I fell in love with linen bedding years ago. I bought a bright yellow linen duvet I was certain would bring my bedroom together. The yellow was just a phase, but sleeping on linen just clicked. Linen has a rougher texture and a lived-in look, which can turn some folks off from sleeping on it. But the fabric is breathable and dries fast, so you’ll stay cooler as you sleep and avoid sweaty sheets. (That’s why linen apparel is popular in the summer.)
Linen is also strong and durable, softening up (slowly) after each wash without becoming thinner or weaker. Linen tends to be more expensive, and since high-quality linen will last a long time, a linen sheet set is an investment not only in staying cool as you sleep (which is very important for sleep quality) but also in gorgeous bedding you can enjoy for years.
I love sleeping on linen so long as it isn’t too scratchy, which is one of the many things I looked for while testing and searching for the best linen sheets. I also looked for breathability and airflow, the weight of the sheets, and any other texture or temperature issues beyond linen’s infamous scratchiness. I also researched where each maker sources their linen from and where it’s produced (which can impact both the quality and the price point). These are the best linen sheets I’ve slept on, all having been tested for at least seven nights and at least two washes. I always wash sheets before my first night of testing, and I tend to rotate my sheets every few nights. (All prices in this guide are for queen size sheets.)
Read our Best Sheets guide if you want something a little softer, and check out our other bedding buying guides, including the Best Pillows, Best Mattresses, Best Cooling Mattresses, and whether you need a duvet.
Updated August 2024: We’ve added testing notes about The Company Store’s linen sheets, plus more details about linen weight for all the picks in our guide.
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What’s So Great About Linen?
Photograph: Judy Davidson/Getty Images
Linen is a woven fabric made from flax plants. It’s a highly breathable material, so it keeps you cool during the summer months as it doesn’t trap heat. It’s great for people who sleep hot. It’s rougher at first than a simple cotton sheet set, but it should soften up the more it’s washed. Linen often has a higher price than other sheets, but it’s generally more durable than percale or other cotton weaves, so a good sheet set should last a long time.
It’s not for everyone, but if you love linen apparel, you’ll probably love linen sheets. If you’re unsure, start with a single piece (like a duvet or flat sheet) and see what you think. Most of the options we recommend come in a linen set, but you can also buy many of these pieces separately, allowing you to try a linen pillowcase or fitted sheet before wading into a full-on linen bed.