SkyRest Travel Pillow Review

The SkyRest Travel Pillow is as big as it is comfortable and can make a great travel companion. Just make sure you’ve got the room for it. Read on for my full review:

Who Makes It

SkyRest is designed and manufactured by DAC Innovations Inc., based in San Jose, California. You may have seen SkyRest featured on your local news, or in the Sky Mall catalog on many planes. DAC Innovations also makes a cover for their pillow as well as the leguP bolster pillow.

Key Features

• Inflatable pillow
• 14 x 13 x 17 inches when inflated (slopes to 12 inches)
• 6 x 9 x 3 inches when deflated
• Weighs approximately 1lb
• Hand-wash and/or sponge clean only
• One available color
• Crushed velvet fabric
• Built-in pocket for hands to rest when wrapped around the pillow
• Comfortable for travelers from 4’10” to 6’6″

Pros

• Lightweight
• Easy to pack in carry-on
• Versatile – can be used in several positions
• Hand-pocket for resting hands

Cons

• May not be allowed in an Emergency Exit Row
• Hand-clean only
• Bulky
• A little awkward looking on plane
• Snug in economy seating
• Smells right out of the package – may need to be aired out
• Blue dye transfers easily

My Experience

While the SkyRest Travel Pillow packaging certainly had me intrigued, I was happily surprised to find the inflatable pillow truly comfortable. The shape of the pillow, with its sloped front and soft fabric, makes it easy to fall asleep while traveling, especially in a car or train.

Similar to the Travelrest Ultimate Inflatable pillow, the SkyRest pillow is easy to pack away until you want to use it. The inflation device comes with detailed paper instructions (that are folded into the pillow when you first open it) as well as printed instructions on the pillow itself.

The pillow easily deflates and the air nozzle is capable of holding air in as you blow it up, so you don’t lose air in between breaths. The instructions say to unfold the pillow into its cube shape, which will allow it to fill up with air on its own, from there they say you only need about half a dozen breaths to fill it up.

Maybe I just have terrible lung capacity but it still took me roughly 15 breaths to fill up the pillow completely. But I was really happy that I could inflate it without having to worry about losing air between breaths.

You cannot machine wash or dry the pillow, but you can hand wash it in a sink using mild soap. I would definitely recommend washing this pillow before use because I noticed a decent amount of blue dye transfer onto a wet paper towel that I rubbed over the pillow when I first inflated it.

The pillow may shrink or balloon in size due to cabin pressure, so be sure to inflate it once the airplane has taken off. You can easily adjust the firmness of the pillow with the nozzle as well.

A few notes about the size and shape of the pillow. The SkyRest pillow packaging features a photo of a gentleman using the pillow on the folding tray on a plane. You can see pretty clearly that it is a big pillow. I personally feel like I would be hesitant to blow this up and use it unless I had no one sitting next to me, or was in an economy size seat or higher.

I do think this pillow is probably a great fit for a car trip in the back seat. I would imagine this could be harmful if you are using it in a front seat and an air bag goes off in an accident. But in the back seat you can easily put it on your lap or lean it against a window and rest.

You can also place the pillow under your feet. The sloped feature creates a nice angle to rest your feet and legs. Others used their pillow as a back bolster in bed, as well.

The pillow also comes with pockets for you to rest your hands and arms in while using the pillow. You end up looking like you are hugging the pillow when using it, but having a place to put your hands was a nice option in my experience.

Individuals who naturally sleep on their stomachs may benefit from this pillow (and the Ostrich Pillow as well). I think this pillow can provide comfort on longer flights or train/car trips where they would like to get as much rest as possible.

SkyRest Travel Pillow

3.8 Reviewer

Summary

Overall the SkyRest Travel Pillow is comfortable and especially good for trips where there is space to fully inflate the pillow. It is not machine washable or dryer-friendly but can be hand washed in a sink. It is easy to inflate and deflate and compacts into a small size for travel.

