These Egyptian Cotton Sheets Are The Definition of Luxury Bedding (2024)

To end our day with luxury, we outfit our bed with ultra-soft and inviting Egyptian cotton sheets.Egyptian cotton sheets are made with long-staple cotton fibers sourced in Egypt, are especially durable, and are crafted from hand-picked cotton, ensuring the fibers remain super soft compared to machine-picked cotton fibers.

So it’s no surprise that the best Egyptian cotton sheets are some of the softest and smoothest sheets on the market. While we've tested plenty of sheet sets over the years, Egyptian cotton always stands out for its quality and ultra-smooth hand feel. We've included the best we ever tested in every weave so even those who prefer a crisp percale can still enjoy the luxury of Egyptian cotton.

What We Like

  • Available in multiple colors

  • Option for envelope-closure pillowcases

  • OEKO-TEX certified

What We Don't Like

  • No top/bottom tags sewn into fitted sheet

The Parachute Percale Sheet Set is our top recommendation because of its high-quality construction, breathable material, and soothing color selections. We also love that you can choose between envelope or side closure pillowcases. In addition to being woven from high-quality Egyptian cotton, these sheets are also Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, meaning they are free from over 100 chemicals.

After six months of testing, we were most impressed these Egyptian cotton sheets never felt heavy or hot, even during the warmer summer months. The percale weave proved breathable but durable enough to withstand weekly machine washing and drying.

It never became threadbare or showed signs of shrinking or ripping. It’s also worth noting that the sheets dry quickly and completely on the manufacturer-recommended low heat setting, without having damp spots that require another cycle in the dryer.

While the quality and construction of this sheet set is its most impressive feature, we wish the fitted sheet included directional labels for the top and bottom of the sheet. It was hard to tell on the King-size set we tested which way the sheet fits the mattress. Despite that one shortcoming, we still think that this is the best Egyptian cotton sheet set to buy.

Weave: Percale | Thread Count: Not listed | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king | Care: Machine wash cool, tumble dry low

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What is the difference between Egyptian cotton and Pima cotton?

Egyptian cotton and Pima cotton are both types of long-staple cotton but differ in origin. Pima cotton is grown in the United States; authentic Egyptian cotton is from Egypt. Sophie Clark, a textile designer, points out that Pima cotton can be washed and dried at higher temperatures than Egyptian cotton, which might make it the better choice if you don’t want to watch your laundry care settings closely.

But Egyptian cotton has its perks: “[It] is generally hand-picked (not machine picked) which helps keep the fiber staple long and therefore smooth. This helps to give the sheeting a softer hand feel,” says Clark.

What We Like

  • Soft finish

  • Deep pocket to fit thick mattresses

  • Very breathable

What We Don't Like

  • May shrink slightly when washed

These Egyptian cotton sheets from the Chateau Home Collection impressed us with their soft feel and breathability in the Lab—and after six months of at-home testing, we’re still just as pleased with the quality feel and construction.

The Chateau Home Collection Egyptian Cotton Sheets are available in 18 colors and have a sateen weave, giving them the silky, luxurious feel we loved so much during testing. The flat sheet we tested in the lab shrank slightly after an initial wash but we didn’t notice additional shrinkage or other forms of wear (like pilling or loose threads) when using them at home.

The deep pockets of the fitted sheet easily accommodated a 14.5-inch deep mattress we had at home. We also loved how breathable these sheets felt despite being a sateen weave, which is denser than a percale weave like our best overall pick, the Parachute Percale Sheet Set. If you're looking for an extra-smooth finish and more affordable sheets, the Chateau Home Collection set is a great under-$100 option.

Weave: Sateen | Thread Count: 800 | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king, split king | Care: Machine washable

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What We Like

  • Silky texture

  • Double border

  • Option to purchase pieces separately

What We Don't Like

  • Limited size availability

For a luxury set of Egyptian cotton sheets, consider this set from The White Company. This British brand specializes in high-end linens and the pure white Cavendish Sheeting Set checks all the boxes for quality, timeless appeal, and a superior feel.

The sateen weave further enhances the luxury identity by giving the sheets a smooth, buttery feel.Although we have not had a chance to test these sheets, we appreciate that The White Company is a recognized retailer of The Egyptian Cotton Association; you can feel confident purchasing sheets made from high-quality material.

Although the sateen finish is impressive, it’s only part of the equation for choosing splurge-worthy sheets. The quality of the fibers is important, too. The Cavendish line of sheets doesn’t fall short in this regard; they’re made in Portugal of long-staple Egyptian cotton.

