You have to agree when it comes to luxury bedding nothing beats that smooth slippery feel that you get from silk sheets. The problem is, they can be so expensive to buy and aren’t the best option for the cooler months.
Well, I have an alternative for you that gives you silky smooth sheets that will keep you warm, and are more affordable: sateen.
I can’t tell you enough how much I love these sheets. Today I’m going to share with you everything you need to know about these luxurious choice of bed linen, including the 6 best sateen sheets on the market and a guide for buying and caring for them.
Let’s get started!
6 Best Sateen Sheets Reviews
1. Best Hotel-Quality Sheets: Adriana Sateen Egyptian
What You’ll Love About Them: Taking a glam style cue from hotel bedding, these cosmopolitan and comfy sateen Egyptian cotton sheets from Adriana will knock your socks off.
They’re made of 100% Egyptian cotton and have a 300 thread count, making them durable through many washes. These clean, crisp feeling sheets come in a variety of sizes (twin, full, kind and queen) and eight beautiful colors and you can even get a matching duvet to go with your color scheme. For an even more luxurious look, you can have them monogrammed. These are the type of sheets you find in luxury resorts!
Pros: The sheets are super soft in texture, breathable, come in many sizes and color options, can be easily machine washed and dried, and the manufacturer offers a 365-day warranty.
Cons: While you can return the sheets for a refund, they will deduct a processing fee if you have used the sheets already.
Buy Adriana Sateen Sheets on Luxor Linens →
2. Most Popular Sheets: California Design Den
What You’ll Love About Them: If you use a mattress topper and find it hard to get fitted sheets that stay put, you will love these California Design Den sheets with their deep pockets putting luxury to everyday use.
These 400 thread count 100% long staple pure cotton – sateen weave have a luxurious feel to them. They have hand-stitched seams and the pockets on the fitted sheet can easily handle beds with pillow-top mattresses with its elastic edging all around. The flat sheet is extra-long and will leave you plenty to spare after tucking them in. The sheets can be machine washed on a gentle cycle and dried on a low setting in a dryer.
Pros: They come in a range of sizes and colors, are pilling resistant, high quality but budget-friendly, and the manufacturer offers a 30-day full refund.
Cons: The only real downside to these sheets is that they are prone to wrinkling. However, this isn’t anything an iron can’t sort out.
Buy California Design Den Sheets on Amazon →
3. Best Cooling: Bokser Home Sateen Sheets
What You’ll Love About Them: The luxe life. If you’re a “hot” sleeper and find some sateen sheets trap heat, these Bokser Home sheets are a pleasant surprise.
This 500TC sheet set from Bokser has the buttery soft feel of silk. Made with 100% long-staple cotton, the sheets are light enough to allow for breathability yet thick enough to be durable and last through many washes. The fitted sheets have extra deep pockets and the finish is matte, perfect for those who love that silky feel but don’t like the silky sheen. They come in several colors and can be used year-round.
Pros: Fitted sheet has 18-inch deep pockets and directional labels for top and bottom, and is a good choice for those who like a sheet that’s a bit heavier but doesn’t get too hot.
Cons: The elastic on the fitted sheet doesn’t go all the way around and can slip off easily.
Buy Bokser Home Sheet Set on Amazon →
4. Softest Wrinkle-Free Sheets: Stone & Beam
What You’ll Love About Them: Casually luxurious. Do you love cotton sheets but hate how much they wrinkle? Stone & Beam’s sheet set is for you! Understated yet stylish.
These 400 thread count sheets use cotton fibers with a hollow core that helps wick moisture. They are great for all year round and are incredibly soft, durable, and comfortable. The Tencel fiber makes these sheets wrinkle-free and their hypoallergenic properties make them great for those with sensitive skin. The fitted sheet has deep pockets that will fit a 17-inch mattress thickness. The sheet set comes in a reusable cloth drawstring bag
Pros: Sheets are antibacterial, hypoallergenic, less prone to wrinkling, lightweight yet highly durable.
