Linen sheets are breathable, durable, and designed to be wrinkled. That's why linen sheets are a great option for hot sleepers, eco-conscious shoppers, and anyone who hates making the bed.
A little more about linen: it's woven from the stem of the flax plant, whose fibers are totally hollow (hence the enhanced breathability). It's naturally moisture-wicking and antimicrobial, built to bust the bacteria that breed in hot, damp environments, such as bedrooms. It's even hypoallergenic to suit sleepers with sensitive skin.
As H&G's resident sleep writer, I've snuggled under some of the world's best bed sheets, and I can't get enough of linen. You'll find linen sheets in all the specialist sleep stores, as well as the major home retailers, in every conceivable color. With so much on the market, it's easy to feel spoiled for choice.
Best linen sheets 2024: tried and tested
You can trust Homes & Gardens. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, helping you choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
To save you time and money, I've narrowed the search to the nine best linen sheet sets at the fairest prices you'll find online. Whether you're shopping for a lightweight linen set for summer or all-season sheets for year-round use, I've got you covered.
Best linen sheets
Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, California king
Material: 100% linen
Colors: 3
OEKO-TEK certified: Standard 100
+ Breezy and breathable
+ Softens with every wash
- On the more expensive side
This is one of the newest designs from linen powerhouse Piglet in Bed and I'm already in love with it. The subtle color contrast adds depth and dimension to the linen sheets, while the Pembroke stripe is truly timeless. Granted, it's expensive, retailing for around $500, but your money goes a long way: you get a duvet cover and a pair of pillowcases, plus a flat or fitted sheet, and there's always an option to add extras.
Sizes: Full, Queen, King, California King
Material: 100% European flax linen
Colors: 14
GSM: 165
OEKO-TEK certified: Standard 100
+ Mix and match options
+ Smooth finish
- Collects lint
Woven from 100% European lax into 165 GSM, the Cultiver Linen Sheet Set is thin enough to keep you cool in the summer, but not so thin that you'll freeze in the winter. It comes in a range of block colors and subtle stripe patterns to complement any bedroom color palette. I like the Cedar Stripe best: it adds a little bit of interest to a plain white canvas. The Cultiver Linen Sheet Set is machine-washable and dryer-safe for quick and convenient cleaning, though it collects a lot of lint.
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Material: European Flax
Colors: 10
GSM: 145 GSM
OEKO-TEK certified: Standard 100
+ Super soft and airy
+ Available in various sets and colors
- A little high-maintenance
This Brooklinen set has a lower GSM rating than most linen sheets, which makes it the best option for summer nights, though it's also ideal for year-round hot sleepers. Each flat sheet, fitted sheet, and pillowcase in this set is individually dyed to minimize shrinkage and maximize softness, while creating unique tonal highs and lows. The thinness of these sheets makes them more delicate. Brooklinen recommends you handle your sheets with care, washing on a cold cycle and avoiding bleach at all costs.
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Materials: 100% Belgian linen
Colors: 5
OEKO-TEX certified: Standard 100
+ Deep pockets
+ Comes in every size
- Limited color range
Unlike a lot of linen sheets on this list, the Saatva Linen Sheet Set comes in every size, from Twin to California King. Each fitted sheet is designed with deep pockets to stretch over thicker mattresses, up to 16 inches deep. The linen is prewashed for softness and each yarn is individually dyed to create tonal highs and lows. This lightweight set is naturally thermoregulating and moisture-wicking: it's a great option for hot sleepers.
Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, California King
Material: 100% French flax linen
Colors: Countless
GSM: 170
OEKO-TEK certified: Standard 100
+Super soft
+Beautiful selection of colors
- Some of the most expensive linen sheets on the market
Linen sheets often feel a little stiff and scratchy to start. This Bed Threads bedding bundle proves that linen can be soft, even straight out of the box. The more you wash it, the softer it gets, gaining that lived-in look and feel that's so distinctive to linen. One of the best things about Bed Threads bedding is the potential to mix and match your sheets and shams to create a bespoke bedspread. I like the Sage & White Bedding Bundle best, but you could experiment with bolder hues, as well as cute pastels.
Sizes: Twin Full, Queen, King, California King
Material: 100% European flax linen
Colors: 21
GSM: 165
OEKO-TEK certified: Standard 100
+ Wide range of colors
+ Eco-friendly packaging
- Not dryer-safe
The vast majority of linen sheets comes in white, cream, or beige. That's because linen manufacturers like to use natural dyes to protect the texture of the linen, and these dyes tend to create neutral hues. Magic Linen pushes the boundaries of what linen can look like, keeping the eco-friendly dyes and making brighter, bolder colors. You can choose from a range of block colors or experiment with windowpane patterns and cute gingham prints.
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Material: 100% European flax
Colors: 9
OEKO-TEX certified: Standard 100
+ Wide color range
+ Cooling
- Top sheet costs extra
Parachute uses premium materials and expert craftsmanship to make their luxury linen sheet set. Each fitted sheet features enhanced elasticated corners to better grip your mattress, while you can customize your pillowcases with a side opening or back envelope closure, as suits you. The Linen Sheet Set comes in every size, from Twin to California King, in a range of cool tones, though a flat sheet will cost you extra.