Comfort4

Support4.2

Durability3.5

Style3.3

Weight4.1

Space3.3

Versatility3.6

My Experience3.9

Value (Price)4.3

Things to Consider

Reviewers found it tight in economy seating and I can understand why. The pillow takes up a good amount of space in front of you and your arms need to wrap around the sides, so there is a chance you’d interfere in other’s personal space.

One passenger said it turned on the touch screen TV in his seat and the brightness of the screen interrupted his rest.

SkyRest says that certain airlines may not allow you to use the pillow in an emergency exit row and to check with a flight attendant before being seated to ensure you can use the pillow.

The dye does transfer so wash in a sink with mild soap before use (especially if you’re planning to wear light clothing).

You would need to feel comfortable inflating this and using it in public. It is fairly large so I would imagine you would draw some attention to yourself while using it.

Price

You can purchase the SkyRest pillow off their website for $29.95. It is also available on Amazon for the same price. I think for the right trip, this pillow would be a great investment.

If you are comfortable sleeping on your stomach, have a long trip ahead and plenty of space around you (large airplane seat or roomy car/train space) then it is possible to really enjoy this pillow and get rest. I would not recommend this pillow for tight spaces.

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How To Roll Up And Compress A Memory Foam Mattress

This video shows how to fold and roll up a memory foam mattress (it’s a similar process for a mattress with pocket coils).  As you can see, a pretty interesting process!

If you’re looking for a tutorial on how to do this at home – you’re out of luck.  In my opinion it’s not possible to fit your mattress back in that little box without one of these big fancy machines.

If you’re looking to return a mattress, make sure to contact the company from where you purchased it – most of the time they don’t expect you to actually return the mattress, but rather will arrange for someone to come pick it up from your house for recycling or donation.

Thanks to Brentwood Home for letting me see the factory and take this footage!

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Linenspa Bamboo Bed Sheet Review

Linenspa’s bamboo bed sheets are soft, silky and come in some gorgeous colors that will remind you of a day at the spa. They have a lot to offer, but there is also room for improvement. Read on for my full review.

Who Makes It

The bamboo sheets are made by Linenspa, an online retailer of sleep-related products like mattresses, pillows, and bed linens. Linenspa even sells beds for our furriest family members

There is no information on Linenspa’s website about the company or information regarding their manufacturing process for products like bamboo sheets.

Key Features

• 100% Rayon from Bamboo
• Twill weave
• Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King and Cal King
• Comes with 1 fitted sheet, 1 flat sheet and 2 pillowcases (twin and twin XL come with 1 pillow case)
• Four color options
• Soft feel
• Temperature-regulating
• Deep-pocket fitted sheet (6″ – 18″)
• Machine wash, dryer-friendly

Pros

• Wonderful color (Stone)
• Soft and silky feeling
• No thermal regulation issues
• Variety of sizes available

Cons

• Exceptionally and inconsistently wrinkly
• Extra care – warm iron recommended
• Ill-fitting flat sheet
• Care tag located at the top of flat sheet

My Experience

The bamboo sheets from Linenspa were very comfortable to sleep on. I enjoyed the soft fabric and had no issues with skin irritation or feeling overly hot or cold during the night.

I thought the Stone color was really luxurious looking. In the natural light it had a blue sheen to it and overall it reminded me of nice sheets I’d find at a high-end spa.

Compared to other bamboo sheets I’ve reviewed, the Linenspa sheets felt heavier as soon as I got them out of the package. I put them in a delicate cold wash and when they came out wet they were even heavier and almost stiff. This reminded me of the Brielle Home sheets I’ve reviewed.

I put the sheets on a light tumble dry and removed them almost as soon as they were done drying to try and avoid wrinkles. When they came out of the dryer they felt softer than they when I pulled the out of the packaging.

