With countless budget-friendly sheet options out there, Threshold’s 400 Thread Count Printed Performance Sheet Set certainly has plenty of competitors. Nonetheless, this set has racked up rave reviews online for comfort and quality. If you’re a frequent Target shopper, you’ll recognize the Threshold name. It’s Target’s exclusive brand that aims to create “quality classics you can always count on at simple prices.” With these sheets being less than $30, I was skeptical from the start about the quality, but I kept an open mind. I slept on this set for three weeks to see if you could really buy a breathable and durable set of sheets that are also affordable.
Material: Breathable cotton, sateen weave
These 100-percent-cotton sheets are both breathable and cooling, allowing air to flow through them and keep even the hottest of sleepers a little more comfortable. The crispness of the sateen makes the sheets easy to smooth out when making the bed and to fold compactly and neatly when they’re not in use. The thickness of the fabric lends the sheets an air of durability, which stands up in the wash. In addition to being wrinkle-resistant, the sheets are pill- and shrink- resistant as well as OEKO-TEX certified, which means they’re free from harmful substances in everything from the dyes to fabrics to accent details. Read more reviews of the best cooling sheets available to purchase online.
Texture: Smooth and crisp
The product description touts traits such as “soft, durable, and easy to care for,” and the last two are definitely true. Soft, however, is not the exact adjective I would use to describe the texture of these sheets. The sateen construction gives the material a smooth feeling and makes the sheets more sleek than soft. The cotton material is light and cooling and stays pretty much in place even if you toss and turn a lot throughout the night; I felt like my limbs could slide through the sheets rather than get caught and tangled in them. Another element that helps keep the sheets secure throughout the night is the elastic running through the entire bottom sheet with “patented fit technology.” The added elastic bands on the corners do, however, make the fitted sheet a little difficult to get fully on a mattress if you have a bed-frame or if your bed is against a wall.
Washing: Good as new
While the sheet set took up a fair amount of space in the washing machine due to it’s slightly stiffer texture, the pieces came out looking and feeling the same as they had pre-wash. I washed the sheets according to their easy instructions (machine wash and tumble dry) and with like colors only. The color was just as bright, the size remained the same, and there was no pilling or loose threads when I took the set out of the dryer. Upon first removing the sheets and pillowcases from the wash, I was worried they’d look wrinkled on my bed, but I was pleasantly surprised that the home brand’s “wrinkle-free” claim held up. After getting a quick shake out, the creases mostly vanished and the fitted and top sheets as well as the pillow-cases looked fresh and crisp on my bed.
Key Features: Easier bed-making
The deep pockets on the fitted sheet ensure the sheet can fit a range of mattresses up to 18-inches, and the bottom sheet is even labeled “top or bottom” for easy reference when making your bed. The elastic goes around the entire sheet, not just at the corners (where there’s additional elastic support). Take a peek at some of the other best hotel-style sheets you can buy.
Thread Count: In the sweet spot
At 400 thread count, these sheets fall somewhere above what most consumers consider less luxurious and under what a buyer typically views as super high-end, like a thousands-range thread counts. As we’ve mentioned before, however, thread count isn’t always the most reliable data point for determining how much you’ll like a set of sheets. Bed sheets between 400 and 600 thread count tend to be both soft and comfortable while avoiding some of the flimsy or pilling pitfalls of higher thread count sheets. With a sateen weave, Threshold’s set maintains a smooth feel without the same upkeep concerns you’d have with a more fragile sheet.
Price: Very reasonable
For the level of comfort, thickness, and low-maintenance laundering, this sheet set is very well priced at about $30. You get soft bedding that doesn’t sacrifice durability and can withstand the normal wear and tear of everyday life. Want to take a look at some other options? See our guide to the best sheet sets. For someone who’s a night sweater or restless sleeper, the cooling and breathable material is a big relief–especially for the price tag and low-maintenance care. Aside from the difficulty I had getting the fitted sheet on a bed that’s up against a wall, I can’t think of anything I don’t like about the Threshold 400-Count Performance Sheet Set.