Sizes: Full, Queen, King, California King
Materials: French flax
Colors: 7
OEKO-TEX certified: Standard 100
+ All-season
+ Organic
- Some of the most expensive linen sheets on the market
Woven from organic French flax and subtly cuffed with pick stitching, these linen sheets whisper quiet luxury. When you purchase the Coyuchi Organic Relaxed Linen Sheet Set, you get a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, and two pillowcases for a little less than $600. That's the price you pay for sustainable materials and expert manufacturing.
Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King
Materials: European flax
Colors: 21
GSM: 150 GSM
OEKO-TEK certified: Standard 100
+ Reasonable RRP
+ Wide color range
- Less suitable for cold weather
Not everyone has a couple hundred dollars lying around to spend on linen sheets. When you shop at Quince, you can pick up a luxury linen sheet set for less than $130. Each fitted sheet, flat sheet, and pillowcase comes in a wide range of warm shades, from terracotta to tobacco. You could mix and match this bedding to pop against plain white sheets or commit to the look and layer each piece over the other. Just bear in mind that these linen sheets are on the thinner side: they're suitable for hot sleepers and summer nights, but they might not keep you warm all year round.
How we test linen sheets
We put a lot of thought into how we test linen sheets. It's more than a matter of sleeping on the job.
Our expert testers sample linen sheets through all four seasons, through heatwaves and cold snaps, to monitor their performance over time and assess that thermoregulation first-hand. We strip our beds, wash the sheets, and make our beds again to determine how well the linen washes and dries, how it lies on the bed, and whether it's gotten any softer in the wash. We also consider the range of color and pattern options to help you make a style statement.
Meet the team
Louise is one of our former eCommerce Editors at H&G. She covered everything from furniture and decor to small and large appliances, with a concentration is sleep products. Louise tested several of these linen sheet sets for inclusion in this buying guide.
Emilia is our resident sleep writer at H&G. She spends her days searching for the lowest prices on the best bedding and spends her nights testing sheets, shams, comforters, and mattresses in her own home.
How to choose linen sheets
So, you're set on linen. Once you've made your choice of material, there are only two more decisions you need to make before you bag your bedding bundle.
First, set your budget, and stick to it. Linen bedding can get seriously expensive, with some luxury sets retailing for more than $500. That's a lot of money to spend on sheets and shams. It's totally possible to grab a great set of linen sheets for less than $100, but I reckon the sweet spot is somewhere between $200 and $300. Remember, linen sheets are super durable. You're investing now so that you don't need to buy another sheet set for years to come.
Next, consider style. You'll find a lot of linen in neutral hues to showcase its natural texture. We're talking whites, creams, and beige tones to complement any bedroom color palette. If you're keen to experiment with color, I recommend shopping at Bed Threads or Magic Linen. These specialist sleep stores work with organic dyes to protect the texture of your linen and save you from irritated skin.
Best linen sheets FAQs
What is GSM?
GSM stands for 'grams per square meter'. It's a measure of textile weight to help you tell the difference between thick and thin sheets. Think of it as the linen equivalent of the best thread count for bed sheets: the lower the GSM, the lighter and more breathable the linen, while a higher GSM rating indicates thicker, more durable material.
Why is linen so expensive?
Long story short: because the materials are harder to source, and the production process is more laborious. Linen is woven from flax, which is native to Europe and Asia. If you want to buy linen sheets in the US, you're paying in part for the flax fibers to be harvested and shipped to an American factory.
Speaking of: the linen production process is a lot more involved than you might expect. Factory workers need to extract the linen fibers from the flax stalks before looming them across low-speed machines. It takes a long time to produce a comparatively small amount of linen fabric, which increases demand and ups the cost.
Is linen a sustainable bed sheet fabric?
Yes. The linen production process uses the entirety of the flax plant, minimizing waste. Compared to the production of, say, cotton, making linen requires far less water and fewer pesticides.
The process of making linen should leave animals and insects unharmed. This is in stark contrast to the process of harvesting silk, which endangers the lives of millions of silkworms. Bonus: linen is both recyclable and biodegradable.
Is it better to sleep on linen or cotton?
To the untrained eye, linen and cotton seem pretty similar. Each material is prized for its natural breathability and thermoregulation: I'd happily recommend linen or cotton sheets for hot sleepers. With that said, there are a few key differences in look, feel, and price point.
Where cotton percale is crisp and smooth, and cotton sateen is soft and silky, linen has more texture. Some people find linen too stiff and scratchy to start, but it should soften up after a few cycles in the washing machine. Unlike cotton, which creases and crumples, linen should lie beautifully on your bed: wrinkles are all part of the charm.
Cotton threads are thin, granted, but flax fibers are hollow. That makes linen highly breathable and an excellent option for hot sleepers in warm climates. If you tend to sleep warm in the summer, but cool in the winter, you might struggle to stay warm under linen sheets all year round. In that case, you could shop a set of linen sheets for summer or invest in an all-season set.
Final thoughts
Once you've invested in a set of linen sheets, it's important to take good care of it. It's worth learning how to wash linen bedding to get the most out of your product. Pay attention: washing linen is a delicate process, and you can't rely on the same old tips and tricks you use to wash cotton.
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