Best Bedding Buys

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Sleep is essential for our health and well-being. A restful night allows our minds and bodies to recharge, leaving us refreshed and ready to take on the day. Yet, achieving quality sleep can be a challenge, particularly as we age. I’ve personally struggled with this and spent considerable time exploring ways to enhance my sleep. While factors like noise, stress, and health issues play a role, bedding—mattress, pillows, and sheets—has a significant impact on sleep quality. In this post, I’ll focus on how to optimize your bedding for the best night’s sleep.

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Your mattress is arguably the most crucial element of your bedding setup—and often the most expensive. While I won’t dive into detailed reviews (plenty of reliable resources exist, such as Sleepopolis and Forbes), understanding mattress types can guide your choice.

  1. Innerspring Mattresses.

    Consist of a support core made from metal coils, with a layer on top of the coils made out of foam ,latex or fiber to add cushioning

  • Pros: Steel coil support offers firmness, bounce, and airflow to keep you cool.
  • Cons: Prone to sagging over time and may transfer motion, disrupting a partner’s sleep.

  1. Memory Foam Mattresses

  • Pros: High-density foam molds to your body, offering pressure relief and motion isolation. Long-lasting and excellent for those who prefer a plush sleep surface.
  • Cons: Can retain heat, which may be uncomfortable for hot sleepers, and often comes at a higher price point.

  1. Hybrid Mattresses.

    Hybrid mattresses combine the best of both worlds, featuring a supportive coil system along with layers of foam or latex on top. This design aims to provide the support of an innerspring mattress, while also delivering the comfort and pressure relief associated with foam mattresses.

  • Pros: Combine innerspring and memory foam for balanced support, comfort, and cooling.
  • Cons: Heavier and more expensive

Ultimately, your choice should be guided by your personal sleep preferences, budget, body type, and any specific health concerns. It’s always a good idea to test out a mattress whenever possible to ensure it meets your comfort needs.

Many brands now offer trial periods, giving you the opportunity to test the mattress in your own home. However, keep in mind that returning such a bulky item can be cumbersome. To simplify your decision, look for mattresses with strong ratings—ideally 4.5 stars or higher. For optimal comfort and functionality, I recommend choosing a mattress that is at least 12 inches thick. This thickness not only enhances comfort but also ensures that fitted sheets stay snugly in place without shifting during the night.

Personal Experience

I’ve been using a Tempur-Pedic memory foam mattress for over a decade, and it’s still in excellent condition. While Tempur-Pedic mattresses are on the pricier side, there are plenty of budget-friendly alternatives that deliver comparable quality. For our kids, we opted for more affordable memory foam mattresses from retailers like Wayfair and Amazon, which have proven to be both comfortable and durable. Additionally, if overheating is a concern, gel-infused memory foam mattresses provide a cooling effect for added comfort. Overall, memory foam mattresses are an excellent choice when considering comfort, affordability, and longevity.

Additional Tips

  • If you frequently wake up with a sore back, it might be time to rotate your mattress or consider replacing it.
  • Protect your mattress from stains caused by sweat or spills by using a waterproof mattress protector.
  • Enhance the longevity of your mattress or enjoy the cooling benefits of gel-infused memory foam by adding a memory foam mattress topper.

For more comprehensive reviews of the different mattress brands, check out these resources:

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Pillows are essential for ensuring quality sleep, as the right pillow supports proper alignment and reduces strain on your neck and spine. The ideal pillow depends largely on your sleeping position:

  • Side sleepers benefit from thicker, firmer pillows that keep their head aligned with the spine.
  • Stomach sleepers need softer, thinner pillows to minimize neck strain.
  • Back sleepers typically prefer soft to medium loft pillows for balanced support.

Like mattresses, pillows come in many varieties, and reviews can help guide you toward the best choice. Adjustable memory foam pillows are especially popular because they allow you to customize the height and firmness by adding or removing filling. For example:

Luxury Bamboo Pillow – Cosy House Collection: This fully adjustable pillow features gel-infused memory foam and a bamboo viscose cover, making it an excellent option for those who sleep hot.

As a back sleeper, I personally favor down pillows for their softness and durability. My love for down pillows began during a stay at the Hilton Hotel, where I experienced the comfort of their luxurious goose down pillows. While I haven’t found Hilton’s exact brand, excellent alternatives are available at retailers like Macy’s.

When shopping for down pillows, prioritize 100% goose down over blends with duck down or feathers. Though premium options often exceed $100, they maintain their loft and last for years.

Hotel Collection European White Goose Down Pillow by Macy’s: A high-quality option for luxurious sleep.

If you suffer from allergies, consider alternative pillows made with memory foam or polyester filling. These options provide comfort without triggering sensitivities.

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Bed sheets shield your mattress from stains and bacteria, and provides a soft, smooth surface to sleep on. When it comes to bed sheets and covers, the options seem endless. Over the years, I’ve tested a wide range of sheets—from the luxurious and pricey Brooklinen sateen sheets to budget-friendly options from Target. Shopping for the perfect set can be overwhelming, especially with all the buzz around thread counts. Thread count refers to the number of threads that are contained within a square inch of fabric. But here’s the truth: a higher thread count is not always better. The material or fiber content and how the fibers are woven is also important.

Understanding Sheet Materials

There are five main types of materials used for bed sheets, each with its pros and cons:

  1. Cotton: The most popular choice. Cotton sheets come in two primary weaves:
    • Percale: Cool, crisp, and lightweight, perfect for those who prefer a classic feel.
    • Sateen: Smooth, silky, and slightly heavier, ideal for a more luxurious touch.
  2. Polyester: A synthetic fiber that I wouldn’t recommend due to its lack of breathability.
  3. Linen: Durable and natural but not as soft as other options.
  4. Silk: Luxurious and elegant, but expensive and high-maintenance.
  5. Viscose/Rayon (from Bamboo): My personal favorite! These sheets are soft, silky, cooling, and affordable.

