Our Choice
Casper
Overview
Casper revolutionized the mattress industry with their direct to the consumer approach of delivering high-quality mattresses in compact boxes. Since then, the company has grown exponentially, moving beyond just mattresses and into bedding, weighted blankets, and even dog beds. But they have not abandoned their roots, rather, expanding and improving upon their initial products. One of Casper? most impressive additions is the Wave Hybrid Mattress. With a focus on providing support to elevate body pains, while also preventing overheating while sleeping, the mattress is made up of five layers of premium crafted foam. The first two target cooling the body, with the first coated in a cooling gel and the second comprising of small holes to allow ventilation. The third, fourth, and fifth layers focus on support, designed to be softer under the shoulders and firmer under the lower back. Gel pods are even embedded in the fourth layer to align the spine. The Wave Hybrid proves that not all mattresses are crafted alike.
Price
$595.00 - $2,995.00
Highlight
Casper revolutionized the mattress industry with their direct to the consumer approach of delivering high-quality mattresses in compact boxes. Since then, the company has grown exponentially, moving beyond just mattresses and into bedding, weighted blankets, and even dog beds. But they have not abandoned their roots, rather, expanding and improving upon their initial products. One of Casper? most impressive additions is the Wave Hybrid Mattress. With a focus on providing support to elevate body pains, while also preventing overheating while sleeping, the mattress is made up of five layers of premium crafted foam. The first two target cooling the body, with the first coated in a cooling gel and the second comprising of small holes to allow ventilation. The third, fourth, and fifth layers focus on support, designed to be softer under the shoulders and firmer under the lower back. Gel pods are even embedded in the fourth layer to align the spine. The Wave Hybrid proves that not all mattresses are crafted alike.
Casper merged sleep science and comfort when creating their foam pillow. The driving force behind the design was to create something to keep customers cool and correct alignment of the head and neck. The pillow is a blend of low and high-density foams, providing the squishy comfort desired, but uncompromising when it comes to necessary support. Channels within the pillow foam allow for body heat to circulate and prevent sleepers from overheating during the night.
All products are tested and perfected in Casper Labs under the direction of scientists, researchers, and engineers. Multiple tests are conducted on all products to ensure performance, durability, and reliability. Such tests include a rolling machine that mimics ten years of sleep and body heat simulators. Casper uses science to ensure all products meet and go beyond the needs for customer sleep.
The website is fantastically built to smoothly guide customers from start to finish when navigating the brand. From thoroughly outlining products, policies, and discounts, to supplying hundreds of customer reviews, the website ensures that all customers have the necessary information to make the most informed decision. Whimsical animations and a sleek design, coupled with in-depth product breakdowns, ensures that all questions, from initial purchase to shipping and returns, can be answered in minutes.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
A particularly appealing perk is the Casper Upgrade Program. Current Casper mattress customers, who have owned their mattress for two or more years, are encouraged to turn it in to receive $500.00 towards the purchase of the company? newest mattress model, the Wave Hybrid. In addition to the credit, customers also receive a free pillow. If desired, they can apply this program towards the purchase of a Twin or XL Twin, in which case, the trade-in value is equivalent to $250.00. Free delivery and returns are included.
By purchasing Casper products, consumers are also able to support causes and initiatives that they find important. Casper? recycling program, Resnooze and Recycle, encourages customers to bring their previously used bedding to participating stores. These sheets are taken and upcycled to be turned into products such as carpet padding and car seat filling. Customers are also rewarded with $25.00 off their next purchase of $100.00 or more on Casper bedding. Through partnerships with International Rescue Committee, Badass Brooklyn, and the Sense of Home, Casper also donated over 70,000 sleep products to those in need.
Casper offers free trials so that customers can try their products fully before committing to them. For mattresses, customers are allowed a 100-night sleep trial. If they are not satisfied, they are refunded fully, the mattress is taken back at no cost to the customer, and it is donated to a charity or recycled. All other Casper products, including pillows, bedding, and even dog, beds are also allowed a 30-night sleep trial to ensure satisfaction.
The convenient mattress delivery is an essential part of Casper because it allows for the delivery of a high-quality mattress, without the need for movers for transpiration or assembly. The mattresses are compressed and rolled into an air-sealed bag and then placed in a box that can fit on your doorstep. Customers only need to unseal and let their mattress rise before a perfect night's sleep is within reach. No scheduling of movers is required. No clumsy deliverymen or fear of knocked future as the mattress is maneuvered up the stairs. Casper provides an uncomplicated solution to a good night's sleep.
