Egyptian cotton has garnered a reputation as being a luxurious, high-end bedding material, and understandably so. The best Egyptian cotton sheets offer durability, year-round breathability and a soft, smooth texture, making for a more lavish night’s rest. Our top pick, the Pure Parima Yalda Sheet Set, is made from extra-long staple Giza Egyptian cotton, can fit burly mattresses up to 18 inches tall and has a buttery-soft sateen weave.
Elevate the look and feel of your mattress with the best Egyptian cotton sheets.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Pure Parima
“Egyptian cotton is grown in Egypt and often associated with extra-long staple fibers,” says Dr. Jane Wood, a researcher in textile and fashion technology at The University of Manchester. She notes that the term “Egyptian cotton” can sometimes be used loosely in marketing, and suggests not paying attention to the label alone. Also take fiber length, yarn quality, weave and a fabric’s finish into consideration to determine performance. Below, see our top picks for the best Egyptian cotton sheets that cater to a range of budgets, temperatures and textures.
Materials: 100% extra-long staple Giza Egyptian cotton| Thread count: Not listed| Pocket depth: 17 inches (twin, twin XL, full); 18 inches (queen, king, Cal king, split king)| Weave type: Sateen
Best for:
Average to tall mattresses
A buttery-soft feel
Having earned a Cotton Egypt Association certification
A variety of color and sizes
Skip if:
You have a shorter mattress (sheets might be too oversized)
The Pure Parima Yalda Sheet Set uses extra-long staple Egyptian cotton (rather than just long-staple), for an even softer and stronger fabric. Its sheets are accredited by the Cotton Egyptian Association, assuring the material was grown and hand-picked in the Nile River Valley, plus they’re Oeko-Tex certified. Pure Parima offers a wide range of sizes, including twin XL to California king and split king, but keep in mind that pocket depth ranges from 17 to 18 inches depending on the sheets’ size. To ensure it stays in place, the fitted sheet has a full-length elastic band and four corner straps for increased security. Choose between 10 colors, from classic white to deep navy blue, and enjoy a double-hem stitch on the flat sheet and envelope pillowcases for an elegant touch.
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Because of their premier feel and high-quality fibers, it’s difficult to find Egyptian cotton sheets that are both inexpensive and genuine. Silk & Snow’s Egyptian Cotton Bed Sheets are considerably less than the other sheets on this list that run upwards of $200, and they meet the Cotton Egyptian Association’s stringent standards for authenticity. The sateen sheets are silky with a subtle sheen that customers report is still noticeable after multiple washes. Like our top pick, this set is Oeko-Tex certified, and the sheets are dyed in a processing facility to minimize atmospheric emissions and wastewater discharges for a cleaner footprint. The included fitted sheet has a 15-inch pocket depth, which some customers found big enough for their mattresses, while others wish the pockets were deeper.
The Emily Egyptian Cotton Sheet Set’s sateen weave lends them a soft, silky feel and slightly lustrous finish. Another set sporting the Egyptian Cotton Association’s Gold Seal, the sheets from Peakcock Alley have a 500-thread count for a denser fabric (which falls within the 300 to 600 range that Wood recommends for sateen sheets) and the slightly heavier weight creates beautiful draping. With that said, those who sleep hot may prefer a lower, lighter thread count. Made using a four-over-one-under weave, its fabric feels soft to the touch and is less prone to wrinkling, but the brand still recommends promptly removing the sheets from the dryer to limit creasing. Unfortunately, the sheets are only available in white and sizing is limited to queen and king.
If a crisp, cool sensation is what you’re after, percale sheets may be most appealing. This set from Parachute delivers on the signature percale look and feel that’s similar to freshly pressed hotel sheets. Its cool-to-the-touch profile, matte finish and the fabric’s breathability makes the set ideal for those who get hot at night. Made in Portugal using long-staple Egyptian cotton, the sheets are designed to get softer over time while still retaining their crispness. The fitted sheet’s 16-inch pocket depth should work for most standard mattresses, although you should opt for sheets with deeper pockets if your bed is taller than 15-inches. Choose from more than 10 colors and two pillowcase styles (back envelope or side-open), and Parachute offers ample time to determine if the linens are right for you with a 60-night trial.
