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13 Best Bed Pillows 2020: Helix, Purple, Casper, & Brooklinen


You can splurge on the softest bedsheets or the most-hyped sleeping products, but if you skimp on the best bed pillows, you’ll feel it in the morning. A full night’s sleep goes hand in hand with proper sleeping posture and the secret to that lies in your pillow. Like most things out there, there’s no such thing as a “universal best pillow” so we talked to the experts about how to find the right pillow for all types of sleepers.

Square one is understanding how your mattress affects the kind of pillow you choose. “You can have a comfortable mattress but if your pillow isn’t a good fit for you, then your sleep quality will be compromised,” says Terry Cralle, R.N., and certified clinical sleep educator. “A mattress that is plusher on top may affect the height of the pillow that is the most comfortable for you,” she says. Meaning, a soft pillow may be better for a firm mattress while a medium-to-hard one could be better for a soft mattress to keep your head and neck in perfect alignment.

Does it matter how you sleep?

Yes—and here comes the big but—remember that we toss and turn throughout the night so you want to choose a pillow that works for you in all of your sleeping positions. Michael Breus, Ph.D., a Los Angeles clinical psychologist and sleep specialist, tells us side sleepers may need a firmer, thicker pillow than stomach sleepers (who can get away with a soft pillow—or not using one at all).” As far as thickness goes, he recommends choosing one that’s the same distance between your ear and outside shoulder, which allows your nose to be in line with the middle of your chest. Back sleepers, on the other hand, need a flatter pillow to keep their head and neck in alignment. A soft pillow works, “but if you have neck pain and sleep on your back, look for a pillow that provides additional support, while maintaining the softness that’s comfortable for you,” he says.

How long does a bed pillow last?

“If you’re sleeping on a worn-out pillow, scrunching and folding it up every night to get comfortable, that’s a red flag that it’s time to update,” says Breus. Usually, this means replacing it every 18 months. “If you’re using [a] pillow that’s five or six years old, you’re not getting the support you need—and you’re not sleeping as comfortably as you could,” he says. Can’t tell whether your pillow needs a refresh? Check for yellow sweat stains, rips, and funky smells, which are all signs that your pillow (and pillowcase) have reached the end.

What fill should you pick?

If you like the slow, sinking feeling of a Four Seasons hotel pillow, a down pillow may be for you. Some people have allergic reactions to the goose or duck fibers, so if that’s the case, you can opt for a down alternative pillow or one made from wool or cotton, which are both naturally hypo-allergenic materials (that also resist dust mites). Like puffer coats, real down pillows are more expensive than their synthetic and polyester counterparts. “[Synthetic and polyester fill pillows] will flatten with time, and typically need replacing more frequently than other types of pillows,” Breus says. Two other materials you may be familiar with are latex and memory foam. Latex pillows are firmer than down, and they tend to hold their shape better over time. (A solid choice if you need extra head and neck support.) Memory foam is pretty popular too since it’s all about conforming to your individual shape, however, it retains heat (and can be the reason why you keep waking up with crazy, sweaty bed head).

Now that you know a Goldilocks pillow doesn’t exist, you can begin your journey to the perfect night’s sleep. If you’re looking for a place to start shopping, here are 13 contenders for the best bed pillows of 2020.

Sleep is a $70 billion industry—we throw our money at a dreamier night’s rest, promise ourselves we’ll prioritize it, and then gripe when we’re still, inevitably, so tired. Despite our collective obsession with sleep, we seem totally unable to get more of it. In fact, we’re clocking fewer hours than ever. So, this month, we’re taking a look at what’s getting in the way—and what to do about it.



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11 Best Bed Sheets of 2020: Brooklinen, Casper, Buffy, and More


It’s 2020, a.k.a. the future, so the market is filled with innovative gadgets for a range of sleep woes. Still, the simple pleasure of sleeping in the best bed sheets of your life is pretty hard to beat. There’s no point in that fancy white noise machine or temperature-regulating pajamas when your bedding is sub-par, so before you get all high-tech to improve your REM cycles, make sure you’ve got quality sheets on deck.

