Splurge or Save: Should You Buy This $215 Cooling Sateen Sheet Set or the $118 Alternative?

There are two categories of bedding in my linen closet: summer and winter. On the summer side, you’ll find my sheets and light blankets for the hotter months, consisting of cooling materials like linen, silk, and cotton. On the winter side, you’ll find my heavy comforters and flannel sheets for staying cozy during hibernation season. The only thing missing is a set of sateen sheets.

Sateen actually refers to the weave of a piece of fabric, not the material, but its smooth texture and glossy sheen relegate it to its very own category of bedding. In any case, sateen is one of the best options for warm weather, which just so happens to be on its way.

But with so many sateen sheet options out there, how can you know which one is most worth your money? Apartment Therapy’s Splurge or Save series is here to help. The products I’ll be comparing have both been tested and come highly recommended by our editors, so no matter which item you end up buying, there’s no wrong choice.

For this installment, I’ll compare and contrast Kassatex’s bamboo sateen sheet set, which retails for $215, with Under the Canopy’s organic sateen sheet set, which retails for nearly $100 less at $118.

Of these two retailers, our editors have tested more Kassatex products, and the brand’s commitment to long-lasting quality and environmentally friendly materials help it get high marks. Its bedding and bath products include casual, everyday designs as well as exclusive designer collaborations featuring unique prints and patterns. In other words, there’s something for everyone.

Sustainable production practices are at the core of Under the Canopy’s ethos, regardless of whether you’re shopping for a new bath mat or house robe. You can also expect pleasant, pared-back styles in every category. Keep reading to find out whether you should opt for Kassatex’s $215 sateen sheet set or Under the Canopy’s less expensive set.

When it comes to cooling bedding, finding the right material to sleep on is usually a process of trial and error. Maybe you find that linen does, indeed, prevent you from overheating, but you find its texture scratchy and uncomfortable. If you haven’t yet tried sateen, you might just enjoy its almost slippery feel.

When contributor Alyssa was looking for a sheet set suitable for both her and her hot-sleeper husband, she opted to try Kassatex’s bamboo sheet set. The 300-thread count sheets are made of 40% long-staple cotton, which is known for its sleek feel and resistance to pilling once spun into fabric, and 60% rayon made from bamboo, which promotes airflow and breathability.

“Over the years, I’ve tried every sheet, comforter, duvet, pillow, and blanket geared toward cooling — most to no avail,” Alyssa’s review reads. “It wasn’t until I tried a set of Kassatex’s bamboo sateen sheets that I finally felt like I’d cracked the code on my permanently hot-sleeping partner.”

She describes the sheets as soft and lightweight, noting their subtle sheen and cooling silkiness. She says that even though it’s generally humid where she lives, the set keeps her and her husband comfortable and sweat-free night after night. “I’ve had these Kassatex sheets in the rotation for a few months now, and my husband and I have both started sneaking them out of the freshly washed laundry pile and putting them right back on the bed instead of giving our other linens a chance — they’re just that good,” she writes.

Contributor Haley also praises the bamboo sateen sheets’ luxurious yet durable feel, agreeing that they feel like hotel quality. “I no longer wake up sweating in the middle of the night, and that alone makes them worth the purchase,” her review says. She also mentions that you can forego the flat sheet when purchasing a set, which is convenient if your linen closet is already overflowing with full sheet sets or if you’re a hot sleeper and find sleeping with a flat sheet to be too much.

If you’re already a fan of cotton bedding, you’ll be happy to learn that Under the Canopy’s sateen sheets are made from 100% long-staple cotton. Like the Kassatex sheets, they’re 300-thread count and boast a silky-soft feel and lustrous finish. Contributor Ivy says the set made her a sateen convert after being a basic cotton bedding devotee. She notes that her husband also fell in love with the organic sheets.

“The organic sateen sheet set was the softest set of sheets I’ve ever tried (I’m talking butter-soft), and even my husband agreed,” her review reads. “He’s used to me testing new bedding products all the time and makes comments here and there, but for this particular instance, I believe his exact words were, ‘WHERE did these sheets come from? They seriously gave me an amazing night’s sleep.’”

Regardless of whether you’re a hot sleeper or, like Ivy, you live in a NYC apartment with an unpredictable radiator, the Under the Canopy sheets promise to help keep your body temperature regulated all night. As a result, Ivy says the sheets are great for year-round use; you might even find they make it bearable to sleep with a heavy comforter during the cooler months.

Another notable factor about these sheets and Under the Canopy’s products in general is that they’re hypoallergenic. If you struggle with allergies or sensitive skin, this is a foolproof bedding option for staying sniffle-free.

For an even more affordable sateen option, I’ll shout out an honorable mention from Amazon. The California Design Den sateen sheets retail for just $70 on Amazon and have a 600-thread count, so you’ll find them to feel exceptionally soft and smooth. Commerce Editor Britt describes them as slightly crisp, too, but notes in her review that they fit deep mattresses and don’t bunch up during the night. With more than 21,000 five-star ratings, the sheets are practically guaranteed to be a hit and are therefore a great bargain. 

In comparing the Kassatex and Under the Canopy sateen sheet sets, the key similarities are their thread counts and smooth feel, as well as the fact that they both get softer with each wash. Both sets will make your bed look luxurious thanks to their lustrous finishes, and caring for them is pretty straightforward. Both sets should be washed on a warm cycle and tumble-dried on low heat, so maintenance is a breeze. Additionally, both sets are OEKO-TEX certified, meaning they’re made without harmful substances.

As for the key differences, the Under the Canopy set offers more customization in terms of size and color. You can choose among six sizes and six calming colors, whereas Kassatex’s sheets only come in three sizes and four colors. With the Kassatex set, though, you have the choice of adding a flat sheet to your purchase. Although both sets can accommodate deep mattresses, the Kassatex set’s fitted sheet depth is especially impressive, as it’s able to fit a mattress up to 18 inches tall.

If you’re especially concerned about the kinds of materials used, Under the Canopy’s sheets will be the better choice for you, as they’re made only from natural fibers, namely organic cotton. They also arrive in a reusable organic cotton bag in an effort to reduce plastic.

The truth is, you can’t go wrong with either of these sheet sets. I’m a firm believer that quality bedding is worth the splurge, but in this case, I’d be inclined to choose the Under the Canopy sheets. At almost $100 cheaper than the Kassatex sheets, they offer the same cooling capabilities and beautiful sheen. Plus, I appreciate the brand’s commitment to sustainable production practices, as well as its slightly larger array of color options. In this case, my verdict is that you’re better off saving.

Buy: Kassatex Bamboo Sateen Sheet Set, Queen, $215
Buy: Under the Canopy Organic Sateen Sheet Set, Queen, $118