If you tend to sleep hot, a good sheet set of cooling sheets is not something you want to compromise on—since you’ll use it every night. I’ve tested hundreds of sheet sets in my career, and after extensively testing cooling sheets for Forbes Vetted, I chose Brooklinen’s Classic Percale Core Sheet Set as my top pick.
After extensive real-world testing, Brooklinen Classic Percale Core Sheets top Forbes Vetted's list ... [+]
If you’ve been searching for the best cooling sheets that are soft, light, crisp and will keep you feeling fresh, read on to find out why these sheets overtook dozens of options on the market and why they are everything you would want in a sheet set.
Brooklinen Classic Percale Core Sheet Set Features
Great Sheets For Hot Sleepers
Hot sleepers will appreciate that these sheets will help keep them cool. The percale weave is known for its open structure compared to other sheet types, like sateen. This allows heat and moisture to escape, preventing buildup underneath. In addition, the 270 thread count means the threads aren’t packed together tightly, allowing for ample airflow, which helps keep you cool.
These sheets are also great for those who live in a hot and humid climate and want to stay cool and dry. When I tested these at home, this set was one of the quickest to dry. Surprisingly, even though cotton is known to absorb and hold on to moisture, the lightweight open weave allowed the fabric to dry quickly. I’ve slept in these sheets for over a year through all seasons. However, I find myself reaching for them especially in the spring and summer because they keep me cool and dry and don’t cling to damp skin.
Comfortable And Crisp
These sheets debunk the myth that a higher thread count is always better. At first glance, the 270 thread count may make you wonder if these sheets are good quality compared to those with a higher thread count. However, the lower thread count works in their favor and is exactly what makes these sheets a refreshing sleep experience. The lower thread count results in sheets that are remarkably lightweight and incredibly breathable, ensuring you stay comfortable all night long.
Another feature that sets these sheets apart is the crisp feel, thanks to the percale weave.
While some percale sheets can feel excessively stiff and rough, or conversely lack the desired crispness, the Brooklinen sheets strike just the right balance. The Classic Percale Core set feels delightfully soft while retaining a refreshing crisp sensation. Sleeping on these sheets feels like you’re slipping into freshly ironed sheets, without the work of ironing.
Made With High-Quality Cotton
A common complaint about percale sheets is their tendency to feel stiff and scratchy, particularly when compared to sateen sheets’ smoother texture. While the nature of these sheets is that they are crisper than sateen sheets, part of the reason percale fabric gets a bad rap is low-quality cotton leads to rough sheets.
These Brooklinen sheets stood out from others because they’re crafted with long-staple cotton, praised for its high quality and unmatched softness. I have particularly sensitive skin that easily reacts to any roughness, and I can confidently vouch that these sheets consistently offer a smooth and irritation-free experience, even after undergoing multiple wash cycles.
Speaking of numerous washes, these sheets have shown no sign of wear and tear, another indicator of high-quality cotton. Long-staple cotton is known for its remarkable durability, and these sheets provide both softness and durability without compromising on either one. These sheets are a great choice for someone who loves the crispness of percale but doesn’t want to compromise on softness or quality. These sheets also top my list of the best percale sheets.
How I Tested The Brooklinen Classic Percale Core Sheet Set
I tested Brooklinen’s percale sheets as part of a cooling sheet roundup, which involved sleeping on each sheet set for at least two nights. However, I’ve owned these sheets for over a year and love them so much that I’ve slept on them just about every night over the past year (when I’m not testing other sheets).
I assessed the overall user experience and comfort, including factors like breathability, softness and if they felt cool or made me overheat. I evaluated how the sheet wicks moisture and the dry time. To test moisture-wicking, I placed a set amount of water on the sheet, measured how far the water spread and timed how long it took to dry. Since I’ve owned these sheets for so long, they’ve been washed and dried dozens of times, so I noted if there were any durability or appearance issues.
My Expertise
Over the course of my career, I’ve tested hundreds of bedding products, including all types of sheets. I’ve also tested mattress protectors, comforters and more. I’ve been working with consumer goods for over ten years and my background includes working at a home textiles company, where I developed products and ensured their quality met high standards. I also worked at Nike, leading product integrity and material development efforts. I hold degrees in both apparel and textile design and mechanical engineering.
Do The Brooklinen Classic Percale Core Sheets Wrinkle?
Yes, despite the just-ironed crisp feel, the Brooklinen percale sheets are prone to wrinkling, like many sheets. To minimize wrinkling, it’s helpful to take the sheets out of the dryer immediately and either place them directly on the bed or lay them flat, rather than crumpled in a pile, which causes more wrinkling. If it’s impractical to remove them from the dryer immediately and you find wrinkles bothersome, you may want to consider sheets labeled wrinkle-resistant.
What Is Classic Percale?
Percale sheets are one of the most timeless and traditional types of sheets, commonly found when shopping for sheets. The term “percale” refers to a specific weaving technique, which is a basic weave that creates an open grid-like structure. This is what gives the percale fabric its signature crisp feel.
