The pillowcase is often the smallest part of a bedding set – yet the part that comes closest to your skin at night. Your cheeks and neck rest directly on it, and every movement during sleep rubs against the fabric. Paying attention to the right size, the right material, and a well-designed closure can noticeably improve your sleep comfort. In this post, we show you what really matters when choosing a pillowcase. biberna offers individual pillowcases in 80x80, 40x80, and 40x60 cm in fine jersey, mélange flannel, and mako satin.
Which pillowcase size is right for my pillow?
Before you decide on a material, the size must be right. A pillowcase that is too small will feel tight and press the seam against your face, while one that is too large will wrinkle and slip during the night. In Germany, the standard dimensions are 80 x 80 cm for regular pillows and 40 x 80 cm for smaller neck rolls and travel pillows. For side sleepers who prefer a larger, supportive pillow, special sizes such as 40 x 60 cm or XXL formats for oversized beds are also used. We explain in detail how to determine the right dimensions for your entire bed in our post Bedding sizes explained.
Pillowcases for oversized beds and special pillow shapes
If you use larger pillows or an oversized bed, you should specifically look for the right dimensions instead of stretching standard items. Our pillowcases and bedding collection offer the common sizes in almost all qualities, so you can coordinate the pillowcase and bed cover in color and material.
The right material for your pillowcase
Just like with the bed cover, the material also determines how a pillowcase feels at night. Since the face and neck are in direct contact with it, it is worth taking a closer look at the properties of the individual qualities.
Warm and cozy: Flannel
Our Flannel at 160 g/m² has been the customer-favorite core product of biberna since 1968 – we actually invented Biber bedding (brushed cotton flannel) ourselves. A Flannel pillowcase feels pleasantly fluffy and warm, ideal for cool nights and anyone who likes to feel cozy when falling asleep. To match, you will find our Flannel collection.
Cool and elegant: Mako satin
If you like it cool and smooth in summer or all year round, you are right with a mako satin pillowcase. The combed cotton in a 4/1 sateen weave gently hugs the skin without feeling clammy, and its subtle sheen makes it look particularly elegant. You can read more about the differences between weaving methods in our article Bedding weave types. You can find the right collection here.
Cooling and easy-care: TENCEL
A TENCEL pillowcase with Lenzing’s branded fiber is interesting for people who quickly start sweating at night. The fiber absorbs moisture particularly well and deprives bacteria and mites of their means of survival – an advantage, especially since the pillowcase is in regular direct contact with the skin. In addition, the quality is washable at 40 °C and dries quickly. You can find the corresponding collection under TENCEL bedding.
For summer: Seersucker
Anyone prone to sweating at night benefits from the crinkle-like structure of seersucker. It barely rests on the skin and ensures air circulation directly at the head – practically a small, built-in air conditioner for the pillow. Another plus: seersucker is 100% wrinkle-free. Read more about this in our post on nighttime sweating, and you can find the right collection here.
Closure types: Zipper or envelope?
In addition to size and material, the closure also plays a practical role. Pillowcases with zippers keep the pillow securely in place and do not slip even with a lot of movement during sleep – ideal if you toss and turn or change pillows frequently. For this, biberna exclusively uses high-quality zippers, such as those also used in our mako satin quality. We have summarized all the advantages and disadvantages of the two closure types in our post Bedding with zippers.
How many pillowcases should I own?
So that you are never left without a matching cover when changing the laundry, we recommend – as with complete sets – a small supply of at least two to three pillowcases per pillow. This way, a fresh cover is always ready while the other is in the wash. For details on the ideal number of complete sets, read our guide How many bedding sets do I need.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a normal pillowcase in Germany?
The most common size is 80 x 80 cm for standard pillows, while smaller neck pillows often use 40 x 80 cm.
Which material is best suited for sensitive skin?
TENCEL and mako satin are considered particularly skin-friendly because they are smooth and absorb or wick away moisture well.
Zipper or envelope – which is better?
A zipper keeps the pillow more securely in the cover, while an envelope is often slightly easier to put on. You can find both variants in high-quality versions in the biberna range.
Whether cozy and warm with Flannel, cool and elegant with mako satin, or moisture-regulating with TENCEL: The right pillowcase makes every night a little more pleasant. In our bedding collection, you will find the color-coordinated pillowcase for every bed cover in original quality directly from the manufacturer.
