As this mattress industry news roundup shows, there continues to be more blurred lines between traditional mattress retailers and newer startup boxed brands.
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Mattress Firm to Close Locations While Casper Seeks to Open More
Mattress Firm is the largest specialty mattress retailer in the US and has over 3,500 stores. Casper is also eyeing a possible IPO in 2019.
Many Mattress Firm locations already sell the Purple mattress and other Purple products.
Serta to Merge with Tuft & Needle
Boxed brands open retail stores, retail brands come out with box beds and now a classic mattress brand is merging with a startup. Serta, the largest mattress manufacturer in the world, announced they will merge with online startup Tuft & Needle. In addition to Serta, they also manufacture Beautyrest and Tomorrow (a boxed brand) and supplies beds to Mattress Firm.
While most put online market share at around 11% the segment is growing faster than traditional brands.
Helix redesigns mattresses
In early August Helix announced a redesign of their mattress. Rather than letting a customer customize one mattress, Helix has come out with a whopping 9 options! To help you choose, take the sleep quiz to guide you to the right one for you. The beds also have a new look and have more foam between you and the springs than the original model. They still have the split option so 2 sleepers can get a mattress with different firmness levels on either side of the bed.
Zinus Expands to Furniture – Now Sells Couches
Zinus brand is known for low cost boxed mattress options. Sticking with their value brand, a loveseat starts at only $274. It makes us wonder, in the future will more of the boxed brands sell furniture?
Brooklyn Bedding Introduces New Models
Mattress Retailer Brooklyn Bedding is expanding their offline brands to include 6 new beds. One is called the Titan and it’s created especially for bigger/taller customers. This follows the supersize bed trend we’re seeing more often.
Disney Opens Sleep Shop
You know sleep is trendy when Disney is selling it. The company announced a new “Sleep Shop,” which is basically pajamas and sleep related products all grouped together (not a new mattress store). They’re also collaborating with a certified pediatric sleep coach who gives sleep tips to parents.
This month the company debuted a “Sleep Shop Hotline” which is a toll-free number with 5 pre-recorded messages from classic Disney characters. The hotline ended August 31st.
Mattress Companies Buy Up Mattress Review Sites
In a super-competitive online bed environment, many brands are looking for ways to expand their market share. Yes, they need traffic. And who has traffic? Mattress review sites. Over the past year, starting with Sleepopolis being indirectly purchased by Casper, other boxed brands have followed.
If you can’t beat em, join em!
Brooklyn Bedding bought Honest Mattress Reviews, previously owned by Ryan Mohan who worked for Ghostbed.
Leesa Sleep invested in the Mattress Advisor mattress review site.
While they maintain they’re still objective it’s likely find high reviews for the site’s sponsor.
Eight Sleep Studies Restless Leg Syndrome
Eight Sleep recently partnered with Dr. Brian Koo, director of the Yale Center for Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and member of Eight’s Scientific Advisory Board, to conduct an RLS study among participants who own the Eight smart mattress.
Like Helix, Eight now offers a split firmness option.
Share Your Mattress News with Us
Have bedding industry news to share about new products or goings on? Make sure to send it to us for next month’s roundup: Contact Us.
Labor Day is the best time of the year to buy a mattress! Many bed in a box mattress beds are on sale with Labor Day discounts. Get killer deals on online mattress brands, pillows, and sheets.
Labor Day 2018 is on Monday, September 3rd this year (it’s always the first Monday of September). Most of the beds on this list offer financing – usually 0% so you can get your bed now and pay as you go.
Amore is a 12″ foam / coil hybrid mattress that comes in medium, soft and firm. For an additional $100 you can split the bed so each side has a different level of firmness.
Verified Military & Veterans save an additional $50! Or you can get 2 of their awesome pillows free with any mattress purchase.
Avocado Green Mattress is made with only natural and organic materials. It’s a 100% natural Dunlop latex mattress from tree-tapped and sustainable sources. There are no polyurethane foams to break down. No memory foams to off-gas. No solvent-based adhesives to emit chemical odors. And no chemical flame retardants to endanger your health.
Labor Day discount starts Friday, August 24th and runs through Tuesday, September 4th. Bear comes in original and a hybrid model with springs. Save up to $200.
Labor Day Sale
Get $200 off a purchase of a Hybrid Bear Mattress with code: LD200
Get $100 off a purchase of a BearMattress with code: LD100
BearMattress is made with Celliant® technology, clinically proven to promote a more restful sleep, aid in quicker recovery, and help you wake up with more energy. It will never wash or wear out and works right through a protector, sheets and your clothes.
Bed in A Box is the original boxed mattress with many years of experience, they manufacture many styles of premium beds.
Use coupon LABORDAY5 to get 5% off any mattress + A Free Gift (pillows, sheets or a throw blanket). Not valid on previous purchase. While supplies last.
Check their site for their bed in a box Labor Day discount.
Brooklyn Bedding has been making beds for other brands for years before they came out with their own. That explains why they have such a wide selection of mattresses with different options and accessories. Made in the USA.
