Many believe that high thread count (TC) sheets are synonymous with high quality. This can be true for some sheets. But don’t let the high numbers trick you. A high thread count sheet does not always mean that it’s top quality. What it ultimately comes down to is the fabric and its qualities. Of course there are other aspects that play into quality as well, but it all starts with the fabric. Our ultimate guide to sheets that have a high thread count has all you need to understand what’s a truly worthwhile and luxurious sheet.
Jump to
Best High Thread Count Sheets | What Are High Thread Count Sheets | Cotton Sheets And Thread Count | Do Microfiber Sheets Have A Thread Count | Thread Count of Bamboo, Eucalyptus, Linen And Silk Sheets | FAQ
Best High Thread Count Sheets
Egyptian Cotton Sheets: Single Ply with 800 Thread Count
⬇ Jump to review
Pima Cotton: Hotel Quality 800 Thread Count Sheet Set
⬇ Jump to review
Supima Cotton: Luxury Sheets With 1000 Thread Count
⬇ Jump to review
Long Staple Cotton: Combed 1000 Thread Count Cotton Sheets
⬇ Jump to review
Microfiber: Double Brushed 110 GSM Sheet Set
⬇ Jump to review
Linen: Italian Heirloom Quality 180 GSM Sheets
⬇ Jump to review
Bamboo: EcoLuxury With Soft Sustainable Sheets
⬇ Jump to review
Eucalyptus: Cooling Hypoallergenic Tencel Lyocell Sheets
⬇ Jump to review
Silk: Opulent 25 momme Mulberry Silk Sheets
⬇ Jump to review
Single Ply Egyptian Cotton Sheets with 800 Thread Count
These 100% Egyptian cotton sheets by Simply Monk have that heavy hotel quality feel. With an 800 thread count, the threads hafve a tight weave and the set feels thick. The percale weave gives the sheet a nice crispy feel. The sheet is soft and as is usual for cotton, it will get softer every time you wash it. Excellent stitching and high thread count make these sheets elegant and durable. And the sheets are made in an OEKO-TEX certified facility, so you can rest assured that harmful chemicals have not been used.
The fitted sheet has a very useful addition that makes it very easy to put the sheet on the bed. There is a helpful “foot” tag that tells you which side of the sheet should be on the bottom side of the bed. The fitted sheet fits mattresses up to 15″.
Sizes: Full, Queen, King, Cal King
From $66
Hotel Quality 800 Thread Count Pima Cotton Sheet Set
Peru Pima’s sheets are so good that they are truested by many high end hotels, like Hilton, Sheraton and Marriott. The Pima cotton comes from Peru where expert craftsmen and women source it from the cotton plants. This set has an 800 thread count and feels pleasantly heavy. Pima cotton is know for its softness and smoothness and these sheets are a great testament to the fabric. What ramps up the smoothness even more is the sateen weave. It gives the sheets an elegant sheen. The fitted sheet fits mattresses up to 15″ deep. We love that Peru Pima keeps a keen eye on keeping the manufacturing process sustainable and their sheets are OEKO TEX certified.
If you’re looking for separate pillowcases, Peru Pima has them with an 800 thread count, both in standard size and king size.
Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
From $150
Luxury Supima Cotton Sheets With 1000 Thread Count
You don’t often see Supima cotton sheets because this cotton type is very rare. The great thing about Supima cotton is that it’s a 100% guarantee that you’re getting excellent sheets. These ones by Threadmill Home Linen are 100% extra long staple Supima cotton. The 1000 thread count gives the set a heavy and thick feel. The sheets are very soft, comfortable, breathable and durable. When you first use them, the softness is not yet at its peak. But don’t worry. Cotton sheets get softer as you wash them and use them. These sheets are made in a factory that runs on solar power and are OEKO TEX certified. The fitted sheet has 17″ deep pockets.
