The Best Linen Sheets, According to Someone Who Never Sleeps with the AC On

Everyone has preferences when it comes to their bedding and sleep. I hate sleeping with the air conditioning on, and I will do whatever I can to avoid it — even in the dead heat of summer. I much prefer a steady, beating fan. I am also firmly, forever, deeply team top sheet. (You can pry my top sheet from my cold, dead hands.) I also hate percale and sateen — I hear over and over that they are the most cooling sheets that exist, but I really dislike the feeling of them on my skin. So, as a hotter sleeper, linen is my best bet for a cooling night of sleep.

But linen sheet sets are expensive. The last thing I want to do is invest in a pricey set of linen sheets and really dislike the way they feel, or have them tear after a few washes. So I did what anyone would do in my position (that position being an employee at a digital media company): I called in 10 sets of linen sheets and tested them all to see which ones are the best. Now, I come to you with results. 

The best linen sheets are soft, breathable, built (or woven) to last, and are gorgeous, to boot. I like linen brands that come in plenty of colors, too. The sheets get a bonus point if the set comes with the works: a fitted sheet, a top sheet, and two pillowcases. It matters if these linens can be certified flax linen or certified OEKO-Tex, too. If a set of linen sheets can achieve all of these important standards without breaking the bank, even better. 

Here are the different things to consider when shopping for linen sheets.

It’s typical for linen to come out of the box on the rougher side, and it’s designed to get softer with each wash. However, that doesn’t mean that I want to sleep on sandpaper for a few weeks until my sheets get soft enough to love. For me, it’s important that my linen sheets are at least somewhat soft out of the box, knowing that they will get softer and softer with each wash. 

GSM, or grams per square meter, is essentially a measure of the fabric’s weight. Unlike other kinds of sheets that measure thread count, etc., linen sheets are made of long, irregular fibers, so GSM is a much more accurate way to understand a sheet set’s quality. Roughly speaking, lightweight linens weigh about 130-150 GSM, medium weight 160-190 GSM, and heavyweight 200-250 GSM. 

That being said, GSM isn’t everything. Just because a set of sheets measures at 165 GSM, for example, doesn’t mean it’s going to feel like a medium weight linen. For example, the Bella Notte linens are 145 GSM, but feel substantial and thick. That’s because the brand says “don’t worry about thread count; it’s all about the quality of the weave.” Fabric origin matters, too. Where your linen was grown determines softness, weight, and its durability over time. While not all linen sheet manufacturers will share the specific origins of their linen, it’s important information to have if that matters to you. 

I love color, so finding linen brands with many different color options or even pattern options was a must for me. I also value when brands have customizable options, like picking a different fitted sheet color from a flat sheet color. At the end of the day, linen sheets are expensive, and they should be beautiful.

Linen sheets are an investment, and one that should hold up to repeated wear, tear, and washing — just like any other sheet set would. The fabric needs to hold up when washed (correctly, according to manufacturer instructions) and with repeated use. 

Similarly, the color fading matters to me a great deal as well. All colors fade, but if a set of linen sheets turns from a beautiful sage green to a shade of off-white, that’s no fun, either. 

An important measure of linen quality is the certifications that it has. Is it OEKO-TEX certified, meaning it’s free of synthetics and dyes? Is it GOTS certified, meaning it’s organic? Is it fair trade certified, meaning that the people who made these linens are paid appropriately for their work? Certifications aren’t the entire picture, but it’s helpful to understand where the linens came from, and help you look past marketing tactics.

Linen sheets are expensive! They are all going to be more expensive than a set of jersey material sheets from the big-box store. (And I love jersey sheets.) That being said, there’s a nexus of quality and price that matters a lot when it comes to recommending linen sheet sets to others. If a sheet set was very expensive, I had to make sure the cost reflected the quality. You’ll see that the sheet sets here run the gamut in terms of cost. I was interested in testing sheets in a range of different price points. 

First, I wanted to test each set’s color fastness over repeated washes. My goal was to sleep on each set of sheets for at least two weeks and two washes, in order to test both how the sets held up to repeated washes and to get a real feel for what it would be like to sleep in them night after night. 

