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Plus, expert advice on how to find the warmest bedding out there.
When the temperatures get this cold (and we're keeping a watchful eye on our electric bills), we store away our airy linen sheets and rotate in something a bit more weighty and thick. Our go-to? Cotton flannel sheets. For anyone unfamiliar with this material, it's made from cotton, but it's woven in a way that's a bit different from your flannel T-shirt or jacket.
Kristie Rhodes, manager of woven product development for Cotton Incorporated, notes that flannel sheets are great for trapping heat. Cotton fibers are brushed, raising finer fibers to the surface for that fuzzy, warm feeling your skin loves. "Flannel sheets are distinguished by their cozy, fuzzy, and slightly thicker texture, giving their signature comfort, making it ideal for those who prefer bedding that feels warm, substantial, and enveloping," Rhodes says.
Flannel sheets are also built to withstand regular wash-and-dry cycles and to stand up to wear and tear while maintaining their coziness. Because of this, Rhodes says, they're typically "heavier and denser than traditional percale and sateen cotton sheets." So if you identify as a hot sleeper year-round, here are our favorite cooling sheets to get instead. But for the rest of us, it's the coziest thing you can sleep on from January to March. If you're in the market for this type of bedding, you've come to the right place, as we have the best flannel sheet recommendations for you.
Scroll on to find our editors' favorite flannel sheets ahead, plus expert advice on how to shop for the best ones.
One problem with flannel sheets is that they often don't come in a variety of colors, which is why we love this Coyuchi sheet set. It comes in 12 shades, some of which are already sold out, and the set makes it easy to dress up your bed in one go. Not to mention, getting a flat sheet, fitted sheet, and two pillowcases is a steal for under $300. "I have this set in the 'undyed' shade, and the color is not too white or too yellow, so it complements my terracotta-colored bedroom walls," Liao says. "In terms of softness, they feel soft and cozy like my Parachute sheets. They also hold up well in the wash. Coyuchi offers more color options than Parachute, which is nice if you're debating between the two brands because you'll likely find a hue that matches your bedroom more easily with Coyuchi. My tip with flannel sheets is to go with a more cooling comforter or duvet because I sometimes overheat when I use my wool comforter with any of my flannel sheets."
Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king, Cal king | Color Options: 13 | Pocket Depth: N/A | GSM: ~190 GSM
Our whole team loves Saatva's mattresses and pillows, so it's no surprise the the luxury brand's sheets have quickly become a favorite too. "As a fussy, hot sleeper, flannel sheets are normally not my preferred material. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved Saatva’s flannel sheets. They’re breathable enough to keep me from sweating at night and avoid that stuffy feeling," Associate Shopping Editor Janae McKenzie says. "Even better, they’re buttery soft against my skin, with a pre-washed feeling that makes me want to curl up in it at all times. I still prefer to use them in the winter than the summer, but they’re the first thing I change about my apartment when the weather gets cooler. They’re also super wrinkle-resistant, so making the bed with them is easy, and they hold up to my tossing and turning."
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Split king, Cal king | Color Options: 2 | Pocket Depth: Fits mattresses up to 16 inches deep | GSM: 180 GSM
McKenzie is likely to burrow under a thick quilt for winter nights, but these flannel sheets eliminated the need for a top layer. "You know a set of sheets is great when it's so soft, I want to do snow angels in bed," McKenzie says. "And that's exactly what happened while I tested these Boll and Branch sheets. I've also tested Boll & Branch's cashmere sheets, and those were more lightweight than the flannel, but they have the same brushed, soft weave. It's as durable as my Saatva sheets, but not as stiff. They look super chic, like hotel sheets. It takes a lot for me to willingly own light-colored sheets, but these are just gorgeous. My favorite detail is the holly-red whipstitching; I just wish it went all the way around the border of the set. I was sad to take these off my bed to test the others."
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King | Color Options: 13 | Pocket Depth: 17 inches | GSM: Not listed
The velvety feel of these flannel sheets surprised McKenzie, given the lower price point. "This is one of the most affordable sets we tested, but you wouldn't know it from the quality," McKenzie says. "It still had that signature smooth, brushed weave that a great flannel sheet should have. There was virtually no shedding or pulling on the fabric, and a medium weight that drapes around you, rather than feeling stuffy. The pillowcase was also notably smoother against my cheek than other sets. It's a bit crinkly in sound when you toss and turn, but not enough to keep you up. Overall, it feels like something I'd expect from a winter cabin resort trip, at a fraction of the cost."
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Color Options: 8 | Pocket Depth: 14 inches | GSM: Not listed
Sometimes, when presented with copious product options, the buying process can be more challenging, so we wanted to keep the flannel sheet list thoughtfully edited. Since our editors are passionate about bedding, we turned to our in-house team for recommendations on the best flannel sheets, and our group had strong opinions. The criteria we used for determining the "best" were quality (did the sheets feel soft and luxe?), durability (did they hold up in the wash?), and design (did the sheets come in multiple colors or versatile designs?).
