Premium Cooling Down Alternative Duvet West Elm Review
The research
- Why you should trust usa
- Warm, fluffy, and lightweight: Brooklinen All-Flavor Downward Comforter
- A budget-friendly goose down comforter: Hotel Chiliad White Goose Downwardly Comforter
- An affordable, upstanding down comforter: Target Casaluna Mid Weight Downwards Comforter
- The almost luxurious downwardly comforter nosotros've tried: Feathered Friends Bavarian Medium 700 Downward Comforter
- A colorful down comforter for kids: Garnet Hill Essential Down Comforter
- Our favorite down-alternative comforter: Utopia Bedding Queen Comforter Duvet Insert
- Who should become this
- How nosotros picked and tested
- How to choose the best comforter weight for you
- Comforter construction 101
- Deciphering labels
- Ethical downwards
- What to look frontward to
- Care and maintenance
- Other good comforters
- The competition
- Sources
Why y'all should trust us
To observe out what makes an first-class comforter, we spoke with downwardly expert Jack Sukalac on two different occasions when writing and updating this guide. Sukalac is an engineer who started repairing down comforters more than 40 years ago. And he turned it into a business, All Nigh Down, making and repairing downward comforters in his Seattle basement. We too consulted David Sugariness, so-president of the American Downward and Plume Council; Gary Peterson, a longtime manager at famed outdoor-gear maker Western Mountaineering; Daniel Uretsky, president of downwards and down-alternative supplier Allied Feather + Down; and Shannon Maher, interim dean at the Way Constitute of Technology and former product designer for The Company Store.
Wirecutter senior staff writer Jackie Reeve, who worked on the latest update of this guide, has written almost all of our bedding guides, including those for sheets, blankets, and pillows. She built on the excellent work of Alex Arpaia, who wrote well-nigh comforters from 2017 to 2019, when she was a staff writer at Wirecutter.
Warm, fluffy, and lightweight: Brooklinen All-Season Downwards Comforter
Our selection
Brooklinen All-Season Down Comforter
Lofty and warm
This high-quality down comforter is fluffy, lightweight, and very warm on a chilly dark. It'southward also one of the few comforters we've seen that didn't have major stock problems during the pandemic.
Buying Options
Why it's great: If you lot're fix to invest in a high-quality down comforter, nosotros really like the 700-fill-power Brooklinen All-Season Downwardly Comforter. It'southward ane of the only down options we considered in 2020–21 that didn't take major pandemic-related stock bug through the winter. And the visitor told us in September 2021 that information technology'due south confident in the supply through the upcoming common cold flavor every bit well (we'll be keeping an eye on information technology as always). It's also just a lovely comforter. At merely under half-dozen pounds for a rex size, it weighs less than the Riley and Fifty.L.Bean comforters we've recommended in the past (and, according to our home scale, it is even an ounce less than the airy and pricier Feathered Friends we recommend). But information technology'southward lofty and so warm to sleep under (without overheating), and information technology doesn't slide off the bed like some of the heavier comforters we've tried. The Riley was easy to wash at home, with no feathers leaking in the washer or dryer. The shine cotton wool sateen shell kept all the downwards in place during our shake tests, besides, and afterward continued utilize since early on 2021, the Brooklinen is still in fantastic shape. Information technology comes with a 1-yr render policy and a two-year warranty.
We've tested Brooklinen comforters before and found them to be limp and unimpressive. Merely the company completely redesigned them in 2020, and this brought strong improvements. The bamboozle-box construction is at present fluffy and calorie-free, and the all-flavour version we've been testing since early 2021 has kept its loft, fifty-fifty after a summer in storage. All iii available weights (Lightweight, All-Flavor, and Ultra-Warm) are Oeko-Tex–certified (which guarantees textiles are free from certain harmful substances). And each is made with a dissimilar kind of plumage: The 650-fill-power Lightweight is filled with recycled feathers nerveless from downward-filled bedding and apparel, the All-Flavour we recommend has duck down, and the 750-fill-power Ultra-Warm has goose down. None of the Brooklinen comforters acquit an RDS certification for ethical down. Merely they are made with downward from Feather Industries Canada, which provides a traceable number to source its down (we submitted the form in September 2021 to source ours merely haven't heard back nevertheless every bit of this writing). Brooklinen comforters as well have a Downmark certification from the nonprofit Down Association of Canada (the president of Feather Industries Canada sits on its lath). And the Brooklinen website says the All-Flavour weight we recommend is made with duck down from Hutterite farmers in Canada, communal people belonging to a peace-driven Anabaptist sect. Consider the Lightweight and Ultra-Warm versions of this comforter if your climate needs are dissimilar.
