Percale V Sateen

  • Percale’s one-over-one weave forms a tightly structured sheet with numerous yarn intersections, keeping yarns securely in place. This structure makes percale stiffer and non-clingy. With just 180 threads per inch, percale sheets have more fabric gaps, improving airflow so they feel cooler. From humanity’s oldest weaves, percale sheets can go to 300 yarns per square inch.

  • Sateen features a four-over-one-under weave, where each yarn crosses over four others before going under one anchoring yarn. The lack of yarn intersections makes for a loose structure that gives it a flowing, drapier feel. This structure also packs more yarns into the inch, producing thread counts from 350 up to a very dense 1,200 per square inch. Popular with sheets since 1980.

When choosing between percale and sateen sheets, consider the following:

Percale V Knit

  • Percale’s tight one-over-one weave creates a crisp, structured fabric with fewer touchpoints between you and your sheets, enhancing airflow and keeping them cool and non-clingy. The tight structured weave increases durability but highlights creases, especially after washing. Normally made from 100% cotton, less expensive polyester/cotton blends reduce cotton’s wrinkling and further increase durability.

  • Knitted jersey sheets use a looped, interlocking pattern of yarns that curve and interlace, resulting in a snug fabric that moves with your body. Lower end versions are lighter and more breathable, while the higher end provides a thicker, softer feel. While knitted Jersey sheets resist wrinkles, they are susceptible to overstretching and also wear out faster.

When choosing between percale and knit sheets, consider the following:

  • Budget

    Knit sheets are more affordable when the fibers (cotton, polyester, etc.) are the same.

  • Feel

    Knitted sheets are flexible and cozy like a t-shirt. Percale sheets are non-stretchy and crisp like a dress shirt.

  • Temperature

    Knit sheets feel warmer because their thicker, denser fabric retains heat, while their stretchiness increases body adherence, reducing airflow and trapping heat against your skin

  • Breathability

    Knit’s looped structure enhances breathability, allowing humidity and moisture to escape

  • Lightness

    Despite the perception that percale is lighter, both have a similar weight when made from the same fibers (cotton, polyester, etc.).

  • Texture

    Knitted sheets have a subtle raised grain or ribbed texture, whereas percale features a smooth, firmer matte finish

  • Softness

    The relaxed feel of jersey knit sheets makes them softer compared to percale sheets, which tend to be stiffer, particularly when new

  • Durability

    Percale sheets are more durable, resisting pilling and maintaining their texture, while knitted sheets overstretch, pill in high-use areas, and wear out faster.

Percale V Flannel

  • Percale’s tight one-over-one weave forms a highly structured sheet, making percale crisp, cool and non-clingy. Percale sheets typically have a thread count between 200 and 350, which refers to the number of threads per square inch. Usually made from 100% cotton, less expensive polyester/cotton blends reduce cotton’s wrinkling. Percale sheets provide a tailored look with excellent durability.

  • Flannel sheets also use a one-over-one weave but with thicker yarns. Napping procedures pull fibers from the base, giving flannel its plush, fuzzy texture that traps heat. Quality is measured by weight (4.5 to 6 oz. per sq. yd.), not thread count. While cotton flannel shrinks and pills, pre-shrinkage and shearing help minimize these. Microfiber alternatives are cheaper and pill-resistant but clingy and environmentally harsh.

When choosing between percale and flannel sheets, consider the following:

  • Budget

    Flannel is more affordable but luxury versions rival the cost of mid-tier percale sheets

  • Feel

    Flannel is a thick and plush fabric, while percale is lightweight and crisp

  • Temperature

    Flannel sheets are warm and insulating

  • Breathability

    Percale sheets are cool and ventilating

  • Lightness

    Flannel weighs 4.5 to 6 oz. per square yard while percale weighs 2.5 to 4 oz.

