Buying Bedding and Mattress Toppers Online: Fabrics, Warmth and Sizes

Bedding is hard to judge through a screen. You can't feel the sheets or test how warm a duvet is, and sizes don't always mean the same thing from one country to the next. Knowing a few terms makes the product page far more useful.

Thread count: useful, but not the whole story

Thread count is the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric. Up to a point, a higher count means a smoother, denser fabric. Beyond that, it says less than the number suggests.

• Very high counts can be inflated by counting multi-ply yarns (several thin strands twisted together) as several threads. The fabric isn't necessarily better.
• Fibre quality matters more. Long-staple cotton produces smoother, stronger yarn than short-staple cotton.
• The weave changes the feel more than a few hundred threads either way.

Weaves and fabrics

Be cautious with claims like "hypoallergenic" or "temperature regulating". There's no single standard behind them, so treat them as descriptions rather than promises.

Warmth: tog in the UK, descriptions in the US

In the UK, duvet warmth is measured in tog. The higher the number, the warmer the duvet. Low togs suit summer; mid-range is often sold as "all season"; high togs are for winter. Some duvets come as two layers that clip together, so you can use them separately or combined.

In the US, comforters and duvet inserts are more often described as lightweight, all-season or warm. For down and feather fills you may also see fill power, which describes how lofty the down is. Higher fill power means more warmth for the same weight.

A note on terms: in the UK a duvet almost always goes inside a removable cover. In the US, a comforter is often used on its own, while a duvet insert goes inside a cover.

Sizes differ by country

This is the most common reason bedding gets returned. A UK double is not the same as a US full, and a UK king is not a US king.

The rows aren't direct equivalents, so always compare the measurements. European sizes differ again. If you're buying from a store in another country, check the dimensions in centimetres or inches rather than the size name.

Mattress depth matters too. Measure how deep your mattress is, including any topper, and check the pocket depth of fitted sheets. Deep mattresses need deep-pocket sheets.

Choosing a mattress topper

A topper changes how your bed feels without replacing the mattress.

• Memory foam: moulds to your shape; some people find it warm.
• Latex: springier and more responsive than memory foam.
• Fibre or microfibre: soft and usually washable; flattens faster.
• Feather and down: soft and lofty; needs regular shaking.

Check the depth (thicker usually means a bigger change in feel), whether there's a removable, washable cover, and whether straps or an elasticated skirt hold it in place. Foam toppers often arrive rolled and can take time to expand fully and lose any packaging smell; the product page should say how long.

If you have back pain or another health concern, speak to a professional rather than relying on product descriptions.

Trials and returns

• Opened bedding is often non-returnable for hygiene reasons. Check before you remove the packaging.
• Some toppers come with home trials. Read the conditions: there may be a minimum period before you can return, a requirement to use a protector, or a collection fee.
• Check who pays return postage for bulky items.
• Wash new sheets before use and follow the care label to avoid shrinkage.

If a trial refund doesn't arrive, our guide to refunds and chargebacks explains what to do next.