Splurge or Save: Should You Buy Boll & Branch’s $280 Cotton Percale Sheets or Quince’s $100 Alternative?

Unlike other materials or even other types of cotton bedding, cotton percale sheets are known and loved for their cooling, structured construction. But with so many sets out there, it can be hard to know which set or even which brand to go with. Lucky for you, our staffers have tested countless cotton percale sheet sets (we have an entire Best List dedicated to them, after all), and two stand out among the list: Boll & Branch sheets and Quince sheets. Although we love them both, we had to ask whether the more expensive option (Boll & Branch) is worth the splurge.

If it wasn’t already obvious, we’re back with another installment of Splurge or Save, the series in which we compare two editor-tested and loved products that serve the same purpose but retail for different prices. This time we’ll be comparing Boll & Branch’s Percale Hemmed Sheet Set, which retails for $279, and Quince’s Classic Organic Percale Sheet Set, which retails for $99.90. Stick around to learn whether you should splurge or save.

As far as product testing goes, our editors have been familiar with Boll & Branch for a longer time than we’ve known about Quince. The brand’s bedding and bath essentials are very pricey but incredibly well-made, so we’re always eager to test more from it. But this past year, we’ve tried more and more Quince products and have found that many of the items hold their own against more expensive brands. That’s true of Quince’s luggage, towels, and even its kitchenware. But does Quince’s $100 cotton percale sheet sand stand up to Boll & Branch’s $280 set? Let’s find out.

Boll & Branch’s percale sheets offer pretty much everything you’d want in a luxurious, hotel-like sheet set. For one, they’re made from 100% organic long-staple cotton, which is known for its supreme comfort. The sheets are also OEKO-TEX certified, which is great news if you suffer from allergies.

A Queen-size set gets you all of the standard pieces, including a flat sheet, fitted sheet, and two pillowcases, though you can also opt for a flat-sheet-free set for $188. What’s more, you can choose four different colors for the fitted sheet and 14 colors and eight patterned/striped options for the pillowcases.

If you prefer sheets made of softer materials, like jersey, satin, or flannel, this might not be the set for you. But contributor Stella, who tested the Boll & Branch cotton percale sheets, noted that linen had been her go-to before trying them. If you, too, are a fan of linen, you’ll appreciate the fact that cotton percale has a similarly structured, almost sand-like feel, though perhaps not quite as gritty as linen. You might’ve even heard cotton percale’s texture be compared to that of a dress shirt, which is pretty accurate.

Stella might’ve been predisposed to liking her Boll & Branch sheets because of her affinity for linen, but after testing them on her own bed, she found she enjoyed them even more than she expected to. “The bottom sheet fits perfectly over my mattress, and the top sheet is heavy enough to stay put yet light enough to avoid feeling claustrophobic,” she wrote in her review. “Slipping into my Boll & Branch-clad bed makes for a breathable sleep, one where I never wake up sweaty or shivering even with the erratic weather changes we have here in Southern California. The sheets even get smoother and look more and more at home on my bed with each wash. They truly feel like they were made just for me.”

We were so impressed with these sheets, in fact, that they won a spot on our Best List in the Best Luxury category. Not only are they breathable, but they’re designed with a special cooling weave that helps regulate your body temperature. This feature is obviously handy for the summer months, but it’ll also prevent you from overheating under your heavy comforter in fall and winter.

Although it’s a splurge, we still say Boll & Branch’s percale hemmed sheet set is worth it. But is it more worth it than Quince’s?

Around the same time that she received the Boll & Branch sheet set, Stella also tested Quince’s classic organic percale sheet set. Much like its more expensive counterpart, this set is made from 100% long-staple organic cotton and boasts a 270-thread count. (The Boll & Branch sheets have a 300-thread count, so they’ll feel a touch softer.) Quince’s sheets are also OEKO-TEX certified, and they’re made without the use of harsh toxins or pesticides. Like the Boll & Branch sheets, this product is also made using sustainable production practices, so you can sleep peacefully at night both literally and figuratively.

In her review, Stella described the feel of her sheets as crisp (but not crispy), soft (but not silky), and lightweight (but not so light that you can’t feel them). She went on to add, “They achieve that hotel feeling: never scratchy and always fresh … The sheets have softened with each wash, and although they are marketed as cooling sheets for those who ‘sleep hot,’ I find them substantial enough to keep me warm on colder nights.”

The sheets come in 23 colors and prints, all of them classic but never boring; we’re especially partial to the aloe and soft blush hues. As is also the case with Boll & Branch, Quince lets you opt out of a flat sheet. For people who hate sleeping with a flat sheet and find their linen closet overflowing with them, this option is a game-changer.

Oftentimes, it can feel like your bedding options are cheap polyester from Amazon masquerading as a higher-quality fabric or something unreasonably expensive. But Quince bridges the gap, essentially offering affordable luxury picks that make your home look and feel nice without breaking the bank. These cotton percale sheets are yet another example of that.

After reviewing the facts, we recommend that you save with Quince’s cotton percale sheets. Boll & Branch’s amazing quality is indisputable, but when you can buy a very similar version for almost $200 less, why wouldn’t you? It’s important to note that the two sets have nearly the same dimensions, too, so deciding isn’t even a matter of which one will fit your bed better.

If you happen to be cotton percale’s biggest fan and are looking to curate a sheet collection that would make The Ritz envious, pick up both sets! Your laundry rotation will be all set, then, too. Or, you can always buy the cheaper option now and save up for Boll & Branch until you are ready to splurge. In any case, you’ll have a set of sheets you can use year-round and enjoy regardless of whether you run hot or cold during the night. Isn’t it great knowing you can’t make a wrong decision?

Buy: Boll & Branch Percale Hemmed Sheet Set, Queen, $279
Buy: Quince Classic Organic Percale Sheet Set, Queen, $99.90