Shopping The 10 Best Linen Sheets of 2023, According to Testing We tested 16 sets of linen sheets to find out which ones were breathable, durable, and high quality. By Kathleen Felton Kathleen Felton Kathleen Felton is a writer and editor with more than a decade of experience at women’s lifestyle publications. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on May 9, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews The Bottom Line Our Testing Process What to Know About Linen Sheets Other Linen Sheets We Tested Your Questions, Answered Who We Are What Is BHG Recommends? We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson Because linen is so famous for its breathability and frequently shows up on summer clothing, you probably think of linen sheets as being exclusively for hot nights. But if you only reach for linen sheets in warm weather, you may be missing out. Made of flax fibers, which have a thicker, heavier texture than cotton, linen is lovely to the touch, softens up beautifully in the wash, and is an excellent year-round fabric to sleep on. In addition to their breathability and wonderful texture, linen sheets can also last for an incredibly long time. “Some people have linen sheets that they pass down,” says Saana Baker, a textile expert based in San Francisco. “There’s a character to them — if you love them, you love them. They have an interesting sort of personality.” To find the best linen sheets that are high-quality, feel nice and crisp, and will hold well up over many years, we tested 16 of the most popular sets at our testing lab in Des Moines, Iowa. We also tried them out at home over the course of six weeks. During testing, we used a pre-determined methodology to evaluate the texture, quality, breathability, and durability of each linen sheet set. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Parachute Linen Sheet Set at Parachute Jump to Review Best Budget: Quince Linen Sheet Set at Onequince.com Jump to Review Best Splurge: Coyuchi Organic Linen Sheets at Amazon Jump to Review Best Linen-Cotton Blend: Southern Living Linen & Cotton Sheet Set at Dillards.com Jump to Review Best Linen-Bamboo Blend: Cozy Earth Linen Sheet Set at Cozy Earth Jump to Review Best Colors: The Citizenry Linen Sheet Set at The-citizenry.com Jump to Review Best with Top Sheet: West Elm Linen Sheet Set at West Elm Jump to Review Best for Hot Sleepers: Brooklinen Linen Sheet Set at Brooklinen Jump to Review Best Lightweight: Saatva Linen Sheet at Saatva Jump to Review Best Value: Bokser Home French Linen Sheet Set at Target Jump to Review Best Overall Parachute Linen Sheet Set 4.9 Parachute View On Parachute Our Ratings Quality 5/5 Texture 4.9/5 Durability 4.9/5 Value 4.5/5 Breathability 5/5 Why You Should Get It This set scored the highest marks in our tests for texture, durability, quality, and breathability. Keep in Mind Adding a top sheet to the set is an additional cost. Overall, we were very impressed by the high-quality fabric and relaxed but luxe appearance of this Parachute Linen Sheet Set — from just one glance, you can tell that these sheets are well made. The inner seams are surged for reinforcement and there were no loose threads spotted whatsoever. Linen can sometimes be a little bit stiff compared to cotton, but these sheets draped nicely with movement and are very soft. Also good, they have a slightly stretchy feel that makes them easy to get on the bed and the fitted sheet stays on securely. The Parachute sheets washed beautifully, with stains entirely or almost entirely removed and no color fading. And the fabric experienced absolutely no shrinking — a distinction these sheets share with only one other set on our list. Securing its position as our best linen sheets, this Parachute set is available in 12 colors, OEKO-TEX certified, and represents excellent value given how well the fabric performs and how reasonable the price is for quality linen sheets. You’ll be able to choose whether or not you want to include a top sheet in this set, though including the top sheet is an additional cost. Even the very best linen sheets are prone to wrinkles, and these are no exception. We found that smoothing and folding the fabric immediately after the sheets came out of the dryer helped significantly. Price at time of publish: $209 for queen set without a top sheet Product Details: Sizes: Twin, twin xl, full, king, queen, and California king | Certifications: OEKO-TEX | Mattress Depth: 16 inches | Machine Washable: Yes Better Homes and Gardens / Dera Burreson Best Budget Quince European Linen Sheet Set 4.2 Quince View On Onequince.com Our Ratings Quality 3.8/5 Texture 4.5/5 Durability 3.9/5 Value 4.9/5 Breathability 4.3/5 Why You Should Get It The sheets got noticeably softer after being washed. Keep in Mind The fitted sheet is best for mattresses up to 16 inches, so it’s not the best option if you have a thinner mattress. Most of our best linen sheet sets ring in somewhere between $200 and $300, so the fact that this Quince European Linen Sheet Set is just $170 for a comparable queen set is pretty incredible. Even more impressive for the