Bedding Guide: The Best Duvets, Pillows and Mattress Covers

No bed is complete without the addition of all-important bedding. Choosing the right duvet, pillows and mattress protection is just as important as buying the right mattress and bed.

The recipe for a great night’s sleep includes a comfortable bed and mattress as well as a duvet, for ensuring body temperature regulation, and the correct pillow set up for head and neck support. Different seasonal temperatures, life stages and personal preferences all have their part to play in what we individually define as the best bedding for our sleep needs. And, for this reason, it can sometimes be difficult to decipher which bedding is right. In this bedding buying guide, we’re running you through the different bedding options available to you, giving you all the information you need before purchasing.

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Duvets: Which duvet is best?

The majority of people need a duvet to stay warm and cosy at night. There is a great variety of duvets available that can alter the sleep environment we create for ourselves.

Togs: what does duvet tog mean?

Many people consider the tog as being the thickness or heaviness of the duvet, and that’s true to an extent, however, the duvet filling type can impact these factors. Rather ‘tog’ is actually an acronym for ‘thermal overall grade’, relating directly to the warmth of a duvet. The higher the tog rating, the higher the thermal insulation it is designed to provide.

Choosing the right tog

The thermal grade required by our duvet is a very personal preference and can depend on several factors including:

• preferred sleep temperature
• seasonal temperature changes
• sleep partner
• illnesses, health conditions and life stages that affect body temperature

Previously, most people would opt for a higher tog in the winter months, such as a 13.5-15g tog duvet and a lighter tog, such as a 2 – 5 tog in the summer months.

However, duvets have come a long way and whilst many people still go down the route of having separate duvets for different seasons, the market has opened up to all-season duvets which range between 10.5 and 13.5 tog duvets. These are often made up of two duvets that are clipped together. They can be used as a single standalone duvet or clipped together together to achieve a thicker tog. All-season duvets provide superb flexibility and custom warmth.

This style of duvet also works particularly well for two sleepers, as two people sleeping under one duvet generates far more heat than one sleeper. Higher tog duvets, even on cooler nights can feel too warm.

Which duvet filling is best?

The duvet tog is largely affected by the type of material it is made out of, and the quantity, or the ‘fill power’, of material used inside of the duvet cover. There are lots of different types of duvet fillings, but the two key categories to remember are: natural and synthetic.

As it sounds, a natural duvet is filled with nature-born materials and a synthetic duvet is made from hollow fibres and man-made fillings. There’s no right or wrong choice, and it would be silly to assume that synthetic equates to cheap. Both different styles have their pros.

Synthetic duvets

Synthetic duvets are a good choice for allergy sufferers. They are often machine washable, can go in the tumble dryer and are heavier, which is ideal if you like the feel of a heavy duvet.

They can be made from materials that have been specially manufactured to create an optimal sleep environment with thermal and moisture regulation.

Natural duvets

On the other hand, natural duvets are often highly breathable, offer a soft, fluffy duvet feel, are generally better for the environment, feel lighter without compromising thermal conductivity and often last for a very long time. Common natural duvet fillings include goose feather, duck and down, all woven inside of a cotton duvet cover.

Which duvet size should I choose?

Many people match their duvet size to their bed, however, if you sleep next to someone who likes to hog the duvet, rolls around a lot at night or you simply prefer more duvet coverage, it can be advantageous to opt for a duvet size one up from your bed size. For example, if you sleep in a double bed, you may wish to choose a kingsize duvet for more duvet coverage.

What’s the difference between a hypoallergenic and an anti-allergenic duvet?

Hypoallergenic refers to a duvet made from materials that are not known to cause a potential allergy. You’ll often see this type of language when reviewing synthetic duvet options.

Anti-allergenic means that the duvet has been manufactured in a way that is designed to protect against common allergens such as dust mites.

Pillows: Which pillow is best?

Finding the right pillow set-up is so important. The pillow works to support the head and neck, ensuring correct alignment. When we fail to get this alignment right, we may experience neck ache and back pain. These problems can often be overcome by choosing the right pillows and set-up.

Pillow types explained

There are lots of different styles of pillows offering various levels of support and supple comfort. Like duvets, they too can be categorised into being natural or synthetic based on their filling.

Feather pillows

Natural pillows provide their support and plumpness with natural fillings such as goose feathers, duck feathers and down. They are regarded as a good option for helping to regulate body temperature and offering a breathable sleep surface.

Feather pillows feature a quill-proof outer cover to stop feathers poking through. They generally offer a very soft sleep surface and are an affordable option.

Natural pillows can also be made from goose or duck down which provides a sumptuous soft surface. These pillows are generally considered to be more luxurious in their feel which is typically reflected in their price tag.

Wool pillows

Wool-filled pillows are also becoming increasingly popular, offering super support regardless of sleep position. Many wool pillows are also machine washable.

Synthetic pillows

Synthetic pillows have also come a long way in design. There are lots of different options available on the market that have been carefully designed to provide the perfect headrest for great sleep.

Foam filled pillows

Many are turning their attention to what a foam, or memory foam pillow can offer. Just like a memory foam mattress, the memory foam pillow works to mould your shape in a way that offers contouring support to the head and neck.

Sleep position: what is the best pillow for me?

