patterns a bit more. And there are a lot of people who don’t even use the top/flat sheet, so for them, a sheet set is a waste of money. In the end, it’s down to your own preferences and what you need in a sheet/sheet set.
One more thing we want to touch base on when looking for sheets is whether a manufacturer or seller will offer separately sold pillowcases. A lot of king-sized sheet sets only come with 2 pillowcases. With a bed as big as a king-sized, a lot of people use more than the standard 2 pillowcases. So, when you are buying a sheet set, check to make sure you can purchase those extras individually. It doesn’t make sense to go with a set and find the only way to get matching extras is to buy another full set.
Best Type of Weave: Percale or Sateen?
This is another area that can cause confusion. What is the main difference between these two and can they affect whether you sleep better or not?
The terms percale and sateen are a weave style. Percale uses a one-over-one-under weave, giving it an airy lighter fabric, whereas Sateen uses a three-over-one-under weave, which gives it a shinier smoother feel.
Percale: With its simpler weave, percale has a crisp feel and a matte finish is lightweight, breathable, and cooler. They are more suited to hot sleepers and warmer seasons because of this. Another advantage is their durability. However, they are prone to wrinkling. This can usually be sorted out with a quick tumble in the dryer.
One thing about percale that can bother some people is that they are crinkly, as in they make noise when are moving around. It’s something to bear in mind if you sleep lightly or are sensitive to noises at night.
Sateen: The weave of a sateen sheet gives it that smooth sheen that many equate with luxuriousness. It’s one of the reasons many people prefer Sateen. They feel silky and have a nice drape to them that lays on the body a bit heavier than percale. They are also less breathable than a percale weave, so they are more suited to cool sleepers and cooler nights. The three-over-one-under weave makes Sateen less prone to wrinkling as well.
Where you had that kind of crinkling sound with Percale sheets, Sateen has more of a swishing sound to it when you move. Finally, sateen is easy to care for and maintain, but the sheen diminishes over time with washing. They are more prone to pilling than Percale, making them less durable.
Both weaves have their own characteristics and it really depends on your preferences when choosing one over the other. It may be worth it to test both out to see which you prefer.
What is the best thread count?
Thread count is a slippery slope and doesn’t have the same impact as it once did. This is because many manufacturers were using lower quality fibers to bump up their thread counts, which lead to what we call “inflated” thread count. You know the ones, claiming to have a 1,000 or more thread count.
A thread count measures the number of threads in a square inch of fabric. Generally, the higher the thread count, the softer the sheet. But higher thread counts don’t always mean better, and there are other factors involved.
Basically, the best thread counts run between 300 to 500.
How to Care for Pima Sheets
Most pima and Supima sheets can be machine washed and dried, but you should always check the manufacturer’s instructions.
Washing
It’s always a good idea to wash your bed sheets on their own. This is to prevent them from rubbing against rougher fabrics or things like zippers and buttons, that could damage the fibers and weaken them. Cotton is a natural fiber and is sensitive to higher heat. Only wash them in cold to medium heat temperatures. Higher heat settings can cause the sheets to pill, wrinkle, and become damaged.
While Pima cotton is durable, you should still use a gentle wash cycle when cleaning them.
Drying
You can machine dry your sheets on the lowest heat setting, but it is recommended that you air-dry them on a line. Never use more than a 105 degree setting on your dryer. To avoid wrinkling, its best to put them on your bed right out of the dryer or from the line. Pima sheets can be ironed but only on the lowest heat setting.
Final Thoughts and Conclusion
Now that we know all we can about buying Pima and Supima sheets, which ones do you feel are best for you? We love the GhostBed sheets for our king size bed because they tick all of the boxes for us and are at a fairly reasonable price for the high-quality you get. They’re softer and lighter than others, it has deep pockets and the fitted sheets stay put, and aside from being eco-friendly they also have superior moisture absorption.
Each set we tried and test has its own advantages and disadvantaged to consider though and you may find a different set appeals to you. Hopefully, our reviews and short buying guide will help you find your perfect set of Pima bed sheets!