The best linen sheets of 2024, tested by editors

We all spend a lot of time sleeping, so why not outfit our beds with the luxury of linen sheets? Though it might not be as soft as cotton at first touch, the way linen is weaved together creates a cool, moisture-wicking fabric that only gets softer with each wash. Along with added durability, those characteristics make linen sheets a worthwhile investment for anyone looking for cooling sheets in the summer or layered bedding for temperature regulation in the colder months.

It might sound like a no-brainer upgrade but there are many options out there — along with tons of marketing claims that sound fancy — when it comes to linen sheets. So, to make your choice a bit easier, we tested 21 popular sets by sleeping in and washing them, and closely inspecting the quality, fit and feel.

While most were fine, five sets, in particular, stood out for their softness, weight and ordering options. No matter your budget or preference, we think one of those winners will work for you.

Best linen sheets: Parachute Linen Sheet Set

We loved the Parachute Linen Sheet Set for its luxurious hand and weighty feel in hand that most other linen sheets we tested didn’t possess. They feel great right out of the dryer, and making the bed with these sheets was effortless. And for those who don’t want to commit to a full set from the start, they are also available piecewise.

We’ve struggled with tight-fitting cotton sheets before, wondering why bed-making must be laborious. These Parachute linen sheets were roomy but not baggy. They fit our bed comfortably and felt lovingly worn-in from the start. The sheets were soft, firm, cool and luxurious; it felt like we were sleeping on a cloud. Our only gripe with this sheet set was the tight fit of the pillowcases, barely closing around our standard pillows.

After laundering, the Parachute sheets softened and wrinkled — a lot. Although all the linen sheets we tested wrinkled after washing (it’s part of linen’s texture), these wrinkled more extensively than most. This didn’t cause problems on our bed and it’s a pleasant texture if you don’t mind a more natural, messier look. And you can always iron them on a low setting if the wrinkles bother you. That said, the texture is part of the sheets’ luxurious, upscale feel. They also have OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification, meaning they have been independently confirmed to contain no “harmful substances” and are “harmless for human health.”

We also appreciate Parachute’s a la carte shopping options. For those who use only a duvet cover, you can purchase just a fitted sheet and pillowcases; a top sheet is a separate add-on. Fitted sheets and pillowcases are available separately too. Parachute sheets come in ample size and color options for a diversity of bed sizes and styles. This level of variety, plus an elegant and plush sleep offering, elevated the Parachute brand to our top spot.

Best linen sheets runner-up: The Citizenry Stonewashed Linen Sheet Set

The Citizenry Stonewashed Linen Sheet Set smelled great upon arrival and felt equally great right out of the attractive packaging, though their feel was not as luxurious as Parachute’s. With gauzy construction, they’re lovely to slip into and soften substantially on the first wash. We also like that they come in various color and size options.

These sheets are gorgeous, too. We appreciated the delicately perforated hem on the top sheet and the pillow, making the bed presentation feel like more of an occasion. These are light and more gauzy than the Parachute set, which is ideal for summer weather. They are also surprisingly cozy and snuggly. These sheets are roomy widthwise and may seem a bit baggy on slimmer mattresses. They would be a good choice for deeper mattresses.

The Citizenry’s linen sheets don’t offer the breadth of choices that others do. They come in 12 colors, including neutrals and subtle stripes, but they are available in just four sizes.

Softest linen sheets: Brooklinen Washed Linen Core Sheets

The Brooklinen Washed Linen Core Sheets were the softest linen sheets we tested, with much less of a rough fiber feel than anything else we tested. The Brooklinen set arrived already feeling worn in. They’re easy to wash, exhibit minimal shrinkage after the first washing and come in various sizes and color choices.

First and foremost, these sheets are the softest we tested. Crafted from French and Belgian linen, they are comfortable and enveloping. They felt like they had been washed and re-washed dozens of times, already achieving the sought-after worn-in texture that typically takes years. Along with the Citizenry, these sheets were the softest to the touch, even among linen sheets, which can have a reputation for roughness. The fabric is light and gauzy, making them perfect for hot sleepers or warm summer nights. The Brooklinen sheets are also Oeko-Tex certified.

