There’s nothing quite like slipping in between the sheets at the end of a long day. But if those sheets are thin, scratchy, and full of pills, it kind of ruins the moment. That’s why we set out to find the best sheets sets to turn your bed into the safe haven that you deserve. When we saw the details of the Snowe Percale Sheet Set—Italian milled Egyptian cotton, 500 thread count, and generous sizing—we knew we had to try them on our bed to see if they could have us comfortably snoozing through the night.
Material: Luxurious Egyptian cotton
The Snow Percale Sheet Set is made out of 100 percent Egyptian cotton that’s milled and finished in Italy. The long fibers are arranged in a percale weave that’s tighter—and smoother—than other types of weaves used for bedsheets. Percale typically provides a medium weight, but these Snowe sheets are exceptionally lightweight. They’re breezy and airy and have a barely-there feel that makes them extremely comfortable. Though Snowe’s sheets are lightweight, they hold heat very well. That could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on whether you sleep hot or cold. For us, things got a little sweaty in the middle of the night, even though the thermostat was set at 62 degrees. Snowe keeps their color choices fairly basic, but there are five options to choose from: Essential White, Ash Grey, Slate Blue, Classic Ivory, and Timeless Blush. We went with the Ash Grey, a muted neutral gray color that did not have any blue or purple undertones. It fit perfectly in our gray, white, and navy-colored bedroom.
Texture: Deceptively soft
We’ll admit, we’re Egyptian cotton novices, but still, we were surprised at how the sheets felt right out of the package (and even more so, after the first wash). Initially, they felt like thick tissue paper and made rustling noises similar to it too. Because of this, we didn’t have very high hopes for the comfort level when we slept on the sheets, but they were deceptively soft and comfortable while we were sleeping, which was when it mattered most. Other reviewers have commented that the sheets take some time to properly break-in, so we think after months of use, and a few more washes, they’ll feel as soft to the touch as they do during sleep.
Thread Count: On the high end
In addition to a percale weave, the Snowe sheets are 500-thread-count, which is considered pretty luxurious and is what many high-end hotels use. According to the manufacturer, the threads are woven with advanced technology and then hand-finished to make sure every set comes out perfectly.
Fit: Hugs our mattress corners snugly
The manufacturer claims that all the sheets have a 17-inch depth, but the sheets fit our 12.3-inch gel memory foam mattress perfectly, without almost no room to spare. The elastic bands gripped the mattress corners tightly and there was no sign of slippage, even with some pretty serious tossing and turning—and several nighttime visits from a 60-pound German Shepherd mix jumping on and off the bed. While we were happy with the fit, you might not have the same experience if you have a deeper mattress.
Washing: Fancy sheets with basic washing instructions
Even though Egyptian cotton is top of the line when it comes to sheets, the washing instructions are surprisingly basic. The manufacturer recommends washing the sheets in warm water and then tumble drying them on low. We followed the instructions exactly and were rewarded with sheets that came out of the dryer softer than when they went in. The sheets wrinkle fairly easily though. We removed them from the dryer before the cycle was complete, and they were already covered in wrinkles; they looked similar to crumpled up tissue paper. Even when we tried to iron the sheets, we couldn’t get all of the wrinkles out. It was like trying to make tissue paper look new again after you use it once. The washing cycle also messed up the perfect seam on the top sheet. And even after ironing that, we couldn’t get it to lie perfectly flat again. This wasn’t a huge deal to us, since we were more concerned with comfort than aesthetic perfection, but it was a little disappointing and something to consider if you’re after sheets that look as perfect as they feel.
Price: A pretty penny
At $240 for the king-size (the full and queen will cost you $200 and $220, respectively), these sheets are undoubtedly an investment. However, to help ease your mind about the initial upfront cost, Snowe allows you to try the sheets for a full 90 days. If you don’t love them, you can exchange them for something else or request a full refund.
Competition: Many higher- and lower-priced options out there
L.L. Bean Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set: If $240 sheets aren’t in your budget right now, L.L. Bean offers a pima cotton percale sheet set that provides a similar level of comfort for $169. Although the L.L. Bean sheets are slightly thicker, they glide easily over your body and have a breathable fabric that helps keep you cool at night. Parachute Percale Venice Set: If you’re set on Egyptian cotton, but aren’t sold on the Snowe sheets, the Parachute Percale Venice Set is another luxury option. The Parachute sheets are made of 100 percent Egyptian cotton and are available in six neutral colors, similar to what Snowe offers. However, unlike most standard set sheets, the Parachute set foregoes the top sheet and offers a duvet cover in its place, which costs $339 for the king set. The Snowe Percale Sheet Set might give you a little sticker shock at first, but the high-quality Egyptian cotton, 500-thread-count, and five classic color options make it one of the most comfortable, durable, and aesthetically pleasing options out there.
