L.L.Bean Percale Sheets review: I've tested 19 sheets sets, and this one is the softest I've ever slept on

When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

• I love percale sheets because they're light, crisp, and soft.
• I've tested 19 sheet sets (and counting), and L.L.Bean's percale sheets are hands down the best.
• Made from smooth and durable pima cotton, they're the most comfortable sheets I've tried.

I've tested numerous sheet sets for our guide to the best sheets. In my opinion, the softest, most comfortable, and most durable sheets are easily L.L.Bean's Pima Cotton Percale Sheets. 

Trendy, direct-to-consumer brands often rely on glitzy photos of beautifully made beds to attract attention. L.L.Bean stands out by quietly mastering the fundamentals: simple design and high-quality materials. Read on for more about why I think these sheets are the best option for most people.

Materials

Pima cotton is an extra-long-staple cotton. The yarns are smoother, stronger, and more resistant to abrasion than long-staple and short-staple cotton, according to Karen Leonas, a professor of textile sciences at the Wilson College of Textiles, NC State University. This is why L.L.Bean's sheets feel so good, despite the low thread count. When it comes to cotton sheets, material matters the most.

"When finding sheets that will last and provide comfort and a relaxing night's sleep, take a look at the material first and thread count second," Ave Bradley, senior vice president of design and creative director at Kimpton Hotels, told Insider Reviews. That's why the L.L.Bean sheets are still so soft and comfortable: They have a low thread count, but they're made from long-lasting, high-quality cotton.

Weave is also important. The pima cotton in the L.L.Bean sheets are a percale weave. This refers to a specific type of weave in which one cotton thread is woven over another into a tight grid pattern. The result is an airy, breathable fabric with a matte, crisp feel. Percale differs from sateen, another popular kind of cotton weave in which three or four threads are woven over one thread into a looser grid pattern. Sateen is silkier and shinier, and it has more of a tendency to snag.

Comfort and durability

I could immediately tell the difference in just my first few nights of sleeping in the L.L.Bean sheets, and they continued to feel super soft through many more nights of sleep and many more washes. After nine months, they have yet to tear, develop holes, or pill.

In addition to being soft, they feel cool — resulting in a pleasant silky smooth effect — and don't trap heat. Unlike sateen-weave sheets, which have a luxurious silky feel but tend to trap heat, the L.L.Bean percale sheets are breathable and airy. They're perfect for people who sleep hot or for warm summer nights. I could sleep in them year-round since I love to stay cool at night.

Design

The sheets aren't particularly exciting in terms of color options (there are nine, including blush, yellow, light blue, and gray) or design flourishes (they feature a simple hemstitched detail). But that's also what makes them easy to shop for. They're unassuming but versatile. 

Some thoughtful features are less apparent from looks alone. The inside of the fitted sheet has labels for the long and short sides, so it's fast and easy to change your sheets. And it has a generous depth of 15 inches, accommodating most mattresses.

The bottom line

Comfort and quality should be a couple of your top priorities when you shop for sheets, and L.L.Bean nails both with its Pima Cotton Percale Sheets. They're the softest I've tried in my four years as a product reviewer, and I love that they're fairly priced for all their benefits. 

Pros: High-quality construction, very soft and comfortable, fitted sheet is labeled with top and bottom sides, accessible price

Cons: Lack of prints and patterns, fitted sheet may be loose on thinner mattresses