The best Egyptian cotton bedding for a five-star slumber

• Thread count: 500
• Sizes: Double, King, Super King

Hampton & Astley’s Egyptian cotton bedding has a sateen finish that many find irresistible, all woven together into a 500-thread-count fabric that feels smooth and silky. The set comes with everything you might want for a good night’s sleep: a duvet cover, a 40-centimetre fitted sheet (particularly deep for anyone with a large mattress), and a very generous four pillowcases. Slip between sheet and duvet cover and float away.

• Thread count: 800
• Sizes: Double, King, Super King

You’re not seeing double – we’ve featured both of Habitat’s Egyptian cotton bed sheets and bedding sets here, to give you the option of the 400 thread-count version, or the 800. The lower thread-count set is a plain and simple classic, with which it’s hard to go wrong, and yet… if you feel like splashing out a little more, an extra forty quid will double that count and take your bed to truly luxe, crisp new heights. We’re not saying you have to! But don’t say we don’t give you all the options.

• Thread count: 400
• Sizes: Single, Double, King, Super King

Amazon delivers once again. Rayyan – which not coincidentally is a given name meaning something similar to “bountiful” or “luxurious” in Arabic – offers this Egyptian cotton set of hotel-quality bed sheets for less than £30. That’s a bargain for sheets with a thread count of 400, and anyone with a penchant for satin will feel delighted to slip between them, thanks to their striped design. They come in two colourways, both tastefully subtle (no black satin to be seen…) and easy to machine wash.

• Thread count: 400
• Sizes: Single, Large Single, Double, Large Double, King, Large King, Super King, Large Super King, Emperor

While the cording on King of Cotton’s 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton bedding set does come in grey and white versions, we implore you to opt for the royal blue instead – there’s just something so uniquely charming about it, a particular je ne sais quoi that calls to mind the bedding on Gilded Age ocean liners or in Balearic villas with doors thrown open on sea views. These sheets and duvet covers – which come with the flexible additional option of pillow cases as add-ons – are woven in Portugal, and come in half a dozen different sizes to perfectly fit any bed.

• Thread count: 400
• Sizes: Single, Double, King, Super King

For that clean sheet feeling every night, the Habitat Egyptian Cotton Oxford Duvet Set is a great option to consider, offering a 400 thread count with a wonderfully soft finish. This set – which is available in three lovely neutral colour options of beige, grey and white – is finished in a sateen weave for freshness and carries STANDARD 100 and OEKO-TEX to ensure it has been tested for harmful substances. It includes two pillowcases and buttons for fastening.

• Thread count: 400
• Sizes: Double, King

If you're looking for a beautiful set of Egyptian cotton bedding that adds a little bit extra, then H&M has a great option in this set. You'll find a finely threaded, closely woven Egyptian cotton satin with a thread count of 400 for a luxurious feel that's enhanced by the contrasting piping. This set is machinable washable, suitable for a medium tumble dry and comes with two envelope-closing pillowcases, too. We get serious boutique hotel vibes from this bedding set.

• Thread count: 800
• Sizes: Single, Double, King, Super King

If you’re after a luxurious thread count, look no further than this crisp white set from John Lewis. With an impressive 800 threads per square inch, you’ll be lost in a world of gorgeously smooth luxury before you know it. With a classy-yet-subtle design, it's ideal for rooms with calm décor, blending into the background while still providing an air of considered grace.

• Thread count: 230
• Sizes: Single, Double, King, Super King

A valance, for those not in the know, is a specially designed decorative sheet that covers or hides the base of your bed. You don’t need one, of course, but if you’re looking to put the cherry atop an already delicious bedroom cake, then it could be the little detail that makes for a punchy impact. Elevating your bedroom with a carefully considered touch of design luxury, this 230-thread count valance from Marks and Spencer could be just the thing you need to take your bedroom design to the next classy level.

• Thread count: 800
• Sizes: Single, Small Double, King, Emperor

You might have your duvet and sheets sorted, but never underestimate the importance of the humble pillowcase. Take this whopping 800-thread count Egyptian cotton offering. With a resilient, lustrous finish and classic Oxford styling for a decadent border, you’ll feel like you’re nodding off in a luxury hotel each and every night. An envelope design means no pesky zipper to contend with, while non-iron powers make crease-free upkeep a breeze.

