A Sleep Editor's Complete Guide to Buying the Best Bedding − From Materials and Sizing to Brands and Budgets

It's simple − find the right bedding for you, and you'll sleep more comfortably. That means choosing bedding that allows you to sleep at a temperature that suits you, that offers a tailored comfort level, and, of course, fits your budget.

Like most things, though, the difficult part can be knowing where to start. That's where I come in. In this guide, you'll find all the expert information you need to know about the best bedding materials, the layers that can be used to dress a bed, sizing, the best bedding brands, and exactly where to shop for them.

Whether you're looking to upgrade your best bed sheets, starting a collection for a first home, or browsing for a thoughtful gift, ahead are all the details that will allow you to shop for the best bedding with confidence.

Types of Bedding − What Do You Need?

A well-dressed bed combines many bedding essentials beyond the mattress, like bed sheets, pillows, and comforters. You might also make use of extras such as mattress toppers, throw pillows, and bed skirts. Below, we explain each bedding type so you know exactly what you need for your bed:

Bed skirts can be used to cover a box spring and perhaps to hide underbed storage.

Blankets, quilts, coverlets, and weighted blankets are optional choices that can top bed layers as desired and might be changed seasonally.

Duvets and comforters provide warmth. They are different; the former tends to be warmer and heavier and is used with a duvet cover.

Fitted sheets are the first layer of a well-made bed. Also known as a bottom sheet, they cover the top and sides of a mattress. Elasticated corners make for a secure fit, but sizing them to the mattress, including its depth, is crucial to keeping fitted sheets on a bed.

Flat sheets, also called a top sheet, are the next layer above a fitted sheet. They lie below a duvet or comforter, and can be used alone in warmer weather. They’re not a must-have, but can be easier to wash weekly rather than having to wash a bulkier duvet cover every week. There is a huge range of choice when it comes to sheets, with cooling sheets a favorite with hot sleepers. For those looking for hotel-quality bedding, we also recommend luxury bedlinen where budget is less of a consideration.

Hypoallergenic bed sheets are made from materials that are less likely to collect or create allergens, such as lint, mold, and dust mites. Some of the most popular hypoallergenic materials for bed sheets include cotton, bamboo, linen, silk, and microfiber.

Mattress protectors, such as the SafeRest Mattress Protector, available at Amazon, are designed to keep your mattress clean of spills, dust, pet dander, and moisture. They come in a range of materials, some offering waterproofing, others offering protection from bed bugs and dust mites.

Mattress toppers are a comfort layer that can be added to a mattress that you find too hard, or to fix a sagging mattress before investing in a new one. You may also need to buy a topper for a dorm bed to see a student through college. Our top pick is the High Density Mattress Topper, available at Viscosoft.

Pillows need to complement your sleep position as well as dress the bed. There are many types, from classic sleeping pillows to decorative iterations and bolsters.

Pillowcases and shams are used over a pillow. The former keep pillows clean as well as serving an aesthetic purpose as a bed layer, while shams are purely decorative versions.

Bedding Materials − Which Is Best for You?

Bedding materials determine how your bed feels to sleep in, how well your purchases wash, and how warm or cool you might feel at night. With staying at a comfortable temperature crucial for sleeping better, this is worth researching with your individual needs in mind. One way to choose materials is to check out the options depending on the climate and whether you or a family member is a hot sleeper or has allergies.

Hot sleepers should look at cotton percale, linen, bamboo, and Tencel. Whether you are a hot sleeper or not, spring and summer bedding could include cooling sheets in cotton percale, linen, bamboo, or silk, which can make it easier to sleep well. In contrast, winter bedding might involve a swap to cozy flannel sheets or cotton sateen, and making changes to the layers of a bed from lightweight coverlets to insulating quilts and weighted blankets.

A summer-weight duvet, selected to keep a bed cool, could be exchanged for one with a higher tog rating, too, but bear in mind your own body temperature to avoid overheating. Timing is also important: wait until outdoor temperatures have dropped relatively significantly before switching to something heavier.