A great night’s sleep has the power to clear brain fog, keep your skin clear, and it might even clear up any miscommunications caused by exhaustion-fueled snippiness (we’ve all been there). Which is why we went on a hunt for the best bed sheets across the web. Whether you’re a notoriously hot sleeper or your toes are icicles by midnight, there’s something for you on this list. Glamour staffers tested each set in our own beds, and trust us, these sheets aren’t to be slept on. Ahead, the 11 best bed sheets to shop in 2020—and answers to questions the Internet can’t stop asking about them.

What is a good thread count for bed sheets?

There are a lot of misconceptions around this one, thanks to clever and misleading marketing jargon. Thread count refers to the number of threads woven together, horizontally and vertically, per square inch—and it’s not as important as you may think. “Thread count is largely a marketing gimmick,” says Ariel Kayes, founder and CEO of Parachute Home. “Manufacturers will twist thin, low-grade cotton threads into a smaller space, and claim double (or even quadruple) the thread count. None of this makes the sheets any better quality—in fact, it ultimately takes away from their durability and softness.”

Several experts we spoke to cosigned that in terms of thread count, it’s quality over quantity. “If you have poor quality yarn and manufacturing, a higher thread count won’t save you,” a rep from Snowe told us. “The optimal thread count depends on how the product is woven, and what matters most is the caliber of the fabric. Egyptian cotton and pure linen translate to softer, stronger bedding that lasts over time. Ultimately, it’s your bed and your body—so choose something that feels great against your skin and tuck in.” Also, pay attention to customer reviews about a set of sheets’ likeliness to shrink and pill, and be conscious of the sourcing, manufacturing, and finishing processes while you shop. All of these factors are more important than thread count because optimal count varies from fabric to fabric. Check out Consumer Reports’ breakdown on ways to avoid falling victim to the thread count hype.

What are the softest bed sheets?

In terms of softness, nothing beats the undefeated classic that is 100% cotton. Polyester blends offer more durability and wrinkle-resistance, but you’ll be sacrificing the same suppleness of authentic cotton, especially that of long-fiber weaves like Egyptian, Pima, or Supima. On the other hand, quality microfiber dupes have come a long way, and some do come close to matching the feel of the real thing. Jersey sheets are a good budget-friendly alternative and are still plenty cozy, and people sing praises of trendy, eco-friendly bamboo, and its ability to deliver the smoothness needed for a next-level snooze.

How to choose bed sheets

The best bed sheets for you depend down on your personal needs and preferences, but one thing our experts agree on is that natural fibers reign supreme. “The quality of the materials is priority number one, and natural materials make the best bedding,” says Snowe. Think of it like cooking: If you use high-quality ingredients, you experience the difference. Cotton is king, and the “free-range” of fresh bedding is Egyptian cotton.” Obviously, if temperatures plummet to sub-zero territory in your neck of the woods, opt for something to keep you toasty at night, like flannel or fleece. For hot sleepers, lightweight, cooling sheets like bamboo and linen are better to keep those night sweats in check. If you prefer snappy, crisp sheets similar to a luxury hotel, percale sheets are for you. “We often compare our percale to the perfect button-down shirt–cool and crisp to the touch. The classic one-over-one-under weave makes it an exceptionally breathable fabric, and a garment-washing process gives it a more casual appearance,” says Kayes of Parachute. If you’re more into something that’s silky to the touch, sateen offers a more supple feel. Additional factors to consider are dimensions and budget accommodations. Do you have a twin bed or a California King? Are you looking to splurge on luxury sheets or save your coins with a trusted value set? And last but not least, check whether the sheets are OEKO-TEX certified, which means free of harmful chemicals.

How often should you change bed sheets?

