Best Thread Count Sheets To Buy _TOP_
If you're shopping for new sheets, you'll see a variety of terms used that may be unfamiliar to you. A popular quality rating is thread count, which refers to the density of threads used in a square inch of fabric.
best thread count sheets to buy
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It is calculated by adding together the numbers of lengthwise (warp) and widthwise (weft) threads within a certain area. For example, a cotton sheet with 100 warp threads and 100 weft threads in each square inch of fabric would have a listed thread count of 200.
Thread count is used as a rough indicator of the softness and feel of a fabric. It's also used heavily in marketing to imply that a specific product is of a higher quality than competing sheets. While this is all true to a certain extent, thread count is far from the only consideration when it comes to the overall quality of a set of sheets.
When thinking about the best thread count for sheets, it's important to remember an age-old saying: Quality over quantity. The quality of the yarns or threads used is often more important than the quantity of threads, or thread count.
Quality, comfortable sheets can be found with thread counts ranging from 200 to 800 and beyond. There's no magic number that is the perfect thread count. That being said, there are generally acceptable ranges for various kinds of quality sheets.
Of course, remember that thread count is not an end-all, be-all measurement. The quality of the yarns, the manufacturer's production process, the weave type, and many other factors all contribute to the performance of a set of bed sheets.
For best results, look for sheets from a trusted manufacturer. Read bed sheet reviews, research material quality, and consider thread count as just one of the many factors to keep in mind. If you're looking for quality sheets, check out our bed sheet buying guide for our own recommended products.
Sheets with a higher thread count are generally more expensive, and are marketed as being higher quality. As we've discussed, however, a higher thread count can be an indication of higher quality, but that's not necessarily the case.
It is true that a sheet set with a thread count of 400 will usually feel better than a comparable set with a thread count of 200. However, that's assuming that the quality of yarns used, the craftsmanship, and the weave are all the same for both sheet sets.
Excessively high thread counts (600-800) likely won't change much beyond the price tag. Very high thread counts are typically very similar in terms of feel and performance to high-quality fabrics with lower counts. Trying to pack too many threads into a fabric can sometimes stifle airflow, resulting in a heavier, warmer feel.
Shoppers should be wary of extremely high thread counts, such as 900 or more. Often, this is an indication of low-quality sheets, as the manufacturer is likely using some sort of trick to disguise the true quality of the product.
One common tactic to artificially inflate the thread count is to use double- or triple-ply threads, which are usually of a lower quality. As each thread technically has two or three fibers, they are counted two or three times when it comes to the thread count. This could result in a sheet set with a thread count of 900 that's actually of a lower quality than a similar set with a thread count of just 300.
We spoke with five experts for this piece, and they all agreed that thread counts are an important indicator of quality sheets, but that you should be suspicious of numbers that are too high or too low. Manufacturers calculate thread count by adding up the vertical warp and horizontal weft yarns in a square inch of fabric. This is what the weave looks like for percale sheets (made with a plain weave) and sateen sheets (made with a satin weave):
Preethi Gopinath, director of the Textiles MFA program at Parsons and one of the writers of our cotton sheets guide, and Shannon Maher, chairperson and assistant professor of the Home Products Development department at the Fashion Institute of Technology, both weighed in on the best thread counts for each weave:
Higher-thread-count sheets are made with finer (thinner) yarns. The more yarns that fit into a square inch, the smoother, denser, and more durable the fabric. Fine yarn is also more expensive to produce, thus resulting in pricier sheets (and why densely woven sateen is more expensive than percale). Cheap sheets are made with thicker yarns, resulting in lower thread counts and a rougher feel.
Who woulda thought that the least expensive sheets would end up having one of the highest thread counts? Made from Egyptian cotton, these are one of the highest-rated sheets on Amazon. Not only are they soft, but they also have that crisp hotel feel. I promise ya, you'll feel like you paid a whole lot more than you actually did.
