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Sateen sheets are known for their cooling, smooth feel that makes for a cozier bedtime. Defined by their four-over-one-under weave, the best sateen sheets should be both soft and durable, with temperature-regulating properties that translate into a better night’s sleep. After consulting experts and evaluating some of the top brands, we crowned our top pick: The Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set, made from high-quality cotton that delivers a soft, cooling feel with just the right level of thickness. The best sateen sheets are made from high-quality cotton and offer a buttery smooth feel. ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTOS: RETAILERS Dr. Karen K. Leonas, professor of textile sciences at North Carolina State University, describes sateen as a variation of the satin weave, which are both characterized by having floats—"when a yarn in one direction goes over four or more yarns in the other direction." These floats create a smooth, reflective and lustrous surface, helping sateen feel cooler than other weaves and making it a great choice for hot sleepers. Read on for our top picks of the best sateen sheets. Our Top Recommendations Best Sateen Sheets Overall: Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set (Queen) Best Value Sateen Sheets: California Design Den Sheets (Queen) Best Splurge Sateen Sheets: Lands' End Sateen Bed Sheet Set (Queen) Best Organic Sateen Sheets: Avocado Organic Cotton Sheets (Queen) Best Egyptian Cotton Sateen Sheets: Peacock Alley Emily Egyptian Cotton Sheet Set (Queen) Best Wrinkle-Free Sateen Sheets: Garnet Hill Solid Wrinkle-Resistant Sateen Sheets (Queen) Best Deep-Pocket Sateen Sheets: Company Store Supima Cotton Sateen Sheet Set (Deep-Pocket Queen) Best Sateen Sheets Overall Luxuriously Soft Sheets With A Variety Of Color Options Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set (Queen) Thread count: 480 | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king | Colors: 19 Oeko-Tex-certified materials “Long” and “short” side tags Several colors and patterns to choose from Fitted sheets have weaker elastic A top pick on the Brooklinen site, this sheet set has earned a 4.5-star rating from over 23,000 shoppers—and they’re a Forbes Vetted editor favorite. “These sheets are my go-to set in the summer because they’re so light and breathable, and they’ve only gotten softer over time," says mattress and sleep editor McKenzie Dillon. Other owners also praise their cooling, buttery feel and long-term durability. This set is made from 100% long-staple cotton, which Leonas commends for its supreme softness and strength qualities. The materials are also Oeko-Tex certified, meaning they’ve been tested for harmful substances and meet strict safety standards—helping you sleep with greater peace of mind. A sheet set includes a flat and fitted sheet and two pillowcases (aside from the twin sets, which only include one). The sheets feature “long” and “short” label tags on the appropriate sides so that making the bed is more convenient, and the pillowcases feature envelope closures to keep them in place. One common downside reported from owners, though, is that the elastic on the fitted sheet is weak, so it’s prone to coming unattached from the bed corners throughout the night. Best Value Sateen Sheets Cooling Comfort For Less Than $50 California Design Den Sheets (Queen) Thread count: 400 | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king | Colors: 39 All-around elastic corners Oeko-Tex-certified cotton Independently tested for thread count Not as thick or soft as other options Enjoying the buttery feel of sateen sheets doesn’t have to require paying a steep price. These sateen sheets are made from 100% long-staple cotton that’s been Oeko-Tex certified and independently tested for meeting all performance parameters. According to Leonas, it’s common for brands to mislabel thread counts, so you can take comfort in knowing this sheet set has been confirmed with a 400-thread count weave. This set is available in a wide range of options to suit different mattress sizes. It also comes in different bundles, including queen and king six-piece sets with four pillowcases. And you have a dynamic array of colors to choose from. Some owners have reported that these sheets aren’t as thick as expected, and they not be as soft as other sateen options. But for the price, they still earn generally favorable reviews across the board. Best Splurge Sateen Sheets Wrinkle-Free And Made From American Pima Cotton Lands' End Sateen Bed Sheet Set (Queen) Thread count: 400 | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king | Colors: 12 100% Supima cotton Treated with no-wrinkle finish Option to add monogram Weak elastic corners For an ultra luxurious experience that mirrors a hotel bed, these Lands’ End Sateen Sheets go above and beyond. They’re crafted from 100% American-grown Supima cotton, which is known for its durability and supreme softness, thanks to its extra-long staple fibers. It results in an ultra indulgent feel that gets softer with every wash. This set features deep, 18-inch corners that keep the fitted sheet in place for a variety of mattress types, and satin-stitched embroidery for an elevated appearance. The sheets are also treated