The first thing I immediately noticed was the intense wrinkling at the end of both of my pillowcases. I thought it was a design element I’d just missed reading about (it’s not).

I also noticed some wrinkling near the seam in various sections of my flat sheet but was able to tuck it under my mattress so it wasn’t nearly as noticeable as my pillowcases.

I thought this wrinkling had something to do with the wash I washed or dried the bedding, so I re-followed the instructions and sent it through again but had the same results. 

The fitted sheet was a little bit of a struggle for me to get on. It was very tight but fit over my 10-inch thick mattress. There wasn’t a lot of room leftover, so I have a hard time seeing it fit well over anything thicker than 14-inches.

The flat sheet fit fine on the length of my bed, but the width was a little tight. It came out from under the mattress during the night with little effort.

This leads me to think that the sheets may have shrunk slightly while in the dryer – despite following the care instructions to tumble dry lightly.

The care instruction and brand tags were attached to the top of the flat sheet. When I pulled the sheet up at night to cover myself and go to sleep, the tag was right by my head and sometimes touching my face. This was a pretty big annoyance and I don’t understand why they’d sew the tag there (unless it was a mistake).

The sheets kept me comfortable temperature-wise during the night and felt very soft. I had no issues sleeping with them during the night except for the flat sheet coming out from under my mattress (and the tag occassionally brushing my face).

Linenspa Bamboo Bed Sheet Review

3.8 Reviewer

Summary

Linenspa's Bamboo Bed Sheets come in a wide range of sizes and four color options. They are very soft sheets, however not lightweight. They wrinkled easily and inconsistently and the sheets seemed to have shrunk in the wash. While they were soft and I slept relatively well, I think the overall quality stops me from recommending them.

Durability3.5

Style4

Weight3.6

Comfort4.2

Value (Price)3.7

What You Need to Consider Before Buying

The extreme wrinkling, especially in the pillowcases, was echoed by many in the reviews I read on Amazon (the Linenspa website does not have any reviews for the sheets at this time).

The Linenspa customer service team did reply to one reviewer and suggested they take the pillowcases out when they were slightly damp and allow them to air dry to avoid wrinkling.

If you’re like me, taking extra steps to avoid wrinkling by ironing or air drying my sheets isn’t a realistic option. I truly don’t mind a little wrinkling, but I don’t think I’d be happy with the extreme wrinkling I saw on my pillowcases.

The flat sheet was a little tight width-wise on my bed and I think this may have been because of shrinking. Other reviewers had issues with fit as well.

There are different ways to manufacture bamboo fibers into fabrics – some are more environmentally friendly than others (you can find out more, here). I couldn’t find any information on Linenspa about how their sheets are made but I would consider digging further if environmental impact is important to you when considering purchasing bamboo sheets.

Price

According to the Linenspa website, the sheets (Queen size) regularly sell for $139.99 but were available for $89.99. They are sold for the same price on Amazon.

The sheets come in some lovely neutral colors and are definitely soft. The thicker feel to the fabric may be enjoyable to those who like heavier sheets.

Due to the poor fit and extreme and inconsistent wrinkling in the fabric, I don’t think these are the right bamboo sheets for me. I would also like to know more about how their bamboo fabric is made (including what chemical process they use).

For those interested in trying the sheets, Linenspa does offer a moneyback guarantee.

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Layla Vs Leesa

Leesa took the mattress industry by storm when it launched a couple of years ago, and it hasn’t slowed down ever since (including launch of new luxury mattress, Sapira). Layla is another newcomer to the industry and has a product with a couple of unique features that make it really stand out in the crowded online mattress space.

A few readers have asked me how these two mattresses compare. I’ll try to highlight the main similarities and differences to help you if you are deciding Leesa vs Layla.

