We found sets starting at $63—plus, here is how to spot a fake.
We all know the value of a good night’s sleep, and the bedding you choose can make a big difference. Once you get the right mattress, I suggest investing in at least one set of luxury sheets to keep you comfortable and cool—and for my money, you can't do better than a set of 100 percent Egyptian cotton sheets.
Egyptian cotton is any variety of long, extra-fine cotton fibers grown in Egypt’s Nile River Valley…and nowhere else. It’s often used in luxury bedding because the long, thin fibers make it very soft, breathable, and extremely durable, resistant to stretching out of shape, shedding, or pilling. The quality of Egyptian cotton is well-regulated and, most importantly, trademarked. Wondering why Egyptian cotton is the style our editors keep turning to—and where to start your search? I’ve culled a list of the best Egyptian cotton sheets on the market right now, including several picks that House Beautiful editors have tested themselves.
Certification: Authentic sheets will have the Egyptian Cotton™ trademark issued by the Cotton Egypt Association (CEA). It lets you know that the sheets have been analyzed to ensure the fibers used are 100 percent Egyptian cotton from the Nile River Valley, not a blend. It's worth noting that the sheets must be manufactured in Egypt; any brand in any country can apply for certification as long as the fibers are grown in Egypt’s Nile River Valley.
Giza Cotton: Giza is a variety of long-staple cotton grown in Egypt’s Nile River Valley, so if your sheets say “Giza” instead, you’re in the clear (as long as they still have the CEA’s trademark). You’ll often see a number on the label associated with each type. The most commonly used are Giza 93, 92, and 86, and refer to the year that the particular strain of Giza cotton was hybridized. Giza 45 accounts for only 0.5 percent of all Egyptian cotton, making it the rarest and most expensive. It's the longest of the Giza fibers, exceptionally fine, and is always picked by hand—and there's a set of Giza 45 sheets on this list. You may also see Giza simply called "Giza LS" (for long-staple) or "Giza ELS" (extra-long-staple), but brands will always highlight it when they're using Giza 45.
The Weave: Sateen and percale are the most common weaves used in luxury bedding, but you can find twill and even jersey knits with Egyptian cotton. Percale is a basic weave (one thread over, one thread under) that gives sheets a crisp, hotel-bed appeal. Sateen is a smoother weave (three threads over, one thread under) and can feel slightly heavier, but with a silky-soft surface that drapes well.
Thread Count: This refers to the number of threads within one square inch of fabric. Weaves with lower numbers generally allow more airflow and are breathable, while higher numbers tend to be heavier and warmer. However, a higher thread count does not equal a higher quality sheet (some manufacturers will use cheap, multi-ply threads to inflate the thread count without increasing quality), so it's important to only compare thread counts on products with a similar weave. We suggest making a purchase decision based on the type of weave that works for you, instead.
Misleading Claims: If you want true 100 percent Egyptian cotton sheets, keep an eye out for descriptions that over-promise without the CEA certification. Sheets with a blend of fibers is a red flag, telling you that they’re not 100 percent anything. Sheets boasting “long-staple cotton” aren’t necessarily Egyptian, as these fibers can be grown elsewhere—popular Pima and Supima sheets are made with long-staple cotton from Peru, Australia, and the United States, for example. Also, phrases like “luxury,” “hotel-quality," or even “Egyptian cotton feel” sound nice, but do nothing to prove that the fibers have the CEA’s trademark.
Best Deal
Parachute’s Venice set has a sateen weave, which gives it a silky, hotel-quality weight without being too shiny—making it a best-of-both-worlds pick. “I got these when I first moved to New York almost seven years ago, and I have not noticed a difference in the quality after hundreds of washes," Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner says.
This set comes with a fitted sheet, two pillowcases, and even a duvet cover. There’s no flat sheet included, but you can buy it separately. Parachute recommends washing in cold water on the delicate cycle without fabric softener, then tumble dry on low with wool dryer balls.
You don't have to splurge to get 100 percent Egyptian cotton sheets; California Design Den’s sateen sheets ring up at under $100 for a queen set.
The sateen weave gives them a bit of a sheen, and the brand claims that they'll get softer with every wash. While Amazon reviewers say the sheets feel soft and silky, they also note that they lose a bit of their sheen after laundering.
The set comes with a flat sheet, two pillow cases with envelope closures, and a fitted sheet. The fitted sheet on the full-size fits mattresses up to 15 inches deep, but the queen and king sizes will work with 16-inch mattresses.
They’re also quite affordable, starting at just $80 and only $100 for a California king set, but note that twin sizes aren’t available. I like this set as a quality introduction to Egyptian cotton sheets that won't break the bank.
Spotted: This set of certified, 100 percent Egyptian cotton sheets for under $80. Threadmill’s sheets come in nine colors and patterns, with a sateen weave that has a subtle shine. What sets these sheets apart? They have a low thread count of 400, making them lighter and more breathable, likely contributing to their lower price point.
In this set, you’ll get a flat sheet, a fitted sheet that fits 16-inch deep mattresses, and two standard pillowcases. Amazon reviewers agree that the sheets are soft and cool, but note that they wrinkle easily.
I like that there’s a twin XL size available, which isn't always the case. Buy two for your split-king mattress, or treat a dorm-dwelling student to a bit of luxury.
When we learned that budget-friendly Quince was selling Giza cotton sheets, we knew we had to put them to the test.