Guest room bedding should promote comfort. Cotton sheets are preferable as they will suit a majority of sleepers and look wrinkle-free (unlike linen), but are easy to launder. Having both a winter and summer weight duvet available to use on a guest bed is ideal, and blankets or coverlets can be layered on top for use as needed.

Dorm room bedding should be durable and easy to care for, with cotton blends a good choice for sheets, along with a comforter and a blanket to layer on the bed.

Finally, allergy sufferers should consider hypoallergenic materials like silk, organic cotton, and bamboo lyocell.

Here, we dig a little deeper into the best materials for bedding:

Cotton: Cotton is an enduringly popular choice and one of the best materials for bedding, with plenty of different weaves and types to choose from. For example, cotton percale is what you might sleep in at a high-end hotel. Woven one-thread-over, one-thread-under, it’s breathable bedding and has excellent durability. Cotton sateen, in contrast, is softer, with a smooth, silky texture. As it's woven three-threads-over, one-thread-under, it provides more warmth than percale weaves. Egyptian cotton denotes a coveted species of the plant. It’s prized for long, strong, fine fibers that create bedding with a luxurious, soft feel. Finally, Supima is a brand name for US-grown Pima cotton. The long fibers make for strong and soft sheets.

Linen: If you're weighing up cotton vs. linen sheets, both score points for being natural materials. In the case of linen, it's the fibers of a flax plant. Linen feels more textural and rougher than cotton, but softens over time with regular washing. It's also more durable. For some, linen’s tendency to wrinkle is a downside, but for others, this naturalness and laid-back look is a desirable aesthetic.

Bamboo: Shopping for the best organic bedding? Another natural alternative is bamboo, which comes from the pulp of bamboo grass and is both hypoallergenic and breathable. Bamboo lyocell is the option for eco-conscious shoppers since bamboo viscose or poly blends tend to incorporate plastics or harsh chemicals.

Silk: Silk bedding sounds luxurious, and it is. Made from the cocoons of silkworms, it is wonderfully soft and smooth. Choose silk both for insulation in cold weather and good temperature regulation when it’s warmer. Hypoallergenic properties can make it a top pick for some. Disadvantages include a higher price point than other materials and its relative delicacy, which means it needs to be laundered with care.

Flannel: Flannel is a soft woven fabric, but its fibers can be cotton (most often), wool, or synthetic, so you can exercise a material preference if you check labels when buying. Favored for warmth, flannel also feels cozy because of its raised nap: a result of brushing. This gives it its insulating properties. Pick heavier-weight flannels to get the benefit of their warmth in winter.

Blends and synthetics: Blended fabrics such as polycotton, Tencel, and microfiber can offer some useful qualities, although there are some drawbacks. Polycotton, combining synthetic with natural fibers, is less expensive than pure cotton. It’s not as soft, though it is still comfortable and durable. It’s also more wrinkle-resistant. Tencel is a semi-synthetic fabric made with eucalyptus wood pulp. Thermoregulating and moisture-wicking, with a smooth and silky finish, it's a good option for hot sleepers. Conversely, microfiber is often made entirely from synthetic fibers, although it can be made with wood pulp. It's usually affordable, wrinkle-resistant, soft, and durable, but it can trap heat and generate static.

Best Bedding Brands

Knowing where to buy bedding can save trawling through the abundance of options that can make shopping feel like hard work. Below, we've recommended our favorite, tried-and-trusted bedding brands – both affordable and luxury – whether you prefer to buy bedding online or would rather shop in-store:

Amazon: Amazon offers an enormous choice of bedding – but that can be overwhelming, so our advice is to make the most of the search filters. You can shop for bedding by size, material, thread count, price, and special features. Check customer reviews to make sure you're getting the most for your money. As well as the value of Amazon Basics, look out for the best bedding brands on Amazon, like Boll & Branch and Cozy Earth.

Anthropologie: Anthropologie doesn’t have the widest range of bedding in our A-Z, but whether you want to bring the latest looks to your bedroom or introduce fabulous textures, it’s the place to browse. Many of the Quilts are well-loved bestsellers.

