Our editors test and research hundreds of products a year, from sleep masks to pillows. But the stuff that we get the most excited about? The items that claim they can get you “the best sleep of your life,” and actually do just that.
It’s a rare occurrence, sure, but when we find a sleep product we love, we just can’t shut up about it. We’ve already talked about our nightstand necessities that changed the way we sleep, so now let’s get into the sleep products we literally cannot sleep without.
Sleep masks
Truthfully, I always thought sleep masks were kind of a sham; I get the use case on airplanes or when you need some shut-eye during daylight hours, but why would you need one at night, in the dark, when your eyes are already closed? Well, I’m here to report that this Lunya mask has made me a sleep mask convert. This super-lush and soft mask is basically an extra pillow for your head. And, because it’s oversized (at least on my head) it blocks out pretty much all residual light coming from the devices in my room or streaming in through my window. Plus, the wide headband fits over my ears to help dampen noise too. I find that the mask helps cue my body to activate sleep mode by transporting me into a serene, distraction-free space — Jillian Tracy, associate editor?
I’m a terrible sleeper. I wake up half a dozen times throughout the night and toss and turn. I’m always looking for products to help me get a better night’s rest and bought the NodPod weighted sleeping mask on a whim. When I was little, I used to put a homemade heating pad made with cherry pits on my eyes to help me fall asleep, and this has the same effect (just don’t heat it up). I’m honestly incredibly impressed by how comforting this feels on my eyes and found that I sleep deeper when I use it. — Lindsey Smith, associate editor
I’ve been using this simple eye mask for years, and it’s still my favorite one. The overall mask is slightly puffy and pillowy, and I find that it sits really nicely on my face. The real game changer here, however, is the extra lining at the bottom of the mask that blocks out all light. This is technically made for travel, but it’s so good that I sleep with this mask every single night. — Hayley Saltzman, former head of social
Pillows
Coop’s Original Pillow is one of the most highly rated out there — but the brand’s newest offering has become my latest bedtime obsession. The brand has ingeniously created a crescent-shaped pillow made specifically for side sleepers who also rotate to their back (aka me), and it’s been a comfort game changer. Plus, like other Coop pillows, its fill is completely customizable. — Chelsea Stone, editorial director
I never realized how much a good pillow could change how I sleep. But after years of using limp, unsupportive pillows, I finally made the switch to a Casper pillow and I’ll never go back. I sleep better, don’t wake up with neck pain and feel supported all night long. — Kai Burkhardt, editor
I'm very picky about pillows, so when I find one I love, I tend to sleep on it for years. (It's gross, but I used the same Tempur-Pedic pillow for probably 10+ years as a kid.) When I first tested the Marlow pillow in 2021, I had no idea if I would continue to use it —?but years later, it's still my favorite pillow to sleep on. It's breathable enough for hot sleepers, and you can adjust the firmness with the zippers. — Amina Lake Abdelrahman, home and gifts editor
I’ve never spent more than $12 on a pillow, but I was having a terrible time sleeping on my cheap ones. From neck aches and lumps, these pillows were not doing it for me. Instead of buying a new pillow every few months, I splurged on the Coop The Original Pillow and haven’t looked back. You’re in control of how soft or firm you want it, and it’s so comfortable. It’s also easy to wash and maintain. —?Lindsey Smith, associate editor
I bought this peanut-shaped memory foam pillow on a whim a few years ago (it was on sale!), and now I can’t envision my life without it. It’s the ideal shape for propping up your head and neck if you want to watch TV or read in bed (or if you suffer from neck pain or soreness), and it also relieves pressure on your back if you hold it between your knees while resting on your side.?— Chelsea Stone, editorial director
Bedding
I prefer percale sheets because they're crisp and cooling,?and this set from Coyuchi is one of the best in my current rotation. As the name implies, these 100% cotton sheets have a relaxed, lived-in appearance that makes me look forward to climbing into bed every night. I love the fabric so much that I bought the Crinkled Percale duvet cover and an extra set of pillowcases too. —?Amina Lake Abdelrahman, home and gifts editor
As someone who is a hot sleeper, falling asleep faster (and longer) has become a breeze thanks to these ultra-cooling, temperature-regulating sheets and pillow covers. I own a set in gray stripe, but I am seriously considering picking up a few more given that this is the first bedding my boyfriend (who also runs hot) and I have ever agreed on! — Stephanie Griffin, social lead?