There’s no clear-cut answer here, but most experts recommend changing your sheets every 7-10 days. Clinical sleep educator, Terry Cralle, explains when you should consider washing even more: “If you shower or bathe in the morning instead of the evening, sleep naked, are prone to night sweats, eat in bed (just don’t), live in a warmer climate, have pets and kids in your bed frequently, or are ill—consider changing your sheets more often.” Even though you can’t see all of the unappealing things that build up in your bed over time with the naked eye, that doesn’t mean they’re not there. Microscopic dust mites, dead skin cells, body oils, sweat, and germs shack up with you when your sheets go unwashed, so make sure you’re running a load of laundry every week. Even when finding the time seems impossible, it’s not worth exposing your skin to all that—even if it means calling a laundry service to come pick it up and do it for you. But our friends at Snowe warn that you shouldn’t overdo it in terms of drying: “While heat does remove almost anything unsavory, stop while you’re ahead when it comes to preserving your sheets. Take them out of the dryer when they are just barely damp and dress your bed. It will prevent wrinkles and damage caused by over-drying.”

Ready to achieve the best sleep of your life? Read on for Glamour‘s 11 best bed sheets of 2020, and prepare your snooze button for attack.

Sleep is a $70 billion industry—we throw our money at a dreamier night’s rest, promise ourselves we’ll prioritize it, and then gripe when we’re still, inevitably, so tired. Despite our collective obsession with sleep, we seem totally unable to get more of it. In fact, we’re clocking fewer hours than ever. So, this month, we’re taking a look at what’s getting in the way—and what to do about it.



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Forget Sex—I Want My Own Bed


Sleep is a $70 billion industry—we throw our money at a dreamier night’s rest, promise ourselves we’ll prioritize it, and then gripe when we’re still, inevitably, so tired. Despite our collective obsession with sleep, we seem totally unable to get more of it. In fact, we’re clocking fewer hours than ever. So, this month, we’re taking a look at what’s getting in the way—and what to do about it.

When my fiancé took off to Chicago for his bachelor party weekend, my mother asked if I wanted to have a sleepover at my place. “We can order pizza and watch movies. You know, so you won’t feel so alone,” she said. I didn’t know how to respond without hurting her feelings. It’s not that I didn’t want to spend uninterrupted time with my mother; it’s that her notion that I would feel abandoned without my fiancé made me wonder if she thought marriage was more of a literal bond than a metaphorical one. “I think I’m going to use the time to get caught up on work,” I mustered in response.

In reality, “work” meant catching up on all my favorite TV shows without my fiancé’s incessant comments about how my choices of entertainment are trash. (Hello? Handmaid’s Tale, anyone?) But even more coveted than the alone time I spent in the bathroom plucking my eyebrows or making one of my favorite meals with extra mushrooms was the moment I flopped down on our king-size bed—ecstatic to be totally and completely alone.

For me, lying in bed alone means snapping off my bra and rubbing the day’s struggles off my skin with no sexual intention. It means taking deep meditative breaths and melting into the coolness of the comforter. It means quiet—a quiet that can be reached only when I don’t have someone beside me.

When I was 18, my father died in a car accident. As my family’s eldest daughter, I stepped in to take care of my crumbling family. It was only in the darkness of night when I collapsed into bed that I could quiet all that noise, that I could take care of me. Why should I—or any woman—be forced to give that up?

I finally said “I do” and joined my hands with my fiancé’s in marriage. There was a lot of joining that began even before we prepared to merge our life in matrimony: cell phone bills, bank accounts, and of course, Netflix profiles. Starting a life with someone requires a certain amount of merging—I get it. But there’s one two-become-one tradition I don’t want to abide by: sharing a bed.

While my girlfriends gushed about what type of lingerie I was going to wear on my wedding night and whether or not my vulva would be freshly waxed, I struggled to tell them that what I really wanted was to not sleep with my brand-new husband. I long for the days when I had the option of tumbling into bed solo. One weekend of bingeing The Crown will show you that, throughout history, couples often had their own sleeping quarters, but somewhere along the line, snuggling up in the same bed became the norm.

Breaking with tradition isn’t unheard-of—an estimated one in four couples sleep in separate bedrooms—but like many women, I fear that revealing this want will make others assume my relationship is broken, doomed. I imagine people will politely smile before turning their back to me to snicker. As they discuss the day’s end with their partner in bed, they will discuss the inevitable end of my marriage too. Instead of trying to force couples into a compromised sleeping arrangement, perhaps it would be better to remember that marriage is a union of two hearts, not two bodies with varying body temperatures.

