Best thread count for cotton bed sheets

In the past, thread count was a measure of quality—the higher the thread count, the better the quality. However, that simply isn't true anymore. High thread counts can certainly make for better sheets, but the quality of the thread matters more than the number. In fact, a better-quality fiber with a lower thread count will feel softer and stand up to washing better than a lower-quality fiber with a higher thread count. Here's what you pay for when you're buying sheets.

Fiber

Cotton-polyester blend sheets are wrinkle-resistant, durable (polyester lasts longer than cotton), and relatively inexpensive (up to half the cost of all cotton). But if you're looking for that cool, soft feel, nothing beats 100% cotton. You'll rarely wake up clammy on cotton sheets, since the fiber wicks moisture away from your skin. And cotton sheets are less likely to stain than polyester blends; a water-loving fiber, cotton releases dirt easily when wet.

All types of cotton share these wonderful traits, but long-staple (or long-fiber) cotton makes for a noticeably softer sheet, and the surface won't pill and lint like one woven from shorter fibers. The words "Egyptian long-staple," "pima," and "Supima" all denote high-quality long fibers.

Weave

The weave affects the way a sheet feels, the way it looks, its longevity, and its price. Basic plain weaves, which are woven from an equal number of vertical and horizontal yarns, are the least expensive and may not rate a mention on the label. Percale is an upscale plain weave with a thread count of 180 or higher and is known for its longevity and crisp feel.

Sateen weaves have more vertical than horizontal yarns. The higher proportion of vertical threads results in an extremely soft fabric, but one that is more apt to pill and tear than a plain weave. Intricate weaves (such as jacquards and damasks) feel textured, with a pattern alternating from satiny soft to coarse and nubby. They can be as durable as plain weaves, but they are made on special looms and are considerably more expensive.

Finish

Most sheets are treated with chemicals (including chlorine, formaldehyde, and silicon) to keep them from shrinking, losing their shape, and wrinkling. Some are treated with alkalis to produce a sheen.

A handful of manufacturers offer pure-finish sheets, meaning that no chemicals were used or that all traces of chemicals used during manufacturing have been removed. You'll have a harder time keeping these sheets wrinkle-free, but it may be worth it if you suffer from allergies or chemical sensitivities. (Pure-finish sheets are available from Garnet Hill, garnethill.com.)

Dye

Patterns and colors are usually applied to sheets after they're woven, which means the sheets may feel stiff until you've washed them a few times. The softest (and most expensive) colored or patterned sheets, including jacquard weaves, are made of yarn-dyed fabrics, woven from colored yarns.

Thread Count

There isn't really a best thread count for sheets. Depending on budget, aim for a thread count between 400 and 1,000.

The highest thread count you should look for is 1,000. Anything above that number is unnecessary and often lower quality. This is because manufacturers use thinner cotton to cram in as many threads as possible, increasing the ply or the number of single threads twisted together.

Sheets that are 800 thread count are almost always double-ply, meaning they are twice as thick as 400 thread count sheets. Double-ply sheets are thicker and more durable, so they tend to last longer, justifying higher prices. They are also ideal if you sleep with pets because they're better at resisting pet hair. Another advantage of 800 thread count sheets is that they allow the body to retain more heat.

A thread count of 600 is the highest possible for single ply sheets. These sheets tend to be less expensive than 800 thread count. While comparably soft, they are often less durable. However, they are better at keeping the body cooler during the warmer months.

While 400 thread count sheets are the minimum you should look for, that doesn't necessarily mean that they're low quality. In fact, 400 thread count sheets made of premium quality material can feel as soft as higher thread count sheets, possibly even softer. Long staple cotton is an ideal fiber for sheets, but particularly for lower thread counts.

• By Christine Camean
• By Amanda Lauren

When you invest in a premium quality mattress, it might also be worthwhile investing in great quality bed linen. Thread count has become a popular predictor in the search for the softest, most sleep-inducing bed linen. But when it comes to buying bedding for your new mattress, is thread count really the final word in good quality sheets? In short — no.

We sat down with Hayley Worley, founder of The Sheet Society, to take a closer look at thread count and other factors that can take your bed linen to the next level.

Sheet thread count explained

What is thread count?

