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The Best Flannel Sheets

Last updated on June 28, 2023

We looked at the top 12 Flannel Sheets and dug through the reviews from 21 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Flannel Sheets.

Best Flannel Sheet

Our Review Process

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During the fall and winter months when the wind is howling outside and temperatures are dropping, nothing beats getting into a warm, snuggly bed with soft flannel sheets. Not only do the flannel sheets help keep out the cold at night, but they are also utterly comforting and velvety.

How does flannel get its soft, buttery feel and incredible warmth? It has something to do with how the material is made. Flannel is made from cotton threads, but it has a different manufacturing process, which leads to a different texture. Regular cotton threads are smooth; however, for flannel, the cotton threads are left open-ended, which means that the threads are spun in a way that makes them look uneven and textured. This is one of the key differentiators between cotton and flannel.

According to our resident home expert Vicki Liston, producer and narrator of “On The Fly…DIY,” the softness factor comes from combing the fabric and causing heat-trapping fuzz to appear on its surface, a process called “napping.”

“If you purchase cotton flannel, ensure it has gone through a ‘double napping’ process, which means both sides of the material have been combed over for maximum coziness,” says Liston.

Beware terms like “brushed microfiber,” “combed cotton flannel” (a redundant term, says Liston, as flannel is combed by definition) and “cotton velvet flannel” — Liston warns they are simply distracting marketing buzz words hoping to grab your attention and sound superior to competitors.

There are many advantages to using flannel sheets. Primarily, the surface of the sheets helps to trap warm air and body heat, which helps keep you warm. Unlike fleece, flannel ensures that you don’t get too hot and sweaty. The material can wick excess moisture and sweat away while you sleep. Plus, the velvety feel helps provide extra comfort, enabling you to relax as you fall asleep.

One of the drawbacks of using flannel sheets is that they do age with time. Due to the brushed, fuzzy surface of the material, little round balls of thread, or “pills,” can form on the surface. This pilling can affect the soft feel of the fabric, causing it to feel rougher. Flannel sheets that are made from 100% cotton can also shrink after washing, so it’s best to purchase sheets that have been pre-shrunk. Sheets that are a cotton blend are less likely to pill or shrink.

Our Picks For The Top Flannel Sheets

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

Eddie Bauer Deep Pocket Flannel Bedding Sheet Set, 4-Piece

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Eddie Bauer

Deep Pocket Flannel Bedding Sheet Set, 4-Piece

If you're searching for a set of flannel sheets that comes in a variety of fun patterns, this brand is your best bet. You'll find these soft and warm flannel sheets in snowy day, tree farm, ski patrol and camping mugs patterns. The sheets have been pre-shrunk and brushed and are ready to usher you into to a peaceful night's sleep.

Overall Take

Functional and CuteThese flannel sheets come pre-shrunk, so you won't have to worry about them fitting your mattress after the first wash.

Pros
" These sheets get high marks from reviewers for their softness and warmth."
Cons
"Material is prone to pilling."
 Runner Up

Bare Home Cold-Weather Flannel Sheets, 3-Piece

Bare Home

Cold-Weather Flannel Sheets, 3-Piece

The Bare Home Super Soft Fleece Sheet Set retains heat during the winter months, but is also breathable for use during the summer. The material is softer and plusher than traditional flannel sheets. However, there may be pilling after some time.

Overall Take

Plush and Lightweight ChoiceThe Bare Home Super Soft Fleece Sheet Set is breathable and hypoallergenic.

Pros
" This fleece sheet is really plush but without packing on the weight. It still feels lightweight but has a plushness that makes you feel like it is more expensive than it really is."
 Strong Contender

Mellanni Easy Care Flannel Sheets, 4-Piece

Mellanni

Easy Care Flannel Sheets, 4-Piece

Other than regular washings, these flannel sheets are extremely easy to care for. They resist stains, fading and wrinkles. The fabric is made from an organic cotton, so you can feel good about putting it up against your skin. As an added bonus, they are able to accommodate thick mattresses.

Overall Take

Deep PocketsIf your mattress is thick, you'll want to go with these flannel sheets, as they can accommodate mattresses of up to 16-inches.

Pros
" The fact that these sheets are made of 100 percent cotton was our first clue that they’d be comfortable and soft. In both aspects, these sheets delivered."
Cons
"Color is washed out a little."
 Also Consider

Comfort Spaces OEKO-TEX Standard King Size Flannel Sheets, 6-Piece

Comfort Spaces

OEKO-TEX Standard King Size Flannel Sheets, 6-Piece

These king-size flannel sheets are available in both a standard king and a California king. They feature deep pockets and 360-degree all-around full-length elastic. Since they are made from 100% cotton, they are also super soft against skin.

Overall Take

Multiple Colors and PatternsSurprisingly, these king-size flannel sheets come in 16 different colors and patterns, like blue polar bears, gray snowflakes and geo aqua.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
19

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the flannel sheets available to purchase.
12

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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21

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: New York Mag, Apartment Therapy, SuperComfySleep.com, Best Choice Reviews, The Spruce.