Avocado: Avocado is known for its certified organic mattresses – including the Avocado Green Mattress, which we have tested and reviewed. It also sells luxury bedding that is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified.

Bed Threads: Bed Threads’ bedding comes in every conceivable color. Experiment with your own color combinations or opt for one of Bed Threads' best-selling mixes.

Boll & Branch: Boll & Branch bedding is carefully finished and beautifully presented; it's the destination of choice for style-savvy shoppers with money to spend. You can shop for bedding by color, including warm neutrals, cool blues, fresh greens, deep purples, and soft pinks. Particular favorites for us are the Signature Hemmed Sheet Set, woven to create a glossy sheen, and the Down Duvet Insert in three weights to suit each season.

Brooklinen: Brooklinen offers a range of bedding products, sizes, materials, and colorways, with an easily navigable site that features fabrics, including crisp percale, silky sateen, and washed linen. Check out the Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set, top of our best bed sheets guide, Down Comforter, and the adjustable Marlow Pillow.

Cozy Earth: Cozy Earth specializes in bamboo bedding. Naturally moisture-wicking and antimicrobial, bamboo is built to bust the bacteria that breed in sweaty, sticky environments, such as bed sheets. If you want to level up to the next layer of luxury, you could shop their range of silk bedding. Take a look at the Bamboo Sheet Set or the Silk Pillow.

Crate & Barrel: Crate & Barrel’s palette of shades has a sophisticated modern edge and is complemented by appealing textural finishes and attractive designs. Online, it’s easy to filter by material and to find the fiber and weave that suits sleep temperature. A top seller is the Cozysoft Organic Jersey Quilt.

DreamCloud: DreamCloud mattresses have won plaudits, but its bedding range includes all the essentials to dress a bed, plus protectors, pillows, and blankets. The Serenity Sleep Bundle is a bestseller.

ettitude: ettitude is a must if you're keen to shop sustainably. Plenty of the best places to buy bedding work with bamboo, but they're mostly bamboo viscose or bamboo poly-blends. ettitude works with bamboo lyocell, which is free from harsh chemicals, toxins, and plastics.

IKEA: IKEA may not offer bedding with an ultra-luxe look, but it's highly affordable and gets the job done. Our top picks from its range include the NORDSTÅLÖRT pillow, which is great for sleepers who suffer from back and neck pain, and the DVALA Sheet Set, made from durable, breathable cotton, which stands up to the wear and tear of nightly use and countless cycles in the washing machine.

Luxome: Luxome has a mission to make the softest sheets for luxurious sleep, and dozens of the reviewers on its site attest to its success. We recommend Luxome for anyone who likes the look and feel of sateen – the Luxury Sheet Set made from bamboo viscose is a great example and has great breathability, too. We also like the LAYR Pillow, which has removable pillow inserts so it can be adjusted until it’s just right.

Macy’s: Macy’s is one of our best places to shop for bedroom furniture, but count on its bedding selection, too, which offers a huge choice, an array of brands – including exclusives – and looks to suit traditional and modern tastes.

Matouk: Matouk is a must if luxury bedding is on your agenda, with the company’s linens handcrafted in its Fall River, Massachusetts factory. Find a full selection of bedding, including sheets, bed skirts, duvet covers, and more. And for true individual style, take a look at the customization options available, including monogramming.

Nectar: Nectar is another brand known for its mattresses but which offers bedding you should know about as well. It has the same parent brand as DreamCloud, above, and offers a similar range, including mattress protectors, pillows, and sheets.

Parachute: Parachute is known for its quality sheets but also its new innovations, including yarn-dyed fabrics. The technique means the back and front of the fabric look the same, rather than a pattern or motif being printed on top of a color on one side only.

Piglet in Bed: Piglet in Bed is the place to go if you're keen to play with prints and patterns. You'll find classic shades of white and oatmeal alongside dusk blues and warm clays, interspersed with subtle stripes and playful gingham prints with real retro appeal. If you're not sold on linen, but you love the look, then you can explore its cotton bundles or meet in the middle with a linen blend. Our favorites include the Botanical Green Gingham Linen Blend Duvet Cover, a classic print and a calming shade, and the Merino Wool Duvet, a thermoregulating insert.

