The 6 best flannel sheet sets, tested and reviewed

When the days are cold and blustery, there's absolutely nothing better than tucking into a toasty, soft bed at night. If you're looking for a cozy solution to keep the winter chill at bay, the best sheets are flannel sheets. Made with brushed cotton, the best flannel sheets combine velvety softness with breathability for a warm, but never stifling, night's sleep.

After sleeping on over a dozen flannel sheet sets, our best overall pick is the L.L.Bean Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheet Set. It has a perfect mid-weight feel and doesn't pill or shrink. For the eco-conscious, we recommend the Coyuchi Cloud Brushed Organic Flannel Sheets, a cozy certified organic set with a luxuriously thick texture.

Our top picks for the best flannel sheets

Best overall: L.L.Bean Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheets - See at L.L. Bean

Best budget: Eddie Bauer Flannel Sheets - See at Amazon

Softest: Lands' End Comfy Super Soft Flannel Sheets - See at Lands' End

Best organic: Coyuchi Cloud Brushed Organic Flannel Sheet Set - See at Amazon

Best breathable: The Company Store Cotton Velvet Flannel Sheets - See at The Company Store

Best all-season: Boll and Branch Flannel Sheet Set - See at Boll and Branch

Best overall

L.L.Bean excels at flannel. From shirts to lined sleeping bags, we love L.L.Bean flannel. Its sheets are another flannel product you need to buy if you want to stay warm and cozy on cold nights.

The set could stay on my bed all year. While thicker than percale or sateen sheets, they're not overly thick — instead, the top sheet provides just enough weight and warmth to keep you comfortable without overheating. The brand even claims you can use them year-round. I tested this set near the end of summer, and I believe it. I usually prefer lightweight and crisp percale sheets, but these flannel sheets were surprisingly comfy and breathable.

They produce a ton of lint, but they're very durable. Like most of the best flannel sheets, L.L.Bean's shed a lot of lint in the dryer. The amount decreases significantly with each subsequent wash and dry. Notably, the sheets don't pill and instead stay velvety smooth. Color loss is common when washing any sheet, but my sage sheets have kept their lovely green hue so far.

We're also fans of the patterned options. Lastly, L.L.Bean offers the best variety of colors and patterns to suit your style. In addition to versatile solid colors, it makes patterned sheets, including checkered, striped, and floral designs.

Best budget

Choose from rustic prints of flora and fauna. Nothing says winter like a set of the best flannel sheets in fun patterns. Eddie Bauer has more options than any other brand we tried. Though they're not quite as soft as the others, they're still comfortable and cozy.

They're lightweight and breathable. The sheets also shed far less lint than any other brand on the first wash. Since the flannel isn't overly thick, it stays a bit breathable, making it a good choice for people who sleep a bit warm but who still want the comfort of flannel.

It's likely you'll find them on sale. When the sheets are on sale, certain patterns can be found for as low as $40 on Amazon or Macy's, even for a queen-size set. Eddie Bauer has options featuring elk, bears, dogs, and foxes.

Softest

These are hands-down the softest flannel sheets. Lands' End Luxe Flannel sheets stood out as the softest flannel sheets I tested. Plus, with a weight of five ounces, they're still breathable and not too thick. Seriously, they might just be the softest sheets I've ever felt. They're a joy to sleep on.

We also liked the Luxe flannel set from Lands' End. We previously recommended the Lands' End Luxe flannel sheet set. It's very similar to the Comfy set, but with a thicker, six-ounce weight. We love both, but since the Luxe version has limited stock, you're better off shopping for the Comfy offering.

We noticed pilling after drying, but they get softer after each wash. Like other Lands' End flannel sheets, the Comfy set felt even softer after washing. We did notice pilling after washing and drying, and they produced plenty of lint, but the sheets still retained their cozy feel.

Choose from eight colors and an array of patterns. These sheets are sold in eight colors, ranging from a vivid red to warm caramel and classic striped and plaid patterns. I also like how you can buy each piece of the set separately, including the flat sheet, fitted sheet and pillowcase.

Best organic

Coyuchi is one of our favorite organic brands. It's transparent about its production processes and follows environmentally and socially responsible practices. When you snuggle up in its brushed cotton flannel sheets, you'll feel even better knowing that they meet strict environmental, ethical, and health standards set by Global Organic Trade Standards (GOTS).

The flannel is thick and cozy. If you know you like a thicker set of the best flannel sheets and are looking to upgrade, Coyuchi's flannel is an excellent choice. Woven in Portugal, the flannel feels substantial and is heavier than average. They feel cozy and familiar from the first night of sleep.

They're durable, but use a plant-based detergent when washing. It also holds up well in the wash. Due to the materials used to make the sheets, you'll need to use a plant-based detergent. The sheets come in solid and striped coastal-inspired colors, whisking you away to a winter beach getaway by the cliffs of the Pacific. In line with the brand's sustainability mission, they are packaged in a reusable organic cloth bag rather than plastic.

Best breathable

If breathability is a priority for you, I recommend the Company Store Velvet Flannel Sheets. Made in Portugal from 5-ounce cotton flannel, these sheets strike an excellent balance between thickness, durability, and breathability while still feeling velvety soft and cozy. They're a great choice for hot sleepers who still want the comfort of flannel during winter.