“These sheets are incredibly soft against the skin, which is extra important to me as someone with eczema,” Cherner said, adding, “When I say that these are the softest sheets I've ever tested, I am not exaggerating.” She also liked the silky-smooth, luxe look of the sateen weave.
You can buy the set with or without a top sheet; otherwise, you’ll get a fitted sheet that fits a 16-inch mattress and two pillowcases. Our editor recommends washing them on warm, tumble dry on low, and folding them fresh out of the dryer to help minimize wrinkles.
This Quince set is an excellent introduction to Egyptian cotton sheets…or as our editor said in her review, “to get a five-star sleep at under $150 is kind of a dream come true.”
If you're willing to splurge for top-of-the-line luxury, Matouk’s Milano Hemstitch is one of the highest-quality and most expensive Egyptian cotton sheets on this list. (Hint: It's the go-to bedding brand for several five-star hotels across the country.) Each piece is sold individually, so you can choose to upgrade just a single fitted sheet—or spring for a flat sheet, pillowcases, and a duvet separately.
Matouk manufactures its sheets with certified Egyptian cotton in the USA; this pick features Milano 600-thread count, indicating a dense weave with a premium feel. Each piece has a subtle hemstitch on all sides, and in true luxury fashion, you can add a monogram for an extra $32.
You’ll get that crisp, hotel-style feel with limited shine with this pick. It's considered a mid-weight sheet, suitable for year-round use. Choose from 11 colors, which Matouk says are treated to be fade-resistant.
If you want extra-thick sheets without spending a fortune, Joss & Main’s sateen-weave Simba set is the way to go.
Typically, when you see a very high thread count, the sheets are made with shorter, multi-strand fibers—but these sheets have the CEA trademark, so you know you’re getting luxurious, long-staple cotton. Add a typically denser sateen weave, and the result is a sheet that keeps you warm while also feeling soft against your skin. These would be ideal for cold-weather months, or even guest room sheets that won’t need replacing for a while (but note that twin sizes aren’t available).
Wayfair customers say the sheets may feel somewhat rough at first, but that they quickly soften with every wash. I like that the fitted sheet has an elastic band all the way around, and can stretch to fit mattresses up to 18 inches deep, too.
Pure Parima doesn’t specify exactly which type of Giza Egyptian cotton it uses in this set of sheets, but they do note that it uses extra-long-staple fibers. I own a set of these sheets and can vouch for how incredibly soft they are, even with a percale weave, which is known for being crisper. They definitely have percale’s cooling effect, which is something I appreciate as a hot sleeper.
Over time, these sheets have become softer, but I haven’t detected any shrinking. Customers say the sheet feels larger than it should, and I would agree. I have a king-sized bed, and these sheets drape all the way to the floor. It doesn’t bother me, but it’s something to consider if you don’t like the look.
Otherwise, I appreciate that the fitted sheet has a deep, 18-inch pocket with extra elastic corners to keep it from slipping.
Hot sleepers, these might be the best Egyptian cotton sheets for you. They have a sateen weave, so you’ll get a smooth-silky feel, but the thread count is the lowest on this list at 300.
Cotton does a good job of absorbing moisture, and when sheets have an extra-low thread count like this, they allow more airflow, which helps keep you dry and cool. Add a soft drape, and these sheets are my top pick for warmer climates.
The fibers are grown in Egypt, but the craftsmanship comes straight out of a long tradition in Portugal. The facilities used for Silk & Snow's spinning, dyeing, cutting, and sewing processes are dedicated to eco-friendly standards (like air and wastewater emissions), and several of them are family-owned businesses, according to Silk & Snow.
Best of all, they're quite affordable, starting at just $120, and you can get them in twin, twin XL, and California king sizes.
Of all the Egyptian cotton sheets on my list, only this one is actually made in Egypt. The Giza cotton in this set's sateen weave has been combed for extra softness, which removes shorter fibers and helps resist pilling—so if you’re looking for luxury sheets you can still use every day, these are a good choice.
The set comes with a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases. Each piece features a delicate embroidered feather detail, which is available in four colors (though the sheets themselves are only available in white). You can also get these monogrammed.
As with most sateen sheets, wrinkling can be an issue, but folding them while they’re still warm from the dryer can help.
Giza 45 is the rarest of all the Egyptian cotton fibers. It’s also the thinnest compared to other Giza fibers, and it’s always hand-harvested. Called “The Queen of the Nile,” sheets made with Giza 45 are a luxury in every sense of the word.
Sferra doesn’t sell sheets as a set, so you can build your bedding collection by selecting the pieces that suit you best. This set has a crisp percale weave, so it’s light and breathable with a smooth matte look. Giza 45’s extra long fibers are what make the sheet feel soft and give them a nice drape.
I’m a shopping editor who spends hours poring over the claims that brands make about their products, comparing them to customer reviews and our own testing results. For Egyptian cotton sheets where authenticity matters, I did the research to confirm you’re getting what you pay for and included sets our editors have tried and recommended.
I also have five beds in my busy home and know the pain of wasting money on sheets that stretch out of shape, pill, fade, and need replacing in a few short years. My advice? The cost of a quality pair of Egyptian cotton sheets is worth it, considering how comfortable and durable they are. I’m longing for those Sferra Giza 45 sheets (despite the fact that a set costs more than my first car), but the rest of my picks prove that you don’t have to spend a small fortune for true luxury.
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