I made sure to note how breathable each set was, how often I woke up in the middle of the night due to being too cold or too warm, and how the sheets softened as I slept in them over time. Plus, I also thought about how they looked in my bedroom — my bedroom is the most utilitarian space in my home, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want it to look a little bit nice. My “control” set of linen sheets were a Bed Threads set that I received as a wedding gift in August 2024 — knowing I had used them all throughout the winter and summer, seen how the color had faded out of them through repeated washes, etc., I knew what to look for from the beginning in all my other new sets of sheets.

Here are my picks, ranging from best overall, to best budget, to best all-season, and more. 

Overall, the Sijo LuxeWeave Organic Linen Sheet Set ended up being the best overall linen sheet sets. They won this award for a number of reasons: They are soft out of the box, and they’re the most affordable set on this list. They come in a variety of lovely colors, and in neutrals like Snow and Classic, but I opted to check out the set in “Sky,” a gorgeous baby blue that would go nicely with my duvet covers. Sijo is the right combination of being budget-friendly and high-quality. If you are not a flat sheet person, a queen-size set that includes a fitted sheet and two pillowcases will run you just $175. If you add a flat sheet, like I would, that set will run you up to $295. The GSM is nice and medium weight as well — the sheets measure somewhere between 175-180 GSM.

This sheet set has the audacity to also be certified organic. They’re made of a stone-wash French Flax Linen, are 100% natural and GOTS-certified, and sourced in “small batches from Normandy,” one of the premiere linen sheet regions. They’re nice and breathable as well: Although they had the feeling of being of a significant weight, these sheets helped me sleep more comfortably through some of the hottest nights of the summer, without them feeling thin or papery to the touch.

My absolute favorite that I tested were the Bella Notte Linens. Bella Notte is a luxury brand with a price point and purchasing process to match — to get a set of linen sheets, you buy each item separately: a fitted queen-size sheet goes for $600, a flat sheet at the same size goes for $540, and pillowcases start at $125 each. The splurge reflects the craftsmanship: These linens are made in small batches in California and dyed to order. These sheets were, hands-down, the softest out of the box out of any linen sheet set I tried — almost velvety in feel. They soften more with each wash, too, so I know that these will continue to hold up over time and get even more comfortable. I cannot believe that they’re 100% linen — that’s how soft they are. I got the best sleep on these sheets of any of them I tested: The weight, breathability, and softness all delivered. 

These sheets come in 17 absolutely stunning colors. You’re getting a work of art with these sheets — the brand insists “no two dye loads are identical and every piece is one of a kind.” They don’t win best overall simply because they are such a luxury item with a cost that reflects that luxury. But if you are looking for luxury linens, this would 100% be my recommendation. Of note: These are the lightest GSM sheets I tested at 145 GSM, but the weave makes them feel very substantial — no thin, see-through sheets here. Also of note: The brand does not list its certifications on its website.

Brooklinen’s sheet set had the most fun color and pattern options of any I tested. With a constantly rotating set of colors, stripes, plaids, and more, you can mix and match to your maximalist heart’s content. I chose the Oxford stripe in miso, a seasonal colorway that is currently out of stock, because the bright yellow was really fun. The sheet set retails for $399 for a full set of a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases, making it one of the more budget-friendly options. These sheets are what I would describe as a more medium weight at 155 GSM and have a fairly tight weave — less breathable and heavier than the Sijo, but still linen, so breathable and cooling all the same. My sleep on these sheets was good. These sheets simply did their job and looked cute while doing it.

The sets are made of 100% certified European flax, and are pretty soft right out of the box. Perhaps one of the best features is that the fitted sheets have a tag on them to denote which side is the “short” side and which is the “long” side, so no need to rotate your sheet set over and over trying to get it to fit your bed. 

If heavyweight is what you want, the Linoto Linen Sheet Set is 100% what you should buy. These 100% linen sheets were by far the heaviest I tested and the heaviest I could find on the market, at a whopping 230 GSM. (Note: Although the aubergine color I tested was 230 GSM, the GSM varies depending on which color you choose.) Despite their weight, they were still quite breathable. I tested them in the summer, and I really appreciated the heft of them. They were so heavy that I slept without my duvet.