It hasn’t been long since I got married and not much has changed in my relationship, though many people said such an everlasting bond would, in fact, change everything. Perhaps in one way it has. Now, when my husband asks whether I want my usual presex back massage, I tell him, “No, sweetie, just the bed—and just me in it.”

Sarah Chaves is a writer in Boston, covering health, love, and family. Follow her @sarita_chaves.



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Skylar Astin Is a Libra Who Eats in Bed and Holds the Door Open for Women


Some people’s fantasies feature rippling muscles, four poster beds, chocolate dripping in unsanitary places. Others fixate on leather, bad boys, the satisfying feeling of doing something a little bit wrong.

And some of us just want to see Skylar Astin in a crew neck sweater, soulfully belting Kelly Clarkson a capella with his eyes closed.

Astin, who starred in the Pitch Perfect movies and Crazy Ex Girlfriend, will once again bring to the screen his specific skill set of looking and sounding as smooth and comforting as a spoonful of peanut butter, straight from the jar. In the new NBC musical TV show Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Zoey (Jane Levy) gains the ability to hear people’s thoughts…expressed through musical numbers. Astin, as Zoey’s best friend, plays the role he’s perfected: He’s not a “nice guy,” that creepy archetype every woman has experienced, a dude who secretly feels like you owe him sex because he half-listens to your problems. He’s more like a “good person guy,” a genuinely nice man who encourages his female colleague to go for the promotion and expresses his innermost thoughts through Jonas Brothers songs.

That’s hot. So we invited Skylar to answer our Inappropriate Questions, Glamour’s column that asks all the cheeky, slightly off-kilter stuff best saved for a second (or better yet, third) date. Read on for his take on who should pay for dates, his extreme glow-up, and the messiest thing he does in bed…

Glamour: You stop by a convenience store on your way to a party. What are you buying to bring?

Skylar Astin: Probably booze, right? Definitely Tequila if they have it, or if not, a 12-rack of beer, probably Dos Equis.

What was the worst thing you’ve ever done on a date?

I forgot my wallet once. I’d made the person come to my side of town, and we’d been making jokes about how I would definitely pay. I knew she would pay, but I was so embarrassed. I had to say, “I’m mortified about this, but is there any chance you’ll stay here for 20 minutes and I’ll just go back and get it?” Thank god I was very close to my house.

What is the most inappropriate thing a fan has ever said to you?

Oh, comments like, “You look better on camera,” or, “You look better in person.” Either of those is like….well, what are you saying about the other thing? Also mistaking me for someone else, that happens a lot. I’ve gotten Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the guy from How I Met Your Mother, Zachary Levi, Dane Cook. But really, I tend to be just fine!

What’s something that everyone seems to love but you dislike?

I never got into the Kardashians. But I really understand why people do! But it never struck me.

What’s the sexiest thing about yourself?

I like to think that I don’t take myself too seriously, and I have a pretty healthy balance of drive and humor. I’m a Libra, through and through.

You believe in astrology?

I do! I do. I don’t live my life by it completely, but I think it’s fascinating. There’s definitely many truths to it. I felt more compatible with certain friendships. Even in some relationships, I’ve felt like, “Oh that’s weird, I’ve dated the most of this kind of sign.” And like, “Oh, my mother and my brother are both this sign.” It’s little stuff like that.

What’s your type?

I’m open to any kind of connection. But generally I don’t really like anyone who has any narcissistic tendencies. Someone who is open, friendly, kind, but also self-assured, without being cocky. Someone who’s got their own thing going on. And someone who I respect and admire. That, generally, is a turn-on for me.



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How to Take Control in Bed: 7 Ways to Take Charge


Feeling in charge in the bedroom looks different for everyone—it’s not always the stereotypical fantasy of black leather and whips (though totally fine if that’s your thing). Figuring out how to take control in the bedroom in a way that makes you feel sexy as hell (and just like you’re reinacting some feminist porn scene) takes a little introspection.

We’re constantly bombarded with sex rules that frankly don’t exist—but imagine the mind-blowing time you could have without them. Taking control in bed means authentic expression in whatever form it may take. So, ask yourself: What empowers you? Here’s how to find it:

1. Drop the Labels

We’re all afraid of being “bad in bed”—which is often why one partner takes a back seat and lets the other drive. But the entire idea of “being a great lover, or ‘this good’ vs ‘this is bad’,” is harmful, says relationship and sexuality educator Logan Levkoff. What you want from sex is what you want from sex; stripping it of arbitrary judgements of what’s good is the first step to taking control over your sexual encounters.