Cons: Some found the sheets felt too stiff or not as soft even after a couple of washes.
Buy Stone & Beam Sateen Sheets on Amazon →
5. Most Affordable: Pinzon by Amazon
What You’ll Love About Them: Understated chic. For those of you who want luxurious feeling sheets on a budget, these Pinzon sheets by Amazon are a great choice.
These Egyptian cotton 400 thread count sheets have a lighter weight and a super soft feel. They give you durability while staying within your budget. The sateen weave makes these sheets less prone to pilling and wrinkling. The fitted sheet is elasticated all the way around for a secure fit and the top sheet is long enough to give an extra bit of room. Pinzon sheets are breathable and are perfect for all seasons.
Pros: Affordable, durable, easy to wash with less wrinkling than some sateen sheets.
Cons: Sheets feel very stiff out of the package but soften after a couple of washings.
6. Best Luxury Sheets: Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Sheets
What You’ll Love About Them: Do you often find it hard to get your fitted sheet one the right way on the first try? I’ve found your dream sheets! Brooklinen Luxe sheets are marked on every side with “long” or “short” to eliminate that issue.
The marked fitted sheet isn’t the only thing that makes these a great choice. The 480 thread count 100% long-staple cotton gives these sheets that crisp, clean hotel bedding feel that is so comforting to sleep on. The sheets drape closely to the body but still keep you feeling cool when sleeping. They also have that super soft feel to them right out of the packaging and get softer with each wash. Brooklinen also give a lifetime warranty.
Pros: Fitted sheet is labeled and fits securely, sheets have a high-quality luxurious feel, are easy to wash, and good for all seasons.
Cons: Like most cotton sheets, these do wrinkle.
Buy Brooklinen Luxe Sateen bed sheets on Amazon →
Buyers Guide for Sateen Sheets
Now that I’ve given you my top 6 picks for the best sateen sheets out there, let’s take a more in-depth look into the weave pattern itself.
What is Sateen?
Sateen is pretty much the closest thing you can get to silk without the expense and fragile nature of silk. Sateen uses a weave of 1 yarn under and 4 over, which means more thread is exposed on the surface. This is what gives it that silky smooth texture and gorgeous sheen. Sateen has a tighter weave, which means its a good choice for all seasons.
Why Buy Sateen Sheets?
If you’ve ever had satin or silk sheets you know how luxurious they can feel. You probably also know how slippery they can be and how much heat they hold in, making you feel sweaty during the night.
If you want that silky feel without the downsides of satin, sateen is the answer. To ensure that feeling of super softness, a soft, strong single-ply long-staple cotton, or combed cotton is used in the weaving process. The yarn is thicker than used on other sheets, like percale for example. What this means is that your sheets will be heavier and warmer, however not warm enough to make you uncomfortable on warm nights.
What to Consider When Buying Sateen Sheets
No matter what sheet type you buy, there are several things that you need to consider. For a start, what kind of climate do you live in? Is it mostly warm or cool and dry? Sateen sheets tend to be better for those cool dry nights, so if you tend to have mostly warm or hot nights, or are a “hot sleeper”, sateen may not be the right choice for you. Do you have sensitive skin or an ailment that makes you sensitive? Sateen sheets are a great choice for you.
Breathability
A good quality sateen sheet tends to have a higher thread count, with the average being around 400. This makes them a bit thicker than other sheets but still allows them to be breathable. I tend to get really warm when I sleep, even in the winter. So I thought sateen wouldn’t be a good choice for me. However, some of the better quality sateen sheets do keep you just as cool and comfortable as a percale sheet does.
Durability
Sateen sheets will last for several years if they are well cared for. While it is durable, it isn’t a durable as Egyptian cotton. So over time, you may see pilling as the fabric wears. I can compromise on durability to have those silky smooth sheets to sleep on.
