Picture this: It's springtime, you have your window open a crack, and the sunlight is beaming into your bedroom. Your bed is looking oh-so-plush thanks to the new comforter lightly hugging your mattress. Getting under the covers has never been more inviting than ever. Dreamy, right?
Well, if your duvet doesn't evoke feelings as cuddly as this, then you could be missing out on some serious Zs. But before you get lost under layers of sheet sets, duvet covers, and comforters floating around the web, I've got you covered with the best duvet inserts to bring that fresh bed feeling to life.
We've tested them, obvi, and slept under only the best duvet inserts, including down duvets that have been ethically sourced and down alternatives made with sustainable materials. All hailing from your favorite bedding brands, these are the seven I love at the moment.
- Wake up feeling even fresher by treating yourself to a brand-new mattress.
A peek at the best duvet inserts
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- Best overall duvet insert: Brooklinen Down Comforter
- Best down alternative duvet insert: Coop Home goods comforter
- Best eco-friendly duvet insert: Buffy Breeze Comforter
The best duvet inserts
It's only fitting that the brand behind our favorite sheets has an awesome duvet, too. With three weights to choose from, there's a warmth level for everybody. The lightweight pick has 650 fill of recycled down, all-season is right in the middle with duck down, and the heavyweight option has a 750 fill of goose down. Note: Goose-down clusters and feathers are typically larger than duck and therefore tend to insulate better, hence the material swap.
Why we love it
I slept with an all-season design last summer and it felt light and not at all oppressive. With the fan running, I found it had the perfect balance of cool and cozy. The fill is evenly distributed and I didn't find myself having to shake it out every morning.
Each duvet is made with soft 100-thread count long-staple cotton in a sateen weave. While some down can have seedy origins, the down is sustainably sourced from Hutterite farms and DOWNMARK certified by the non-profit Down Association of Canada. For those nervous about allergies, the fill has been rated hypoallergenic, and the cover is treated with Ultra-Fresh Antimicrobials to keep odors at bay.
Good to know
The all-season design does not give off the overtly full look of a heavier fill duvet, but it fills out nicely within my duvet cover. For care, it's recommended to spot clean or dry clean only.
If you share a bed, you'll know the problem that comes when one of you is too hot and the other too cold. Throw in the debate between sleeping with the fan on or not, and you certainly won't be getting a great night's sleep. Sound familiar? Then let me introduce you to the answer to your arguments: the Coop adjustable duvet.
Why we love it
Coop is known for its customizable sleep products, and while we love its memory foam pillow, this duvet is a tough contender. When reviewing this one, I couldn't get enough of how lightweight the duvet is, despite the two layers that are attached together. I'm currently sleeping under this just as we're coming out of winter, and I can already tell that it's doing a great job of temperature regulating compared to my previous basic IKEA insert. It's filled with polyester, which is great for a warm sleeper like me. It's also super easy to throw in the washing machine.
Good to know
I was surprised to find this one wasn't as fluffy as other down alternatives I've tried, but this didn't impact my sleep. In fact, I preferred it. I'm not a fan of the feather-type feel that comes with most "pretend to be down" duvets. Despite being machine washable, I've found it doesn't dry well in the drum either. As long as you have the space (and a warm apartment or hot weather outside) line drying is an easy option.
With sustainability and breathability at the core of the Buffy brand, the Buffy Breeze Comforter is made with Tencel-Lyocell — aka eucalyptus — for both its outer shell and fill. This one will look after you and the earth.
Why we love it
This vegan comforter is fully biodegradable and compostable, so a few years from now when it's time to refresh, you can rest easy knowing it won't just sit in a landfill. When it comes to comfort, this material is superior in breathability to both cotton and polyester. The 300-thread count sateen weave shell is crisp and smooth to the touch, while the Tencel-Lyocell fill is shredded to help air filter through while mimicking the feeling of a down comforter. In particular, we found it sleeps exceptionally cool.
