7 Best Egyptian Cotton Sheets 2023, Tested by Experts

May 08, 2024

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Crisp percale and smooth sateen picks that look and feel great.

Since you spend so much time in bed, it's worth it to curate the best bedding for a lavish and restful space, and there's nothing better than a set of high-quality sheets. Egyptian cotton sheets are considered especially luxe because the fibers are long and uniform and, as a result, more durable and smoother than conventional cotton.

Remember: Just because sheets are made with Egyptian cotton doesn't guarantee that they're high quality, and we recommend considering other specifications like fabric construction before buying. In addition, it can be difficult to prove if sheets are truly made with "Egyptian" cotton, as there's a history of some brands marketing their cotton as Egyptian cotton when it's actually not. Still, if you prefer to shop for Egyptian cotton sheets, we've tested hundreds of sheet sets over the years in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab for properties like pilling, strength and washability, including both high-end and value picks made of Egyptian cotton.

We also share sheets with consumer testers who are able to try them out on their own beds and provide us with real-user feedback. In recent years of sheets testing, we've accumulated more than 13,000 data points for analysis, including hundreds specific to Egyptian cotton sheets, and the following picks have performed well in our Lab evaluations.

Keep reading to learn more about Egyptian cotton and for a helpful sheet shopping guide, but first, here are our favorite picks for Egyptian cotton sheets.

Softest Sheets | Best Cooling Sheets | | Best Microfiber Sheets | Best Percale Sheets | Best Sateen Sheets | Best Silk Sheets | Best Flannel Sheets | Best Sheets on Amazon | Best Cotton Sheets | Best Organic Sheets | Best Hotel Sheets | Best Linen Sheets

Made of smooth, high-quality sateen fabric, these sheets from Silk & Snow will add a luxe feel to your bedroom, and they're available for great value. You can opt to purchase a matching duvet cover, additional pillowcases or shams, as well. And according to the brand, the bedding is certified by the Cotton Egypt Association, which ensures the Egyptian cotton is genuine.

When we put these sheets to the test in our Textiles Lab, we were impressed by how well they performed across our testing categories. The durable material aced our strength tests and resisted pilling, and it barely shrank in the wash after we laundered it according to its care label. Plus, our consumer testers loved them, sharing that the sheets have a luxurious sheen, fresh look and very soft feel. Although our testers had no complaints when laundering, we found that the sheets did wrinkle more in the wash than other sheet sets we evaluated in the Lab.

These smooth sateen sheets cost less than half the price of many of our other picks and are still made of 100% Egyptian cotton. They're available in 13 colors including solids and striped damasks, so there's bound to be a hue to match your room. However, the sizing is limited in some colors, and the sheets aren't offered in twin sizing.

When our consumer testers tried the sheets on their own beds, they expressed that the sheets feel much softer and look nicer than other styles they've tried at a similar price point. They were also impressed by the fit of the deep-pocket sheets, adding that they fit securely and stayed in place once on. Some testers thought the sheets were a little stiff at first but shared that they grew softer with each wash. According to testers, the sheets also held up well in the wash without major changes in appearance or shrinkage, and we found the same to be true in our Lab evaluations.

Nearly 6,000 Amazon reviewers have given these sheets a five-star review, and they're priced at under $70 — a total steal. The brand claims that the Egyptian cotton sheets have deep pockets, but some online reviewers say the sheets are shallower than expected and slip off of their thicker mattresses. Available in eight sizes and more than 30 colors and prints, there's bound to be a combination that works for you and your space.

We haven't put these sheets to the test yet, but online reviewers are impressed by them. A few buyers even describe them as the best sheets they've ever purchased. The brand claims that the sheets remain at a comfortable temperature throughout the night, and reviewers seem to agree, explaining that the sheets are neither stuffy nor too cool to the touch. Online reviewers share that the sheets perform well in the wash, and some reviewers remarked that the sheets have held up to several years of use and regular laundering.

Crisp yet airy, these percale sheets from Crane & Canopy are ideal for someone looking for a hotel experience at home. Just like the sheets at your favorite resort, they're made with long-staple cotton for a super smooth feel, and they're bright white for a traditional hotel look. You can even have the bedding monogrammed to add a more personal touch. If you tend to skip a top sheet or need an extra pillowcase or two, the brand allows you to purchase each piece separately, but buying the complete set is a better value.

