The 9 Best Flannel Sheets

For a cabin look, the Eddie Bauer Deer Hollow set scatters pine trees and small deer across a cream ground, and the same flannel comes in dozens of plaids and woodsy prints. The cotton is brushed for a soft, warm nap. GearLab's reviewers chose the brand's flannel as their favorite and saw little pilling over repeated washes. Elastic wraps the whole fitted sheet, so the corners stay on. It wrinkles fast, so pull it from the dryer promptly.

The Bare Home Double-Brushed set is cut oversized on purpose: it shrinks in the first wash, then settles snugly onto deep mattresses. The cotton is napped on both sides, which makes it plush and warm, and it carries an Oeko-Tex label for harmful substances. Solid colors run from bright white to dark, moody tones. Bare Home itself warns of light pilling where you sleep most, and the fuzzy surface can cling to pajamas.

Cold bedrooms are where the Pointehaven Heavy Weight set earns its name. Its cotton sits at the heavy end of the flannel scale, is brushed on both sides and comes pre-shrunk. The flat sheet is cut extra long for tucking, and each pillowcase has a flap that hides the pillow. Durability is the open question: some sets thin or pill within a season or two, and the maker's warranty runs only 30 days.

The Laura Ashley Audrey set is brushed in eight stages, which gives the cotton a plush, velvety nap. It's lighter than heavyweight flannel, so it suits sleepers who want cozy without bulk. Small pink roses on a cream ground give it a cottage look, and other florals and plaids are sold too. Elastic runs around the whole fitted sheet. The plush surface tends to grab pajamas, which can make rolling over feel sticky.

Sleepers who run warm but still want flannel should look at the Mellanni 4-Piece set. Mellanni makes it lightweight, so it adds warmth without a heavy layer, and the cotton is napped on both sides. The maker says it won't shrink or fade, and its lifetime return promise lets you send it back if it disappoints. Stock comes and goes by color and size, so the shade you want may sell out.

Kids' rooms and guest beds suit the Sleep Philosophy Cozy set, a low-cost flannel in playful prints like these llamas in winter hats. The cotton is midweight, brushed on both sides and pre-shrunk. Expect some lint at first; the maker suggests a first wash in cold water with half a cup of white vinegar. Durability is uneven, and some sets thin out after a winter of washing.

Red-and-black lumberjack plaid sets apart the Lane Linen Buffalo Check set, and the brand sells around 19 other colors and patterns. The cotton is brushed for softness and gets softer as it's washed. Lane Linen says the sheets come from an Oeko-Tex certified factory. It doesn't publish a fabric weight, though, and quality varies more than it should: some sets arrive thin or start pilling early.

Tall mattresses and thick toppers are the reason to pick the Ruvanti Rustic Homestead set, since its fitted sheet is cut for beds up to 18 inches deep. The double-brushed cotton is midweight and comes in a white print of sketched cabins and wildlife. It tends to stay a bit crisp rather than turning fluffy, and it builds static in the dryer, so a dryer ball helps.

Organic cotton and dyes are what you pay for with the Bare Home Organic line, and the GOTS label means both the fiber and the mill were checked against an organic textile standard. The midweight flannel is woven from long-staple cotton and brushed on both sides. It's made to shrink after the first wash, so launder it before you make the bed. The organic label adds noticeably to the cost.