BEST DUVETS

A duvet is an essential part of your bedroom, creating that perfecting cocoon feeling that makes it difficult to get out of bed in the morning - in a good way!

Duvets generally consist of a soft outer shell, often made of cotton, and an inner filling of down, feather, bamboo, or synthetic materials.

In contrast to blankets, which are often thin and heavy, duvets are light and fluffy, allowing you to move very freely.

They’re also warm and comfortable, keeping you snug at the ideal temperature, regardless of whether it’s summer or winter.

Having a good duvet guarantees that you’ll get a comfortable night’s sleep at the perfect temperature.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a duvet, including ambient room temperature, weight, material, and size.

Temperature

One guiding factor is ambient room temperature.

If your room is cooler (below 18°C), then you will need to opt for a warmer duvet. If your room temperature is above 22°C, then a lighter duvet should suffice.

But also consider your personal preferences.

If you easily feel cold at night, then a warmer duvet will be ideal.

If you sweat easily or easily feel hot at night, then a less warm duvet will be better.

Note that duvets will have a tog rating to indicate their warmth. Lower numbers indicate a cooler duvet and vice versa.

Weight

The weight of the duvet is also important to consider.

If you’re a smaller person, then you might not want to be bogged down by a heavy duvet.

The weight of a duvet will generally vary between 180 grams and 500 grams per m² but it is quite heavily influenced by whether the duvet is natural or synthetic.

Synthetic duvets aren’t as thermal insulating as natural duvets and require more bulk to be as warm, so they’re generally heavier than natural duvets.

For winter duvets, your average weight of a natural duvet will be 270 grams per m², while the average weight for a synthetic duvet will be between 300 grams and 450 grams per m².

For summer duvets, your average weight of a natural duvet will be 180 grams per m², while the average weight for a synthetic duvet will be 230 grams per m².

Material

As we’ve seen, the material of your duvet will greatly affect not only its warmth but also its weight.

We’ll go into more depth below but remember that different materials have different properties, and you can choose synthetic or natural materials.

Size

Finally, it’s also important to consider the size of your duvet.

This largely depends on the size of your bed and whether or not you’re sharing your bed with a partner.

We elaborate on duvet sizes below.

As with most things in life, there is no clear and straight answer to this.

Duvets are made from a wide variety of materials, all of which have different properties.

here is one broad distinction, though, and you’ll find two different types of duvets: Natural and synthetic.

Natural duvet fillings

Common natural duvet materials include cotton, silk, bamboo, down, duck or goose feathers, and wool.

Natural materials, of course, are the obvious choice for anyone focusing on organic.

While some people react to feathers, many other natural materials are antibacterial.

Natural materials are often more thermal insulating and provide for more warmth.

Winter duvets made of natural materials are also lighter than synthetic ones.

These materials also often absorb moisture more effectively without becoming clammy, making them a good choice for hot sleepers or sleepers who sweat easily.

Synthetic duvet fillings

Common synthetic duvet materials include polyester in all its forms.

While often a good choice for people that react to natural materials, synthetic duvets don’t offer the same thermal insulation as natural materials and aren’t as breathable.

Synthetic winter duvets are much heavier than natural winter duvets.

Surprisingly, only a few people are actually allergic to natural duvet fillings.

While you may certainly react to feathers, most allergic reactions are actually due to house dust mites and not due to the duvet filling.

This means that eliminating dust mites is the first concern.

Unfortunately, dust mites feed on skin scales, which are present in every bed, and they like to live in warm and comfortable places.

When choosing a duvet, make sure that the textiles aren’t woven too tightly.

A looser weave makes it less likely for skin flakes to get caught in the material, which, in turn, makes the presence of dust mites less likely.

Also always make sure that you encase your duvet in a duvet cover that you wash regularly.

You can also look for a duvet made of materials that can be washed at high temperatures.

Of course, your perfect duvet will fit the size of your bed.

For optimal comfort, we recommend that you choose a duvet at least 40 cm wider than your actual bed.

This ensures that the duvet will cover you even as you move around while sleeping.

A larger duvet is also preferable if you share your bed with a partner.

If you still find yourself fighting for the covers, though, it may be worth investing in individual duvets.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best duvet.

Consider the temperature of your room, the weight of the duvet, the materials it is made of, and the size of your bed.

A good duvet will only enhance your sleeping comfort — but, as always, you’ll only get the best sleep of your life if you’re sleeping on an exceptional mattress.

We’ve given you our best mattress recommendations below.