Buying guide for Best bedding sets
Whether you live in a townhouse, a studio apartment, a country ranch, or a penthouse, one item you almost certainly own is a bed, and that means you need bedding! Rather than taking the time to find individual pieces that complement one another, buying a bedding set is a much simpler way to purchase bedding that you know looks good together.
But you still need to figure out which bedding set is right for you. Different sets contain different items, and the items you need will depend on your bedding preferences. Plus, you’ll have to consider factors such as material and thread count.
To help ease your shopping, we at BestReviews have looked high and low to find the best bedding sets on the market. We’ve created this handy guide and included some of our favorites to help you in your search.
Key considerations
Types of bedding set
Not all bedding sets contain the same items, so be sure to choose one that contains the pieces you need to dress your bed. Here are the main types of bedding sets you’ll find:
-
Comforter or quilt set: These sets contain a comforter or quilt along with matching pillowcases and/or shams. Some sets may also include matching throw pillows or a bed skirt. This type of set is ideal for people who need a comforter but already own plenty of sheets.
-
Duvet set: Although ubiquitous in Europe, duvets haven’t been as popular in the U.S. However, they’re becoming more common, perhaps because duvet covers are extremely easy to wash. A duvet set doesn't include the duvet itself, but consists of a duvet cover and matching pillowcases.
- Bed-in-a-bag set: This is a bit of a misnomer (it doesn't actually contain a bed!), but this set contains everything you need to make up your bed. At a bare minimum, a bed-in-a-bag set contains a fitted sheet, flat sheet, quilt or comforter, and standard pillowcases. Optional extras include large cases for European (or Euro) square pillows, a bed skirt, and throw pillows.
Bedding set features
Material
The most common materials for bedding sets are cotton, polyester, and a cotton/poly blend. You can sometimes find bedding sets made of other materials, such as satin, silk, or bamboo, but we’re focusing on the more common options.
-
Cotton: If you're looking for a high-quality bedding set, we'd recommend cotton. This natural fiber is soft, strong, and breathable. Not all cotton is the same, however. The highest-quality cotton is extra-long staple (ELS) cotton with longer than average fibers, such as Egyptian or Pima. You can also find cotton flannel sheets, which are ideal for use in cold weather. The downside to buying cotton bedding sets is that they tend to be more expensive than polyester or cotton/poly blends. However, if you get night sweats, you want breathable bedding.
-
Polyester: These synthetic fibers aren't as soft or comfortable as 100% cotton, nor are they as breathable, which is bad news in hot weather. However, polyester is very durable and resistant to stains, and it is less prone to wrinkling than cotton. You can also find microfiber bedding sets. Microfiber is a type of polyester made with thinner fibers. It has all the usual properties of standard polyester but with a softer feel.
-
Cotton/poly blends: These fibers might not be quite as soft as pure cotton, but bedding sets made from these materials offer the best properties of both. They're softer and more breathable than 100% polyester yet have the anti-stain and anti-wrinkle properties of polyester, plus they're cheaper than 100% cotton.
Weave
Material isn't the only factor that determines how your bedding feels to the touch – you should also look at the weave.
-
Percale: Bedding sets made with a percale weave are lightweight and breathable and have a matte finish with a crisp feel.
-
Sateen: Bedding sets made with a sateen weave have a super-smooth finish with a slight sheen. Because sateen is more tightly woven, it's less breathable, so it can make you feel hotter at night.
Thread count
If you're buying cotton sheets, the thread count is another factor that affects softness and overall quality, but thread count isn't as important as the quality of the fibers. Don't be fooled into thinking the higher the thread count, the better the sheets. While you don't want to go below a thread count of 300 for decent-quality bedding, the quality tends to top out at around 500. Anything higher than that doesn't make a noticeable difference in strength or softness. In fact, a bedding set with a very high thread count could feel too stiff because the fibers are so closely packed that they lose some flexibility.
Color and pattern
Once you've got the nitty-gritty out of the way, now comes the fun part: choosing a color and/or pattern you enjoy. You can find bedding sets in a variety of solid colors as well as all sorts of patterns – from plaid to polka dot, check to chevron. Of course, this decision comes down to personal preference, so we can't help you too much here. However, if you're stuck for a place to start, think about the décor in your bedroom. A patchwork or floral pattern would look great in a shabby chic or vintage-inspired bedroom, for example. Or you might want to match your bedding set to the color of the walls, drapes, or rug.
Bedding set prices
The cost of your bedding set will vary depending on what's included in the set, the material, and the overall quality.
Inexpensive
Smaller and more basic bedding sets start at around $30 to $50, though you generally won't find many natural-fiber options in this price range.
Mid-range
These options cost roughly between $50 and $100. You'll find some smaller 100% cotton sets, as well as full bed-in-a-bag options made from polyester or a cotton/poly blend.
Expensive
High-end bedding sets cost between $100 and $300. Most of these are large sets, including all the extras you might want, and are mostly made of pure cotton or other natural fibers, such as bamboo.
Tips
-
Choose the correct size bedding for your bed. Obviously, you don't want to purchase a twin set for a king bed, or vice versa. If you're not sure what size your bed is, measure it.
-
Consider buying protective layers for your mattress and pillows. A mattress protector and pillow protectors will greatly increase the lifespan of your mattress and pillows and keep them from getting stained from sweat.
-
Think about extra layers. If you get cold at night, consider adding an extra blanket or bedspread to keep you toasty.
- Check that you can find products to match. You might want to buy sheets, bedspreads, or extra pillowcases that go with your bedding set, particularly if you're only buying a duvet or comforter set rather than a bed-in-a-bag set.
FAQ
Q. Are bedding sets machine washable?
A. The majority of bedding sets are completely machine washable, but it's a good idea to check the instructions before buying. If you choose a set with a thick quilt or comforter, it might be too large for your washing machine.
Q. My bedding set doesn't include bed sheets. Where can I find some that match?
A. Check whether the manufacturer of your bedding set sells sheets separately. If so, you should be able to find some that match your set. In the event that you can't find a good match, plain white sheets go with everything, or you could choose a color from the pattern and pick solid-colored sheets in that hue.
Q. Should I choose different bedding sets for different seasons?
A. Some people like to choose bedding sets they can use all year, while others are happy to have separate sets for summer and winter. Cotton is the best choice for all-season use because it's warm enough for winter (with the right duvet, comforter, or blankets added in the mix) but is breathable for summer. Flannel bedding sets are great for winter use because they're thicker and warmer than standard cotton or polyester.
