Why Egyptian Cotton Is A Better Buy For Bedsheets Than Regular Cotton

You've likely heard of Egyptian cotton before. But then you see how much bedsheets in this fabric actually cost, and scoff. $100+ for a set seems absurd when you can snag regular sheets at a fraction of the price, right? Not really, considering not all cotton sheets are made equal. Some feel "meh," while others feel like sleeping on a fabulously soft, buttery cloud. Egyptian cotton is the latter. Let's just say its high price reflects a level of comfort and quality that regular cotton can't match, making Egyptian cotton a better buy for bedsheets.

As you may have guessed from the name, Egyptian cotton (at least the authentic kind) hails all the way from Egypt. More specifically, each cotton boll is hand-picked from Gossypium barbadense plants along the Nile River. What makes these plants so special, you ask? The answer lies in their extra-long fibers. These are spun into fine strands that, when woven, can instantly make your bed feel luxurious.

On the flip side, we have regular cotton bedsheets. Unlike their Egyptian counterparts, these guys can be harvested anywhere around the world. Their fibers are also on the shorter side, which explains why standard cotton can feel a little scratchy and even pill sometimes.

We love Egyptian cotton bedsheets for their silky, sleep-inducing texture. Plus, they grow even softer with time, whereas regular cotton gets wrinklier. But that's not even the best part. The fabric's finer threads and lighter weight allow for better body temperature regulation, too. Meaning, Egyptian cotton sheets can help keep you cool during hot summer nights but also well-insulated when the temperature drops. This makes them one of the best types of bedsheets for every season. Not to mention, a high-quality set can last up to 10 years or more — so long as they're well cared for and made of pure Egyptian cotton.

This brings us to the irritating aspect of Egyptian cotton bed linens: the fakes. There are way too many knockoff versions circulating the market. You'll find bedsheets that claim to be genuine Egyptian cotton, yet are 100% synthetic. And then, there are those made with Egyptian cotton, but from lower-quality sources outside Egypt. Always keep your eyes peeled on a gold certification seal or an Egyptian Cotton™ trademark issued by the Cotton Egypt Association (CEA) to distinguish the real ones from imposters. One (luxe!) example is the Pure Parima Egyptian Cotton Sheet Bed Set.