Looking for Luxury Bedding on a Budget? I’ve Been Testing These Affordable Options for 2 Years!

We’re sharing how to get luxury bedding at an affordable cost with our tested picks!

Dreaming of luxury bedding but can’t believe the cost? Our budget-friendly alternatives will leave you and your wallet on cloud 9! ☁️

I’ve been testing our recommendations for almost 2 years and think these are the only bedding essentials you need…

Bedding is an item you can find at many retailers, and as a Hip sidekick for 6+ years, I have tested LOTS of different bedding essentials. I was really excited when I got to hand-select what I thought would give our Hip readers the MOST bang for their buck while still feeling like they are getting a luxury bed experience.

I did extensive research when vetting each item and brand I’m going to share below, and I’ve personally tested each of these bedding essentials for almost 2 years now. I’ve even convinced many of my Hip sidekicks to purchase my finds, so I can assure you they’re worth every penny! 🤩

Check out how my luxury bedding alternatives compare to luxury bedding prices:

*Note that all prices listed below were accurate at the time we ordered them. 

Boll & Branch and Parachute Home are just two of many “luxury” bedding companies that are known for their luxurious bedding essentials. They have a reputation for being durable and ultra-soft. However, the incredibly steep prices are enough to deter any consumer.

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Read more about my nearly 2 years of testing and how to make a bed luxurious in your home on a dime:

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1. My Quince duvet insert was hundreds LESS than my Parachute Home duvet & is just as luxe.

Not only do I own this comforter, but Collin does, too and she LOVES it! 🙌

If you’ve ever shopped for a duvet insert, you know just how difficult it is to find the perfect one. Everyone wants the perfect amount of fluff, without feeling too hot, and something that lasts without looking lumpy. And all within a reasonable budget to boot!

I honestly didn’t think an affordable version that hit all those points existed, so a few years ago I splurged on a Parachute Home duvet that was over $350. (Even their alternative down duvets are a hefty splurge) 🥵 While I loved it and felt it was the luxury duvet I was looking for, I’m thrilled to say I’ve found the exact same feeling for hundreds LESS! 🤩

This Quince duvet insert is ethically sourced (RSD certified), made in the USA, and contains baffle box construction for even distribution of fluff so it won’t look lumpy and uneven after many months or years of use. It also features corner loops and comes with a generous free 365-day return policy. 😱

Here’s one review that had me totally sold on this option:

“I tried many brands such as Avocado, Boll and Branch, etc., but I found Quince to have excellent quality and a great price point.” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My final thoughts on this duvet insert after 2 years of testing:

Despite my old duvet down comforter being much more expensive, I cannot even tell the difference between this and my Parachute insert!

They have the same amount of fluff, even distribution, and really do keep your temperature regulated at night. I didn’t expect much for the super low cost, but I’m truly wowed by the quality. After over a year, I can confidently say the baffle box construction is durable, and all of my “fluff” has remained evenly distributed. This duvet is luxury bedding at a practical price! 😍

Now that I’m well past my 365 days, I wanted to share a photo to show just how fluffy it has remained! No uneven, balled-up sections of down. It is still perfect in every way and truly makes our bed feel complete and luxe. Check out how it compares to the Parachute duvet & cover (on the left) vs. a year later with my Quince duvet & DAPU cover (on the right).

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2. Boll and Branch pillows are nice, but my Quince pillows are even better (& cost $59 LESS per pillow).

Just like the Quince duvet insert, their pillows are ethically sourced (RSD certified), made in the USA, and hypoallergenic. I first tried their soft/medium pillows but didn’t feel they had enough fluff, so I took advantage of their generous free return policy (which is good for 365 days). The silver lining was that I was able to experience just how wonderful their customer service is. 🤩

When I did my exchange, I only issued an exchange on one of my pillows despite mailing back both of the ones I ordered. When I realized only one pillow was in my new order, I called their customer service, and I had another pillow on the way minutes later. It was a wonderful and easy experience! 👏🏻

These are the pillows for you if you have pillow envy every time you go to a high-end retailer and want to lie all over their pillows. (Cough, cough…Pottery Barn.) 😏

Here’s what one reviewer said about the medium/firm pillows that had me convinced I needed to exchange them for this set:

“I have been to every store, testing and smushing all the down-alternative pillows imaginable. Normally I am a tried and true buy-it-in-the-store after evaluating it in person, but I took a gamble on Quince because the website and cost just made sense. I have to say, they feel uber-luxe, just like the ones I tried in high-end retailers, I totally believe they source from the same places. I ordered two in the medium/firm and will be going back for more. They are pretty soft and smushable so even I, a stomach sleeper am comfortable. If I was a side sleeper I might try to find an even plusher one but for the price, these are too good to beat!”

My final thoughts on these pillows after two years of testing:

They’re LEGIT! I wholeheartedly agree with the initial review I read and they’re everything they say they are. Plush, fluffy, and perfect! In fact, my daughter is always trying to steal ours, so I think I’ll be buying more soon. As a fellow occasional stomach sleeper, I think these are perfect, and during my pregnancy, they’ve been a lifesaver between my legs when side sleeping.

Despite literally hundreds of nights of sleeping on these, they’ve held their shape just as the day I unpacked them. My photo above was taken over a year after I purchased them and has seen many nights of sleep. 🤩

I just love how they look on our bed, too. They have a perfectly relaxed look and don’t look stiff like other down-alternative pillows. As a bonus, they fit the DAPU linen covers that come with my recommended duvet cover perfectly. 👏🏻

Just keep in mind, I wouldn’t recommend these for sleeping if you love a super firm pillow. However, these are the perfect finishing touch too if you love to have a few extra pillows to complete your cozy oasis.