Flaws only not dealbreakers: User reviews for these down comforters annotation that the down does leak from the vanquish, but so far in testing this hasn't been a trouble with ours. Nosotros'll continue to apply it to see if it develops any feather shedding problems. Also, the sateen shell is slightly stiffer than that of our former pick from Riley, simply in one case the comforter was within a duvet encompass, we didn't find it noticeable. And i of our testers constitute the Brooklinen comforter to be about likewise lite (he prefers a picayune heft). If yous'd like a heavier comforter, the Riley and Fifty.L.Bean are worth because.
Fill power and feather type: 700 fill power, duck down
Certifications: Oeko-Tex, Downmark
Sizes: twin/twinXL, full/queen, rex/California king
Other weights: Lightweight, Ultra-Warm
A budget-friendly goose down comforter: Hotel G White Goose Downwards Comforter
Our pick
Hotel Grand White Goose Downwards Comforter
Affordable goose down
This Costco comforter is one of the best budget comforters nosotros've tried. It's warm, lofty, and filled with 100% goose downwardly, which is commonly much more expensive than duck downwardly. We retrieve information technology's a fantastic value with an splendid warranty.
Buying Options
Why it's great: Costco'southward 650-fill-ability Hotel Yard White Goose Down Comforter is warm and lofty, and has a pleasantly soft crush. It'south filled with goose down, often considered to be more desirable than duck down because the clusters are larger and fluffier (in reality, y'all probably wouldn't discover much difference between the two fills, and nearly of our picks use perfectly fine duck down). The fill's popularity typically makes these comforters far more expensive, and so at less than $200 for a queen size, the Hotel K is a deal if you have your heart prepare on a cozy goose downwardly comforter. It's made with a bamboozle-box structure, and it's a bit loftier than the Casaluna, too. Costco user reviews give the Hotel Grand a 4.6 rating, and it'southward been around for several years, so we don't recall information technology volition be discontinued anytime soon.
It performs near as well as the Target Casaluna, merely in our milkshake tests pocket-sized tufts of down escaped its beat, and it doesn't take the Oeko-Tex and RDS certifications the Target carries. After over a year of testing and tracking comforter inventory, though, nosotros've decided to recommend it aslope the Casaluna. Our tester is "incredibly pleased with it" and uses it every day. She hasn't noted whatever ongoing problems with downwards escaping, so we retrieve it could just exist an event with vigorous movement—yous may notice some shedding when you change the duvet comprehend, or when y'all wash the comforter, just not as yous use it everyday. Plus, the Hotel G comes with Costco's 100% satisfaction guaranteed render policy, which refunds you the unabridged purchase price anytime; this is ane of the all-time policies on our list (Garnet Colina likewise offers a total satisfaction guarantee).
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Considering the goose down isn't RDS-certified, we cannot know if it was ethically sourced. If that's of import to yous, nosotros recommend the Casaluna comforter over this one. The same goes for the lack of Oeko-Tex certification: If y'all want reassurance that other materials used in your comforter were responsibly manufactured, pick the Casaluna (which is as well slightly less expensive). The Hotel Grand's cost has increased since terminal wintertime (probably because of down supply problems we've seen across bedding and outerwear brands), but it'south notwithstanding a steal. Also, the Hotel Grand comes in one weight merely, whereas well-nigh of our other picks come up in three weights, allowing you lot to option the one that best fits your climate. And the Hotel Grand does non have corner loops to attach a duvet cover. And so you lot may desire to invest in a set of comforter clips like these to keep a cover in place.