Crane & Canopy’s Percale Cotton Sheet Set feels like slipping into premium linens at a high-end hotel. Extra-long staple Egyptian cotton ensures softer, longer-lasting sheets, and the 400-thread count means additional durability. Commerce writer Monica Petrucci has been using them for about six months and attests to their hotel-like quality. “These sheets have a lightweight, crisp feel that’s akin to luxurious hotel bedding,” says Petrucci. “I love how cool they feel, making them a great pick for summer months (or hot sleepers year round).” She adds that the sheets have only gotten softer with continued use and washing, and that they’ve held up exceptionally well so far.
Like other percale bedding, this set from Crane & Canopy wrinkles relatively easily, and the brand recommends cool ironing for an especially smooth and pressed look. While the sheets are only available in bright white, you can add a touch of color with a monogram—just keep in mind personalized items are ineligible for return.
How We Chose The Best Egyptian Cotton Sheets
To recommend the best Egyptian cotton sheets, we consulted textile experts and relied on our own expertise and testing experience. We also researched top-rated options from reputable brands and considered customer feedback.
We considered important factors like fiber length, thread count, weave type and pocket depth, along with standout features like third-party certifications and color and size options.
We researched popular Egyptian cotton sheet sets from top-rated retailers and consulted customer reviews, taking note of both positive and negative common feedback.
When applicable, we incorporated hands-on feedback from Forbes Vetted editors.
We collected expert insight from Wood and Winnie Cheung, vice president of brand development and merchandising for Madison Park.
What To Consider When Shopping For The Best Egyptian Cotton Sheets
Here are a few factors to consider when shopping for Egyptian cotton sheets.
Weave
A sheet’s weave largely dictates how it looks, feels and performs. “The two most common weaves for Egyptian cotton are percale and sateen,” says Cheung. “Percale offers a crisp, matte finish and a cool, breathable feel. Sateen has a smoother, silkier texture with a subtle luster.”
Percale uses a simple one-over-one-under weave (also known as a basket weave) that is less dense and tightly woven than the four-under-one-over weave used for sateen, allowing for more breathability.
Thread Count
Thread count refers to the number of horizontal and vertical threads in a square inch of fabric, and it’s often assumed that a higher thread count equates to a higher-quality fabric. However, Both Cheung and Wood advise against fixating on thread count alone to determine its quality, but to consider it alongside other factors like fiber quality.
For percale sheets, Wood recommends a thread count between 200 to 400, and for sateen sheets, 300 to 600. To maintain the breathability and quality of Egyptian sheets, Cheung recommends you don’t exceed a thread count of 600. “Anything above 600 often requires manufacturers to use multi-ply yarns to achieve the high count, which makes the fabric heavier and less breathable,” says Cheung.
Fiber Length
It’s important to look for Egyptian cotton sheets with long or extra-long staple fibers, as these longer fibers are what give the fabric its durability, softness and luxurious feel. These fiber descriptions, along with third-party certifications like the Cotton Egyptian Association Gold Seal, also make it easier to determine genuine Egyptian cotton from lesser quality options.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted sleep team has compiled an extensive library of sleep content to help our readers achieve better rest.
Lee Cutlip, editorial assistant at Forbes Vetted, is the author of this story. She’s covered several topics for the sleep and mattress vertical, including several bedding guides.
Overseeing this list, McKenzie Dillon is the mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted. She’s a certified sleep science coach with seven years of experience testing sleep products.
For expert insight and advice on the best Egyptian cotton sheets, we spoke with Dr. Jane Wood, a researcher in textile and fashion technology at The University of Manchester, and Winnie Cheung, vice president of brand development and merchandising for Madison Park.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is The Best Brand Of Egyptian Cotton Sheets?
While there is no one best brand, we think Pure Parima offers high-quality, genuine Egyptian cotton sheets. Its Yalda Sheet Set is made from 100% extra-long staple, Giza Egyptian cotton that meets the Cotton Egypt Association’s strict standards.
What Is The Best Thread Count For Egyptian Cotton Sheets?
It’s recommended to not exceed a 600-thread count to ensure the quality and breathability of Egyptian cotton bedding. Consider percale sheets with a thread count between 200 to 400 and sateen sheets with a thread count of 300 to 600.
Is Egyptian Cotton Or Regular Cotton Better For Sheets?
Wood says that Egyptian cotton can be better than regular cotton, but it isn’t automatically superior. “Other long-staple cottons can perform just as well, and conversely, a product labelled ‘Egyptian cotton’ isn’t guaranteed to be high quality,” he says. “Overall textile construction determines quality more than the cotton’s country of origin.”