Wrinkling
Wrinkle haters, put down your irons! Sateen is practically wrinkle-free by nature and will drape very well without getting bunched up during the night.
Sizing
With any sheet, you need to get the sizing correct. Sateen is less prone to shrinking, so you won’t have any surprises when you wash your fitted sheet and find it doesn’t fit any longer. Many sateen sheet sets have fitted sheets with deep pockets that will fit over mattresses with cushioned toppers. Also, a fitted sheet that has elastic all around the edging is less likely to slip off in the middle of the night.
Color Choices
If you love splashes of color, you will be happy to know that sateen sheets come in a variety of them! Sateen holds dye very well, so you can get vibrant colors along with your traditional whites and greys.
What’s the Difference Between Satin and Sateen?
People do tend to get these mixed up, thinking they are interchangeable names for the same thing. This isn’t the case though and, unless you work with fabrics, its not an uncommon mistake to make.
For a start, both sateen and satin refer to the weave of the fabric, not the fabric itself. Both share a unique weave pattern of 4 threads over and 1 thread under. This weave maximizes the number of threads on the surface of the fabric that gives them both their softness and sheen.
The difference is in the fabrics used.
Satin was generally made from 100% silk thread, which can be quite expensive. Silk is also less durable. You can still find high-quality satin that is made of 100% silk but, to cut down on costs and make it more durable, satin is now made with a blend of polyester or nylon, sometimes all 3.
Sateen is a different story. Sateen is generally made from 100% cotton, but can also be a blend of cotton and rayon. You wouldn’t think that cotton could be made to look so sleek and shiny! It’s also a lot more durable than satin. This is why sateen is best for bedding and other items that need to be resilient through wear and tear. Sateen is also machine washable, whereas satin usually needs to be dry-cleaned or hand-washed. Sateen can also be dyed, bleached, or printed. Some satin can be dyed depending on the blend used, but it’s a more laborious process to dye it.
Now that we have that cleared up, let’s take a look at sateen against another top choice of bedding; percale.
Percale vs. Sateen Sheets
I wanted to compare the differences between the ever-popular percale sheets and sateen sheets. Both of these are usually made of 100% Egyptian cotton, however, they each have a unique feel and weave to them that sets them apart.
Let’s start with percale.
What is Percale?
Percale uses the classic weave pattern of 1 over, one under. Many people mistake percale as being the actual fiber, but it is the weave pattern. Percale can be made from 100% cotton or a cotton mixed blend, such as polyester.
Percale has that clean, crisp feeling so many people love. This is down to the tighter weave that is used in making percale sheets. They have a thread count of 200 or more and have a matte finish. They may feel stiff at first but soften up over time with washing. Because of its breathable, lightweight, and cool to the touch properties, Percale sheets are the best choice for people who are “hot” sleepers, or who live in hotter climates.
Pros:
- extremely durable,
- easy to care for,
- has a crisp feel and,
- is very breathable
Cons:
- prone to wrinkling,
- may feel stiff at first
What is Sateen?
Sateen uses a 4 over, 1 under weave pattern with the face of the yarn running in one direction, giving it its soft feel and shiny look. Sateen is usually made from cotton, but cheaper substitutes, such as rayon, can also be used. It’s a good choice if you have sensitive skin because sateen isn’t as rough feeling as percale. Sateen is also naturally wrinkle-resistant, but it isn’t as durable as percale.
Pros:
- Wrinkle-resistant,
- very soft and smooth, and
- a good choice for those with sensitive skin.
Cons:
- Slightly less durable and,
- less breathable than percale.
Let’s look at how these two compare side by side in the areas we look for in quality comfortable sheets.
Durability
A good quality sheet set can last for several years if cared for properly. However, over time and with frequent washing and drying, the material can deteriorate. Between percale and sateen, percale is the more durable of the two. Even with frequent washing, they get softer and last longer.
This doesn’t mean that sateen won’t last for several years! They are more of a luxury sheet though and can be prone to pilling, which is what happens when fabrics break down and deteriorate over time. So, percale wins for this category.
