Best Pajamas for Adults – Women and Men

Pajamas come in many styles and materials. Some are designed to keep you warm, while others prioritize coolness and breathility. Some feel featherlight and silky, while others feel thick and cozy. The perfect pajamas for you will depend on your personal preferences, your physiology, your sleep environment, and your budget.

What’s important is that you feel comfortable so that you can get the rest you need. Comfortable pajamas can help you relax and signal to your body that it’s time to sleep, while uncomfortable pajamas can irritate you and make it hard to sleep.

In this guide, we discuss our top picks for adult pajamas. We also cover the pros and cons of common pajama materials and what features to look for in pajamas.

Product Details

Cozy Earth Women’s Long Sleeve Bamboo Pajamas are a great choice for sleepers seeking a classic pajama set in a breathable, lightweight fabric. The pajamas are made with 95% bamboo-derived viscose and 5% spandex. This blend gives the pajamas an exceptionally soft, slightly stretchy quality. Viscose is moisture-wicking and odor-resistant, making it a good choice for people who sweat while sleeping. Durable and pill-resistant, this material holds up to many washes and wears.

The pajama top has a button-up design with contrast piping along the hems and cuffs. The shirt has one breast pocket, and the drawstring pants also feature pockets. You can pick from among seven color options—ivory, grey, black, navy, blush, powder blue, and lilac—and you can mix and match color choices for tops and bottoms. Sizes range from XS to XXXL, and you can choose between regular and tall for most color options.

Cozy Earth offers free shipping and returns. Although these pajamas are more expensive than some of our other top picks, they come with a 100-night sleep trial so that you can make sure they’re worth the investment. A 10-year warranty covers pilling, defects, and rips and tears not due to normal wear and tear.

The Amazon Essentials Women’s Lightweight Woven Flannel Pajama Set with Shorts combines a cool and cozy for a fraction of what flannel sleepwear normally costs. These soft, flannel pajamas are 100% cotton. Combining a long sleeve top and shorts, this set is a good choice for the cool nights of spring and autumn. If you like the look of flannel pajamas but find long pants too hot, you might enjoy this set.

The top has a button-up design with contrast piping. The shorts have pockets and an elastic waistband with a drawstring closure. These pajamas have a relaxed fit, although they lack stretchiness. An array of patterns and colors are available, including floral motifs, animal prints, and plaids. Sizes range from XXS to XXL. Shipping and returns are free with Amazon Prime.

The Sijo SoftStretch T-Shirt Dress features a lightweight fabric and relaxed fit intended to keep you cool through the night. It has short sleeves, side slits, and a hem that falls between the knees and ankles. The dress is made with the same material as Sijo’s popular Cooling Eucalyptus AiryWeight Sheets—a 95% Tencel lyocell and 5% elastane blend that is soft and slightly stretchy.

Derived from eucalyptus, Tencel lyocell is breathable and moisture-wicking, which may appeal to sleepers who sleep hot. Additionally, the Tencel fibers in these pajamas are made from eucalyptus pulp certified by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

The T-shirt dress is available in six color options: pebble, navy, rose, sage, sedona, and cloud. Sizes range from XS to XXL. To avoid pilling, this dress should be washed in cold water on the gentle cycle and tumbled dried on a low-heat setting. Sijo offers free shipping for orders over $65 and also accepts returns within 30 days.

The Silk Maison Ivory Piped Silk Pajama Set is a luxury pajama set made with 100% mulberry silk—an ideal choice for sleepers who want to look elegant and stay comfortable. The silk in these pajamas has a 19-momme weight, which drapes beautifully without trapping heat.

Silk is moisture-wicking, making it a good choice for people who sweat at night. It is breathable, which can help sleepers stay cool, but it offers better insulation than many other natural fibers. For sleepers with sensitive skin, silk offers exceptional smoothness.

