Written by Tony Klespis, Staff Writer
The term linen can refer to any kind of bedding you use for your bed, but it’s also a specific type of sheet. In fact, linens are the oldest style of sheet out there, which is why the term has become so universal.
If you’re curious about linens and want to know some of the best out there, you’re in luck. I gathered a small but mighty list of the best linens on the market right now. I’ll share all the details you need to know about these sheets, including feel, price, color options, and more.
Our Verdict: What’s are the Best Linen Sheets?
I named the Brooklinen Linen Core sheet set as the best linen sheets. Brooklinen is known for its variety of sheets, and they didn’t forget about linens. These sheets feel lightweight and are offered in a wide variety of color and design choices. For linens, they felt fairly soft, too. These sheets should last a long time.
Our Top Picks for the Best Linen Sheets
- Brooklinen Linen Core Set – Best Overall
- Saatva Linen Sheets – Softest Linens
- Avocado Organic Linen Sheets – Best Organic Linens
- Parachute Linens – Best Flax Linen Sheets
- Baloo Stonewashed Linen Sheets – Best Luxury Linen Sheets
How We Choose Our Products
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed hundreds of bed sheets with the sateen wave, using proprietary methodology and hands-on testing. When it came to creating the list of the best linen sheets, what I selected really came down to different factors one might be looking for in a set of linen sheets. Because they’re all made with the same materials and have the same texture, I considered budget, the quality of the flax used, and how the flax is processed.
Be sure to also check out my buyer’s guide at the bottom of this list. There, I go in more detail on what linen sheets are, what material is used to make them, why thread count might not matter in linen sheets and more.
Video Review: Best Linen Sheets
Best Overall – Brooklinen Linen Core Set
Brooklinen Linen Core Sheets
Linens are a fantastic style of sheet to use. They’re durable, breathable, and have a unique feel to them. The Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet set is a great option for linen fans, hot sleepers, and people looking for tons of color options. Click our coupon to get the best deal!
Mattress Clarity Score
4.30 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
Brooklinen’s tagline is “the Internet’s favorite sheets” and with so many options, it’s easy to see why.
The Brooklinen Linen Core set makes our editor’s pick and best overall for a few different reasons. They’re made from 100% European flax, and are handmade and hand-dyed.
The sheets have been stonewashed, meaning Brooklinen washes its linen set before the sheets are shipped out to account for possible shrinkage. Plus, who doesn’t want a pre-washed set of sheets right out of the box?
Linens have a bit of texture to them, and these sheets are no different, but they still feel luxuriously soft. They’re also very breathable, making them a great option for hot sleepers to use year-round.
What We Love About the Brooklinen Linen Core Sheets
- These are some of the best linen sheets because they are breathable, durable, and feel ultra comfortable.
- The fitted sheet features “long” and “short” labels to take the guesswork out of dressing your bed.
- These sheets are available in a handful of natural colors, in addition to limited edition colors and designs. Each sheet set is hand-dyed, which is highly impressive.
What to Keep In Mind About the Brooklinen Core Sheets
- Linens tend to cost more than other types of sheets. At full price, a queen-size set of the Brooklinen sheets costs $319. These sheets are often discounted during holidays, though.
Read my full Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet Set review.
Best Soft Linens – Saatva Linen Sheets
Saatva Linen Sheets
Looking for luxuriously soft linens? Saatva’s linens are sent to you pre-washed to maximize softness and make them look luxurious on your bed. Click on our coupon to get a set yourself!
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
Linens are known for their texture, but that doesn’t mean they can’t feel ultra-soft, too. Saatva’s linens are the softest I’ve encountered.
This set is pre-washed before shipping to maximize their softness and give the sheets a relaxed look when they’re dressed on the bed. Saatva also says that these sheets will get softer with each wash. So, don’t be deterred by the texture linens can have. High-quality linens won’t feel itchy or scratchy, and these are anything but.
Saatva only sells this set in three natural shades, due to dyes not always being eco-friendly. Speaking of, these sheets carry an OEKO-Tex certification, meaning they were produced without harmful toxins or chemicals.
What We Love About the Saatva Linen Sheets
- Saatva ships these sheets pre-washed, so they feel ultra-soft right out of the package. Better yet, they’ll get softer with each wash.
- They are eco-friendly and have an OEKO-Tex certification.
- They’re super breathable, making them great for hot sleepers.