The Brooklyn Signature is one of their best selling beds.
Casper is an award-winning all foam mattress. See our Casper bed review. Take 10% off your order with the purchase of any mattress with code SLUMBER10.
Nest Bedding has several mattress stores, but you can bag the savings by ordering online.
$150 off coupon code NEST150 Alexander Signature Hybrid. Monthly payments from $69. Free Sheet Set with purchase online.
Start Date: 08/10/2018
End Date: 09/09/2018
The Newton baby mattress is unique in that it’s breathable. The cover and the inside polymer are specifically engineered to be safe. Also, it’s all washable and the mattress is recyclable too. It’s like your baby is sleeping on a cloud. Read our Newton crib mattress review.
20% Off All Orders with Promo code: LABORDAY2018
Valid: 8/29 – 9/5
You pay more for a natural latex mattress but you get the savings in how long it lasts. Many styles to choose from.
They say a latex mattress will last as long as 3 or 4 average foam mattresses. All mattresses will eventually sag or get imprints but natural latex will take longer to develop them.
Plushbeds Labor Day Offers
* $1200 Off All Organic Latex Mattresses Plus FREE: Organic Sheets, Organic Pillows and Organic Mattress Protector with coupon code: LABORDAY
* $600 Off All Natural Memory Foam Mattresses Plus FREE: Organic Sheets and Organic Pillows with coupon code: LABORDAY
* Up to 60% Off All Adjustable Beds Plus FREE: 10 Year Extended Warranty with coupon code: LABORDAY
PURPLE MATTRESS LABOR DAY SPECIAL – FREE SHEETS WITH MATTRESS PURCHASE
Purple mattress is unlike any other – it has a comfort grid layer on top to cushion your pressure points. Sleeps cool and has zero memory foam. Read our new Purple bed review here.
Labor Day Sale! Get $200 Off a Yogabed Mattress and Free Pillows with purchase. No Coupon Code Required.
Valid 8/24-9/4/2018
Yoga bed is a 4-layer gel memory foam bed made in the US and has a 10 year limited warranty. Two free pillows included with each bed (one pillow for twin and twin extra long sizes), making this deal even better.
Hope you liked our Big List of Labor Day Mattress Sales for Online Brands. Oh, and don’t forget Amazon. They have mattress sales too. If you’re looking for the cheapest mattress, look no further than Linenspa. Amazon will price match so if you see a mattress on Amazon you should get the same as the Labor Day price on the brand’s website. Look on Amazon for a mattress here.
However, for the price/value and comfort on Amazon, my first choice is this mattress. The 13″ queen is under $300 and it’s highly rated. Watch for a review coming up!
Please let me know if we missed any or any requests you might have in the comments.
Nectar is one of Unbox Mattresses top rated memory foam beds. They recently came out with a base (adjustable bed frame). What will your monthly payment be if you want both?
Depending on your credit, it will cost you the same as paying the whole amount up front but you can get it spaced out over up to 24 months to keep your payment down.
It’s fast and easy to get financing for your mattress purchase online, which is why so many online mattress brands use a finance company called Affirm. Nectar doesn’t make a profit from financing, they simply sell more beds because people don’t have to save up to purchase.
We break it down below…
How Many Months can you Make Monthly Installments for Nectar Mattress and Base?
In this example we will assume you are buying the Nectar king mattress with the king size adjustable base. You’ll also 2 free pillows. Be sure to add sheets if you need them.
If you want a king adjustable bed that is two separate mattresses so you can operate each side together or independently, then order 2 twin XL mattresses (they will be 80 inches long, the same length as the adjustable base) with a SPLIT king adjustable base. Otherwise order a king mattress and base.
$924 for a king size Nectar adjustable base
$1,199 for a king size Nectar mattress
Sales tax – depends on the state you live in, my state charged 0
Discount $125 (taken off automatically) Total cost: $1,998
Note: you can pay an additional $149 for them to deliver, set up your new mattress and remove your old mattress.
Nectar uses Affirm which is what most boxed companies use to finance purchases. They allow you to break everything down to an affordable monthly payment. It’s also instant approval if you qualify so you know immediately what the terms on. You don’t have to wait until you finish payments either – you get your mattress and base right away.
Affirm Mattress Financing
In my hypothetical example, here’s the step-by-step of how Affirm mattress financing works.
Step 1: Choose the products you want to buy and at checkout, choose PAY WITH AFFIRM.
It’s highlighted below.
The next screen will ask you to confirm your shipping and billing address. Click the button “continue with Affirm” at the end of the page.
Step 1: Enter the 5 pieces of information requested
Name
Email
Mobile phone number
Date of birth
Last four digits of your social security number. Be sure this information is your own and is consistent information otherwise you may experience difficulty with your checkout.
You will get a text message to your cell phone with a unique authorization code to confirm your identity. Enter the authorization code into the application form.
Within a few seconds you’ll see the loan amount you’re approved for, the interest rate, and the number of months you will have to pay off your loan.
At this point you will see the monthly payment and how long you will pay it.