Long-term test notes: Our tester has a queen-size bed, but our exam comforter is a king. "The king size really seems to be the right fit for consummate down envelopment in the winter," she noted. You lot may want to consider sizing up, too, if you like that extra-cozy experience.
Fill power and feather type: 650 fill power, white goose downwardly
Sizes: twin, total/queen, king
An affordable, upstanding downwardly comforter: Target Casaluna Mid Weight Down Comforter
Our pick
Why it's great: If you're conscientious about how your downward is sourced only you can't or don't want to splurge on 1 of our pricier picks, the Target Casaluna Mid Weight Downwards Comforter is 1 of the most affordable comforters on our listing. As well, it's RDS-certified for ethical down. It'south less than one-half the price of the Brooklinen and near a third of the price of the Feathered Friends. And even though it'southward less fluffy and the cloth isn't as polish, the Casaluna is comfortable, warm, and well made for the toll. Information technology'south also Oeko-Tex–certified. Nosotros're impressed that Target is making an try to industry things as responsibly equally information technology tin, something nosotros've noticed more than and more from the company in recent years. Although many of our picks are either Oeko-Tex–certified or RDS-certified, this is the merely pick on our list that has both certifications (the Brooklinen carries a Feathered Industries Canada certification instead of RDS).
The Casaluna is fabricated with 600-fill up-ability duck downwards, and it feels heavier than comforters we tested from Riley, Brooklinen, and Feathered Friends. Nosotros didn't discover that extra weight once nosotros were sleeping under it, though, and information technology kept the states perfectly warm (without making us sweat) when we opened the windows on a 50ish caste Fahrenheit dark. It has a sewn-through construction, so the meridian and bottom layers are stitched together, trapping the down in sealed-off pockets. This type of construction compresses the downwardly more than baffle-box comforters like the Hotel G and the Brooklinen do, so information technology can be less lofty and cloud-like. But this as well ways the downward won't shift inside the comforter or dodder in the wash, which (according to some of our experts) makes information technology easier to wash at domicile. If yous need to launder your comforter more than oft because of pets who slumber on the bed, or due to frequent turnover in the invitee room, that might make this comforter a better choice.
The Casaluna'south cotton fiber sateen outer crush is thick and well sewn, and this comforter was one of the but upkeep options in our 2020 testing that didn't release tufts of fluff in our shake tests. Because Casaluna is i of what Target calls its "owned brands," it's covered past a one-year render policy, instead of past Target's usual 90 days (nosotros confirmed this with the visitor). It's available in three weights—Calorie-free, Mid, and Ultra—but we recommend the Mid Weight for almost climates and seasons.
Flaws simply not dealbreakers: This comforter definitely leaks feathers over time, co-ordinate to the staffer testing it during the 2020–21 winter season, fifty-fifty though they never washed information technology. Some other staffer, who purchased this comforter after our initial recommendation, did wash it (notation that you lot need to launder a comforter merely every few years, and not when it'southward new). They said the vanquish leaked downwardly after it came out of the dryer. We don't think that'southward uncommon for less expensive comforters, simply if you have allergies or don't desire to deal with shedding, you might prefer the Hotel Grand.
Long-term test notes: Despite the feather leaks our tester experienced last winter, they said, "I'1000 totally planning to keep using the Target." They added, "I like it for the loft, and I've never had the coin to sleep with annihilation also [our down-culling pick], and then information technology still feels fancy to me." The shift from a synthetic comforter to an affordable downwardly comforter was noticeably nicer, and it offset the plumage frustration.
Fill power and feather blazon: 600 fill ability, duck downwards
Construction: sewn-through
Certifications: Responsible Down Standard, Oeko-Tex certification
Sizes: twin, full/queen, king
The most luxurious down comforter we've tried: Feathered Friends Bavarian Medium 700 Down Comforter
Our selection
Why information technology's neat: If you want a high-end, luxury comforter—i that's fluffy and light but as well super-warm—the Feathered Friends Bavarian Medium 700 Downwards Comforter is the i to get or to save up for. It's the best value of the luxury comforters we've considered, and we think that with proper care and maintenance, information technology will last for decades (and most likely longer than whatever of our other picks). It'south likewise incredibly lightweight, made of 100% goose down and with a sewn-through construction. At just over 5 pounds for a queen size and only under half dozen for a king, it'due south ane of the lightest comforters we've ever tested. Feathered Friends as well has an excellent reputation for its down sourcing. Non only do its comforters see the Responsible Downwardly Standard requirements, but each comforter comes with a tracking number that buyers tin can enter at TrackMyDown to see the source of each comforter's make full. All RDS-certified comforters are supposed to come with a tracking number, merely we've found that they rarely practise.
