The 12 Best Flannel Sheets Reviewers Snuggled Into and Loved in 2020
It's winter, which means getting from zero to toasty as quickly as possible when you jump in bed is imperative. And we've found that the best way to get and stay warm is by swapping out our lightweight warm-weather percale or linen for a set of flannel sheets. Flannel sheets are usually cotton or synthetic fibers that have a soft texture and fuzzy finish called "nap" that is cuddly and traps your body heat, making a warm cocoon. Before all you hot sleepers roll your eyes and close this tab, we implore you to see how the latest crop of flannel sheets has expanded to include luxurious sheet sets and a wide range of designs—that won't leave you waking up in a pool of sweat.
A Word About Lint and Pilling
Don't be alarmed if you wash your new set of flannel sheets for the first time and notice a lot of lint in the trap of your dryer. Or when you've run them through a few washes and you see those tiny balls of fluff called "pills" dotting the surface. That is a result of the friction of flannel fabric rubbing against itself in the washer and dryer, when short fibers become unwoven and ball up on the surface of the fabric. It's a natural part of flannel's life cycle, but higher-quality flannel takes longer to pill. To forestall fuzziness as long as possible, use an enzyme detergent such as Seventh Generation to wash your sheets (it will dissolve some of the pills), use a fabric softener in the rinse cycle and wash your sheets using the gentle cycle, to avoid too much friction.
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Our picks at a glance:
• Best Overall: Legacy Velvet Flannel by The Company Store
• Best Plaid: L.L. Bean Heritage Chamois Flannel Sheet Collection, Plaid
• Best Organic: The Company Store 3-Piece Solid Organic Flannel Sheet Set
• Best Value: Laundry by SHELLI SEGAL® 160 GSM Polka Dots Flannel Sheet Set
• Best for Kids: Nate & NAT Bedding 3 Piece Twin Size Bed Flannel Cotton Sheet Set
• Best Herringbone Design: Boll & Branch Flannel Herringbone Sheet Set
• Best Lightweight: Micro Flannel 3-Piece Colorful Deer Geometric Sheet Set
• Best Floral: Marie Clarie 3-Piece Wallpaper Floral Cotton Flannel Twin Sheet Set
• Best Splurge: Coyuchi Cloud Brushed™ Organic Flannel Sheets
• Best Solid Colors: Bare Home Flannel Sheet Set
• Best Feel: Stone & Beam Rustic Solid 100% Cotton Flannel Bed Sheet Set
• Best Stripe: Dietrich Striped 100% Cotton Sheet Set
1. Legacy Velvet Flannel by The Company Store
Best Overall
Pros:
• Comes in nine pastels including alabaster, dusty rose and platinum
• Duvet covers have corner ties to hold the duvet in place
Con:
• Twin size fitted sheet in collection doesn't come in deep mattress size
Super softness combined with design flexibility is possible with this collection at The Home Depot: Top and fitted sheets are sold separately, as are coordinating duvet covers and pillow cases. "Not only is it such a lovely color, but it washes easily and is so nice and soft," says one reviewer. The fabric is brushed on both sides for softness and minimal pilling.
2. L.L. Bean Heritage Chamois Flannel Sheet Collection, Plaid
Best Plaid
Pros:
• Rich classic colors
• 6.2 oz. weight warmth
Cons:
• Thickest flannel might be too heavy for hot sleepers
• Flat sheet not long enough for a deep tuck at the bottom
"They wash and wear like a dream (no shrinking or piling, through multiple seasons)," says one review, who ordered multiple sizes of these L.L. Bean sheets for all the beds in their home. Though the 15-inch fitted pocket may not stay tucked on an extra-deep mattress without an elastic fitted sheet clasp, that's a small concession for these classic winter bed dressings.
3. The Company Store 3-Piece Solid Organic Flannel Sheet Set
Best Organic
Pro:
• Eco-friendly
Con:
• At 5 oz., the weight won't measure up to hardcore flannel lovers' expectations
The soft material is not only organic, the density of it is the sweet spot between heavy and super lightweight, so this set is ideal for southern climates. Soft blue, grey and white options will make a cuddly-yet-unobtrusive addition to your bedroom for winter.
4. Laundry by SHELLI SEGAL® 160 GSM Polka Dots Flannel Sheet Set
Best Value
Pros:
• Brushed finish
• Euro closure pillowcases
• Side pockets for phone, e-reader
Con:
• 160 GSM (grams per square meter) weight won't satisfy chilly sleepers
"The sheets have pockets on either side," says one reviewer, so you can stash your glasses or phone and not have to fumble through your blankets for them in the morning. "Very handy." That's the kind of design innovation we expect from fashion brand Laundry by Shelli Segal, along with the girly-but-sophisticated white dotted dusty rose pattern. The look as well as the lightweight feel and sale price makes this set ideal for flannel newbies.