You can purchase Cavendish sheets individually or splurge for the set, which includes a flat sheet, fitted sheet, and a set of standard or Oxford pillowcases (which have an extra border for an oversized fit). There’s not much to find fault regarding the quality of the sheets themselves, but there are limited sizes available. The Cavendish Sheeting Set is available in full, queen, and king sizes; there’s no option for twin or California king sheet sets.

Weave: Sateen | Thread Count: 800 | Sizes: Full, queen, king | Care: Machine wash, line dry or tumble dry on low

What We Like

  • Crisp look

  • Medium-weight material drapes well

What We Don't Like

  • Wrinkles easily

For Egyptian cotton sheets that feel as crisp and posh as your favorite hotel, consider this set from Crane & Canopy. When we tested this percale sheet set, we were pleased with the smooth, cottony finish of the sheets and the way the medium-weight fabric drapes. The bright white color of the sheets also mimics the white linens you see in upscale hotels. In short, these sheets have the quality, feel, and appearance that you would expect of hotel-style Egyptian cotton sheets.

These sheets are constructed in Italy with long-staple Egyptian cotton fibers and have a 400 thread count. The use of long-staple fibers isn’t a surprise for hotel-quality sheets, since the longer fibers are more durable, according to Sophie Clark, an expert on home textiles. These sheets also surpassed our expectations for durability and showed no signs of shrinking, fraying, or pilling while we used them at home for six months.

That being said, they are pretty wrinkled after a cycle in the dryer. Wrinkles are not an uncommon problem for cotton sheets, but it does pose an extra challenge for achieving boutique hotel vibes in your bedroom. The manufacturer suggests using a cool iron on the sheets to achieve a smooth, crisp look. Either way, we love the cool-to-the-touch feel of these sheets.

Weave: Percale | ​​Thread Count: 400 | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king, split king | Care: Machine wash cold, cool iron as needed

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What We Like

  • Heavier weight and density

  • Monogramming available

  • 17-inch deep pockets

What We Don't Like

  • Must adhere to care requirements to avoid excessive shrinking

  • Some noticeable pilling

Flannel sheets are warm, inviting, and ideal for cool or damp weather. When crafted from Egyptian cotton, you can expect flannel sheets that are exceptionally soft and durable. That’s what we found when we tested the Peaco*ck Alley Egyptian Cotton Flannel Sheet Set.

These flannel sheets are made in Portugal from 100 percent Egyptian cotton. The sheets are denser at 200 grams per square meter (GSM), making them a good choice to keep warm at night. During testing, we found that the thick, brushed flannel excelled at holding heat.

At the same time, it also means that the sheets feel slightly more stiff than what you may expect of Egyptian cotton. We also noted some pilling after about four washes, but that is to be expected of a napped fabric like flannel.

The Peaco*ck Alley Egyptian Cotton Flannel Sheets are available in two solid shades and a stripe and size options run the gamut of twin to California king. Pay special attention to the care requirements, since Peaco*ck Alley specifies that marginal shrinking is to be expected and excessive heat can amplify shrinkage. During testing, we observed some shrinking but not enough to hinder the sheets from easily fitting on the mattress.

Weave: Flannel | Thread Count: Not listed | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Care: Machine wash cold (gentle cycle), tumble dry low

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Final Verdict

After testing the most popular Egyptian cotton sheets, we definitely recommend the Parachute Percale Sheet Set as the best overall choice for most people. It stood out for its exceptionally soft feel, breathable material, and durability—even after months of machine-washing. But for the best budget option, we were very impressed by the Chateau Home Collection Egyptian Cotton Sheets. There was no compromise on softness or durability and they have a rich-feeling sateen weave.

Other Options We Tested

We also tested the following products and were impressed by their quality, though they featured a few too many flaws to earn a spot on our above list.

Silk & Snow Egyptian Cotton Bed Sheets, $140: Although these sheets were soft and slightly silky, concerns over the quality of construction kept them from earning our recommendation. The sheets seemed very thin and there were many loose threads out of the package. During testing, the sheets shrunk significantly. They still fit on the mattress but the pillow was a tight fit inside the pillowcase. They do cost less than some other Egyptian cotton sheets we tested but we’d suggest considering other options ahead of this set.

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How We Tested the Egyptian Cotton Sheets

We've completed extensive testing of hundreds of sheet sets in our lab, and all of the sheets go through the same testing process. We evaluate the quality of construction for loose seams, threads, and stitching mistakes. We then wash the sheets according to manufacturer instructions and compare them to the texture of an unwashed pillowcase from the set.

