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The Best Sateen Sheets of 2025
Our Top Picks
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Best Overall
Saatva Organic Sateen Sheet Set -
Best Value
Molecule Sateen Performance Sheets -
Best Luxury
Avocado Organic Superfine Suvin Cotton Sheets -
Most Comfortable
Boll & Branch Signature Hemmed Sheets -
Best Cooling
Sweet Zzz Organic Bamboo Sheets
Best Overall
The Saatva Organic Sateen Sheet Set feels soft and luxurious to the touch. Composed of long-staple cotton, which is known for lasting longer than short-staple cotton, these sheets are a suitable choice for sleepers who value quality and durability in their bedding.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Long-staple cotton promotes durability
- Fitted sheet accommodates mattresses up to 16 inches thick
- GOTS certification ensures organic sourcing
Cons
- Sticker price is fairly expensive
- Not compatible with mattresses taller than 16 inches
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Best Value
The Molecule Sateen Performance Sheets are made with breathable materials that help keep you cool and comfortable throughout the night. We particularly liked this sheet set for its reasonable price tag, compared to other sheets made of similar cooling materials.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Tencel and cotton composition helps regulate temperature
- Long-staple variety of cotton promotes durability
- Below-average pricing compared to other sateen sheet sets
Cons
- Fabric is prone to early pilling
- Limited color selection
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Best Luxury
Avocado is known for using sustainably sourced and organic materials to create high-end mattresses and bedding. The soft and silky Organic Superfine Suvin Cotton Sheets are no exception.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extra-long staple cotton is durable and soft
- GOTS certification ensures that sheets are organic
- Available in 600 or 1,000 thread count
Cons
- Too expensive for most budget shoppers
- Only available in three colors
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Most Comfortable
If you are in the market for a new sheet set and looking for multiple color and size options, the Boll & Branch Signature Hemmed Sheet set is available in more than 10 colors and eight sizes. These sheets have a smooth, buttery quality that felt comfortable to many of our testers.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- More than 10 color options
- Composed of certified organic cotton
- Long-staple cotton promotes durability
Cons
- Expensive sticker price
- Patterns and prints cost more than solid colors
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Best Cooling
The Sweet Zzz Organic Bamboo Sheets have a silky feel with natural cooling properties. The fabric is beneficial for sleepers who tend to overheat or who live in hot climates.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Bamboo-derived viscose is cool and breathable
- Smooth feel reduces friction against skin
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Wrinkles may appear after cleaning
- Pocket depth limited to 15 inches
Full Details
How We Test
Our top picks for the best sateen sheets have all been vetted by our product experts. Our team members try every set that makes our top picks list to see exactly how they feel and perform. We test them in our Seattle sleep lab to determine their breathability and we analyze fabrics to understand quality and durability. Product testers also take sateen sheet sets home to try them out in a real-world setting. To learn what existing customers think of their sheet set’s longevity and comfort, we look to verified reviews.
What Are Sateen Sheets?
Sateen refers to a sheet’s specific weave, rather than the sheet’s material. Sateen sheets are most commonly made of cotton or a cotton blend material, which is often referred to as cotton sateen. However, you may also find sateen sheets made of rayon and other semi-synthetic materials. All sateen sheets have a soft, luxurious feel and tend to be more shiny and less wrinkle-prone than other sheet types. Sateen sheets come in a wide variety of colors and price-points.
Sateen and Percale Sheets, What’s the Difference?
Sateen and percale are two of the most common weaves that you’ll find in sheets. A sateen weave has a one-yarn-under, three- or four-yarns-over pattern. Percale sheets have a one-yarn-under, one-yarn-over pattern. This has an effect on both the feel and appearance of the resulting fabric.
Sateen
Sateen sheets have a silky feel and subtle sheen. They tend to feel cooler to the touch than other sheet types and are also more wrinkle-resistant. The soft, silky feel makes sateen sheets a bit more delicate, which may result in snagging or pilling more than other types of sheets.
Percale
Percale sheets have a crisp feel and matte appearance. They tend to be more durable than sateen sheets, and also more breathable. Although percale sheets often feel crisp initially, they typically soften over time from regular use and washing.
Sateen sheets are a little more prone to pilling than percale sheets are, but you can combat that issue by buying sets that feature high-quality fibers with long staple lengths.
Why Buy Sateen Sheets?
If you are looking for a soft, silky sheet set that doesn’t compromise on breathability, sateen sheets may be a good choice. The natural draping and sheen result in a polished appearance.
Pros and Cons of Sateen Sheets
Sateen sheets have a smooth, luxurious texture with subtle heft and a cozy feel. They are resistant to wrinkles and drape closely to the body. The close draping can result in some heat retention. Sateen sheets are also more prone to pilling and thus have a shorter lifespan than sheet sets with a different weave.