5. Nate & NAT Bedding 3 Piece Twin Size Bed Flannel Cotton Sheet Set
Best for Kids
Pros:
• Original, ultra-cute designs
• 100 percent cotton
Con:
• On the pricier side
Kids of all ages will adore the ice-skating moose and squirrels on these sheets from luxury bedding maker Nate & Nat. Other designs include dachsunds wearing Christmas sweaters and bulldogs wearing deer antlers. So these cartoons are going to give your little one warm fuzzies in addition to the brushed cotton warmth of the sheets themselves.
6. Boll & Branch Flannel Herringbone Sheet Set
Best Herringbone Design
Pros:
• Fair Trade Certified Organic Cotton
• Sophisticated woven design
• Tags marking direction to put onto bed
Con:
• Price
"I run hot but my pregnant wife is always cold, and it is winter time so I bought her these sheets for our bed," one reviewer reports. "WOW, these are great. Super soft and comfortable but they do not cause me to overheat. Not sure what sorcery B&B is employing to manufacture these gems." Another user describes the softness and warmth of the sheets as "decadence," presumably since this sheet set is so pricey, yet so seductive. Our personal favorite feature? You can minimize the minutes spent putting these sheets on the bed, since helpful tags help you avoid the eternal directional confusion between the long and short sides.
7. Micro Flannel 3-Piece Colorful Deer Geometric Sheet Set
Best Lightweight
Pros:
• Polyester fabric is less heavy and bulky
• Wrinkle-resistant
Con:
• Cotton purists will miss that fabric's fuzziness
"These become soft without pilling after several launderings," says a happy buyer about these printed sheets, adding that they feel cozy and warm but don't cause overheating in the middle of the night. Since these are all-polyester, the more than a dozen prints (which include deer, trees, leopard spots and dachshunds) won't fade and the fabric won't pill as readily as cotton blends.
8. Marie Clarie 3-Piece Wallpaper Floral Cotton Flannel Twin Sheet Set
Best Floral
Pros:
• Available in both Twin and Twin XL
• All-around elastic on fitted sheet
Con:
• No option to purchase additional pillowcases without buying another set
The sweet mini-floral of these light sheets will become family heirlooms as they get softer and softer with each generation. The 16-inch depth of the fitted sheet ensures it doesn't come untucked, and the soft colorway blends well with other pastel sheet sets.
9. Coyuchi Cloud Brushed™ Organic Flannel Sheets
Best Splurge
Pros:
• Ultra-soft brushed texture
• Produced without environmental toxins
• Jewel tones
• Additional pillowcases available for purchase
Con:
• Pricey (King sets cost, ahem, $298)
The brushed, velvety finish of these sheets is more than just soft, because Coyuchi engineered it (without toxic chemicals, per the brand's ethos) to keep wear and pilling under control. "These are our first flannel sheets and now we wonder how we ever winter-ed without!" says one happy couple. "As soft as advertised and feel both cozy and warm but still light, which we had wondered about as first-timers."
10. Bare Home Flannel Sheet Set
Best Solid Colors
Pros:
• Made with non-toxic dyes and chemicals
• Comes in twin XL and split king sizes
• Comes with matching tote bag
Con:
• Can thin after multiple washings
This lightweight flannel comes in 11 vivid and neutral shades, and each set comes with a matching tote bag. That tote is a plus for students, who might want to stuff their sheets in them after use, since the twin XL size is a common dorm room bed measurement. "My husband likes flannel for the cold Canadian nights and these are perfect," a reviewer reports. "Very soft and warm."
11. Stone & Beam Rustic Solid 100% Cotton Flannel Bed Sheet Set
Best Feel
Pro:
• Comes in four tasteful neutrals
Con:
• Reports of uneven fading, so wash in cold water with mild detergent
The velvety texture and thick warmth of these are suitable for subzero and mild winter temps—and has received heaps of positive reviews from buyers of this Amazon brand. "Great for the wintertime," one West Coaster says. "Will likely be a bit too warm for the hot California summers, but [these] are excellent for the cooler seasons."
12. Dietrich Striped 100% Cotton Sheet Set
Best Stripe
Pros:
• Tailored pattern
• Hypoallergenic
Con:
• 14-inch pocket depth may not fit thicker mattresses
"I love the black-and-white striping on them and the big king-size cases will be perfect for our oversized pillows," enthuses one reviewer. This sheet set is distinctive because it has a tailored appearance, which is rare in the aesthetic universe of flowered or woodsy flannel sheets. The all-cotton fabrication gets softer with every washing, and the wrinkles only add to the expensive look of these.
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