The other details of the Bavarian Medium 700 are up to snuff too: generous oversize dimensions; a long-staple-cotton cambric (plain-weave) shell that's one of the softest, quietest, and lightest nosotros've come beyond; and a lifetime warranty protecting against defects in workmanship or materials. If your comforter does need repair that the warranty won't cover (due to normal habiliment and tear), Feathered Friends is happy to fix it, for a fee. Take note: The warranty requires that yous use a duvet cover to maintain coverage, which we recommend for most comforters anyway to protect them from damage.
No other comforter we've tested feels as deject-like as the Bavarian Medium 700. The only drawback nosotros've found is the price, which tops $500 for a queen. The Bavarian Medium 700 is Feathered Friends's most popular weight. Merely 1 of our editors owns and loves the Bavarian 700 Low-cal for her Los Angeles habitation, and she found it to be ideal for a warmer climate. "It'south so light it feels like it's floating over my torso, but I'm perfectly warm," she said. The Bavarian 700 too comes in a warmer, Arctic weight.
Flaws simply not dealbreakers: Due to pandemic-related supply problems and increased need, this comforter has had stock issues over the past couple of winters. But we recently spoke with company representatives who told the states that the company opened a second manufacturing facility in Seattle in December 2020 to help run into the demand. Since then, nosotros've seen this comforter sell out occasionally. The representatives told u.s.a., all the same, that each time, the company has managed to restock inside a week or two. We'll keep monitoring the supply.
If the 700 sells out and you need a comforter earlier the company can restock, a couple of Wirecutter editors own the more-expensive 850 version and are happy with it. The 850 version has a higher fill power (which nosotros explain here) and comes in Lite, Medium, and Arctic weights. Nosotros haven't tested it considering we focused on the more-affordable 700, but nosotros remember this comforter is probable an splendid alternative if price isn't a concern.
Long-term test notes: I of our editors has been using our original 2016 test model since Feb 2020 and says it looks and feels new. "I am still obsessed with our Feathered Friends. I've only done it once, and as soon every bit it gets chilly I'm going to pull it out once more, simply so far, and then good!" We'll be testing a newer one this winter to come across how it compares confronting our other picks, caput to head, over time.
Fill up power and feather type: 700 fill power, European white goose down
Structure: sewn-through
Certifications: Responsible Down Standard
Sizes: twin, full, queen, king/California male monarch
A colorful downwards comforter for kids: Garnet Loma Essential Down Comforter
Our choice
Why it's great: Kids can be tough on their bedding, so for them we like the Garnet Hill Essential Downwards Comforter because it's unfussy, warm, and well constructed. It's a ready-to-go elevation layer that comes in a dozen or so solid colors that appeal to kids. There are no cutesy prints here, so information technology can transition with your child's taste as they abound up. In our 2020 testing, the Garnet Hill got the stamp of approval from our 8-year-old kid tester, who reported that it was "so warm and cozy" to snuggle under. It's Oeko-Tex–certified and comes with Garnet Loma's lifetime guarantee, 1 of the all-time return policies of all our picks. And it'southward the only comforter nosotros recommended in 2020 that remained consistently in stock during the pandemic.
The Garnet Hill's dense percale shell is strong plenty to use without a duvet encompass (this makes information technology easier for kids to brand their own beds). And the whole comforter is simple to wash at home (which makes it easier for grownups to shove everything in the wash at once, a bonus when kids go ill). The twin size we tested didn't overload our machines (neither did the male monarch-size downwardly-blanket version we'd tested previously), and we didn't see whatsoever loose feathers or clusters in the lint trap or on the comforter itself. No feathers escaped during our initial shake tests or during the three or four washes since so.
