Credit:
Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
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Credit:
Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
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Boll and Branch's Flannel Solid Sheet set is our favorite we tried. The sheets were extremely high quality and luxuriously soft. Read More
Of all the flannel sets we tested, these Company Store sheets were the heaviest and very, very warm. Read More
The Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel sheets took some getting used to, but after a few washes they were soft and cozy, and seem to be built to last. Read More
Saatva's sheets were beautifully packaged and pretty warm, but they weren't quite nice enough to justify the price. Read More
When the weather gets cold, it’s hard to beat the fuzzy feel of flannel on your mattress. Soft and cozy, the best flannel sheets are warm but not too warm, and they don’t pill quickly.
We judged popular flannel sheet sets on a number of factors, including comfort, warmth, and pilling. After testing, our favorite was the Boll and Branch Flannel Solid Sheet (available at Boll & Branch) set. They took our top spot for its performance, but also for the little details, from the box to the paper inside to the barely-there, beautiful stitching on every piece.
Someone looking for even more warmth from their flannel bedding should consider our favorite heavyweight sheet, the Company Store Legends Luxury Velvet Flannel Sheets (available at The Company Store). Those who want to save a little money (sheets are expensive—especially, regrettably, our top tier testers) will find themselves pleased with the L.L. Bean Ultrasoft Flannel sheets (Available at L.L. Bean), which are around $100 less than both Boll and Branch and the Company Store's flannel sheets and ranked third overall in our tests.
Boll and Branch is home to our favorite sheet set of the bunch.
The Company Store's flannel sheets were delightfully heavy and warm.
Beautifully packaged
Gorgeous stitching
More expensive than most
Really heavy
Cozy and soft
Vibrant colors
Small range of size options
Not very warm
Brushed on both sides
Budget-friendly
Shed a lot of lint
Pilling after one wash
Slightly see-through
Jamie Ueda, who has years of experience working for apparel and textile companies, is a stickler for quality materials and sound design. That’s especially true when it comes to flannel bedding. She prides herself on helping consumers make smart purchasing decisions for everything fabric-related.
In 2023, Madison Durham, a senior staff writer at Reviewed, tested an additional nine sets of sheets, including a retest of certain options like the Company Store’s flannel sheets. She tests a wide range of products for Reviewed, including sleepwear, jewelry, and more.
Over four weeks, Jamie slept on each set of flannel sheets for two or three nights. She assessed how the sheets felt, the warmth level, and her overall experience.
Jamie also examined the quality of the stitching and how well the fitted sheet fit on the bed. She measured each flat sheet before and after she washed and dried them to determine how much they shrank. Finally, she dropped pomegranate juice on the sheet, let the stain sit overnight before washing it, and evaluated how well it came out. Madison completed the same tests as Jamie when she tested the sheets, excluding the stain test.
Afterward, the sheet sets were sent to our lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where Reviewed’s team of scientists wrapped up testing or measured at home. Lab staff and testers measured the weight of the sheets and compared their evaluation to the advertised weight.
During cold weather, even the best sheets have a hard time competing with the cozy warmth of flannel. A well-made cotton flannel sheet set can also save you from emptying the linen closet to pile blankets onto your bed. Here are some things to consider when shopping for flannel sheets.
People often make a big deal about thread count when shopping for sateen sheets. But when it comes to flannel sheets, you’ll often see the weight called out on packaging or production descriptions. This measure is noted by ounces per square yard, though sometimes you’ll see grams per square meter. The sets we tested ranged from 5 to 6 ounces. Generally, the higher the number, the heavier and warmer it will feel.
A higher weight does not necessarily make for better sheets. What will best serve you partially depends on where you live and other preferences.
If you live in a more temperate climate, you may want a lighter weight that keeps you cozy without overheating. The same goes if you tend to sleep hot. If you’re looking for the warmest flannel sheets, a heavier weight, such as 6 ounces, may serve you better.
You’ll also want to pay attention to how much brushing the sheets have, i.e., how fuzzy the sheets feel. The fuzzier they feel, the warmer they will be because the fuzz acts as an insulator, similar to how fur keeps animals warm. Sheets brushed on both sides tend to be warmer than those brushed on one side.
Flannel is typically made with 100% cotton, but some sheets use a blend of cotton and synthetic fibers, such as rayon. Cotton is cool, and breathable, making it ideal for sleeping.
Like other types of sheets, such as percale, sateen and linen, flannel sheets are available in a variety of sizes, fitting everything from a twin bed to a king-size mattress.
When shopping for sheet sets, it’s essential to take note of pocket depth. Some sets we tested fit mattresses 14 inches thick, while others could accommodate beds up to 18 inches thick.
It’s next to impossible to completely prevent pilling, but a higher-quality set will not pill as much or as quickly as a lower-quality one. To help avoid premature pilling, it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s laundering instructions and wash sheets separately from other items. This reduces friction between the materials and prevents other items from shedding lint, which can add to pilling.
Madison Durham
Senior Staff Writer, Partner Content
Madison Durham is the Staff Writer for Partner Content at Reviewed. She joined Reviewed after two years of freelancing in the streaming and tech spaces; she has been published in Polygon, Screen Rant, and USA Today. She previously worked in textbook publishing. In her spare time, she writes (somehow), reads, games, and thinks up new worlds for TTRPGs.
Jamie Ueda
Apparel Staff Writer
Jamie writes about clothing, shoes, and accessories for Reviewed. She loves apparel and doesn't like to sacrifice fashion, comfort, or quality in whatever she wears.
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