After 7 years, these are still our favorite sheets

52 Things We Love: Wirecutter picks that have withstood the test of time. Sarah MacReading Four Wirecutter writers agree: The L.L.Bean cotton percale sheets are the best. by Jackie Reeve When I first took over [our guide to cotton sheets]( in 2017, I was skeptical that the [L.L.Bean 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets]( could live up to everything the guide’s three previous writers had described. Then I began testing the sheets against popular new brands like Brooklinen and Parachute, and against tried-and-true brands from Bed Bath & Beyond and J.C. Penney. I didn’t find a single set of percale sheets that beat L.L.Bean’s for softness, construction, and breathability—even after multiple washes. I’ve lost count of how many sheets I’ve tested since then, and the Bean sheets still rise above the rest. In our nearly seven years of testing, we’ve found L.L.Bean’s percale sheets to be the best of the best. They’re cool in the summer but thicker than most percales, which makes them durable through multiple washes, blasts of high heat in the dryer, and family wear tests with my dog and my 8-year-old. They wrinkle less than most percales I’ve tested, too, so they feel softer on the skin. They are my go-to sheets most of the year, and every time my husband slides between them on a freshly made bed, he exclaims, “That’s so nice!” When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. [Learn more]( → What are percale sheets? Percale isn’t for everybody. We do hear from readers who just find these sheets to be too scratchy on their skin. In many cases, those readers prefer the satiny, smooth feel of cotton sateen sheets instead. Percale is woven in a plain weave, meaning the yarn strands have a simple over-under pattern, like the lattice on a pie crust. This pattern has room for fewer yarn strands in each square inch, so percale sheets are lighter and airier, but it also means the texture is more crisp than silky. Sateen sheets have a more-complicated weave pattern than percale, so they can pack more threads in each square inch. This makes them heavier, warmer, and softer. If you like sheets that rest on top of you, rather than those that hug every body curve, or if you’re a hot sleeper and you want something breezy, percale is the best choice. And in our nearly seven years of testing, we’ve found L.L.Bean’s percale sheets to be the best of the best. When to buy Although we used to see regular deals from L.L.Bean, we’ve seen far fewer sales this year. Otherwise, the best times to buy L.L.Bean sheets and bedding are in the spring and around Black Friday. The numbers $150 Average street price for queen set $112 Best price we’ve ever seen Make it last It’s always best to follow the care instructions on the label, and the instructions for these sheets say to wash them in warm water and to dry on low heat. But if you’re sick, or if your sheets are extra-dirty, these cotton sheets can definitely withstand the occasional hot wash and high-heat dry to disinfect them. You can use bleach, but I generally skip it because it can yellow sheets over time. And the laundry and infectious-disease experts I’ve interviewed say the best way to disinfect fabrics and destroy pathogens is with hot water and then a trip through a hot dryer, until fabrics are bone-dry. We like to test (and I personally like to buy) white sheets to avoid color fading over time or discoloration from products like benzoyl peroxide. But if you prefer sheets with color and you use strong face products, consider getting white pillowcases, and try to wash the sheets on the coldest setting possible. Copyright © 2020 Wirecutter, Inc., all rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up for Wirecutter's newsletter. [Forward this email to a friend](. [View this email in your browser](. Getting too many emails from us? [Get only our Sunday newsletter](. To stop receiving all our emails, [unsubscribe here](. Our mailing address is: Wirecutter, Inc. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018‌ [Privacy Policy]( | [Contact Us]( | [Change your email](