Here’s how mine broke down:
Step 2: Select the best option for you.
I picked the $111 payment for 18 months. I have no interest to pay and don’t have my first payment due until next month.
Step 4: Enable autopay (or not).
Note: you won’t get charged or complete the sale yet.
Step 5: Confirm your purchase.
You are now ready to buy, click “confirm loan” to buy.
You can pay the amount over as little as 3 months up to 24 months. Some purchases may require a downpayment.
• If approved, you will see the loan terms before you make your purchase. You’ll know exactly how much you’ll owe each month, the number of payments, and the total amount of interest you’ll pay over the course of the loan. There are zero hidden fees.
• Even if you don’t have an extensive credit history you might still qualify for Affirm financing. Affirm does not affect your credit score.
• Opt in to get an email and text reminders of when your payment is due. Turn on “Autopay” to schedule automatic monthly payments. Pay with a debit card, bank transfer, or check.
Want to buy another mattress? See leesa mattress financing or other brands in our big list of brands that use Affirm.
Layla has a copper infused memory foam pillow that’s super soft and features some unusual fill material you probably haven’t heard of.
Layla Sleep is dedicated to bringing the health and cooling benefits of copper to all of their products. They also try to find sustainable materials all at the same price as most boxed pillow brands.
First, the pillow specs Sizes: standard and king Thickness: 4 inches Material: 70% responsive memory foam and 30% Kapok fibers, which comes from the seed pod fluff the Kapok tree. This is a sustainable option which is natural, free from pesticides and chemicals. Feels like down. Cover: geometric pattern with polyester, rayon viscose and Lycra. This is also where you’ll find the copper for cooling, to provide antibacterial properties, and health benefits. Is not removable or adjustable (no zipper). Best for: Back and side sleepers. Too thick for stomach sleepers. Trial Period: 120 days Warranty: 5 years Price:check current price – payment plan is available
Note: there are affiliate links in this post and we may earn a small commission on purchases.
Our Impressions
The Layla pillow can be machine washed and dried, although they’ve updated their site to not recommend it. They even now suggest it will void the warranty. We did wash it and it held up very well with some fuzziness to the fibers. If you do wash it, be sure to wash on gentle and air dry.
As far as the cover, it’s very attractive with small pillows or tufts in it. The pattern is nice and we like that it’s not the same look you always see. We recommend that you get a pillow protector (a copper infused pillow protector) to keep bacteria, sweat, drool and everything else from destroying your pillow. Though the copper might help, it’s best not to let those substances get in and start to break down the fill.
This pillow has a memory foam feeling but not a SHREDDED memory foam fill. Rather it’s cut in larger pieces. That means it keeps its shape and doesn’t clump up like some pillows in this category.
You can adapt the pillow to fit your preference by bunching up the fill to your preference.
Our customers were fascinated with this pillow. Almost everyone who saw it asked about it. Some thought it was pricey but it’s in line with most boxed brand pillows. We’ve found that they last for longer and so are often worth the price.
We loved how soft and moldable Layla’s pillow is. It’s so comfortable and has a different feel than any other pillow we’ve reviewed (besides the Purple pillow).
As far as cooling properties we didn’t notice it was particularly cooling yet it didn’t sleep warm either.
Overall we would recommend Layla Sleep copper infused memory foam pillow if you’re a side or back sleeper who wants something soft and moldable (even huggable) but that keeps its shape. Bonus: you may get recovery and health benefits from it too!
Unbox Mattress may get a small commission on any sales when you shop from our links. This enables us to continue to buy bedding products our reviews.
Did you know that nearly a third of all Americans are sleep deprived? That means 40.6 million people in America aren’t getting enough sleep every night.
Sleep deprivation can lead to impaired motor vehicle skills, relationship stress, and a poor quality of life across the board. Not getting enough sleep can also impact your appearance and accelerate the aging process.
But the good news is, there has never been a better time to get help with a good night’s sleep. Pillow shopping for the best pillow may change your sleep habits entirely.
Before you invest in strange gimmicks to get better rest it’s important to start with a great pillow. Read on to learn how to find the perfect pillow for you.
1. Consider Your Sleep Habits
Your sleep habits are the biggest factor in picking out the right pillow for your needs. You may be tempted by a thick, plush pillow, or the newest memory foam.
But these pillow types aren’t for everyone. People who sleep on their side generally need a thicker pillow for the support required for a good night’s sleep.
People who sleep on their stomach or put a pillow between their knees will want to buy pillows that are a bit thinner. And if you sleep on your back something in-between is the best bet.
Your health or body changes may necessitate a different pillow. Women who are pregnant can get the extra support of a pregnancy pillow.
If you’re like me I have a pillow collection and have different preferences depending on my mood or how I’m sleeping.
2. Read The Reviews
Thank goodness for the internet. We have so many options today that we don’t have to settle for a pillow that isn’t perfect for us.
Pillow shopping is that much easier because of the easy availability of online reviews. You can do a great deal of homework on what people think before you even enter a store.