• Thread count: 400
• Sizes: Single, Double, King, Super King

There’s nothing wrong with crisp white sheets, but if your style is a little more vibrant and eclectic, that’s absolutely fine too. Trouble is, it can be hard to find quality sheets with brighter, bolder colours – which is where Dunelm’s offering comes in. Available in eight bold colourways (including a rather vibrant Bordeaux red and Capri sage), there’s no shortage of styles to suit your bedroom vibe. Hues aside, you’re looking at a luxurious 400 thread count, which is machine washable for added convenience.

• Thread count: 400
• Sizes: Single, Double, King, Super King

Navy sheets can be surprisingly elegant if you opt for the right ones, and this set from Dorma has got the look down. Adding a sleek finish that ties it all together with a more luxurious feel than navy sheets normally do, with a cotton percale that’s low pilling and easy to machine wash and keep in good condition, it’s an easy winner for anyone looking for darker sheets.

• Thread count: 400
• Sizes: Single, Double, King, Super King

The fun thing about Egyptian cotton, is that if you know what to look for and where to buy it from, you can really find it in almost any texture. Including satin. Mirroring the effect of silk bedding, while still having the affordability of cotton, this sateen Egyptian cotton set from Marks & Spencer is one of our favourites. Just combine the thread count of 400 with the eight different colours (we prefer the duck egg and the white), and the handpicked cotton from the Nile Delta and you are away with a great set of sheets.

• Thread count: 230
• Sizes: Single, Double, King, Super King

When it comes to bedding, the classic British department stores should never be overlooked, not least Marks & Spencer and John Lewis. Including a wider variety of colours than some of the smaller, newer bedding brands, these Egyptian cotton sheets are super-easy to customise to fit into whatever aesthetic your room might have. The duvet cover has a super soft feel to the touch, while also incorporating some of Marks & Spencer’s ‘StayNew’ technology that keeps it from wrinkling and needing to be ironed regularly. We’d say that’s a win for both your sleep and your time.

• Thread count: 200
• Sizes: Single, Double, King, Super King

Affordable? Check. White? Check. Egyptian cotton? Check. This plain set is perfect for people who want a pure white set without a single embellishment. No patterns, no stripes, no piping, no faff — just a sea of white cotton, with a respectable 200 thread count. An ideal choice for a spare set, or for various guest rooms.

• Thread count: 200
• Sizes: Double, King, Super King

This wallet-friendly set might not have the highest thread count, but it more than makes up for it with its standout leaf print pattern, which is a welcome sight among the standard all-white sets that make up the majority of options. Far more affordable than the top-tier offerings on our list, this could be the best choice for those looking to venture out into the world of Egyptian cotton for the first time.

• Thread count: 400
• Sizes: Single, Double, King, Super King

One of the more affordable Egyptian cotton duvet cover sets we’ve come across, Dunelm’s is a 400-thread count set made from 100 per cent cotton, designed to last wash after wash and maintain its smooth feeling with low pilling (it comes with a ten-year guarantee). All this despite coming in at less than £100, which is a dream if you don’t want to not break the bank every time you want to tweak your bedroom’s aesthetic. This set looks and feels just as luxurious as many of those that would cost you significantly more.

• Thread count: 400
• Sizes: Double, King, Super King

It may most regularly be associated with pristine white sheets, but Egyptian cotton bedding need not be boring. This sumptuously soft selection from John Lewis comes in nine different colours including daring mulberry, soft latte and a soothing ice blue, so you can get exactly the look you want. Made (of course) from 100 per cent Egyptian cotton, it’s woven in Portugal with a satin weave for an extra-lustrous feel with a slight, light-reflecting sheen. It’s guaranteed to get you reaching for the snooze button.

• Thread count: 230
• Sizes: Single, Double, King, Super King

Finding good Egyptian cotton bedding that’s both affordable and available in a wide range of colours can be challenging, but Marks & Spencer has done just that. Its 230-thread count set is made from fine, long-staple cotton from the Nile Delta in Egypt, and is available in an impressive 15 colours including a soft duck egg blue, a bold purple and even a dramatic black for those of a certain disposition. The best bit? The duvet cover comes with StayNew technology and has a non-iron finish so it will maintain its lustre after washing. A result all-round.

• Thread count: 400
• Sizes: Single, Double, King, Super King, Emperor

If you’re after a particularly smooth feeling duvet cover, The White Company’s Savoy is designed to be exactly that: ultra-smooth. Available in four different designs, each of which incorporates a different coloured cord trim (our favourite is the navy) around a classic white duvet cover, they have a very hotel-esque feel to them, mirroring the style of duvet you might expect to see when holidaying somewhere warm and sunny. Made for The White Company in Portugal, the bedding is everything you could want from an Egyptian cotton set.

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