The 8 Best Sets of Flannel Sheets, According to an Expert
I’m not excited for w*nter, but I can’t wait to snuggle up in my flannel bedding.
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Good sheets are important—crucial, some might say—to getting high-quality sleep. Further, we all have our own bedding needs, similar to how everyone has personal preferences when it comes to pillows. For instance, you might be a hot sleeper, in which case you’ll find silk sheets to be especially cooling. But with cooler weather upon us and frigid months ahead, it’s time to talk flannel sheets.
I love flannel sheets because of how they get softer and more worn with every wash. They age like fine wine. But you don’t just have to take my word for it. “Flannel sheets are known for their breathable warmth and cozy softness,” Jennifer Benevides, L.L.Bean director of merchandising for home and travel, tells me. And no one knows flannel better than L.L.Bean.
Benevides recommends looking for two things when shopping for flannel sheets: weight and finish. “The weight of flannel equates to warmth—the heavier, the warmer—which is the most important factor when purchasing flannel sheets,” she says. Hot sleepers, don’t click away just yet. While most people associate flannel with warmth, Benevides says light- to mid-weight flannel sheets are quite breathable, so it might be worth a try.
“Finish is also an important feature. All L.L.Bean flannel bedding has a velvet finish, which gives the sheets a soft-to-the-touch surface.” Other finishes you might come across include brushed or napped. (But if you ask me, they’re all great.) You should also take note of where your flannel sheets are coming from, Benevides continues. “Portugal is known to produce the best flannel in the world, which is why Portuguese flannel is often called out as a sign of high quality.”
Below, from brushed to velvet and Portuguese to American, find the finest flannel sheets money can buy.
Pros
- Durable
- Pill-resistant
- Fitted sheets have deep pockets
Cons
According to Benevides, all of L.L.Bean’s flannel is produced by a family of craftsmen in Portugal, where it’s “meticulously woven to achieve strength and durability.”
Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, or King
Colors: Botanical Floral or Botanical Floral Blue
Material: 100% cotton
Customer review: “Beautiful, soft, and great quality. I can’t wait to climb under them and sleep the night away.”
Pros
- Complete set
- OEKO-TEX certified
Cons
- Might pill after washing
Brooklinen never fails to knock it out of the park. Why would this brushed cotton set be any different?
Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, or California King
Colors: 7 options
Material: 100% cotton flannel
Customer review: “Best flannel sheets! It’s like sleeping on a cloud—warning, these sheets make getting out of bed in the morning nearly impossible!!!”
Pros
- OEKO-TEX certified
- Monogrammable
- Well-priced
Cons
- Not sold as a set
Garnet Hill is another brand that has been in the flannel game for a long time. You can trust that these sheets will get it right.
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Double, Queen, King, or California King
Colors: 10 options
Material: 100% cotton
Customer review: “Excellent! I have been buying Garnet Hill Flannel Sheets for over 30 years. I use [mine] year round. I have to have the softness year-round. All of my married children use them year-round, too.”
Pros
- Lots of color and size options
- Well-priced
Cons
- Generates a lot of dryer lint
The rave reviews on this Amazon set rivals those of any expensive competitor.
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, Queen, King, California King, Split King, or Split California King
Colors: 17 options
Material: 100% cotton
Customer review: “Really like that the fabric is so soft...the sheets are super large, so they actually cover even deep mattresses, plus the pillowcases are extra long so you can use them for the big king-size pillows.”
Eddie Bauer Brushed Cotton Flannel Bedding Set
Pros
- Great value
Cons
- Might pill
- Only available in prints
As someone typically uses plain white sheets, it can be fun to switch it up with a pattern every now and then.
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, or King
Colors: 13 options
Material: 100% cotton
Customer review: “I’m very impressed with the quality of these sheets....I’ve washed them 2X they turned out just as beautiful as the day they arrived. I’m buying another set.”
Pros
- OEKO-TEX certified
- One-year return window
- Comes as a set
Cons
- Pricey
You won’t often find bed linens that can be returned for an entire year after trying them. This set included one flat sheet, one fitted, and two pillowcases.
Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, or California King
Colors: Light Grey or White
Material: 100% cotton
Customer review: “These sheets are wonderful and getting even better with washing. They are the most cozy sheets I’ve ever owned. My only regret is not buying them sooner.”
Pros
- Organic
- Comes as a set
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited colors
Genius alert! Boll & Branch opted for a heathered textile because it helps disguise the appearance of pilling.
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, or Split King
Colors: Heathered Grey or Heathered Navy
Material: 100% organic cotton
Customer review: “Cozy, cozy, cozy! So soft and not too heavy. We love these sheets. They wash beautifully! Don’t think about it, just go for it.”
The Company Store Legends Hotel Velvet Flannel Sheet Set
Pros
- Comes as a set
- Thick
Cons
- Might pill
- Generates a lot of dryer lint
These sheets are especially well-suited for shoppers who live in cold climates, as they are said to be extra thick and warm.
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, or King
Colors: 12 colors
Material: 100% cotton
Customer review: “Love the sheets. They fit beautifully without slipping from the corners. Fabric is soft and washes beautifully.”
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