They're the best flannel sheets for hot sleepers. I found these sheets so comfortable and never felt overheated or weighed down. I love the various color options, though I was initially concerned about fading. Fortunately, the colors remained bright and beautiful even after washing. During the wash and dry test, I noticed a normal amount of lint but no signs of pilling.

The bottom sheet fits snugly on my bed. The fitted sheet features 16-inch deep pockets that provide a snug, secure fit for my mattress, ensuring it stays in place without bunching or shifting. The all-around elastic offers a practical solution to keep the sheet securely in place throughout the night. Overall, these sheets are a great option for anyone seeking a combination of breathability and coziness to stay comfortable through cold winter nights.

Best all-season

These are our favorite luxury flannel sheets. The Boll & Branch Cozy Flannel Sheets are a bit pricier than other options, but I think they are well worth the investment, especially if you like the feel of flannel year-round. Made in Portugal from 100% organic cotton with a triple shearing process that minimizes pilling, these sheets are buttery soft and smooth. They feel luxurious and look beautiful on the bed. They're light enough for breathability in warmer months, yet cozy and warm for winter with a composition of 5.1 ounces per square yard for solid colors and 5.6 ounces for woven patterns, according to the brand.

They shrink a little after washing, but that actually helps them fit better. The fitted sheet also features 18-inch deep pockets, which made it easy to fit over my mattress without any struggle. Although initially, the fitted sheet felt slightly oversized, it stayed in place with minimal bunching or shifting during the night. After the third wash, the fit improved, with just enough shrinkage to make it hug the mattress perfectly.

They're the most durable flannel sheets we tested. Compared to other brands I tested like Lands' End and The Company Store, these sheets produced less lint and showed no pilling after multiple washes. They've really held up well and have also gotten softer with time, making them a durable and reliable choice for all seasons.

What to look for

Material: When choosing the best flannel sheets, prioritize those made from 100% cotton or cotton blends, which will feel soft to the touch while maintaining breathability. Try to avoid synthetic materials like polyester or nylon, which can feel less luxurious and trap heat, but are less prone to wrinkling.

Origin: Sets made in Portugal are particularly sought after due in part to the long-staple cotton use and long-standing craftsmanship techniques.

Weight: Flannel sheets are measured by ounces or grams per square meter (GSM) to evaluate warmth. A higher GSM means thicker, warmer sheets, perfect for chilly nights. In our guide, Lands' End Luxe weighs 6 ounces, making it the densest options for a cozy, toasty feel. If you're a hot sleeper or prefer flannel that works year-round, consider lighter options like The Company Store or L.L. Bean Ultrasoft Comfort flannel sheets which are not overly thick and provide just enough weight to keep you comfortable at around 4 or 5 ounces.

Finishing: Flannel gets its fluffy texture from the fabric being brushed to create a thick, fuzzy feel, so you'll want to check for details on the sheets' finishing process to find the softest, most durable options. For example, Boll & Branch Flannel sheets add a brushing process and then triple shear the fabric to reduce the appearance of pills. Lands' End brushes the flannel on both sides for extra comfort.

How we tested flannel sheets

Durability: We washed and dried each set according to its instructions at least three times. Unless otherwise indicated, we washed the sheets in a cold cycle with gentle detergent and dried them on a low tumble cycle. We also noted excessive lint in the lint trap and any pilling or color loss over time.

Fit: We tested the fitted sheets on a king-size, 10-inch thick mattress, observing any slipping, sliding, or shrinkage after washing, as well as the stretchiness and performance of the elastic.

Comfort: We slept on each set for at least one week continuously, allowing us to assess softness, texture, breathability, weight, and warmth. Our initial tests tests took place in late summer, which helped us assess breathability. Our latest round of testing took place in the Northeast winter, with the room temperature kept at a steady 68 degrees Fahrenheit. To simulate warmer conditions and evaluate year-round suitability, we increased the thermostat to 72 degrees for one night with each set. Keep in mind that temperature will vary depending on whether you naturally sleep hot or cold.

Flannel sheet FAQs

What is flannel made out of?

Flannel is usually made with brushed cotton or wool. It's thicker than other common weaves like sateen, percale, silk, or linen, so it feels insulating and cozy. It's brushed on one or both sides, which raises the fibers for a soft, fuzzy feel.

What's the difference between flannel and cotton?

Most flannel is made from cotton, though you can also find wool flannel. Feel-wise, flannel is fuzzier and thicker than other cotton weaves like sateen or percale. If you are looking for a crisp feel, check out our guide to the best cotton sheets.

What's the difference between flannel and plaid?

Plaid refers to a checked pattern, whereas flannel is a specific type of fabric. Plenty of flannel sheets feature plaid patterns, which is why they frequently get confused.

How do you care for flannel and prevent pilling?

To prevent pilling and color fading, wash flannel sheets in cold or warm water with a gentle detergent. This will also help your sheets last longer and feel softer. For more tips, check out our advice on how to wash sheets.

Why do flannel sheets produce so much lint?

Brushing cotton when making flannel causes broken or loose threads, so it's prone to shedding. The shedding fibers cause lint.

What does flannel weight mean?

Flannel weight is measure in ounces per square yard. A higher weight means a warmer fabric, so a 6-ounce flannel is warmer whereas a 5-ounce flannel is best for hot sleepers or all-season use.

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