Cons:
Although the company has partnered with major retailers, like Target, they have a limited number of brick and mortar stores. Casper currently only has storefronts in 6 states; New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Massachusetts. The chain partnerships allow Casper to set up small boutiques within the stores to showcase products. But due to limitations, these small pop-ups cannot always house all the products. Casper? website outlines what products are at these pop-ups and many of them have only pillows and protectors, few have mattresses. This is a major drawback for potential buyers who are hesitant to purchase the products, particularly the mattresses, without physically seeing them in stores. Even with a flexible return policy, consumers do not want to deal with the hassle of returns if they could easily identify if they like a product by seeing it in person.
The company does not have sleep products catered to babies or young children. Although they do offer Twin and XL size mattresses and bedding products, they have do not make cribs, toddler beds, or toddler furniture. The company does offer dog beds, which suggests that expanding their demographics is something to be pursued in the future. Unfortunately, as of now, they are unable to be the one-stop-shop for families because of their lack of products for babies and young children.
If customers are looking for statement bedding or frames, Casper will not meet their needs. They do have a pillowcase selection with a unique design, but other than this, they provide no designs outside of the box. There are no pattered sheets and the colors available are limited, often in the muted tone territory. These products are great for basics, but not for those who want to stand out.
Although the website has a section for reviews of the products, the reviews skew heavily towards only highlighting the pros of the product. There are very few critical reviews, which are often necessary to provide a complete picture of all products' strengths and limitations. It is very unlikely that all Casper products are without limitations and it is essential that the review section is more transparent to ensure customers make the right decisions for their individual needs.
Miracle Brand
Overview
Miracle Brand uses silver fibers in their sheets and towels to reduce odors and bacteria. This means you will do three times less laundry and have healthier skin since the sheets and towels are essentially self-cleaning. This silver fiber formula is unusual, and Miracle Brand is one of very few brands using this technique.
Price
$14 - $429
Highlight
Miracle Brand uses silver fibers in their sheets and towels to reduce odors and bacteria. This means you will do three times less laundry and have healthier skin since the sheets and towels are essentially self-cleaning. This silver fiber formula is unusual, and Miracle Brand is one of very few brands using this technique.
Their anti-microbial silver formula prevents 99.9% of bacteria growth. Regular sheets and towels collect extensive bacteria after two weeks, while Miracle Brand sheets and towels collect minimal bacteria. Silver ions act as a magnet for bacteria and stop bacteria reproduction in its tracks. The website shows the process of bacteria collection in an infographic.
Customers can try Miracle Brand risk-free for thirty days. If you don't like your sheets and towels, you can return them within the thirty day period for a full refund, no questions asked. Their customer service is easily accessible by email or phone to facilitate returns.
Miracle Brand also offers free shipping and returns on all products within the United States. They make it easy for customers and wholesale buyers to try out the brand. Shipping is calculated during checkout for shipments outside of the US, but Miracle Brand does ship internationally using DHL Express.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Customers appear to love Miracle Brand. The "Reviews" section of their website has over 2,000 five star reviews and only 10 one-star reviews.
Miracle Brand is one of the few luxury bedding brands using silver fibers in their sheets and towels. It's difficult to find real competitors online. Other brands using silver fibers also aren't marketing their sheets and towels the same way. Some brands are more focused on pillowcases and highlight the healthy skin aspect of using silver fibers, while Miracle Brand focuses on the convenience of these sheets.
Miracle Brand offers wholesale packages as well as selling to individual customers. It is easy for stores and other companies to purchase sheets and towels in bulk.
The amount of scientific information on Miracle Brand's website sets it apart from competitors. They state in easily comprehensible graphics how silver fibers work and protect the customer from bacteria buildup and odor. These infographics let the consumer know that they are getting a lot for their money.
Cons:
There are only two color options for both sheets and towels, stone or white. There is only one style for sheets and one style of towels as well. While major competitors using silver fibers aren't offering a lot of different colors or styles either, it is easy for consumers to find cheaper, better-looking sheets and towels.
The price is high. Although the quality seems to be great from customer reviews, Miracle Brand's prices are not cheap. Someone in the market for luxury bedding might not object, but people just looking for nice sheets would probably opt for a cheaper brand.