Saatva: Saatva is another among the brands that might call mattresses to mind but also rewards your time when you’re shopping for sheets – including cotton sateen, cotton percale, flannel, and linen, plus duvet covers, blankets, pillows, and more.

Sleep Number: Sleep Number’s smart beds bring tech to the aid of a better night’s sleep, but alongside are the essential bedding layers that also contribute to the search for comfort. Sheets include cotton blends that stretch to create a good fit, plus Supima cotton, and the ExactFit designs have elasticized edges, elastic corner seams, and anchor bands to keep fitted sheets in place.

Walmart: Walmart is a go-to if you want great value bedding buys of every type, plus easy filtering to find what you need without wasting time. There’s a wide range of materials on offer, including practical blends and 100 per cent cottons. It’s the place to shop for dorm room bedding sets or if you need to dress a guest bed in a hurry.

woolroom: woolroom offers some of the best organic wool bedding, which is naturally temperature-regulating and ideal for hot sleepers.

Budgeting for Bedding − What to Expect

Fabric, its quality, and the complexity of the manufacturing process contribute to the price. To make the most of your spend, consider longevity as well as cost, since sheets at a lower price made of lower-quality materials won’t offer the best durability so you’ll need to invest in a new set sooner. Typical prices you should expect to spend are listed below:

Queen-sized sheet set: Between $50 and $200, including a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases.

Cotton sheet sets from affordable brands can cost around $30; for a luxury set in this material, expect to pay in a range from around $100 to $300. Look for long-staple fibers – Egyptian, Supima, percale weaves – that retain their softness over the long term.

Cotton percale with a thread count of 200 to 400 can guarantee good quality and comfort and, without the price tag that comes with some materials, can be a sound investment.

Linen bedding comes with a bigger price tag, with affordable options at around $170 while luxury sets cost from around $300 to $600. Linen can be worthwhile for hot sleepers and as a long-term investment, as it becomes softer over time.

Bamboo sheet sets are available from around $50 from affordable brands, while shopping from luxury brands could cost from around $275 to $600.

Silk sheets are a luxury option, and you can expect to pay from around $300 to $1500 and more for a set. Silk could also prove a good buy, but don’t forget the extra care it needs when laundering.

Blends and synthetics start from around $15 to $30 for a microfiber sheet set, while some cotton blends can cost over $250 depending on their features.

Microfiber bedding will offer maximum savings, but it won’t suit every sleeper, particularly hot sleepers (it traps heat) and anyone who likes to sleep in natural materials.

A bedding bundle or set can typically be a cheaper way to dress a bed than buying its elements individually. However, be sure that you would choose everything that’s included; a set with a flat sheet won’t maximize your spend if you prefer to wash a duvet cover weekly and go without.

On a tight budget? Take a look at Target and Wayfair as, well as the affordable brands in our list above.

Bedding Sizing Guide − Get the Fit Right

Bedding must be a good fit to look and feel its best and keep sleepers comfortable all night long.

Typical sheet sizes are as follows:

Twin: 38 x 75 inches
Twin XL: 38 x 80 inches
Full: 53 x 75 inches
Queen: 60 x 80 inches
King: 76 x 80 inches
Californian King: 72 x 84 inches

Bear in mind, however, that while we're providing standard sizes, you should always check the actual dimensions of the sheets you’re interested in rather than rely on a label that says Twin, Queen, and so on, as sizes can vary between brands.

When you’re buying a fitted sheet, knowing whether you need a deep pocket or standard version is also essential. The pockets are the corners, and these need to be sized to accommodate the height of your mattress. Without deep enough corners, the sheet won’t be held securely in place. What’s considered a deep pocket varies between brands, so, once again, it is vital to check the particular fitted sheet's measurements.

