The 9 Best Flannel Sheets to Wrap Yourself In This Winter

Investing in sleep is one of the best things you can do. Not only is it important to make sure you’re getting enough sleep, but you also need to make sure the bed you tuck into every night will have you getting the highest quality sleep possible. And one of the best things you can do for yourself is to get some really good bed sheets. You probably know the drill. Linen sheets, though good year-round, are associated with the warm months. Cotton percale is an all-around good pick for whenever. But with the temperatures dipping in most places, you should be eyeing some good, cozy flannel sheets. You know all about flannel for your body (who’s to say you’re not wearing a flannel shirt right now?), but it’s time you get that coziness up in your bed. Here are the ten best flannel sheets to wrap yourself in as soon as you start seeing your own breath in the air.

What Is Flannel?

Flannel is a type of soft, brushed fabric that can be made from cotton, wool or synthetic material. “Flannel” and “cozy” often go together as the fabric is incredibly soft and warm owing to its brushed quality, which essentially raises the fabric’s surface fibers to increase insulation and add a fuzzy-like feel.

Should You Get Flannel Sheets?

If you’re someone who loves super-soft bedding, then yes, you should absolutely get flannel sheets. There is a huge category of people, however, who may never hope to get near flannel sheets, and those are folks who tend to overheat in their sleep and prefer cooler bedding. Flannel is a really good insulating material, hence its use in cold months for outdoor activities, so if you’re already sweating through your linen bedding, you may find yourself getting cooked under flannel.

What Is the Best Thread Count for Flannel Sheets?

Unlike sheets of other materials, flannel sheets aren’t measured by thread count, but are instead measured by ounce per square yard. Flannel sheets will either be considered heavyweight or lightweight, the former offering more warmth and the latter giving more breathability. A fairly standard weight for flannel sheets is five ounces, and you can go lighter or heavier depending on how much you overheat at night.

How We Tested

L.L.Bean

Best Overall Flannel Sheets

L.L. Bean Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheet Set

• $129.00 at L.L.Bean

• Ounces Per Square Yard: 5
• Color Options: 8 colors and 4 patterns

L.L. Bean is hard to beat in the flannel department, whether it’s the brand’s flannel shirts or flannel-lined pants. The same applies to its flannel bed sheets, some of the most lauded-after bedding when it comes to cold-weather comfort. Available in eight colors, the five-ounce flannel sheets are the perfect middle-of-the-road option between lightweight and heavyweight flannel. And while the colorways aren’t exactly exciting, the brand does sell patterned flannel sheets for a bit more style.

The sheets are made in Portugal, one of the top flannel-producing countries, and with continued use and washing, will only get softer and softer with age.

Coyuchi

Best Splurge Flannel Sheets

Coyuchi Cloud Brushed Organic Flannel Sheets

• $214.00 at Coyuchi
  $268.00 (20% off)

• Ounces Per Square Yard: 6
• Color Options: 7

Coyuchi’s flannel sheets are GOTS-certified organic and made from six-ounce flannel, which is slightly toastier than L.L. Bean’s — and you’ll notice that they’re also a bit more expensive. However, I tested these sheets, and they may be the most luxe bed sheets I’ve ever slept on. After several washes I have yet to see the sheets pill, thanks to their velvet-soft texture. And they’re luxuriously thick, smooth and have a nice weightiness to them. Even my boyfriend who’s a very hot sleeper was able to survive a night on these sheets because they’re actually quite breathable and not stuffy. The available colors are muted and beautiful, and because the sheets have a Made Safe seal, you can be sure they’re free of harmful toxins. Overall, they’re worth the splurge because my guess is you’ll be making your bed with them far beyond winter.

Amazon

Best Budget Flannel Sheets

Mellanni Cotton Flannel Sheet Set

• $52.00 at Amazon

• Ounces Per Square Yard: 5.6
• Color Options: 12

Testing the waters of flannel bedding? Take the plunge with these super-affordable flannel sheets from Mellanni, a brand that prides itself on budget-conscious bedding that still pays attention to quality. These flannel sheets boast a decently heavy weight — 5.6 ounces — though most people note the sheets are relatively lightweight and breathable. Plus, they come in a whopping 12 color and pattern options.

