As H&G's resident sleep writer, I must have the best-stocked linen closet in my city. I've got more sheets, shams, quilts, comforters, pillows, and blankets than you can imagine, tucked away for long-term testing.
There are only a few products that I keep in regular rotation. These are the bedroom essentials that I've tried and tested for weeks, if not months, and recommended to all my readers, as well as family and friends.
I've snuggled under the best bed sheets, curled up under the best duvet inserts, and laid my head upon the best pillow, but these are my all-time favorites. They're all currently listed for less: so if you're smart about it, you could save hundreds of dollars in the bedding sales.
These are the bedroom essentials I can't sleep without
Below, you'll see selections from Sijo, Brooklinen, Tempur-Pedic, and all the best places to buy bedding. I always recommend shopping at a specialist sleep store, especially in sales season: that way, you get the deepest discounts, plus water-tight warranties to protect your purchase.
I just got back from a mattress testing trip with 3Z Brands. I sampled more than 40 beds from the best mattress brands in the business, but the Bear Natural Mattress came out on top, every time. Filled with Talalay latex, this mattress is springy and responsive, made to mold to the shape of your body, then bounce back as soon as you get out of bed. It's topped with an organic cotton quilt to cushion your joints and boost breathability. I'd recommend this mattress for hot sleepers, side sleepers, and anyone who prefers to purchase natural products.
I started testing these sheets in the middle of February: to be honest, I didn't really feel the benefit. Now that we're heading into summer, though, the Sijo AiryWeight Eucalyptus Sheet Set has come into its own. Made from eucalyptus lyocell, these sheets are naturally thermoregulating and moisture-wicking, designed to keep you just the right side of cool and dry. That's why they're my best bed sheets for hot sleepers. I'd also suggest this silky- smooth sheet set for sensitive sleepers and anyone who likes a little touch of luxury.
As a stomach sleeper, I fare best with a firm, flat pillow to save my neck from straining. You might prefer something plusher or thicker: it all depends on your sleep position. Luckily, Brooklinen stocks something for everyone. You can choose between a Plush, Mid-Plush, and Firm pillow to find the best pillow for your sleep needs. Each pillow is filled with real down, ethically sourced from Hutterite farms and certified by the Responsible Down Standard.
You can find more detail in our Brooklinen Down Pillow review.
I've had the Buffy Cloud Comforter on my wish list for months, now. I've heard it's one of the best duvet inserts on the market, so I knew I had to test it for myself: I wasn't disappointed. For a down alternative comforter, this thing is unbelievably fluffy: I put it down to the super-fine fill, spun into threads that are lighter and thinner than an eyelash. The Buffy Cloud Comforter has the look and feel of real down, without any of the allergy issues.
This was the first thing I bought for my dorm room in freshman year. I'd heard that college beds were lumpy and bumpy and I wanted to set myself up for better sleep. I couldn't afford the TEMPUR-Adapt Topper at full-price, so I had to wait for the bedding sales to bag it at a bargain price. After years of testing across campus, I can confirm that this is one of the best mattress toppers for dorm beds, and possibly the best mattress topper, period.
I'm testing this mattress protector as we speak. My review won't go live for another few weeks, but I'm calling it now: this is one of the best mattress protectors for hot sleepers. The Woolroom Deluxe Washable Wool Mattress Protector is filled with − you guessed it – organic wool, which is naturally thermoregulating and moisture-wicking. In fact, wool can hold as much as a third of its weight in water overnight, which makes it the best material for sleepers who suffer from night sweats.
Since I've started sleeping with the Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Pillowcase, I've noticed that I wake up with sleeker hair and smoother skin. I've tested this pillowcase through every stage of my hormone cycle, several times over, and I really do think it's made a difference. I'd say it's one of the best silk pillowcases for the range of prints and patterns, as well as value for money.
I first caught wind of this Oprah Winfrey sleep hack on Black Friday. I don't tend to set much store by celebrity endorsements, so I decided to try this sleep mask for myself, and I can stand behind Oprah on this one. The Asutra Sleep Mask is weighted with lavender buds and flax seeds, evenly distributed throughout the fabric for the perfect amount of pressure, then infused with cooling gel for comfort.
I like a little spritz of pillow spray: it makes me feel like I'm staying in a high-end hotel or luxury spa and it really elevates my sleep experience. I don't like anything too fruity and floral, and it took me a while to land on this combination of lavender and chamomile, but I'm so glad I did. If you like the Calmveda Deep Sleep Pillow Spray much as I do, you could pick up their matching cleansing spray and shower spray.
Final thoughts
You can learn more about how we test bedding in our expert guide. Here at H&G, we sample bedding for weeks, if not months, in our own homes to monitor its performance over time in a real sleep environment. Our tests vary from product to product, but we always aim to deliver data-driven results with an eye for style.
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