The Best Flannel Sheets That Will Keep You Cozy All Winter Long

With cold weather already at our doorstep, it’s time to think about our plans for a successful winter hibernation. Aside from the usual suspects (blankets, candles, sleep masks, etc.), a surefire way to turn your bedroom into a cozy den is to invest in flannel sheets, which are typically heavier, definitely warmer, and much softer than your average cotton bedding. But which ones are worth buying? To answer this question, I’ve enlisted the help of our pro shopping editors and writers at Apartment Therapy to do the hard work of sleeping on all these flannel sheets and determining which are the best of the best. Read on to see our tried-and-true picks for flannel sheets, and get ready to bundle up (and stay that way until at least March).

• Best Overall: Boll & Branch Organic Flannel Sheet Set
• Best Budget-Friendly: Eddie Bauer Flannel Sheet Set
• Best Luxury: Coyuchi Organic Flannel Sheet Set
• Best Prints: Brooklinen Flannel Core Sheet Set
• Best Blend: Kassatex Brushed Flannel Bamboo Sheet Set
• Best Year-Round: The Company Store Legend Hotels Velvet Flannel Sheet Set

If you’re researching flannel sheets, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind, from who flannel is best for to what makes flannel great versus just good.

First of all, let’s talk about what exactly flannel is. Flannel is a fabric that has a napped finish due to either a special brushing technique or from its loosely spun weave. While older versions of flannel were made with wool, nowadays pretty much all flannel is made from cotton, although there are less expensive options made from polyester (also known as micro flannel). Flannel is known for its plush softness and heavier weight, making it an ideal choice for colder weather. It also tends to come in patterns, particularly nostalgic plaid.

If you’re a hot sleeper, you might be inclined to avoid flannel altogether — but thanks to manufacturing technology and modern textile design, you don’t have to. While cotton flannel is more breathable than micro flannel, the fuzzy surface is designed to trap heat, so “cooling” and flannel don’t really exist in tandem. That said, some flannel sheets come thinner or even more loosely woven and are actually breathable.

If you tend to get chilly or really want to embrace that cozy life, make sure your flannel sheets are made of 100 percent cotton and have a lighter weight, or are between 120 to 170 GSM (grams per square meter). Unless you’re in a cabin or without sufficient heating, ditch your comforter and opt for a light quilt. You could, alternatively, invest in just a flannel duvet cover or blanket to achieve the flannel effect without going all in. Most of our flannel sheet winners also come in duvet covers.

Flannel is easy to take care of, but you do have to follow a few rules. Historically, pilling has been just a fact of life with flannel bedding, but there are now modern processes brands use to prevent it, and there are steps you can take at home to minimize the issue further. Make sure you wash your sheets in cold or warm water on a gentle setting, and dry on low heat (you’ll want to avoid high heat on all accounts). Also note that flannel is prone to some initial shrinking, so many brands will purposely add extra fabric to their sizes to account for it.

The main certification that’s important to this list is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, which means the bedding is free of harmful synthetics and dyes. Another you’ll see mentioned in our list is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), which certifies the ecological and social responsibility with which textile products are made.

We tested a wide range of cotton flannel sheets, judging them on the following criteria:

• Feel: How do the sheets feel out of the box? What’s their weight? Are they soft? Are they comfortable to sleep on?
• Warmth: Do the sheets feel warm right when you get into bed? Are they warm and cozy? Do they cause overheating?
• Durability: Do the sheets pill? Do they get softer with time and washing?

Boll & Branch’s sheets are truly luxurious, with an impressively soft, weighted feel, making them our choice for the best overall flannel sheets. They’re totally breathable and resistant to pilling, two features you should expect when the price is this steep, but the pros don’t stop there. Boll & Branch uses traditional weaving and processing methods to perfect their flannel, making it velvety soft without being stuffy. Made with Fair Trade cotton, these have earned certifications from some of the top judges of organic and non-toxic textiles.

Consciously crafted, they’re the perfect flannel sheets for those whose definition of “the best” includes environmental consideration. AT partnerships director Laina calls them “the perfect fall sheets. I love the feel of flannel sheets but not too thick and hot,” she continues. “These are a perfect combination of lightweight and breathable with that favorite flannel feel. Just the first touch of them make you get so excited about getting inside. They stayed the same perfect soft touch after washing them.”

Specifications:

• 100% organic cotton
• 6 oz.
• Available in 3 colors and 8 sizes
• Includes top sheet, fitted sheet, and 2 pillowcases
• GOTS and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
• Machine washable; tumble dry low
• 30-night trial period

Who It’s Best For: Those who are eco-conscious; those looking for something luxurious and durable; those looking for unusual sizes.

Good to Know: These sheets are available in unique sizes like Split King and Twin XL.

*Honorable Mention: The Quince Flannel Sheet set is an extremely close runner up, because it’s supremely soft and competitively luxurious for a fraction of the price. I tested these myself, and they are my personal favorite sheets at the moment and a set I intend to use year-round beccause they’re lightweight but, again, unbelievably soft.

When the cold sneaks up on us and we need to grab a good set of cozy sheets ASAP without spending over $100 on a set (or even $50, if they’re on sale), the Eddie Bauer Cotton Flannel sheet set is our hero. Printed in a range of festive patterns from plaid to penguin, these festive sheets are perfectly weighted, 100 percent cotton, and easily machine washable. Having tested them a number of times over the years, I love going back to them again and again, especially during the holidays.

These sheets are soft (and get softer over time) and heavyweight, which I absolutely love. The adorable look, quality feel, and durable construction of these Eddie Bauer sheets have made them a go-to in my bedding arsenal for winter (and a great, budget-friendly holiday gift as well!).

