Tuck Yourself In With The Best Linen Sheets, Tested For Quality And Comfort

Fabric: 100% French flax linen | Key features: Wide selection of colors and sizes, Oeko-Tex certification, mid-weight feel | GSM: 170

Best for:

• Year-round use
• Durability
• Getting softer over time
• More than a dozen colorways, including neutral and bold options

Skip if:

• You’d like a lightweight sheet set

Before Bed Threads, I reserved linen for my summer wardrobe. But after testing linen sheets for the first time from the brand during the winter, I was pleasantly surprised by how soft and cozy they felt when I climbed into bed—and linen quickly became my favorite bedding type. These linen sheets from Bed Threads have a buttery feel, similar to sateen sheets, but are more breathable and warm, and feature a matte finish. 

The sheets also feel softer now than when I took them out of the package. They’re made with 100% premium flax linen, have a medium weight of 170 GSM (grams per square meter) and come in a wide range of colorways, from neutrals to rich earth tones. One of our testers also labeled them as an all-time favorite, saying, “They are the Goldilocks of sheets for me: not too thick, but not too thin."

Fabric: 100% organic French flax linen | Key features: Stonewashed, GOTS certification, mid-weight feel | GSM: 175

Best for:

• A substantial feel that’s not too heavy
• Buying with or without a flat sheet
• A soft texture straight out of the package

Skip if:

• You need a twin or twin XL size
• You have a mattress taller than 13 inches

Sijo, like Bed Threads, uses 100% flax linen. The material is sourced in small batches from Normandy, preshrunk and stonewashed for durability and a softer feel; this ensures immediate coziness after unboxing. The Sijo LuxeWeave Linen Sheet Set’s also GOTS certified, a guarantee that the material is at least 95% organic, and that Sijo met rigid ecological standards at each point along the supply chain. 

After sleeping between these linens, our tester found them to be soft and smooth. “They have a heavy feel, but not overwhelmingly so, while maintaining breathability,” she says. With a 16-inch fitted sheet pocket, Sijo says it can suit mattresses up to 13 inches thick, so confirm your bed’s dimensions before purchasing to ensure they’ll fit properly. 

Fabric: 100% natural French flax linen | Key features: Made Safe certification, prewashed | GSM: 130

Best for:

• Eco-friendly shoppers
• A lightweight and airy feel
• People prone to sleeping hot

Skip if:

• You’d like a wider color selection (only two choices)
• You need a twin or twin XL size

Avocado is the most popular organic bedding retailer on the market. In addition to being nature-conscious, its Natural Linen Sheets are breathable and ultra-comfortable for when you need a lightweight layer to cozy up with. “I especially love them for the summer,” says our tester. “They are so airy and absorb moisture well, which keeps me dry from sweat.”

Prewashed for immediate comfort, Avocado advises against fabric softeners and bleach (a rule that applies to all linen sheets) and recommends wool dryer balls as a softening agent instead. One downside is the Avocado Natural Linen Sheets’ limited color options, just two neutral shades: white and natural. 

Fabric: 100% European flax linen | Key features: Oeko-Tex certification, envelope pillowcase closures | GSM: 165 GSM

Best for:

• Creating your own set
• A balanced weight
• A large variety of colorways

Skip if:

• You have a full-size mattress

At one point during the summer, my entire mattress was dressed in Cultiver linen bedding, from the pillowcases and sheets to the duvet cover. I was initially drawn to the brand’s natural, earthy colorways that were similar to those offered by Bed Threads. But when testing the Cultiver Linen Sheet Set, I was quickly impressed by its neutral weight, along with its ultra-soft feel. Senior reviews editor Anna Perling also tested these sheets, and notes, “This linen set was the softest I’ve tried, and most luxurious: the texture is velvety and sublime.” She also highlights the attractive color options, calling the sky shade "flecked and striated, not totally saturated as with other linen sheets I tested," creating what she calls a lovely visual effect with a more rustic, textured look.

The brand uses 100% European linen that’s Oeko-Tex certified, meaning it’s been tested for unhealthy chemicals. For this set, you can include or remove pillowcases, a fitted sheet and a flat sheet, depending on your needs and what’s already stored in your linen closet. The pillowcases feature envelope enclosures to keep your pillows in place, while the flat sheet has a decorative border around the entire sheet, rather than just the top.

Fabric: 100% French flax linen | Key features: Stonewashed, 15-inch-deep pockets, lightweight feel | GSM: 160

Best for:

• A barely there, very breathable feel
• Classic and jewel-toned colorways
• Hot sleepers

Skip if:

• You have a twin-size mattress

The Citizenry Stonewashed Linen Sheet Set is woven in Portugal from a longtime family-run mill, using luxurious French flax linen that’s stonewashed for maximum softness. “I love the feel of The Citizenry’s linen sheets,” says one of our testers, who claims they’re lighter than most other linen sets she’s tried. “They stand out for being soft and airy, and quickly became one of my favorite sets.” 

She also calls out the company’s partnership with a Portuguese linen mill, and “its overall ethos of transparency, fair trade and wage standards.” Choose between a variety of neutral, patterned or jewel-toned colors. You can’t beat the quality for its price, especially when the sheets are on sale.

Fabric: 100% linen | Key features: Garment washed, 18-inch-deep pockets, Oeko-Tex certified | GSM: Not listed

Best for:

• A soft, tightly woven texture
• Value shoppers
• Longevity and durability
• Taller mattresses

Skip if:

• You’d like a wider color selection (many set colors are currently out of stock)
• You prefer pillowcases with an insert-style flap

With a garment wash finish that gives them a buttery feel straight out of the package, the linen sheets from The Company Store “are among the softest sheets I’ve tried,” says Perling. She was impressed after testing the dusty blue colorway, which rivals the velvety feel of the luxurious sets from Cultiver and Bed Threads. “The linen is soft yet tightly woven, and has held up well over six months of use.” 

The fitted sheet features deep pockets that accommodate mattresses up to 18 inches thick, making it a good option for taller beds and ones fitted with a thick mattress topper. You can also rest easy knowing the material is Oeko-Tex certified, meaning it’s been tested for harmful substances. One drawback to note is that most color choices are out of stock for the complete sheet set, but individual pieces are still available. 

Fabric: 100% European flax linen | Key features: Garment washed, Fair Trade and Oeko-Tex certified, 17-inch pocket depth | GSM: Not listed

Best for:

• A lightweight and breathable texture
• A slightly oversized fit
• An immediately soft feel

Skip if:

• You have a shorter mattress (around 12 inches)
• You want more color options (only white and mist available)

Linen sheets are great for hot sleepers because their natural fibers remain breathable through the night and wick away moisture, and this airy set from Boll & Branch is particularly appealing. Made from fine 100% European flax linen, the fabric’s lightweight to help combat night sweats and climbing temperatures. “These are perfectly lovely sheets, with a standard, soft texture and tight weave that has held up well over six months,” says Perling, who calls them a worthy investment. 

Garment washed with a special four-step process that prioritizes sustainability and clean manufacturing, these linens don’t compromise softness for breathability, and are comparable to our best soft choice from The Company Store. They’re also Fair Trade certified, a third-party assurance that the people who make them work in safe conditions and receive fair compensation.