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The Best Bedding Sets – Top Picks and Buying Guide
Our Research
48
bedding sets considered
35
hours of research
3
sleep experts consulted
Quick Overview
For many of us, our bed is more than a bed. It’s an oasis, a refuge, a place where we go for peace, quiet and—of course—sleep. Beds are also a space for us to express our personal style and preferences.
Best Bedding Sets of 2020
That’s why there’s so much to think about when choosing a bedding set. Comfort is a top consideration, and style is not far behind. It’s also important to understand what’s included in different types of bedding sets so you know exactly what you’re getting.
With so many bedding sets on the market, it can be difficult to narrow it down to the perfect one. In this guide, we’ll outline our picks for the best bedding sets currently available. We’ve also included a buying guide that explores top features to consider when choosing a bedding set. By the end, you’ll be ready to find the bedding set that’s sure to send you straight to dreamland.
Our Top Picks
The Best Bed Bedding Sets – Reviewed
Pinzon Paris Egyptian Cotton Duvet Set
Highlights
- Includes matching duvet cover and pillow shams
- Made with Egyptian cotton
- 400 thread count
- 2 color options
Click below to get the best price on the Pinzon Paris Egyptian Cotton Duvet Set.
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Pinzon Paris is a duvet set made from luxurious materials. Included in the set is a duvet cover and two matching pillow shams. You can use it with your existing comforter, and the duvet cover includes internal ties to keep it from shifting. The set comes in either light gray or eggshell and has an elegant filigree design.
The set is made from 100 percent Egyptian cotton with a thread count of 400. The whole set is machine-washable for easy cleaning. It’s also made in an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 factory, meaning textiles meet high safety and environmental standards.
Royal Hotel Bed-in-a-Bag
Highlights
- Includes sheets, pillow cases, shams, comforter, and duvet cover
- Made from 600-thread-count cotton
- Down comforter with 600 fill power
- Comes in 9 colors
Click below to get the best price on the Royal Hotel Bed-in-a-Bag.
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For those looking for a classic look — and for everything they might need for their bed—look no further than the Royal Hotel Bed-in-a-Bag. This eight-piece set includes sheets, pillow cases, pillow shams, comforter and duvet cover. The set is made from cotton with 600 thread count, and the comforter is filled with down. It has a fill power of 600 so it performs well in terms of heat retention.
The white comforter has a box-stitch design, meaning the top and bottom are sewn through to create square compartments. This helps the down stay in place and requires less fluffing than other styles. The comforter fits into a stylish duvet cover that comes in nine colors and matches the sheets and shams for an elegant, seamless look.
Sweet Home Collection Bed-in-a-Bag
Highlights
- Includes sheets, pillow cases, and comforter
- Made from microfiber
- Down alternative comforter
- Comes in 13 colors
Click below to get the best price on the Sweet Home Collection Bed-in-a-Bag Set.
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The Sweet Home Collection Bed-in-a-Bag has a premium feel for an affordable price. The five-piece set includes a comforter, sheets and pillow cases. It’s the perfect fit for anyone who enjoys bedding with a simple, minimal look and can also be great for a college student’s dorm room. The set is made from microfiber so it’s durable but also cozy and soft.
The comforter is down alternative, so it’s great for those who have down allergies or prefer to avoid animal products. It features a box-stitch design and is lightweight while still retaining warmth. The set comes in 13 solid colors and features stylish, glossy lines on the edges of the pillow cases.
Bedsure Complete Bed Set
Highlights
- Includes sheets, pillow cases, pillow shams, comforter, and bed skirt
- Made from microfiber
- Comes in 3 styles and 5 colors
- Down alternative comforter
Click below to get the best price on the Bedsure Complete Bed Set.
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The eight-piece Bedsure Complete Bed Set has everything you might need to dress your bed, including a comforter, pillow shams, sheets, pillowcases and bed skirt. The set is made from microfiber for a soft feel that’s also wrinkle and stain resistant. The down alternative comforter is perfect for those with down allergies, and because it’s stylish, it doesn’t require an additional duvet cover.
The set comes in three different styles: solid pinch pleat in ivory, gray or pink; curling grass pattern in purple; and branch pattern with navy on one side and camel on the other. Shams and sheets either match or coordinate with each style.
Buying Guide – How to Buy a Bedding Set
How do you know what to look for in a bedding set? We’ll walk you through the top considerations, including types of bedding sets, material types and thread count.
| Type of Bedding Set | Duvet Set | Comforter Set | Bed-in-a-Bag | Complete Bed Set |
| What's Included? | Duvet Cover & Pillow Shams | Comforter, Pillow Shams, Decorative Pillows & Bed Skirt | Sheets - fitted and top, Pillowcases, Pillow Shams, & Comforter | Sheets - fitted and top, Pillowcases, Pillow Shams, Comforter, & Bed Skirt |
What You'll Find in a Bedding Set
There are four main types of bedding sets that we’ll describe here. Please note that bedding sets differ from sheet sets in that they usually include some sort of blanket, like a comforter, and that all three types of bedding sets include different items.
Duvet Sets
Duvet sets are the simplest type of bedding set. They’re a good fit for anyone who has most of their bedding (comforter, sheets, etc.) but just wants to change up the style of their bed. These sets usually include:
- Duvet Cover: Duvet covers fit over comforters and are a great way to easily change the style of your bedding. They also protect the comforter from stains and are often machine-washable.