lower price on these European linen sheets is the fact that they are OEKO-TEX certified and available in an array of gorgeous colors and patterns. If you were wondering about the quality of these sheets given how affordable they are, you’ll be happy to hear that they scored top marks for texture and durability. We loved the medium-weight fabric, which was noticeably softer after going through the wash and felt neither too slippery nor too rough. The sheets have good moisture management, experienced minimal shrinking, and handled stains reasonably well (only the oil stain remained). Notably, the abrasion test did not result in any tearing or thinning of the fabric, indicating that these sheets would last you a long time. We had few criticisms, but did notice that the fitted sheet could have been a little tighter. It was slightly large on the mattress and resulted in some bunching in the corners, although it stayed put once on. It’s worth noting, however, that we tested it in the lab and at home on a 10-inch mattress, but the sheet can work on mattresses for up to 16 inches. Price at time of publish: $170 for queen set Product Details: Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king, and California king | Certifications: OEKO-TEX | Mattress Depth: 16 inches | Machine Washable: Yes Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson Best Splurge Coyuchi Organic Relaxed Linen Sheets 4.4 Amazon View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Coyuchi.com Our Ratings Quality 5/5 Texture 4.8/5 Durability 4.6/5 Value 3.5/5 Breathability 3.6/5 Why You Should Get It During testing, there was no evidence of any stains left behind. Keep in Mind They experienced some minor fabric shrinking. These Coyuchi Organic Relaxed Linen Sheets are the linen sheet dreams are made of. Made of organic linen in Portugal from French flax, they have a substantial, slightly heavier weight that felt warmish in a cozy way. They’re also offered in seven colors, so you can choose which suits your bedroom best. These sheets nabbed top marks for their texture, especially since the sheets get a bit softer after going through the wash without losing their linen-y feel. And there were absolutely no visible loose threads, snags, or uneven threads on the fabric — a rarity for even the very best linen sheets we tested. While an investment, you can feel confident that these linen sheets would last you a very long time. After our abrasion test, no pilling or fabric thinning occurred, and we gathered just a small amount of loose lint. The Coyuchi sheets also repelled stains remarkably well, leaving behind no evidence of the coffee, oil, or foundation. Another standout feature is how beautifully they glide onto the bed. The fitted sheet went on securely without us needing to use too much effort to get it to fit. Although you can purchase a full set, which includes a fitted sheet, flat sheet, and two pillowcases, you can also just purchase the fitted sheet individually. Besides their steep price, there’s not much to fault these luxurious linen sheets for. But they did experience a small amount of fabric shrinking after being washed and their breathability score wasn’t quite as high as the ratings for quality, texture, and durability. Price at time of publish: $558 for queen set Product Details: Sizes: Full, queen, king, and California king | Certifications: Made safe | Mattress Depth: 15 inches | Machine-washable: Yes Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson Best Linen-Cotton Blend Southern Living Heirloom Linen & Cotton Sheet Set 4.8 Dillards View On Dillards.com Our Ratings Quality 4.9/5 Texture 4.8/5 Durability 4.8/5 Value 5/5 Breathability 4.5/5 Why You Should Get It The sheets were soft and more lightweight than other full linen options. Keep in Mind They experienced some shrinking after being washed. If you’re drawn to the texture of linen but like how cotton sheets tend to be very soft and have a drapey quality, you might look for a linen-cotton blend. The Southern Living Heirloom Linen & Cotton Sheet Set is made with 55% linen (the origin of the flax isn’t specified) and 45% long-weave cotton, resulting in sheets that feel just slightly scratchy and textured but still smooth and ultra soft. We liked that these sheets had a nice, substantial weight to them and that they could easily fit snugly on the bed. Plus, linen sheets tend to be more expensive than cotton sheets, and this linen-cotton blend is one of the more affordable options on our list in comparison. They’re only offered in standard queen and king sizes and three neutral colors, however. This linen-cotton blend set fared pretty well after going through the wash — most of the stains were removed, with just some of the foundation stain remaining. And the durability of these sheets is impressive especially given their price. After we performed the abrasion test, no tearing or fabric thinning occurred. We did find a number of loose threads on these sheets, most of which could easily be pulled off, but some needed to be snipped to avoid causing damage to the seams. These sheets also did experience some