with a no-wrinkle finish for a smooth feel right out of the dryer. Plus, there’s an option to include monogramming on the top sheet for an additional cost. Most reviewers praise these sheets for their soft, luxurious feel that’s breathable and doesn’t pill, even after several washes. The main downside is the weak elastic, which many claim does not keep the fitted sheet in place. Best Organic Sateen Sheets High-Quality Indian Cotton Available In Two Thread Count Options Avocado Green Avocado Organic Cotton Sheets (Queen) Thread count: 400 or 600 | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king | Colors: Natural, white, grey, seafoam green 100-night trial and one-year warranty GOTS-certified cotton; made with sustainability in mind Choose between a crisp or thicker feel Sizes and colors regularly go out of stock Sleepers who prefer organic bedding may appreciate the Avocado organic cotton sheets. Made from GOTS-certified organic cotton sourced from India, these sheets have a smooth, satiny feel that’s crisp and breathable. There are two thread counts to choose from: the 400 single-ply delivers a crisp, cooling feel, while the 600 two-ply is thicker and more luxurious. There’s also a deep-pocket sheet set option, for anyone looking to fit a taller mattress or a bed with a mattress topper. If you’re not sure which variety to opt for, Avocado offers a 100-night trial so you can test the sheets to ensure they’re the right fit for you. There’s also a one-year warranty that comes with every purchase. The downside is the brand only offers four neutral colors to choose from, so aesthetic options are limited—and they’re not all always in stock. Best Egyptian Cotton Sateen Sheets Luxurious Comfort That's Built To Last Peacock Alley Peacock Alley Emily Egyptian Cotton Sheet Set (Queen) Thread count: 500 | Sizes: Queen, king | Colors: White Certified-genuine Egyptian cotton Fits mattresses up to 17 inches deep Option to add monogram Most limited size and color choices on our list Egyptian cotton has a luxurious reputation, and for good reason. It’s a descriptor of the cotton variety’s fiber length, which in this case is on the longer end of the spectrum. Leonas describes Egyptian cotton as “known for being extra long and commonly used in fine fabrics, as [it] also has great softness and strength.” This sheet set from Peacock Alley is made from 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton with a 500-thread count weave, which results in a lush, buttery feel that’s both soft and durable. These sheets have been granted the Cotton Egypt Association’s Accredited Gold Seal, verifying their certification as genuine Egyptian cotton originating from the Nile River Valley. There’s an option to include a monogram in this sheet set, but the customization options stop there. This sheet set is only available in a single white color, and in queen and king sizes only. Best Wrinkle-Free Sateen Sheets Silky And Comfortable Sheets, No Ironing Needed Garnet HIll Garnet Hill Solid Wrinkle-Resistant Sateen Sheets (Queen) Thread count: 400 | Sizes: Double, queen, king, California king | Colors: 9 Treated to stay wrinkle-free Can shop single pieces or full sheet set Oeko-Tex certified Oversized fit An ideal pick for anyone who loves the crisp look of wrinkle-free sheets but prefers low-maintenance bedding, these Garnet Hill sateen sheets feature a wrinkle-resistant treatment that take them from dryer to mattress in pristine condition. These sheets are made from 100% combed Pima cotton that’s Oek0-Tex certified and made with a 400-thread count weave. The result is a satin-like feel that’s lustrous and soft, even after machine washing them again and again. Owners praise the look and feel of these sheets right out of the dryer, claiming they don’t lose their shine over time. Keep in mind, though, several shoppers report they have an oversized fit, which can make it more difficult to make the bed. Best Deep-Pocket Sateen Sheets Designed To Fit The Thickest Mattresses And Toppers The Company Store Company Store Supima Cotton Sateen Sheet Set (Deep-Pocket Queen) Thread count: 450 | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, deep-pocket queen, deep-pocket king, deep-pocket California king | Colors: 15 20-inch deep pockets Oeko-Tex-certified Pima cotton Wrinkle-resistant fabric Deep pockets may be too deep, even for some thick mattresses If you are looking to fit your extra-thick mattress, it’s important to look for deep-pocket sheets that envelope the corners of your bed without sliding off throughout the night. The Company Store Sateen Sheet Set features deep-pocket sizes for queen, king and California king beds, which are deep enough to suit mattresses up to 20 inches thick. They also feature all-around elastic for easy placement and less shifting through the night. The sheets themselves are crafted from durable, American-grown Supima cotton that’s Oeko-Tex certified and designed to prevent wrinkles. The set comes in a spectrum of soothing colors, from blue shadow to light birch and sea mist. Just keep in mind that the extra-deep pockets in this variety could leave the fitted sheet looking baggy and not secure; be sure to double-check your mattress measurements before purchasing. MORE FROM FORBES VETTED The Best Emergency Food Supplies, With Insights From Disaster