Many of us blame our mattresses for a less-than-stellar night’s sleep. But maybe it’s what’s on top that’s causing all that tossing and turning.
“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 Consumer Reports Bedding Expert Tanya Christian.
Christian spent four months trying out half a dozen popular duvets, some made from down, others from 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,” she explained.
You can spend hundreds on a luxury favorite like the down comforter from Brooklinen for $500.
But Christian also found some lower-priced options, like the Buffy Cloud Comforter that costs $235 for a king-sized version – which News4JAX found the Buffy Cloud Comforter on sale right now for $199.75. It’s made from recycled plastic bottles and was a favorite for its smooth, silky feel.
“It was too nice to shove into a duvet cover,” she added.
For something a bit more lightweight and breathable, the king-sized Quince Premium Down Alternative Comforter for $150 is also a good option.
The Utopia Bedding Comforter Duvet Insert that costs $39 for a king-sized version doesn’t offer the breathability and softness of the others, but it’s lightweight and airy, and Christian says the price makes it a great option for a guest room.
The right sheets also help. In Consumer Reports’ labs, testers check them for shrinkage, strength, and how well a fitted sheet fits on a queen-sized mattress.
Two top-scoring, low-cost microfiber sets are the Mellanni Brushed Microfiber 1800 for $35 and Mainstays (Walmart) Ultra Soft High Quality Microfiber for about $19. They offer the strength of sheets that cost more than double the price. But you might be disappointed by their breathability and fit.
Natural fabrics like cotton and linen breathe well. The L.L.Bean Pima Cotton Percale set (280 thread count) that costs $169 earned top marks in Consumer Reports’ tests and costs less than many other luxury sheet sets. But the natural fabric makes them prone to wrinkling more, so Christian says keep that in mind if you think that will keep you awake at night.
Finding the perfect bedding may be a matter of trial and error, so Christian says to consider a flexible return policy in case you don’t choose right the first time.
WATCH BELOW: Consumer Reports’ Tanya Christian explains the difference between a comforter and a duvet -- revealing what to know and how to buy.
@consumerreports The right duvet or comforter is subjective, so choose one with a good return policy so you can test it out before committing. Learn more about the duvets we tried out and get more buying advice through the link in our bio. #bedtok #bedtime #duvetcover #duvet #comforter #sleeptok ♬ original sound - Consumer Reports