Cotton is by far the most popular bedding option—and for good reason. The natural textile is relatively affordable, versatile, and low-maintenance. That being said, not all cotton fabrics are created equal. If you appreciate the silky feel of satin but prefer something a bit more breathable, allow us to introduce you to sateen sheets.
Loomed from spun yarns using the same four-over, one-under weave as sateen, the material is sumptuously smooth with an oh-so-subtle sheen. Additionally, Decorist designer Casey Hardin says that "it doesn't wrinkle and crinkle as much as a looser weave."
When shopping around, think about whether you want 100 percent cotton or are open to a blend. And from a design perspective, you'll want to consider how the color and finish will complement the rest of your bedroom décor.
Ahead, the best sateen sheets currently on the market.
Best Overall
Parachute Sateen Sheet Set
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Parachute
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Material: Long-staple Egyptian cotton | Thread Count: not listed | Mattress Depth: 16 inches | Certifications: OEKO-TEX
You can pretty much always count on Parachute for high-quality bedding at reasonable price points, and the brand's sateen sheets are no exception. They're woven from 100 percent long-staple Egyptian cotton with a signature satin weave, resulting in a soft yet durable fabric that gets better with every wash.
This low-maintenance, top-tier sheet set comes in six sizes and your choice of six elegant hues. We also like that you can forgo the top sheet if you prefer to sleep with only a fitted sheet and duvet. These sheets are ethically made at a family-owned factory in northern Portugal, and they're OEKO-TEX certified, ensuring they're produced without harmful chemicals.
Price at time of publish: $169 for white full sheet set with no top sheet
Best Budget
Sonoro Kate Egyptian Cotton Sateen Sheet Set
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Amazon
Sizes: Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Material: Egyptian cotton | Thread Count: 600 | Mattress Depth: 16 inches | Certifications: OEKO-TEX
Looking for a wallet-friendly option? We recommend this 100 percent cotton set from Sonoro Kate. Loomed from extra-long-staple fibers with a 600-thread-count sateen weave, these OEKO-TEX certified sheets are delightfully smooth yet breathable with a slightly cool-to-the-touch finish. They're available in a wide range of colors, including neutral options like gray and white and bolder hues like seafoam and black—but take note that they're not available in Twin or Twin XL sizes.
Price at time of publish: $56.90 for dark grey king sheet set
Best Splurge
Snowe Sateen Sheet Set
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Snowe
Sizes: Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Material: Long-staple cotton | Thread Count: 400 | Mattress Depth: 17 inches | Certifications: OEKO-TEX
If you're open to splurging on an exceptional set of sheets, Snowe won't let you down. The brand's supple sateen bedding is crafted from 100 percent long-staple cotton with a 400 thread count to ensure breathability without sacrificing an opulent feel. They also come with a 17-inch-deep fitted sheet, which is good news for anyone with a thicker mattress. Although they aren't available in a wide range of options (right now you have three color and four size choices), they're a true luxury option that you'll appreciate for many years.
Price at time of publish: $225 for essential white full sheet set
Best Organic
Saatva Organic Sateen Sheet Set
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Saatva
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King | Material: Organic cotton | Thread Count: 300 | Mattress Depth: 16 inches | Certifications: GOTS, Fair Trade
For those who want to switch to organic bedding, we recommend this sheet set by Saatva. The sateen fabric is woven from 100 percent long-staple cotton certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). These sheets feature a 300 thread count, a number carefully chosen to ensure breathability with the tighter satin-style weave, and come in three neutral colors. There are also a wide range of sizes available, including options made specifically for adjustable mattresses.
Price at time of publish: $215 for white queen sheet set
Best Patterns
Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set
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Amazon
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Material: Long-staple cotton | Thread Count: 480 | Mattress Depth: 15 inches | Certifications: OEKO-TEX
If you want to add some fun to your bedroom, Brooklinen offers some of the best bedding patterns. Case in point: the brand's Luxe Core Sheet Set, which comes in a range of prints like Oxford stripe and windowpane, along with several solid hues. Even better? Brooklinen releases limited edition patterns and colors throughout the year, so you get even more options. Loomed from long-staple cotton and with a sateen weave, these OEKO-TEX certified sheets flaunt a slightly luminous sheen.