Breathability
The more breathable the sheet the better they can regulate the temperature. Cotton is known for its ability to let heat escape while keeping cool, making it the perfect fiber for sheets. While both sheets are quite breathable, percale has better temperature regulating properties. They can be used all year round. Sateen does better for cooler and dryer areas and is a good option if you tend to sleep in very light pajamas. Percale wins this one.
Flexibility and Softness
Some sheets can be less flexible, snagging a person in different areas when sleeping. Sheets that are too thin will bunch up and be uncomfortable. So it’s important to find a sheet that has a good balance of flexibility and softness. Percale gives a crisp feel and can feel somewhat stiff until they have been washed a few times. They then become softer. Sateen is soft and silky from day one and is a better option for sensitive skin types. I’d say sateen wins this category.
Price
The pricing between percale and sateen is pretty similar, with a basic sheet set staring at around $20 to $40, and the higher quality at around a couple of hundred. Pricing can be based on a few factors, such as thread count and whether it’s 100% Egyptian cotton or a blend. So, they both are fairly equal in this category.
Warranty and Lifespan
Whether percale or sateen, you can expect to get several years of use from good quality sheets. Of course, percale will have a longer lifespan than sateen. Percale also becomes softer over its lifespan, whereas sateen will eventually lose that silky sheen and may pill.
Where warranties are concerned, the majority of quality sateen sheets have a 1-year warranty. The same goes for percale sheets, however, you do see 2-year warranties on many percale sheet sets. Percale comes out on top for longevity.
Washing and Caring
Most bedding can be washed and dried in machines, but some will need extra care. Both percale and sateen are fairly easy to wash and suitable for washers and dryers. Using the gentle cycle for sateen will help prolong their lifespan. If you don’t like wrinkling and hate having to iron, you may want to stay away from percale sheets. Sateen would be the better choice for less wrinkling. I would say sateen wins where ease of care is concerned.
So, percale is the better option if durability is high on your list and you want sheets with the most breathability. Sateen is the better option for those who have sensitive skin, don’t like wrinkles, love that satiny sheen, and love the silky-soft feel. In the long run, it’s down to your preference and needs.
What to Look for in the Best Sateen Sheets
Not all sateen sheets are created equally. Some manufacturers may use cheaper materials to cut down on prices, however, this can give you a sheet that is less durable and not quite up to the true sateen standards.
Sateen sheets should be super soft, have a nice sheen, and be thick but still breathable. Good sateen sheets can be used year-round. Because of sateens’ tight weave, it should be snag and pill-resistant. You also want a thread count that falls somewhere between 300 to 600. If you want to know more about thread counts for different sheet types, there’s a great piece from Forbes that you can have a look at.
How to Wash Sateen Sheets
As I mentioned earlier, the better you care for your sateen sheets, the longer they will last.
The sheets should be washed on their own on a gentle cycle, in cold water, and using a mild detergent.
Once washing is done you can place them in a dryer on their own on a cool drying cycle, using your dryers “air-drying” setting. You don’t need to use fabric softener with sateen sheets because they have a natural drape to them.
I found a good site for washing, spot cleaning, and caring for all types of sateen items, including bedding and clothing. You can check that out here.
All bedding should be stored in a dry place, such as in a linen closet. You want to stay away from areas that are prone to damp, otherwise, mold could form on your sheets and ruin them.
Best Cotton-Sateen Bedding Sheets: The Takeaway
Well, hopefully, the product reviews and guide help you to determine whether sateen sheets are a good choice for you, what to look for when you do go shopping for them, and how they compare to other popular sheets like percale and real silk.
So, can you have that silky soft feel of silk from cotton? Yes you can! My favorite out of the 6 sheet sets that I have reviewed is the Adriana Sateen Egyptian set. They are comfortable, feel so luxurious, I don’t wake up feeling too hot in the middle of the night with them on, and I don’t have to.