In the past, people were confronted with pushy salespeople in bedding stores. They were left to trust the word of these sales associates and still might not get a good night’s sleep.
But make sure you look for reviews of other customers. And don’t stop at the reviews on a company’s website.
3. Test Them Out
Don’t hesitate to grab a pillow in the store and give it a test drive. if you have learned about your sleeping habits and researched the reviews your field should be narrowed down by now.
The best part about buying a pillow online is that you can sleep on it and still return it for a refund if you’re not a fan. Just find out about the terms ahead of time and keep the pillow in the plastic bag. Most boxed pillow brands give you 100 days trial and a generous warranty.
4. Consider The Materials
Did you know that you should likely be replacing your pillow every 6 months? Even if the pillow is durable and retains its shape, you could be providing a home for dangerous dust mites.
This means you should consider the materials that fill your pillow based more on comfort and preference than durability.
Any pillow you buy with solid reviews should be able to provide solid support and comfort for 6 months at the very least.
Down, Feather & Synthetic
You can choose from down, feather, and synthetic materials. If you opt for a feather pillow make sure no feathers stick out.
If they do, it could be a sign the stitching is not tight enough on your pillow. Without solid stitching and a tight cover, you can be uncomfortable and more prone to capturing dust and mites in your pillow. You’ll find our top pick for a down pillow at the end of this article where we list our favorites that we’ve had for 6 months or longer that have held up and that we keep reaching for.
5. Allergy Concerns
Did you know that your allergies could be greatly aggravated just from your pillow? More than 50 billion Americans suffer from allergies each year.
If you are having trouble with your allergies you should pay special care when selecting the right pillow. People with allergies should know how to buy a pillow that protects them during sleep times.
Shredded memory foam pillows are popular with boxed mattress brands. Just like a mattress your pillow can have a lot of chemicals on it which some people are allergic to (off gassing or chemical smell). We see this most often when the pillows are made in China.
There are hypoallergenic fills and materials to ease your discomfort. Also, make sure to change your pillow regularly and wash the cover often.
Just washing the pillowcase isn’t enough though. A pillow protector is easy to remove and wash. It’ll make your pillows last longer.
Just like with mattresses, sweat, droll and other substances get into your pillow attract bacteria and immediately start breaking down the materials. Wash them with your pillow cases and make sure to get one that’s waterproof (follow the manufacturer’s directions to avoid removing the waterproof qualities after washing).
The higher the thread count on your pillow cover, the softer the pillow will feel. Even if you invest in luxury pillowcases, the pillow can still feel rough without proper thread count.
Anything over 300 is generally soft. But many people will find that 6-700 thread counts are that much more comfortable.
7. Care Instructions
You want a pillow that will be easy to care for. Make sure you look at the care instructions before you buy. Generally speaking we recommend that you air dry pillows even if it says you can put them in the dryer.
8. Your Needs Can Change
Many people put off replacing their pillow way too long. They have gone to the trouble of breaking in their pillow and at this point, it is almost like an old friend.
But putting off changing your pillow can be a health hazard. It can keep dust and allergens no matter how much you try and care for it.
Changing your pillow infrequently can also impact you getting a good night’s sleep. The truth is that people’s needs change.
You may have different aches and pains. Or maybe you have gained or lost weight.
If you are sleeping in different ways your pillow should reflect these shifts. Make sure you are open minded to changing if need be.
Pillow Shopping And More
Of all the pillows Unbox Mattress has tested so far, these are our 3 favorites:
Layla Sleep Pillow – this is a truly unique pillow and everyone who saw it on one of our mattresses was interested and wanted to try it. It’s so comfortable!! The cover is copper infused (just like the mattress). Inside is a blend of kapok fiber and memory foam. It’s squishy and wonderful. Our only wish is that they came in king size!
Brooklyn Bedding Shredded Memory Foam Pillow – you may be familiar with My Pillow and Brooklyn Bedding is similar but better because it held its shape better than My Pillow. We didn’t get the crevice in the middle and it didn’t get lumpy or go flat. You can also add/remove the foam for a customized pillow feel. Comes in standard sizes.
Pacific Coast Down Pillow – if you want a classic down pillow, this is the one we recommend. It’s higher quality and many hotels use this pillow. When life is hard, get a soft pillow. This brand is time tested (making pillows for decades) and preferred by many.
For many people buying a pillow is only the first step. They want to pair their pillow shopping with the perfect mattress for their sleep needs.
The good news is that Unbox Mattress can help. We offer reviews and advice on buying the best products to get you a great night’s sleep.
We are dedicated to helping people get better sleep for a better life. Our company started after meeting with several mattress CEOs and seeing that most mattress reviewers were male and never included kids in their approach. We hope to help the whole family get good sleep.
We wanted to represent a more holistic view for the whole family. We can help you too!
Over the past year we’ve seen a few instances of discrepancies in mattress sizes. There are published sizes that the industry goes by, however they do not always conform exactly.
This isn’t only for boxed or newer brands either. Traditional brands can vary by several inches too. It’s considered normal if it’s under 2 inches. If it’s more than that you can request a discount or return the mattress.
