How to get that perfect hotel sleep at home

A nicely-made bed with a folded-up duvet cover on top of it.

Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter

If you’ve ever returned from vacation and felt like you slept better in that dreamy hotel room than you do at home, that’s by design.

It’s not just because the mattresses are perfectly plush — hotels also tinker with lighting, sound, and temperature to help guests get the best sleep possible. We spoke with three hotel experts to learn the industry hacks you can recreate at home, which include … ironing your sheets?

3 experts told us their secrets→

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Your daily deal: A mattress fit for hotel rooms

The WinkBed mattress, available in Luxury Firm and Softer, sits on a wooden bed frame centered on a rug in a bedroom.

Sarah Kobos/NYT Wirecutter

Five-star hotels often use mattresses with a plush or pillow top — which is part of what makes them feel luxe. One of our favorite innerspring mattresses has a similar construction, and feels cushiony yet buoyant. It’s an especially good choice for anyone who dislikes the sinky, enveloping feeling of foam mattresses.

It’s more than $250 off right now→

What’s new at Wirecutter

A few different Uncrustables and dupe peanut butter and jelly sandwiches displayed on cafeteria trays with snacks.

Uncrustables aren’t just for kids

We taste-tested more than 20 crustless sandwiches — including a few dupes of the Smucker’s classic — and found five that we’d happily toss into a lunch box→

An L-shaped pillow on a bed with an illustrated background.

“The macaroni-shaped pillow that soothed my aching neck”

It cradles your head and neck, and its tail gives you something to hug→

A washer machine with towels and a mesh bag with white shoes inside.

16 surprising things you can throw in the washing machine

Including kitchen sponges, sneakers, and backpacks→

The Bonavita Enthusiast 8-Cup Drip Coffee Brewer with Thermal Carafe, our pick for the best drip coffee maker.

Our favorite coffee maker

After our latest round of testing, we’ve reinstated a former pick: a quick machine that can upgrade a good cup to a great one→

More excellent deals we’re eyeing today

A gif showcasing various items including a pair of underwear, a letter charm, an exfoliant, an outdoor loveseat, and a laptop.

Source photos by NYT Wirecutter, Tommy John, Babygold, and Outer

Our testers loved a lot about these super-soft undies — especially the waistband that didn’t pinch or roll.
This perfectly dainty letter charm is made of 14-karat gold, with hand-set diamonds for a subtle sparkle.
Thinking about getting a new computer? This lightweight laptop has a terrific battery life and a 360-degree hinge, so you can also use it as a tablet.
This liquid exfoliant is soothing and protective, and, at just $6, it’s currently the cheapest we’ve ever seen it.

One last thing: The best hot dogs

Several different hot dogs displayed in red baskets on top of a yellow and white tablecloth.

Ruthie Darling/NYT Wirecutter; food styling by Judy Haubert

To make the most of summer’s last few precious cookouts, might we suggest some of our experts’ favorite hot dogs? They’re flavorful, snappy, and satisfying — and certain to please any crowd you might be feeding this Labor Day.

Including a bold and beefy NYC classic →

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