shrinking after being washed. Price at time of publish: $126 for queen set Product Details: Sizes: Queen and king | Certifications: None | Mattress Depth: 16 inches | Machine Washable: Yes Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson Best Linen-Bamboo Blend Cozy Earth Linen Sheet Set 4.5 Cozy Earth View On Cozy Earth Our Ratings Quality 4.4/5 Texture 4.9/5 Durability 4.6/5 Value 4/5 Breathability 4.2/5 Why You Should Get It They’re offered in five colors and a full size range, including split king. Keep in Mind During lab testing, these sheets shrank after washing. This Cozy Earth Linen Sheet Set is another excellent option if you’re looking for sheets that have some of the qualities of linen but feel a little softer. The fabric, which is 70% viscose from bamboo and 30% linen, is lightweight and drapey. And as a bonus, they are offered in five colors and are the only linen sheet sets on our list to offer a split king bed size, if that’s something you need. We thought these sheets had a particularly cool touch to them, but wouldn’t recommend them for summer nights. While testing these at home, we comfortably slept but did wake up a bit warm at one point. After going through the wash, all of the stains came out of the fabric and the sheets performed well overall for durability. They did experience some shrinkage in the lab, but we didn’t find that it impacted how well the sheets fit overall. The fitted sheet in this set was one of the deeper ones on our list (18 inches, while most of the others ranged from 15 to 16 inches). This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially if you have a thicker mattress, but we recommend measuring yours to make sure the fitted sheet won’t be too roomy. Price at time of publish: $389 for queen set Product Details: Sizes: Twin, twin xl, full, queen, king, California king, and split king | Certifications: None | Mattress Depth: 18 inches | Machine Washable: Yes Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson Best Colors The Citizenry Stonewashed Linen Sheet Set 4.2 The Citizenry View On The-citizenry.com Our Ratings Quality 5/5 Texture 4/5 Durability 5/5 Value 3.5/5 Breathability 3/5 Why You Should Get It These linen sheets proved to be stain-resistant during testing. Keep in Mind They’re not the most breathable option on this list. Many of the best linen sheet sets we tested offer more limited color options, but The Citizenry’s Stone Washed Linen Sheet Set is available in a wide range of colors including the basic options, (light gray, white, and solid sand), deeper hues (olive, sage, and a beautiful Aegean blue), and a few standout patterns like sand gingham. If you like your bedding on the colorful side, you’ll be spoiled for choice with this The Citizenry set. We were impressed with the consistency of the weave, the construction, and the lovely rich color on these sheets. The fabric — which is French linen crafted in Portugal and both OEKO-TEX and Fair Trade Certified— has a substantial feel. It’s initially on the rougher side but softens up after going through the wash. These sheets fared well in other ways after being washed. Only mild shrinking occurred and all of the stains came out of the fabric, making this pick of the more stain-resistant options on our list. They also performed well for durability; the abrasion test resulted in some pilling but no tearing, and there was plenty of fabric depth remaining. While still pretty breathable, these sheets weren’t the most moisture-wicking on our list and didn’t have notable airflow. If you tend to run hot at night, you might prefer one of the other options. Price at time of publish: $299 for queen set Product Details: Sizes: Full, queen, king, and California king | Certifications: OEKO-TEX and fair trade | Mattress Depth: 15 inches | Machine Washable: Yes Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson Best with Top Sheet West Elm European Flax Linen Sheet Set and Pillowcases 4.6 West Elm View On West Elm Our Ratings Quality 4.5/5 Texture 4.5/5 Durability 4.9/5 Value 4/5 Breathability 5/5 Why You Should Get It They’re durable and offered in 22 colors. Keep in Mind They’re not as light and airy as some other linen sheets on this list. Overall, we were impressed with the heavy fabric on this West Elm European Flax Linen Sheet Set. While certainly not rough, the 100% European flax sheets have a solid, well-made quality to them that feels substantial — though definitely not as light and airy as other picks on this list, if that’s a texture you prefer. Although the set is not available in twin size, it’s offered a nice variety of color options, including some richer hues that deviate from the typical options. Unlike some other options, it also includes a top sheet without an additional cost. Thanks to its heavier fabric, these linen sheets held up exceptionally well in the abrasion test, with minimal pilling and no fabric thinning or color change occurring. If you’re looking for linen sheets that will be an investment for years to come, these would be a good choice. Stains came out very well from these sheets (just some of the foundation