In addition to sharing the exact sets we owned, we noted some pros and cons with the flannel sheets, so you have all the information you need to make an informed purchase decision. We've all had our sheets for at least a month—some for years—so you can trust these have been thoroughly tested and vetted.
There were some sets we tested that are still good options, but didn't make the cut for our final list. The Mellanni Flannel Sheets are a great budget-friendly, quick-ship set. However, they shed so much on the bed and in the dryer that they were too high-maintenance for our list.
Whether you take thread count into consideration or not while buying sheets (a good thread count falls between 200 and 600), you'll be interested to know that this does not matter when it comes to flannel sheets! "Thread count isn’t the most important factor when it comes to flannel sheets. Instead, focus on the fabrics’s weight, measured in ounces per square yard (oz) or grams per square meter (GSM)," Whitney Thornburg, design director at Coyuchi, says. Flannel sheets with a 170 GSM or higher are considered the highest quality. "A heavier flannel, like ours at six oz (around 190 GSM), provides a more luxurious feel, better durability, and minimizes pilling. We work with a top Portuguese mill renowned for its exceptional brushing techniques to achieve that incredibly soft, velvet-like texture. This meticulous brushing process enhances the coziness and ensures a long-lasting and enjoyable sleep experience," Thornburg adds.
You might think fleece and flannel are interchangeable words in the bedding world, but they're not. "While the term 'fleece' might conjure images of cozy blankets, it typically refers to the woolly coat of animals like sheep and isn’t traditionally used for bed sheets. What’s often marketed as 'fleece' today is usually a synthetic fabric, often polyester," Thornburg says. "While it might feel soft initially, it lacks the natural breathability and luxurious feel of cotton. Flannel, on the other hand, is typically made from cotton, offering a more comfortable and sustainable sleep experience."
Fleece tends to trap heat and won't regulate your body temperature, so you may get too hot while sleeping. Meanwhile, "cotton is naturally breathable, and ensures you stay cozy without overheating, unlike synthetic alternatives," Thornburg adds. Save the fleece blankets for movie nights when you're hanging out on your sofa, not for sleeping for eight hours a night.
There are a few factors you can take into consideration when determining whether a set of flannel sheets is good quality or not.
GSM: The grams per square meter rating is important to note, and most brands will indicate it in their product description. The higher the GSM, the heavier and warmer the fabric is. A GSM of 170 or more is considered high quality.
Material: Flannel bedding can be made of cotton, wool, synthetic fibers, or a blend. High-quality flannel is made from woven cotton fabric that is combed to create the fuzzy, soft look we all know and love in flannel sheets. Even though flannel sheets are made of cotton, they are significantly warmer than plain cotton sheets, thanks to the brushing process. Opt for 100 percent cotton only if your budget allows, as polyester flannel sheets tend to be less breathable, though they are more wrinkle- and stain-resistant.
Where the Material Comes From: According to Saatva, high-quality flannel is sourced from several places: England, Germany, and Portugal. The latter country has a history of producing flannel from long-staple cotton; German and English flannel tend to have a denser feel. Coyuchi, for instance, partners with a renowned Portuguese mill for its flannel bedding. "Their incredible brushing techniques minimize pilling, resulting in flannel that is both indulgent and long-lasting," Thornburg says.
Durability: Flannel sheets are durable and machine-washable, making them the best fuss-free bedding for winter. You'll want to ensure the sheets feel soft, thick, and cozy versus itchy and stiff. You can tell the flannel is good quality if it doesn't pill after washing. If this does happen to your sheets, but you still love them, next time wash them in cold water on a gentle cycle and air-dry or tumble-dry low to reduce exposure to heat.
In our experience, flannel sheets aren't suitable for people who consider themselves hot sleepers. As Rhodes notes: "Flannel’s texture is noticeably more tactile and cozier, providing a sense of snugness that’s especially appreciated in colder climates." You can always try the sheets out–the coziness is worth it–but you're better off sticking to our favorite percale sheets for a crisp and cooler feeling in winter. When it comes to flannel sheets, you'll need to test them yourself to find the perfect fit for your bedroom temperature. You may discover that sleeping with a heavy comforter and an entire set of flannel bedding makes you feel too warm—luckily, you have options. "If you enjoy the comforting warmth of flannel during the colder months, try layering your bed with fewer blankets or using a lighter duvet to find your ideal temperature," Thornburg adds. Additionally, Thornburg says flannel sheets marketed as "breathable" can be thinner, so while they feel more cooling, they may not last you decades.
Our editors write about bedroom inspiration and bedding a lot. In case you need proof, check out some of our most popular how-to stories, including the bedroom paint colors that'll make you happier, and small bedroom ideas to make your space feel open and airy. We test bedsheets, comforters, mattresses, and even trendy bed frames like the Thuma monthly to recommend the best products out there, so trust us when we say we're sleep enthusiasts. For this story in particular, we had our editors test their sets for at least a week to ensure they spoke to the brand's quality. In the end, we provide you with a tightly curated list of the best flannel sheets that deserve a spot in your bedroom.
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