They also come in a gorgeous set of colors — 32! — so while you could go for white or tan or light blue, you could also pick a luxurious deep aubergine, as I did, a cherry red, a teal, or a chartreuse-like green. The luxurious weave texture was also the most unique of any of the sets I tested. The sheets have an almost ribbed quality to them, which I liked, but if you want a truly textureless set, this is not for you. These are also more expensive than other options; for a queen-size set of sheets with a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, and two pillowcases (with customizable depths) you can expect to pay around $655. If you want organic, they do also sell certified organic sheets, too, in just two colors. 

Cultiver’s linen sheet set comes with a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, and a set of two pillowcases for $480, making this a higher-budget pick. The linens are made of 100% pure OEKO-TEX certified flax linen, and are 165 GSM, making them just on the lighter-weight side of medium while still being properly lightweight and breathable. These were the breeziest of all of the linens I tested. I could see my hand through the sheets when I put them on the bed. They also have an interesting texture — not ribbed as much as the Linoto sheets, but they still had a woven feel in my hands. If you’re a hot sleeper, this would be the sheet set I would 100% recommend for you. Even in the heat of summer, I slept with these and my duvet, as they were so cooling. 

If you’re looking for a truly breezy linen at a slightly higher price point, then this is a really good bet. You can buy a sheet set of all one color, or mix and match colors — it’s a really customizable set. (And right now, until October 23, 2026, Apartment Therapy readers can get a 20% off discount with the code Apartment20 if they spend $150 or more.)

Bed Threads was my control set, so to speak — the linens that I compared every set to because I’ve owned them for years. For a queen-size set with a cover, a fitted sheet, and two pillowcases, you should expect to pay about $360, making this the third-cheapest option on the board. I’ve had my set in a now-discontinued French wildflower blue for two years now, and I can say that this set is the right combination of budget-friendly and durable to be a truly worth-it sheet set that will last.

Colors rotate at Bed Threads, but right now you can get 19 different colorways, from gorgeous olive stripe to lagoon blue to a fun pink clay. Bed Threads linens come in 170 GSM, making them a medium weight option, and soften greatly after each wash. Two years in, and sleeping on these almost feels like sleeping on flannel without being as heavy or as warm. They are so soft today — they feel almost nothing like they did when they came out of the box. The color has faded some over time, unfortunately.

The Shopping Team at Apartment Therapy Media has one mission: to help you make smart and informed purchases. We know how hard online shopping can be — it’s literally our job! From trying to decipher confusing marketing lingo to sorting through scores of fake paid reviews in search of some truth, online shopping can be overwhelming. We’re dedicated to doing the hard work for you by reviewing these products firsthand and delivering all the information you need, both good and bad.

Our team is made up of a group of writers and editors who have years of experience in the home, kitchen, and parenting consumer product space, and who are always testing for new tried-and-true staples. Consider us your trusted source on everything home, whether it’s what to consider before buying a sofa or a mattress, the best places to shop for affordable rugs, or which cookware pieces are really worth the cabinet space.

As experts in the home and design space, we put products to the test right where they matter: at home. Whether it’s the gadget on everyone’s wish list or the coolest-looking design finds, we bring these products into our personal spaces and test them for weeks and even months at a time to see how well they live up to their claims. Do those sheets still feel silky-smooth after a couple of washes? Does that mattress remain firm or soften up too soon? Are those bath towels really quick-drying, or do they need an extra spin in the machine? We’ll let you know.

Within each of our reviews, we also break down the different ways that we critique products. In some cases, we’re testing products head-to-head on things like price, ease of use, and durability. In others, we’re comparing new products to personal favorites or ones we’ve tested in the past. No matter what, we’ll always break down the ins and outs of a product. At the end of the day, we’re consumers, too, so we’ll provide you with all the information we’d want — and then some. Click here for more on our team and how we shop for you.

• The Best Quilts
• The Best Mattress Toppers
• The Best Cooling Sheets for Summer 
• The Best Organic Sheets 
• The Best Editor Tested Pillows