stain remained), shrinkage was minimal compared to other linen sheets we tested, and the breathability was good. Price at time of publish: $270 for queen set Product Details: Sizes: Full, queen, king, and California king | Certifications: Fair Trade certified | Mattress Depth:16 inches | Machine Washable: Yes Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson Best for Hot Sleepers Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet Set 4.6 Brooklinen View On Brooklinen Our Ratings Quality 5/5 Texture 4.4/5 Durability 4.7/5 Value 4/5 Breathability 4.5/5 Why You Should Get It They’re lightweight and wick moisture well. Keep in Mind They’re not as stain-resistant as some other options on this list. Made of 100% European flax, Brooklinen’s Linen Core Sheet Set manages moisture incredibly well, making these sheets a particularly solid choice for summer nights or for anyone who tends to run hot when they sleep. After being washed a few times, we found them to be ultra-soft and comfortable to sleep in. While testing these at home, we appreciated the breathable, airy weave that made these sheets the ideal balance between cozy and cooling. They felt soft and comfortable even on cool nights, and we never found ourselves overheating or kicking off the top sheet in the middle of the night. The set washed well overall and the fitted sheet stayed nice and taut on the bed even after we tossed and turned. Brooklinen also stands out for its limited-edition colors, which vary depending on the season and availability but are unique departures from traditional options. The only real mark against these sheets is that they’re not as stain-resistant as some of the others we tested. Although the oil and coffee stains came out reasonably well in testing, the foundation stain was stubborn against the white fabric. If you opt for these sheets in one of the lighter color options, you might just want to be mindful about removing makeup before bed. Price at time of publish: $299 for queen set Product Details: Sizes: Twin, twin xl, full, queen, king, and California king | Certifications: OEKO-TEX | Mattress Depth: 16 inches | Machine Washable: Yes Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson Best Lightweight Saatva Linen Sheet Set 4.7 Saatva View On Saatva Our Ratings Quality 4.9/5 Texture 5/5 Durability 4.7/5 Value 4.3/5 Breathability 4.5/5 Why You Should Get It Their light, airy texture feels great against the skin and made the sheets very breathable. Keep in Mind They left behind a lot of lint each time they were washed. If the interesting texture of linen appeals to you, you’ll love the Saatva Linen Sheets. Made of 100% Belgian linen, they have a pleasant, nubby feel that gets softer after being washed. They scored very well for their overall quality, and we appreciated the light, airy texture that’s ideal for hot nights. These sheets fared particularly well after going through the wash, with no loose threads or imperfections appearing. The oil and coffee stains fully came out and the foundation stain was 90% removed. And unlike most of the other sheets on this list, the Saatva linen sheets experienced no shrinking. While washing them at home, we did notice that there was quite of bit of lint left behind each time. The color didn’t fade, however, and there were no rips or stains. While testing these at home, we noted that they were noticeably breathable. Though other types of sheets have left us feeling clammy in the middle of the night, these helped reduced sweat and moisture and left us feeling comfortable all night long. A nice bonus, too, is the 16-inch depth, which means they’ll fit even if you have a thicker mattress. We tested it on a thinner mattress, however, and did notice it was expectedly loose in some areas. One downside to the lighter fabric is that it didn’t perform nearly as well as others in the abrasion test and tore after 10 to 15 swipes of the sanding block. While these are still a great pair of linen sheets, this is something to keep in mind if you think they’re likely to go through significant wear and tear (if you sleep with pets, for example, these may not be the best linen sheets for you). Price at time of publish: $375 for queen set Product Details: Sizes: Twin, twin xl, full, queen, king, and California king | Certifications: OEKO-TEX | Mattress Depth: 16 inches | Machine Washable: Yes Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson Best Value Bokser Home French Linen Sheet Set 4.8 Target View On Target View On Bokserhome.com Our Ratings Quality 5/5 Texture 4.8/5 Durability 4.4/5 Value 5/5 Breathability 4.8/5 Why You Should Get It These linen sheets only get better with each wash. Keep in Mind They’re only offered in queen, king, and California king sizes. French linen is known for its superior quality, and these Bosker Home sheets don’t disappoint. At first, these linen sheets have a rough, rustic feel. But after the third or fourth wash, a dramatic shift in their texture occurs — we noticed that the fabric transformed from being coarse and stiff to luxurious feeling. If you’re willing to wash them a few extra times before