Garnet Hill

Best Printed Flannel Sheets

Garnet Hill Cozy Plaid Organic-Cotton Flannel Bedding

• $177.00 at Garnet Hill

• Ounces Per Square Yard: 5.4
• Color Options: 3

Garnet Hill probably has the best selection flannel sheets, whether you’re looking for classic plaid, something fun for Christmas, other patterns or solid colors. The sheets themselves are woven in Portugal, and according to Garnet Hill, they’re made by folks who have been doing this for the past 40 years. The cotton is completely organic and is on the heavier side of flannel sheets, weighing 5.4 ounces. Brushed on both sides, the sheets are extra soft and unlikely to pill too much after the first wash.

The Company Store

Best Solid-Colored Flannel Sheets

The Company Store Legends Hotel Velvet Flannel Sheet Set

• $148.00 at The Company Store

• Ounces Per Square Yard: 5
• Color Options: 14

The Company Store’s heavyweight flannel sheets are soft and warming, and they also come in more colors than most other retailers offer. The fitted sheet’s deep 16-inch pockets can accommodate loftier mattresses, while still being perfect for use on shallower mattresses because of its reliable elastic band. Our tester was immediately struck by the softness of the sheets, saying they are velvety but not chunky or too weighty. After the first wash, our tester found the sheets left quite a bit of lint behind but there was no shedding or pilling once they were on the bed.

Huckberry

Best Sustainable Flannel Sheets

Upstate Eco Heather Flannel Sheet Set

• $188.00 at Huckberry

• Color Options: 4

Made from a blend of upcycled fibers, including cotton, linen, cashmere, lyocell, modal and viscose, not only are these sheets sustainably made, but they also won’t pill or slowly lose their texture with each wash. Our tester has been sleeping on the sheets for a month and says that they only feel better after each wash, reminding him of the texture of broken-in linen. If he had to give the sheets a warmth rating out of 10, he said they would be about a 7.5 — warmer than some other flannel options but still breathable.

We weren’t able to find an ounce per square yard measurement, but our tester assured us they are very cozy. Combined with the OEKO-TEX and GRS certifications that test for harmful substances and verify that the item is made with recycled content, respectively, these sheets are an affordable, eco-friendly option for the sustainability-minded shopper.

Brooklinen

Best Giftable Flannel Sheets

Brooklinen Flannel Core Sheet Set

• $167.00 at Brooklinen
  $209.00 (20% off)

• Ounces Per Square Yard: 4.1
• Color Options: 5

Sheets as a gift will rarely draw more than an: “Oh, thanks.” But Brooklinen’s flannel sheets should be at the top of your gift shopping list for, well, everyone you need to buy a gift for. They’re supremely soft — the type of material you’ll be thinking about all day until it’s time to go to sleep again — and they’re incredibly high quality. Plus, they come with the Brooklinen name, known for luxurious, cozy bedding. Buy a set for yourself too while you’re at it.

Boll & Branch

Best Organic Flannel Sheets

Boll & Branch Flannel Solid Sheet Set

• $298.00 at Boll & Branch

• Color Options: 3

Right out of the box, our tester could tell that she’d be getting a good night’s sleep on these sheets from Boll & Branch. Although the brand does not note how many ounces per square yard the sheets are, it is very transparent about materials and certifications. These sheets are made with 100 percent organic cotton and have OEKO-TEX certification against harmful substances and GOTS certification verifying that they are made with organic cotton.

Our tester has washed the sheets a couple of times already and hasn’t noticed any pilling. She also notes that while the sheets are soft and lightweight, calling the texture a “tactile joy,” they may be a little too cozy for a hot sleeper, recommending you skip the flat sheet if that’s the case.

Courtesy

Best Flannel Sheets for Cold Weather

Kassatex Brushed Flannel Bamboo Sheet Set

• $340.00 at kassatex.com

• Color Options: 1

Kassatex is known for its soft, luxurious bedding, and these flannel sheets held up to the hype. Made with cotton and rayon from bamboo, our tester found that these sheets are quite cozy for cooler nights, while still being very breathable for hot sleepers. Our tester warns that the sheets will pill after the first wash, but attributes that to their out-of-the-box fuzzy texture and said they don’t pill while in use. He said that sleeping on the sheets is a luxe experiences, and even though there’s only one color, the sheets are quite stylish.

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