Good to know
It has all the typical features you look for in a duvet, including corner loops and a wavy, stitched design to keep the fill in place. The only downside to the Buffy Breeze is that its care treatment recommends dry cleaning only.
This duvet is proof that down alternatives can still feel every bit as luxurious as traditional feather-filled options, especially when Saatva gets involved.
Why we love it
Beyond a good first impression, thanks to the impeccable gift-worthy and plastic-free packaging, the thick organic cotton percale is complemented with a unique blend of 3D down alternative and sustainable lyocell fill for a cloudlike loft that was perfectly uniform throughout the blanket. This is courtesy of the baffle box construction. We also appreciate that it's Fair Trade Certified.
When we tested it in June, it proved to be exceptionally comfortable despite the hot summer temperatures. But as it is an all-season option, it's still warm enough for mid-winter.
Good to know
Saatva's duvet is available in one weight: all-season. Our tester also reported that there was a noticeable smell straight from the box, but that it disappeared with a wash cycle (something we recommend before using bedding anyway). Luckily, it's easily machine washable, though did take a while to dry when on low in the dryer.
Quince has quickly wiggled its way into our hearts and carts with its all-star lineup of high-end bedding at unbeatable prices and big push on sustainability. We fully appreciate how transparent this brand is with material, labor, and shipping costs, too. How does the company do it? It works directly with factories, some of which also produce for some of the most popular home brands.
Why we love it
As well as the surprisingly reasonable cost (we're talking under $200 for a queen), we are in love with the design of this duvet insert. Made in the US with white down that meets the Responsible Down Standard, this cozy and plush duvet is comparable to designs from Brooklinen (our top pick) and Parachute. It has the corner loops and baffle box construction that you want, and it's machine washable.
Good to know
Some reviewers noted that it had a subtle crinkly noise when it shifts. Our reviewer said that the insert slid around within her cover, which isn't great. This could've happened because the insert wasn't tied tightly enough or the duvet cover may have been too slick — it happens. Quince also offers a Luxe version that mimics the quality of luxury bedding brands like Peacock Alley and Sferra with a 700-fill power of European goose down.
If you're after a bargain, the Linenspa down alternative comforter hits the sweet spot and is a good choice for cold sleepers, guest rooms, and anyone on a tight budget.
Why we love it
We like that it has eight corner loops to keep duvets in place, which reduces the chances of it bunching or sliding too — like our reviewer experienced with Quince's insert — and the box construction also helps to keep the fill in place, minimizing any clumping. As you'd expect, it's easy to care for and machine washable. Plus, it's hypoallergenic for those with allergies and sensitivities.
Good to know
The duvet is described as light, it only has a 300-fill power, while most duvets on this list have twice that, but the microfiber polyester fill does sleep warm. Psst: If you want an extra fluffy look, you can also try an overstuffed version. Recent reviews are mixed. There are people who love the fill and feel and others who found the quality lacking. Multiple reviewers noted that the material pills over time and after washing.
Hot sleepers, we can't forget you! The Slumber Cloud Lightweight Comforter is simply the coolest option thanks to Slumber Cloud's exclusive ClimaDry by Outlast fiberfill that has a down-like feel but also regulates heat and moisture as you sleep.
Why we love it
The aforementioned ClimaDry by Outlast material was developed by NASA and is designed to regulate the temperature, humidity, and microclimate of your bed to keep your body cool and adjusted. It's proactive and prevents your other bedding from having to wick away moisture. And after taking it through the summer months, we can attest that it works. All the fill stays in place with a baffle box square construction and the cotton cover is incredibly soft to the touch.
Good to know
It's only about a quarter-inch thick, so it's not for people who seek tons of loft. That doesn't mean it's not plush to the touch though — it totally is — and it feels lightweight and airy when you slip underneath. If you want an even cooler layer, Slumbercloud also offers a Performance version, which swaps the cotton shell for a Tencel design and a loftier fill.
Real Homes review process
FYI: The Real Homes' mattress review process is editorially independent and not influenced by any third parties. Our expert bedding testers sleep under each featured duvet insert for at least two weeks. The products are given to us free of charge. For duvet inserts, we take special consideration of materials and any environmental certifications, as well as comparing them for value for money, construction, and comfort.
Meet our duvet testers:
Jaclyn used to be our sleep commerce editor, frequently testing out and staying up to date on all things mattresses and bedding. She's not willing to sacrifice comfort or value and is after a mattress that makes it easy to sleep through the night. She's tried a few of these fabulous comforters in this guide and has compared them on their sleep experience.
She was also the ecommerce editor at Homes & Gardens, and you can find her work in Livingetc, Apartment Therapy, MyDomaine, and The Spruce. She lives in Atlanta, GA.
Bringing in her knowledge of the bedding industry, Louise knows how to get a great night's sleep. She has felt all the benefits of the Coop's alternative down duvet: “As a hot sleeper and ‘home fever’ sufferer, synthetic fibers and breathability are key when it comes to choosing a duvet. On a budget too, this affordable anti-allergy duvet is best for me, ticking all boxes for uninterrupted sleep."
3 things to look for in a new duvet insert
What's the difference between a duvet and a comforter?
The terms duvet and comforter are often used interchangeably as they both have a quilted design filling, but a comforter is used on its own while a duvet insert is intended to go inside a cover. They're typically differentiated by loops on the corner of the duvet to keep its cover in place.
Beyond the aesthetic pleasure of getting to choose a duvet cover, a duvet insert lets you get personal about the fill type and weight, whereas a comforter may only be available in one fabrication. A comforter is designed for convenience. Sometimes, duvet inserts will slide around within the cover, especially if the ties come undone, for example.
1. Filling
There are many duvet fillings to choose from, but they can be split into either natural materials like down, feather, cotton, silk, and wool, or synthetics like microfiber and polyester. Each feels different to sleep beneath. Here's a rundown:
- Natural duvet fillings feel luxurious, and often have a price to match. With a high material content, natural duvets such as down, feather, or wool can feel warm, heavy, and enveloping but are breathable, so you won't overheat. You can check the feather content levels (it's called "fill power") on the label. The higher the fill power, the warmer it will be.
- Synthetic duvet fillings are usually more affordable than feather or down-filled duvets and have a lighter feel. Whether they're made from microfiber or polyester, synthetic duvets are anti-allergy and hypoallergenic, which could be some of their most important features. Another tick in the box is that synthetic duvets can be machine washed and tumble-dried. However, sometimes these materials can be less breathable than comforters with natural fillings, and they sleep warmer.
2. Fill power
- What is fill power? Fill power refers to the volume of the down, and is equal to the number of cubic inches one ounce of that particular type of down fills. Higher fill power numbers indicate greater loft and insulating efficiency.
- And what fill power is best? Typically, we like to see a fill power between 600 and 800, otherwise, you might find yourself not warm enough, and the bedding may not have that lofty, fluffy look many of us like. Bedding that is made with high fill power down is lighter in weight than an equally warm one made with lower quality down.
3. Weight and warmth
Most manufacturers offer their duvets in different warmth levels or weights, the most common options being lightweight, mid-weight, heavy-weight, or all-season. There's no official standardization in the US as to how warm or cool these duvets actually are, while our British counterparts use the tog, a thermal rating that denotes the warmth level.
Those in warmer climates or who generally sleep hot will want to select a lighter-weight design, while cold sleepers and those in cold climates will do best with something warmer. Sometimes people will prefer to have a lightweight duvet during warmer months and switch to a heavy-weight or all-season version when it gets colder.
How to care for your duvet
Machine washable? Most manufacturers say duvets should be laundered every few months. If you don't want to lug yours to a dry cleaner or leave it to the professionals, then choose a duvet that's machine washable and tumble-dryer tolerant. Our guide to how to wash a duvet has plenty more advice.