using them, you’ll end up with gloriously soft linen sheets that are well-priced, too. Texture aside, the Bokser Home linen sheets scored well in most of the categories we tested. The quality is good and they’re very breathable, although these sheets didn’t perform quite as well for airflow as some others on this list. Overall, the sheets reminded us of our best summer linen shirt that’s been broken in and is perfectly soft and breezy. Some pilling and thinning fabric occurred after the abrasion test, but overall, the sheets held up well in the wash with no loose strings or imperfections appearing. We also appreciated the strong elastic and tabs on the fitted sheet, which made it easy to make the bed and resulted in a nice, snug fit. The set includes a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases, and there’s a decent variety of color options, like white and pebble heather and soft hues like clay. These linen sheets do have more limited size options, though, with queen, king, and California king sizes available. Price at time of publish: $268 for queen Product Details: Sizes: Queen, king, and California king | Certifications: OEKO-TEX | Mattress Depth: 16 inches | Machine Washable: Yes The 11 Best Cooling Sheets of 2023 for a Comfortable Night’s Sleep, According to Testing The Bottom Line Made with 100% flax from Portugal, the Parachute Linen Sheet Set nabbed the top overall spot on our list of the best linen sheets. This linen sheet set stood out from the pack thanks to its high-performing marks for quality, breathability, and durability, along with a gloriously soft texture that wowed our tester. It also experienced no shrinkage, unlike other options we tested. Our Testing Process To find the best linen sheets, we reviewed 16 linen sheet sets at our testing lab in Des Moines, Iowa. We put the sheets through a series of tests, including washing them, treating them for stains, assessing their quality and texture, and measuring how much they shrank in the wash. In addition, we also tested the best linen sheet contenders at home over the course of six weeks. All of the linen sheets were evaluated based on several categories using a pre-determined methodology: texture, breathability, quality, and durability. First, we assessed the overall quality of each item in the set before it went through the wash, looking for uneven threads, discoloration, and other imperfections. We measured the pre-washed sheets to compare for shrinking later on. After this inspection, the sheets were washed once. We evaluated the texture based on how the washed sheets felt in comparison to the pillowcases, which weren’t washed. To test for durability, we used a sanding block to swipe the fabric back and forth 50 times over a small area on the linen sheet. We noted the quality of the abraded area against the area that hadn’t been brushed. We applied three staining agents (½ teaspoon of coffee, ½ teaspoon of oil, and a smudge of foundation) into a corner of the flat linen sheet as well as on one of the pillowcases. The linen sheets were then pre-treated for stains with a stain remover solution and washed two more times, although the stained pillowcases were not washed. We compared the washed versus unwashed fabric to assess how well the staining agents came out. Next, to determine how well the linen fabric on each sheet can wick away moisture, we filled a dropper with water and administered one drop on the fabric. We analyzed how the water moved and expanded on the sheet (a drop of water that expands quickly and becomes larger means the fabric is good at moisture management). Finally, we checked for airflow breathability by placing each linen sheet 4 feet in front of a boxed fan with sandbags holding the bottom of the sheet in front of the fan. We then noted whether they could feel air coming through. What to Know About Linen Sheets Before Shopping Sizes Bed sheets are available in sizes that correspond to mattress size, usually twin, full, queen, and king. You might also find retailers that offer a twin XL or California king size. We recommend measuring your mattress at home and then referencing the width and length of the linen sheets you’re considering since there is often some size variability from retailer to retailer. These days, most linen sheets have been preshrunk, but keep in mind that it’s still common for them to shrink a little bit more when you wash them at home, too. Certifications You may notice that some retailers list various textile certifications their bed sheets have earned. Some of the certifications you might spot include: Fair Trade Certified: This means the fabric manufacturers help promote sustainable livelihoods and safe working conditions for farmers. GOTS: This certification, which stands for Global Organic Textile Standard Certified, means the fabric was made with organic materials. OEKO-TEX: This indicates that the textiles have been tested for chemicals that have been deemed harmful. Made Safe Certified: This means the fabric is made without any substances that are designated as harmful. While these certifications don’t necessarily mean