The pajamas come in one color option—ivory with black piping. The long sleeve top features mother of pearl buttons. The pants have a silk drawstring. Sizes range from to XXXL. Silk Maison recommends hand-washing these pajamas in cold water, air drying them, and then steaming or ironing them on low heat to remove wrinkles and restore softness. Shipping is free for orders over $259. Returns are permitted within 15 days, and customers are responsible for return shipping costs.

The L.L.Bean Men’s Camp PJ Set is designed with coziness in mind. This casual pajama set includes a long sleeve crew-neck shirt and flannel pants. The pajamas are 100% cotton—the top in a soft jersey knit and the bottoms in a heavier flannel. These breathable fabrics allow sleepers to keep warm on cool nights without overheating. The relaxed fit in the shirt and roomy fit in the pants also prioritize comfort and ease of movement.

The pants have a drawstring waistband and pockets. Sizes range from S to XXXL, and you can choose from three lengths: short, regular, or tall. The pajamas are available in an array of color combinations. The tops have different outdoor-themed graphics or slogans, and the bottoms come in patterns, including a number of plaids. You can machine wash and dry this set.

L.L.Bean provides free shipping for orders over $50. You can return the pajamas within one year for a full refund, minus return shipping. L.L.Bean also guarantees products against defective craftsmanship beyond one year.

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In-Depth Pajama Guides

What Is the Best Material for Pajamas?

The best material for pajamas will vary according to personal preferences and sleeping conditions. That said, certain materials have properties that are more suitable for pajamas than others. Some of the most common materials you’ll find in pajamas are cotton, flannel, silk, fleece, Tencel, and linen. Each material has distinct qualities.

Cotton

Cotton is a breathable fabric made from fibers of the cotton plant. The longer the cotton fibers, the softer and smoother the fabric is, and the less likely it is to pill. High-end products tend to use extra-long staple cotton varieties, such as Pima cotton and Egyptian cotton.

Cotton pajamas come in a wide variety of textures, thicknesses, and degrees of stretchiness, depending on how they are knit or woven. They are also available at a range of prices. While you can machine wash and dry most cotton products, cotton fabrics may shrink in the dryer. Cotton absorbs moisture and is slow to dry, so sleepers who sweat a lot may prefer pajamas made from moisture-wicking fabrics.

Flannel

Flannel is a woven fabric prized for its softness and warmth. It was traditionally made from wool—and still sometimes is—but many of today’s fannels contain cotton or synthetic fibers, which make them machine washable and dryable. Flannel pajamas often come in plaid or checkered patterns.

In high quality flannels, a metal brush is used to “nap” one or both sides of the fabric, producing the characteristic softness that makes flannel a top choice for cozy pajamas. Flannels typically do not stretch, so most sleepers prefer flannel pajamas with a loose fit. You’ll find flannel pajamas at a variety of price-points, including many affordable options.

Silk

Silk is a fabric made from the cocoons of silkworms. Known for its exceptional softness and lightness, silk is the go-to fabric for luxury pajamas. Silk is breathable, but it is also an insulator, so most people can comfortably wear it throughout the year. It drapes elegantly and is both durable and slightly stretchy.

Silk is measured in mommes—a measurement that indicates the weight in pounds of 100 yards of fabric. High quality silk pajamas range from 19 to 25 mommes. Silk is expensive, which may be a barrier to some shoppers. It also must be hand washed and air dried, making it higher maintenance than many other pajama fabrics.

Fleece

Fleece is a synthetic material named after the fluffy, insulating wool of sheep. Typically made from polyester, it is lightweight, ultrasoft, and very warm. The material comes in a variety of thicknesses and is often used in winter clothing, including pajamas. Generally affordable, fleece is machine washable and dryable, and it does not wrinkle.

Although it is moisture-wicking and quick-drying, fleece traps heat, so it’s not an ideal pajama material for hot sleepers. Fleece also attracts dust, dirt, and animal hair. Additionally, it has a mixed environmental record. On the one hand, it can be made from recycled materials, like water bottles. On the other hand, washing and drying fleece releases microplastics, creating water and air pollution.