If your children are allergic to down, or you merely adopt a downward alternative, you tin can opt for the Essential Core-Loft Comforter, which has the aforementioned 550-make full-power and durable percale shell but costs well-nigh four times the cost of the Utopia down-culling comforter. We've as well tested the Essential Downwards Blanket, a lighter version of this comforter (same fill power, just less of it) for our bed blankets guide (it also comes in a Core-Loft version). All are fantabulous, depending on the warmth you need and the fill you lot prefer.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Essential Downward has the lowest fill power of any comforter nosotros recommend. This ways the down isn't as low-cal and blusterous as that of our other picks. But it kept us warm, and the heavier weight didn't carp our testers. The down isn't RDS-certified, either, so we don't know how it was sourced. Also, our kid tester strongly recommends washing the comforter before using it to soften up the crinkly percale fabric, which is potent out of the packaging (she much preferred the texture after a wash).
Long-term exam notes: Afterward near a year of long-term apply, the Garnet Colina has held up perfectly through 3 or four washes, many playroom fort campouts, and a lot of dragging around the house. We're impressed with how solid the percale vanquish has been; we haven't seen any feathers leak out, and it's just gotten softer and comfier with each wash. The color (we tested Faded Rose) has as well stayed vibrant.
Fill ability and fill up type: 550 fill up power, duck down
Construction: sewn-through
Sizes: twin, full/queen, king/California male monarch
Available colors: 12 solid colors, including some bright, child-friendly options
Our favorite downwards-alternative comforter: Utopia Bedding Queen Comforter Duvet Insert
Our pick
Why it'southward great: Over the past five years of testing, the fiber-fill Utopia Bedding Queen Comforter Duvet Insert remains the best under-$50 choice we've tried. We know existent down is hard to shell for condolement, loft, and breathability. But if you avoid using fauna products, are allergic to down, or don't desire to spend the money, the Utopia is the about breathable, cheap alt-downward comforter nosotros've ever tested. It was better at regulating heat than several college-priced downwardly-alternative comforters nosotros tried, including those from Brooklinen and Snowe, and the outer shell was softer than those of many competitors. Like the Garnet Hill Essential Down Comforter, the Utopia does come in several colors, which implies it may exist fine to utilise without a cover. Simply the fabric isn't as thick, so we still recommend using a encompass on the Utopia to extend its life (it includes loops on the corners to attach ane).
We've tested a range of upkeep down options from retailers like Amazon, JCPenney, and other big-box stores, and we've eliminated many of them considering they were essentially defective in quality. Not and then with the Utopia: It has sturdy stitching with piped edges and lofty, siliconized, fiber-filled boxes. Most downwards-alternative comforters don't breathe well, only when nosotros slept with the Utopia, we rarely woke upwardly because we were too hot or likewise cold. With competing down-alternative comforters, we often woke upwardly halfway through the nighttime, sweaty and eager to toss off the covers. The shell feels solid yet soft and smoothen. Plus, all sizes toll less than $50, and so we remember the Utopia would be a slap-up, not-downwards choice for a child'due south bed or in a guest room.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: One of our editors purchased three of these for her kids and notes that the corner loops are small, which makes threading through duvet cover ties a challenge. Also, although presumably yous can return the Utopia comforter to Amazon, we oasis't been able to reach anyone at Utopia to ask whether the company itself offers any warranty (at this price, it's doubtful). In April 2021 we noticed low inventory in several sizes and colors; they've since been fully restocked in white, just other colors are sold out in some sizes. We'll keep watching this one for stock bug.
Long-term test notes: Our editor who purchased these comforters for her kids says that after near two years of utilize, they're of much improve quality than she'd expect for the toll. "They're surprisingly soft, and the filling is evenly distributed."
Fill power and fill type: siliconized fiber-make full
Construction: sewn-through
Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, rex/California king
Available colors: ix solid colors (mostly dark colors)
Who should get this
Anyone who lives anywhere other than the torrid zone likely already has a comforter. The real question is: Do you need a new one? Though many high-quality comforters volition last x years or longer, downward can clump and shift, leaving cold pockets. Somewhen, downwards clusters may fifty-fifty fully disintegrate. If you regularly find that you lot're cold, information technology may exist time for a replacement comforter. See the graphic below on how to choose the advisable weight.