Sizes: Full, Queen, King, Cal King
From $155
Combed Long Staple Cotton Sheets with 1000 Thread Count
This is our favorite upland cotton sheet set. Made with 1000 thread count single ply threads, the set is super soft. This cotton is actually combed cotton. The coming process eliminates low and medium length fibers. What’s left, is long staple cotton that feels oh so soft to the touch. With a sateen weave, the sheet set has a smooth feel and elegant sheen. The fitted sheet is great for mattresses up to 17″ deep. Last but not least, the manufacturing process is free from harmful chemicals and the sheets are OEKO TEX certified.
Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
From $77
Double Brushed 110 GSM Microfiber Sheet Set
Thread count is not actually an indicator for microfiber sheets. Instead, grams per square meter (GSM) is what indicates the heaviness of this fabric. These SouthShore Fine Living microfiber sheets have 110 GSM, which is on the heavier side for a microfiber sheet. In general, it’s a very lightweight fabric.
This sheet set stands out with the gorgeous color selection. Sometimes microfiber sheets come in quite tacky colors, but these ones have more sophistication. What adds to the classy look is the pleated hem design. The double brushed finishing leaves extra softness to the sheet set. With 21″ deep pockets, the fitted sheet is great for even the thickest mattresses.
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Split King, Cal King
From $33
Best Linen: Italian Heirloom Quality 180 GSM Sheets
Linen is one of the oldest fabrics and these days considered quite the luxury. These sheets Huddleson are made from 100% European linen that has true heirloom quality. The flax plants grow in France and linen comes from the mills of North Italy. The sheet itself is cut and sown in California. Linen is an excellent fabric. It’s highly breathable, moisture wicking, durable and soft. And these sheets showcase all of that. The 180 GSM weight makes the especially durable and resilient. With linen, it takes some time and washes to bring out the real softness. Luckily these sheets are prewashed, so you have a head start. The linen fabric is OEKO TEX certificied, so you can rest assured that no harmful chemicals were used in the making. The fully elasticized fitted sheet fits mattresses up to 17″.
Sizes: Full, Queen, King, Cal King
From $440
Bamboo: EcoLuxury With Soft Sustainable Sheets
This Ettitude’s eco-luxe lyocell sheet set is made from a sustainable, renewable source – bamboo. Bamboo lyocell is much more environmentally friendly than bamboo rayon or viscose method. This is because the manufacturing process does not include harmful chemicals. Ettitude takes it a step further, claiming that they use 98% less water and 44% less CO2 than conventional fabrics. It’s one of the best choices if you’re looking for a great quality sheet while caring about the environmental impact.
The set is extremely soft and smooth. It is comparable to a 1000 thread count cotton sheet set. One of the great things about bamboo is that it’s highly breathable, keeps you cool and wicks moisture very well. Much better than cotton sheets. The fitted sheet is great for mattresses up to 17″.
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
From $144
Eucalyptus: Cooling Hypoallergenic Tencel Lyocell Sheets
Eucalyptus fabric is very similar to bamboo. It’s extremely soft and smooth, breathable, cooling, and moisture wicking. It’s also sustainable and thermo-regularing like bamboo. These Tencell lyocell sheets by Ethos Natura are an excellent representation of just how great eucalyptus sheets can be. Tencel is like the gold standard for eucalyptus sheets. It certifies that the sheets are durable, high quality and that the production cycle is truly sustainable. With a 400 thread count, you can consider these sheets on the higher end of the eucalyptus sheet range. The fitted sheet fits mattresses up to 18″.
Sizes: Full, Queen, King, Cal King
From $130
Silk: Opulent 25 momme Mulberry Silk Sheets
Silk, called the queen of fabrics, is for many the epitome of luxury. These THXSILK sheets are made from top grade 6A mulberry silk from China. According to the Chinese national silk quality standards, type 6A is the highest quality raw silk. This type has long strands and is almost completely free of impurities.
