Mako satin or TENCEL – which smooth bedding is right for you?
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Mako satin and TENCEL both feel smooth and are both considered cool – yet they make up two very different types of bedding. It is therefore not possible to give a blanket answer as to whether mako satin or TENCEL is the right choice: it depends on whether you are looking for a distinctly summer quality or a set for the whole year, how much you perspire at night – and how much effort you want to plan for care.
What really matters when making the decision
Behind the smooth feel lie two completely different principles. Mako satin is a fabric made from combed cotton in a 4/1 sateen weave: the warp threads skip four weft threads, which means a particularly large amount of yarn is exposed on the surface. This creates the typical sheen and cool, smooth feel when you get into bed. The deciding factor here is the fiber: combed mako cotton consists of particularly long, uniform fibers that keep the fabric smooth and dimensionally stable, rather than becoming dull after a few washes.
TENCEL, on the other hand, is not a weave, but a fiber – the wood-based Lenzing fiber. biberna was the first manufacturer to produce bedding made from Tencel. The major difference lies in moisture management: the fiber absorbs moisture and releases it again, rather than leaving it on the surface of the skin. This is exactly what makes TENCEL a year-round quality – it feels cool in summer, but not clammy in winter.
This leads to the three dimensions on which your decision can be based: the time period (one season or the whole year), the type of sweating (the brief cooling when getting into bed or permanently dry skin) and the requirements for appearance and care.
Mako satin and TENCEL compared directly
| Quality | Property | Ideal for | Price range at biberna |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mako satin | Combed cotton, 4/1 sateen weave, smooth, cool when getting into bed, elegant sheen, high-quality zippers | Hot summer nights, people who love the cool initial contact, and everyone who wants their bed to look good too | approx. €59.95–74.95 |
| TENCEL | Wood-based Lenzing fiber, moisture-regulating, deprives bacteria and mites of their means of survival, washable at 40 °C | Year-round use, night sweats, sensitive skin and everyone who does not want to change the set twice a year | approx. €49.95–59.95 |
In short: mako satin cools at the moment you get into bed, TENCEL keeps the skin dry throughout the night. This is not the same – and explains why both qualities are available side by side in the range.
Which one is right for you?
You only sleep badly on hot summer nights. If you get by well for the rest of the year and above all are looking for the cooling effect when getting into bed, mako satin is the right choice. The biberna mako satin bedding (item number 0615211) from €59.95 is the classic choice for this – smooth, cool and with a sheen that no percale can match.
You regularly sweat at night, regardless of the season. Then the brief cooling when getting into bed will do you little good. You need a fiber that actively transports moisture away: The biberna Tencel bedding (item number 0470500) from €49.95 is the right answer here – and does not need to be exchanged for a warmer quality in autumn.
You have sensitive skin or react to household dust. The moisture management of TENCEL deprives bacteria and mites of their means of survival, and the 40 °C washing temperature makes regular washing uncomplicated. The biberna Tencel bedding in white (item number 0474494) can also be easily combined with other covers.
Your bedroom should make a statement. Here, there is little choice but to go for mako satin. The biberna satin bedding in white (item number 0616315) has a clean, hotel-like look; those who prefer to combine can find coordinated covers with the Mix-&-Match series (item number 0636047). You can find the entire selection in the Mako & Cotton Satin Bedding, the TENCEL qualities in the Tencel Bedding.
What is often overlooked
Care. biberna washes TENCEL at 40 °C – this saves energy and makes frequent washing in summer uncomplicated. For mako satin, the care label of the respective set applies; both qualities will thank you if you do not overfill the machine and refrain from using fabric softener, which coats the smooth surface.
Size. Both qualities are not only available in 135x200 cm. If you need 155x220 cm or an oversized size, you should measure the dimensions of the duvet before purchasing instead of relying on "standard" – a cover that is too tight makes any quality look worse than it is.
Durability. With sateen, the fiber is the deciding factor: Combed mako cotton remains smooth for years, while cheap sateens often become dull after just a few washes. Also pay attention to the zipper – it is the component where bedding breaks first, and at biberna it is deliberately made to a high standard.
Both qualities are manufactured according to biberna specifications and tested and shipped in Hamminkeln. Shipping at biberna is always free – without a minimum order value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TENCEL cooler than mako satin?
It cools differently. Mako satin feels noticeably cooler at the moment you get into bed because the smooth surface quickly dissipates heat. TENCEL, on the other hand, keeps the skin drier throughout the night, which makes a bigger difference with real night sweats.
Can I also use TENCEL in winter?
Yes, TENCEL is expressly a year-round quality. Because the fiber absorbs moisture and releases it again, it does not feel clammy in winter. Those who like it particularly cozy in winter will still tend to reach for Flannel or Melange flannel.
Is mako satin "clingy"?
Good quality is not. The unpleasant clinging feeling usually occurs with sateen made from short-staple cotton or synthetic fibers. Mako satin made from combed cotton remains smooth and breathable.
Does mako satin need to be ironed?
It does not. Sateen falls quite smooth on its own due to its weight. Those who want the full sheen can lightly iron the right side – but many customers simply hang the bedding up damp.
Which quality offers the best value for money?
TENCEL starts at €49.95 at biberna, mako satin at €59.95. Since TENCEL can stay in bed all year round, you may need fewer sets – mako satin, on the other hand, is the quality that visually enhances a bedroom.
Can I combine both qualities?
Yes. Many households use both: TENCEL as a year-round set, mako satin for the hottest weeks and for occasions when the bed should look particularly beautiful.