Linen is one of the strongest, most durable, and breathable fabrics on the market. It’s also the oldest textile with a history of more than 36,000 years. If you live in a hot climate, are a hot sleeper, or like rustic decor, you’ll love linen sheets.
In this article, we’ll discuss our recommendations for the nine best linen sheet sets. Afterward, we’ll explore how to choose high-quality linen sheets through softness, thread count and weight, and fit. We’ll explain how to maintain your sheets for an extended lifespan as well.
1. Simple & Opulence Linen Sheet Set
FEATURES
Deep-pocketed fitted sheet
Moisture and heat wicking
The Simple & Opulence Linen Sheet Set is made of OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified 100% linen. It’s available in twin, full, queen, and king size and comes with a fitted sheet with a 14-inch pocket depth, a flat sheet, and two shams. It’s has a 160 thread count and weighs 4.7 ounces per square yard (oz/yr2), which means it’s durable and encourages airflow.
The natural linen fibers create a wear-resisting, static-free, and moisture-wicking fabric.
Linen is also three times stronger than cotton and becomes softer after each wash. The linen sheets come with easy care instructions. They are iron-free, machine-washable, and don’t shrink. Simple & Opulence pre-washes their sheets to offer a natural, lived-in look and greater softness.
This Simple & Opulence product is protected by a 15-day money-back guarantee. We were unable to find a warranty. If you buy these sheets on Amazon, they come with a 30-day return policy instead, but still no warranty.
2. Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet Set
The Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet Set is made from OEKO-TEX certified linen fibers sourced from Belgium and France. It comes in 15 color options and in full, queen, king, and California king size. The sheets are pre-washed for added softness and each set is individually garment-dyed, making each color unique and long-lasting.
These sheets are machine washable but need line-drying to preserve color and fiber elasticity.
Brooklinen offers a 365-day return policy and a Lifetime warranty, covering manufacturing and material defects.
3. Linoto 100% Linen Sheets Set
FEATURES
Customizable size and fitted pocket depth
Sourced from Belgium and Italy
Linoto 100% Linen Sheet Sets come in 25 colors and twin, full, queen, king size. The material fibers are sourced from Italian and Belgian. One set comes with one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, and two enveloped pillowcases or shams.
This brand allows specialized orders, including European sizes and split mattress sizes. The fitted sheets come in multiple pocket depths: 9 inches, 14 inches, and 18 inches.
The sheets are smooth and durable. They wick away heat and moisture to encourage a comfortable night’s sleep. Additionally, the sheets are pre-washed for softness. The product doesn’t need ironing or dry cleaning but is machine wash and dryable, although the company suggests line-drying for best results.
Linoto offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and free shipping within the continental U.S.A with orders over $100.
4. Parachute Linen Sheet Set
FEATURES
Greater softness after each wash
The Parachute Linen Sheet Set comes in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king size and is available in seven different colors. You can choose to get the set with or without the flat sheet, which can drop the product’s price by $110.
The material is breathable, moisture-wicking, and naturally soft and gets plusher after each wash.
The sheets are machine-washable, although you have to tumble-dry the sheets with wool dryer balls and use low iron heat to prevent wrinkles.
Parachute offers a 90-day return policy; however, there is no official warranty. They will repair or replace a product on a case-by-case basis.
5. West Elm Belgian Flax Linen Sheet Set
FEATURES
100% natural Belgium flax
West Elm Belgian Flax Linen Sheet Set is made with FairTrade certified 100% Belgian linen. One set includes one duvet cover, two shams, one flat sheet, one fitted sheet with a 15-inch depth, and two pillowcases and comes in full, queen, and king size. The sheets are garment-dyed to ensure long-lasting color.
The breathable duvet cover has a button enclosure and four interior ties to keep the duvet in place. The cover wards off allergens and is dirt resistant, protecting the comforter inside.
These sheets are machine washable and dryable. Tumble dry the sheets and then lay flat for a relaxed look. For a more crisp look, use a warm iron or steam.
West Elm offers a 30-day return policy to those who purchase their sheets. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a warranty.