So what does thread count mean? Sheet thread count refers to the number of threads (strands of fabric) per square inch of fabric. This is calculated by counting the number of horizontal threads and the number of vertical threads which make up the weave of the fabric. According to Hayley, it’s important to understand thread count when looking at bed sheets just to get a general idea of the fabric, but it’s certainly not the be all and end all.

The quality of the actual threads — what they are made from and what type of threads they are — should be the main point of consideration, not just how many of them there are.

Myth-busting: high sheet thread count equals high quality

Thread count has nothing to do with a fabric’s breathability, comfort or softness. A 400 thread count sheet may be softer and more breathable than a 1000 thread count sheet.

Breathability comes down to what the sheet is made from. A sheet made from cotton is likely to have more breathability than a sheet made from polyester even if they are the same thread count. Softness and comfort also rely on the type of yarn.

For example, a 100% bamboo fibre sheet is much softer and slippery than a 100% cotton sheet, even if they are the same thread count meaning it’s impossible to define these types of adjectives by the thread count number.

Hayley also notes that some brands use thread count as a marketing ploy, preferring to ‘jam’ in as many threads as they can to increase the thread count. These threads are usually short, stubbly and clog up the fabric just for the sake of it. The shorter threads used in a higher thread count sheet are prone to pilling and don’t feel as soft when you run your hand across the fabric.

On the other side of the fence is Egyptian cotton. Renowned as the pinnacle of quality bed linen material, Egyptian cotton has longer threads so fewer threads are required to keep the fabric together.

Shopping for thread count

Material of choice

Hayley’s material of choice is cotton, which is no surprise given the sheets from The Sheet Society are made from a long-staple cotton.

“I believe that natural is best, so 100% cotton is my top choice. If you look through your wardrobe, I’m sure your favourite items are also made from cotton, so it makes sense to follow this for your choice of sheets. It’s naturally hypoallergenic, odour-resistant and does not go through any harsh chemical treatments. Cotton fibres are really easy to maintain, breathable yet absorbent, and soft yet durable,” she says. “Plus, like a nice wine, cotton fibres soften wash after wash so they get even better with age.”

Some weaves to know

When shopping for bed sheets, you might come across the terms ‘sateen’ and ‘percale’. These names refer to the type of weave the yarns have undergone to make up the fabric.

Percale means that the threads are woven in a ‘one over, one under’ process to create the weave. “Picture a piece of hessian or woven basket where you can see the string go under, over, under, over: that’s how percale is woven. Percale is a very crisp, classic fabric to use for a sheet,” says Hayley.

Sateen is a bit more complicated. The thread goes four over, one under, four over, one under in an alternating pattern.

The easiest way to picture this is if you imagine a brick path pattern with four horizontal and then vertical. A sateen weave gives the fabric a softer and shinier look as there are more flat threads on the surface.

Top things to look out for when buying bed sheets

Investing in high quality bedding is important not just for the look and feel, but for helping to improve your overall sleep health. Hayley believes that the top three things to look for when buying bed sheets are:

1. The fabric itself

“Cotton for example is a natural fibre which allows the fabric to breathe with your body temperatures, but when it’s mixed with polyester that really changes the overall breathability properties,” she says.

2. Workmanship and style

“People don’t tend to really know this until they’ve unwrapped the bundle when they get home. There’s nothing worse than a pillowcase that has a shallow opening that your pillow falls out of or a quilt cover that has a million pesky little buttons or ties to do up,” Hayley says.

3. Thoughtful design

“Since you generally change your sheets every few weeks, it’s important that the design is as user friendly as possible. Another thing to look for is the stitch density of the sewing lines. If you can count around 5 stitches in 1cm that’s a sign its generally been sewn with care, but if it’s more like 2 or 3 stitches in a 1cm then it’s been rushed through the sewing machine too quickly and can be a dead giveaway that it’s not made well,” she says.

As you can see, there are many more important factors than thread count when it comes to buying bed sheets. You don’t need to become an expert on bed sheets to find your perfect match, though. All you need to do is understand your needs, look for suitable fabric choices and choose what feels right for you.

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Simply answer a few questions and we’ll recommend the right mattress based on your unique sleep profile. We will email you your customised results so you can take them in-store to a Sealy retailer near you.

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