Before you invest in new bedding, it’s also a good idea to measure a mattress. Remove the bedding to do so, except for any mattress topper, which will count towards the mattress height. Use a metal tape measure, such as the STANLEY PowerLock Tape Measure, available at Amazon, as fabric versions can stretch making measurements inaccurate.

Measure from side to side bearing in mind that if your mattress curves outwards you’ll need to measure at its widest point. Measure the length, too, again at the widest point if the mattress curves at its edges. Measure the height of the mattress from top to bottom plus the mattress topper if there is one.

When Is the Best Time to Buy Bedding?

One great thing about buying bedding from these best brands is that many frequently hold bedding sales throughout the year. So, if you're looking for a deal, you will almost definitely be able to purchase some of the best bedding at a good discount.

Site-specific sales could pop up at any time, but there are a few big ones that it's worth keeping an eye out for. Amazon runs two Prime Days every year, one in July and one in October, and Wayfair and Walmart follow suit with Way Day and Super Savings Week discounts throughout the year. Many bedding brands will run anniversary sales to celebrate the 'birthday' of their brand, so I suggest you bookmark your favorites.

Additionally, keep an eye out for:

White sales: Typically held in January, white sales slash prices on sheets, towels, and other household linens in a bid to shift stock in time for the new season.

Presidents' Day sales: Falling on the third Monday in February, Presidents' Day offers the deepest bedding discounts this side of Memorial Day. Take this opportunity to stock up on cooling bedding before the summer rush.

Sleep Week sales: The exact dates of Sleep Week vary from one year to the next. It typically falls in the middle of March, which happens to be Sleep Month, as celebrated by the National Sleep Foundation. This is the time to shop at specialist sleep stores, rather than home retailers, who won't make so much noise for an unofficial holiday.

Memorial Day sales: Falling on the last Monday in May, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer. You'll see a big rush on cooling sheets, comforters, pillows, mattress toppers, and protectors to weather the hot nights and heatwaves.

Amazon Prime Day bedding sales: The exact dates of Amazon Prime Days are a closely guarded secret, but they usually fall in July and October. Amazon stocks bedding from smaller specialist sleep stores as well as big-name brands, including Tempur-Pedic, Brooklinen, and Cozy Earth. As a general rule, discounts are deeper in July than they are in October, but prices vary from product to product.

Back-to-school sales: This is the time to make the most of the August-September discounts at your local home retailer, where back-to-school sales are much more comprehensive.

Black Friday bedding sales: Black Friday is the best time to buy just about anything, from home tech to mattresses and bedding. A lot of stores open up Early Access sales at the start of November and extend them through Cyber Monday into the first week of December, so you've got plenty of time to shop for Black Friday bedding deals.

After-Christmas bedding sales: The end of December and start of the January sales are a great time to shop cooling bedding at out-of-season prices. You might not get such a good deal on cozy comforters and blankets, though, which are in higher demand then.

Remember, you should never buy something just because it's on sale. You aren't saving money on a winter-weather sheet set if you run hot and live in a desert state. Before you buy, I'd encourage you to stop and consider your sleep needs.

If you are looking to refresh your bedroom ideas, then you could save hundreds of dollars by building a bundle. On the other hand, if you're only shopping for one specific item, then you shouldn't be duped into spending more on unnecessary bundle items. You can do without the sheet set when you purchase your next pillow.

Don't forget to scour the specifications, too. It's the quickest way to spot the difference between a good deal and a low price on a poor product. You're looking for authentication from independent bodies that this bedding bundle is really worth the money. For example, a certification from OEKO-TEX to prove that textiles are free from certain harmful substances allows you to shop with confidence.

Choose good bedding, and it will keep you at the right temperature all night long and feel comfortable – both vital factors in getting the restful and restorative night’s sleep that contributes to health. The bedding you select is also a major contributor to the overall style of your bedroom ideas, whether you prefer a laid-back look, or want to make your bed look like it belongs in a hotel.

To spend well whatever your budget, prioritize according to material, season, and bedding qualities to meet your sleep needs and your aesthetic.

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