Unless you're steeped in the world of sleep, you might not have heard of Maatila. This luxury Korean bedding brand makes everything from mattress pads to premium pillows, incorporating temperature-regulating technology and some seriously cute colors.
As H&G's resident sleep writer, I've tried some of the world's best bedding. I've snuggled under the best bed sheets and curled up under the best warm comforter. I've tested dozens of bedding bundles from the biggest names in sleep, but I've never felt anything like Maatila bedding. It's soft, springy, and super-smooth.
Way back in October, Maatila sent me their Whipped Cream Tencel Modal Bed Sheet and Pillow Case Set to test, and threw in their Winter Hotel Micro Fiber Comforter for good measure. I'd never seen anything like it. I'm used to fitted sheets with flexible corners that mold to the shape of your mattress. The Whipped Cream Bed Sheet looks more like a mattress protector, equipped with heavy-duty elastic straps. And as for the comforter, it isn't fluffy or feathery, but spongy and squishy instead.
Maatila bedding review: year-round plush comfort
I tested Maatila's Whipped Cream Bed Sheet and Pillow Cases, as well as their Winter Hotel Micro Fiber Comforter, from the start of fall to the depths of winter. I've assessed each piece on its comfort, the quality of its construction, its thermoregulating properties, and the all-important price. I also documented the unboxing and cleaning process to give you the fullest possible picture of what it might be like to use these products.
Product Specifications
Sizes: Super Single, Queen, King
Materials: Microfiber and polyester
Machine-washable: No
Sizes: Super Single, Queen, King
Materials: Modal
Machine-washable: Yes
Unboxing my Maatila bedding
Maatila sent my comforter, bed sheet, and pillowcase set as a bedding bundle, all inside the same cardboard box to save space and cut down on shipping costs. Each piece arrived individually wrapped in plastic. It's always a shame to see single-use plastic, especially since so many of Maatila's competitors are making good use of sustainable packaging.
In my time as a sleep writer, I've tested some seriously dense duvets. I'm talking heavy feather fills and puffy pockets that crowd the cardboard box. That's why I was so pleasantly surprised by the lightness of Maatila bedding. I could easily carry the box from my porch to my bed and I unpackaged each piece in no time.
If you tend to shop in American sleep stores, then this might be your first encounter with Korean bedding, and you'll immediately know the difference. The pillow cases are pretty similar, but that's where the resemblance ends. Maatila comforters aren't fluffy or feathery, but spongy and synthetic. Their bed sheet is neither flat nor fitted, but a plush layer of modal fabric with elastic straps to wrap around the mattress.
While the pillow cases come in a single standard size, the sheets and comforters come in Super Single (or a US Twin XL), Queen, and King. Each piece is available in a wide range of cute pastels. There are natural, neutral shades, such as vanilla and almond, as well as brighter peach berries and blue chiffons.
Test 1: Whipped Cream Tencel Modal Bed Sheet
We tend to talk in terms of fitted sheets and flat sheets. Where fitted sheets should stretch over your mattress and act as a base layer between your body and your bed, flat sheets are designed to be draped over the bed. The best flat sheets lie beautifully on their own, but you could also tuck them beneath blankets and duvets.
The Whipped Cream Tencel Modal Bed Sheet is neither a flat sheet, nor a fitted sheet, but something between the two. I'll admit that it took me a minute to get comfortable. With its tucks, ridges, rises, this bed sheet features a lot more texture than I'm accustomed to, but I grew to appreciate its highs and lows.
So, the Whipped Cream Tencel Modal Bed Sheet feels good, but it doesn't fit. I ordered a queen-sized sheet for my queen-sized mattress, but it was a little too long. I had to tuck the excess fabric into my bed frame. This sort of sizing issue isn't a dealbreaker for me, but it's not ideal. I wonder if it's because the Korean bedding sizes don't map onto our US system: Maatila sells super single-, queen-, and King-sized sheets, and the dimensions don't quite align with our equivalent sizes.
I also struggled to stretch the straps over my 14-inch mattress. I pulled and tugged to no avail and ended up just placing the sheet on top of my bed. Since it wasn't securely attached, the sheet tended to shift a little while I slept.
Test 2: Whipped Cream Tencel Modal Pillow Case
The Whipped Cream Pillow Case is made from premium modal fabric. It's a bio-based material, woven from beech tree cellulose. Naturally moisture-wicking and antimicrobial, modal fabric should be suitable for eco-conscious shoppers, as well as sleepers with sensitive skin.