Key Similarities

• Similar business model
• Both are all-foam mattresses (no springs)
• Similar price point
• Great sleep trials / return policies

Key Differences

• Layla has two firmness levels in one (it’s flippable); Leesa has one firmness level
• Layla has more of a slow-moving memory foam feel; Leesa is more responsive
• Layla has copper infused into its memory foam
• The Leesa firmness is in the middle of the Layla soft and firm

Construction

The Leesa mattress is 10 inches thick. The comfort layer consists of two inches of Avena foam (a latex-like foam) over 2 inches of 3 lb. density memory foam. The support layer is 6 inches of 1.8 lb. polyfoam.

The Layla mattress is also 10 inches thick. The top is 3 inches of high-density copper-infused memory foam. Then there is 6 inches of high-density base foam. On the bottom is 1 inch of copper-infused memory foam. This is the way the soft side is set up. You can actually flip the mattress to get a “firm” feel. To get the firm set up, you would just flip the mattress over to where the 1 inch comfort layer is.

Price

The Layla is $899 for a Queen with free shipping. You can typically get a $50 coupon as well.

The Leesa is $890 for a Queen with free shipping. You can typically get a $75-80 coupon as well.

Basically, the price is almost exactly the same.

You Might Want To Pick The Layla If…

You Prefer A Memory Foam Feel– The Layla definitely has the slower-moving memory foam feel. If you are on the softer side, you will sink into the mattress a good bit as well.

You Prefer A Much Firmer Or Softer Mattress– The Leesa firmness level is in the middle of the two Layla firmness levels. If you know you want something that is softer than average or much firmer than average, then the Layla will be able to provide that for you. Similarly, if you just aren’t sure which firmness you will like, then you will have two chances to get it right with the Layla.

You Believe In The Benefits Of Copper– The company makes claims that infusing copper into its memory foam can provide certain health benefits to sleepers. I am not a scientist and can’t vouch for these claims, so I would encourage you to do some independent research.

You Might Want To Pick The Leesa If…

You Want A More Balanced Foam Feel– The Leesa has good pressure relief, but it is also fairly bouncy/responsive. That means you won’t ever feel like you get stuck in the mattress. It has more of a balanced feel than the Layla does.

You Want A Medium-Firm Feel– As mentioned earlier, the Leesa has a firmness level that sits in between the two different Layla sides. This will work well for a lot of people who don’t have extreme sleeping preferences.

Firmness/Feel

You can see the firmness and feel of the two sides of the Layla mattress in the video below.

You can see the firmness and feel of the Leesa mattress in the video below.

In my opinion the Leesa sits right in the middle of the firmness of the two Layla sides. I think it’s just the slightest bit firmer than average, while the Layla soft side is pretty soft and the firm side is definitely firmer than the Leesa.

The Layla has a more traditional memory foam, slow-moving feel, while the Leesa is more responsive.

Motion Isolation

Both mattresses do a good job of isolating motion, which makes them good options for couples. You can see the motion isolation of the Layla in the video below.

You can see the motion isolation of the Leesa mattress in the video below.

Overall, I would give the slight edge to Layla here, as it uses high-density memory foam in the comfort layer, but Leesa still does a great job too.

Overall

Both are great options that provide a great value, so I don’t think you can really go wrong with either one. The feel is different, so I would take a look at what I’ve written and shown in the videos and see which type of feel you ultimately would be most comfortable with. For more information check out my Leesa mattress review and Layla mattress review.

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Sapira Vs Leesa

Leesa made big waves in the mattress industry when it launched a couple of years ago. It has used the online-only business model to great success ever since. The company behind Leesa has now come out with a new mattress targeting the luxury market, the Sapira mattress.

There are significant differences between the two mattresses, so I will try to go over the highlights in this article if you are making the decision of Sapira vs Leesa.

Construction

The Leesa mattress is 10 inches thick in total. It has a 4 inch comfort layer with 2 inches of Avena foam (which is latex-like) over 2 inches of 3 lb. memory foam. Then there is the support layer, which is 6 inches of 1.8 lb. polyfoam.

