Buying guide for best duvets

We all know how important a good night’s sleep is. Not only is it part of a healthy lifestyle, but it’s impossible to get through a busy day at work or with the kids if you haven’t gotten some quality sleep.

A comfortable bed is crucial to that good sleep, and your bedding figures prominently in the equation. In particular, your duvet can be a game-changer. With the wrong duvet on your bed, you could end up feeling too warm on spring and summer nights or too cold in the wintertime. Choosing the right duvet can be tricky, though, because there are so many options on the market. Deciding between the various thread counts, fill types, and thicknesses can start to feel like mission impossible after a while.

Duvets are sold by bed size and are typically closer in size to the bed than comforters are, so there’s less overhang on the sizes.

What is a duvet?

A duvet is a type of blanket that consists of a material shell and a filling made of down or a synthetic alternative. Because of the blanket’s design, a duvet can provide effective insulation while still feeling relatively lightweight.

A duvet differs from a comforter in that it’s not covered in fashion fabric and typically contains more fill.

Duvets are usually white. They are designed to nestle inside a duvet cover in much the same way that a pillow nestles inside a pillowcase. The duvet cover secures around the perimeter of the duvet with a zipper or buttons.

We research whether the fill of a duvet consists of real down and feathers or a down alternative. For a duvet filled with feathers, we find out if quills or shedding have been problematic for other consumers.

Thread count is an important feature that affects user comfort. The higher the thread count of a duvet, the softer and more durable the exterior fabric is likely to be.

We look for duvets with adequate fill ratings, breathability, and warmth. These features affect whether a duvet is best for seasonal use or could be used year-round.

Many consumers factor in care requirements when selecting a duvet. We check the care requirements for each product we recommend to see if it’s machine washable or must be dry cleaned.

We research duvets to learn about the fabric feel, warmth, softness, and longevity of each. We note any products that are prone to pilling or excessive wear after washing.

Some duvets are prone to wrinkling. Bonus points go to duvets made of fabric that maintains a fresh, smooth appearance.

Duvet size is an important piece of information consumers need to know prior to purchase because it affects how well the blanket fits the bed. We find out which sizes are available for each duvet we recommend, including twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king sizes.

We keep an eye out for duvets that tend to have loose threads, weak seams, and uneven stitch lines. We prefer duvets with stitchwork that keeps the fill from shifting during use and after laundering.

Bacteria growth in a duvet can trigger a person’s allergies. We research duvets to see if they tend to aggravate allergies or if they have been successfully used by allergic individuals.

Gusset, channel, quilt, and baffle box are several duvet construction options that we consider. Each option impacts how the duvet looks when draped over a bed.

Benefits of having a duvet on your bed

In addition to the lightweight warmth mentioned above, a duvet brings other benefits to your bed, including the following.

Versatility

Because a duvet is placed inside a cover, it’s extremely easy to change its look. Duvet covers are available in a wide variety of colors and patterns; you can change the look of your bed based on the season, your décor, or your mood.

Convenience

You don’t have to wash a duvet nearly as often as you wash a comforter. The reason: the duvet cover protects the internal duvet. Because of this, a duvet might last longer than a comforter.

Comfort

Duvets aren’t as heavy as comforters, but they’re still extremely warm because they effectively trap body heat without the added bulk.

Simplicity

With a duvet and duvet cover, you don’t need to use a top or flat sheet. The duvet is warm enough that you don’t need an extra layer.

Neatness

Duvets usually aren’t as long on the sides as comforters or other blankets, so you don’t have to worry it overhanging the edges and draping the floor.

Duvet feature considerations

Size

Duvets are sold in sizes that correspond to mattress sizes. Choose from twin, full, queen, and king based on the size of your bed.

In most cases, a duvet is closer in size to the actual mattress than a comforter or other blanket, so there’s less overhang on the sides.

If you want a duvet that hangs over the edge, go up one size from your mattress.

Thread count

The shell material of a duvet doesn’t matter quite as much as it would for a comforter or other blanket because you’ll be covering the duvet. In most cases, though, the outer shell is made of cotton.

