The 5 Best Linen Sheet Sets for a Cool Night’s Rest

What We Tested

We evaluated nine sets of linen sheet sets on their quality, texture, and breathability, durability. For more information on how we tested linen sheets, check out our testing process below.

When we first took the Bokser Home French Linen Sheet Set out of its packaging, we observed that the fabric was a little on the thicker and rougher side. But these 100% French linen sheets softened up dramatically. Over time, they became almost broken-in feeling, and extremely comfortable and luxurious to sleep on.

During lab testing, we didn’t notice any post-wash imperfections, loose strings, or color fading (a good thing, since the brand offers so many lovely color options). These sheets proved impressively durable, too, with stains from coffee and makeup coming entirely clean, and only some residue left behind from an oil spill.

The fabric also performed well in our abrasion test, with no holes emerging after the area was swiped 50 times (some pilling did occur, though).

These are quality sheets, with some beautiful details. The fitted sheet comfortably slipped on the mattress and remained firmly in place at the corners; we appreciated the large seams, strong elastic, and handy top and bottom tabs—making the bed is a breeze. The fabric is nice and breathable, too.

The texture of this linen is slightly heavy, which makes these sheets perfect for both warmer and cooler nights. The fabric is breathable and didn’t cause us to overheat, but still feels comforting.

Worth mentioning: These are linen sheets for people who like linen sheets. While they do soften up with time, the material is more textured than your typical cotton sheets. If you’re drawn to smooth, crisp sheets, these wouldn’t be the best option for you.

How They Performed After Six Months

These linen sheets are on the pricey side, but we found them to be a great value. They got softer with each wash and after six months of use at home, we’d continue to recommend them highly. Over time, the fabric continued to feel worn, soft, breezy, and so luxurious, like a comforting hug.

Product Details: Pocket Size: 16 in. | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king | Certifications: Oeko-Tex Standard 100

“Just right” was one of our first thoughts when we opened the Quince European Linen Sheet Set. Made of 100% European linen and Oeko-Tex certified, these sheets are soft and comfortable without being slippery or rough. Overall, we found these to be ideal year-round sheets. 

If you tend to be a little rough on your bedding, these linen sheets would be an especially good option. They proved themselves to be reasonably stain-resistant in our lab tests. We couldn’t see any sign of the makeup or coffee stains, and the oil stain was almost fully removed. The abrasion test also didn’t result in any thinning of the fabric, which was notable. They washed well, too, and became a little softer afterward.

The fitted sheet in this Quince set isn’t as tightly fitting as some others on this list, but it still held up well to our tossing and turning. There were a few small loose threads on the seams. Other than this, though, there were no imperfections on these linen sheets. As a bonus, they’re available in more than 30 color options and some hard-to-find sizes, like split king.

We have very few criticisms of these linen sheets, but we might choose a lighter color in the future. Although the dark gray color we tested was mostly consistent-looking, upon opening the package, there was one small area that appeared lighter. Plus, after the abrasion test, the fabric that was swiped also looked a little lighter, which might not have been the case with a different color such as white.

How They Performed After Six Months

These sheets got even softer and airier with continued use, and have held up well to wear and tear—although the color faded somewhat, we haven’t experienced any stains, loose threads, or tears. The fitted sheet, which was originally very large, did shrink a bit, but now fits the mattress more snugly. The linen on these sheets thinned a little in certain places but remains nice-feeling and comfortable to sleep on.

Product Details: Pocket Size: 16 in. | Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, and California king | Certifications: Oeko-Tex standard 100

Parachute’s Linen Sheet Set is more expensive than other sets we tested, but if you’re willing to spend a little more, you won’t be disappointed with these high-quality sheets. Made of European flax in Portugal, they’re soft, breathable, and available in a range of calm neutrals, so they’ll look wonderful on a bed. 

These sheets are clearly well-made, and we were impressed by the quality and appearance of the fabric. We observed perfect stitching, no loose threads, a lovely texture, and a dry pattern that was even throughout and provided soft, consistent color. The fitted sheet in this set is stretchy and comfortably hugged every corner on our mattress without coming off after tossing and turning. 

This set also performed well during our moisture management test in our lab. The drop of water dispersed within two to three seconds, faster than many comparable products—and a clear indicator that these sheets are excellent at wicking away moisture. 