Leesa mattress

The Sapira has a 1.5 inch layer of high-density “performance” foam, over 1.5 inches of 4lb. gel memory foam. Then there is an individual pocket coil system sandwiched between two once inch thick layers of stabilizing foam.

The Sapira uses better materials that will be more supportive and durable over time. The tradeoff is that the price tag is much higher than with the Leesa.

You Might Want To Pick The Sapira If…

• You Want A More Luxury Feel– It’s hard to describe, but you’ll know it when you see it. The Sapira definitely looks and feels like a more luxurious mattress than the Leesa does. When you sleep on it, you can tell it’s a super high-end mattress (again, it’s difficult to describe without you trying for yourself).
• You Are Heavier– The support of the Sapira is exceptional and it uses very durable materials. This becomes a more important factor for heavier people. If you are heavier and plan on having the mattress for a while, then maybe the Sapira is the way to go.
• You View The Purchase As A Long-Term Investment– There is no question that the Sapira is going to be more durable over the long-term. If you want to buy a mattress that you can have for a long time, then the value of the Sapira really starts to kick in.
• You Want A Slightly Firmer Mattress– While firmness is subjective, I think most people would agree that the Sapira is firmer than the Leesa.
• Edge Support Is A Factor For You– The edge support is really great with the Sapira. That means you can sleep right up to the very edge of the mattress comfortably. If you sleep with a partner, that means there is more surface area for you to use to sleep. If you do things like tie your shoes on your bed, then the Sapira is great for that as well.

Get $100 off the Sapira mattress

You Might Want To Pick The Leesa If…

• You Are Lighter And Sleep On Your Side– As I mentioned, the Sapira is definitely firmer than the Leesa. If you are lighter in weight and sleep on your side, then you might think the Sapira is a bit too firm for you.
• You Are On A Budget– There is a significant price difference between the Sapira and Leesa. While the Sapira uses better materials, you may find that the difference in perceived quality doesn’t justify the price difference.
• You Don’t Plan On Having The Mattress Forever– If you are buying your mattress for the short or medium-term, then the value of the Sapira becomes less enticing. You are in part paying for more durability with the Sapira, so if you don’t plan on having the mattress for a long time, the value isn’t going to be as much.

Get $50 off the Leesa mattress

Motion Isolation

Both mattresses do a good job at isolating motion, making them pretty good candidates for those who sleep with a partner. You can see the motion isolation of the Leesa from the video below.

You can see the motion isolation of the Sapira from the video below.

Firmness/Feel

Instead of writing about the feel of each mattress, I thought I would just show you. See the firmness and feel of the Leesa in the video below.

See the firmness/feel of the Sapira in the video below.

Overall, I would say that the Sapira is firmer than the Leesa. Firmness is subjective, but I think most would agree with me here. The Sapira is also a bit bouncier than the Leesa and retains more of an “on” the mattress feel.

Overall

It’s a tough call to say which of the two is better. The Sapira has better materials and is objectively “better” than the Leesa, but the price difference is significant enough where it’s difficult to say which provides the better value. It’s a judgment call, so take a look at what I’ve written and see which aspects of a mattress you value the most. From there, you should be able to make a more informed decision.  For more information, check out my Sapira mattress review and Leesa mattress review.

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Ostrich Pillow Travel Pillow Review

With its unique design and soft microbead filling, the Ostrich Pillow by STUDIO BANANA THiNGS lets you shut out the world and nap virtually anywhere. But can you handle the attention you’ll get when you’ve got it on? Read on for my full review.

 

Who Makes It

The Ostrich Pillow is made by STUDIO BANANA THiNGS, which is a division of STUDIO BANANA. The company describes themselves as an “imagination studio excelling at impactful actions.”

STUDIO BANANA uses smart design solutions to improve lives and have products like the The Original Ostrich Pillow, the Ostrich Pillow Light and the Ostrich Pillow Mini.