Why I Love Bamboo Sheets

Rayon or viscose sheets made from bamboo stand out as the best all-around option. They’re incredibly soft, breathable, and perfect for anyone who deals with night sweats. Another plus? Bamboo sheets are easy to care for and don’t come with the hefty price tag of silk or premium cotton.

Amazon offers a variety of bamboo or bamboo-blend sheets, making it easy to find a great set at an affordable price.

Practical Features to Look For

When shopping for bed sheets, don’t forget these important features:

  • Deep Fitted Pockets: Ensure the sheet stays snugly in place, even on thicker mattresses.
  • Elastic Bands Around the Edges: For a secure and smooth fit that won’t slip off overnight.

Our Favorite Pick

After years of experimenting, the Bedsure Sheet Set (rayon derived from bamboo) has become my top recommendation. It checks all the boxes: luxurious softness, breathability, easy care, and a budget-friendly price.

Bedsure Sheet Set, rayon derived from Bamboo

https://amzn.to/3ZQZJEV

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Pillowcases often come included with sheet sets, making it unnecessary to buy them separately—at least in theory. However, in practice, many of us have more pillows than the included pillowcases can cover. For example, we use extra pillows as body pillows or decorative accents, which often leaves us in need of additional pillowcases.

Sizing Challenges

The pillowcases included in sheet sets typically match the size of the sheets themselves. For instance, a king-size sheet set will come with king-size pillowcases. But what if you have a mix of pillow sizes—like a combination of king and standard or queen pillows? That’s when buying extra pillowcases becomes essential. Unfortunately, I’ve yet to find a sheet set that allows customers to customize the size of included pillowcases.

Features to Look For in Pillowcases

When purchasing additional pillowcases, consider the closure style. Here’s my preference:

  • Zipper Closures: These provide a secure fit, keeping the pillow protected and neatly enclosed. They’re particularly practical for body pillows, as there’s no loose fabric to get in the way.
  • Envelope Closures: While common, they tend to have excess fabric that can be bothersome when using the pillow for purposes like body support.

My Go-To Pillowcase Pick

For extra pillowcases, I highly recommend the JOMO Zipper Pillow Cases – 100% Viscose Bamboo (2-pack). These bamboo pillowcases are luxuriously soft, breathable, and come with a sturdy zipper closure for a perfect fit.

https://amzn.to/4gq1b6I

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Few things are as comforting as snuggling under a fluffy, warm duvet on a chilly night. Often referred to as comforters, duvets are filled with insulating materials designed to provide optimal warmth and typically require a protective cover.

When it comes to duvets, there are countless options, which can generally be divided into two main types: down and down alternatives. Unlike duvets, comforters are standalone bed coverings that combine style and functionality, offering warmth without the need for an additional cover. However, they typically do not provide the same level of insulation as a duvet.

For this discussion, I’ll focus specifically on duvets, as opposed to comforters or decorative bedspreads, which serve different purposes.

Down Comforters

Down comforters are often considered the gold standard for warmth and comfort. They offer several advantages:

  • Superior Warmth: Naturally insulating, they keep you cozy without being heavy.
  • Breathability: Excellent airflow helps regulate temperature, making them suitable year-round.
  • Durability: With proper care, they can last for decades.

However, these benefits come at a higher cost. Additionally, down comforters may not be suitable for individuals with allergies, as they use animal-based fill (typically duck or goose feathers).

If you’re considering a down comforter, keep these features in mind:

  • Fill Power: A measure of fluffiness. Higher fill power (600–900) indicates better insulation and warmth.
  • Fill Weight: The amount of down inside the comforter. Heavier fill weight provides greater warmth, making it ideal for colder climates.
  • Construction: Look for baffle box stitching. This design keeps the fill evenly distributed, ensuring consistent warmth and preventing clumping.
  • Feather and Down Type: Not all down is created equal. Down comforters may contain a mix of feathers and down, and down can be sourced from either ducks or geese:
    • Feather and Down Mix: While more affordable, these comforters aren’t as soft or warm as pure down options. Feathers may also poke through the fabric over time.
    • Duck Down: Offers good warmth but is generally less insulating and luxurious compared to goose down.
    • Goose Down: The premium option, known for its superior softness, warmth, and longevity.

Pro Tip: High-quality down comforters are a worthwhile investment. Macy’s often has great options—watch for sales and sign up for Macy’s Rewards to maximize savings.

Down Alternatives

For those with allergies or a tighter budget, down alternatives are an excellent option. These comforters are made with hypoallergenic materials like polyester, cotton, or rayon. Benefits of down alternatives include:

  • Affordability: Significantly cheaper than down.
  • Hypoallergenic: Ideal for individuals sensitive to animal products.
  • Eco-Friendly: Often made with sustainable or recycled materials.

Down alternatives are also a good choice for warmer climates, as they tend to be less insulating and more lightweight.

Comforter Covers: A Must-Have Accessory

Whether you choose a down or down alternative comforter, pairing it with a comforter cover is essential—especially since many comforters aren’t machine washable. Comforter covers protect your investment and make it easier to switch up your bedroom aesthetic.

For a luxurious touch, I recommend covers made from viscose derived from bamboo. These covers are silky smooth, breathable, and complement the plushness of your comforter perfectly. Together, they create a cozy, spa-like sleep experience.