Price at time of publish: $159 for windowpane twin sheet set
Best Colors
Nestwell Egyptian Cotton Sateen Sheet Set
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Bed Bath and Beyond
Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Material: Egyptian cotton | Thread Count: 625 | Mattress Depth: 18 inches | Certifications: OEKO-TEX
"I love this Nestwell sateen sheet set," says Hardin. "It comes in a range of great colorways for any design style." Indeed—you get to choose from dusty mauve, icy blue, dove gray, blush, off-white, or timeless taupe with a champagne sheen, so you're guaranteed to find something you love. And thanks to the 18-inch-deep elasticized fitted sheet, you won't have to worry about it slipping off, no matter how deep your mattress is. This set is also more budget-friendly than similar options, so it's a win-win all around.
Price at time publish: $130 for bright white queen sheet set
Best Heavy
The Company Store Company Cotton Wrinkle-Free Sateen Sheet Set
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The Home Depot
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King | Material: Combed cotton | Thread Count: 300 | Mattress Depth: 16 inches | Certifications: OEKO-TEX
Designed for cold sleepers and cool nights, The Company Store's Company Cotton Sateen Sheets are warm yet breathable and buttery smooth. The 100 percent cotton fabric is gently combed to create a supremely soft feel while elevating the insulation—and it's been treated so you don't have to worry about it looking wrinkly on the bed. Even better is the fact that there are 15 color options to choose from, including caramel, sapphire, evergreen, and mulberry. You can also personalize your sheets to make them even more luxurious.
Price at time of publish: $134 for infinity blue twin XL sheet set
Best Lightweight
Morrow Organic Matte Sateen Sheet Set
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Morrow
Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Material: Organic cotton | Thread Count: Not listed | Mattress Depth: 15 inches | Certifications: OEKO-TEX
Looking for a lightweight option? You can't go wrong with Morrow's Organic Matte Sateen Sheets. These unique sheets are loomed from 100 percent organic cotton and feature a matte finish that's unusual for sateen sheets, without sacrificing the smooth texture. The laid-back yet luxurious result is airy, breathable, endlessly comfy, and oh-so-soft. There are four neutral, earthy colors to choose from: oat, blush, terracotta, and white.
Price at time of publish: $196 for blush queen sheet set
Best Sateen Blend
Kassatex Bamboo Sateen Sheet Set
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Kassatex
Sizes: Twin, Queen, King | Material: Bamboo-cotton blend | Thread Count: 300 | Mattress Depth: 15-18 inches | Certifications: Not listed
Woven from 60 percent bamboo-derived rayon and 40 percent long-staple cotton, Kassatex's Bamboo Sateen Sheets offer the best of both worlds. They have an incredibly soft and smooth feel combined with a lustrous sheen that'll give any bed a totally luxe appearance, and the bamboo makes the set more airy and breathable than regular cotton sheets. The set comes in a few pared-down colors with the option to forgo the flat sheet if you so choose.
Price at time of publish: $140 for white king sheet set with no flat sheet
Best Bamboo
Ettitude Signature Sateen Sheet Set
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Ettitude
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Material: Bamboo lyocell | Thread Count: Not listed | Mattress Depth: 17 inches | Certifications: OEKO-TEX
If you prefer 100 percent bamboo, check out Ettitude's Signature Sateen Sheet Set. The sustainable fabric is naturally cooling, hypoallergenic, breathable, and smooth as silk, making it a great option for hot sleepers or those who want to add more eco-friendly products to their home. These OEKO-TEX certified sheets are produced with much less water than their cotton counterparts, and come from a renewable resource. Plus, they're available in 11 different colors and patterns, adding a touch of style to any space.