What to Keep In Mind About the Saatva Linen Sheets
- Saatva only offers these sheets in four colors: white, ivory, terra (beige), and grey. For some, these options might not be colorful enough to meet their preferences.
Read my full Saatva Linen Sheets review.
Best Organic Linens – Avocado Organic Linen Sheets
Avocado Organic Linen Sheets
Love the textured feel of a linen sheet, and are also looking for a green bedding product? Avocado’s Organic Linen Sheets are the answer! These sheets are a great option for eco-conscious shoppers, and hot sleepers alike.
Mattress Clarity Score
5.00 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
It’s nice to know when a company goes above and beyond to be eco-friendly. Avocado is known for eco-friendly mattresses, and the sheets are just as kind to the earth as the beds are. The company’s linen set has a Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification. This certification means that the flax is grown in an environmentally safe, sustainable, and socially responsible way.
Like most organic products, the Avocado linens only come in white and natural colors, to avoid adding in any potentially harmful dyes or chemicals into the production. These linens feel textured, but are very breathable. If you’re an eco-conscious shopper who loves linens, these sheets could be for you.
What We Love About the Avocado Organic Linen Sheets
- The sheets are GOTS certified, which is the gold standard for organic products.
- The linens are breathable and moisture-wicking, making them a good choice for hot sleepers.
- Avocado has also made efforts to be eco-friendly by becoming Climate Neutral Certified to produce carbon negative products.
What to Keep In Mind About the Avocado Organic Linen Sheets
- There are only two color options available: white and natural. This might be limiting for those who want to match a specific color scheme.
- At full price, these sheets cost around $500, meaning they aren’t very budget-friendly.
Read my full Avocado Organic Linens Sheets review.
Best Flax Linens – Parachute Linens
Parachute Linen Sheet Set
Snuggle up with a high-quality set of linen sheets from Parachute! These luxury linens are made with the finest flax from a family owned factory in Portugal. You’ve also got tons of color options to choose from!
Mattress Clarity Score
4.20 / 5
Read Full Review
Our Expert’s Take
While all linens are made from flax, Parachute uses some high-quality flax to make its linen sheets.
Parachute sources its high-quality European flax from a family-owned factory in Portugal. The flax is also OEKO-Tex certified, meaning the linens are free from harmful chemicals and toxins. And, unlike some other companies, Parachute avoids using artificial softeners.
If you are looking for linens with color options, Parachute has a variety of neutral and natural shades to choose from. They can fit mattresses up to 16” tall, so the fitted sheet should stay secure on most beds. For reference, the average mattress height ranges from 8” to 14.”
What We Love About the Parachute Linen Sheets
- Parachute sources some of the highest quality European flax to make its sheets.
- These sheets are made without harmful chemicals.
- There are a number of color choices to choose from, making them work well with most color schemes.
What to Keep In Mind about the Parachute Linen Sheets
- This is another set that’s rather pricey. At full price, a queen-size set costs around $360, so budget-minded shoppers might need to look elsewhere.
Read my full Parachute Linens sheets review.
Best Luxury Linens – Baloo
Baloo Stonewashed Linen Sheets
The Baloo Stonewashed linens have a much smoother texture than more traditional linens. These are designed to get softer with each wash.
Our Expert’s Take
If you’re able to splurge on a set of high-quality linen sheets, Baloo has you covered. Personally, the texture of linen sheets isn’t something I gravitate to, but the Baloo linens could change my mind. They’re stone washed, meaning they come to you pre-washed. The stone washing helps smooth the sheets out, reducing that usual coarse texture that linens have.
The top sheet felt a little thicker than other linens I’ve tested, but overheating wasn’t an issue. Flax is a super breathable material that can wick away moisture. This means you won’t feel hot and sweaty with these sheets.
What We Love About the Baloo Stonewashed Linen Sheets
- The stone washing gives these sheets an incredibly soft feel. Most linens have a texture to them, but these don’t feel as textured as other linens, really selling that luxurious feeling.
- The lightweight feel, coupled with the breathability and moisture-wicking properties, makes these sheets a great choice for hot sleepers.
- Flax is a naturally hypoallergenic material, so those with sensitive allergies don’t have to worry about these sheets trapping heat.
What to Keep In Mind about the Baloo Stonewashed Linen Sheets
- Baloo only offers these sheets in four sizes: full, queen, king, and California king. Those that have smaller beds or split kings will need to look elsewhere.
