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By Jackie Reeve and Zoe Vanderweide cotton sleepshirt
We recently completed a fresh round of testing and will be adding new picks to this guide.
Treat yourself or someone you love to terrific PJs—a comfy, well-made pair can be downright restorative. Since 2018, we’ve spent countless hours lounging and sleeping in nearly three-dozen sets of pajamas and snooze-worthy sweatpants, in as many inclusive women’s, men’s, and unisex sizes as we could find.
Our six favorites will improve your next pajama day with their superior comfort and quality. Our picks include a sophisticated women’s jersey set with contrast piping, a pair of all-season sweatpants, an ultra-warm women’s flannel set, a pair of men’s flannel plaid pants, a luxe women’s silk PJ set, and some fun, printed unisex long johns.
These elegant pajamas, made from an ultra-smooth and comfortable jersey material, feel just as good as they look. Plus, they’re available in more colors than any other set we tried.
If you’re shopping for classy jams, look no further than the Eberjey Gisele PJ Set. The timeless, menswear-inspired styling will make you look as put together as you do in your everyday clothes, while the smooth, stretchy material will have you feeling comfy.
They’re stylish and versatile. The chic Gisele PJs have a notched collar, a button front, and crisp contrast piping throughout. They come in more than 20 colors (sizes and stock vary by retailer) and in over a dozen solids and prints on the Eberjey site. We tested the set with long sleeves and pants, but there are other variations available—like a shorts set and short sleeves with long pants or cropped pants—you can mix and match.
Their jersey is the softest we tried. Eberjey’s fabric, a blend of Tencel modal and spandex, was lighter, softer, and smoother than any other we tested. (It also doesn’t have that telltale sheen of some cheaper jerseys.) A Wirecutter senior editor has been wearing this set since 2019 and reports that it still looks fresh and feels soft after many washes, though the material is starting to show some wear.
They fit beautifully. The Gisele PJ’s flattering, easy cut skims the body like a second skin, and the fabric drapes just as it should, unlike some overly heavy jersey materials that feel as if they’re in a constant battle with gravity. We found the sizing of the Eberjey Gisele pajamas to be true.
Sizes: XS (0–2) to XXL (18), although most colors are available only up to an XL (16) Material: Tencel modal and spandex Colors: dozens of colors and prints available
Great for sleeping or lounging, these sweatpants are attractive, well priced, and will last for years. Though they come in men’s sizes only, the fit is totally unisex—just be aware that in smaller sizes, the inseam is shorter.
Note: Uniqlo previously categorized these sweatpants as “unisex,” but it has since changed the description to “men’s”; they come in men’s sizes from XS to 3XL. A brand rep confirmed that the garment itself remains exactly the same, and we retested it ourselves to be sure. If you typically wear women’s sweatpants, we recommend buying one size down from your usual size.
Not everybody is a traditional PJ person, and that’s okay. Pair these midweight Uniqlo Sweatpants with a soft T-shirt, and you can happily tuck in for the night. But they’re equally well suited for lounging or running errands. Plus, unlike many pajamas, they’ve got pockets.
They’re for all seasons. Made from a cotton/poly blend, the inside of these sweats is lined with soft loops of French terry rather than warmer fleece, so they don’t get too hot. But the sturdy material is substantial enough to keep you cozy in the cooler months.
They’re stylish. The fit of the Uniqlo sweats is slim and streamlined, but not overly tight, with a gently tapered leg. They have a flattering single back pocket and a hidden internal drawstring waistband that’s cool and comfy. The ankles are ribbed and cuffed—versus the classic gathered-ankle “sweatpant” silhouette—which worked well for people of different heights.
Their inseam length varies by size. The smaller the size, the shorter the inseam on these sweats. The inseam is 27½ inches in size XS, 28½ inches in size small, 29 inches in size medium, and 30 inches in sizes L through 3X. The hem of the size small comfortably reached the top of the foot on both our 5-foot-6 female tester (who was wearing the sweats pulled up to her waist) and our 5-foot-11 male tester (who wore them slung a bit lower, at the hip).
In 2024, Uniqlo introduced a Tall version of these sweatpants, with an inseam that’s an inch longer in each size, respectively.
They’re a bargain. Despite their modest price, the Uniqlo Sweatpants last for years—they’ve been one of our picks since 2018—and remain soft through many washes. They’re a favorite among Wirecutter staffers, who vouch for their longevity.