6. Morrow Heirloom French Linen Sheet Set
FEATURES
Five times more breathable than wool
The Morrow Heirloom French Linen Sheet Set is made of 100% breathable French flax. The sheet set comes in full/queen and king size and three color options: greige, midnight, white.
Morrow Heirloom’s linen is five times more moisture-wicking than wool and promotes air circulation, yet is thick enough to keep users warm in winter.
The sheets are pre-washed for softness, although customers say the sheets are slightly rough out of the packaging.
The Morrow Heirloom French Linen Sheets come with a 30-day return policy; however, we could not find a warranty.
7. Cultiver Linen Sheets With Pillows
FEATURES
Made with 100% European flax
Soft right out of the packaging
The Cultiver Linen Sheets With Pillows is made with 100% European flax. It comes in twin, queen, king, and California king size, and includes a fitted, flat, standard pillows, and a linen bag for storage. The sheets are available in 18 colors. Free swatches are available for those looking for particular colors.
These sheets are pre-washed, making them soft right out of the box. The material weighs 4.0 oz/yr2, which strengthens the individual linen fibers and extends the product’s longevity.
Cultiver offers free shipping and 30-day return policy, although they only take the product back if it’s unwashed, unmarked, and unused. You can also exchange for a different color under the return policy.
8. MagicLinen Natural Linen Sheet Sets
FEATURES
Can absorb up to 20% of its weight in liquid
MagicLinen Natural Linen Sheet Sets is made from OEKO-TEX certified 100% European flax. The bed sheet set comes with a fitted sheet with 10 and 18-inch pocket depth, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases and is available in twin, twin XL, queen, king, California king size.
The fabric is stone-washed for a live-in texture and comes in 12+ colors. You can request swatches to match the colors in your bedroom.
The sheets are durable and breathable. They wick away heat and moisture, absorbing up to 20% of their weight before feeling moist. The sheets are machine-washable and do not need ironing.
Unfortunately, we were unable to find a warranty, although you can return or exchange the sheets within 30 days of delivery.
9. Snowe Linen Sheet Set
FEATURES
Relaxed, soft linen fiber through pressurized air technology
Fitted sheet has a 17-inch pocket depth
The Snowe Linen Sheet Set is made with OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified 100% Belgium flax. It is available in full, queen, king, and California size and includes one fitted sheet with a 17-inch pocket depth, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases. The sheets also come in three colors: white, grey, blue.
Snowe uses proprietary technology to soften their linen— they aim pressurized air at the fabric to relax the linen fibers, and then hand wash the linen make the fibers even more durable and soft.
The Snowe Linen Sheet Set is machine washable, although you should wash the sheets separately from other laundry. Tumble dry on low heat for best results.
Snowe offers free shipping and returns with the purchase of their linen sheets; however, you need to make the return within 90 days of purchase.
Linen fabric is manufactured from cellulose fibers of the flax plant, making the product eco-friendly, biodegradable, and antimicrobial.
Unlike cotton and silk, linen is not soft at first; however, it softens with use. It has a crisp, coarse feel and requires a break-in period to soften. You can speed up the break-in period by running the material through multiple washes.
Linen is one of the most durable natural textiles on the market. It becomes stronger over time and can last for decades. It’s also five times more breathable than wool and can absorb moisture up to 20% of its weight before feeling damp.
The fabric is insulative, meaning it will keep customers cool in the summer and warm during the colder months.
High thread count does not necessarily indicate high-quality linen sheets. A better gauge for the fabric’s quality is the weight and harvesting process. Some of the strongest linen fabrics are hand-harvested to produce longer fibers, which hikes up the product’s price.
Due to linen’s loose weave, fibers may shift around. It’s best to keep away sharp objects that may snag the fabric.
Linen does shed or pill at first. Due to the natural fibers, Linen sheets are hypoallergenic, anti-static, and dirt-resistant, which benefits those with skin sensitivities.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Linen Sheets
To choose the best sheets for your sleep needs, you want to consider the linen’s durability and weight, the available sheet colors and patterns, as well as your budget. Linen sheets tend to have a higher price point, so shoppers on a tight budget may find better success in choosing a high-quality cotton sheet over a budget-friendly linen sheet.