  • Texture

    Flannel sheets are soft and fuzzy, while percale sheets have a fine-grain texture

  • Softness

    Flannel’s napping provides instant softness but pills over time, while percale’s smooth texture softens with repeated laundering

  • Durability

    Flannel sheets lose their plush feel over time and need replacing every 4-5 years. Percale sheets can last 25 years or longer with proper care

Flannel V Sateen

  • Flannel’s one-over-one weave forms a sturdy base for the intense brushing process that creates its fuzzy, heat-trapping surface. It lacks a thread count due to its thick yarns, with quality measured by weight (4.5 to 6 ounces per square yard). Typically made from absorbent cotton, microfiber alternatives are cheaper and don’t pill, but are clingy and environmentally hazardous.

  • Sateen’s four-over-one-under weave, where each yarn crosses over four others before going under one anchoring yarn, creates a loose structure that packs more yarns into each square inch. This dense weave gives sateen its warmth. While it isn’t brushed and lacks the cozy, fuzzy surface of flannel, sateen pills less and offers greater durability.

When choosing between flannel and sateen sheets, consider the following:

  • Budget

    Flannel sheets are significantly more affordable than sateen, which costs more due to its tighter weave and finer, pricier yarns.

  • Feel

    Sateen has thinner yarns and a denser weave, while flannel is thicker and bulkier due to its brushed texture, which makes it feel warmer and more substantial.
    Due to its thicker, brushed yarns flannel feels substantial and warm with a soft, fuzzy texture. Sateen, with thinner yarns and a denser weave, feels smooth more flowing or drapy.

  • Temperature

    Flannel’s fuzzy surface is designed to trap heat. Sateen’s dense weave provides some insulation but is not as effective

  • Breathability

    Sateen sheets are less breathable. The tight weave traps moisture, while the looser flannel weave allows it to escape

  • Lightness

    Sateen is lighter by 10-15%.

  • Texture

    Flannel sheets have a soft, fuzzy texture from their brushed surface, while sateen sheets feature a smooth, silky surface with a sleek finish.

  • Softness

    Both develop uncomfortable pills (tangled fiber balls) after repeated use. Sateen’s finer yarns create smaller pills and are therefore less noticeable.

  • Durability

    Sateen is longer-lasting and more durable. Flannel wears out sooner, making it practical to replace every 4-5 years due to its affordability.

Flannel V Knit

  • Flannel’s one-over-one weave creates a sturdy base fabric, essential for withstanding the brushing process that gives flannel its plush surface, specifically designed to trap heat. Usually made with moisture-wicking cotton, which pulls humidity and perspiration away from your body to the outer surface for evaporation. Flannel sheets typically range from 150 to 200 GSM. The main complaint about all-cotton flannel sheets is that their plush surface forms pills (tangled fiber clusters). Microfiber flannel sheets don’t pill and are cheaper but are clingy and environmentally very hazardous.

  • Knitted Jersey Jersey knit sheets use the same loose construction as t-shirts. Naturally stretchy, they hug and adjust to movements of your body. Despite the snug fit that usually limits airflow, the open-looped structure makes for good breathability. Yet knit sheets can become damp if they’re not made from cotton but instead from nylon and/or polyester, neither of which are moisture-wicking. Jersey knit sheets range from 120 to 180 GSM, with higher GSM indicating thicker, denser and more expensive sheets. They pill less than flannel however jersey's elasticity can cause them to lose shape.

When choosing between flannel and knit sheets, consider the following:

  • Budget

    Knit sheets are more affordable when the fibers (cotton, polyester, etc.) are the same.

  • Feel

    Flannel has a solid, non-stretch base fabric, making it less clingy than more flexible jersey knit sheets.

  • Temperature

    Flannel sheets provide greater warmth and insulation.

  • Breathability

    Knitted sheets offer better airflow. Flannel sheets are designed to trap body heat.

  • Lightness

    Despite the perception that jersey knit is much lighter, both weigh about the same.

  • Texture

    Flannel has a prominent plush surface. Knitted sheets are mildly nubby but smoother overall.

  • Softness

    Flannel and jersey knit sheets are similarly soft but the distinct textures cause a noticeable difference when touched.

  • Durability

    Flannel sheets tend to wear out faster due to the brushed surface breaking down with frequent washing, especially if they are lower quality.