Note: there is also some variation in brands and how/where to measure from.
Here’s an example of mattresses that were short (from real life)
60”x80” is the normal size for a queen mattress
Queen bed in a box mattress. Off by 3 inches in length.
60″ x 77 ”
This one was 2 inches off on the width and 3 inches off on the length.
58″ x 77″
Often customers will say, it didn’t fit my frame which is essentially the same thing as saying it’s not the correct size. Some will actually measure the bed.
Also, most frames are made to account for variations. I know this because we have a twin xl mattress on a twin bed frame. The twin xl is 2 inches longer than a standard twin. However, it fits just fine and we can’t tell.
If you buy a platform bed you won’t be able to notice but you can more easily switch between king/cal king, twin/twin xl, etc. or deal with the dimensions being somewhat off.
We reached out to an expert on this topic to ask why this happens and here’s the answer we got:
These are reasons mattress dimensions might not quite matching up to company specs. It can be the result of a number of situations.
The size originally planned for and listed on wasn’t feasible once the prototype was finished. As in they wanted it smaller but found it couldn’t
be compressed that much.
Manufactures must stay with restrictions imposed by Fed-Ex and or UPS and some try to squeak by but get caught shipping larger.
The box manufacturer doesn’t hit the size exactly but the specs aren’t changed on the sites.
Manufacturers want to make their boxes seem smaller so they incorrectly list the sizes.
From our perspective it’s usually not intentional nor is it consistent. Mattresses from the same brand undergo manufacturing changes (not large enough to tell you). Many times we notice variations – it’s not a standard across the board shorting of width or length of a bed.
When we reached out to a specific brand and they said:
Some fluctuation on the measurements is pretty normal. Depending on how much exactly, and which dimensions are affected it could be considered a warranty issue.
Have you noticed a size discrepancy with your new bed? If so, what did you do about it. Let us know in the comments.
Unbox Mattress utilizes affiliate links and may earn a small commission on any purchases we recommend.
The quality and type of mattress you have can mean all the difference between a good night’s sleep and a restless one. The type of sheets you have too can affect your comfort level. And even after waking up refreshed, it’s frustrating to wake up with bedsheets that have popped off the corners.
We all know that sheets come in twin, full, queen, king. But these terms aren’t always a one-size-fits-all. Choosing the right sheets depends on the type of mattress you have. Mattress toppers can make a difference too.
Even if you know which size to get, then there’s figuring out the best sheet material. It can get overwhelming.
Read on to find out more about how to buy the best bedsheets for your mattress type.
Measuring Your Bed
Before you select a standard sheet size, you need to get out a measuring tape and get the exact measurements of your bed.
Most sheet measurements include just the surface–the width and height. But if you have a deep mattress or thick toppers, then finding the best bedsheets means including the depth.
A typical twin bed measures 38 inches wide and 75 inches long. A twin XL mattress has the same width as a standard twin but is 80 inches long. Many college dorm rooms have twin XL mattresses. However, these mattresses can be thinner, so a standard twin mattress might fit anyway. Many colleges will have the mattress measurements available on their website.
When picking out the best bedsheets for a twin, make sure the fitted sheet is 39 by 75 inches (or 80 inches for an XL). The flat sheet should measure 66 by 90 inches, which will work for either type of twin mattress.
A full or double bed measures 54 by 75 inches. If you’re a tall person, you’ll either need to sleep on a diagonal or move up to a queen. The fitted sheet for a full mattress should also be 54 by 75 inches. The flat sheet measures 81 by 96 inches.
A queen is not only wider than a full but also longer. Standard queen beds are 60 inches wide by 80 inches long. Flat sheets for a queen measure the same. The flat sheets measure 90 by 102 inches.
Many people believe that a king bed is the same as two twin beds put together. In fact, it’s the same as two twin XL beds. That’s what makes them such a popular choice for a split king adjustable bed where each person gets the mattress they want but they can be paired to move together or separately.
A king bed is 76 inches wide by 80 inches long. Fitted sheets are 78 by 80 inches, and the flat sheet is 108 by 102 inches.
Some people prefer beds that are a bit longer. In that case, a California king is a wise choice. They measure 72 by 84 inches. It’s not as wide, but a few inches longer than a standard king. This is important to know when buying bed sheets. Regular king sheets won’t fit on a California king mattress.
Mattress Height
As mentioned, the height or depth of a mattress can also make a difference when picking out the best type of bedsheet. If a mattress is extra tall, or if you have a thick topper, then you might want to go up a size for the fitted sheet.
Most boxed mattresses are 7 to 10 inches in height. But some can be as much as 16 to 22 inches high. If you have a mattress that’s more than 12 inches, then you need to find a fitted sheet that has deep pockets or sheets that are stretchy (like Purple’s sheets which fit mattresses from 9 inches up to 14 inches in height).
Pocket depth varies too. So be sure to get a sheet with the appropriate pocket depth. It’s always better to err on the larger side. Otherwise, your sheets will slip off the mattress.