The theory of using silver fibers to eliminate bacteria is relatively new and untested. There is a possibility that it won't work as well as Miracle Brand suggests that it will. There aren't a lot of competing brands using silver fibers, and if it really made that much of a difference, there should be plenty of other brands jumping in on the market. Weighing whether it will work as well as advertised against the higher cost may be a major problem for consumers.
Miracle Brand sheets and towels are only sold online. There is not an option to feel or see them in stores. If you choose to buy bedding or bath products, you will be buying blind in terms of how luxurious they feel and how high quality they look.
Boll and Branch
Overview
Boll and Branch is a luxury bedding and bath brand that creates high-quality products with a natural and ethical flare. All products are made from 100% organic cotton and free from all chemicals and toxic dyes. The clean bedding makes it an ideal option for those with skin irritations, allergies, or sensitivities.
Price
$80 - $2,900
Highlight
Boll and Branch is a luxury bedding and bath brand that creates high-quality products with a natural and ethical flare. All products are made from 100% organic cotton and free from all chemicals and toxic dyes. The clean bedding makes it an ideal option for those with skin irritations, allergies, or sensitivities.
The Flannel sheets are a Boll and Branch staple. Made in Portugal, number one in the world for the production of cotton flannel, these cozy sheets are ultra-soft with some weight to them. Resistant to pilling, they are also not prone to wrinkling. Perfect for those who overheat overnight, these breathable sheets help ventilate body heat.
Keeping one’s baby safe and comfortable is the utmost priority. Boll and Branch’s Newborn Gift Set provides the essentials for new parents, with trusted materials. Made from 100% organic cotton, as with all Boll and Branch products, the burp cloths, blankets, and bibs are all also free of harmful dyes and chemicals. This set provides parents with a safe and natural option for caring for their newborn.
Design is key for Boll and Branch and they make it easily accessible to customers with curated selections. Curated collections, including Classic Holiday Flannel and Wintry White Bedroom, take the guesswork out of outfitting bedrooms by providing bedding sets with complementary colors and styles. Designing a sleek home is now easy for those who might naturally not have an eye for it.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
The website makes it easy for customers to identify what types of products they will prefer by providing quick characteristic break downs of the materials. Each material is broken down by feel, texture, finish, care, think, and how cool they run. In moments, customers will know if their sheets or PJs are made out of a material considered dense and ultra-soft or light and cozy. They will know whether something is prone to wrinkles, can be ironed, and if it's going to overheat a warm sleeper.
The Trade Collection encourages interiors designers, architects, and decorators to become more involved with the company beyond just purchasing products. The members of this program are treated like the company's inner circle. Once a person is verified and becomes an official member, they are given early access and sneak peeks to products, complimentary swatches, catered customer service, and up to 20% off sitewide products, as well as tax exemptions. This is an exciting program for those who meet the criteria and a truly unique opportunity for producer and customer to work together.
When shopping with Boll and Brach, customers can feel good about the company because they push for quality products that are ethically made. They are the first linen company to be Fair Trade Certified. All products are manufactured in India, Portugal, and the US without the use of child labor. All workers are respected, work at will, and are paid fairly. They also choose to use 100% organic cotton because other alternatives use dangerous pesticides that reduce the life expectancy of those who farm it. To ensure they meet the international standards for this organic farming, they are verified using a third party.
Boll and Branch products are made with a focus on sustainability. All products are made out of 100% organic cotton, which uses 90% less water than other traditional farming. They choose to ship much of their products, as opposed to airfare, which saves an estimated 21,252 metric tons of carbon emissions. This number is equivalent to saving the greenhouse emissions of 4,500 cars annually. All packaging is made out of recycled paper, which then can be repurposed or upcycled. All outer shippers are FSC certified, meaning the products are sourced from responsibly managed forests.
Cons:
Boll and Branch does not accept any returns after 30 days. They also do not provide any free trial programs or abilities to test out products beyond 30 days. Sometimes to truly understand if a product works for a customer, they need multiple weeks with it — especially something essential like a mattress or bedding. The restrictive policy makes it so consumers do not have as much flexibility when choosing the products that are right for them.
Boll and Branch have a single brick and mortar store in New Jersey. A partnership with Nordstrom has partially expanded its physical presence with its products sold in twenty-one Nordstrom stores across the United States. Ultimately, their physical presence is relatively small and may deter buyers. People often want to see products in person before purchasing them for their home because website photos can often be misleading of color and size. This coupled with their limited return and trial options makes it difficult for certain customers to commit to the products and invest in the company.