Relief Experts By Lee Cutlip An Update Turns The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Into A Professional Workhorse By Rebecca Isaacs Why Trust Forbes Vetted The mattress and sleep team at Forbes Vetted has spent countless hours researching and testing hundreds of bedding products, like cooling sheets and mattress pads, in order to help you make the most of your time in bed. The author of this article, Monica Petrucci, is a commerce writer at Forbes Vetted who covers sleep and mattress topics. She has tested and evaluated a variety of sleep products, including mattress toppers and hotel pillows. Bridget Chapman is a certified sleep science coach and the senior mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted. She oversaw and approved every product on this list. For this article, we interviewed Dr. Karen Leonas, a professor of textile sciences at North Carolina State University who has decades of experience in the industry. She explained the weave structure that defines sateen sheets and what consumers should look for when shopping for the best sets. We make sure to keep all of our content up to date with the most relevant information available. This article was last updated in September 2025. How We Chose The Best Sateen Sheets We evaluated several factors when deciding on a comprehensive list of the best sateen sheets, including fabric quality, color options and pocket depth. We gathered insight from Leonas, who informed us on the impact of cotton length on softness and strength, as well as the importance of thread count. We took several features into account when ranking the best sateen sheets, including thread count, cotton length and any quality certifications. We took customizability into account, including sheets with a variety of color, size and depth options to suit any bedroom space. We dug through consumer reviews, making sure to only include sheet sets with a rating of 4 stars or higher, and took note of any commonly reported complaints from long-term owners. What To Look For In The Best Sateen Sheets It’s tricky to make the plunge for a set of sheets you’ve never touched before, but experts say there are a few important factors to look for to help you make the best decision. Cotton Type Cotton is a common material used for sateen sheets, but not all 100% cotton sheets are made the same. It’s important to look at the fiber length of cotton used in order to determine the sheets’ quality. (This is where descriptors like Egyptian cotton, Pima cotton and extra-long staple cotton come into play.) For the highest quality in terms of softness and coolness, Leonas recommends looking for longer staple cotton fibers, including Egyptian and Pima varieties. These “have a finer feel to them that are going to be smoother, that are going to be cooler to the touch, and—because the fibers are finer—they’re going to have better drapability.” Thread Count There’s a common misconception that a higher thread count is always best. But the truth is much more nuanced than that. Firstly, a thread count number is highly dependent on the type of fabric; sateen sheets can range anywhere from a 250 to 600 thread count, while other varieties like percale may average around 200 or less. “The higher thread count indicates that they’re going to use a smaller yarn,” Leonas explains. “And smaller yarns usually feel softer and smoother to the touch,” which is the case for sateen sheets. Most people are drawn to higher thread count for durability, which Leonas says is true. “If you want longevity, for the most part, a medium to high thread count would be better than low,” she says. However, keep in mind that a higher thread count also comes with less breathability. “Lower thread count allows more airflow through,” she says. “If you perspire in the evening…then you probably want a little bit more breathability so that water will evaporate.” Finally, Leonas says to be wary of thread counts advertised by brands, as they can sometimes be misreported. Look for any third-party certifications that verify the fabric claims, especially in the case of exorbitantly high thread counts like 800 or higher. Before investing in any set of sheets, you should take note of the size and depth of your mattress. Then check how deep the fitted sheet is and how large of a mattress it can accommodate. When measuring your mattress, be sure to include any mattress topper on your bed as well to ensure the corners fully cover the edges without coming undone. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Our top pick for the best sateen sheets is the Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set, which features a long-staple cotton fabric, durable 480 thread count and variety of color options to choose from. An average thread count for sateen sheets can range anywhere from 300 to 600. Leonas recommends opting for a thread count that’s on the medium-to-high end of that range, keeping in mind that the lowest end may compromise durability, while the highest end may compromise breathability. This is highly dependent on personal preference. Sateen sheets are known for their buttery soft, shiny texture that’s cooling and luxurious. But anyone looking for more of a crisp, light feel should opt for an alternative like percale. 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