4 Best Flannel Sheets for Your Bed, Tested in Our Labs
The super soft fabric is designed to keep you extra warm on chilly nights.
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Think of flannel sheets as super comfortable pajamas that encapsulate your whole bed. The fabric is often brushed during the manufacturing process to create a soft, fuzzy surface that is meant to retain heat, so you'll feel nice and toasty even on the most frigid nights. These sheets are perfect as the weather gets colder, making your bed perfectly warm and cozy — perfect for snuggling up with lots of blankets.
The experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab has evaluated well over 250 different sets of sheets in recent years, from standard cotton sheets and linen sheets to extra soft sheets, organic sheets, cooling sheets and more. Our analysts test all sheet sets for performance and durability using our specialized lab equipment and work with hundreds of real consumer testers to collect first-hand feedback on comfort and feel.
Our top picks:
We most recently reviewed this article in November 2022 to replace any out-of-stock options and stand by our recommendations based on our extensive testing. You can read more about how we test — along with shopping tips from our experts on how to choose the perfect set of flannel sheets — at the end of this article. Preparing your bed for colder weather? Consider pairing your new flannel sheets with a fluffy comforter for the coziest bed ever or a fuzzy heated blanket for extra warmth.
Garnet Hill Hemstitched Supima Flannel Bedding
Garnet Hill Hemstitched Supima Flannel Bedding
Pros
- High scores from consumer testers
- Can buy each component separately
- Soft and strong fabric
Cons
- Some wrinkling in Lab tests
For those who love the warmth and coziness of flannel sheets, this set from Garnet Hill has that textbook soft feel, thanks to the brushed surface, paired with strong, durable fabric. The brand also sells each component separately so you can opt to mix and match colors or leave off the top sheet with the option the option to personalize your set with a name or a monogram for an added fee. These sheets are made with Supima cotton, a type of long-staple cotton fiber that’s known for being softer and more durable than traditional cotton, and the material earned high scores in Lab fabric strength tests. Plus, testers gave top scores across the board for comfort and feel with one raving “these sheets are deliciously soft to the touch — like a giant cuddle when you get in bed each night.”
| Material | 100% Supima cotton flannel |
|---|---|
| Weight | 6 oz |
| Sizes | Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King |
| Depth | 12” to 15” depending on size |
Mellanni Cotton Flannel Sheet Set
Mellanni Cotton Flannel Sheet Set
Pros
- Lightweight yet cozy
- Good softness scores from consumer testers
Cons
- Not as durable as other flannel sheets we tested
Flannel sheets can get pricey, but this sheet set from Mellanni proves you don’t have to splurge to get quality linens. We think this lightweight set is great for keeping you warm without feeling too thick or heavy and our consumer tester panel agreed, appreciating the cozy feel of these sheets. And while the fabric didn’t perform as well in Lab durability tests, the materials still impressed our analysts and earned higher wrinkle resistance scores compared to other flannel sheets. On top of that, there are several different colorways to choose from.
| Material | 100% cotton flannel |
|---|---|
| Weight | 5 oz. |
| Sizes | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King |
| Depth | 16" |
Brooklinen Flannel Core Sheet Set
Brooklinen Flannel Core Sheet Set
Pros
- Little to no wrinkling in Lab tests
- Top scores from consumer testers
- "Short" and "long" side tags for added convenience
Cons
- Lower fabric weight means less warmth than other picks
Sometimes, flannel can feel too thick and heavy, but this set offers the same cozy feel without the fear of constant overheating. It was a favorite among our consumer testers, who gave this set top scores across the board for softness, comfort and warmth. Testers especially loved the tags labeled "short side" and "long side" on the fitted sheet for easy bed-making. Plus, one user raved, "the weight is perfect; the top sheet settled around me like a nice warm hug. I could hardly wait to go to bed and did not want to get out of bed the next morning." Our analysts were also impressed by the sheets' wrinkle resistance scores in Lab evaluations, which were the highest we've ever seen for flannel sheets. Plus, if you’re looking to redo your entire bed in flannel, Brooklinen offers an all-in-one bundle that includes this sheet set and their flannel duvet cover with the option to mix and match between the five different prints and patterns available.
