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The Best Linen Sheets for a Luxurious Night’s Sleep

They give the lazy-weekend look a good name.

Headshot of Melanie YatesBy Melanie Yates
melanie in cloud pajamas sleeping on various linen sheets
Kayla Ramsey

When the temperature rises, the layers lighten up, and bedding is no different. Linen sheets are ideal for warm-weather sleeping because the fabric itself is lighter and more porous than other weaves. The material is woven with fibers derived from the flax plant, which is a resilient crop that requires far less water to grow and harvest than cotton.

Linen sheets are also known for being incredibly luxe and long-lasting. They're a bit of an investment, which is why they make fabulous gifts for the person in your life with a taste for the finer things.

The Best Linen Sheets

  • 1
    Garment Washed Linen Solid Sheets

    Best Overall

    Lands’ End Garment Washed Linen Solid Sheets

    Shop at Land's End
    Read more
  • 2
    Belgian Linen Sheets

    Mix-and-Match Set

    Crane & Canopy Belgian Linen Sheets

    Read more
  • 3
    Linen Core Sheet Set

    Airiest Weave

    Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet Set

    Read more
  • 4
    Linen Sheet Set

    Perfect for Summer

    Snowe Linen Sheet Set

    Read more
  • 5
    Linen Sheet Set

    Best Budget Set

    Parachute Linen Sheet Set

    Read more

What to Consider

Linen sheets tend to feel a little grainier to the touch upon first use than cotton sateen or bamboo sheets. Linen usually softens up after a few washes, and in fact, this softness can feel even cozier than other bedding materials. Plus, linen is a very durable fabric — holding up well even after years of wear — so the sheets are likely to last much longer than an average cotton set.

Preferences for linen textures range widely across the board, as rough sheets do not necessarily denote a lesser quality — but just note that they may not be everyone’s first preference. Linen material does tend to wrinkle very easily, especially when the material is brand-new. But embracing its casual, rumpled look is part of its charm.

When giving linen sheets as a gift, make sure you know your recipient's mattress size and color preferences (you usually can't go wrong with a neutral like white or gray). Also, if they are completely new to sleeping linen sheets, you may want to look for sets that don't take a long time to soften up — we've denoted those sets in this very guide.

How We Tested

Our team tested all of the linen bedding in this guide, evaluating the products based on their overall feeling of softness and breathability. We also took factors such as size availability, color choices, and Oeko-Tex certification for sustainable, chemical-free construction into consideration when curating this guide.

Pricing Note: Many of these linen sheet sets are available in a range of sizes, but we've listed the queen-sized price for all here.

Check out which of these gift-worthy linen sheets were the softest, right from the first night’s sleep!

1
Best Overall

Lands’ End Garment Washed Linen Solid Sheets

On Sale
Garment Washed Linen Solid Sheets
1
Best Overall

Lands’ End Garment Washed Linen Solid Sheets

Now 10% Off
$243 at Land's End
Pros
  • Smooth texture isn't as grainy as new linen usually is
  • Airy weight is perfect for hot sleepers
Cons
  • Slightly thin

The Lands' End Garment-Washed Linen Sheets meet all of our bedding needs when it comes to comfort and airiness, which is why we've named them the best overall linen sheets to give as a gift. They have a simple, classic style, and they come in a range of understated neutrals that coordinate with any bedroom.

These linen sheets are made from Oeko-Tex-certified Belgian flax, and they are prewashed for a feel that’s far softer than linen’s traditionally grittier texture. As our tester says, "The material has just gotten softer and more ‘lived-in’ with each wash. I’ve had these sheets for more than a year, and I’m still obsessed with them."

More: The Best Cooling Sheets for Sleeping Soundly on Hot Nights

Key Specs

Available sizesTwin through king
Color choices6
2
Mix-and-Match Set

Crane & Canopy Belgian Linen Sheets

On Sale
Belgian Linen Sheets
2
Mix-and-Match Set

Crane & Canopy Belgian Linen Sheets

Now 20% Off
Pros
  • Outstanding softness requires no “breaking-in” period
Cons
  • Limited color palette

The softness spectrum with linen sheets can be pretty wide, but we can confidently recommend Crane & Canopy’s Belgian Linen Sheets as being some of the softest sheets we've ever tried. Because of this, they're a great gift for anyone new to sleeping on this type of material. Our tester even said, “I didn’t need any time adjusting to these linen sheets. I was pretty surprised.”

Though the sheets' 100% Belgian flax material feels pretty weighty and substantial, the weave is incredibly breathable and doesn’t hold onto heat. Plus, the sheets themselves are gorgeous, finished with hemstitch detailing on both the top sheet and pillowcases. This set is also unique because you can buy each piece individually to build the exact set you want.

Key Specs

Available sizesTwin through California king
Color choices2
3
Airiest Weave

Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet Set

On Sale
Linen Core Sheet Set
3
Airiest Weave

Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet Set

Now 15% Off
Pros
  • Material weight is ideal for hot sleepers
Cons
  • Not the softest sheets

Brooklinen's sheets are made for linen lovers who enjoy the material’s rumpled and slightly rougher tactility. Our tester said, “Right out of the box, I found that these sheets felt a little more starched than soft. Thankfully, this changed right after the first wash.”

These sheets also have a very porous weave, which makes them a great gift for hot sleepers who need that extra airflow. Pro tip: Pair these linen sheets with a cooling pillow or mattress protector, and they'll have the perfect summertime bedding setup.