Pros
- Smooth, silky texture
- Wrinkle-resistant
- Drapes nicely against the body
Cons
- More likely to snag and pill than other sheet sets
- Can feel too slippery
- Sleeps warmer than percale sheets
What to Expect From Sateen Sheets
When shopping for sateen sheets, you can expect to find silky, moderately breathable sheets in a variety of thread counts and price ranges.
| Sateen Sheets Characteristics | Description |
| Feel | Sateen sheets typically have a smooth, luxurious feel with a natural drape and moderate heft. The slight sheen bears a resemblance to silk sheets. |
| Thread Count | Thread counts for sateen sheets range between 250 and 1,000, but keep in mind that higher thread counts do not necessarily reflect higher quality. |
| Breathability | Although sateen sheets have a somewhat heavier feel than some other sheets, the material of the sheet plays a significant role in overall breathability. Cotton and bamboo-derived rayon are the most common materials used in sateen sheets, and both are naturally breathable. |
| Durability | The lifespan of sateen sheets depends largely on the quality and type of material. That said, sateen sheets are more prone to pilling and snagging, which can reduce their lifespan. Proper care, such as using mild detergent, can help your sateen sheets last longer. |
| Ease of Care | Sateen sheets are often machine-washable. Many brands suggest washing sateen sheets with a mild detergent on a cool cycle and drying on a low heat setting, but it’s important to read the care instructions that come with your particular sheet set. |
| Price | Sateen sheets are sold in a wide range of price-points, making them a suitable option for many different budgets. You can expect to pay $70 to $300 for a quality set, although you may find sheets that cost well above or below this range. |
I love how luxe sateen sheets feel. They’ve got this drapey quality that feels so silky and expensive. I find that feeling holds up even if a set is priced more on the affordable side.
How are Sateen Sheets Made?
Sateen sheets are most commonly made of cotton. However, bamboo-derived lyocell and modal may also be used. A process called mercerizing softens the material and gives sateen sheets their signature sheen, while the four-over-one-under or three-over-one-under weave produces a silky feel.
Cotton Sateen
Cotton is the preferred fabric for sateen sheets due to quality, breathability, and ease of cleaning. Cotton quality depends on factors like staple length and the origin of the cotton. Longer staples generally provide a softer, more durable fabric than shorter staples.
Pima cotton, which is typically grown in Peru but is also cultivated in the U.S., is an extra-long staple cotton known for its breathability and softness. Supima is a type of pima cotton that is exclusively grown in the U.S. Egyptian cotton is another long-staple variety that many consider one of the finest types of cotton available.
- Standard Cotton: Standard cotton, also referred to as short-staple cotton, is made of staples measuring up to 1.125 inches long. Sheets made with short-staple cotton are typically less expensive and less durable than long-staple varieties.
- Long-Staple Cotton: Long-staple cotton is composed of staples between 1.125 and 1.375 inches long. It tends to produce softer and more durable fabric than short-staple cotton.
- Extra-Long Staple Cotton: Extra-long staple cotton has staples that measure longer than 1.375 inches. You’ll often find this type of cotton in luxury bedding.
Which Sateen Cotton Sheets are Best?
Due to its superior softness and durability, extra-long staple cotton is typically used to make higher-end bedding. There are three types of extra-long staple cotton: Egyptian, pima, and Supima. These sheets often carry higher price tags than sets made with short-staple cotton.
- Egyptian Cotton: In order to qualify as Egyptian cotton, sheets must be made of long-staple cotton that originated in Egypt. Since short-staple varieties may also come from Egypt, check the label to make sure the Egyptian cotton is of the long-staple variety. You can also check for certification from the Cotton Egypt Association. These sheets are typically some of the priciest sateen sheets on the market.
- Pima Cotton: Pima cotton has traditionally been made in Peru. However, it is now sourced from other areas of the world. Pima cotton sheets are soft, breathable, and durable. They often carry a higher price tag.
- Supima Cotton: Supima cotton is a type of pima cotton grown in the United States. It is a good choice for people who sleep hot and for people who need soft sheets for sensitive skin.
Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is cotton that is grown without the use of harmful chemicals, pesticides, or fungicides. In order for cotton to be considered organic, it must be farmed without the use of GMO seeds. To ensure that cotton is organically sourced, look for organic certification from a reputable organization such as the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Bamboo-Derived Fabrics
Bamboo-derived fabrics are another material commonly used in sateen sheets. Bamboo-derived sheets have a silky appearance and are typically cooler to the touch than other types of sheet material. Sateen sheets made with bamboo-derived materials tend to be a more affordable option than sateen sheets made of Egyptian cotton and other long-staple cotton varieties.
Additional Sateen Fabrics and Blends
Aside from bamboo-derived fabrics, sateen sheets can also be made from polyester, microfiber, and lyocell. Among these materials, polyester sheets tend to be the most affordable option compared to lyocell sheets, which typically come with a higher price tag. Microfiber sheets sleep warmer than other sateen options, making lyocell or bamboo-derived materials a more appealing choice for sleepers who run hot.
Last Tips for Sateen Sheets
When shopping for sateen sheets, it’s important to keep several factors in mind to ensure a sheet set matches your needs and falls within your budget.
Picking the Right Thread Count: Thread count refers to the number of threads woven into 1 square inch of fabric. Most high-quality sateen sheet thread counts are between 300 and 600. Keep in mind that higher thread count doesn’t necessarily indicate better quality or more comfort. For example, sheets with higher thread counts are sometimes thicker and less breathable. By the same token, just because a sheet set has a lower thread count doesn’t necessarily mean that the quality is inferior.
Choosing Quality Materials: The quality of the material greatly impacts how a sheet set performs, especially when it comes to breathability, softness, and durability. It helps to choose materials that are known for their higher quality, such as long-staple cotton varieties like Supima and Egyptian cotton. You can also choose sheets with certifications that guarantee certain standards were met during production. For example, GOTS certification ensures the material is organic.
Avoiding Sateen Sheets That Pill: Sateen sheets are prone to pilling, but handling them with proper care can reduce wear and tear. Many brands suggest washing sateen sheets separately from other items in order to prevent pilling. It is also beneficial to use mild detergent and set your machine to a gentle cycle.
Finding Cool Sateen Sheets: Sateen sheets made with bamboo-derived materials or lyocell typically sleep cooler than other materials. Lower thread count sheets may also sleep cooler as they tend to be more breathable than sheets with very high thread counts.