Our consumer testers were blown away by how soft the sheets felt right out of the package and claimed that they only felt better after laundering. Testers also remarked that the sheets stayed in place throughout the night, even when they tossed and turned in bed. In our Lab evaluations, these sheets stood out for their durability. They showed no major pilling after being rubbed repeatedly by our abrasion tester and earned top marks for fabric strength. They did shrink a bit in our wash tests though.

If you have a tall mattress or use a thick mattress topper, you made need deep-pocket sheets, and these sheets from Pure Purima are designed to fit depths of up to 18 inches. The percale material has a sophisticated matte look and crisp feel. Unlike many other sheets labeled as "Egyptian" cotton, Pure Purima's sheets are DNA-tested, which means you can rest assured knowing that the sheets are labeled as accurately as possible.

Our testers enjoyed the brand's sheets, describing them as "comfortable, beautiful and generously sized." They highlighted the oversized top sheet, which drapes nicely over the bed and appreciated the elastic bands in the corners of the sheets that keep them securely in place on the bed. One tester shared that the sheets were a little rough upon first use but grew softer with each wash. Although the sheets were favored by testers, when we evaluated them in Lab, they didn't perform as well as others we assessed with just average scores in our durability and washability tests.

Snowe's cotton percale sheets are a great option for sweaty sleepers since the sheets are breathable and lightweight. The brand claims that they are designed to fit mattresses up to 17 inches tall. Snowe also offers shams, duvet covers and pillowcases to purchase separately if you want to completely deck out your bed in coordinating bedding.

These sheets performed well in Textiles Lab tests for durability, receiving high scores for strength and top marks for pilling resistance. When consumer testers felt these sheets in a blind test, many described them as "crisp" and "light," but some thought the sheets were a bit too crisp. If you prefer a softer and smoother sheet, percale may feel too rough for your taste.

These splurge-worthy sheets from Parachute are made with a smooth sateen fabric that looks great on your bed. The high-quality sheets have a subtle luster, and the pillowcases feature an envelope closure for an elevated look. If you're worried about committing to a pricier set of sheets like these, you can order sample swatches to check out the material before buying. Plus, Parachute offers a 60-day return policy, so you have time to try the bedding before committing. And if you'd like to save upfront, you can skip the top sheet for a set that includes just a fitted sheet and two pillowcases for a lower price tag.

In a blind comparison, our testers rated this pick higher for softness than sateen sheets from other popular brands. When we put the material to the test in our Lab, it received high scores in pilling resistance after being rubbed repeatedly against itself in our abrasion machine. The sheets did shrink some during our washability tests and came out of the dryer wrinklier than other sheets we evaluated.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, we rigorously test all kinds of sheets, including those made with Egyptian cotton. We also share sheets with consumer testers who try the sheets on their own beds before providing us with their real-world feedback. In recent years, we've evaluated more than 275 different sets of sheets, collecting over 13,000 data points for analysis. Here's what we consider when we test sheets in our Lab:

✔️ Washability: Each sheet is washed multiple times according to its care label, and we evaluate shrinkage and appearance after laundering.

✔️ Wrinkle resistance: Immediately after the sheets are done drying, we assess them in a specialized light room to visually measure any wrinkles or creases.

✔️ Dimensional stability: We use a standardized tool to measure any shrinkage or growth that occurred to each fitted sheet after the initial wash and then again after multiple launderings.

✔️ Fabric strength: Our specialized Instron machine tests the tensile strength of each sheet by pulling apart a prepared fabric sample to measure the force required to break the fabric.

✔️ Pilling resistance: We use a Martindale abrasion machine to rub fabric swatches together, which mimics the effect of a sleeper tossing and turning at night and the regular wear and tear that sheets face. Then we visually score any pilling according to industry standards.

✔️ Softness testing: We invite dozens of testers to feel and rate each sheet in a blind comparison. The sheets are compared to other sheets of similar fabrication — e.g. sateen sheets, linen sheets and lyocell sheets.

✔️ Sleep tests: We share sheet sets with our panel of consumer testers, and after trying the sheets out on their own beds for several weeks, we ask the testers to score properties like ease of making the bed, overall comfort, temperature regulation, appearance and more. Along with scoring the sheets, testers are able to provide open-ended feedback about their experiences.