I'm a pretty light sleeper. I've been known to stir at the sound of a rustling sheet. Since I sleep with an ear pressed against the pillowcase, I look for materials that feel smooth and make next to no noise. The Whipped Cream Pillow Case ticked all my boxes for nightly use, though it proved a little tricky to clean (more on that later).
My bedroom is decorated with whites and grays, so I chose to test the Whipped Cream Pillow Case in Black Souffle. I thought it toned in pretty well with my own throw pillows. In reality, Maatila's Black Souffle is more of a dark gray, so it should complement an array of bedroom color ideas. If you're looking for something lighter and brighter, you could choose between shades of vanilla, almond, pistachio, peach berry and blue chiffon.
Test 3: Winter Hotel Micro Fiber Comforter
I've tested a fair few of the best duvet inserts and comforters in my time at H&G. I've sampled everything from feathers to synthetic fills, cooling cotton covers to real wool wraps. I didn't think much of microfiber until I tried Maatila's Winter Hotel Comforter.
This set is seriously squishy. It's packed full of microfiber, which is held in place by a series of tucks and pleats for even fill distribution. That means no lumps, bumps, or thin patches. You could share this comforter with a pet or a partner and each of you should get a good sleep.
It looks good, too. Since this piece is made from synthetic materials, it's much less likely to crease or crumple than a linen or cotton comforter. Making my bed was a breeze with the Winter Hotel Micro Fiber Comforter. I just floated the comforter, let it fall, and got on with my day.
Word to the wise: I wouldn't recommend this comforter to hot sleepers. The clue's in the name. The Winter Hotel Micro Fiber Comforter retains a lot of heat, so it should keep you cozy in the colder months, but it's less suitable for summer. If you suffer from night sweats, hot flashes, or you simply tend to run a little warm, I'd encourage you to shop for something more breathable, such as wool or cotton.
Cleaning my Maatila bedding
Like I said, the Whipped Cream bedding collection is a little high-maintenance. Both the bed sheet and the pillow cases are machine-washable, but only on a cold cycle, and neither piece is dryer-safe. Maatila advises against using an iron, so you'll have to live with the little creases and crinkles. You shouldn't need to use detergent: at any rate, you should steer clear of chlorine- and oxygen-based detergents.
The Winter Hotel Micro Fiber Comforter proved trickier to clean. According to the W Concept site, you shouldn't use a washer or a dryer. You should cart your comforter to the dry cleaner, instead, or spot clean it with cold water and a neutral detergent. This might sound like a lot of hassle, but remember: you don't need to clean your comforter all that often. You could get away with one wash every two or three months, as long as you air it frequently.
How does Maatila bedding rate online?
It's pretty difficult to find reviews for Maatila bedding online: trust me, I've tried. I scoured the W Concept site, but I couldn't find any reviews for either the Whipped Cream Tencel Modal Pillow Cases or the Winter Hotel Micro Fiber Comforter. There's just one review for the Whipped Cream Tencel Modal Bed Sheet, and it's only four words long. These are 'soft and comfortable bed sheets,' says the customer: I can't argue with that.
How does Maatila bedding compare against the best sleep brands?
The Whipped Cream Bed Sheet and Pillow Case Set is made from modal fabric, which should feel super-soft and smooth against your skin. If you like your linen to have a little more texture, you should forgo modal and consider something stiffer, such as cotton percale. The Saatva Percale Sheet Set includes a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, and two pillowcases, and comes in every size from Twin to California King.
Now, I'm a big fan of the Winter Hotel Micro Fiber Comforter, but I recognize it's not for everyone. If you're keen to stay cozy in the colder months, but you think you'll feel more comfortable under feathers, you should consider the Brooklinen Down Comforter. It's filled with down clusters for that traditional feather feel and comes in three warmth levels, so that you can choose the weight that's right for you.
Should I buy Maatila bedding?
Maatila bedding is on the more expensive side. We're talking around $210 for the Bed Sheet, $53 per pillow case, and more than $230 for the comforter. It might be worth waiting for a federal holiday or taking advantage of the semi-regular site-wide sales to bag the whole bedding bundle. The Whipped Cream Pillow Cases feel soft and smooth: but for $53, I'd rather buy one of the best silk pillowcases. Given the sizing issues, I'd hesitate to recommend the Whipped Cream Bed Sheet. However, if you have some cash to spare, and you want to spend it on a top-quality comforter, you can't get much better than the Winter Hotel Micro Fiber Comforter.
