This is your lazy-girl guide to upgrading your bedroom to be totally Instagram-worthy. Remember how nice that hotel you stayed at was? Or how lovely it was staying over with your friend who only invests in luxury linens? Our point: Great bedding can totally transform a bedroom. You can ask any design expert and they'll tell you duvet covers are a worthwhile addition to your bedroom.
We do understand that recreating that boutique look and feel at home can seem like an expensive ordeal. Egyptian cotton sheets cost a lot, don’t they? Thankfully, you don’t have to overspend for the best duvet sets. In fact, there are good value covers in a range of materials and prices for all budgets. It’s all about finding the right set for you.
We've tried them all, so you don't have to. Slept under by our team who has various home decor styles, we've found the prettiest duvet covers — from percale to linen — to upgrade your bed in an instant.
While you’re in the market for fresh bedding, consider whether your current duvet is right for you with our best duvets buying guide. A cohesive, customised bedding set is key to a good night's sleep.
The best duvet covers and sets to buy in 2022
Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Our favourite bedding set
Material: 100% brushed cotton
Sizes: Double, king, super king
OEKO-TEX or GOTS certified: Yes
+ Super soft feel
+ Great for all-season use
- More expensive
Making it difficult to get out of bed, Beddable bedding sets are by far the cosiest. They have a buttery but breathable feel that works in cooler and warmer weather. Once you’ve bought this bedding, there’s no going back to less luxurious sets. Beddable also gives you the option of adding on a fitted or flat sheet as part of its bedding set bundle. Paying a little extra for fuss-free bedding to create the ultimate sleep sanctuary? We think it’s worth it.
Editor's choice duvet set
Material: 100% linen
Sizes: Single, double, king, super king
OEKO-TEX or GOTS certified: Yes
+ Neutral and timeless
+ No need to iron
- Too cool for winter use
Our ecommerce content director Lindsey Davis loves this linen set from Bedfolk, taking the top spot as editor's choice. In particular, Lindsey favours this duvet set because of how it washes. She found it washed best at 40°C and tumble dried fine, getting softer with each wash, in fact. She’s also known for not being one to iron if she can get away with it, so the relaxed linen texture worked great for throwing onto the bed, straight out of the dryer.
Best percale duvet cover
Material: 100% percale cotton
Sizes: Single, double, king, super king
OEKO-TEX or GOTS certified: No
+ Cosy and classic
+ Affordable price
- Takes a while to dry
In the same percale fabric often used by hotels, Dusk's Portofino bedding set is our best percale bedding choice. When slept under, we found that crisp, luxurious feel we were after, for a great price too. On the reverse of the percale side is a soft waffle texture that's thick and cosy. This is perfect for the colder months, but it does take a little longer to dry if you'd prefer to air dry, mind.
Best linen bedding set
Material: 100% linen
Sizes: Double, king, super king
OEKO-TEX or GOTS certified: Yes
+ Classic and striped
+ Easy to care for linen
- An investment
This Piglet in Bed duvet cover is the one I just can't get enough of. I reach for it more than the rest of my bedding sets, which is no surprise given great quality linen sheets can do wonders for your sleep. Slip into these striped sheets and you'll be in the land of nod in no time — I know I was! It washed great and gets softer every time too. More so, I love the look of these sheets. Classic, timeless, and totally worth the spend.
Best long-lasting duvet cover
Material: 100% linen
Sizes: Double, king, super king
OEKO-TEX or GOTS certified: Yes
+ Lived-in look of linen
+ Great value for money
- Too lightweight for summer
Despite Soak&Sleep’s French linen bedding having a high price tag, it will last you for years to come, making it the most durable duvet cover on this list. Once washed, gently tumbled in the machine, and hung out to dry, it soon became one of the softest linens we’ve tested — most likely due to the quality of fabric. Pure French linen woven with flax from Normandy creates a soft, flat weave that just gets better with age.