Specifications:

• 100% cotton
• 160 GSM
• Available in 30 styles and 4 sizes
• Includes a fitted sheet, flat sheet, and two pillowcases
• Machine washable; tumble dry low

Who It’s Best For: Those who don’t want to spend too much for a solid set of cozy sheets; those who want sheets as holiday season decor; those with kids.

Good to Know: These are an especially solid pick for kids since they’re an affordable option that can be replaced as needed but stand up to frequent washes (and come in the cutest prints!).

Luxury sheets do the most without cutting any corners for the sake of price point. If you’re in the market (or even just the mood) for the ultimate investment in cold weather self care, Coyuchi’s beautiful Cloud Brushed flannel sheets are your best choice. They’re cozy without being stuffy, come in a range of beautiful colors, and are organic while remaining soft, weighty, and durable. The velvety finish is smooth and pill-resistant, and you can choose from seven different colors, ranging from a wintery alpine white to a springlike cypress, so they’ll work all year round.

Apartment Therapy shopping editor Blair says, “I’ve only owned one pair of flannel sheets in my life, which I did like a lot, but I admittedly had nothing else to compare them to — that is, until I got Coyuchi’s version, and I’ll never look at my prior set the same. I love Coyuchi’s because, yes, they add an extra layer of warmth to my bed, as all flannel sheets do, but their unparalleled softness really makes them superbly next-level. What’s fascinating, too, is that they’re fairly thick but still feel especially breathable — which, as a habitual hot sleeper, I SO appreciate.”

Specifications:

• 100% organic cotton
• 6 oz.
• Available in 7 colors and 5 sizes
• Includes top sheet, fitted sheet, and 2 pillowcases
• GOTS certified
• Machine wash; tumble dry low
• 30-night trial period

Who It’s Best For: Those looking for the softest sheets around; those who want something breathable; those who are picky about color; those who want something organic.

Good to Know: Even the packaging for our former best organic flannel sheets pick is eco-friendly — the bedding comes in a reusable organic cloth bag.

“When I heard ‘flannel sheets,’ I immediately assumed it would be sweat city,” says senior commerce editor Ian. But after putting Brooklinen’s Core Flannel Sheet set to the test, he discovered this was not the case. “These are the perfect winter sheets,” he says. But, he adds, “the classic, pared-down look that matches any and every aesthetic” really drove the win home for him. Available in a range of plaid patterns that work year-round but are especially charming during the winter time, Brooklinen’s sheets pay homage to the tradition of flannel. “And,” Ian says, “they get softer each time you wash them, so there’s an incentive to actually do laundry!” I feel you on that, Ian.

Specifications:

• 100% cotton
• 140 GSM
• Available in 5 patterns and 5 sizes
• Includes top sheet, fitted sheet, and 2 pillowcases
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
• Machine wash cold; tumble dry low
• 1-year limited warranty

Who It’s Best For: Those who love the look of plaid flannel; those who want something grown-up but festive for winter use.

Good to Know: Like most bedding, Brooklinen’s flannel doesn’t respond well to harsh chemicals or bleaching, so avoid both if you want to keep the patterns fresh and the feel soft and pill-free.

Kassatex’s Brushed Flannel Bamboo sheets are a welcoming and beautiful addition to your bedroom decor. Senior editor Alicia tested these sheets “but had never tried (or heard of) flannel sheets before starting to work at Apartment Therapy. They are the softest sheets I have ever slept on.” They feel like an old T-shirt in the best possible way, she adds, “and when the heat in my apartment was not working during a particularly cold October week, these sheets kept me super cozy. I am a hot sleeper and did not wake up in the middle of the night finding that I had flailed out of the sheets, which is a big plus.” Kassatex’s fresh-feeling bamboo-blended flannel can be credited for that.

Specifications:

• 60% heathered bamboo yarn and 40% cotton
• Available in 1 color and 2 sizes
• Includes top sheet, fitted sheet, and 2 pillowcases
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
• Machine wash warm; tumble dry low
• 60-night trial period and free shipping

Who It’s Best For: Particularly cold sleepers in the winter; those who want optimal ventilation for year-round use; those who want to invest in a set to last years; those who love the slightly cooling effect of bamboo-blend bedding.

Good to Know: “The only downside for me,” Alicia says, “is that they do pill a little. I’ve had to vacuum up the pills from this set.” The way flannel is brushed makes it more prone to pilling, especially in the areas most used. Simply vacuum or shave where you notice them to cut down on their presence in the future.

“I’ve been skeptical of flannel sheets because my tiny studio apartment feels like a furnace in the winter and I can’t control the radiator,” says commerce managing editor Tamara. “But these silky-soft sheets don’t overheat me as much as other cozy sheets I’ve tried.” The Company Store’s Velvet Flannel sheet set “strikes the perfect balance of feeling warm without being too thick.”

Many of us NYC-based AT staffers are in a similar situation to Tamara, unable to control or predict our heating or cooling, so it behooves us to plan for the season ahead — bedding included. Having a lightweight set of flannel sheets like these year-round helps to keep us cozy through unexpectedly chilly nights and well-ventilated when winter evenings turn toasty. But Tamara offers a fair warning about The Company Store’s Velvet flannels: “They are so comfortable that you just might not want to get out of bed on a chilly winter morning.”

Specifications:

• 100% cotton
• 5 oz.
• Available in 14 colors and 5 sizes
• Includes top sheet, fitted sheet, and 2 pillowcases
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
• Machine wash gentle; tumble dry low
• 90-day trial period and free shipping

Who It’s Best For: Those who want a flannel set for all seasons; those with unpredictable heating and cooling (in your building or body!).

Good to Know: The fitted sheet in this set has all-around elastic, so it’s less likely to pop off or come loose on even the most active sleepers.