5 Best Linen Sheets for Breathability and Comfort
Updated: Jul. 26, 2023The best linen sheets are not only moisture-wicking but get softer over time.
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Linen is one of the most influential and popular textiles in the world. The flax fiber fabric is notably stronger, more absorbent and dries quicker than its cotton counterparts. Its continued use is a testament to its reliability and longevity. Who wouldn’t use bedding with such quality and durability to make the ultimate cozy bed? This is where linen sheets shine.
The best linen sheets are durable, moisture-wicking, hypoallergenic and supremely good at regulating body temperature. Their superb cooling factor is comparable to the best cooling bed sheets and is perfect for use in the spring and summer despite their weight.
Now is the best time to buy sheets to usher in the increasingly warm season for dry and comfortable nights. This comprehensive list of the best linen sheets “covers” readers looking for new faves to add to their linen closets.
Best linen sheets
- Best overall: Pottery Barn Belgian Flax Linen Sheet Set
- Best budget: Quince European Linen Sheet Set
- Best moisture-wicking: Cozy Earth Linen Sheet Set
- Best organic: Coyuchi Organic Relaxed Linen Sheet Set
- Best rated: Dapu Pure Linen Sheet Set
Best overall
Pottery Barn Belgian Flax Linen Sheet Set
Belgian flax linen is considered a luxury, with unrivaled durability that lasts several generations. Bring home fine generational quality sheets with the Belgian Flax Linen Sheet Set. Experience the incredibly lush softness achieved with special prewashing. Additionally, the prewash provides a beautiful lived-in look and adds to the linen’s light texture.
One of the best bed sheets to own, this sheet set is breathable and cool to the touch making it a viable option throughout the year. The sheet set includes a flat sheet, fitted sheet and two pillowcases and is available in a wide 27-color selection.
Pros
- 100% Belgian flax linen
- Year-to-year durability
- Ideal for warm or cool temperatures
- Specially pre-washed for a super soft feel
- 27 color choice
- OEKO-TEX® Certified and Fair Trade Certified™
Cons
- Does not include twin size
Best budget
Quince European Linen Sheet Set
Quince has an outstanding reputation as a quality bedding brand with their European Linen Sheet Set being one of their best offerings. Indulge in the heavenly delight of the neutral and earthy colored sheets, prewashed for superior softness. Those who prefer snug fits and pressure will appreciate the sheets’ mid-weight.
Reader’s Digest Editor Bryce Gruber tried this exact Quince linen sheet set for three weeks and became a bonafide linen lover. “I love how soft and light mine are and how versatile they are for year-round use,” she adds.
Pros
- Under $100 and 57% off traditional retail price
- 100% Breathable European Flax linen
- Fitted sheets fit mattresses up to 16″ deep
- 19 color selection
- OEKO-TEX® Certified to meet high safety and environmental standards
Cons
- Texture is slightly abrasive compared to sateen-finishes
- Wrinkles easily because of the all-natural fibers
Best moisture-wicking
Cozy Earth Linen Sheet Set
Those who want to try a bold take on linen will absolutely adore Cozy Earth’s Linen Sheet Set. The Cozy Earth designers put an incredible amount of thought behind this unique blend of 30% linen and 70% bamboo viscose. Bamboo viscose is a thin thread with properties similar to silk and eucalyptus fibers.
Linen by itself is breathable, moisture-wicking and body-regulating. The addition of bamboo viscose marvelously amplifies these characteristics while also providing a silk-like smoothness and softness that linen never achieves on its own.
Hot sleepers will love that its linen portion absorbs moisture like cotton yet feels degrees cooler. Each set comes with a top sheet, fitted sheet and two pillowcases in a choice of five colors.
Pros
- Breathable and moisture-wicking for comfortable sleeping
- Unmatched softness and drape
- Available in six sizes including Twin, California King and Split-King
- Special weave provides long-lasting durability
Cons
- Pricey even on sale
Best organic
Coyuchi Organic Relaxed Linen Sheet Set
For enhanced softness and weight, Coyuchi’s Organic Relaxed Linen Sheets are woven from the longest and strongest premium flax yarns. Plus, they’ll only get softer with each use and wash. Coyuchi complemented linens’ naturally hypoallergenic characteristic by using low-impact dyes that don’t agitate the skin.
These linen sheets come naturally insulated and provide comfort for every season, which makes them perfect companions for lightweight comforters during the colder months.
