Does thread count matter?

Yes and no. High thread counts are associated with luxury because reputable makers achieve these numbers by using the finest (meaning the thinnest), strongest, and smoothest threads — and pricing their sheets accordingly. But among lower-cost sheets, “it’s all a game,” says Jennifer Marks, editor-in-chief of Home Textiles Today, a trade publication. Some experts say that labeled thread counts can be flat wrong. In other cases, sheet makers twist two threads into one and count it twice, a practice the Federal Trade Commission describes as thread-count inflation. Be suspicious of inexpensive high-count sheets, and if “two ply” appears on the label, cut the thread count by half. “If it seems like too good of a deal, it probably is,” says Dana Poor, a trend forecaster at Cotton Incorporated, an industry group.

Below 250: It is possible to get good-quality sheets that have a low thread count. Look for Egyptian cotton or American-grown Pima cotton, which are both fine, long-staple varieties.

250 to 400: Better-quality sheets (that is, those that are surprisingly soft and long-lasting) can be found in this range. Unless you’re particularly persnickety, you should find a set that suits you and won’t break the bank.

400 Plus: Elite sheets usually carry a thread count between 400 and 600. It’s possible to squeeze 1,000 threads into a square inch, but expect to pay a premium for a high-count sheet from a reputable maker.