Sizes: men’s XS to 3XL, with a unisex fit (if you normally wear women’s, we suggest ordering one size down in men’s); tall, men’s XS to 3XL Material: cotton/polyester blend Colors: five solid colors
This classic flannel PJ set is incredibly warm—but not heavy or stiff—and comes in lots of sizes. The cozy material gets even softer with wear, though it does pill over time.
We’ve owned many flannel PJs over the years, and L.L.Bean’s Women’s Scotch Plaid Flannel Pajamas are our favorites. This is the warmest set we recommend, but it’s still lightweight, so it never feels stiff or stifling. And the classic plaid prints give us all the rustic-winter-cabin vibes: It’s our go-to set for curling up by the fire (or space heater).
The flannel is the softest we’ve found. These PJs feel fluffy and familiar, like a perfectly worn-in flannel shirt. Made from the same ultra-warm, high-quality cotton flannel as our L.L.Bean men’s flannel PJ pants pick, this set gets even softer with repeated washings.
They have a classic, relaxed fit. The L.L.Bean pajamas have a roomy silhouette and drape naturally over the body, and they’re available in an unusually inclusive range of women’s sizes (XS to 3X, plus tall and petite sizes). The pants are cut more generously than the tops, which is fairly common with PJ sets. If you’re between sizes, or if you have a bigger bust and are worried about the buttons gaping, size up.
They’ve got pockets. This feature was surprisingly rare among the women’s sets that we tested. Pockets lend the L.L.Bean PJs casual ease—and a place to put your phone and earbuds.
They hold up, with some pilling. After several years of seasonal use, my L.L.Bean PJs have retained their softness, with only minor pilling at the armpits and inner thighs—pretty standard for flannel. With more frequent wear, you can expect more pilling; one Wirecutter senior editor reported that her set pilled all over after a year of heavy use.
Sizes: XS to XL, plus 1X to 3X, petite XS to XL, tall XS to XL Material: cotton flannel Colors: 10 plaid prints
These soft flannel pants are super warm yet feel almost weightless, making for an especially comfy night’s sleep. Plus, they come in four different inseam lengths.
For those who prefer sleepwear separates to matching sets, the classically cozy L.L.Bean Men’s Scotch Plaid Flannel Sleep Pants are ideal. They’re exceptionally soft and warm, but they feel thin and lightweight.
If you do indeed like a matching set, L.L.Bean also makes a Scotch Plaid men’s set in the same sizes and colors.
They’re incredibly soft and light. The L.L.Bean pants are made from the same indulgently soft and fluffy cotton-flannel fabric as the women’s L.L.Bean flannel pajama set we recommend. (One tester noted how these qualities make the pants feel gift-worthy and special.)
While these pants are warm, they’re also airy—not stiff—which testers appreciated when slipping under heavy winter bedding. But if you’d prefer a more substantial (and even warmer) pair of flannel pants, consider the Eddie Bauer Men’s Favorite Flannel Sleep Pants in our Other pajamas worth considering section.
They come in lots of different lengths. It can be hard to find PJ pants in that just-right length, but the L.L.Beans are available in four inseam options: 28 inches, 30 inches, 32 inches, and 34 inches.
They’re high quality. The L.L.Bean men’s sleep pants are well constructed and durable. They stood up to a winter of regular use and remained very soft, with just a bit of pilling (though more pilling can be expected over time).
They’re timeless. Available in 10 vibrant plaid patterns, the L.L.Bean sleep pants are playful yet traditional and will never go out of style. They have a straight-leg cut that’s intentionally roomy; some testers thought there was too much material, but others liked the easy fit.
Sizes: regular S to XXXL, with four different inseam options (Fit is true to size.) Material: cotton flannel Colors: nine plaid prints
This glamorous set made from thick, lustrous silk is a worthwhile indulgence, and it can be washed (by hand) at home. But it runs one size small.
Silk pajamas are the power suit of sleepwear: elevated, luxurious, and confidence boosting. To find the most splurge-worthy set, we researched 24 different options and tested seven, ultimately landing on the Julianna Rae Natalya Silk Pajamas as our hands-down favorite. These PJs are refined, comfortable, exquisitely made, and hand-washable. They’ll have you channeling your inner Katherine Hepburn in no time.