All customers, whether purchasing a Twin or California King, receive the same mattress made from a Wool and Poly blend, with five layers. There is a single mattress design available. Thus, customers have no other options if they are looking for variations in softness, firmness, or material makeup. Instead of being able to try a different design, they must go to a different company entirely.
Patterns and designs tend to lean on a more conservative and classic style, which may disinterest some buyers. Some customers may not be willing to spend the money on simple white sheets or striped patterns, rather preferring to spend money on more unique statement sheets for the bedroom.
Parachute Home
Overview
Parachute Home is a home goods brand that offers bedding, bath goods, mattresses, decor, and lifestyle products. The company was started by a design enthusiast seeking to create high-quality yet affordable home goods products. With a modern and clean aesthetic, Parachute Home products are versatile enough to work in any home.
Price
$19.99 - $3247
Highlight
Parachute Home is a home goods brand that offers bedding, bath goods, mattresses, decor, and lifestyle products. The company was started by a design enthusiast seeking to create high-quality yet affordable home goods products. With a modern and clean aesthetic, Parachute Home products are versatile enough to work in any home.
Parachute Home offers complimentary stylist consultations. Customers can easily schedule a one-on-one video or phone meeting with a Parachute Home stylist for assistance with a wide range of issues. These stylists assist with anything from bedding and bathroom decor to matching colors and fabrics in your home.
The Parachute Home mentorship program focuses on supporting black-owned businesses. The program, called Home for Dreams, supports product-centric businesses based in the United States. Program benefits include meetings with the CEO of Parachute Home, meetings with team members, social media and email promotion, and a grant of $25,000.
Parachute Home products are manufactured by expert craftspeople using fine, hand-selected materials. For example, their bedding is produced in a family-owned factory in northern Portugal, while their bath collection is made of Turkish cotton. Additionally, Parachute Home’s bedding, bath, and tabletop products are Oeko-Tex certified, which means that they have been tested for harmful, prohibited substances, as well as color fading and acidity that correlates to health and safety.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Parachute Home’s bedding is soft, luxurious, and durable. Parachute sheets are available in several materials, including cotton, linen, percale, and sateen, which allows customers to choose the best possible material for their own needs. This also helps to maximize coziness and comfort during a night’s sleep. Overall, Parachute bedding tends to be very comfortable. Additionally, their products are Oeko-Tex certified, which means quality is pretty close to guaranteed.
Parachute Home offers free ground shipping within the United States. This includes all 50 states. Parachute also offers expedited shipping options for an additional cost. In general, products tend to arrive within the allotted shipping time frame.
Customers can return their items for any reason within 60 days of purchase. This allows customers to try out their bedding, towels, and other home goods before committing to their purchase. Traditionally, feeling your sheets, bedding, and towels before buying them is an important part of the decision-making process. Customers want to know that they are buying something that is actually high-quality. The 60-day return period with Parachute allows customers to feel comfortable buying their products online. It also displays confidence in the quality and durability of Parachute products.
Parachute offers a wide range of options for customization of bedding sets. The company offers many different materials and colors, which allows customers to ensure that they will have the best possible sleep experience. Although customers cannot mix and match colors and materials when purchasing a bedding set or bundle, all products are available individually. Additionally, bedding bundles and sets include the option to choose the type of down, duvet density, pillow density, and whether or not to include a top sheet in the order.
Cons:
Parachute Home is slightly expensive, and there is cheaper bedding out there. Parachute calls itself an affordable luxury brand, but for many people, their bedding is far more expensive than what they would usually purchase. Even compared to other luxury brands like Brooklinen, Parachute is a bit more expensive.
Parachute Home does not provide a thread count for their sheets. The company claims that thread count is not the most effective to determine the quality of bedding. Parachute believes that thread count is actually a myth created for marketing purposes. Although this may be true, many consumers still want to see a thread count listed. By not including the thread count, Parachute makes the shopping process a bit more difficult and confusing for its less-informed customers.
Top sheets are not included with bedding sets—they cost an extra $60-$110 to add to a bedding set or bundle. Many other bedding companies tend to include the top sheet in the price of a bundle.
Parachute’s sateen sheets tend to fade over time. With every wash cycle, the sheen of these sheets seems to diminish. This is a major downside, especially considering the fact that the bedding is marketed as luxury and sold at luxury prices.