I test bedding for a living at the Good Housekeeping Institute. When a sheet set is a top performer in Lab tests and a favorite among consumer sleep testers, I have to try it myself. That was exactly the case with these California Design Den sheets. Considering many sateen sheets cost well over $150, I couldn't believe that these 100% cotton sheets cost under $50 for a Queen (not to mention, they regularly go on sale!).
They're featured as our best value sheets in our best sheets round-up. Plus, they're available in a ton of stylish shades (I chose a chic blue color) and they have over 62,000 five-star Amazon reviews. After testing these sheets in the Lab and at home, I can confirm: These sheets are worth the buy. They're super soft, feel substantial and look great on my bed. They're one of my new favorite sets!
California Design Den 400-Thread-Count Bed Sheets
Pros
- Impressive price for quality cotton sheets
- Great balance between soft and crisp
- Pill-resistant in Lab evaluations
Cons
- May not feel as smooth as pricier sateen sheets
Material: 100% cotton sateen | Colors: Over 30 options | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King, plus six-piece sets with extra pillowcases
Who they're best for: Soft cotton sheet lovers who appreciate an excellent value and want a stylish bed look
Construction
There are a wide range of sheet materials out there from linen, viscose and microfiber to silk and more. But cotton is the most popular. Among cotton sheets, there are two common weaves for bed sheets: percale and sateen. These California Design Den sheets are 100% cotton with a sateen weave — the most popular bed sheet material. A sateen weave feels extra soft, lustrous and silken compared to the crispness of a percale weave. Sleep testers tend to prefer the smoother feel of sateen.
Many testers think the higher the thread count, the better the sheets, but this isn't necessarily true. In our guide to the best thread count for sheets, we recommend that 100% cotton sheets with single-ply weaves (like this set) should have a thread count between 300–500. These sheets have a 400 thread count, so they're right in the middle of our recommended range.
Durability
To evaluate bed sheet durability, I assess fabric strength, pilling resistance and shrinkage after laundering. These sheets received an impressive perfect score for pilling resistance, showing no pills after 1,000 rubs in our abrasion tester.
After five wash-and-dry cycles, the fitted sheet showed minimal shrinkage or changes in appearance, holding up well to repeated laundering. However, the sheets were not as strong in our fabric strength tests. Still, overall, these California Design Den sheets proved to be quite durable.
Performance
All testers found that these sheets were easy to make on their bed and that they kept them at a stable body temperature. Most reported that the fabric felt soft, but a few testers would have preferred if it felt softer and smoother.
"These were very well made and comfortable sheets and seemed a bit more substantial in weight to my previous sheets," noted one tester. Another said she liked the sheets' "crispness and soft feel." Most testers reported that they plan to keep sleeping on them, and one said, "I really enjoyed using these sheets and will absolutely continue to use them."
What I love about the California Design Den sheets
It can be hard to find a reliable sheet set for your bed — especially if you and your partner disagree on your favorite materials. My partner prefers super soft sheets, while I'd rather they have a crisp feel. These California Design Den sheets manage to be both soft and crisp without feeling too heavy on the bed.
I agree with testers that these are easy to put on your mattress and the fitted sheet stays secure. I like that the brand offers a great range of colors compared to other bedding brands, so I could find just the right shade to complement my other bedding.
Important to know
Because these sheets aren't as strong as other sheets, they may be more prone to tears and rips, which could be problematic if you have pets who like to join you in bed. That said, I personally didn't have any issues with tearing when testing these sheets. I like that they feel warm and cozy, and testers said the sheets helped them maintain a stable body temperature, but very hot sleepers may prefer a percale weave or cooling sheets. I prefer envelope closures on my pillowcases, but these are open, which made my pillows slide out sometimes.
Are these California Design Den sheets worth it?
Yes! They are pill-resistant, soft feeling and comfortable for year-round use — plus, they cost a fraction of what other sheets cost. I prefer these sheets to other styles that cost four times as much! My higher-end sheets are softer and have luxe stitching and detailing while these sheets are a bit more simple. But I like that the smooth sateen material of my California Design Den sheets is soft while still feeling crisp and substantial. If you want 100% cotton sheets without over spending, this set from California Design Den is an excellent buy.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Emma Seymour is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab where she has been testing sheets since 2018. She has tested over 100 sheets in Lab and many at home too. She prefers bright colored bedding and believes there's no such thing as too many throw pillows. Seymour has a degree in fiber science and apparel design from Cornell University.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