that the linen sheets are better quality, they’re something to keep in mind if any of the above are important to you. Mattress Depth It might not be something you think about when buying a new set of sheets, but mattress depth helps contribute to the overall fit of sheets on your bed. It’s a good idea to measure the thickness of your mattress before investing in a new set to make sure the sheets you’re considering will be compatible. Keep in mind that if a set can fit a thicker mattress than what you have, it’ll likely be loose on your mattress. Care Instructions Linen sheets are notoriously durable and should last you a very long time. While most sets are machine washable, always follow the manufacturer's instructions when caring for them. In particular, you’ll likely want to avoid bleach, which could contribute to faster color fading. Other Linen Sheets We Tested Banana Republic Washed Linen-Cotton Sheet Set Overall, we were impressed by the durability of the Banana Republic Washed Linen-Cotton Sheet Set during our tests. The sheets are made from a 50% linen 50% cotton blend, which gives them both the linen look and the soft, cotton feel. While we liked the texture, we found that they weren’t very breathable and we felt that the price is too high for an equal blend. Sijo French Linen LuxeWeave Linen Sheet Set There’s a lot to love about the Sijo French Linen LuxeWeave Linen Sheet Set. These sheets are luxurious feeling and attractive. Ultimately, they simply didn’t score quite as highly as some of the other best linen sheet sets on this list, especially when it came to breathability, but they’re still an excellent pick. Saphyr Soft Washed Pure Linen Sheet Set Although the Saphyr Soft Washed Pure Linen Sheet Set scored well for quality and breathability, we didn’t love the texture, in particular how scratchy they felt against the skin. It’s possible that these sheets need to be washed many times in order to start softening up. The sheets also experienced noticeable pilling and color fading. For the price, these weren’t the best value. Cultiver Linen Sheet Set With Pillowcases Unfortunately, the quality of the Cultiver Linen Sheet Set was far below the other linen sheets we tested. We noticed an excessive amount of fabric pilling on the bed and floor after sleeping on them (so much, in fact, that they needed to vacuum after). Given the price and lower quality, our tester didn’t feel like these were as good a value as other linen sheets on our list. Your Questions, Answered How do you wash linen sheets? Always follow the manufacturer's instructions, but when in doubt, either warm or hot water should be fine to wash your linen sheets. Avoid bleach whenever possible, though; linen sheets are often the natural color of the linen fiber, and that color will fade over time but will fade much more quickly if you use bleach. If your linen sheets need to be additionally washed, you can use Oxy-Clean or try a little dish detergent to get out oil stains. Linen is famously wrinkle-prone, so if you’d like to minimize how wrinkled your sheets look, smooth them when they come out of the dryer and are still a little bit damp. But keep in mind that it’s often hard to avoid wrinkles entirely with linen. “Personally, I love a wrinkly linen look,” says Baker. “I think it’s very relaxed.” Is linen better quality than cotton? The type of sheets you put on your bed really comes down to personal preference. Linen isn’t better or worse than cotton, but it is different. Linen is made from flax fibers from the flax plant, a thicker fiber than cotton. The result is that linen sheets have a heavier, drapey texture compared to cotton sheets. Cotton sheets tend to be cool, crisp, and smooth; linen, while also crisp, often feels a little warmer to the touch than cotton does. And although linen is initially a little rougher than cotton, it softens up over time. “Linen fabric has a bit of a hard hand to it but with time it wears really beautifully, so gets softer when you wash it,” says Baker. “The breaking-in period is shorter nowadays because most linens are stonewashed to start that process.” What are the benefits of linen sheets? Linen is a famously breathable fabric, making it a great choice for hot sleepers or hot nights. It has a rustic, relaxed texture that’s very popular. Linen is also highly durable — if you invest in one of the best linen sheet sets on his list, you’re likely to own them for a long time. The fabric also has antimicrobial properties in it that helps reduce odors. Who We Are Kathleen Felton is a freelance writer originally from Connecticut, now living in Sydney, Australia, covering home and lifestyle for Better Homes & Gardens. To compile this list of the best linen sheets, Kathleen analyzed lab insights from our testing site in Des Moines, Iowa. She also consulted Saana Baker, a textile expert with 25 years of experience and the editor-in-chief at The Textile Eye, a trend and show report on high-end home textiles, surface design, fiber arts, and interior design based in San Francisco. What Is BHG Recommends? Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit