Since you spend a third of your life in bed, it makes sense to invest in the best duvet or comforter to ensure you get a good night's sleep every time your head hits the pillow. You may be wondering what are the best duvet brands? Don't know what the difference is between a down duvet and a feather duvet? Or you don't know what the difference is between a light comforter and a thick comforter . If you have any of the questions above and aren't sure how to choose your dream duvet, comforter or duvet , our 5-step guide shows you how to choose the best duvet, comforter or quilt. the best comforter for you.
Synthetic duvets and comforters
These duvets and comforters are a great option for those who are allergic to natural fibers , as they are specially designed to be hypoallergenic . The term “ synthetic ” simply means that the fibers are made by scientists and researchers rather than taken from animals. The fibers wick sweat away from your body to give you a comfortable night's sleep and the duvets can be washed at home without damage. You will have to choose between two jams:
Microfiber duvets:
also known as down alternative filling, is one of the most popular duvet filling options on the market. The fibers in the microfiber filling are very fine and provide the luxurious feel associated with down comforters, but at a more affordable price. The lightness of the texture also helps lighten the duvet as a whole. The tight weave of the microfiber duvet helps reduce stains and protects the duvet against the passage of liquids. Additionally, microfiber is more durable than other materials such as cotton , allowing users to use the comforter for a long time without compromising its high degree of softness.
Microfiber has perfect thermal regulation all year round, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer. The filling is perfect for all seasons, so you'll never have to change your comforter mid-year. This special type of filling is an economical and inexpensive choice. Additionally, microfiber filling is easy to clean and machine washable as it is not a material that can easily shrink. The warmth, breathability, weight, and durability make microfiber the best option for most people.
Hollow fiber duvets:
As the name suggests, the threadlike fibers create hollows in the duvet that act as a heat trap and provide excellent insulation. Although hollow fiber comforters offer fewer benefits than microfiber comforters , hollow fiber comforters tend to appeal to customers on a budget. These duvets can be good value for money. If microfiber is the hypoallergenic version of down in terms of weight, comfort and breathability, hollow fiber is the hypoallergenic version of feathers.
Natural duvets and comforters
There are different types of natural fillings on the market, including duck or goose down , wool , and silk . Duck and goose down are a popular choice because they come from cold climates. Duvets filled with down are therefore very insulating and warm! Wool and silk are also warm natural fibers of animal origin. Some types of natural fillings may be lighter than certain types of synthetic fillings and allow your skin to breathe more easily. However, feather and down can be problematic for allergy sufferers and are the most expensive filling to choose for your duvet or comforter. Fortunately, wool and silk are hypoallergenic and suitable for allergy sufferers who prefer to use a natural filler.
Duvet filled with feathers:
Purchasing a comforter filled with feathers is a budget-friendly option , but feather comforters tend to be heavier and bulkier because the feathers are thick. People feel safe using heavy quilts because they feel safe when they wrap you. They are particularly beneficial for babies and children, as they have a calming effect that helps children sleep. Feather-filled duvets retain heat better than wool or silk duvets. However, they will make you too hot in summer.
Down filled duvet:
Down feathers are the light , downy furs found under the outer feathers of birds. You can think of the down as the “ undercoat ”! Just like duvets filled with feathers , they are effective in keeping you warm. In general, a down comforter is comparatively lighter and lasts longer than feather comforters . But you should know that people are more likely to be allergic to down than to synthetic materials. Additionally, the price of down comforters is usually higher than most people can afford: down comforters are very expensive! Canadian down is one of the most popular options because it is designed to keep you warm in extremely cold weather. Please note that due to concerns about how down feathers are collected on farms, animal lovers generally do not purchase down.
Duvet filled with feathers and down:
A combination of feather and down comforter gives perfect warmth and weight . The filling is usually 80% feathers and 20% down. It is a more economical option than the down comforter.
Wool duvet:
Wool duvets are also a popular option. Wool regulates your body temperature well by keeping you warm in winter and releasing extra heat when your body has warmed up. Another positive point of wool is that it is suitable for some people with allergies.
Silk duvet:
Silk is a luxurious material . Like the wool duvet , it regulates temperature , keeping you comfortable all year round, and it is hypoallergenic. It also has good insulating effects which allow it to remain light.
Keep in mind that washing these natural fillings can be expensive, as specialized cleaning products are often required, and they may not last as long as synthetic materials.
Choose an allergy-friendly comforter or make sure your comforter is hypoallergenic.
Your bedding is the ideal habitat for a variety of allergens , such as dust mites, mold, and dust, and reactions to these allergens can lead to a disrupted night's sleep—a runny or itchy nose may not be the case. -not be a cold after all. However, by choosing a comforter (and other bedding items such as cotton sheets and memory foam pillows ) made from hypoallergenic materials, you'll ensure you're keeping these irritants at bay. Natural materials like cotton resist allergens, and for even more protection, choose a high thread count, as tightly woven fabric provides fewer spaces for irritants to hide. Likewise, a duvet with an all-natural filling will harbor more dust and mites, as the down and feathers provide many small spaces for them to thrive.
