Buying guide for best full-size comforter sets

Few things are cozier than burrowing under the covers in a warm bed. And few things are warmer than a comforter. Whether you live in a place that experiences bitter cold or in a mostly temperate climate with chilly evenings, the right full-size comforter set will keep you as warm as you need to be.

Before you add one to your cart, however, there are some key factors to keep in mind. The climate in your locality will dictate the thickness and warmth of your comforter. You should also consider its dimensions. If you’re looking for a down comforter, you’ll need to decide what kind of down you want. A full-size bed takes up a lot of bedroom real estate, so any comforter set you choose will be a decorative item too. Think about the colors and patterns that would complement the room and your existing bedding.

Whatever type of comforter set you seek, a good buying guide and a few recommendations can help you find the right one for your bed.

If you tend to be cold when you sleep, look for a full-size comforter set with wool or down filling.

How to buy the best full-size comforter set

A comforter is a thick, quilted blanket insulated with material (including but not limited to down) designed for warmth. A comforter is often layered over sheets. Comforter sets can be decorative, and many are very affordable. Many are also machine washable, so you can toss them in the washer and dryer with the rest of your bedding.

Components

A full-size comforter set typically consists of three to seven pieces. A three-piece set contains a comforter and two pillow shams. A seven-piece set includes extras like a neck pillow, flat sheet, and/or two extra pillow shams. If you prefer a simple full-size comforter set that you can accessorize, stick with a three-piece set.

Dimensions

Comforter: In the U.S., a full-size mattress measures 54 inches wide by 75 inches long. Most full-size comforters are about 81 to 84 inches wide and 86 to 88 inches long. One thing to consider when checking the dimensions of a full-size comforter is the thickness of your mattress. A standard mattress is around 13 or 14 inches thick. A mattress that’s 17 inches thick might require a larger comforter, especially if you want a few inches of it to hang over the edge of the mattress.

Additionally, some manufacturers make full- and queen-size comforters the same dimensions. If you have a full-size mattress, this can mean that the comforter will be too big. That might not bother you, but if you’re particular about the fit and drape of the comforter, you should probably stick with one made for a full-size mattress.

Pillow shams: If you’re shopping for a full-size comforter set, there’s a good chance your bed is outfitted with standard pillows. Standard pillows measure 20 by 26 inches. Queen-size pillows measure 20 by 30 inches, and king-size pillows measure 20 by 36 inches. To be sure the set you like contains the right size shams, double-check the size of your pillows and note the size of the shams in the set’s description.

Materials

The comforter in a set is usually made of two main components: the shell and the filling. The pillow shams are usually made of the same materials as the shell.

Shell and pillow shams: Common materials for the shell and pillow shams include polyester, cotton, silk, or a blend.

• Silk has a luxurious feel on the skin. It’s also hypoallergenic, organic, and helps regulate body temperature, which means silk can help keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Silk is the most expensive of the materials.
• Cotton is also an organic material. It is breathable and a great choice for a lightweight comforter. Cotton is also fairly low maintenance and easily machine washable. There’s no need or worry about static cling.
• Polyester is usually the least expensive. It is a durable and lightweight synthetic fabric and fairly wrinkle-resistant. Polyester blended with cotton is also breathable.

Filling: Common materials include cotton, synthetics, silk, wool, down, and blends.

• Cotton filling is a solid choice for a summer comforter. It’s breathable and not as fluffy as other materials.
• Synthetics are a common filling in throw pillows in those sets that contain them.
• Silk filling is found in some high-quality full-size comforters. It wicks moisture from the body and is naturally antibacterial and highly breathable. You can expect to pay a premium for this filling.
• Wool filling is a good choice if you live somewhere that experiences harsh winters. This material is fluffy and moisture-wicking but not usually machine washable.
• Down is a premium comforter filling and a great choice for a comforter you plan to use for a long time. It comes in lighter and heavier options, as well as natural (goose, duck) and synthetic varieties. It insulates like no other material, although it is also expensive.

Fill power and fill weight

The best indicators of the warmth of a full-size comforter are its fill power and fill weight. These terms are usually reserved for down comforters, but they can also refer to comforters with other types of filling.