Key Features

• 17.7 x 11 x 5.9 inches
• Circumference opening for the head – 27.6 inches
• Fabric: 95 % Viscose – 5% Elastomer
• Filling: Polystyrene microbeads
• Available in two colors – Sleepy Blue and Midnight Grey
• Hand wash (mild soap and water) only
• Comes with travel bag

Pros

• Soft fabric – feels like thin t-shirt material
• Microbead filling provides firmness
• Fashionable color options
• Ability to rest head in nearly every position
• Blocks out light and helps muffle sound
• Compatible with small headphones or earbuds
• Compatible with most glasses
• High-quality design and construction

Cons

Unique pillow design may draw unwanted attention
Hand clean and air dry only – make take several days to be fully dry and useable
Pillow came with chemical-heavy smell
Large/Bulky size
Inability to compact or roll to smaller size
More expensive than standard travel pillows ($99)

My Experience

I’d been looking forward to reviewing the Ostrich Pillow for some time as it has one of the most memorable designs for a travel pillow that I’ve seen.

The pillow is intended to make it easy to nap anywhere, especially on the go. The makers of the pillow, STUDIO BANANA THiNGS, highlight several ways to use the pillow on their website, including face down on a desk which is a fairly unusual position for a travel pillow.

Before I could put the pillow on I needed to wash it and let it air out for awhile because it had a very strong chemical-like smell. This was not the best first impression and I was disappointed I couldn’t just throw it in the washing machine.

I used a mild soap and water and hand washed the pillow. It can take several days for the pillow to dry but took a little over one day for mine to dry completely. The smell was less aggressive, but still present.

The pillow covers almost your entire neck, head, and face but is surprisingly not claustrophobic. I think this is because it’s roomy inside the pillow, it’s not tight like a mask. I had no problem getting my head through and the opening for my nose and mouth adjusted to breathe.

The soft fabric and firm microbead filling make it easy to rest your head in almost every direction. I was able to relax in the car, laying back and lying face down on a desk (although I’m not sure I could maintain that position long enough to actually sleep).

The pillow is so unique and very comfortable for rest, but I found the idea of wearing it in public overwhelming. I’m not super introverted, but the Ostrich Pillow will generate attention if you wear it outside the home, and I’m not sure I could rest knowing people were looking at me (out of curiosity and not judgment, I’d hope!).

The pillow is also on the bulkier side, there is no way to roll it or compact it into a smaller size and so you’d either need to attach it to the outside of a carry-on in some way or stuff it into a bag to bring onto a plane or train.

Ostrich Pillow Review

3.9 Reviewer

Summary

Overall the unique design of the Ostrich Pillow allows you to find a comfortable position to nap in no matter where you are. The fabric is soft and the microbead filling is firm. However, it can't be machine washed and you may draw unwanted attention when wearing the pillow thanks to its special design.

Comfort4.3

Support4.4

Durability4

Style3.8

Weight3.8

Space3.5

Versatility3.8

My Experience3.9

Value (Price)3.6

Things to Consider Before Buying

In my opinion, the pillow is a bit weird looking when you wear it but it is also a theme that came up in many reviews – even from people who enjoyed the pillow overall.

While I did not have an issue with the temperature inside the pillow, some reviewers found that it got hot inside after a while.

It is not machine washable and must be hand cleaned and air dried which can be potentially tedious and time-consuming. The pillow cannot be made smaller so it may take up some room in a carry-on bag.

Overall

In the end, the Ostrich Pillow’s attention grabbing design and inability to be machine washed or dried made it a bad fit for me. I had a hard time getting passed the weird smell it had when I removed it from the packaging.

I also had a hard time swallowing the $99 price tag. Although, I did also see it retail on Amazon for $84.

This pillow allows you to sleep in virtually any position that seems comfortable at the time, and that includes desks or tables. This versatility is really nice and its soft fabric and microbead filling was very comfortable. It may be worth the price to some for the quality and thought put into the pillow’s design.