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3. These California Design Den sheets are just as luxe as Boll and Branch but are over $180 LESS.

I knew I had to try these sheets when researching the best luxury sheet alternatives because they shared many of the same notable features as the popular Boll & Branch sheets. They’re ethically made, meet the Standard 100 & OEKO Tex Certifications, and are breathable, cool, and pill-proof. Plus, they even have the same hem design as the Boll & Branch sheets!

Here’s what one Amazon reviewer said about these luxury bedding alternatives that totally had me sold:

“Every time we stay at a nice hotel, my husband has sheet envy. He even went so far as to pay well over $200 for a set of Boll & Branch sheets because apparently, presidents have slept on them. Those sheets do not feel like hotel sheets, but these do, and for a fraction of the price! They fit our thick pillow-top mattress nicely. They’re soft but hold their shape for a crisp feel. I also love that you can buy these pieces individually. Highly recommend.” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My thoughts on these sheets after a year+ of testing:

I’ve washed these sheets countless times, and they still fit my mattress and mattress topper with room to spare. They haven’t shrunk AT ALL like many sheet sets I’ve owned in the past, so I know they’ll comfortably fit the deepest of mattresses with ease. They come out of the dryer wrinkle-free and soft! Before owning this sheet set, I actually had Parachute sheets, which cost FAR more and haven’t put them back on my bed since.

In the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to test the Quince bamboo sheets…

Multiple Hip sidekicks and I now own the Quince bamboo sheets and am totally obsessed! They do start at $69.90, so they’re a pricier option than the California Design sheets, but the second I put them on my bed, they stole my heart.

These bamboo sheets are made from 100% organic viscose bamboo, so they deliver silky softness, a luxurious weight, and cool breathability. While bamboo sheets are typically costly due to the craftsmanship, Quince offers this budget-friendly alternative without sacrificing quality. After over a year of sleeping with these sheets, they’re definitely worth the extra investment if your budget allows!

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4. I discovered this ultra-soft 100% stone-washed linen duvet at an Airbnb – luxury quality for about 60% less than Parachute Home!

Above is one of the best Airbnb locations I once stayed in and after sleeping with this duvet for one night I found myself unzipping the bottom to find out what brand it was so I could order one for myself. This is after I splurged on a Parachute Home duvet for over $300. 😳 I was sure it would be out of my price range because it felt SO luxurious!

The bottom has a zipper closure that makes taking off the cover and washing a cinch – something my old Parachute cover didn’t have. Even better, it’s made of breathable, 100% Stone-Washed French Linen, which usually comes at a high cost, so I was SHOCKED to find out this duvet set was just over $100 for a QUEEN! 😱

This duvet cover has an effortless style and a softness that I felt my Parachute Home cover was lacking. My luxury duvet cover is 100% linen, so buttery soft, and honestly, the zipper closure alone sealed the deal for me! 🤩 As a bonus, mine even includes two pillow covers, which would be an additional $100+ at Parachute.

My final thoughts on this Boll and Branch duvet cover alternative after two years of testing:

I LOVE IT!!! 🤩 For starters, it’s exactly like the quality from the time I stayed in my Airbnb – soft, thick, and LUXE! I was seriously disappointed with how scratchy my not-so-old Parachute Home duvet felt, and with no hesitation, replaced it with this much more affordable set, and I haven’t looked back! My new DAPU duvet cover has washed so well and is hassle-free to take off and put back on, thanks to the zipper. I used to DREAD changing my button-up duvet cover, but not anymore! Speaking of zippers, a quality zipper on a duvet cover is almost unheard of at this price range, and it is durable, too.

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5. I found a very affordable Boll and Branch waffle knit blanket alternative, but after a year+ of testing, I wouldn’t recommend it. 

Not everything I tested for my luxury bed post panned out. After around 60 days of testing and a few washes later, I was pretty underwhelmed with this waffle blanket.

Not only did it shrink enough that I could no longer tuck it in on either side (or the foot of my bed!), but the hem along the top and bottom came out wrinkled every time, so unless I washed it, it would look pretty messy. I also find the fabric to be rather stiff and not of the best quality. If you’re wondering how to make your bed luxurious, this might be one alternative to skip.

Consider the European Linen Cotton Stitch Quilt as a long-lasting quilt option.

Since I’ve loved all my other Quince bedding items, it was the first place I looked when I wanted a high-quality but affordable quilt for cooler weather. The European Linen Cotton Stitched Quilt was exactly what I was looking for, and I just love the style! It adds a nice texture to my bed and keeps me warm on cool nights without weighing me down and making me feel too hot throughout the night.

Compared to other brands of European Linen Quilts, the price for Quince’s is also unbeatable. I bought the Natural color, and in person, it kinda has a two-toned color effect and is darker on one side, so it makes it easy to know which side I want to be folded over on my bed.

Overall, I think I have found some core budget-friendly luxury bedding essentials everyone should have.

You could consider splurging on high-end bedding that comes with a steep price, or you could take my word that these essentials are all you need! After comparing them to high-end brands that I’ve literally splurged on before, I would choose my alternatives time and time again!

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Collin’s affordable Quince picks are definitely worth the swap, too! 

Check out more of our team’s home deals & savvy tips!