2. Talk About Sex, Baby

It comes as no shock that many people—particularly women—struggle to ask for what they want in bed. Power dynamics are seemingly always present regardless of sex and gender. Sari Cooper, founder and director of the Center for Love and Sex, recommends navigating these ropes by holding a Q&A session with your partner on neutral ground. Maybe this sounds obvious: Tell my partner what I want and ask what they want—what a new idea! I know you’ve already thought of this, and I know it’s hard. That’s why Cooper recommends holding the Q&A in a non-sexual location—let’s say the canned foods aisle of the grocery store.

Begin by thinking of the questions you want to be asked. “The more detailed the questions the better, as to model a type of discussion that is flirty, but eager to learn,” says Cooper. Strictly enforce that the person answering the questions has the floor. After you’ve asked your partner about all the things they like, love, or want to try, you can answer the same questions. “This creates a neutral way to exchange information without any power struggle, intimidation and less fear while offering more vulnerability for both partners,” Cooper says.

One thing you don’t want to do is overwhelm your partner with an interrogation about your collective desires in the middle of the grocery store. So let it be casual and stick to one topic at a time: start with fantasies, next week try discussing orgasm, save kink for next month.

3. Embrace the Embarrassment

So you’re in the canned food aisle and you’ve just told your girlfriend that the thing she does with her tongue would be so much better if she just moved it a bit to the left—and you would please like the floor to open up and swallow you whole now, thanks. “No one is super cool and smooth when it comes to talking about these things,” says Levkoff.

Why are you expecting yourself to be so naturally good at talking about sex? Who is? Not to give you bad flashbacks to after-school piano lessons, but: Practice makes perfect. Do it once. Feel weird. Do it again. Feel even weirder. Still not getting what you want? Go ahead and blush to the point you’re sure you’re burning holes through your clothes. It’s okay. “Own the awkward right from the start,” says Levkoff. The embarrassment of talking about sex isn’t within your control—but how you handle it is.

4. Write it Down

That’s fine! Try making a list of what you do and don’t like in bed, says Jenni Skyler, Ph.D., a certified sex therapist at the Intimacy Institute in Colorado. “Categorize sexual acts into red, yellow, and green,” she says. “Red if you know you don’t want those parts of you touched, yellow if you’re tentative but willing to explore, and green for those areas that are strong yeses.” Maybe you read the list out loud to your partner—or maybe you don’t. Maybe you slip it under their pillow or maybe you text it to him or her when you’re feeling frisky after a night out. It’s up to you.

5. Make a Game Plan

Noah and Allie didn’t block off an afternoon on their iCals to scream at each other on a dock in a rainstorm before ripping each other’s soaking wet clothes off—but maybe they should’ve. Spontaneity is often overrated.



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How to Get Out of Bed When It’s Too Cold Outside, According to Celebrities


It’s still winter. Politics sucks, the weather sucks, and we’re all sick of being inside. Our Winteritis stories are for women who can’t read another think piece, who’ve pushed the outer limits of time it’s possible to spend on social media, and who kind of want to shop online and hibernate until spring is here.

The first thing I saw outside my window this morning was snow, which made rustling out of bed a thousand times harder. When it’s full-on winter, the temptation to just stay in bed and neglect all my responsibilities is so strong. “How can I possibly be expected to do anything when the weather is this miserable?” I say to myself before remembering, “Um, you need that check.”

That’s my motivation for getting out of bed, but everyone’s is different. Maybe you’re a morning person and like cooking breakfast. Maybe you have a new Lush shower gel you’re excited to try out. Or maybe you want to squeeze in an early-A.M. workout. Some people are into that sort of thing!

The 13 celebrities below all have varied reasons for fighting against the cold and unfurling from their blankets. But take comfort in this: Some of them find it just as hard as you. —reporting by Jessica Radloff, Glamour’s West Coast editor



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