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Helix Vs Tuft And Needle

Helix and Tuft and Needle are two very popular mattress companies that have utilized the online-business model with great success.  They both take a different approach with their product, but they provide a unique and quality offering at an affordable price.  

As the two rise in popularity, I have received a number of questions about how they compare to one another.  They are very different, so I’ll try to highlight the main differences in this article to help you if you are deciding Helix vs Tuft and Needle.

Key Similarities

• Similar business model
• Both offer great value
• Both are known for great customer service
• Both are low-risk purchases with friendly trial periods / return policies

Key Differences

• Helix offers a customized mattress, while T&N has one mattress that is the same across the board
• Helix is more expensive than the Tuft & Needle
• Helix uses a combination of latex, polyfoam, and micro coils; T&N uses 2 layers of polyfoam

Tuft and Needle vs Helix

Tuft and Needle Mattress

4.4 Reviewer

Comfort

Support

Value (Price)

Doesn't Sleep Hot

Motion Transfer

Edge Support

Materials/Durability

Company Reputation

Return Policy/Warranty

Overall Sleep Experience

Helix Sleep Mattress

4.5 Reviewer

Comfort

Support

Value (Price)

Doesn't Sleep Hot

Motion Transfer

Edge Support

Materials/Durability

Company Reputation

Return Policy/Warranty

Overall Sleep Experience

Construction Differences

There are some major differences here.  Tuft and Needle uses two layers of polyfoam in its construction.  Helix uses a combination of dunlop latex, microcoils, and polyfoam.  How those layers are combined depends on the answer to your personalization quiz.  The mattress will be softer or firmer, bouncier or slower-moving, etc. depending on how you fill out the quiz.  It’s hard to say how the feel will be different between the two mattresses because the feel of the Helix simply depends on how you take the personalization quiz.

You Might Want To Pick Helix If:

You Sleep With A Partner With Different Preferences– Helix allows you to split the mattress in half.  One side will be based on your preferences while the other will be customized to match your partner’s preferences.  If you a different sleeping style or preferences from your partner, then Helix is an intriguing option.

You Are Unsure About Your Preferences– If you don’t know exactly what type of mattress you want, Helix can be a great choice because it does all the work for you.  It prompts you with the right questions to ask and then gives you an optimal mattress for you based on your answers to those questions.

You Have Unique Sleeping Preferences– The Tuft & Needle tries to cater to as many sleepers as possible with just one mattress.  If you are out of the norm, then you might want to consider the Helix.  This means if you only sleep on your side, you are very lightweight, etc.  Helix will be able to customize the mattress to your unique preferences.

Learn more in my full Helix mattress review

You Might Want To Pick Tuft & Needle If:

You Are On A Budget– There is a pretty decent sized price difference between the two mattresses.  For a Queen, the price difference is $300, so that could potentially be a deciding factor for your depending on what your budget is.

You Have Middle Of The Road Sleeping Preferences– Tuft and Needle built their mattress to cater to as many sleepers as possible.  That means the mattress will be generally best for people who aren’t outliers as far as sleeping preferences.  If you aren’t extra heavy, for example, then you may not need the customization that Helix provides.

Learn more in my full Tuft & Needle review

What It Comes Down To

Both are really great options.  Tuft and Needle is known for being a tremendous mattress for the money.  Helix has had great success because not everyone believes there is one best mattress for everyone.  It really comes down to whether you believe in the value of customization and then balancing that versus the extra $300 you would have to pay for the Helix.  Both have great return policies and trial periods, so I don’t think there’s any harm in picking either of them.

