ConsFirst / Bed sheets / Compare
L.L.Bean 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set vs California Design Den 400 Thread Count Cotton Sateen Sheet Set
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
L.L.Bean 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set ranks higher (#1 vs #3 of 8) and scores better on feel & softness, breathability, holds up in the wash, wrinkles & pilling. California Design Den 400 Thread Count Cotton Sateen Sheet Set wins on fit (deep pockets).
The biggest complaint about the L.L.Bean 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set is stiff and textured at first; for the California Design Den 400 Thread Count Cotton Sateen Sheet Set it's not as smooth as pricier cotton. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| L.L.Bean 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set | California Design Den 400 Thread Count Cotton Sateen Sheet Set | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in bed sheets | #1 | #3 |
| Price tier | $$ | $ |
| Type | Cotton percale | Cotton sateen |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | — | 7% |
| Overall score | 4.1 | 3.5 |
| Feel & softness | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Breathability | 4.5 | 3.0 |
| Fit (deep pockets) | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Holds up in the wash | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Wrinkles & pilling | 4.0 | 3.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $60 · $$ $60–200 · $$$ over $200 (queen set). Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
L.L.Bean 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set
- Stiff and textured at first
Wirecutter says some people find it rough and that it comes out of the package more taut than other percales, softening only over time. Good Housekeeping notes percale isn't as smooth as sateen.
- Can fit loosely
One Wirecutter editor found the sheets huge on her regular foam mattress: baggy, billowy, too loud and slippery.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT), best sheets - Shallower pocket than some rivals
The fitted sheet is 15 inches deep, versus 18 inches for Target's Threshold sets (Wirecutter's measurements).
California Design Den 400 Thread Count Cotton Sateen Sheet Set
- Not as smooth as pricier cotton
Good Housekeeping says it may not feel as smooth or luxurious as premium cotton sets, and one tester said it wasn't as soft as other sheets she'd used.
- Some owners say it wrinkles
Amazon's summary says some customers find it almost wrinkle-free while others say it wrinkles.
- Average fabric strength
Good Housekeeping's lab rated fabric strength as average; it wasn't as strong as some other sheets tested.
Who should pick which
Pick the L.L.Bean 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set if
Hot sleepers who like a crisp, cool feel
Sheets meant to last for years
A generous one-year return window
Skip it if: You want silky, smooth sateen; Your mattress is deeper than about 15 inches; You want lots of prints and colors
Pick the California Design Den 400 Thread Count Cotton Sateen Sheet Set if
All-cotton sheets on a budget
Mattresses 8 to 16 inches deep
Lots of colors and sizes
Skip it if: You want a luxury-smooth sateen; You want wrinkle-free sheets; Your mattress is over 16 inches
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