Pros
- Made with 100% French flax
- Naturally insulated for optimal comfort all-year-round
- Machine washable for ease and convenience
- Relaxed linen sheets are soft and weighty
Cons
- Limited availability of sizes and colors
Best rated
Dapu Pure Linen Sheet Set
This Dapu Pure Linen Sheet Set is the best-rated on Amazon and for good reason. The linen exclusively features 100% natural French flax grown in Normandy. This sheet set boasts robust durability and cozy softness that has a hint of plush with its optimal 170 GSM (grams per square meter) stonewashed linen.
Furthermore, the 160 thread count provides the perfect balance of breathability and weight, meaning these sheets are fantastic for year-round use. Its affordable price allows shoppers to consider adding more of the best sleeping products on Amazon to their cart.
“I was worried about spending so much on sheets—was really worried about what the quality would be and was VERY surprised when I got them,” says five-star reviewer Etta Bradley. “They are heavy duty! I’ve never seen sheets like this! I will be buying more when I can. I can tell these will last for a long time. And they feel SOOO good!”
Pros
- Over 2,600 Amazon ratings with a 4.5-star average
- Made with 100% French linen
- Breathable and moisture-absorbing for hot nights
- Stonewashed for pre-used softness
- OEKO-TEX® Certified to meet high safety and environmental standards
Cons
- May retain durable texture after several washings
What to consider when buying the best linen sheets
Cautious buyers are understandably wary of trying out new linen bedding. Some people swear by linen sheets while others wouldn’t miss them even after a decent sleep. Here are some things to consider when buying the best linen sheets.
Linen sheets are weighty so those who enjoy the security of a weighted blanket will appreciate them. It’s good to remember that linen may also cause discomfort because it’s slightly rough and abrasive. The feeling of linen against the skin is either something people love or have disdain for but linen softens over time with use and wash.
Those who may enjoy the weighty nature of linen but want other qualities should consider linen blends.
Types of best linen sheets
- European Linen: Belgium linen is rated as the highest quality of linen and must contain 85% or more flax fiber and be woven in Belgium to receive the classification. French linen is also top-rated quality linen. European linen is considered to be the best type of linen because of the quality of flax used in the fabric.
- Bamboo Viscose Blend: Linen and bamboo viscose blends offer a silkier finish that more easily wicks away moisture, yet maintains linen’s breathable and weighted feel. These blends provide dry and comfortable nights.
- Cotton Blend: Cotton and linen blends keep the texture of linen while providing more body than standard linen. The blend is notably absorbent, moisture-wicking and regulates body temperature well. Nights will be dry yet a little damp for hot sleepers. These blends are less likely to crease and wrinkle than other types of linen.
How we found the best linen sheets
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product, especially for everyday use items like bed sheets. We start with the research and reporting basics—the overall material of the bed sheets—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, from how good the linen bed sheets feel against the skin to how well they’ll hold up over time. Finally, we comb through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product (comparing linen to cotton or bamboo), including top-rated reviews on Amazon and editor-tested findings.
FAQ
How can you tell good quality linen sheets?
Good quality sheets may show wear at around five years but they can last for several decades. These are qualities to look for to get the best linen sheets. Keep an eye out for linen sheets with tight weaves because looser weaves will fall apart more quickly.
Be sure to understand the wording on the packaging and details before purchasing linen. A claim to be Belgian or French linen may refer to the flax’s origin and not include its manufacturing origin.
Linen sheets with a low thread count aren’t necessarily an indication of lower quality. Linen fibers are thicker so they do the same job as other fabrics with fewer threads. Remember that a higher thread count is not as breathable as linen with lower thread counts.
Look for thread counts of 160-300 because these work extremely well for linen sheets. Although not always provided, look for a GSM of around 170 as this provides the optimal weight for linen sheets.
How do you wash linen sheets?
Linen sheets are famous for their durability, but it’s still important to take care of them so they last for a long time. Wash linen sheets once a week using cold water and mild liquid detergent. Do not wash or dry them with snagging items such as zippers, velcro or buttons.
Dry them on low heat without fabric softener although air-drying on a line is preferable. It is not recommended to use fabric softener on linen as it causes coating and makes linen less effective. It’s best to quickly remove dried linen sheets from the dryer to minimize wrinkles. Never dry-clean linen sheets.
Do linen sheets get better with age?
There are no guarantees in life and “better” is subjective in this particular case. However, linen sheets generally do age well with use and washes. This is because they get softer with each wash as the fabric is worn and loosens.
Many linen users love the soft feel of worn linen and attribute it to luxury. This is why many companies perform pre-washes so customers get softer linen sheets right out of the box and bag. Linen will tear, pill, thin and rip over time as will all other types of fabrics. Proper care of linen sheets will allow them to get better with age.
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