The Best Egyptian Cotton Sheets of 2023 to Elevate Your Bedroom

Sleep is a luxury and a necessity for keeping your home in order. And much like a well-deserved spa day or precious moment of slowing down in your busy schedule, when you hear the words "Egyptian cotton," you know to expect high-quality sleep. But how exactly does Egyptian cotton differ from other kinds of sheets? From percale sheets to bamboo sheets, there are so many blends and fabrics to elevate your bedscape. If you're wondering what makes Egyptian sheets the best choice for a blissful night of sleep, you're in the right place! We spoke to experts to learn just what makes this material so special—and what to look out for when you're buying bedding made from it. Read on for everything you need to know about Egyptian cotton.

The Best Egyptian Cotton Sheets:

Where does Egyptian cotton come from?

“The best Egyptian cotton is planted in the north, around the city of Damietta, with the area offering the most favorable factors of soil, humidity, and temperature," Darwish continues.

But just because a product reads "Egyptian cotton" on the label doesn't necessarily mean it's high-quality— or even long-fibered. In recent years, cotton farmers have struggled economically and there have been countless reports of "supplementing" good Egyptian cotton with lesser varieties.

How can you tell if cotton is high-quality?

To ensure good quality, look out for labels mentioning long-staple Egyptian or long-staple Pima and Supima cotton (the latter two are not Egyptian, but also high-quality long-fiber cotton). If you are lucky enough to buy your cotton in Egypt itself, look for labels listing Giza 45, Giza 87, and Giza 92, advises Darwish.

Shop Long-Staple Pima and Supima Sheets

Supima Sheet Set + Duvet Cover

$90 at Casper

Credit: Casper

Threadmill Home Linen 100% Supima Cotton Sheets

$43 at Amazon

Sferra Pima Stripe Sheet Set

Now 25% Off

$191 at Neiman Marcus

Luxury Hotel Supima Cotton Sheet Set

$120 at Dillard's

What does thread count have to do with it?

Okay, so you know what type of cotton you want—now what about the count? This too needs to be taken with a pinch of salt, as thread count can be inflated depending on what you count as a thread. Generally, a thread count between 400 and 700 is considered high quality for bed linens. Obviously, the higher the better, but double-check if the manufacturer is trustworthy when a label suggests a thread count of 1,000.

The History

Cotton has been cultivated for more than 5,000 years; it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that farmers moved away from manual picking and plowing to mechanical farming methods. There are some 50-odd species of cotton of the Gossypium genus, and you can find cotton plants in North and South America, Asia, and Africa. Some 90 percent of the world’s cotton consists of a type known as upland cotton. Its distinctive feature is that it is made up of relatively short fibers. This short-fibred cotton makes up the vast majority (95 percent!) of the cotton grown in the US.

What makes Egyptian cotton different?

Egyptian cotton, on the other hand, consists of extra-long fibers, which are smaller in diameter, yet much stronger than other types of cotton, making textiles made from it not only softer but also more durable. Over the years, these fibers have been optimized for the best cloth.

"The best type of Egyptian cotton is extra-long stable cotton, made from hybrid Egyptian cotton, finessed over the years by taking the best characteristics from each one," explains Ziad Darwish, Vice President of Darwish Cotton, based in Alexandria.

Shop the Best Egyptian Cotton Sheets

THREAD SPREAD Pure Egyptian Bed Sheets Set

Now 17% Off

$79 at Amazon

Pinzon Egyptian Cotton Sateen Duvet

$67 at Amazon

Matouk Maryam Egyptian Cotton Sheet

Now 60% Off

$130 at Nordstrom

Legends Hotel™ Hewett Egyptian Cotton Set

Now 74% Off

$89 at The Company Store

CHATEAU HOME COLLECTION Egyptian Cotton Sheet Set

$100 at Amazon

Anything else to know?

Apart from the type of cotton and the thread count, you'll also want to consider the weave. The most commonly encountered types of weaving in cotton bedsheets are percale (an up-and-under weave which leaves the sheets feeling cool and crisp against the skin), satin (a warp-faced technique that results in smooth and silky sheets), and Sateen (similar to Satin in the silky and smooth feel, but overall heavier and warmer).

There's so more to Egyptian cotton than a simple label, but once you know what to keep an eye on, you'll be a pro at selecting the best.

Follow House Beautiful on Instagram.