85,547

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 12 Flannel Sheets and also dug through the reviews from 21 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Flannel Sheets.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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Our Expert Consultant

Vicki Liston 
Home Improvement Expert

Vicki Liston writes, produces, and narrates “On The Fly…DIY,” an award-winning home improvement and DIY show of unique project tutorials for the casual DIY’er.

Home improvement and all things DIY have been Liston’s passion since she bought her first house in 2007 and she started making video blogs in 2014. She’s performed hundreds of DIY projects, from small ones to major, wall-smashing renovations and can teach you how to make a trendy DIY barn door for cheap. The proceeds earned from “On The Fly…DIY” are donated to no-kill animal shelters and rescue organizations.

The Best Bang For Your Buck

Bare Home Cold-Weather Flannel Sheets, 3-Piece

Our Expert Score

0.0
1 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

9.4
1,066 user reviews

Our Take

The Bare Home Super Soft Fleece Sheet Set retains heat during the winter months, but is also breathable for use during the summer. The material is softer and plusher than traditional flannel sheets. However, there may be pilling after some time.

What other experts liked

This fleece sheet is really plush but without packing on the weight. It still feels lightweight but has a plushness that makes you feel like it is more expensive than it really is.
- Wife Knows

What other experts didn't like

Some experienced pilling issues.
- Wife Knows

What to Look For

  • One of the first things to note when deciding which flannel sheets to buy is the kind of material it’s made from. Flannel can be made out of 100% cotton or a blend. The kind of material used will affect the quality, warmth and pilling of the flannel.
  • Unlike other bedsheets where the thread count is a determining factor for quality, flannel is measured by the number of ounces it takes to make up a square yard. A bedsheet that is marked one ounce means that is how much one square yard of the sheet weighs. The optimal weight for cotton flannel sheets is five ounces. For reference, one ounce is 28.3495 grams. By comparison, regular cotton sheets weigh three ounces. A sheet set that weighs 190 grams per square meter is considered a durable, heavyweight flannel fabric. Some models boast a 170-gram flannel weight.
  • When deciding on which sheets to buy, take a look at whether the sheets have been preshrunk. If you’re getting something that is 100% cotton, you may experience some shrinking after washing. Look for a set that has been pre-washed and will not shrink.
  • Take a look at what the sheet set includes, especially if you want a matching fitted sheet, flat sheet and pillowcases. This way, you can be enveloped in warm, soft flannel. Many sets include a flat sheet, fitted sheet and two pillowcases.
  • Your sheets not only keep you warm in bed, they can also be used to set the mood, tone and style for the room. Shoppers for whom color and pattern are of the utmost importance should go with a flannel sheet set that offers some options. You’ll find there are sets that are available in several neutral solid colors, as well as a couple of floral patterns.
  • To keep your flannel sheets lasting as long as possible, Liston advises washing them in cold water and avoid overheating them in the dryer. Avoid using any fabric softener or dryer sheets as these will coat the fibers and stop them from being breathable. “If the thought of not using softening agents makes you cringe, add white vinegar to your washer’s fabric softener dispenser and use dryer balls to accomplish the same thing,” says Liston. “All flannel eventually pills but by taking special care of the fabric during the washing and drying process, you’ll give your bedding a much longer life.”

Flannel Sheet Rankings

2. Bare Home Cold-Weather Flannel Sheets, 3-Piece

Overall Score: 9.7
Reviews Included: 3

3. Mellanni Easy Care Flannel Sheets, 4-Piece

Overall Score: 9.6
Reviews Included: 8

5. EnvioHome Breathable King Size Flannel Sheets, 4-Piece

Overall Score: 9.3
Reviews Included: 1

7. Morgan Home Winter Breathable Flannel Sheets, 3-Piece

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 1

8. Superior Lightweight Classic Flannel Sheets, 4-Piece

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 1

9. Bare Home Turkish King Size Fitted Flannel Sheet

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 1

10. Laura Ashley Ultra Soft Classic Flannel Sheets, 4-Piece

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 9

11. Eddie Bauer Cozy Flannel Bedding Sheets, 4-Piece

Overall Score: 8.8
Reviews Included: 8

12. Pointehaven Snowy Day Flannel Sheets, 4-Piece

Overall Score: 8.7
Reviews Included: 1

More to Explore

The history of flannel can be traced all the way back to 16th century Wales. The Welsh created a wool blend fabric that was considered a high-quality material due to the fact that it was less itchy than its predecessors. This material, similar to flannel, was first used to make winter clothing. In Portugal, flannel was used to make warm shirts for fishermen who spend many hours in the cold, salty sea. “Flannel made in Portugal has the industry-wide reputation of being the softest on the market while German-made flannel comes in as a close second,” says Liston.

Elsewhere in Europe and North America, flannel was used to make clothing for laborers and farmers who worked primarily outside, as the durability and warmth of the material made it more comfortable and useful for the workers.

During a time when indoor heat was not the norm, flannel was used to line the insides of pajamas, especially children’s, as it also provided a layer of waterproofing. Soon after, flannel was used to make blankets and sheets, because of its ability to trap in heat. Flannel was most effective used in sheets for keeping people warm in the winter months because the dual layers of the fabric, from the flat sheet and the fitted sheet, clung together to conserve body heat.

More to explore