They look and feel luxe. Made from thick, smooth, 100% mulberry silk (a high-quality, long-fiber silk), the classic piped Natalya pajamas have a glam, old-Hollywood vibe. Compared with other silk sets that we tested, they felt (and indeed are) more expensive, with better buttons and finer detailing, like elegant notched cuffs and a shirttail hem.
They have a classic, easy fit—but the sizing runs small. The Natalya pajamas have a relaxed, timeless cut that’s comfortable and easy to wear. The top didn’t gape or strain at the buttons, and the elastic at the back of the pants kept them comfortable.
These PJs run small, so we recommend ordering one size up from your usual. At the original time of testing, both the sleeves and the pants, which had a 32-inch inseam, were far too long for our tester’s 5-foot-2 frame. However, as of August 2024, the inseam on the pants was changed to 31 inches; we have not retested the Natalya pajamas since the update.
The Natalya pajamas are available in petite sizes—the petite pants have a 29-inch inseam, and the overall proportions are smaller—but they’re available only up to size XL, which, given the need to size up, is limiting.
They can be washed at home. No “dry clean only” label staring you down here: The Natalya set is meant to be hand-washed in lukewarm water with mild detergent, then laid flat to dry. If you’re too nervous to use an iron on silk, get wrinkles out with a clothing steamer—or just hang the set in the bathroom and run a hot shower to release creases.
Sizes: XS (0–2) to XXL (20–22), petite XS to XL (They run one size small.) Material: mulberry silk Colors: 10 solids and prints
Made from delightful, high-quality cotton, this unisex PJ top is thick, soft, and durable, and it comes in prints to match with the whole family. If you normally buy women’s sizes, size down for a less-relaxed fit.
The cuffed ankles on these coordinating pants work well for people of varying heights.
Made from delightful, high-quality cotton, this women’s PJ top is thick, soft, and durable, and it comes in prints to match with the whole family. Compared with the unisex version, this top has a more curve-hugging fit, and the neckline has a deeper scoop.
May be out of stock
The cuffed ankles on these coordinating pants work well for people of varying heights. Unlike the unisex version, the women’s pants have a drawstring—and their inseam is a few inches shorter.
Think that Hanna Andersson PJs are just for little ones? Not so. True, we first fell in love with these super-soft, brightly printed, practically indestructible cotton long johns for our kids. But we’ve since given the adult sizes a whirl, and we’ve found them to be just as delightful.
They’re fun for the whole family. Whatever your age, life is too short not to wear pajamas emblazoned with vibrant fruits, vivid horizontal stripes, or Star Wars characters. And when you get the chance to match pajamas with your kids—certain Hanna prints are made starting in infant sizes—we say take it.
They have a body-hugging fit—and a confusing sizing system. Hanna Andersson long johns are intended to hug the body without being overly tight. So if loose, button-down pajamas don’t feel sufficiently cozy on you, these could be the answer.
But for first-timers, figuring out what adult size to order can be daunting. The tops and bottoms are sold separately in unisex and women’s sizes. The unisex pajamas adhere to standard men’s sizing—they are cut roomier than the women’s, with longer sleeves and an inseam that ranges from 30 to 34 inches, depending on the size. (The inseam on the women’s pants is shorter, ranging from 29 to 30¼ inches.) The unisex pants have no drawstring while the women’s pants do, and the women’s tops have a more deeply scooped neckline than the unisex tops.
If you typically wear women’s sizes, we recommend going a size down in unisex.
They really last. These are made from a more-substantial cotton than any other printed PJs we’ve tested, which helps them retain their shape and vibrant colors. After a year of regular wear and tear, our set still looked like new.
Hanna Andersson backs up its PJs with a quality commitment: After the first 60 days, they’ll issue a credit or replacement for defects. You can also buy and sell pre-owned PJs (and other garments) through the company’s Hanna-Me-Downs program.
Sizes: women’s XS to XXL (0–20), adult unisex XS to XXL (fits like men’s); also available in children’s sizes, which are sold as sets Materials: cotton Colors: dozens of non-seasonal and holiday prints
This guide was authored by two Wirecutter senior staff writers who spend a lot of time thinking about luxurious, comfortable fabrics: Jackie Reeve covers bedding and textiles, and Zoe Vanderweide covers style and accessories.