Fill power: This refers to how fluffy the filling is: how much space 1 ounce of down takes up. Fill power is often measured on a scale from less than 400 to 800 and higher. The higher the number, the warmer and lighter the down. A comforter with a rating of 800 or higher is best for extremely cold climates.

Fill weight: This refers to the amount of down in the comforter, measured in ounces. A comforter can have a high fill power number and a low fill weight if the down is very light and fluffy. It’s best to check both numbers when shopping for a full-size comforter.

Thread Count

Thread count matters for comforter sets as much as it does for bed sheets. This number refers to the number of horizontal and vertical threads in 1 square inch of fabric, ranging from about 180 to 1,000. A higher thread count can correlate to softer, higher-quality fabric, but not always. However, the thread count shouldn’t be the deciding factor in your choice of a comforter set. The ideal thread count also depends on the type of fabric, but 200 to 400 can be excellent quality.

Features of full-size comforter sets

Style and design

Since a full-size comforter set takes up a lot of space, its appearance matters! Have fun choosing the color and pattern. You’ll want to think about your existing bedroom décor and what colors and motifs will complement it.

Blues and greens are particularly soothing colors and good choices for bedrooms. Muted light pink can add a touch of softness to a space. And if interior design isn’t your thing, you can’t go wrong with a neutral like beige, white, or gray.

Care

If you dislike items that need to be dry cleaned or you’re shopping for a comforter set for a child’s bedroom, consider a machine-washable one. Any set with a cotton or cotton blend shell will be machine washable. Be careful if you’re washing a down comforter. Read the care instructions closely before attempting to clean it. For comforters, we recommend using a mild detergent, ideally one that is free of scent and dyes, and using a large front-loading dryer.

Look for a comforter with baffle-box construction to lessen the chances that the fill will clump. These comforters have filling that’s sewn into squares.

How much do full-size comforter sets cost?

Inexpensive

There is a full-size comforter set for every budget. For $30 or less, your options include mostly cotton and/or polyester. Nearly all of these comforters are filled with alternative down (cotton, polyester, cotton blend, wool). These sets won’t include more than a comforter and two pillow shams. Many of these sets are machine washable.

Mid-range

The sweet spot is $30 to $75 if you want good quality without emptying your wallet. This is where you’ll find higher-quality full-size cotton comforter sets, including those with a higher thread count, fill power, and fill weight. At the upper end of this range, you’ll find some silk-filled comforters and possibly a few down options. Along with two pillow shams, some of these sets include extra throw pillows (or four pillow shams total).

Expensive

If you’re looking for an investment, look for a full-size comforter set with a down comforter. High-quality full-size down comforters start at $100 or more. For $75 or more you can buy a nice silk comforter (or a very nice cotton one). Options in this range are much more likely to require dry cleaning.

Tips

• Check the care label before washing the comforter set. To keep your set looking good for a long time, read and follow the manufacturer’s care instructions. These let you know if the comforter is safe to wash in the machine.
• Spot clean your comforter set. You can maintain an expensive comforter set between trips to the dry cleaner with a good spot cleaner. If you have a silk comforter set, check that the cleaner won’t stain the fabric.
• Buy a down comforter in late winter or early spring. Down comforters can be pricey, but you can pay less if you buy one between February and April when many of them are on sale.

If you tend to be hot when you sleep, choose sheets made of linen, cotton, or Tencel.

FAQ

Q. Is a comforter the same as a duvet?

A. A comforter and a duvet have a lot of similarities, particularly when it comes to the filling. The main difference between the two is that a comforter, like a quilt, is ready to use as is. A duvet has two parts: an insert filled with down or other fillings (the part that keeps you warm) and the removable fabric cover that contains the insert.

Q. Are comforters warmer than quilts?

A. Generally speaking, yes. Quilts are much thinner and don’t include the amount of filling that you’ll find in comforters. A full-size quilt works well for transitional seasons such as spring and fall. A light full-size quilt can be suitable for summer too.

Q. Can a full-size comforter set go in the dryer?

A. Yes. Just be sure to set the dryer on low. If you’re washing a down comforter, toss in a few tennis balls or dryer balls to make sure the filling remains fluffy or it can dry in clumps.