- Pillow Shams: Pillow shams are larger than standard pillow cases and are usually considered decorative. In a duvet set, they’re typically the same print as the duvet cover.
Comforter Sets
Comforter sets differ from the next two types of bedding sets in that they don’t include sheets. These are a great fit for customers who want to be able to choose sheets separately from their comforter. Comforter sets typically include:
- Comforter: A comforter is a type of blanket the includes a shell surrounding any one of a variety of fill materials.
- Pillow Shams: Pillow shams will usually match or complement the comforter.
- Decorative Pillows: Some, but not all, comforter sets come with decorative pillows like bolsters, throws or neck rolls.
- Bed Skirt: Some comforter sets include a bed skirt that goes around the bottom of the bed and either matches or coordinates with the comforter.
Bed-in-a-Bag
Bed-in-a-bag sets usually include just about everything you would need to dress your bed. Many people prefer bed-in-a-bag sets to comforter sets because they’re easy and take the guesswork out of decorating. They tend to have the following:
- Sheets: Sheets, both fitted and top, can be made from a variety of materials and tend to complement the comforter.
- Pillowcases: Bed-in-a-bag sets also include one to two sets of pillowcases.
- Pillow shams: Either standard or Euro pillow shams (or both) often come in a bed-in-a-bag.
- Comforter: Bed-in-a-bag sets include a comforter that coordinates with the rest of the set.
Complete Bed Set
A complete bed set is very similar to a bed-in-a-bag but tends to include more items, like a duvet cover or bed skirt.
- Sheets: Complete bed sets include sheets, both fitted and top, that coordinate with either the comforter or duvet cover.
- Pillowcases: The number and size of pillow cases will depend on the size of your bed, but they tend to match the sheets.
- Pillow Shams: Complete bed sets may include standard or Euro pillow shams that match the comforter or duvet cover.
- Comforter: The comforter can be made from a variety of materials with one of several fill types. If the set comes with a duvet cover, the comforter itself might be plain.
- Duvet Cover: Some complete bed sets come with a duvet cover to go over the comforter. The duvet cover is usually more decorative.
- Bed Skirt: Many complete bed sets come with a bed skirt.
What to Look for when Shopping for Bedding Sets
Material
The feel and performance of a bedding set depends a lot on the material used. The items in your particular set can be made from any of the following materials:
- Cotton: Cotton is a popular material for both sheets and comforter shells because it’s natural and soft. It can sometimes trap heat, but Egyptian cotton—which is a little costlier—is known for its breathability.
- Flannel: Flannel can be made from cotton, wool or synthetic fibers and is known for its softness and warmth. Look for a high-quality, heavier weight flannel to avoid pilling.
- Linen: Linen is a luxurious material made from the fibers of the flax plant. Because the fibers are hollow, linen is excellent at promoting airflow and wicking moisture.
- Silk: Silk is one of the priciest materials, but many love it for its cool, luxurious feel. It’s great at regulating temperature and is also naturally hypoallergenic.
- Bamboo Rayon:Bamboo has a plush, silky feeling and is anti-microbial and hypoallergenic. It’s thermoregulating, meaning it’s great for those who sleep hot.
- Polyester/Microfiber: Polyester is made from synthetic materials and tends to be durable as well as stain- and moisture-resistant. Microfiber is a type of polyester with ultra-thin fibers so it tends to be softer.
Comforters are typically filled with one of the following materials:
- Down: Down can be made from goose or duck feathers and is known for its warm and luxurious feel. Some people do have allergies to down.
- Down Alternative: For those with allergies to down, a down alternative comforter is a great option. These are made from synthetic materials and meant to mimic the performance of down. Higher quality materials are warm while being lightweight.
- Cotton: Cotton tends to be lower cost than other fill materials but does have some issues with moisture retention and breathability.
Thread Count
Anyone looking for new bedding has probably heard of thread count, but what does it actually mean? Thread count is the number of lengthwise and crosswise yarns in a 1-inch square section of fabric and reflects the density of the material.
A higher thread count tends to lead to softer fabric, but claims of high thread count can be misleading. Some manufacturers boost thread count artificially by adding filler thread or counting multiple threads in a multi-ply yarn. Some materials are also not intended to have a high thread count and will not perform well. That said, look for a thread count in the 300 to 600 range.
Some materials are measured by weight rather than thread count. Look for the following:
- Silk: 14-19-pounds
- Jersey: 10+ ounces per yard
- Flannel: 5+ ounces or 170+ GSM (grams per square meter)
- Microfiber: 90-120 GSM (grams per square meter)
Natural and Organic Materials
Some people prefer natural materials, like cotton or bamboo, to synthetic ones, like polyester, especially when it comes to what surrounds them when we sleep. Natural and synthetic materials each have pros or cons, discussed above, so it’s up to you to decide which is the better fit.
With regard to bedding sets, organic simply means that the material used to make the bedding was grown without the use of chemicals. It only applies to natural materials like cotton. Many customers choose organic bedding because of environmental or health concerns. Organic bedding tends to cost a bit more, but if it’s something that’s important to you, it may be worth the premium.
Return Policy
It’s important to look into the return policy for your bedding set so that you have the option to send it back if it doesn’t work for you. Especially if you’re buying online, a good return policy is key in case the comfort, pattern or feel of the material isn’t what you were expecting. Most offer a 30-day return window, but be sure to double-check.