Best Sheet Material
Most experts agree that cotton is the best fabric for bedsheets but it depends on how you sleep.
There are a lot of other options out there that claim to be extra soft. But if they’re made of synthetic material, including polyester, rayon, and microfiber and they can be good for athletes or anyone who sweats a lot because they’re super absorbent.
Synthetic material is durable, is often stain resistant, is sometimes wrinkle-free, and claims to be softer. However, it doesn’t breathe, and that can be bad for your skin, and also the environment.
Tencel is a great option that’s better for the environment. It’s made from fibers of eucalyptus trees which are renewable. Bamboo can be good or bad for the environment depending on how it’s made. Plus, it’s softer than most cotton sheets.
The most luxurious sheets we know of are better than a 4-star hotel. They’re made in England and they’re 600 thread count and can fit up to 19 inch tall beds. They’re the BRAND OF SHEETS THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND SLEEPS ON and bear the royal seal. They’ve been manufactured by the same company since 1861. These are the sheets we sleep on. They’re pure luxury and make you feel like royalty. Check them out here.
If you want to save money, go for a cotton blend, but be sure that the sheets are mostly cotton, at least 70%.
When buying cotton, the type of cotton you choose is a matter of preference and budget. Egyptian cotton is the highest quality sheet material, followed by Pima cotton.
Organic cotton sheets are free of chemicals. If you don’t buy organic cotton, then be sure to wash your sheets before using.
Cotton Sheet Options
Cotton sheets go by a variety of names–percale, sateen, linen, flannel, and jersey. They all have different assets.
For instance, flannel sheets are a good choice for the winter. They tend to stay warm because of their thickness. The quality of flannel sheets depends on the ounces of material per square yard, instead of thread count. A good flannel sheet will have four or more ounces.
Jersey knit is also a good winter sheet option. But be sure to check the fine print. Some jersey cotton sheets are not 100% cotton, and some are. They tend to be affordable but don’t always last as long as flannel.
For summer, many people prefer linen sheets. Although they don’t come with high thread counts, they are breathable and absorb moisture, which is great for warm summer nights.
For any time of the year, either percale or sateen cotton sheets are great. Percale sheets have a tight weave and are soft and durable. Sateen sheets have a special threading that gives them a luxurious satin quality.
Many people are under the impression that the higher the thread count the better the quality. Thread count, when indicated, means the number of threads per square inch. A higher thread count is denser, so the fabric is heavier and more durable.
But that doesn’t mean softer. Sure, you want to get at least 200 thread count, but more than 800 is overkill.
What’s more important than thread count when choosing the best bedsheets is the quality of the fiber.
Best Bedsheets to Buy
To sum up, the best bedsheets to buy are 100% Egyptian cotton organic percale sheets that have a thread count of at least 200 and the right pocket size to fit your bed. But you have some flexibility in regards to what kind of cotton and what kind of knit, fiber or weave.
It’s a good idea to have a breathable sheet for the summer and thicker sheets to keep you warm in the winter.
Finally, be sure to have a few sets of sheets that you love so that you can change your sheets every week. Once a week is ideal, but every two weeks is fine. If you aren’t in the habit of changing your sheets that often, here’s why you should.
For more articles about creating the perfect bed, visit our blog.
Consumer Reports recently answered a question that we’ve had for years – what’s the best mattress to sleep cool?
So far we’ve seen a lot of promises but not a lot of performance when it comes to cooling products. Except the Bed Jet which blows cooler air into your bed, we don’t find many cooling products that work.
Even special fabrics or cooling gels haven’t given us great results (but a higher price tag). That goes for pillows, sheets, mattress protectors and mattresses. So rather than a cooling mattress or cooling mattress cover you should focus on finding one that doesn’t sleep hot! In other words, on that’s temperature neutral.
Foam, especially memory foam, softens when it gets warm. Then you sink in, it traps your body heat and the temperature rises. Generally speaking, the softer or more plush or the more memory foam you have, the hotter you’ll sleep. Even people who normally sleep cold will find themselves getting sweaty.
Best Mattress to Sleep Cool?
We know this isn’t a comprehensive test but Consumer Reports came out with a list of the mattresses that trapped the least body heat. One of them is an Unbox Mattress top pick – Purple!
Sleep Number c2 Adjustable Air Mattress
Purple Mattress (the original was tested – the new Purple mattresses should be just as cool or more as they have springs and the breathable polymer layer – read our review.)
As Purple states on their website: Most mattresses don’t breathe. Memory foam, latex, even foam with “cooling” gel beads are hot because there is no place for air to flow.
These materials are either completely solid or have very small airways that allow for little ventilation.
How The Beds Were Tested
Consumer Reports put a copper plate on a mattress in a temperature-controlled room. “The plate is insulated on all sides except the one that comes in contact with the mattress. Then we run an electrical current through the plate”. Then they measured how much energy the copper plate uses to maintain a temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (close to people’s average body temperature).