Best eco-friendly duvet cover
Material: 100% pre-washed hemp
Sizes: Single, double, king, super king
OEKO-TEX or GOTS certified: Yes
+ Eco-friendly fabric
+ Great for all-season use
- Higher price tag
Not having encountered hemp bedding before, we were eager to try this one to see how it compared to other materials. Upon testing, we found the texture to be similar to linen and loved the earthy mustard colour. It had a weightier feel, providing a warmer option to your average linen that's great for all-season use. It also drapes beautifully over the bed. We just know this one is sure to last too.
The best Egyptian cotton covers
Material: 100% Egyptian cotton
Sizes: Single, double, king, super king
OEKO-TEX or GOTS certified: Yes
+ Classic and chic
+ Affordable luxury
- Only one colour option
Nothing says affordable luxury more than white Egyptian cotton sheets that won’t cost you a fortune. Often assumed to be the most expensive on the market, The White Company offers its Essentials Egyptian Cotton range at a super affordable price. They're finely crafted from 200 thread count cotton and feel crisp to the touch, just like hotel standards. Sheets fit for a queen.
Best duvet cover for subtle style
Material: 100% cotton
Sizes: Single, double, king, super king
OEKO-TEX or GOTS certified: No
+ Stylish design
+ Super affordable
- May not last that long
By Appletree Boutique, this cute polka dot duvet set is great for turning your boring bedroom into a stylish boudoir. We understand not everyone is a lover of patterns, but you may want something a little more exciting than a plain duvet. If this is too much contrast, it's worth noting the duvet comes in a choice of nine other neutral colours. Easy to style and care for, you’ll be glad to know this duvet cover set doesn't need to be ironed either.
Best patterned duvet cover
Material: 100% polycotton
Sizes: Single, double, king, super king
OEKO-TEX or GOTS certified: No
+ Fun and bold pattern
+ Super affordable
- Not the softest
If your bedroom is looking a tad tired or boring, inject instant personality with a colourful bedding set from Furn. After all, we all look forward to jumping into bed at the end of the day, so why not add to the anticipation with a stylish set to dive into? We tested the Theia Abstract Eye Set in clay pink, which features a mystical watching eyes design. Bold and fun, this bedding instantly elevated the room from drab to fab.
How we tested these duvet covers
Slept under by more than one member of our team, these duvet covers have been tested by different sleepers with different needs — from those who overheat to those who find themselves in need of additional heat. Used for several nights, and where possible, during a variety of weather conditions, we’ve got a good idea of which duvet works best in each season. We’ve put them in the washing machine more than once, and dried, tumble dried, and stored away to mimic everyday use. This is an updated guide, and some bedding sets have remained in their place as top-rated picks, but you might want to check back to see how long they last.
Here are some comments from the team, about the duvet covers they reviewed as best:
Louise is our go-to fo sleep content. She tested our best overall duvet set, as well as plenty of others: "My Beddable bedding set (opens in new tab) is by far my favourite. Whilst the colours on offer are stylish and timeless, it’s the material that wins me over. It’s buttery soft but breathable. I look forward to sliding into bed every time I have this set on. I also love my Dusk Portofino set in black (opens in new tab). Yes, black bedding is having a moment, and I'm here for it. Sleek and sultry, I just love the way it looks on my bed."
Lindsey's best choice in duvet covers is one to consider. She tested Bedfolk's linen bedding set (opens in new tab) and found it to be the one she sleeps in best. "I treated myself to this set because I had the linen throw and wanted the cooling advantages of breezy linen for my duvet set, too. The look is just the icing in the cake — definitely a good investment as it looks high-end and relaxed at the same time. It will go with everything."
Having two bedrooms in her rented flat, Annie has tried more than one of the bedding sets on this list. Dusk's Portofino cover (opens in new tab) in white is the one she likes most, for more than one reason. "First thing's first: it has the ability to turn my bedroom from looking average to luxurious. It's hotel-worthy and not just in looks. Its thick waffle side is great for the winter and for keeping you that extra bit warm, and it washes like a dream. It's the perfect size, and the best thing about it is that it doesn't need to be ironed to look nice! Total win-win, and the price tag is super reasonable."