This gives us an understanding of how the sheets may initially wear and allows us to measure shrinkage post-wash (we take measurements of the sheets before washing them). We also considered how wrinkled the sheets were after washing.

We then make a bed with the sheets, evaluating how well they fit the mattress and pillows. We also lie under the sheets for five minutes to assess features that matter the most while sleeping, like texture, weight, airflow, and breathability.We always noticed how soft the Egyptian cotton sheet sets felt compared to others.

We also tested stain resistance by spreading common staining agents (foundation, oil, coffee, or lotion) on the sheets and then washing them. Afterward, we checked for remaining visible signs of staining on the sheets. In general, oil stains are always trickier to lift from any material, but cotton is a durable fabric that can also be stain-treated with active stain removers if you ever find a major stain on your sheets.

Our testing never stops in the lab with sheets. We continued using each set of sheets at home for six months to determine long-term durability and comfort. We regularly laundered them, recording any changes in texture, breathability, and durability.We also considered whether we'd purchase the sheets again, which is especially important for a higher-priced category like Egyptian Cotton Sheets.

When Shopping for Egyptian Cotton Sheets, Look For

Your Preferred Weave

Egyptian cotton sheets will typically have a percale or sateen weave. The weave refers to how the fibers of the material overlap.

  • Percale sheets have a 1:1 weave, with the horizontal fibers overlapping a single vertical fiber.
  • A sateen sheet has a 3:1 weave, where the horizontal fibers overlap three fibers.

In practical terms, this means that an Egyptian cotton sateen sheet has a tighter weave with a smoother feel and an attractive sheen, and a percale sheet has a more breathable weave with a crisp texture and matte finish—like a button-down shirt, according to Sophie Clark, textile designer.

Both weave types offer advantages. Sateen looks and feels more luxurious but can hold more heat. The Chateau Home Collection Egyptian Cotton Sheets (our best budget pick) we tested proved to have a great sheen and excellent breathability, making it a standout among other sateen sets.

Percale has a stiffer feel but the looser weave is better for hot sleepers, so that’s something to keep in mind, especially if you want a set of cooling sheets. That’s one attribute we raved about when testing our best overall choice Parachute Percale Sheet Set, which has a lightweight construction and percale weave that feels comfortable in all seasons.

A Realistic Thread Count

Thread count refers to how many woven threads are in one square inch of material. It can serve as an indicator of quality but shouldn’t be the sole factor when comparing sheets. This is especially true for Egyptian cotton sheets since the higher quality fibers can compensate for a lower thread count.

“Egyptian cotton, with its longer fiber staple, will give you a higher quality at a lower thread count,” says Clark. For example, the Crane & Canopy Percale Cotton Sheet Set has a modest 400 thread count but during testing, its soft and drapey texture earned it the designation of best hotel-style Egyptian cotton sheet.

Clark suggests opting for Egyptian cotton sheet sets with a thread count between 300 and 500, especially if the sheets are made from long-staple cotton. Two sets on our list, the Chateau Home Collection Egyptian Cotton Sheets (our best budget pick) and The White Company Cavendish Sheet & Pillowcase Set (best splurge) feature thread counts of 800, which is quite high.

However, the Chateau Home set showed no signs of concerning wear after six months. As we mentioned, The White Company set is also a recognized retailer of The Egyptian Cotton Association, making us feel confident that it's well-made despite not having an opportunity to test it firsthand.

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Clear Care and Maintenance Instructions

Always read the care label to determine the best way to launder Egyptian cotton sheets. But generally speaking, you can wash your sheets in the washing machine. Experts suggest washing them with cold water on a gentle cycle to keep them intip-top shape. Textile expert Deborah Young says: "Hot water cleans best, but it's a trade-off. It cleans better but it also shrinks more." That's why Young recommends washing on cold. Hot water also leads to more wrinkles when dry.

After washing, it’s best to let your sheets air dry on a clothesline. If you don’t have the space or time for line drying, make sure that you use a low heat setting. This again will ensure that your sheets don't become a wrinkled ball. We love using wool dryer balls to create more airflow in the dryer and lessen wrinkles.

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Why Trust The Spruce?

Erica Puisis is a freelance writer and product tester with expertise in home products and appliances. She keeps up on the latest trends relating to sleep quality and has written for The Spruce about mattresses, sheets, white noise machines, and more. To find the best Egyptian cotton sheets, she synthesized first-hand testing reports from the Lab and at-home testers and researched other high-quality options.

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These Egyptian Cotton Sheets Are The Definition of Luxury Bedding (2024)
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