Some of the best sheets are made of long-staple cotton, whether it's Egyptian cotton, Turkish cotton, or Supima cotton. Since the individual plant fibers are long, fewer are needed in the weaving process, resulting in fewer frayed fiber ends. This helps the textile last longer and even get softer with time. Bed linens featuring a sateen or percale weave are also considered high-quality. Beyond that, pay attention to the brand's manufacturing process, supply chain, and whether the product holds any certifications.
While there's no "magic number" to achieve the perfect thread count, as Decorist designer Katy Byrne noted, you should aim for at least 300. Typically between 300 and 800 is usually the sweet spot. Just keep in mind some high-quality bedding materials, such as linen and bamboo, have much lower counts simply because the raw plant fibers are thicker.
While thread count is useful to gauge quality, there are more elements to determine if sheets are worth the buy. As you shop, you will come across several types of bed sheets, each with a different weave, staple length, and thread count.
Multi-ply sheets are prone to breakage because manufacturers use low-quality fibers to squeeze in as much thread per square inch as possible. Single-ply fabrics, while they have a lower thread count than multi-ply fabrics, often have high-quality materials and last longer. The ideal thread count for soft and durable bed sheets is actually between 300 and 500.
Our Tencel sheets have a 310-thread count for a breathable, luxurious weave. Our bamboo sheets have a slightly lower thread count of 240 thanks to the long-staple fibers we use, providing durability without relying on excessive material.
Back to basics: what even is thread count? Thread count literally refers to the count, or number, of threads in a square inch of fabric. This number is calculated by adding together the number of threads going horizontally (the weft) and vertically (the warp) in a square inch of woven fabric.
When it comes to the number of threads in the weft and warp, they can be the same or different. For example, a 500-thread count sheet could have 250 threads in the warp and 250 in the weft. Or, you could have 200 threads in the warp and 300 in the weft and the thread count would still be 500.
Synthetic materials like polyester will rarely feel as soft or as high-quality as cotton, even if the thread count is higher. And rougher textiles like wool will always feel scratchy, even if the thread count is super high.
Some manufacturers will twist two or more thin threads together before weaving, allowing them to double-count those threads. For example, a 200-thread count sheet woven with double threads could be listed as 400-thread count.
However, having a higher thread count can create a softer, more buttery feel. Again, crazy high thread counts are likely deceptive, but thread counts in the 200 to 600 range will generally have a softer feel than sheets with lower thread counts.
See this picture? High thread count sheet sets are REALLY just sheets made with cheap multi-ply yarns. They do a little magic marketing math, and BOOM! Before you know it, you have a 200 thread count sheet set being sold as a 600 thread count sheet set.
We have been made to believe higher the thread count, the better the sheets. So, many consumers try and pick out a high thread count duvet cover, regardless of price, because they want the best quality.
If keeping cool is your priority, look for low thread count sheets in the range of 180 to 280. This way, you can be sure your bedding is soft and built to last while also allowing for steady airflow while you sleep.
Choosing a set of breathable sheets that helps to regulate your temperature will ultimately come down to personal preference but understanding how sheet construction, design, and fabric work in tandem will guide you toward the best choice for yourself.
But that's not necessarily the case because of the way some brands count yarns. Plus, not all types of sheets use thread count as a designator of quality. Manufacturers of cotton sheets list the thread count, but you won't always find a number for linen sheets, for example. Here's what you need to know about sheet thread counts.
The woven pattern also factors into the thread count. For percale sheets, the pattern alternates with a thread going over then under, over then under. In a sateen weave, threads skip over three or four yarns, then go under one. The result is a denser, smoother fabric than a light and crisp percale.
Not necessarily. "You see sometimes sheets advertised for ungodly numbers of high thread counts, and you think, 'How can they possibly fit 600 threads into this little bit of sheet?'" said Fran Kozen, senior lecturer and director of undergraduate studies at Cornell's Department of Human Centered Design.
A manufacturer could use a double-ply yarn and have 100 yarns going in the weft and warp directions but count it as a 400-thread-count sheet instead of 200. "So when you see something that says it's a 600-thread-count sheet, my suspicion is that they're counting plies because I can't really see that you could fit 300 yards in it per inch," said Kozen. 041b061a72