You Need These Flannel Sheets for the Coziest Bed Ever

• Our top picks:
• 1) Reversible Flannel Sheet Set
• 2) Cotton Flannel Sheet Set
• 3) Hemstitched Supima Flannel Bedding
• 5) Flannel Hardcore Sheet Bundle
• 4) Flannel Solid Sheet Set
• How we test sunscreens
• How we test sunscreens
• How we test sunscreens

We updated this guide in October 2022 to ensure all products tested and vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab are in stock.

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 cozy even on the most frigid nights.

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:

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, but first, read our reviews of the best flannel sheets to buy in 2022.

1) Reversible Flannel Sheet Set

$159.00

For those who love the warmth and coziness of flannel sheets, this set from Riley Home has that textbook soft feel, thanks to the brushed surface, paired with strong, durable fabric. While flannel tends to pill more easily than other fabrics in general, this set proved stronger than other flannel sheets in our Lab tests, with higher scores for fabric strength and dimensional stability. Testers also gave the material great softness ratings, with several calling it “soft and toasty.” Our experts also appreciate how each sheet set is reversible, meaning you can easily swap between the lighter and darker shades.

2) Cotton Flannel Sheet Set

$46.97

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.

3) Hemstitched Supima Flannel Bedding

$222.00

If you’d prefer to mix and match colors or leave off the top sheet, Garnet Hill sells each component separately and offers the option to personalize your set with a name or a monogram for an added fee. The 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.”

5) Flannel Hardcore Sheet Bundle

$301.54

If you’re looking to redo your entire bed in flannel, Brooklinen offers an all-in-one bundle that includes their brushed flannel core sheet set and flannel duvet cover with the option to mix and match between the six different prints and patterns available. The flannel core sheet set 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.

4) Flannel Solid Sheet Set

$298.00

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. 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.

How we test sunscreens

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.

How we test sunscreens

✔️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.

How we test sunscreens

Lexie Sachs is the executive director of the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has a B.S. in fiber science from Cornell University and more than 15 years of experience in the textiles industry, including merchandising and product development for home products. Lexie joined Good Housekeeping in 2013 and has extensively tested all types of bedding — including mattresses, sheets, pillows, comforters and more — using specialized lab equipment and with hundreds of consumer testers.

Grace Wu is a textiles product review analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute and has evaluated many bedding products including all sorts of sheets, including cotton percale, linen, silk and microfiber options, using specialized laboratory equipment and feedback from hundreds of consumer testers. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping, Grace earned a Masters of Engineering in materials science and engineering and a B.S. in fiber science from Cornell University. With extensive coursework in textile engineering and chemistry, Grace has worked on performance apparel, smart clothing and adaptive wear within various academic laboratories and non-profits.