“If a mattress dissipates heat well, more energy is needed to maintain that temperature, but if the mattress retains heat, less energy is used,” – Consumer Reports
The 10 hour test looked at how much energy was used.
Beds that Sleep Warmest
Consumer Reports also looked at the worst performers – the mattresses that slept the warmest. Stay away from them if you want to sleep cool! It’s interesting that Sleep Number beds made both lists! That just goes to show that materials used makes a big difference! Also note that no boxed brands made the list (even though boxed brands are usually all foam).
Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed Adjustable Air Mattress
Charles P. Rogers St. Regis Pillowtop Innerspring Mattress
What materials should you avoid if you want to sleep cool? Foam.
“You’re more likely to sleep warm on a foam mattress, compared with a hybrid innerspring, which we define as several inches of foam layers over metal springs. Despite having a layer of cooling gel foam, a larger percentage of foam models still retain warmth.”
Is your mattress too hot? It might be time to switch. Let us know if you’ve ever found a cooling mattress that works!
Now for our monthly installment of mattress industry news. This roundup is for June, 2018. Soon it will be July and you’ll want to check out the 4th of July sales going on. A new month, a new sale!
Unbox Mattress is a business and may earn a commission from purchases referred by this site. Thanks for your support.
The Artificial Intelligence Mattress Eight mattress announced they’ve gone higher tech with AI. The company is using data collected from over 2.5 million nights of sleep to give you context about your sleep habits. The sleep tracker is a free app that connects with your mattress to help you improve your sleep.
Nectar Debuts an Adjustable Bed
We think everyone will have one but Nectar is the latest to add an adjustable base to their product line. No longer seen as something only those in pain or older want – adjustable beds are for younger, hipper customers too who see them as a lifestyle product. Read more about the Nectar adjustable base.
Mattress Protectors Galore
Newton Baby mattress and Eight Sleep announced new mattress protectors this month. Newton’s is notable in that it’s breathable, just like the mattress itself. Eight’s mattress protector is popular judging from the fact that it sold out immediately.
A trademark dispute between Mattress Firm and Tempur Sealy International (the rivals are former business partners) has been settled. Tempur Sealy sued Mattress Firm, “arguing the retailer violated a transitional agreement by selling, marketing and advertising Tempur-Pedic and Sealy mattresses after it was forced to stop selling the brands in April 2017.” Mattress Firm said they’re just trying to sell their inventory. Verdict? “Mattress Firm cannot use Tempur Sealy’s intellectual property since it is no longer an authorized retailer of the manufacturer’s products. However, Mattress Firm can still refer to Tempur Sealy brands and products like any other competitor…”.
Online Mattress’ Market Share Up 2% From Last Year, Continued Growth Expected
Number of online brands are on the market? It seems like there’s always a new brand in town but the number sits at around 175.
Top 5 bestselling online mattress brands in terms of sales? Casper, Purple, Saatva, Nectar and Tuft & Needle. Casper is the biggest with revenue of about $300 million and estimates that this year it will grow to $375 million.
According to the article, Nectar’s revenues were about $80 million last year and he projects they’ll more than double this year to about $200 million .
Saatva? Revenues of about $210 million to $240 million in 2018.
Purple? About $195 million with estimates for $350 million this year.
Tuft & Needle? $125 million now with a projected $150 million.
Consumers are ok with buying online and trying in home, skipping the mattress stores altogether. “GoodBed.com’s figures show the percentage of consumers who say they need to try a bed in store before buying has declined from 75% to 55% in less than three years.”
As we’ve seen – he predicts more online brands will move into physical retail locations, add products and raise prices (probably with higher end mattresses and adjustable bases).
Share Your Mattress News with Us
Have bedding industry news to share about new products or goings on? Make sure to send it to us for next month’s roundup: Contact Us.
Many women say pregnancy is/was one of the best times of their life. It’s a time to prepare for parenthood by watching the miracle of life happen right before your eyes. This comes with many joyous moments – like watching your belly bump grow and feeling your baby kick for the first time.
But, pregnancy has challenges, too. One of the most noteworthy difficulties is how much harder it is to fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. As your baby grows so does the strain on your body, including that baby bump that makes getting in the right sleeping position a challenge.
Thankfully, a pregnancy pillow can help with that! Here are a few reasons to buy a pregnancy pillow, and some of the best options to choose from.
The Benefits of Using a Pregnancy Pillow
If you haven’t experienced the pains of pregnancy yet, you will. Such pain will get in the way of everything you do from how good you sleep at night to how active you are during the day. Just leaning down to pick something up or tie your shoes can be difficult.
Keep reading to discover how pregnancy pillows can combat this discomfort.
First, we warn you NOT to sleep on your stomach without support. It’s not safe because it will decrease blood flow. It can cause dizziness, shortness of breath, or a fast heart rate too. Most pregnant women sleep on their side but there is a way to sleep on your stomach. Simply use a donut-shaped pregnancy pillow to support your growing belly.
Less Pain
When you’re pregnant, your body has to support your baby. As the baby grows, more and more strain is put on your back. This is because there’s an uneven distribution of weight and the back is feeling the pressure of the baby inside the womb.
