The Best Linen Sheets for a Luxurious Night’s Sleep

They give the lazy-weekend look a good name.

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.

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!

PROS	CONS
Smooth texture isn’t as grainy as new linen usually is	Slightly thin
Airy weight is perfect for hot sleepers

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.”

Key Specs

Available sizes	Twin through king
Color choices	6

PROS	CONS
Outstanding softness requires no “breaking-in” period	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 sizes	Twin through California king
Color choices	2

PROS	CONS
Material weight is ideal for hot sleepers	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’llhave 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 sizes	Twin through California king
Color choices	10

PROS	CONS
Very smooth and airy	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 sizes	Full through California king
Color choices	5

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

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 sizes	Twin through California king
Color choices	11