Many other fabrics try to imitate the smoothness and sheen of the silk fabric, but there’s really nothing like the real thing. These sheets are extrimely soft and smooth. With 25 momme, these sheets are among the heaviest when it comes to silk. But compared to other fabrics, they still feel lightweight. One thing to keep in mind about these sheets is that they are quite slippery. So you might find your pillows or comforters have travelled around during the night. If this is not an issue for you and you’re fine with remaking the bed daily, these silk sheets will bring you the most luxurious night experience.
Sizes: Full, Queen, King, Cal King
From $630
What Are High Thread Count Sheets
High thread count sheets have a higher thread count than the average range for that fabric. If you’re not quite sure about what thread count means, it’s the number of horizontal and vertical threads in one square inch of fiber.
Each fabric has its own range of average thread count. It really depends on the qualities of the fiber.
For example, linen fibers are usually thicker than cotton fibers. So linen sheets usually have a lower thread count than cotton. For linen, the range is mostly between 80 and 120. Cotton sheets with a thinner fiber usually have a thread count in the 200 to 600 range.
Just keep in mind that a high thread count is a different range for each fabric.
Over time, high thread count has become synonymous with better quality. But this is not always true. It’s natural that we want to improve our lives and sometimes it’s as simple as thinking that more of something is better. High numbers just seem more impressive. So manufacturers have found cunning ways to inflate the thread count and are sometimes actually selling lower quality products than people expect.
Single-ply vs multi-ply
The best sheets are made from single-ply threads. This means that the thread consists of one individual ply. Some manufacturers use multi-ply threads, to artificially inflate the thread count. Meaning that each thread consists of 2 or 3 or even 4 plies. They count each ply as a thread, which enables them to inflate the true thread count.
Multi-ply threads are often made from very thin threads that are lower in quality. And what is that type of sheet like, compared to a sheet with single-ply threads? Sheets multi-ply threads are heavier, stiffer, coarse, and doesn’t breathe as well. This is not a good choice if you want to get that sweet restfull sleep throughout the night.
This is why you have to be extra careful when you see sheets with a high tread count. A 1000 thread count sheet set is not always the epitome of luxury. You need to know the fabric qualities a bit better to make a good choice.
Cotton Sheets And Thread Count
Cotton is a versatile fabric and not all cotton sheets are the same. With this fabric, it’s important to know the length of the cotton fibers that are used in the sheet. The length of the fiber is also called staple and for a good quality durable sheet, keep an eye out for either long or extra-long staple cotton.
Long and extra-long staple cotton feels much softer to the skin and is less prone to pilling and tearing.
There are 3 main types of cotton that are used in bedding. These are Egyptian cotton, Pima and Supima cotton, and American Upland cotton. We will take a brief look at all of them soon.
The best high thread count sheets cotton sheets are usually in the 500-800 thread count range. So a high thread count cotton sheet is one that starts from around 800 thread count. But that’s also where you have to pay close attention to the threads. Are they single or multi-ply threads?
With high thread count sheets, you unfortunately often find multi-ply threads. But if you look hard enough, and we have, you can also find some good ones in the mix.
Egyptian cotton
This cotton type is considered to be the highest quality cotton available. What makes Egyptian cotton stand out among the rest of the cotton crowd is the the extra-long or long fibers.
It’s difficult to find authentic Egyptian cotton sheets these days. An Egyptian cotton sheet used to mean that the sheet is made from extra-long fiber cotton that is wholly sourced from Egypt. Nothing more added. However now the same label is used for sheets that don’t come from Egypt. Or do come from Egypt, but are made with medium staple cotton. You have to know what to look for to find authentic Egyptian cotton sheets.
Pima Cotton And Supima Cotton
Pima cotton is considered almost as good as Egyptian cotton on the luxury scale. Although some people even prefer it over Egyptian cotton.