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT: Take 15% off your Brooklinen purchase using code GOODHOUSEKEEPING15.
| Material | 100% cotton flannel |
|---|---|
| Weight | 4 oz. |
| Sizes | Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King |
| Depth | 15" |
Boll & Branch Flannel Solid Sheet Set
Boll & Branch Flannel Solid Sheet Set
Pros
- GOTS-certified organic cotton
- Buttery soft fabric
- Deep pocket sheets
Cons
- Lower scores in Lab durability tests
This flannel set from Boll & Branch feels luxuriously soft, thanks to the long-staple cotton fibers used in the fabric. It's been certified organic by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), so you can be confident that the entire growing and manufacturing process adheres to strict standards. While it wasn’t the most durable sheet set we tested, our tester panel raved about the comfortable feel of these sheets, with several users calling the fabric "so cozy" and "great for winter." Boll & Branch's luxury offering is the cream of the crop for those willing to splurge, and with a 30-day, no-questions-asked return policy, you can send them back or a full refund if you're not satisfied.
| Material | 100% organic cotton flannel |
|---|---|
| Weight | 6 oz. |
| Sizes | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King |
| Depth | 15” to 17” depending on size |
How we test flannel sheets
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab has tested over 250 flannel, percale, sateen and jersey sheets in the past few years both in the Lab and with consumer testers, collecting more than 10,000 data points to gauge performance and durability. Here are a few of the things our analysts assess when choosing the best flannel sheets:
✔️Dimensional stability: Sheets are repeatedly washed according to their care labels and scored for shrinkage and appearance after the first and fifth wash cycles. Our laundering process uses detergent, washers and dryers required by industry standards.
✔️Wrinkle resistance: Immediately after the first and fifth laundering of each sheet, we move the sheets to a room with specialized lighting to assess any creases or wrinkles using industry-standard assessments.
✔️Fabric strength: We measure the tensile strength of each sheet by loading fabric specimens into our Instron, which then measures the force needed to break the material.
✔️Pilling resistance: Our abrasion machine — called a Martindale — rubs swatches of fabric together exactly 1,000 times to mimic harsher conditions similar to real-life wear and tear over time. The swatches are then scored for signs of pilling — loose strands or pieces of balled-up fabric that build up over time — using industry standards.
✔️Consumer testing: Our testing panel rates the softness and comfort of each sheet after initial laundering, either in a blind comparison or over a long period of sleep testing in their own homes. Consumer testers also provide additional feedback and scores for ease of use, overall fit, appearance and temperature regulation.
Things to keep in mind when shopping for the best flannel sheets
✔️Material: Flannel is a medium-weight fabric that's been mechanically finished to create a napped or fuzzy surface on one or both sizes for its characteristic soft and cozy feel. When looking for flannel sheets, you may see websites comparing cotton to flannel, but in reality, most flannel sheets are made of 100% cotton. You can also find them made of polyester — if you don’t mind synthetic fibers that may not be as inherently breathable as cotton, polyester is less expensive, more durable and easier to wash but likely won't feel as soft as cotton.
✔️Fabric weight: Some flannel sheets list the fabric weight in either ounces per square yard or grams per square meter, instead of a thread count. Generally, the heavier the fabric weight, the warmer the material. If you're looking for a heavier, cozier fabric, consider shopping for a fabric that weighs at least 5 ounces per square yard or 170 gsm.
✔️Depth: If you have a thicker mattress, check to see the maximum depth of the sheets to make sure they're a good fit for your bed.
✔️Price: You won't have to spend a fortune to find great sheets. Our experts have found that the $100-$200 range is optimal for both good value with high quality. Outside of that range, there are some luxury options over $200 that are worth splurge as well as excellent sets under $100.
✔️Organic certifications: Organic claims are often misused in the bedding industry. While many sheets use organically grown cotton in their construction, the best way to ensure the sheets are fully organic is to see if it's been certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which outlines strict standards for the entire production process. You can often check whether a brand is certified through the GOTS public database.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Lexie Sachs is the executive director of the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing for all bedding, including sheets. She has been actively evaluating sheets since she joined Good Housekeeping in 2013, and during this time has rigorously tested more than 200 sets. Lexie incorporates lab test results, consumer feedback and her own expert analysis before recommending sheets to readers. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Fiber Science from Cornell University and more than 15 years experience in the textiles industry, including merchandising and product development for home products.
Grace Wu is a textiles product review analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute and has evaluated hundreds of bedding products using specialized laboratory equipment in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles Lab and feedback from hundreds of consumer testers. She's written several stories on various types of sheets, including linen sheets, jersey sheets and percale sheets. Prior to joining GH, Grace earned a Masters of Engineering in Materials Science & Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University.
Lexie Sachs (she/her) is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute and a lead reviewer of products in the bedding, travel, lifestyle, home furnishings and apparel spaces. She has over 15 years of experience in the consumer products industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. Lexie serves as an expert source both within Good Housekeeping and other media outlets, regularly appearing on national broadcast TV segments. Prior to joining GH in 2013, Lexie worked in merchandising and product development in the fashion and home industries.
Grace Wu (she/her) is a product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Prior to starting at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master of engineering in materials science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degrees, Grace worked in research laboratories for smart textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.
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