Your feet and ankles, hips, knees, neck and shoulders will hurt towards the final weeks of pregnancy. But, the less pain you have from now until then, the better. Plus you need good sleep to support all the extra work your body is doing. When baby comes it’ll be even harder to sleep!
Sleeping with a pregnancy pillow gives you extra support. A pillow is a great place to rest your tired back or to prop up your feet at the end of the day (because they’ll probably be swollen).
Better Sleep
The feeling of “sleeping on a cloud” may sound impossible, but deep rest is possible. It’s just a matter of finding the right position in which to sleep with the support of a pregnancy pillow.
When you learn how to support your back and adjust your whole body on your mattress, sleep becomes much easier to achieve. Who knows, you may even sleep better than you did before you were pregnant! You may even keep it.
Best Pregnancy Pillows
It’s one thing to read about what a maternity pillow can do for you and another to realize it yourself. You can’t buy any pregnancy pillow, though. For the best results, you have to buy the best pillow for your body’s needs.
You can choose from a full body pillow or other configurations. Here are some of the top options to choose from.
This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a small commission on purchases at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting our small business.
Queen Rose Full Pregnancy Body Pillow
The Queen Rose Body Pillow is the ultimate maternity tool for comfort while sleeping. This pillow is 100% hypoallergenic that is soft to the touch. The interior, though, is filled well enough to support your growing belly. You can lie on your side, use it to help you sit up or configure it in many different ways.
This pillow is like an extra-large standard-shaped pillow at the top. Then, it divides in the middle to create a slit where you can wrap your legs around one side while resting your upper body on the top part of the pillow.
I’m 28 weeks pregnant and my hips, ribs and back are constantly in pain.. but after a few nights sleep with my new pillow I get a full 9-10 hours of sleep (not counting the times to go potty), and I could also sit on my couch pain free with it too! My husband wants me to get him one too after taking a nap with it. I didn’t even sleep this well when I wasn’t pregnant! I’m also 5’8 and the height is a perfect fit for my body! Very, very happy customer and more than satisfied!
Size: 55.1″x31.5″x7.8″
Comes with a washable cover
Moonlight Slumber Comfort
Up next is the Moonlight Slumber Comfort. It’s filled with down for even more support while also getting that nice plush feeling of curling up in bed.
Oh, and it’s huge. The shape is like the Queen Rose pillow mentioned above – but it’s more of a complete U shape. It has a single top part with two divided ends you can wrap your body around. But, it’s a bit bigger overall, offering a little extra support in all the right places.
Size: 60 x 7 x 35 inches
Machine washable
Leachco Back ‘N Belly Contoured Body Pillow
Another pregnancy pillow with a wide top and divided bottom ends is the Leacho Snoogle Back ‘N Belly Contoured Body Pillow. It’s perfect for pregnancy and to cuddle up with post-partum, too. The edges are curved or contoured – otherwise it’s like the ones above in that it supports your whole body to support your back and belly.
No repositioning pillows during the night, simply turn from side to side
Can help elevate and align hips
Takes pressure off knees
This pillow is latex free, lead free, and BPA free, plus, the pillow cover can be removed for easy washing.
Size: 51 x 33.5 x 8.8 inches
Boppy Side Sleeper Pillow
While there’s benefit in getting a pregnancy body pillow, you may want to look into some smaller options, too. Check out the Boppy Side Sleeper Pillow.
Instead of wrapping your whole body around this pillow, the Boppy is made to support the front of the belly and the lower back. It targets these areas thanks to the two cushions on either side, which are connected by a panel of fabric for you to lay on top of.
This pregnancy pillow is ideal for side sleepers and will take up less space on the bed. It’s uniquely shaped and travels well.
Hiccapop Memory Foam Pregnancy Pillow
Many women like the Boppy Side Sleeper Pillow because it’s much easier to travel with than a full-sized maternity pillow. If you have a few travel plans coming up, you may want to look into the Hiccapop Pregnancy Pillow.
This is a small support pillow meant to go right under your baby bump. You lay it flat on the bed then turn onto your side to rest the bump on the pillow. This little bit of support goes a long way. This is a soft wedge pillow.
Sleeping with such a pillow means you can move around if you’re one to change positions throughout the night. More so, it ensures comfort wherever you go thanks to how compact and light-weight it is.
Whether you just got the good news of being pregnant or you’re already a few weeks in, don’t wait any longer to get your pregnancy pillow. The sooner you order this, the better.
While you’re at it, you may want to consider getting a new mattress altogether if your current one is a little old. Or, at least look into other sleeping tools that help you fall asleep and keep your eyes closed all night long.
In early August Helix announced a redesign of their mattress. Rather than letting a customer customize one mattress, Helix has come out with a whopping 9 options! To help you choose, take the sleep quiz to guide you to the right one for you. The beds also have a new look and have more foam between you and the springs than the original model. They still have the split option so 2 sleepers can get a mattress with different firmness levels on either side of the bed.