You should still pay attention to the duvet’s thread count, though. Thread count refers to the amount of horizontal and vertical threads per square inch in a piece of bedding. With sheets and comforters, higher thread counts mean that the bedding has a soft, luxurious feel. For duvets, a dense thread count helps contain the fill material and gives it a lightweight, airy feel.

For maximum comfort, choose a duvet with a thread count between 300 and 500.

Fill power

A duvet’s fill power refers how much space one ounce of its down occupies. The higher the fill power, the fluffier the duvet is and the higher-quality down it has.

Fill power is also a good indicator of how insulating and warm a duvet will be. That’s why certain fill powers are better for a specific season than others.

• For a lightweight duvet in warmer weather, choose a fill power of 400 or below.
• For a mid-weight duvet that works in most seasons, choose a fill power between 400 and 600.
• For a heavier duvet that works well in colder weather, choose a fill power between 600 and 800.
• If you live in an extremely cold climate or get cold easily, choose a fill power of 800 or above.

Fill material

Down is the most common fill material for duvets. It’s made from the insulating layer beneath duck and goose feathers, so it provides lightweight warmth. Down also breathes very well, so you won’t get sweaty while you sleep.

When choosing a down-filled duvet, make sure it’s labeled as “100% down,” “Pure down,” or “All down.” Otherwise, it may be filled with mostly feathers, which don’t insulate as well as down.

If you have mild allergies but want a down duvet, look for down that’s been cleaned and sterilized. For severe allergies, however, a duvet filled with a synthetic down alternative (usually polyester) is usually the best option.

In addition to being hypoallergenic, down-alternative duvets tend to cost less than pure down duvets. However, they also tend to be heavier and not as breathable.

Construction

Duvets should have stitching that helps keep the down from shifting and forming lumps. They’re typically available in several different constructions, including baffle box, channel, gusset, and quilt stitching.

• Baffle box is usually featured in high-end duvets that provide a great deal of warmth. There are small fabric “boxes” stitched into the duvet that form a checkerboard pattern. The baffles help keep the down in place and allow for maximum insulation.

• Channel duvets feature parallel seams that form stripes or channels down the bedding. This construction allows for some shifting of the duvet, so you can move it down to areas where you might need more insulation, such as your feet.

• Gusseted duvets have walls created out of fabric along the sides, which creates a thicker look and more insulation. They often have baffle box stitching too, and can be more expensive than other styles because of their increased loft and warmth.

• Duvets with quilt stitching have a similar checkerboard appearance to baffle-constructed duvets, but there are no fabric strips to reinforce the stitches. They are typically lower in price, and the design works best for duvets that have a lower fill power.

How much should you pay for a duvet?

Duvets vary in price based on their size, material, thread count, and fill type, but you can typically expect to pay between $18 and $300 for one.

• For a queen-size duvet with a fill power 400 or below, you’ll usually pay between $18 and $40.

• For a queen-size duvet with a fill power between 400 and 600, you’ll usually pay between $50 and $100.

• For a queen-size duvet with a fill power between 600 and 750, you’ll usually pay between $100 and $150.

• For a queen-size duvet with a fill power over 800, you’ll usually pay between $150 and $300.

A duvet should fit snugly inside its cover. There shouldn’t be gaps or pockets, as these can prompt the duvet to bunch up.

Tips

• Before you wash a duvet, check it for holes and tears. If there are any tears in the shell, feathers may come out in the wash.
• It’s usually easier to fit a duvet in a front-loading washer. If your washer isn’t large enough to accommodate it, your local laundromat probably has a machine that’s large enough to fit it.
• It’s best to use a gentle setting when you’re washing a duvet. Opt for warm water and a mild detergent to avoid damage as well.
• Stay close to the washing machine when you’re washing the duvet. After the rinse cycle ends, repeat it. Duvets are large, so they often require two rinse cycles to get fully clean.
• If you have trouble getting your duvet inside its cover, iron the cover before attempting to add the duvet. The iron gives the cover crisp corners and edges, so it’s easier to place the duvet inside.
• If you’re taking your duvet off of your bed for the season, it’s best to store it in a vacuum-sealed plastic bag. This helps protect it from dust mites and other contaminates.