How to Choose Bed Sheets

You spend a third of your life against your sheets, yet they're easy to buy badly. Thread count gets all the attention while the things that really decide comfort — fibre, weave and fit — get ignored. Here's what to look at instead.

Thread count is not the whole story

Thread count measures threads per square inch, but past roughly 300–400 the gains are marginal and often faked by counting multi-ply threads twice. A well-made 300-count sheet in good cotton beats a '1000-count' sheet in poor fibre every time.

Treat any headline thread count above 600 with suspicion. Focus on the fibre and weave first; use thread count only as a rough tie-breaker between similar sheets.

Pick a fibre and weave for how you sleep

Long-staple cotton (often labelled Egyptian or Supima) is the safe all-rounder: breathable, soft and durable. Linen is cool, casual and gets better with age — ideal for hot sleepers. Microfibre is cheap and wrinkle-resistant but traps more heat.

Weave changes the feel: percale is crisp, cool and matte, like a fresh hotel bed; sateen is silky, smooth and slightly warmer with a subtle sheen. Hot sleepers usually prefer percale or linen; those who like a soft, luxe feel prefer sateen.

Get the fit right

Measure your mattress depth before buying fitted sheets — deep or pillow-top mattresses need 'deep pocket' sheets or the corners will pop off all night. Standard sheets fit mattresses up to around 30cm deep.

Buy the size by your mattress, not your bed frame, and check the country's sizing (a UK double differs from a US full/queen). A snug fit with elastic all the way around stays put far better than elastic only at the corners.

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Frequently asked questions

What thread count is best for bed sheets?

Around 300–400 for percale and 300–600 for sateen is the sweet spot. Beyond that the difference is marginal and often exaggerated — fibre quality and weave matter more than a high number.

What's the difference between percale and sateen?

Percale is a crisp, cool, matte weave that sleeps like a fresh hotel bed; sateen is silky, smooth and slightly warmer with a soft sheen. Hot sleepers usually prefer percale.

Are cotton or microfibre sheets better?

Long-staple cotton is more breathable and durable and feels better over time; microfibre is cheaper and wrinkle-resistant but traps more heat. Cotton is the better long-term buy for most people.

How do I know what size sheets to buy?

Choose by your mattress size and measure its depth — deep or pillow-top mattresses need deep-pocket fitted sheets. Check the sizing standard for your country, as UK and US names differ.

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