Amy used to be our decor editor and has tested quite a few duvets on this list. With an eye for detail, there's no surprise Amy found Soak&Sleep's French Linen set (opens in new tab) a stand out from the rest. "I'm generally a hot sleeper and the lightweight weave is perfect for summer, making the bedding super breathable and temperature regulating. It also gets softer with every wash. I love the fact that linen looks better slightly rumpled, so it doesn't need ironing, and the white option makes for a fresh, relaxed look that will go with any bedroom decor style."
Amelia is the co-editor of our Real Homes magazine and a lover of all things chic. That's why Appletree Boutique's polka dot bedding (opens in new tab) was a win. "I wanted plain white bedding so my pink herringbone throw and colourful cushions would stand out, but as a lover of patterns, I just couldn't bring myself to buy plain. These discreet textured spots are so cute and fun, but they don't take over the scheme."
Alison, our other co-editor at Real Homes magazine, tested the White Company's affordable Egyptian Cotton duvet set (opens in new tab). Here's why she loves it: "In a messy world, this bedding set gives me a little bit of The White Company calm and pristine lifestyle. The White Company shops are my happy place."
How to choose the best duvet cover
Choosing the best duvet cover and bedding sets for you is essential to getting a great night's sleep, and for your bedroom to look beautiful. Before buying your next fresh set, it's important to consider a few things:
Material
It’s worth noting that the best material for bedding is often considered a matter of personal opinion. We spoke with experts at Soak&Sleep (opens in new tab) who suggested that your usual temperature at night is a good starting point for figuring out what kind of fabric will suit you and determining what kind of maintenance you want to deal with.
To help find what fabric is best for you, here’s a breakdown of the best material options to choose from:
- Linen: a good choice for hot sleepers, linen has a loose weave that releases heat and moisture as you sleep. The slubby texture means it doesn't feel cold to the touch either, making it a great material to last you all year round. Plus, the nature of linen means it often doesn't need ironing.
- Cotton percale: Woven with one thread over, one thread under, percale has a cool, crisp quality that is perfect for summer months. Percale is often used on hotel beds and is usually the closest to that of a luxury boutique feel.
- Washed or brushed cotton: Considered the softest bedding material, washed or brushed cotton is perfect for keeping you cosy during cold nights. Washed cotton goes through a pre-washed process that helps it avoid that "fresh out of the packet" stiffness. Brushed cotton, on the other hand, is when the bedding is treated with a coating that gives it a soft, brushed feel.
- Egyptian cotton: Luxurious by name and luxurious by feel, Egyptian cotton bedding is known for adding opulence to any bed. Fabrics made from Egyptian cotton tend to be softer, finer, and longer lasting than other cotton variants, due to a tighter, stronger weave. So there’s no surprise it usually sits at a higher price point.
- Bamboo or hemp: Heralded as eco-friendly alternatives to cotton, the manufacturing process of bamboo and hemp fabrics makes them great sustainable options. Less structured than cotton or linen, they will fall around contours and cling to the corners of your bed.
How to care for your bedding
Changing, washing, drying, putting it on, and storing it away, there’s a certain way to do things if you want your bedding to last. We can’t save poor quality duvets from coming out creased or bobbled in the wash, but if you invest in the best there are a few ways to keep your duvet looking its best:
- Wash weekly: Ideally more frequently for pillow cases, but we know most people don't have time to do that.
- Follow the label: Do not digress from the washing instructions. Most bedding can be washed at 40°C and you can wash lower if you use a good laundry disinfectant. A hot was of 60°C or above is best for killing bacteria though.
- Allow to dry fully: Never put damp bedding away. Air well or tumble dry until fully dry. Iron to finish if you have time.
Frequently asked questions about bedding
What is Oeko-Tex certification?
Oeko-Tex certification guarantees products do not use any harmful toxins and chemicals during the manufacturing process. It is recommended to choose bedding from manufacturers that hold standard Oeko-Tex certification, especially for anyone who suffers from sensitive skin or allergies.
What brand is best for bedding?
If you want a round-up of all the best places to shop for sleep products then our guide to the best bedding brands will point you in the right direction.