Down alternative filling (also known as microfiber filling ) is a great option for allergy sufferers. It is made of synthetic fibers that are similar to natural down. Additionally, down alternatives are more affordable than down comforters. You can also opt for other types of synthetic duvets, such as cheaper hollow fiber duvets , if you are looking for anti-allergic duvets.
Choose the structure of your duvet
The seams you see on your duvet are actually the result of scientific work! This is important to know because the structure of your duvet will affect its insulation and breathability. There are two types of structure:
Bavaria – (also known as crossing point or caisson point)
This type of stitching gets its name because the shell fabric (the top of your quilt) and the lining fabric (the bottom of your quilt) are sewn completely through the fabric forming square patterns. This creates a very secure stitch that ensures your trim will stay exactly where it's intended. This is also a lighter construction technique, as it does not require any additional fabric to create the square pockets. If you live in a humid climate like Hong Kong , this technique may be a good choice because it allows your quilt to remain light and breathable.
Baffle box
This style of construction uses an additional layer of vertical fabric between the shell and liner fabric, which creates a series of continuous fabric boxes filled with filling. By creating walls around each bafflex box, this style allows the filling to move and prevents cold spots. Therefore, baffle duvets are relatively warmer and suitable for winter. Note that the extra fabric needed to create the baffle boxes adds weight to your comforter or comforter .
Understanding what TOG is and choosing your TOG duvet
The TOG ( Thermal Overall Grade ) of a duvet or down jacket refers to its ability to keep you warm and ranges from 1 (coolest) to 15 (warmest). Your choice depends on the climate, the range of temperatures recorded during the year and your personal preferences. It is worth remembering that the tog of a duvet is not linked to its weight - the higher the insulation quality of the chosen filling, whether natural or synthetic, the less filling required to achieve this. tog index.
Different types of duvets for summer and winter
There are two types of duvets on the market: summer duvets and winter duvets. Summer quilts range from 1 to 4.5 tog.
Summer duvets : are typically used when the weather gets warmer and the air conditioning is on. They are also called “ air conditioning quilts ”! Make sure your duvet is breathable enough for humid summer nights. In general, summer duvets are lighter, ranging in weight from 80 to 150 g/m2.
Winter duvets : weigh 12 to 15 tog. They can help you survive the coldest days of the year. People who are afraid of the cold or children may choose to add a thinner blanket during winter nights as well. Natural fillings , for example down and feathers , are suitable but expensive fillings for winter duvets, as they provide good thermal insulation while being soft to the touch. The weight of winter duvets can be more than 200 g/m2.
Some people may choose to have two different comforters to transition from one season to the next. But if you choose wisely, having a duvet that provides breathability and temperature regulation all year round is actually ideal! For those who don't want to bother with multiple duvets and comforters and don't want to pay the price, consider the all-season duvet with its 100% hypoallergenic microfiber filling and 100% long-staple cotton cover. This popular comforter is a lofty, lightweight and breathable choice. The duvet is rated at 10.5 tog, which means you can use it to replace both your summer duvet and your winter duvet, saving space, money and the hassle of changing your duvets.
Other Things to Consider When Purchasing Duvets and Comforters
Once you've considered all of the points above, you might think you've found the perfect bed partner , but we have a few other things you might want to think about before purchasing the best duvet or comforter for you :
Check - It's not about the boxes (!), it's about the material used to cover the duvet filling. High quality 100% cotton material is essential for maintaining temperature control, preventing sweating and allowing your skin to breathe during the night.
Protection – The time and money spent cleaning your duvet makes it wise to do it as infrequently as possible. To extend the time between washes, consider a duvet cover in a matching size. They come in many different patterns, styles and materials and are a great way to add a pop of color or individuality to your bedroom. Many people wonder if the size of duvet covers should be exactly the same as the size of their comforter. Duvet covers can be 15cm longer or shorter than the width and length of the duvet. If you hate the feeling of having a duvet moving around inside the cover, you should definitely take a look at our duvet cover , which features hidden buttons as well as corners and ties to hold your duvet in place.
Size - Although duvets come in fixed sizes ( Single , Double/Full and Queen/King ), many people prefer to order a size up to have a little more room around the edges - ideal if you are tall or if you sleep with someone who monopolizes the duvet! We recommend choosing a larger duvet if your mattress is in the middle of your bedroom and you share a bed with your partner. While a smaller comforter is meant for a mattress placed against a wall. Check out our duvet size guide to find out more!
Now armed with this information, we wish you good luck in choosing the perfect comforter!