Read my full Baloo linen sheets review.
What Are Linens?
Linens are the oldest style of sheet. So old, in fact, linen is used as a blanket term for many bedding products. Linens are also used to make other products, such as towels, napkins, and tablecloths.
These sheets are made from flax stalk fibers that are spun into yarn. A common characteristic of linens is their texture. This can be pleasant to some, or coarse and scratchy to others. It’s all personal preference, but I should note that high-quality linens won’t feel scratchy or uncomfortable.
If you’re a hot sleeper, linens are a great option, too. The flax has some moisture-wicking properties and their construction makes them very breathable as well.
If you’d like to learn more about the differences between linen and cotton, another common material in sheets, we have a full article for you to read!
What to Consider When Looking for the Best Linen Sheets
If linen sheets sound like something you want, here are a few key considerations to keep in mind.
Feel
As I’ve mentioned throughout the list above, linens have a texture to them. It doesn’t feel or look like pilling does, rather just a coarseness to the fabric. Even with this in mind, linens can still feel very soft to the touch!
They don’t feel as smooth or satin-like as bamboo or polyester do, but they also don’t feel as crisp as cotton sometimes can.
Weight
When comparing linens to sheets made with other materials, one thing you’ll notice is that they can be weightier than other sheets. And, more often than not, you’ll see the best linen sheets measured by weight rather than thread count.
If linens do have a thread count, they will be on the lower end. And I mean low. I’m talking around 50 to 150. The yarn fibers that come from the flax stalks are much thicker than the fibers from cotton or bamboo. And because thread count refers to the number of threads woven vertically and horizontally into a square inch of fabric, the thread count will be lower.
Instead, linens are measured by grams per square meter, or GSM. The higher the GSM, the heavier a set of sheets. Like thread count, this can tell you how breathable a set of linens are.
Care
Luckily, linens are fairly easy to take care of. All of the sheets on this list are machine-washable. Care instructions will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so it’s important to thoroughly read the instructions before washing.
Common recommendations for linens involve washing them in cold water and drying on low heat. This can prevent shrinkage in your sheets.
Durability
The flax used to make linens is very durable. Because the fibers are pulled from the flax stalk, as opposed to processed bamboo fibers or the fluffy cotton boll, linens are very sturdy.
Not only that, linens are also designed to get softer with more use and washes. With good care, your linen sheets can last you anywhere from three to five years.
Breathability
If you’re worried about overheating at night, linen sheets could be a good option. Flax is a naturally breathable material, and many linens are weaved with a breathable style as well.
All of the sheets on this list kept me very cool. Every time I switched sleeping positions, I felt the sheets letting air flow through. They don’t feel stuffy like sateen sheets sometimes can.
Overall, linens are great for hot sleepers looking to stay cool at night.
Best Linen Sheets Pros & Cons
Here’s a quick chart to simply explain the pros and cons of linen sheets
| Pros | Cons |
| They’re great for hot sleepers. | They don’t feel very smooth. |
| They can last up to five years, if taken care of. | They can be fairly pricey. |
| Linens will get softer with use and more washes. | They wrinkle more than cotton. |
Summary
| Sheets | Best For |
| Brooklinen Linen Core Set | Best Overall |
| Saatva Linen Sheets | Softest Linens |
| Avocado Organic Linen Sheets | Best Organic Linens |
| Parachute Linens | Best Flax Linen Sheets |
| Baloo Stonewashed Linen Sheets | Best Luxury Linen Sheets |
The Best Linen Sheets FAQs
How do you soften linen sheets?
The answer is simple: you use them and you wash them! Because linens can have a coarse feel to them, you might be inclined to get rid of that. However, this is a common characteristic of linen sheets, and all the sheets on this list are designed to get softer with more use and washes.
I also have a full guide on how to soften your bed sheets for you to check out for more information.
Are linen sheets cool?
Yes, linens are a great option for keeping you cool at night. They are very breathable and can wick away moisture. This means that with air flowing easily through the sheets, and you staying dry, you won’t feel hot and sweaty while you sleep.
How do you wash linen sheets?
Linens have simple and easy care: machine wash! All the options on our list are machine-washable. Instructions can vary, so be sure to fully read over the care instructions provided before washing.
How long do linen sheets last?
Linens are made from flax, which is a very durable material. Though linens are prone to wrinkling, with good care, these sheets should last you anywhere from three to five years.
