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Reviewed/Betsy Goldwasser
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
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Saatva's sheets performed well in our testing overall, but they were a little expensive compared to most sets. Read More
Well-made linen sheets that are a great choice for colder climates. Read More
Comfortable to sleep on with a cotton-like and airy feel. They have a relaxed look but do wrinkle a bit. Read More
Comfortable linen sheets that come in a variety of stylish colorways. Read More
Lightweight linen sheets that are soft and comfortable to sleep on. Read More
The best linen sheets have a wonderfully soft, worn-in feel that actually gets better over time. The fabric is highly breathable, making it well-suited for summertime or anyone who sleeps warm. Plus, with the right care, well-made linen sheets can last for decades, so you really only have to buy them once.
However, not all linen sheets are worth your money. While good quality linen is luxuriously soft and subtle, cheaper sheets can be rough and scratchy, offering a less-than-enjoyable night of sleep. To help you find the best option for your bed, we spent months testing out 12 popular sets of linen sheets, and the Saatva Linen Sheet Set (available at Saatva) is our top pick. These sheets have a soft, well-worn feel right out of the package, and their top-tier construction will stand the test of time. If you don’t want to spend quite so much, the Tuft & Needle Linen Sheets (available at Tuft & Needle) are a bit more affordable and have a heavier weight that’s perfect for cooler weather.
While bed sheets are available in many different styles, the best linen sheets can make for a luxurious night of sleep that’s difficult to beat.
Organic materials
Decorative hems
Stays in place on the mattress
Stiff feel before washing
Very expensive
Soft, pre-washed feel
Optional top sheet
Shrunk in wash
See-through material
Affordable
Lightweight, airy feel
Wide range of colors
Optional top sheet
Very thin construction
Wondering how we test sheets? We sleep on them, of course!
We started the testing process by researching established, popular, and well-reviewed sheet brands across the internet, and from there, we narrowed down a group of promising products for firsthand testing, including options at various price points. For several months, we tested each linen sheet set, scoring them on factors like comfort, construction, ease of washing, and more.
Linen sheets are almost always more expensive than cotton sheets because it takes more time and resources to process the raw materials. However, there are several benefits to linen sheets that make them worth the splurge.
First, linen tends to be more durable than cotton. The fibers that make up linen threads are longer and thicker, which makes the material stronger and more resistant to breakage and fraying. It’s common for high-quality linen sheets to last for 10 or more years, so while they cost more upfront, you can use them for much longer.
Linen is also popular thanks to its breathability, which makes it well-suited for warm weather or anyone who sleeps hot. The fabric is often quite airy, which is excellent for moisture-wicking and regulating your body temperature throughout the night—think about a nice linen blouse and how it helps you stay cool in the summer.
Low-quality linen can sometimes be coarse and scratchy, but modern linen fabrication methods are able to create softer, smoother fabric that’s comfortable to use right out of the package. Some linens may take a few washes to reach their smoothest, softest selves, but many of our top picks have a beautiful texture from day one.
Linen is made from flax, a plant grown in Europe, Russia, and China. However, European flax plants, including those grown in France and Belgium, generally make the best linen. The plants can grow bigger and healthier in these European climates, resulting in longer, stronger linen fibers. For this reason, most linen sheets are made from European flax.
As you browse linen sheets, you’ll notice that thread count is seldom listed in the product description. Instead, it’s more common to see fabric weight, which is measured in grams per square meter (GSM). Most linen will fall somewhere between 100 and 200 GSM—lower weight makes the sheets more lightweight and breathable, while higher GSM gives sheets a more substantial feel.
As for why linen sheets don’t list thread count, it’s because the fabric’s thread count is generally quite low, which can be off-putting to shoppers who believe that high thread count is an indication of sheet quality. The thread count of cotton sheets is often between 300 and 600, whereas even the best linen sheets only have a thread count of 80 to 150. This is because the threads that make up linen fabric are much thicker, so not as many are needed to form a thick, dense fabric. However, brands don’t want people deterred by these “low” numbers, so they typically opt to ignore the metric altogether.
It’s always a good idea to wash your linen sheets at least once before you use them, as this will help to soften them. After that, you can simply wash your linen pillowcases, top sheets, and fitted sheets the same way you would any other bedding. Most experts recommend washing sheets once a week to keep them free of sweat, body oils, and dirt.
Most linen sheets should be washed in cold water and tumbled dried on a low setting, but some may need to be washed in warm water. You’ll want to check the guidelines on the care tag for specific laundering instructions.
Camryn Rabideau is a full-time freelance writer and product tester with eight years of experience. She's been lucky enough to test hundreds of products firsthand, and her specialties include bedding and pet products, which often require help from her two dogs, three cats, and flock of rambunctious chickens.
Jamie Ueda
Apparel Staff Writer
Jamie writes about clothing, shoes, and accessories for Reviewed. She loves apparel and doesn't like to sacrifice fashion, comfort, or quality in whatever she wears.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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