Like all Wirecutter journalists, we review and test products with complete editorial independence. We are never made aware of any business implications of our editorial recommendations. Read more about our editorial standards.
To research pajamas, we read reviews, spoke with experts, and talked with Wirecutter staffers and friends. Even though many women said they wanted full pajama sets, most men told us they preferred pajama and lounge pants only, paired with tees.
With this in mind, we compiled an initial list of 105 pajama sets and lounge pants. We determined that great PJs should have:
Based on that criteria, we tested 31. We’ve examined every pair of pants and pajamas for stitching and construction, compared fabrics, and measured, washed, and remeasured them to assess shrinkage.
I wore the women’s and unisex styles pretty much every day for an entire month—and, of course, I slept in them too. For the men’s pajamas, we enlisted the help of a male tester who wore them often and offered detailed feedback.
As a gut check, two more testers—one female, one male—tried all of our picks, helping us to gauge fit on different body types.
We recently completed a fresh round of testing for this guide. We tested women’s and men’s styles, including the men’s version of our ultra-soft Eberjey Gisele PJ Set jersey pick, multiple silk options from Lunya, and cotton sets from J.Crew and La Ligne. We will update this guide soon with our findings—and some new picks.
If you want a less-expensive alternative to our favorite silk pajama set: The silk material of LilySilk’s 22 Momme Full Length Silk Pajamas Set is slightly thicker than that of our Julianna Rae Natalya pick, yet it’s still delightfully light. But we preferred the Natalya’s classic piped detailing and elegant notched cuffs. The LilySilk set is available in sizes from XS (0–2) through XXL (18); if you have a bigger bust or are worried about the buttons gaping, we recommend sizing up.
If you’re looking for a well-priced jersey set: Nordstrom’s Moonlight Eco Knit Pajamas cost about half as much as the Eberjey set we love. Though they’re a great deal, we did notice a slight sheen to the fabric, which is a common issue with cheaper jerseys. The Nordstrom set is available in six solids and 11 prints, in sizes XXS (00) to XL (16).
If you want ultra-warm flannel pants: The Eddie Bauer’s Men’s Favorite Flannel Sleep Pants are thicker and cozier than our men’s flannel-pants pick from L.L.Bean. But they’re not as soft, and the fit wasn’t as flattering. Still, if you like a more-rugged-feeling flannel, or if you want a print that isn’t plaid, these are a solid choice. They’re available in regular (S to XXL) and tall (M to XL) sizes.
If you’re looking for cheap matching family flannels: Old Navy’s Matching Printed Flannel Pajama Set, in men’s and women’s sizes, was the best under-$50 flannel set we tried. They’re comfortable and come in seasonal prints for the whole family. They’re also the most size-inclusive set we tried, available in men’s sizes up to XXXXL and women’s up to 4X, plus tall and petite options—and a maternity set, too.
If you prefer sweatpants with a more relaxed fit: The Uniqlo Women’s Sweatpants are roomier and less streamlined than our main Uniqlo sweatpants pick. They’re available in women’s sizes XXS (000) to XXL (16), but in terms of style and fit, they’re completely unisex. Unlike our Uniqlo sweatpants pick, these do not have a cuff—instead, they are elasticized at the ankle. Because of that, our 5-foot-2 tester found them a bit too long. However, if you are a fan of the baggy, bunchy look, this is a cozy and comfortable option.
This article was edited by Ingela Ratledge Amundson and Jennifer hunter.
Cora Harrington, founder and editor of The Lingerie Addict and author of In Intimate Detail: How to Choose, Wear, and Love Lingerie, email interview, October 16, 2018
Lori Keong, What Are the Best Pajamas for Women?, The Strategist, January 10, 2018
Nisha Chittal, The Best Pajamas, According to Racked Readers, Racked, January 29, 2018
Indya Brown, The Best Pajama Sets for Dreamy Nights, The Cut, May 18, 2018
Reginald Christian II, The Loungewear Essentials to Help You Relax at Home, GQ, August 3, 2015
I’ve been Wirecutter’s bedding reporter for nearly a decade. In addition, I cover other home textiles, including towels and rugs. Sometimes I also write about chickens.
I focus on clothing, bags, shoes, and other wearables, plus gear and tips for wardrobe maintenance. The guides I’ve written include those for women’s jeans, white sneakers, cheap sunglasses, bras, and laptop backpacks.
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