When you're shopping for a set of Egyptian cotton sheets, here are a few things to keep in mind:

✔️ Fabric construction: How a fabric is built plays a big role in how the sheets feel and perform. Most Egyptian cotton sheets are made with percale or sateen construction. You'll typically be able to find the fabric construction in online product descriptions or listed on product packaging.

✔️ Thread count: Thread count is a measurement of the total number of threads in a square inch of fabric and isn't quite as important as fabric construction or fiber type when shopping for sheets. It doesn't necessarily equate to a higher quality sheet, but a higher thread count fabric is made with finer fibers, which allows for a tighter weave. The finer fibers are typically smooth and durable, which can result in an overall more luxurious feel, but a higher thread count can also lessen the breathability of the fabric and may feel heavy. It's also important to note that thread count is really only ever valid for 100% cotton fabrics. We find that cotton sheets in the 300 to 500 thread count range offer the ideal balance of durability and softness.

✔️ Care: The majority of sheets are machine washable, but some require special care like a delicate wash cycle or cold water. It's always helpful to check the care instructions before buying, which are usually located on the care label or in the product description online. Sheets get the cleanest in warm or hot water, so it's best to choose sheets that can withstand a higher temperature.

✔️ Price: Egyptian cotton sheets are luxurious, but they don't have to cost a fortune. According to our research, most quality Egyptian cotton sheet sets range between $100 and $200, but there are some picks both above and below that price range depending on what you're looking for; more luxurious sheets cost more, while basics are more affordable.

You can also consider shopping for your sheets during holiday weekends, which coincide with sales in the bedding industry. Labor Day, Black Friday, President's Day and Memorial Day are all great times to buy. If you're really looking to save, some brands offer sets of Egyptian sheets without the top sheet (a fitted sheet and two pillowcases or shams) for a better value.

There are many different species or types of cotton all with their own unique properties, and Egyptian cotton is considered one of the more luxurious species. Egyptian cotton is a long- or extra-long-staple (ELS) cotton fiber, so the fibers are fine, long, smooth and durable. As the name implies, Egyptian cotton is grown in Egypt, which possesses the ideal climate to grow such high-quality cotton. Other conventional cotton species like Upland are shorter and less uniform, resulting in an overall rougher feel and less durable fiber. Pima cotton is another long-staple cotton fiber that possesses properties similar to Egyptian cotton but is primarily grown in the United States.

Proceed with caution when shopping for Egyptian cotton sheets because it can be difficult to prove if a brand is actually using Egyptian cotton. There have been instances where brands advertise 100% Egyptian cotton but use other cotton types, synthetic fibers or fiber blends instead. As a result, some brands have started DNA testing their cotton and consulting third parties to verify its origins in order to ease doubts. We recommend looking for a certification that says the sheets have been tested and are validated to be Egyptian cotton, but this still isn't completely foolproof. There have been some cases where even certified Egyptian cotton isn't the real deal.

Amanda Constantine joined the Good Housekeeping Institute in 2022 as a Home & Apparel Reviews Analyst. She has tested and evaluated bedding of all kinds, including silk sheets, affordable mattresses, duvets and comforters. She also conducted sheets testing for Good Housekeeping's 2023 Best Bedding Awards. For this article, she reviewed sheet testing data for relevant information and researched popular Egyptian cotton sheets from well-known, high-performing brands.

Amanda (she/her) researches and reports on products in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, ranging from clothing and accessories to home furnishings. She holds undergraduate degrees in apparel merchandising and product development and advertising and marketing communications, as well as a master of science degree in consumer sciences from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, Amanda was a lecturer for the fashion and retail studies program at Ohio State, where she taught fashion and textiles courses.

18 Best Hanging Egg Chairs

9 Best Mattress Toppers for Back Pain 2023

Best Sheets You Can Buy on Amazon

The 22 Best Nightstands of 2023

9 Best Luxury Mattresses 2023

Our Expert Review of the Allswell Mattress

Behr's 2024 Paint Color of the Year Is Here!

11 Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers 2023

The Best Bedding to Buy in 2023

14 Best Mattresses

8 Best Donut Pillows of 2023

5 Best Humidifiers, According to Experts