🛏️ Which bed sheets are best for you? We put them to the test

Are you having a rough night’s sleep? You may put the blame on your mattress, but maybe it’s what’s on top that’s causing the problem.

The experts at Consumer Reports snuggled up with popular comforters and lab-tested sheet sets to offer up dreamy recommendations for a bedding refresh.

Fancy sheets won’t fix a bad mattress, however the reverse is also true.

“A good mattress is not going to make up for the fact that your linens aren’t comfortable or breathable or if you have allergies, if they’re not hypoallergenic,” said Tanya Christian with Consumer Reports.

Christian spent four months trying out half a dozen popular duvets; some made from down, others down alternatives.

“Down comforters are made from the underside of waterfowl. They tend to be breathable and lightweight and they’re great if you tend to sleep hot. They’re also very durable. But some people do have an allergy to them so if you are one of those people or you simply want a down alternative, you’re gonna go for one that’s maybe made of cotton, polyester or a microfiber,” said Christian.

While you can spend hundreds on a luxury favorite like a down comforter from Brooklinen, Consumer Reports also found some lower-priced options. The Buffy Cloud Comforter, made from recycled plastic bottles, was a favorite for its smooth silky feel.

“It was too nice to shove into a duvet cover,” said Christian.

For something a bit more lightweight and breathable, the down alternative comforter from Quince is also an option.

And while the Utopia comforter doesn’t offer the breathability and softness of the others, it’s lightweight and airy and the price point makes it a great option to have for a guest room.

The right sheets can also help. In Consumer Report’s labs, testers checked sheets for shrinkage, strength, and how well a fitted sheet fits on a queen-sized mattress. Mellanni Brushed Microfiber 1800 and Mainstays (Walmart) Ultra Soft were the two top- scoring, low-cost microfiber sets that offer the strength of sheets that cost more than double the price. But you might be disappointed in their breathability and fit.

Natural fabrics like cotton or linen breathe well, and the LL Bean Cotton Percale set earned top marks in Consumer Report’s tests and costs less than other luxury sheet sets. The natural fabric makes them prone to wrinkling more. Keep that in mind if you think that will keep you awake at night!

Consumer Reports said finding the perfect bedding may be a matter of trial and error. So consider a flexible return policy in case you don’t choose right the first time.

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