Hello! I’ve been looking for a new sheet set and doing research. I’ve been seeing a lot of conflicting information on thread count. A lot of cheaper sheets seem to be very high in thread count, whereas some nice organic sheets are lower. How much does thread count actually matter? Also is Egyptian cotton actually better?
Higher thread count means a softer sheet!
I’m not sure about the thread count thing, but we have egyptian cotton sheets and their the softest and most comfortable sheets we’ve ever owned!
Hi Spyrokenesis, great question! The way thread count is advertised can be quite misleading. That’s because a lot of brands will sell sheets that are double or triple-ply in order to say they have higher thread counts. For example, they’ll advertise that a sheet is 900tc, but in reality it’s just three 300tc sheets stuck together. Not only does this make the sheets overly heavy and feel like a tablecloth, but in general you don’t want to trust a brand that does this!
Putting that aside, a higher thread count makes for softer and more durable sheet. The ideal thread count for sheets varies by material and weave. Here’s a breakdown of the sheet materials that advertise threadcount and the most ideal range:
- Percale Weave Cotton: 200-400
- Sateen Weave Cotton: 300-600
- Egyptian Cotton (either weave): 300-400
- Bamboo: 300-500
- Linen: 80-140. Thread count is less of a useful indicator for linen sheets and rarely listed. Avoid higher thread counts for linen sheets.
Egyptian cotton is just extra-long staple cotton, which means
each fiber is longer and finer than most varieties of cotton, giving the resulting fabric added strength, durability, and softness. Check out our list of the best egyptian cotton sheets here: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/best-sheets/best-egyptian-cotton-sheets