Both of these cottons actually come from the same plant gossypium barbadense, so they are similar in many ways. The main difference is that Pima cotton grows in mostly Peru, the US and Australia. Pima cotton sheets have long or extra-long fibers. They feel really soft against the skin, are durable and resist pilling and tearing.
Supima cotton is Pima cotton that grows exclusively in the USA. Supima is actually a portmanteau of superior and pima. Less than 1% of the cotton sheets in the world are made from Supima cotton, so these trademark sheets are hard to come by.
Genuine good quality Pima cotton and Supima cotton sheets don’t have a very high thread count. A sheet with a 600 thread count is already a member of the high thread count sheets club. You might come across a significantly higher thread counts. In those cases, you need to take a closer look to see how authentic the sheet actually is.
American Upland Cotton
American Upland cotton is the most common type of cotton. Whenever you see a sheet where the cotton type is not specified, it’s probably made from upland cotton. An estimated 90% of all cotton sheets are made from this cotton type.
Upland cotton comes from the gossypium hirsutum plant. This plant can produce fibers of any length: short, medium, long or even extra-long staple cotton. The short and medium staple cotton produces sheets that are lower quality. If you want a durable good quality sheet, you should go for long or extra-long staple upland cotton.
Even though it is not considered as high quality as Egyptian cotton or Pima cotton, it is still a nicely breathable fabric that absorbs moisture, keeps you cool, and becomes softer the more you wash it. With Upland cotton, high thread count sheets are in the 800 to 1000 thread count range. But as always, check whether the sheet is single or multi-ply.
Do Microfiber Sheets Have A Thread Count?
Microfiber is a man-made fabric, not a natural one like cotton or linen. Microfiber sheets do not have a thread count.
Instead, microfiber sheets are measured with grams per square meter (GSM), which thickness or weight of the microfiber.
These synthetic sheets are usually quite light. The GSM of a microfiber sheet is generally between 55 and 120. So when it comes to microfiber sheets, we can talk about high GSM, instead of high thread count. But just as with thread count, a higher number does not necessarily mean higher quality here either.
Not many people know about GSM and sellers are very much aware of this. That’s why you see so many microfiber sheet sets with a description that includes a really high number, from 1000 running up to 1800.
These big numbers are usually just that – big numbers. They don’t mean much, apart from a series number. But they do grab our attention very quickly, because we keep looking for numbers and bigger automatically seems better.
In reality, these big numbers are usually just a marketing trick. Some sellers also mention that their sheet quality is equal to that of a 1800 thread count cotton sheet. But this is also questionable. It’s physically impossible to have a genuine long or extra-long staple single ply cotton sheet with 1800 thread count. So you’re better off staying away from these kinds of sheets.
While microfiber is a fabric that does have its pluses, we in general suggest buying a natural fabric instead, as it’s usually better for the body and the environment.
Thread Count of Bamboo, Eucalyptus, Linen And Silk Sheets
Thread count is first and foremost used as an indicator for cotton sheets. When it comes to other fabrics, things get a bit trickier. Some of them don’t even have a thread count. And for others a high thread count means something much different than for cotton sheets.
Linen
Linen is a great natural fabric that breathes well, is durable, and is good at wicking moisture. Thread count is not really an indicator that best describes linen. Some manufacturers do use it and it normally ranges from around 80 to 200. But for linen it’s more common to see grams per square meter or GSM, which measures the weight of 1 square meter of fabric. You can read more about linen and find our favorite linen sheets here.
Bamboo
Bamboo and eucalyptus sheets are excellent at wicking moisture, they breathe well and keep you cool throughout the night, plus they’re soft and smooth. That’s a lot of goodness in one sheet and there’s much more to know about these sheets.
But how about the thread count of bamboo sheets? They do have a thread count, but it’s not as helpful in deciding how good the sheet is. The best range is between 250 and 400.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus sheets are similar to bamboo sheets. They are smooth and cool to the touch, they wick moisture very well and are great for hot climates. Eucalyptus is a slightly more sustainable fabric than bamboo. The thread count range is the same as bamboo, between 250 and 400.