We like the handful of thoughtful features added to this set that make them easy to get on and off when making a bed. The fitted sheets are labeled “Short” or “Long” on each side, so you don’t waste time figuring out which end goes where, and the pillowcases have envelope closures that tidily punctuate your pillow so it’s not exposed beyond the case.

These sheets don’t offer as much purchasing flexibility as many of the other brands we tried as Brooklinen only offers the flat sheet and pillowcases for individual purchase. But conveniently, they are available in 6 sizes and 12 colors.

On the downside, the gauzy feel comes at the expense of material weight. The Brooklinen sheets feel thin, and we could see our pillows and mattresses through the white set that Brooklinen sent for testing. Though they didn’t exhibit any troubling signs of wear and tear, the thin material raised some questions about long-term durability, so we’ll keep an eye on them over time. Also, the Brooklinen sheets may be better suited to deeper mattresses, as they were relatively oversized on our slim mattress and exhibited a lot of bunching after repeated nights of sleep.

Most affordable linen sheets: Simple & Opulence 100% Washed Linen Sheet Set

The Simple & Opulence 100% Washed Linen Sheet Set costs half as much as many of the sheet sets we tested, without compromising on feel or quality. For less than $150, this is a satisfying set of linens. The flat sheet is adorned with a satin-stitched hem along the top for a refined touch. These sheets are a bit thicker than others we tried but felt equally elegant and were able to hold their own against higher-end options.

The Simple & Opulence sheets were cool and soft right out of the box. They felt pleasant against the skin and left us wanting to jump back into bed every morning when we got up. They also fit the bed more snugly than other sets, which was helpful during bed-making and yielded a tidier-looking final product than others we tested. The Simple & Opulence sheets were slightly less luxurious than other sets we tested and a bit heavier, the high quality at a low cost makes them more than worth the weight.

Our only gripe about this sheet set was that they were a bit less soft than competitors. However, they softened substantially after a single wash, and we think they should break in nicely over time. The fitted sheet was snug on our mattress and the top sheet was amply sized for tucking in crisp corners.

The Simple & Opulence sheets come in four size options (twin, full, queen and king) and fifteen colors. They are available in individual fitted and flat sheets, though pillowcase sets are not available separately.

Best luxury linen sheets: Cultiver Linen Sheet Set

The Cultiver Linen Sheet Set was hands-down the best luxury linen sheet set we tested, with the most luxurious, substantial feel and light weight. These sheets felt soft straight out of the box and softened more with wear. They come in the widest variety of colors of any sheet set we tested, and all Cultiver’s bedding is sold piecewise or in sets.

The linen fabric Cultiver uses doesn’t have any of the scratchiness we felt with heavier linen sheet sets and is forgiving on our skin. These sheets are breathable yet insulating when cold and can also effectively wick heat on warmer nights.

Each item in Cultiver’s set was perfectly constructed and sized. The fitted sheet is snug on our bed, without any excess fabric bunching in the middle of the mattress, or around the sides. The pillowcases have an envelope enclosure on the back with ample overlap to fully cover pillows.

The Cultiver sheets are also the most versatile we tested. They come in seventeen color choices––more than any other set we considered. Cultiver makes it easy to mix and match bedding pieces to suit any preferences. The brand offers duvet sets, sheet sets and a mixed fitted sheet and duvet set at a slight discount from the total cost of buying each piece individually.

How we tested

We considered 21 sets of linen sheets by using two primary criteria: quality and variety. We observantly unboxed each set and made notes upon initial inspection. Then we laundered them — each set was machine washable — made up our queen bed multiple times and sleep-tested our top contenders. We noted how they felt to touch, as well as when tossing and turning, sleeping and waking up. We also noted how they felt after laundering and reusing.

Quality and feel

Options

Why choose linen sheets?

Linen sheets are cool to sleep in and have a substantial, luxurious feel with a rougher surface texture and more visible and tactile variation than cotton. Plus, linen wears well, getting softer with repeated washing and drying.

Made from flax, linen is a versatile material that makes some of the best sheets available. Since flax has coarser and longer fiber filaments than cotton, linen fabric can be woven more loosely and with a lower thread count than cotton while maintaining similar strength, which contributes to better breathability. Like cotton, linen is highly absorbent, but linen fabrics wick better than their cotton counterparts, making them good choices for warmer weather, or for layering with other fabrics for effective temperature regulation and control. Linen is also considered more durable than cotton, due to its stronger fibers, so a good linen sheet set is a worthwhile investment.

Unlike cotton sheets, which are typically soft to the touch from the beginning, linen can take several washings to break in (because its fibers are stiffer and less elastic than cotton’s). But linen still softens considerably over time. It also tends to wrinkle with washing and drying, so it might not be the best choice if you prefer a smooth look. Since linen’s fibers are stronger than cotton, they tend to last longer, so you’ll want to ensure you like the look and feel since you’ll likely have your bedding for a long time.

Other linen sheets we tested

The Saphyr Soft Washed Pure Linen Sheet Set is subtle and sophisticated. It has a decorative frayed hem on the top sheet and the pillowcase that differentiates these from any other set we tested. The sheets are available in four sizes (full, queen, king and California king) and five colors (Fresh White, Calming Cream, Blissful Blue, Peaceful Pink and Simply Natural) and are sold individually. Saphyr came in a close second to the Citizenry sheets, our runner-up pick, but did not snag the top spot due to its slightly higher price.

We didn’t find the Lands’ End Garment Washed Belgian Flax Linen Sheets as luxurious as some of the boutique bedding brands. Out of the box, these linens felt soft, thick and already worn in a bit, like they’d been washed a few times. They were comfortable to sleep in, though less melty-feeling than the ones we ended up liking more, and they did get even softer after a few washings.

The Rough Linen Smooth Linen sheets were stiff out of the box, but they were comfortable to sleep on. After one washing, though, the Rough Linen sheets softened significantly. These felt like sheets you could sleep in, wash, dry and sleep in again for many years to come, like a favorite shirt. The brand’s smaller variety of color options and its higher starting price were the primary reasons we didn’t rank these sheets among our absolute faves.

The West Elm European Flax Linen Sheet Set was rough and stiff, not unlike the Rough Linen sheets. The West Elm sheets fit our bed smoothly and tidily, unlike many of the other sets, which gapped around the sides. However, the texture of these sheets sometimes felt rigid. During our first sleep on these and a subsequent one after one laundering cycle, West Elm’s pillowcases felt almost scratchy against our faces.

The Snowe Linen Sheet Set was soft and cool, helping to deliver a good night’s sleep. During our first night of sleep on the Snowe, we noticed the material felt a little scratchy on our legs, and after one washing and drying cycle, somehow the sheets felt a little stiffer. The Snowe sheets come in five colors (White, Stone, Ivory, Olive Green and Terracotta), which are far fewer colors than its competitors. The company does not offer separate replacement sheets (though it does separately sell a pillowcase set).

The Quince European Linen Sheet Set seems well made and is among the most affordable linen sheet sets we tested. But they were scratchier than their competitors and certainly less soft than our recommended budget linen sheets from Simple & Opulence. They’re also somewhat less flexible than other options, being sold exclusively in sets. They come in three striped colors and 18 solid colors, including white, ivory, light grey, mist and sage.

The Company Store Legends Hotel Relaxed Linen Solid Flat Bed Sheets almost didn’t resemble linen. These sheets felt like cardboard, even after laundering, and didn’t wrinkle or soften in the dryer. We also noticed that after washing these sheets, they had a bit of a lingering industrial smell when we put them on our bed. They come in six sizes (twin, twin XL, full, queen, king and California king) and seven colors.

We liked the Garnet Hill Solid Relaxed Linen Flat Sheet a lot. It and its matching fitted sheet and pillowcases are well-constructed, come in various colors and are sold individually. That said, they were a bit rough after laundering, and compared to others we tested, they weren’t quite as luxurious to sleep in. These should soften quite nicely with time and wear, but we recommend softer options if that’s your preference.

The Magic Linen Sheet Set was among the thickest and heaviest we tested. The set released a ton of lint in the dryer (we had to clean the lint trap twice) and required multiple cycles to dry fully. These sheets are hefty — but not in a good way — and weren’t particularly soft. They offer a lot of flexibility in colors and sizing (including options for mattresses with deeper pockets), but we didn’t feel that was enough to put them in our winners’ circle.

The Buffy brand is known to offer sheets so comfy you can sleep in them, well, in the buff. The Buffy Hemp Linen Sheet Set is no exception. Its fibers feel slightly more slick than other models we tested, giving them a cooling feeling. The fitted sheet features a label at each end that indicates whether it’s the head or foot, which is a welcome deviation from fitted sheets that provide overly confusing “North West”-style directions.

Similarly, the flat sheet features a decorative hem at the top to give you an idea of where it should go. While a few threads came loose after two weeks of sleep-testing, this didn’t impact its overall feel or comfort but may be a suggestion of its delicate fabric.

If you’re interested in the cooling sensation of linen sheets but aren’t a huge fan of their overly stiff feel, then you’ll love the Kassatex Linen-Bamboo Sheet Set. These sheets are infused with buttery soft and cooling bamboo. Unfortunately, the fitted sheet doesn’t offer any advice on orientation, and the pillow shams don’t come with any pouches to secure the pillows in place, leading to several nights of our cheeks against a bare pillow.

If you’re looking to venture into linen sheet territory but are worried about an overly sandpaper-like feel, then you’ll fawn over these incredibly soft Avocado sheets. Not only were we immediately struck by how smooth the Avocado Organic Linen Sheets were right out of the box, but they maintained a super-soft consistency throughout several weeks of sleep testing. Deep pockets made them a breeze to apply over the mattress, but you could easily find a comparable set for a fraction of the price.

The Piglet in Bed Linen Sheet Set is a solid set of linen sheets. Its linen fibers feel shorter and thus less scratchy than other brands we tested, making for a pleasant night’s sleep. Making your bed might pose a challenge, however. While the flat sheet features a decorative linear band to help you determine the right side up, you’re on your own with the fitted sheet. While this is somewhat standard, the pillowcases fold over nicely to prevent any cold pillow appearances in the middle of the night.

Making your bed with the Silk & Snow Flax Linen Sheet Set is a dream, thanks to its deep pockets and the included labels that help you orient the fitted sheet on your mattress, which we don’t often see in a fitted sheet. The sheets were scratchy at first, but after weeks of sleeping on them, they began to smooth and soften with wear.

After a wash, they seemed to tighten up and feel stiff, leading us to believe these need to be worn in like a new pair of shoes after each wash. Note that the standard bundle only comes with a set of pillowcases and a fitted sheet, so you’ll have to add a flat sheet to the cart separately for an added $100, which is quite steep.

Baloo’s Stonewashed Linen Sheets gave us a lot to like from the get-go. They felt soft but substantial, with a heavy weight that was comforting during sleep. A lack of options, though, ultimately hurt Baloo in our testing. The set comes in only three sizes (full, queen, king) and four similar colors: White, Dove Grey, Oatmeal and Charcoal. Additional pillowcases are available but single replacement sheets are not, although they’re mentioned under the set’s product details on Baloo’s site.

Ettitude achieves the look and feel of linen without flax, using a 70% bamboo, 30% hemp combination. The result is a lightweight and airy feel we loved on warmer nights. A stitched pattern on the pillowcases was a nice touch. However, some slight pilling after washing and limited options held Ettitude back. Queen, king and California king are the only available sizes, and the color is capped at three choices: Stone, Honey and Ink. Only the pillowcases are sold separately.

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