Credit:
Reviewed/Betsy Goldwasser
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Credit:
Reviewed/Betsy Goldwasser
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
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Saatva's sheets performed well in our testing overall, but they were a little expensive compared to most sets. Read More
These aren't the softest linen sheets we tested. Even after 5 washes they felt like a light canvas material. Read More
Comfortable to sleep on with a cotton-like and airy feel. They have a relaxed look but do wrinkle a bit. Read More
Felt rough to touch and didn’t get any softer after sleeping on them or washing them five times. Read More
The best linen sheets have a wonderfully soft, worn-in feel that actually gets better over time. The fabric is highly breathable, making it well-suited for summertime or anyone who sleeps warm. Plus, with the right care, well-made linen sheets can last for decades, so you really only have to buy them once.
However, not all linen sheets are worth your money. While good quality linen is luxuriously soft and subtle, cheaper sheets can be rough and scratchy, offering a less-than-enjoyable night of sleep. To help you find the best option for your bed, we spent months testing out 12 popular sets of linen sheets, and the Saatva Linen Sheet Set (available at Saatva) is our top pick. These sheets have a soft, well-worn feel right out of the package, and their top-tier construction will stand the test of time. If you don’t want to spend quite so much, the Tuft & Needle Linen Sheets (available at Tuft & Needle) are a bit more affordable and have a heavier weight that’s perfect for cooler weather.
While bed sheets are available in many different styles, the best linen sheets can make for a luxurious night of sleep that’s difficult to beat.
The Tuft & Needle Linen Sheets are more affordable than other linen sheet sets and every bit as comfortable. These sheets have a thicker feel and heavier weight than others we tested, making them an excellent choice for colder climates or anyone who sleeps cold. These linen sheets felt nice when we took them out of the package, but they weren’t the softest option we tested. They didn’t shrink in the wash (always a plus) and felt slightly softer after laundering, so we think they’ll improve over time. Still, the fabric was smooth and comfortable to sleep on. Despite their lower price point, these bed sheets are also well-made. The stitching is neat and even, and the fitted sheet has reinforced corners for improved strength. The fitted sheet also has a deep pocket and thick elastic band that kept it in place over the course of several nights. The set comes in five colors, including white, charcoal gray, and multiple shades of blue, and the brand offers a 100-night sleep trial, during which you can return the product if you’re not satisfied.
The best linen sheets we tested from Buffy keep you cool and feel soft to the touch.
Though among the priciest we tested, the Cultiver linen sheets impressed us with their airy softness from first use.
Soft to the touch
Not much shrinkage
Company will send a fabric swatch
None that we could find
Quince linen sheets offer a good value for their lightweight softness.
Less shrinkage
Breathable and cool
Tend to wrinkle
Less shrinkage
Scratchy
Wrinkle
Company charges for fabric swatches
Great linen sheets have nice drape and feel soft on your skin.
Linen has a lot to offer. Coarser fibers mean that you can get a substantial fabric with a lower thread count than cotton, one that tends to be more durable. Linen is always great for hot sleepers. It’s an airy, breathable material that’s great for wicking away sweat and regulating temperature in the night.
Historically, linen was the first fabric used for sheets, but its scratchy roughness primed it to be replaced by cotton first, then later with synthetics like rayon and microfiber. That said, modern linen fabrication methods now create less scratchy fabric, especially for the top picks we’ve selected here.
Some linens may take a few washes to reach their smoothest, softest selves, but some feel smooth right out of the package. That’s a great indicator of high-quality linen, and it’ll likely feel even better as time passes.
Generally speaking, European linen is the best regarded. European flax—especially from France and Belgium—tends to have longer fibers. When that flax is spun into linen, it tends to be stronger and more resistant to breaking and pilling.
Pre-wash your linen sheets a few times to soften them up before use. After that, routinely wash your pillowcases, top sheets, and fitted sheets as often as you would any other bedding—typically once a week. Be gentle to help preserve the fibers; opt for mild temperatures, mild detergents, and delicate wash cycles.
One thing to watch out for is lint shedding. Linen sheds more than regular cotton sheets, and some sets shed a lot. It’s best to wash your linens by themselves. Otherwise, you may end up with lint on your clothing that could be hard to get off.
We tested linen sheets just as you might: by putting them on a bed and sleeping on them.
Our linen sheet testing process starts with researching established, popular, and well-reviewed brands.
Our testers sleep on each set of linen sheets for two to three nights, assessing the feel and overall experience. Our sheet testers have textile experience and are well-equipped to evaluate the stitching.
We then consider the fit of the fitted sheet and measure each flat sheet before and after washing and drying to determine how much they shrink. Finally, we perform a stain test by dropping pomegranate juice on the sheet and let the stain set overnight before washing it and evaluating how well the stain comes out.
Linen sheets are also sent to our lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where Reviewed’s team of scientists perform further tests. They measure the weight of the sheets, comparing their data to the advertised weight. Then, they perform a simplified rendition of the Martindale test: They place a swatch of each fabric under an orbital sander with a felt pad for 10 minutes to observe pilling.
Reasonable price
Stays in place well
Neat, sturdy stitching
Heavier weight
Camryn Rabideau is a full-time freelance writer and product tester with eight years of experience. She's been lucky enough to test hundreds of products firsthand, and her specialties include bedding and pet products, which often require help from her two dogs, three cats, and flock of rambunctious chickens.
Jamie Ueda
Apparel Staff Writer
Jamie writes about clothing, shoes, and accessories for Reviewed. She loves apparel and doesn't like to sacrifice fashion, comfort, or quality in whatever she wears.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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