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I'm a sleep-obsessed shopping writer — here's how I created the comfy bed of my dreams for 2024

These are my picks for the comfiest upgrades to your bed sheets, pillows, duvet and mattress topper this year.

someone smiling and stretching while waking up
This is basically what I look like when I wake up now, thanks to my new and improved bed. (Getty Images)

Can we all promise to prioritize getting a good night's sleep in 2024? We all know how essential it is for our health, and if your uncomfortable bedding is what's keeping you up, it's time for a change! I've been a decent slumberer for most of my life, but I recently found myself waking up more often during the night (usually due to my sheets sticking to me, since I'm a hot sleeper). It'd been a while since I'd given my bedding an upgrade — i.e., years since I'd switched things up at all — so a few weeks ago, I decided to overhaul most of what I've been sleeping on. New year, new bedding!

I didn't feel like shelling out for a new mattress, but figured adding a topper could make a difference. As for my stifling sheets, I swapped those out for a highly rated set that promised to be breathable and temperature-regulating. My flat-as-a-pancake pillows? I'm ashamed of myself for not ditching them sooner. They got replaced with a No. 1 bestselling set from Amazon. And as far as comforters go, I purchased my very first duvet insert and cover, the latter of which is from a brand that's graced Oprah's Favorite Things list five years in a row. (I'd like to think I now qualify as a real grown-up, thank you very much.) I'll admit, I'm pretty astonished by how much of a difference having fresh bedding makes, but I can honestly say I feel like I'm in a luxurious hotel bed every time I get into mine. Looking to level up your own sleep situation? Here are my comfy bed picks:

These No. 1 bestselling pillows are cult favorites among Amazon shoppers, and Yahoo readers also can't stop scooping them up. 

$60 at Amazon

After having heard nothing but raves about these Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillows for years, I finally bought a pair to see what all the hype was about. Fair warning: They come vacuum-sealed, so when you first see them, you'll think, There's no way these will be comfortable. But give 'em a few hours, and they fluff up beautifully. I was impressed by how soft yet supportive they feel, and was pleased to find that between their breathable construction and my new pillowcases (more on those to come), I didn't wake up with sweaty hair. Now I want to replace every pillow in my house with these!

Psst: Our Yahoo Life home editor also swears by them — check out her full Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillows review for more.

Plush and oh-so-popular, this duvet insert is lightweight, but warm enough for winter. 

$27 at Amazon

I first felt this supremely soft Bedsure Down Alternative Duvet Insert at my sister's house, and immediately told her to send me the product link so I could buy one for myself. I've always been more of a comforter person — I hate making things more complicated than they have to be and never feel like dealing with duvet covers — but my quilt was looking shabby and I figured I might as well try something new. This insert is Oeko-Tex Standard 100-certified, feels lighter than air but also manages to keep me toasty enough on cold nights (remember, I sleep hot). It has a box-stitch design to help keep the filling evenly distributed, and I haven't noticed any shifting. Plus, it's ridiculously affordable!

I opted for classic white, but this insert comes in 13 colors and sizes twin to California king.

Oprah is a fan of Cozy Earth — and after sleeping under this silky duvet cover, I understand why. 

$287 at Cozy Earth

I'll admit, this Cozy Earth Bamboo Duvet Cover is a splurge, but holy moly does it feel luxurious! The fabric is 100% viscose from bamboo, which helps keep my skin nice and cool when I sleep. It also has a bit of weight to it, which, when filled with my duvet insert, makes me feel like I'm being hugged throughout the night — it's very comforting! It was a bit tricky for me to figure out how to get the insert inside, but again, I'm a duvet newbie, and I eventually worked it out. Mine was a bit wrinkled upon opening, but that's to be expected, and it's smoothed out with time. (I could run my steamer over it, but I'm too lazy.) I love that it's washer- and dryer-safe, and I can tell from the quality construction that it'll last through many sleeps.

FYI — I got the pictured Clay color, which is currently sold out in queen/full-size, but there are 12 other lovely hues to choose from in sizes twin to king.

These might just be the most cooling sheets this hot sleeper has ever snoozed on. 

$166 at Buffy

From the moment I got into bed after placing this bestselling Buffy Breeze Sheet Set on my mattress, I knew I was in for a sweat-less night. These linens are made from an impossibly soft and smooth eucalyptus fabric, which is both breathable and moisture-wicking — and I can vouch for both features. The set includes a fitted sheet, flat sheet and two pillowcases, the latter of which felt like absolute heaven against my face. I woke up the next morning feeling more refreshed than I have for a while, and I attribute much of that to these cooling sheets that I didn't feel like I was sticking to once!

I'm a purist when it comes to sheets and chose white, but they come in a whopping 25 colors/prints in sizes full to California king.

I think this brand is called GhostBed because it makes my rickety old mattress feel like it's not even there. 

$225 at GhostBed

As mentioned, I didn't feel like replacing my mattress, especially since I knew I'd be overhauling the rest of my bedding — and I'm glad I didn't, because this GhostBed Memory Foam Topper makes me feel like I'm sleeping on a cushy layer of feathers. I was worried that I'd get overheated on the memory foam, but it's made with a cooling gel and has plenty of contouring throughout for extra airflow. While the topper itself can only be spot-treated to clean, it thankfully comes with a machine-washable cover. I've let guests sleep on it, and my sister — the world's pickiest bedding buyer — even noted how comfortable it is!

This topper comes in a wide range of sizes, from twin to split king.

the author's bed
Nighty-night! I never want to leave my bed now. (Britt Ross/Yahoo)