Not all sheets are equal. The linen below is good, but not as good as our choice above.
Brooklinen washed linen core for $269: Compared to our other options, these sheets felt a little itchy at the beginning and were a little warm to sleep. However, they are still good linens and often have new colors available. (However, (the seasonal color scheme does sell out quickly.) I'm currently retesting the set as Brooklynnen has launched a new version of these sheets for 2025.
Buffy Belgian linen is priced at $223: If you touch them with your hands or sitting on the sheets, these sheets will feel rough, but they will feel more comfortable lying on them completely. These are firm breathable linens, which come from Belgium. My husband and I were dreaming wildly the week we slept on these sheets, so if you’re looking for more fun dreams, give these affordable linen sheets a spin.
The IKEA dytag duvet cover costs $129: My favorite linen duvet covers and IKEA's pillowcases have been replaced by some cheaper threads including Bergpalm ($30), Angslilja ($30), and Strandlummer ($60). My dytag lasted for a few years, although cheap linens probably won't last as much as that suit.
Thuma Linen Set $315: These linens are solid all-around linens that keep me friendly. (So cool that they are the choice in our cooling paper guide.) They are also well-weighted and constructed. They aren't as soft as the choices we've had above, but they're still softer than other options like Brooklinen.
Nature Pedic linen is priced at $549: This kit weighs a lot and can sleep at the same time, but it is not as soft as our other options. It has many options to buy individual flax slices, with a rich color and has a certified organic choice.
What's the best for flax?
Flax is a woven fabric made from the flax plant. This is a highly breathable material that does not capture heat, so it can keep you cool on warm nights. This is very good for sleeping people. At first it is rougher than a simple cotton cover, but it should be washed softly the more it should be. Linen is usually more expensive than other sheets, but is usually more durable than Percale or other cotton weaves, so a good sheet should last a long time.
This is not for everyone, but if you like linen clothing, you might like linen. If you are not sure, start with a piece (such as a duvet or tablet paper) and see what you think. Most of the options we recommend are placed in linen kits, but you can also purchase many of these parts separately, allowing you to try out linen pillowcases or fitted sheets before wading into a full linen bed.
You often see terms like “Belgian linen” and “European linen” used to describe various linens. Some of them are nominal, some are not-Pottery Barn's sheets are called Belgian flax, while citizens' sheets mention that they are French flax, but are sustainable in Portugal. So what does this mean? Which one is the best?
Europe has a long history of growing and making flax. This is a preferred source, especially Belgium and France, which is why some sheets are convened specifically in these countries. But according to the world linen, there is no huge difference between European countries, which is mainly a marketing strategy. You may be satisfied with any source of European flax and can receive a European flax certification form to confirm that they are from there.
But having Europe doesn't necessarily mean it was made there. After flax is grown, it needs to be processed, rotated and woven into thin sheets, which may or may not happen in Europe. Some companies use the term “Belgian flax” or “European flax” to mean that flax comes from the region but are not processed there. Some companies make bed sheets in other European countries, such as Portuguese sheets made by citizens, while other manufacturers may do so in Quince outside Europe, which handles its sheets in China and India.
Does flax use thread counting?
Usually you won't see thread counts listed in linen, or even if you do, you will find another term next to it: GSM or phrases like "weave to 160 GSM". This describes the weight of the fabric. ("GSM" represents grams per square meter.) It is similar to silk, and it is also described by weight rather than the number of lines to give you a more accurate understanding of the weight of the sheet. The rule of thumb for using flax is that 150 GSM is below 150 GSM, between 150 and 300 is medium, while over 300 things over 300 are heavy.
Weight shouldn't change in flax either: it will become softer over time, but not lighter. If you prefer a certain weight of sheets, you can check if these details are included to find out exactly what you are buying.
How do you wash linen?
If you want the linen to last for years, you have to take care of it. Our preferred method is to wash with cold water and a gentle detergent. It is recommended to dry the lines for maximum life span. Be sure to check the labels as some manufacturers may have specific washing instructions. You should wash any sheets before going to bed, then wash your hands and start making them soft - remember, it will take a while to soften!
I actually violated one of these rules. Since I don't have room for drying lines, I'll roll all the linen and I've been doing the effect for years. However, if you use a dryer, you expect a cleanup a lot of Cotton lint. In each set I tried, the lint tray became so complete that sheets like Quince were so full of lint traps that they started to spill.
How do we test linen?
We tested the papers - you guessed it - to sleep them. We tested all sheets for at least two nights, usually ending up close to seven nights or more. We look for breathability and airflow, the weight of the sheets, and study where each manufacturer comes from the linen and where the production is produced (this may affect quality and price points). So far, we have tested several different linens for this guide.
While the best way to care for linen is to dry it, we wash and dry the linen in a regular machine to see how it remains (and whether it spills out of the lint tray!), then wash it a few times before including it in the guide.
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