The sheets themselves feel soft and lightweight, so this, combined with their moisture-wicking performance, would make them just right for hot sleepers.

Like many other linen sheets, some areas of the fabric seemed to have more “nubs” than others. We found this contributes to the relaxed look and feel, but this may not be a style that everyone appreciates. 

How They Performed After Six Months

These linen sheets only got softer with regular use and frequent washing. They didn’t shrink after going through the wash, either, which is a nice plus. And they continued to look and feel wonderful on a bed and remained breathable and cool, perfect for the later spring and summer months or anyone who runs hot at night.

Keep in mind that because they’re so light, they might not be right for winter, especially if you live in a colder climate or a drafty house.

Product Details: Pocket Size: Not listed | Sizes: Full, queen, California king, and king | Certifications: Oeko-Tex

Made from a comfortable blend of linen and bamboo, the sheets in the Cozy Earth Linen Sheet Set are lovely and well-made. Though not 100% linen, we loved the feel of these sheets; they’re soft and lightweight yet still cozy, with a slightly snubby texture like other linen sheets.

These Cozy Earth sheets are luxurious. When we opened the package, we observed the well-stitched seams and high-quality fabric, which had no loose threads or visible imperfections. The fitted sheet in this set is nicely made, and was easy to get on a mattress and stayed on well. Though it looked a little on the large side, every corner remained firmly in place after tossing and turning. 

These linen sheets were already soft and cool to the touch, but they didn’t get much softer after going through the wash—still, they were so soft and comfortable to sleep on, we didn’t want to get out of bed. Like some of the other best linen sheets on this list, the fabric wrinkled quite a bit after being laundered, so you may opt to iron them if you dislike the look of wrinkles. Some loose threads did develop post-wash, though they weren’t major.

Stains came out of these sheets very well. After going through the wash, only a slight mark from the makeup stain remained, and the areas we tested with stains didn’t look any more worn than those that hadn’t been spilled on. 

The fabric didn’t perform quite as well in the durability test, however: The abraded area thinned significantly and a hole began to form, so these may not be the best choice for pet owners. They also performed just OK in tests for airflow, though they still wick moisture nicely. 

How They Performed After Three Months

After three months of regular use, these sheets still fit perfectly on the mattress. We liked how easy they are to get on and off, as well as the fact that the fitted sheet doesn’t slip around and has a firm hold. We washed them every few weeks on a normal setting with warm water, and the sheets held up nicely. With time, the somewhat rougher texture of this linen became softer to the touch.

Product Details: Pocket Size: 20 in. | Sizes: Twin/twin XL, full, queen, king and California king | Certifications: Not listed

If you’re drawn to linen sheets with a heavier feel that can work year-round, West Elm’s European Flax Linen Sheet Set is a great choice. These sheets are sturdier than some of the more gauzy-feeling linen sheets on the market, and they’re beautifully made.

These linen sheets wowed us with their high-quality details. We didn’t spot a single loose thread, all of the seams are solid, and every folded edge seemed flat and aligned. The fitted sheet has a tight, snug fit and stays in place perfectly. Simply put, they look wonderful and can instantly elevate a bed. 

These sheets also earned high scores for their durability. Most of the stains were removed after they went through the wash (only the makeup stain was about 10% visible), there were no color changes post-wash, and the abrasion test didn’t produce any visible thinning of the fabric. They also didn’t pill much at all—another plus.

As for the texture: These sheets aren’t rough, but they’re also not super soft. As mentioned, they’re a little heavier and more solid-feeling than some other linen sheets, but they did soften up after going through the wash and became less stiff. Like many other linen sheets, these wrinkled quite a bit after being washed and dried, so you may want to iron them if a wrinkly look annoys you. 

The only real downside to their thicker texture is that these linen sheets aren’t quite as breathable as some other options. In our lab tests, we didn’t feel much airflow through the fabric. The water droplet did disperse quickly and evenly, though, suggesting that the material is still very moisture-wicking—a good quality for hot sleepers.

Product Details: Pocket Size: 16 in. | Sizes: Full, queen, king, and California king | Certifications: Oeko-Tex Standard 100