Tencel

Tencel is the name of a brand that manufactures lyocell and modal fibers, which are made from the pulp of plants like eucalyptus and beech. Known for their softness, breathability, and moisture-wicking properties, Tencel fibers are often used in towels, sheets, and pajamas. 

Often advertised as eco-friendly, Tencel fibers are made from pulp from sustainably grown trees. Additionally, the manufacturing process eliminates certain toxins and cuts down on waste. However, turning Tencel fibers into fabric may involve additional chemical treatments, and fabrics containing lyocell and modal often blend them with other, less eco-friendly materials.

Pajamas containing Tencel can be expensive. To limit pilling, make sure to wash them in cold water on the gentle cycle and tumble dry them on low heat.

Linen

Linen is a breathable fabric made from flax plants. It feels cool to the touch, wicks moisture, and dries rapidly, making it a popular choice for warm weather pajamas. The long and thick fibers of the flax plant make linen durable, strong, and resistant to pilling. 

Linen has a coarser texture than many other pajama materials, and it wrinkles easily. That said, linen softens with every wash. It is usually machine washable and can be tumble dried, though some people air dry linen garments on a hanger to avoid having to iron them. Linen tends to be more expensive than cotton but more affordable than silk.

What to Look for in Pajamas

What you wear to bed can play an important role in getting a good night’s sleep. While people have unique preferences—for instance, some enjoy sleeping in socks or even sleeping naked—pajamas are a staple for many sleepers. When searching for the perfect pajamas, there are a number of considerations to keep in mind.

Warmth

The warmth of your pajamas is one of the first factors to consider, especially if you are a particularly hot or cold sleeper, live in a very cool or warm climate, or need pajamas for a particular season. If you’re looking for warm pajamas, fleece and flannel are excellent options. Both are known for their ability to insulate. If you prefer pajamas that keep you cool, we recommend linen, cotton, or Tencel.

Breathability

If you sleep hot, consider investing in pajamas made with breathable fabrics. These fabrics allow sweat to pass through the fibers as it evaporates. Cotton is generally regarded as the most breathable fabric, though silk, Tencel, and linen also offer breathability. Many breathable fabrics are also moisture-wicking, meaning they draw moisture to their surface and dry quickly.

Comfort

One factor that affects the comfort of pajamas is fit, so you should consider whether you prefer looser or more form-fitting pajamas. How a fabric feels against your skin also significantly influences comfort. If softness is a priority for you, we recommend flannel, fleece, and cotton. If you typically find silky, lightweight fabrics more comfortable, we recommend giving silk or Tencel pajamas a try.

Patterns & Dyes

Many sleepers enjoy wearing pajamas that reflect their personal style. There are countless styles and patterns for pajamas available, and if you search, you are bound to find something that suits your taste. Many pajamas are available in solid color options, sometimes featuring contrast piping at the hem and collar. Pajamas also come in classic plaids and stripes, feminine florals, animal prints, and eclectic motifs. Some are tie-dyed or feature graphics. Certain brands allow you to mix and match tops and bottoms.

Inclusive Sizing

Some shoppers may find that conventional sizes do not accommodate their body types. Certain brands offer more inclusive sizing and the option to mix and match sizes for tops and bottoms, which helps ensure a comfortable fit for body types of all sizes. Some brick-and-mortar brands only carry inclusive sizes online.

Pricing

Pajamas are sold in every price range. They can cost anywhere from $10 to several hundred dollars. Pajamas made with materials like silk, Tencel, and high-quality cotton typically have higher price-points, while flannel, short-staple cotton, and synthetic fabrics like fleece are generally cheaper. Be prepared to pay more for pajamas that are well made, durable, and constructed from high quality fabrics, but know that there are many pajamas in lower price ranges that are comfortable and flattering.