I fell in love for linen bedsheets many years ago. I bought a bright yellow linen comforter that I’m sure will brighten up my bedroom. Yellow is just a phase, but sleeping on linen is just a click away. Linen has a rougher texture and has a lived-in appearance, which may discourage some people from sleeping on it. But the fabric is breathable and dries quickly, so you’ll stay cooler while you sleep and avoid sweating on your sheets. (That’s why linen clothes are popular in the summer.)
Linen is also durable and soft, gradually softening (slowly) with each wash without becoming thinner or weaker. Linen tends to be more expensive, and because high-quality linen lasts, linen sheets are an investment for more than just keeping cool while you sleep (i.e. Very important for sleep quality) but also on gorgeous bedding that you can love for years.
I like sleeping on linen as long as that’s not the case also scratches easily, which is one of the many things I looked for when testing and searching for the best linen bed sheets. I also look for breathability and airflow, the weight of the sheets, and look for any texture or temperature issues other than linen’s notorious scratchiness and compare the bed sheets are based on these factors. I also researched where each set got its linen from and where it was made (this can affect both quality and price). These are the best sheets I’ve ever slept on, all of which have been tested for at least seven nights and at least two washes. I always wash my sheets before the first night of testing, and I tend to rotate my sheets every few nights.
Read ours Guide to the Best Worksheets If you want something a little softer, check out our other bed buying guides, including Best Pillows, Best Mattress, Best Cooling MattressAnd Do you need a blanket?.
Updated June 2024: We’ve added more details about our testing process, a review of Naturepedic linen sheets, and an explanation of where the linen comes from.
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What’s so great about linen?
Photo: Judy Davidson/Getty Images
Linen is a textile made from the flax plant. It is a very breathable material so it helps keep you cool during the summer months because it does not retain heat. It’s great for hot sleepers. At first, it’s rougher than regular cotton, but it gets softer the more you wash it. Linen tends to cost more than other types of sheets but is generally more durable than percale or cotton, so a good set of sheets will last a long time.
They’re not for everyone, but if you love linen clothing, you’ll probably love linen sheets. If you’re not sure, start with a single piece (like a duvet or flat sheet) and see what you think. Most of the options we recommend come in sheet set form, but you can also buy many of these items separately, allowing you to try on linen pillowcases or fitted sheets before jumping in. a bed made entirely of linen.