Quality
Linen fiber’s quality will affect how it feels and its longevity. If you want something soft, linen is not for you, but its durability is unmatched.
Linen fibers are collected from all over the western world. Linen produced in France is highly praised; however, Belgium, China, and eastern Europe produce high-quality flax plants as well. Keep in mind, linen is graded based on the lack of pesticides used during plant growth and the length of the fibers collected.
Different linen types provide a different feel and look. Your personal preference and budget will influence your final decision.
Softness
Soft linen sheets are either blended with other fabrics or coated in a chemical wash. Blended linen bedsheets will wear quicker. Meanwhile, chemically treated linen will lose their softness after the first wash. Either way, both chemically treated and blended linen sheets are low-quality and non-eco friendly products.
True linen sheets are rougher than most, although the material becomes softer over time. If you would like soft linen sheets, you can wash them a few times before using them.
Some companies stone-wash their sheets before selling; this washing process makes the sheets softer and gives a rustic appearance; however, we advise you to look into the washing process as manufacturers may use chemicals to increase softness.
Thread Count and Weight
Linen bed sheets with a high thread count can be a sign of low-quality sheets. Unlike cotton, linen fibers are thicker and woven loosely. It’s normal to see tiny holes through the fabric when you hold it up to light.
Tightly woven linen is made of thinner yarn, which wears quickly and may contain blended linen yarns.
While a thread count between 80 to 120 will procure quality linen sheets; it’s better to measure linen’s quality in oz/yr2 as it prevents manufacturers from using thin, low-quality linen strains. We suggest a weight between 5.2 to 5.6 oz/yr2.
Fit
You can find linen sheets in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king size. You’ll have to remember most linen sheet sets come in the standard mattress profiles, which means you may have a hard time finding linen sheets for a thicker mattress. Measure your mattress’s profile before purchasing. You want fitted sheets with deep pockets; in which case, search the product description for the pocket depth.
A 5% shrinkage is expected even when purchasing pre-washed sheets, so buy fitted sheets one inch larger pocket depth than you need.
Pattern and Color
Linen sheets don’t come in a wide range of colors and patterns like synthetic and cotton materials. There are companies that offer a few neutral and pale color options and few brands offer patterns.
Many linen sheets are garment-dyed in small batches, which means every bed sheet set will have a unique shade.
Due to the labor needed to produce linen fabric, the price tag is larger than other bed sheets, although the product is cost-efficient due to its durability. Linen sheets can last decades with proper care.
If you want to get the longest lifespan out of your linen sheets, you’ll need to perform proper maintenance. To maintain linen, you’ll want to read the manufacturer’s care instructions as they are the best guideline for washing, drying, and protecting your investment.
Washing Linen
The weave, dye, and stitching may change the way your linen sheets maintenance requirement. Take care to use the right water temperature and dryer setting to decrease shrinkage and fiber wear.
Never use bleach or chemicals when washing your linen sheets as the fibers will weaken and become damaged. Mild laundry detergent will keep your sheets clean and durable.
Since linen is a cellulose fiber, they need to soak up water to clean properly. Soaking in water also increases the fiber’s longevity and plushness. Washing the sheets alone will ensure the color isn’t affected and keep the fabric strong.
Not Wrinkle Resistant
Keep in mind, linen wrinkles naturally. If you’re concerned about wrinkling, use the dryer or dry on a line. Never use a hot iron as it will damage the fibers. You can use a steamer to get rid of wrinkles instead.
Stain Prevention
Treat stains immediately as linen quickly absorbs moisture. Blot the stain to soak up the excess liquid and then soak before washing.
Even though linen sheets are more expensive than other fabrics, they are an investment that will last you a few decades if treated with proper care. Remember to pay attention to the softness and material weight as they can indicate the linen’s quality. As long as you keep our linen sheets buying guide in mind, you’ll find your best linen sheets.