After switching to silk pillowcases a couple years ago, I fully believe in investing in a quality set. They’re touted to have beauty benefits like helping hair stay smooth and shiny and even reducing wrinkles thanks to their smooth, friction-free surface. Slip’s pillowcases are cool to the touch and super soft. Plus, they come out of the dryer with fewer wrinkles than other silk pillowcases I’ve tried. — Sophie Shaw, associate beauty editor
I’ve tried just about everything to keep my acne at bay, including this “acne-safe” pillowcase. I rest my head on it every night without ever having to worry about bacteria, but also, it’s just so soft, that I can’t ever sleep without it! — Stephanie Griffin, social lead
This linen quilt from my all-time favorite bedding brand, Cozy Earth, is a cozy yet cool addition to my sleep setup. It’s made from a luxurious blend of bamboo viscose and French flax linen that keeps me warm during the dead of winter and cool as a cucumber when the temps heat up. When I’m not sleeping like a baby, you can find it layered over my duvet (which is obviously also Cozy Earth). — Stephanie Griffin, social lead
There is no worse feeling to me than waking up in the middle of the night feeling overheated and sweaty. But, finding the perfect balance between breathability and warmth, especially in colder months, is a fine art. When I got this Slumber Cloud comforter, it was love from the very first sleep. Always cool to the touch, the nylon and spandex fabric is silky and lightweight and helps create a little pocket of warmth between your body and the comforter. I've never shelled out more than probably $80 on a comforter before, but now I'm really seeing a difference between this and my previous bedding. — Jillian Tracy, associate editor
I’ve always wanted to try linen bedding, but most options are way out of my price range. This Casaluna set is budget-friendly and super soft. Since it’s a heavyweight style, it’s perfect for chilly winter days. —?Lindsey Smith, associate editor
At this point, I’ve tried linen sheets from Casaluna, Parachute and Magic Linen. But my all-time faves remain this set from Citizenry. It’s the most buttery-soft linen I’ve ever felt, and it seems to get softer with each wash. I also just simply cannot get over the rich brown color (called Sienna), which totally transformed my room. I used to be an all-white-everything sheets girl, and these are what permanently changed me. — Rachel Lubitz, former senior lifestyle editor
The first Instagram ad to ever “get me” was for the Buffy Cloud Comforter. I wanted to make a swap to an eco-friendly (and animal-friendly) comforter that didn’t include down feathers. Buffy is equally comfortable as it is environmentally conscious. It’s crafted entirely from plant-based and recycled materials and is lightweight?and?fluffy. The brand went the extra mile to also include loops at the ends so you don’t have to wrestle as much with a duvet cover. —?Lindsey Smith, associate editor
Linen can be hella expensive, so when I set out to find a backup duvet cover to use when my “nice one” gets dirty, I picked up this one from Quince. However, once I slept underneath it, I never actually took it off. Priced at only $100, this mid-weight linen duvet?cover constructed from the finest European flax feels and looks luxurious, is ultra-soft and breathable and features a relaxed, lived-in look that I can’t get enough of. — Stephanie Griffin, social lead
I’ve had this velvet napper for more than two years now, and I absolutely love tucking my feet into it every night. I found that sleeping with a weighted blanket on top of my entire body felt a bit, well, heavy. Then once I figured out that if I just tuck my feet under it at night I fall asleep almost instantly, I’ve never been the same. It’s also just gorgeous splayed out on my bed. — Rachel Lubitz, former senior lifestyle editor
If you can’t already tell, I’m a neutral-hued girlie who likes nice things. However, as a devoted pet parent for the last three years, I’ve learned that I need to have cheap yet cute blankets draped over everything and anything to reduce dirty paw prints and give myself some peace of mind. I picked up this throw blanket one Prime Day and now, I own five in total (including one for myself to sleep with). — Stephanie Griffin, social lead?
Mattresses and beds
I recently wrote a lengthy review on this splurge-worthy bed, but if you want the TLDR, the frame is completely customizable — the brand offers hundreds of fabrics and leg finishes to choose from — and the delivery turnaround is faster than any I’ve ever experienced before. If I’m being honest, I don’t get a good night’s sleep unless I’m tucked into this bed each night.?— Stephanie Griffin, social lead
I’ve never slept better than I have with this mattress underneath me. The DreamCloud Premier is both firm and cushiony, and the top layers of memory foam help cut down on motion transfer — which means you won’t feel a thing if you live with a restless sleeper like I do. Each night, I look forward to sinking right into bed and getting a good night’s rest. — Stephanie Griffin, social lead
I had no idea just how different a foam mattress was compared to a traditional spring mattress until I swapped mine for the Tuft & Needle Original Mattress. It is incredibly comfortable, and as a hot sleeper, it helps keep me cool. Plus, since it comes in a box, all 5 feet of me was able to bring it up a flight of stairs and set it up with no problem. —?Lindsey Smith, associate editor
More sleep products
It’s widely known that blue light (like from phones, TVs and computer screens) should be avoided before bedtime, and on the opposite end of the spectrum, there’s growing research looking into the benefits of red light for sleep. This little night light helps me tune out from my devices and provides a cozy ambiance as I drift off to sleep. I like that it’s wireless and doesn’t take up much space on my nightstand too. — Sophie Shaw, associate beauty editor
While there are certainly sound machines out there with more bells and whistles, we love our Hatch Rest. We originally got it for the nursery, but once we started using it (and falling asleep in the glider while putting our daughter to sleep), we bought another one for ourselves. It has 16 different sounds, as well as every color and brightness level you could possibly want for the nightlight, and you can save your favorite combinations. You can even take it a step further and program the color and sound to turn on/off or change at certain times to guide your little one (or yourself) into winding down or rising. We keep things pretty basic for the adults, but even so, as someone with a lot of sleep issues, I have never slept as well as I do when using our Hatch Rest. — Danielle Poiesz, copy editor
This cult-favorite, celeb-loved bedside humidifier has been awarded a permanent place on my nightstand for a whole bunch of reasons; it takes care of the bacteria and pollution in the air, supercharges healthy dewy-looking skin and combats redness and dryness — all while I snooze the night away! — Stephanie Griffin, social lead
I know, $150 is a LOT to pay for an alarm clock. But Loftie is a thoughtfully designed, gorgeous clock that makes sleep feel like self-care. It features an ambient night light, soundscapes and meditations to help you fall asleep and a two-phase alarm that gradually wakes you up in the morning instead of jolting you awake. — Kai Burkhardt, editor
I’d call myself an easy sleeper, but I’m realizing it’s all thanks to clever products like this. An under-$100 smart humidifier, the Levoit OasisMist has warm and cool mist settings (so it can adapt to the seasons) that you can control and customize from your phone. It’s easy to fill and clean, and I love that it has a pad for adding essential oils for an aromatherapy-infused session. — Sophie Shaw, associate beauty editor
As someone who feared the dark until she was in her mid-teens, it’s ironic that I now can’t sleep without blackout shades. I had first used them to help with drafty windows but soon realized the darkness really improved my sleep. I’ve had the same ones for eight years and they still look brand-new and are a great deal. —?Lindsey Smith, associate editor