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Bamboo Supply Co. Bamboo Bed Sheets Review

Bamboo Supply Co. guarantees extreme softness and they deliver with their new bamboo sheet set. What else do you get when you try these sheets? Read on for my full review:

Key Features

• 100% rayon from bamboo
• Twill weave
• 320 thread count
• Hypoallergenic
• Thermoregulating
• Includes 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, and 2 pillowcases
• Fits mattresses up to 18″ thick
• Three available colors – grey, white and tan
• Machine washable and dryer friendly
• $195 for Queen set (also available in Double, King and Cal King)
• Queen sheets fit a standard 60-inch x 80-inch queen mattress.

Pros

• Very soft
• Lightweight
• Machine washable
• Dryer Friendly
• Hypoallergenic

Cons

• Wrinkles easily
• Difficulty locating care instructions
• Issues with thermoregulation

My Experience

The Luxury Bamboo Bed Sheets from Bamboo Supply Co. have only been available from the company since August 2016. The sheets, available in three colors and four different sizes, are made from 100% rayon from bamboo and the company promises “extreme softness guaranteed.”

Extreme softness is confirmed. Sheets made from bamboo fabric are known for their softness and Bamboo Supply Co’s sheets are no exception. You can feel how soft they are the minute you open the packaging.

The package label does not list care instructions, nor could I find them listed on the Bamboo Supply Co. website. I did find them written on the tag of the fitted sheet.

I did a delicate cold wash and a gentle tumble dry and they came out looking fine, with no pilling or durability issues. They draped over my bed nicely and fit well overall, so there was no issue with shrinkage either.

I was not able to put the sheets on my bed as soon as they were done drying, so I couldn’t avoid wrinkles. For individuals who hate wrinkles, I think you will have a hard time with bamboo sheets as they seem prone to wrinkling.

The packaging says the sheet provide thermoregulation, are extremely soft and are hypoallergenic. I can vouch for the extreme softness and the hypoallergenic qualities (I had no skin issues during my review).

I did wake up a few times during the night while I was reviewing these sheets because I was either too hot or too cold. A post on Bamboo Supply Co.’s website goes into detail about how the bamboo fibers allow the fabric to regulate temperature, but I did not have that experience.

Bamboo Supply Co. Bamboo Bed Sheets

4.2 Reviewer

Summary

Overall I thought these sheets were incredibly soft, comfortable and lightweight. They are quick to wrinkle and I didn't feel like I received any of the benefits of the thermoregulation it promised, but I still slept well.

Durability3.8

Style4.2

Weight4.4

Comfort4.5

Value (Price)3.9

Things to Consider Before Buying

The longer I used the sheets the more creases and wrinkles become visible. These would be tough to avoid so if you hate wrinkles I would consider another fabric.

The sheets are made with rayon from bamboo and the chemical process in which these fibers are produced is not environmentally friendly.

The Federal Trade Commission warns customers that when bamboo is processed into rayon, “no trace of the original plant is left.” This makes me skeptical about whether or not the sheets are actually moisture wicking and able to regulate temperature.

On the bright side, the team at Bamboo Supply Co. let us know that their manufacturer has a OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification (this is a good thing). The  Oeko-Tex Standard 100 is a well-known independent environmental testing and certification system that works to make sure harmful substances stay out of textiles.

You can read more about how bamboo is manufactured into fabric here.

Overall

These sheets retail for $195 for a Queen set on Bamboo Supply Co.’s website. They are relatively new and I was not able to find them on any other online retailer.

If you want to spend a little more to get super soft and luxurious-feeling sheets than I think these could be a good investment.

If you want bamboo sheets because you’re seeking the natural health benefits of bamboo, I would continue to research how bamboo is manufactured and find a brand who is transparent about their manufacturing process.

The manufacturer of these sheets is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 compliant. This means that the fabric used to make these sheets has been tested for substances that can harm your health.

Bamboo Supply Co. shares information about what they look for when sourcing their sheets, but do not go into the detail of the manufacturing process of the bamboo fiber they specifically use. Cariloha (another retailer with bamboo bed sheets) provides this information for their products.

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