The best pillows for side sleepers
Side sleepers must ensure their neck remains correctly aligned throughout the night. A pillow stack that is too high or too low can cause neck pain. The best types of pillows for side sleepers include memory foam pillows or a medium to firm pillow such as a duck or goose down-filled pillow. You could also consider an adjustable pillow, giving the flexibility to find a custom level of support and pillow height.

The best pillows for front sleepers
Front sleepers need to avoid raising their head too high and for that reason, a softer to medium support pillow is often a favoured choice. A soft feather pillow or a wool pillow are two great options to consider.

The best pillows for back sleepers
Keeping the neck and head aligned with the body should be the goal when seeking the right pillow for a back sleeper. A medium tension pillow with soft cushioning support such as a foam pillow or a wool pillow may be most suitable for someone who sleeps on their back

The best pillows for…

Body temperature regulation
If you get too warm at night, consider a naturally filled pillow that offers superior breathability to take heat away from your body.

Neck pain
If you’re struggling to find a pillow that helps with neck pain, it may be time to find out how a foam pillow can help. Many people with neck pain find a memory foam pillow the most effective and comfortable option, thanks to its cushioning and pressure-relieving properties.

How many pillows should you sleep with?

There really isn’t a right or wrong answer to this question but there are factors you should consider. If you’re currently having to stack two or more pillows to achieve the right level of support, it may be that your pillows are either too thin, uneven in texture or old, and because of this, they’ve lost their ‘plumpness’.

The problem that often occurs in the multi-stack situation, is that throughout the night your pillows may slip around and actually cause more discomfort than good. Rather, opting for one, structurally supportive pillow may be a better option. Of course, if you do prefer to sleep with two pillows, it may be worth opting for two soft pillows. Ultimately, it’s down to personal preference but it’s important to factor in how spinal alignment may affect your postural health in the long and short term.

Is it normal for pillows to feel weird when you first get them?

Yes! If you’ve been used to sleeping on the same pillows for a few years and suddenly change up your pillow style, it may take a couple of days to get used to this new feel. What’s more, a new pillow may feel a little stiff to start with, and that’s also quite normal.

Should I wash my pillows?

Yes, if you can and the materials allow it, washing your pillow every couple of months can help you achieve a more hygienic night’s sleep. However, not all pillows allow for this and you shouldn’t put pillows in the washing machine unless the manufacturer has specifically outlined it’s ok to do so. Instead, standard regular bed washing practices, including washing your pillow case, will help to keep your pillow clean and dust-free. It’s worth noting that some non-washable pillows come with a removable cover that can be washed, so if you are looking for a pillow design that offers a fresher night’s sleep, night after night, it’s well worth looking out for these.

How to take care of your pillows

You should always read the manufacturer’s guidelines on how to get the best out of your pillow, but as a general rule of thumb you should:

• Wash them if the manufacturer says it’s ok to do so, and to the washing guidelines
• Let washed pillows dry fully
• Between bed changes, allow your pillow time to breathe
• Plump your pillow after use to help maintain its structural form

Other bedding you may wish to consider

Mattress protectors

A mattress protector does exactly what it says on the tin; it provides a protective layer on top of the mattress. We are all human, and really it’s nothing to be embarrassed about but from time to time we may perspire in our sleep and the occasional accident can happen. It’s very normal. What’s more, dust and dead skin can build up on a mattress surface and cause allergies. Over the years, this can start to build a pretty unhygienic picture of your mattress.

A mattress protector is there to help keep your mattress fresh, clean and allergy-free. They are applied over the top of the mattress, and just like regular bedding, can be removed and washed as often as you like. Mattress protectors are superb for providing that fresh bed feeling whilst helping to enhance the hygiene and longevity of your mattress.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that many mattress protectors can also work to enhance the comfort of your mattress top. Whilst they shouldn’t be used to cover up the problems of an old mattress, for a softer mattress top feel, you could opt for a quilted mattress protector. This could also help to create a warmer sleep surface, which is ideal for cooler nights.

Waterproof mattress protectors

For those who perspire frequently at night, are prone to incontinence or often fall asleep with a cuppa in hand, then a waterproof mattress protector is a fantastic option to consider. Many people are put off by these, under the false impression that they will cause a sweaty and stuffy night’s sleep. But, the truth is, mattress protectors have come a long way, and there are some superb waterproof, yet breathable options available for providing a comfortable night’s sleep whilst protecting the mattress.

Mattress pads vs toppers; what is the difference?

The first thing to note is that mattress pads and mattress toppers are two different types of bedding products. They do different things.

A mattress pad is placed between your mattress and bed base. This is designed to help extend the life of your mattress and provide enhanced comfort.

A mattress topper on the other hand sits on top of the mattress. Its primary purpose is altering the overall feel of the mattress surface. For example, if you opt for a firm mattress but would prefer a softer top layer, you could add a mattress pad to still achieve the right level of support whilst adding a more cushioned effect where your body directly connects to the mattress. Like mattress protectors, they too can help to maintain mattress hygiene.

One big mistake many people make is thinking that rather than getting a new mattress, they can simply add a mattress topper to their existing mattress that may be broken or outdated. This is not what a mattress topper is designed to do. They are there to alter the feel. A mattress that is broken is likely not providing the right level of support and a mattress topper won’t fix those issues.