Before you make a purchase, though, give your existing comforter a wash and dry—you lot may come across it magically render to its former fluffy glory. (Encounter our intendance and maintenance section for more than details about cleaning.) If you're allergic to down or not great on using animal products, opt for a down-alternative comforter.
How we picked and tested
Over the years, we've considered more than 90 comforters and interviewed v experts, some more than than once. Though we don't utilise any difficult-and-fast rules when deciding which comforters to examination, we do expect for models that ideally meet the following criteria:
- We prefer comforters with 600 to 800 fill ability. (We explain more about fill ability below, but higher numbers mean fluffier, more-voluminous down, which makes a comforter warm merely lightweight.)
- A well-woven beat out (usually cotton fiber) and solid construction volition assistance ensure that downward doesn't escape. Our experts recommend plain weaves (cambric or percale), sateen, or jacquard textile.
- Nosotros looked for comforters with a generous render policy and a long warranty.
- Ideally a comforter volition have by and large positive possessor reviews.
- A comforter should come in a decent size (at least 88 by 88 inches for a queen bed).
- We looked for ones with corner loops, for attaching a duvet cover.
We had a slight preference for:
- goose downward over less-fluffy duck downwardly (though there is nothing incorrect with duck down, goose down does accept slightly larger clusters)
- Responsible Downward Standard certification
- Oeko-Tex certification
In 2019, 2020, and 2021, we tested a full of 22 comforters in downwardly, downwardly alternative, and wool, including retests of 4 existing picks from Riley, L.50.Bean, Feathered Friends, and Utopia. Nosotros inspected each one to gauge the experience, the stitching, and the weight and loft, and in our 2021 tests we washed them to check for feather leaks and shell durability. We shook each one 10 times to see whether down clusters or feathers escaped. Nosotros paid attention to how noisy the shells were. And we spent fourth dimension under each ane to estimate warmth. Then we sleep-tested the near promising (a total of most 16 comforters).
We focused on employing the comforters as most people would in their own homes, spending a night or ii under each and using 5 slumber testers—including an 8-year-erstwhile child—over the course of ii years. Two of our testers were hot sleepers, and three were average-warmth sleepers. For Jackie'due south fall 2020 update, our testers tried some new upkeep options in a bedroom with a temperature between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit, with the windows open up (except for our kid tester—her windows stayed closed). We wanted to see whether lower fill power and less expensive materials would still keep usa warm when the temperature dropped. In Jackie'due south autumn 2021 tests, when she retested our picks alongside new comforters, testers slept in a sleeping accommodation with a temperature around lx degrees Fahrenheit.
How to choose the best comforter weight for you
Many comforters, including three of our picks, are available in multiple weights, so you lot can choose ane based on the amount of warmth y'all need. Although there's no manufacture-standard warmth rating in the US, most companies break it downwardly simply: light, medium (often called all-season), and heavy. Here'due south a guide to help you lot figure out your ideal comforter weight:
You tin besides fine-tune the warmth of any comforter by irresolute the type of cover you employ (run across our duvet cover picks here). To brand a comforter warmer in the fall and winter, add a flannel embrace, and for leap and summer, opt for a lightweight linen or percale cover. With the exception of the Garnet Loma Essential Down Comforter (which is set to utilise as is out of the bag), we recommend using a duvet comprehend on any comforter yous choose. Skipping a cover might void the warranty on your comforter, according to some policies we've seen. Contact with skin oils tin can make both cotton and down degrade more apace over time than they otherwise would. A cover also keeps clay off of your comforter's shell (which might crusade discoloration), and it tin can help keep feathers from leaking.
Comforter structure 101
All comforters consist of ii outer layers of fabric with an insulating material (like down) sandwiched between them. Most are stuffed with clumps of fill (like down, feathers, or polyfil) that are evenly distributed in channels throughout the entire comforter. There are two ways to practise this: the sewn-through method and the baffle-box method, illustrated by the comforter cantankerous-sections below.