The sheets are made from Oeko-Tex-certified European flax, and they come with envelope-style pillowcases that keep pillows from slipping out in the night.

Key Specs

Available sizesTwin through California king
Color choices10
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4
Perfect for Summer

Snowe Linen Sheet Set

Linen Sheet Set
4
Perfect for Summer

Snowe Linen Sheet Set

Pros
  • Very smooth and airy
Cons
  • On the thinner side

Snowe’s linen sheet collection is Italian-made and meticulously crafted with a unique weathering technique that uses air to relax the linen fibers before they’re woven.

A luxe upgrade from the norm, these sheets are smooth and cooling, but they're not very thick. As our tester said, “These sheets were noticeably thin. I think that made them feel a little cooler and more breathable, but also a little see-through.” For this reason, they're best reserved for warm-weather sleeping as opposed to all-season enjoyment. They make a fabulous gift for a summertime birthday.

Key Specs

Available sizesFull through California king
Color choices5
5
Best Budget Set

Parachute Linen Sheet Set

Linen Sheet Set
5
Best Budget Set

Parachute Linen Sheet Set

Pros
  • Top sheet is optional
  • Rustic texture is great for those who already love the feel of linen
Cons
  • Takes time to soften up

Parachute’s linen sheets are a total dream, right from the first night's sleep. As our tester said, “I found them to be very soft, and they definitely softened up even more over time.” These Portuguese-made sheets are made from Oeko-Tex-certified 100% European flax, and their envelope-style pillowcases lend a more tailored look to the bed as well.

The brand offers sets both with and without a top sheet, for a $100-$130 difference. Meaning, if you're gifting for someone who never sleeps with a top sheet on their bed, this is the linen sheet set to buy!

Key Specs

Available sizesTwin through California king
Color choices11
6
Year-Round Coziness

Bed Threads 100% Flax Linen Sheet Set

100% Flax Linen Sheet Set
6
Year-Round Coziness

Bed Threads 100% Flax Linen Sheet Set

Pros
  • Interesting, varied texture
Cons
  • Material feels a little heavy

Bed Threads makes, hands down, some of the most beautiful linen sheets, and that's not just because they come in an impressive variety of colors and patterns. This set, even when brand new, isn't grainy at all, but it has far more textural interest than run-of-the-mill cotton percale sheets. As our tester says, “The texture is so comforting, I even enjoy sleeping with these sheets in the colder months.”

These sheets are made of Oeko-Tex-certified French flax linen, and they have the substantial thickness of a linen garment. They're not see-through, though they do allow air to permeate. Even if linen is typically considered a summer material, this set's weightiness works well for all-year-round enjoyment.

We think this set makes a great gift for someone who appreciates a little more stylish flair than the usual bedroom basics.

Key Specs

Available sizesTwin through California king
Color choices23
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7
Best for Tall Mattresses

Cultiver Linen Sheet Set With Pillowcases

Linen Sheet Set With Pillowcases
7
Best for Tall Mattresses

Cultiver Linen Sheet Set With Pillowcases

Pros
  • Pleasantly grainy texture
Cons
  • Not good for short mattresses

Cultiver’s Oeko-Tex-certified European flax linen sheet set may be a luxury gift, but its long-lasting, buttery smooth texture makes it a very worthy investment. Our tester touts, “The lightweight linen is so soft, you’d hardly guess it was linen. These feel very high-quality and held up well in the wash.” Even better? The fabric doesn't shrink nearly as much as cotton does.

Our team's tester — along with several of the product's on-site reviewers — noticed that these sheets have large, 18-inch corner pockets, which is great for recipients with tall mattresses or mattress toppers. This sizing, however, could potentially be an issue if their mattress is on the shorter side.

Key Specs

Available sizesTwin through California king
Color choices15
8
Best Size Variety

MagicLinen Melange Linen Sheet Set

Melange Linen Sheet Set
8
Best Size Variety

MagicLinen Melange Linen Sheet Set

Pros
  • Allows for flexibility to mix and match bedding sizes
Cons
  • Slightly gritty texture

MagicLinen's sheets have a look that defines casual elegance. Crafted in a family-run studio in Lithuania, the material is constructed with European flax, made from nontoxic, Oeko-Tex-certified materials and dyes.

It’s also stonewashed for a lived-in texture, although linen newbies will probably find the texture a little gritty at first. Our tester said, “They have a nice weight to them, and while they aren’t buttery-soft like the microfiber sheets I’m used to, it felt satisfying to lay my head down on this sturdy-meets-airy material.” For this reason, gift them to the person you know who already loves the classic linen texture.

We love the variety that's available with this set: There's a wide spectrum of gorgeous colors and patterns, along with numerous sizing options to accommodate standard, queen, and king-sized pillowcases, as well as short (10-inch) and tall (18-inch) mattress pockets.

Key Specs

Available sizesTwin through king
Color options20
Headshot of Melanie Yates
Melanie Yates
Senior Service Editor

Melanie Yates is the senior service editor of Best Products, where she writes and reports pieces pertaining to the etiquette, dilemmas, and how-tos of gift-giving for different occasions. Previously, she was the site's senior home editor, covering all things decor- and bedding-related since 2015. Her digital byline can also be found on Bustle, House Beautiful, and Elle Decor. A longtime classical-music enthusiast, Melanie spends her off-hours enjoying performances big and small across New York City.

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