Silk
Silk sheets do not have a thread count, instead the Japanese weight measurement called momme (mm) represents the quality of a silk sheet. Momme weight is expressed in pounds and it is the weight of a piece of silk that is 100 yards long and 45 inches wide. The higher the momme, the better the quality of the sheet. Decent quality silk sheets start with 12 momme and 25 momme is the true epitome of luxury.
FAQ
Is 1500 thread count good for sheets?
1500 thread count is a suspiciously high one for sheets. It’s not possible to produce authentic single-ply cotton sheets with such a high thread count. In reality, the manufacturer is likely using multi-ply threads of lower quality and artificially inflating the thread count this way. Don’t fall for this trick. If you want a high thread count cotton sheet, look for 800 or max 1000. But be sure that the sheet is made from single-ply threads in this case.
What is the best thread count for high sheets?
The thread count for a high quality sheet depends on the fabric.
- Cotton sheets have a high thread count in the range of 500 and 800. Whenever you see a 1000 thread count cotton product, always check whether it’s made from single-ply cotton, not multi-ply cotton.
- For bamboo and eucalyptus sheets, the range is between 250 and 400.
- Linen has a high thread count between 140 and 200.
Is 2000 thread count good?
If you see a cotton sheet with a 2000 thread count, we suggest you walk away from it. There is physically no way to fit that many threads into the sheet. What you’re most likely dealing with there, is artificially increased thread count that is actually a lower quality product.
Is 850 thread count good?
850 is a good thread count if you’re looking for a thicker and heavier cotton sheet. Just make sure to check what kind of plies the sheet has. Single-ply sheets are higher quality than multi-ply ones.
What thread count is luxurious?
A specific thread count itself doesn’t mean luxury. Instead, it’s the quality fo the fabric that matters. For cotton sheets, make sure that the sheet has long or extra long staple cotton fibers. Once you have made that clear, go for a sateen weave in the 500-800 range. This will give you a soft, smooth, durable and breathable cotton sheet.
Is 600 thread count better than 800?
600 thread count is sometimes better than 800 indeed. With 600 tc the sheet will be slightly lighter and more breathable than an 800 one. An 800 tc sheet is on the heavier side and will keep you warner during the night. You should also carefully check what type of plies the 800 tc sheet has – are they single or multi-ply yarns? Single-ply yarns are higher quality. Stay clear from multi-ply yarns though, as they usually result in a lower quality product.
How many thread count is Egyptian cotton?
For Egyptian cotton sheets, a good classic range is 300-400 thread count. If you’re looking for softer and smoother sheets, you can even go higher, up to 800. But be careful when reaching those high thread counts, as manufacturers often artificially inflate the number, while the sheets are actually lower quality. The key is to check that they use single-ply yarns in their product.
What type of sheets do luxury hotels use?
Luxury hotels often use one of 2 types of bedding. The first and more luxurious option is an extra long staple 100% Egyptian cotton set, with a 300 to 400 thread count. Egyptian cotton is perhaps the most luxurious cotton type, due to its softness. Cotton breathes very well and is good at wicking moisture. The 300-400 thread count allows the bedding to breathe well, allowing you to sleep comfortably through the night.
The second type that luxury hotels use is a cotton blend, with 300 to 400 thread count. Because cotton tends to wrinkle, some hotels opt for a blended fabri which wrinkles less and allows for smoother sheets. Usually it’s a blend of cotton and polyester, as polyester is durable and doesn’t wrinkle.
Is 100% cotton sheet good?
100% cotton sheets are most likely American upland cotton. They can be excellent sheets, as long as the cotton has long or extra long fibers. This is quite rare though. Most 100% cotton sheets are made with either short of medium staple cotton, which is less soft and more prone to pilling and tearing.