Price at time of publish: $169 for white twin sheet set
Best Wrinkle-Resistant
Lands' End 400 Thread Count Premium Supima Cotton No Iron Sateen Bed Sheet Set
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Lands' End
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King | Material: Supima cotton | Thread Count: 400 | Mattress Depth: 18 inches | Certifications: Not listed
Woven from American-grown Supima cotton with a satin-style weave and a thread count of 400, Lands' End's No Iron Sheets boast a high-quality design and a buttery-smooth feel. The cotton fibers are pre-treated to ensure a wrinkle-free finish—the brand says you can count on a pressed appearance out of the dryer for up to 30 launderings. Plus, with 11 colors to choose from and a budget-friendly price, you can easily buy sets for every room in your home.
Price at time of publish: $199.95 for soft sea green full sheet set
Final Verdict
The best option overall is Parachute's Sateen Sheet Set (view at Parachute), which is woven from long-staple Egyptian cotton and boasts a smooth, durable finish that gets better with every wash. For something a bit more affordable, go with the Sonoro Kate Egyptian Cotton Sateen Sheets (view at Amazon), which flaunt a 600-thread-count weave and a breathable, cooling finish.
What to Look for in Sateen Sheets
Weave
Similar to satin fabrics, sateen sheets are created using a specific weave style that features a four-over, one-under thread pattern. Unlike looser square weaves (one-over, one-under), this gives it that drapey, silk-like finish and a subtle sheen.
"If you like absolute silence when you sleep, a more tightly-woven sheet [such as sateen] is going to be your best option," says Hardin. "If you are a hot sleeper, make sure to select sheets that are not tightly woven so that they allow more airflow."
Fiber Material
Sateen sheets are typically made of 100 percent cotton. Higher-end options are often woven from Egyptian cotton or otherwise long- or extra-long-staple cotton fibers. You'll find some blended fabrics as well, which might include cotton along with bamboo-derived rayon. There are even some sateen sheets made from plant-based materials like bamboo, which allow for more breathability and are typically made with more sustainable methods.
Thread Count
While thread count can provide some clarity on the feel of your sheets, it's not a good measurement of quality. Thread count refers to the number of threads woven together in one square inch of fabric, and a normal range falls somewhere between 200-500. Anything above 500 means you're dealing with multi-ply threads (which are lower quality compared to single-ply) or gimmicky marketing tactics. Plus, many retailers don't list thread count at all, and some materials (like bamboo and linen) can't really measure thread count anyway. So, it's fine to take note of the thread count, but don't let a lower thread count deter you from buying sheets you otherwise love.
FAQs
What's the difference between sateen and percale?
Sateen is loomed with a distinct four-threads-over, one-thread-under weave. Conversely, percale features a traditional square weave pattern (one-thread-over, one-thread-under).
"Percale sheets are more lightweight, cool, and airy since they are not as tightly woven," says Hardin. "They are great if you're a hot sleeper. Sateen sheets, on the other hand, have a tighter weave, which equates to a heavier and more luxurious feel."
How should you clean sateen sheets?
While it's important to follow the manufacturer's care instructions, sateen sheets are generally low-maintenance. You should be able to wash them in a standard washing machine with warm or cool water and tumble-dry them on low heat. If you want to be extra careful, run them on a gentle washing cycle and hang them to dry.
Are sateen sheets cooling?
The silky finish of sateen can provide a cooling sensation. However, while the fabric is breathable and generally suitable for year-round use, it's not quite as airy as square-weave textiles like percale and linen.
"Because it's more tightly woven, it sleeps much warmer than percale," says Hardin. "It's a great sheet to use in the winter!"
Why Trust MyDomaine?
Theresa Holland is a freelance copywriter specializing in textiles and home design. For this story, she spoke to an interior designer, who provided product suggestions and insight into the weave, finish, and style of sateen sheets. The final products selected were ultimately of high quality, made of natural fibers, long-lasting, and suitable for year-round use. She has personally tried bedding from Parachute, Brooklinen, Saatva, The Company Store, Nestwell, and Saatva.