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When you hear the words ‘thread count’, you immediately think luxury and/or better quality sheets. But that isn’t always the case. Higher thread count does not necessarily mean high quality sheets. A lot of bedding brands like to slap on a higher thread count sheets label on their sheet sets but before you go paying premium price for what could be mediocre quality sheets, let’s find out what thread count means and whether high thread count sheets are really worth it.
What does thread count mean on sheets?
When it comes to sheets and fabric, a high thread count pertains to the number of threads used per square inch of fabric. The higher the thread count of a sheet, the more threads it contains. This number is calculated by counting both the horizontal threads and vertical threads woven that make up the entirety of the fabric.
Here’s a quick tip for you: if you look at a sheet very closely, threads woven loosely together indicate a low thread count while threads that are tightly woven usually mean a higher thread count.
Every fabric in the world has a thread count but when it comes to sheets, especially good quality sheets, people have come to believe that a higher thread count means higher quality but we’re here to tell you that it’s not always true.
Does high thread count mean better sheets?
Repeat after me: a high thread count should not be the deciding factor when it comes to buying sheets.
A high thread count for sheets means nothing if the quality and material of the actual threads is not made from 100% cotton and even then, high thread count only counts (pun intended) when it comes to Egyptian cotton sheets like the Jennifer Adams sheet sets.
Egyptian cotton is more absorbent than normal cotton, making Egyptian cotton sheets more breathable and moisture-wicking than sheets made from regular cotton. Sheets made from Egyptian cotton are made using finer and longer fibers of cotton usually termed long-staple cotton, giving the sheets extra softness, durability and a silk-like feel.
Now bed sheets made from a blend of polyester and cotton (or any other kind of blended material for that matter) can also have high thread counts, but they won’t be as soft or as comfortable as ones made from 100% cotton. On the other spectrum, sheets made from bamboo like Simply Organic are also soft, comfortable and more breathable than even ones made from cotton.
These days though, because marketing terms somewhat fall on a gray area between the truth and exaggeration, even so-called luxury sheets made from Egyptian cotton can sometimes fall short when it comes to fiber quality. This is because modern Egyptian cotton quality standards have fallen slightly due to a number of reasons such as farming practices and sourcing. But that’s not to say premium quality Egyptian cotton isn’t there, they just aren’t as widely available as they were before. Before buying, always make sure the brand you buy from is transparent about their sources.
Another thing to look out for is the type of weave. You’ve probably heard the terms sateen sheets and percale sheets. Percale sheets, which have a thread count that ranges from 200-300, feature a plain weave and often have lower thread counts whereas sateen sheets feature a satin weave and often have thread counts ranging from 300-500. Sateen is also a more durable fabric than percale. A sateen weave is also much more wrinkle-resistant.
What thread count is good?
This is where it gets interesting. From all the sheets we’ve tested, we have found that the best thread count vary in range from 300-500. They are soft, more durable and very breathable. Thread counts that go above 1000 aren’t necessarily the best, although they could be and anything above 1500 is just highway robbery.
Again, the type of fabric (and high quality yarns), fiber content and construction is much more important when it comes to buying good quality sheet sets.
The best thread count is the one that makes you feel more comfortable as well as the one that suits your budget the most. But, we won’t stop you if you want to spring for high thread counts that go above 1000.
Does thread count matter?
The short answer is no. These days, thread count really does not matter. A high listed thread count slapped onto a sheet set should not command a higher price tag but the material its made from – such as long staple cottons – should.
In fact, we have found some lower thread count sheets to be just as good (if not better) than those with higher thread counts.
Quality vs quantity
As the old adage goes, always go for quality over quantity.
These days, excess is not something to be celebrated and that goes for thread count as well. As we’ve mentioned, the materials the fabric is made from is what truly counts. A lower quality sheet set can have high thread counts while others can have lower thread counts but are made from the highest quality yarns.
FAQs
A thread count ranging from 300-500 is best when it comes to buying new sheets as long as you can be sure that the material the sheets are made from is premium quality such as 100% pure Egyptian cotton.
A 1500 thread count sheet set is good only if they are made from 100% premium quality cotton and are not blended with other materials. Fewer threads does not necessarily mean bad quality.
Sheets that have a 1000 thread count can be good only if they are made from 100% premium quality cotton such as long staple cotton or Egyptian cotton.
A 500 thread count may seem low but it often is the sweet spot when it comes to higher thread count sheets, especially if the fabric is made up of pure, organic cotton sourced from the Nile. American sourced, good quality cotton can also produce amazing sheet sets that have a smooth feel even with a lower thread count.
These days, higher thread counts are not really worth the high price tag. Other factors should be considered such as material, sourcing and comfortability.
Conclusion
In this day and age, paying for high thread count sheets just means paying for marketing jargon. You would be better off buying sheets with a thread count that ranges from 300-500, as long as you can be certain that the fabric is made up of 100% pure organic cotton, whether Egyptian or not.
Next step: Read our Aeptom sheets review. If you’re looking for high-thread count organic cotton sheets, then Aeptom is a brand you should seriously consider. We tested them out and came up with a list of pros and cons so you can make your own decision.
Psst… the sleep review industry is full of liars, sharks, and thieves. It’s a modern-day version of getting ripped off at your local mattress store. So, why should you trust us?