The 6 best flannel sheet sets of 2025, tested and reviewed

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One of the easiest ways to add warmth and comfort during the winter season is by swapping out your regular bedding for flannel sheets. Flannel is a classic winter essential — it gets its fluffy texture from the fabric (often cotton) being brushed to create a thick, fuzzy feel that keeps you toasty and comfortable. But not all flannel sheets are created equal, the key is finding ones that strike the perfect balance; soft, breathable, and warm without overheating or feeling scratchy.

We tested some of the best cotton flannel sheets on the market, evaluating their overall feel, comfort, fit, and durability. Our top pick is the L.L.Bean Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheets, which we found incredibly soft and cozy without being too heavy. For a more budget-friendly option, we recommend the Eddie Bauer Flannel Sheets, which come in a variety of fun prints, from classic plaids to charming forest animals, and feature a deep-pocket design perfect for thicker mattresses.

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 Luxe Flannel Sheets - See at Lands' End

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 organic: Coyuchi Cloud Brushed Organic Flannel Sheets - See at Coyuchi

Best overall

L.L.Bean excels at flannel goods of all kinds, from shirts to lined sleeping bags. Its sheets are another flannel product you need to buy if you want to stay warm and cozy on cold nights.

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.

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.

Lastly, L.L.Bean offers the best variety of colors and patterns to suit your style. In addition to versatile solid colors, it makes checkered, striped, and floral versions of the flannel sheets.

Best budget

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.

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.

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 for elk, bears, dogs, and foxes.

Softest

The Lands' End Luxe Flannel Set stood out as the softest and best heavyweight sheets I tested. Their smooth, silky texture adds a layer of comfort that's hard to beat. Made with a blend of cotton and Tencel lyocell, these sheets offer a breathable warmth that kept me cozy without feeling overheated. The flannel is brushed on both sides for extra softness and comfort.

While I tested both the Lands' End traditional Cozy Super Soft set and it's newer Luxe versions, I preferred the Luxe. At 6 ounces compared to the Cozy's 5 ounces, the Luxe sheets feel slightly denser, making them a bit warmer and more substantial — an ideal choice for colder nights.

There was some noticeable lint and minor pilling during the first wash and dry test, but by the third wash, the lint had significantly reduced and pilling was no longer an issue. What really surprised me was how the sheets maintained their softness after washing — they actually felt softer with each cycle. Despite their softness, they feel durable and I anticipate that they will last through many washes without compromising their high-quality feel.

The fitted sheet with 16-inch deep pockets perfectly fit my king mattress. Making the bed was quick and effortless, and stretching the sheet into place was no struggle. One detail I appreciated was the hem on the top sheet and pillowcases, which is an attractive touch. My biggest gripe with the sheets is they are only available in three colors at the moment.

Overall, these sheets are undeniably the softest flannel set we tested. If you're looking for velvety-soft flannel sheets with a bit of extra density, these are an excellent choice.

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.

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 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

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.

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.

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.

Best organic

Coyuchi is one of our favorite organic brands because 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 GOTS and Made Safe.

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. The heathered options, in particular, feel cozy and familiar from the first night of sleep.

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.

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 and Coyuchi Cloud Brushed Organic flannel sheets weigh 6 ounces, making them 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 F 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 a woven fabric commonly made from cotton or sometimes wool. It has a thicker weave than percale, sateen, silk, or linen. It's napped or brushed on one or both sides to raise all the fine fibers, so it feels soft and slightly fuzzy. The thickness and texture make it insulating and cozy.

What's the difference between flannel and cotton?

Flannel is often made from cotton, but it's brushed to make it fuzzy. There is also wool flannel, which is even warmer and can continue to keep you warm if it gets wet. Look for the sheets' weight, usually given in ounces, to tell how thick and warm. 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?

The two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but flannel refers to the specific type of woven fabric, while plaid is a pattern of stripes running vertically and horizontally. Plaid patterns are often paired with flannel fabrics, which is why the two get confused.

How do you care for flannel and prevent pilling?

It's important not to wash flannel in hot water, which causes the color to fade and leads to pilling. It's best to wash your flannel sheets in cold or warm water with a gentle detergent to make your flannel last longer, feel softer, and prevent pilling.

What does flannel weight mean?

The weight of flannel sheets is measured in ounces per square yard. The higher the weight, the warmer the flannel will be. A 6-ounce flannel will be warmer, while a 5-ounce flannel will be better if you tend to overheat at night or want something you can use year-round.