You cannot underestimate the importance of good bedding. What makes “good” bedding is, of course, subjective, although it’s easier to find the comforter, pillow, or sheet set you want when you consider the season you’re shopping for and what kind of sleeper you are. When it comes to sheets, for example, flannel sheets are great for winter. For summer, you’ll want a bedding set. But really, if you enjoy a relaxed aesthetic and organic feel on your skin, you’ll want linens on your bed all year round. Either way, it never hurts to rotate your bedding so you can switch out the basic cotton stuff. The only thing is that real natural fiber linen can cost you quite a bit, although it’s not impossible to find a relatively affordable package. But ought choose the more expensive option? This question would prove difficult to answer if it weren’t for our Splurge or Save series, which compares two editorially tested and loved products that serve the same purpose but sell for different price points.
Our editors have tested numerous linen sheet sets over the years, though two stand out among the rest. Brooklinen is a bedding brand that editors love, regardless of product category, so it makes sense that we’d love their bedding set. Additionally, we recently tested Quince’s European linen set, which retails for $130 less. Keep reading to hear if we think you should be splurging or saving.
Although both Brooklinen and Quince are widely known as bedding brands, both have become destinations for a wide variety of home goods. Whether we’re raving about Quince’s stylish and durable carry-on or Brooklinen’s dreamy-smelling laundry detergent, there’s always something new and exciting to look forward to from each company. But even with all that said, we’re consistently impressed with their bedding, including their bedding sets. The only question is whether you should go with Brooklinen’s $300 set or try Quince’s slightly more frugal $170 alternative.
Review of Brooklinen’s Linen Core Sheet Set
While there’s a lot to love about linen bedding, from its cooling properties to its boho look, one downside you’ll find with many linen sets is that they aren’t very soft. It’s natural for linen to have a slightly rough texture, but you’ll be happy to know that Brooklinen’s set actually deviates from the norm in this regard. Megan, AT’s director of home projects, tested a set of canvas cores and found them to be surprisingly comfortable.
“These were pretty soft out of the box and only got softer with each wash,” she noted. “The bottom line is these sheets are comfortable, feel high quality over a few washes and I really liked the feel of them.” The reason for this is that the sheets are washed before you even get them, ensuring a much smoother skin feel than you will get with other linen bedding.
Our editors aren’t the only ones who love this choice. When we visited Brooklinen’s Brooklyn store to ask employees about the brand’s most underrated offerings, all three employees we spoke with recommended the set. “Linen, while super breathable, is also our most open weave,” said Tessa, one of the shop’s employees. “It’s really great at absorbing moisture, so it can absorb up to 20 percent of its weight without feeling wet. If you’re a sweaty sleeper or if you’re in a humid environment, the sheets will keep you feeling dry, not sticky, while you sleep.”
All three store employees said they sleep on the linen sheet set themselves and that it is Brooklinen’s best-selling sheet set online. When Commerce senior editor Alicia felt them, she also confirmed that they were comparable in softness to cotton.
The sheet set also comes in six sizes and you can always count on Brooklinen to deliver in the color department. Specifically, there are seven color and print options and two limited editions. Whether you sweat through the night or want a cool surface to lie under your heavy comforter, we definitely approve of Brooklinen’s linen sheet set.
A review of the European Quince canvas set
We didn’t realize how similar Quincea’s linens were to Brooklinen’s until we sat down to compare them. Like their more expensive counterparts, Dunja’s sheets are made from 100% European linen and also have the OEKO-TEX certificate, which means they are made without harmful chemicals. It also means you’re less likely to experience or develop allergies while sleeping on them, which is especially important in the run-up to spring and summer.
Mark, AT’s store director, swears by this sheet set, saying it feels more luxurious than standard cotton or synthetic sheets right out of the box. “As I smoothed the sheets over the mattress, the material was just a little rough, but the real test of how comfortable they were would come later that night when I finally got into bed,” Mark wrote in his review. “They were sent only slightly heavier than my usual bedding, but a thousand times more luxurious. Not rough, not wrinkled, just… nice.” He went on to compare the set to ones he’s slept on in expensive hotels, adding that the sheets only got softer with each wash.
The reason we are extra I tend to recommend Quince’s linen sheets – apart from their more affordable price – because they are available in a whopping 21 colours. Choose from a variety of soothing, sophisticated hues that are sure to elevate your entire bedding set. What’s more, you can purchase a full sheet set, which includes a fitted sheet, flat sheet, and two pillowcases, or opt for a flat sheet with an $80 set. If your linen closet is full of unused flat sheets or you just don’t like sleeping under them, this option will be a game changer.
As Mark also mentioned in his review, $170 is by no means cheap for a sheet set, but it’s relatively affordable compared to other bedding brands, whether we’re talking about Brooklinen, Cozy Earth, Silk & Snow, or Parachute. Even as a self-confessed man, Mark still can’t recommend trying Quince’s linens enough.
You can’t go wrong no matter which canvas set you choose, but ultimately we advise you to save up and go with Dunja. In our previous Splurge or Save post, we compared two comforters and emphasized that choosing the right bedding is subjective due to all the different materials available. But considering that both of these sheet packages are made from the exact same material, you could save yourself the $130 you would have put into Brooklinen’s.
While Quince linen sheets may not be as soft as Brooklinen sheets right off the bat, they will get softer the more you wash them, while retaining their light, airy feel. Simply put, they are more customizable in terms of color and included components. In addition, both Quince and Brooklinen sheets are suitable for use all year round and will prove especially comfortable during the warmer months.
With so many similarities present, we think this decision is a no-brainer. While we will remain lifelong Brooklinen fans regardless of product category, this time it’s Quince for the win. We have no doubt that bedding lovers will come to enjoy the European linen set as much as we do, and if you don’t already own linen bedding, now is the perfect time to get into airy and damp. material. But be warned – you might be tempted to use it for your entire bed once you realize how great it is.
Buy it: Brooklinen Linen Basic Sheet Set, Queen, $239.20 (regularly $299)
Buy: European Quince Bedding Set, Queen, $169.90