Sewn-through comforters
What it means: Sewn-through comforters may have boxes, channels, or other patterns; these run up the top and lesser of the comforter and forbid the fill from shifting. This construction method is depression-maintenance and makes a comforter easier to wash because the downwards inside each smaller pocket doesn't take much infinite to move around. David Sweet of the American Down and Feather Council told u.s. that if you're not interested in having to maintain something, go with a sewn-through comforter. "You'll never have to worry about make full shifting," he said. The drawback to sewn-through comforters is that some cold air may seep through the sewn-through seams, and the comforter may be slightly less lofty overall.
Baffle-box comforters
What information technology means: Baffle-box comforters are constructed with vertical strips of fabric that separate the top and bottom layers of the outer shell, creating three-dimensional walls. The baffles help go on the down lofty and therefore trap and retain more estrus. But because the bigger boxes can as well let the downward clusters to shift around, information technology's a skillful idea to shake out your comforter to go on the downwards evenly distributed and fluffy. Baffle-box structure is more than labor-intensive and tends to be regarded as being of higher quality. Simply nosotros found that many of the sewn-through comforters we tested—including our luxurious upgrade pick—were merely as warm and fluffy as those with baffles.
Deciphering labels
The world of down comforters has its own linguistic communication, and it tin can be confusing. Here'due south a breakdown of what the terms hateful and (even more than important) how they might factor into your decision-making procedure.
Fill power: This is the book of ane ounce of down measured in cubic inches—the college the book, the higher the fill power. Voluminous, high-make full-power down is lightweight, making a comforter warm merely not heavy. Loftier make full power can also hateful higher-quality fill. Jack Sukalac told usa that the Federal Trade Commission allows manufacturers to use as little equally 75% down in an all-down comforter—the rest can be cheap feathers. This mix is more common in lower-priced and lower-fill-ability comforters. For an entry-level down comforter, 600 to 700 fill power is plenty.
Goose down or duck down: The down in comforters comes from either ducks or geese. Duck downward is more often than not not as fluffy as goose down because most of it comes from small-scale ducks with pocket-sized puffs of downward. Both goose downwards and duck down can make excellent comforters, though, so there'southward no reason to plough your nose up at a down puff'south provenance.
Downward alternative: This is a catch-all term for any non-down comforter filling. At the low end, it's a polyester-cotton wool blend that comes in sheets like batting. It goes upward to gel-cobweb filling or a patented material chosen PrimaLoft (a lightweight, breathable fill that tin increase the price of a downwardly-culling comforter by 15% to 20%).
Cloth weave and thread count: Nigh of our experts recommend a dense, obviously-woven fabric, such as cotton cambric or percale, to help keep down inside a comforter'south beat. Many high-quality comforter shells are likewise made from sateen (a softer, shinier weave, usually of cotton) or jacquard, which often has a decorative weave design. Thread count also plays a role, only don't pay attention to super-high numbers—300 to 400 is platonic. Anything college won't requite y'all better downwards retention and is likely just marketing hype.
Duvet or comforter: Technically, a comforter is a bed covering that is filled with some kind of insulation and sewn shut; it ordinarily features a colour or pattern and does not require a cover. A duvet typically contains down or down-culling fill and is made to be inserted into a duvet cover. However, according to Shannon Maher, the acting dean at the Fashion Institute of Engineering science, in the Usa these terms have become interchangeable.
Oeko-Tex–certified
Oeko-Tex–approved items (cotton fiber, in the case of well-nigh comforter shells) are certified as gratuitous from substances that are potentially harmful to humans and the environs, such as formaldehyde, heavy metals, and plasticizers. Nonetheless, Oeko-Tex–certified items are not explicitly organic.
Ethical downwardly
It's hard to sort out exactly where down is coming from, let lonely whether it was collected using the inhumane do of plucking a live duck or a live goose. Thankfully, some comforter companies are trying to utilize humanely harvested downwardly but. The Responsible Down Standard certifies the traceability of down and verifies that no animals have been live-plucked. The RDS seal appears on items from companies that are operating within the standard'due south requirements and whose products are audited and certified by Control Wedlock. You tin enter the lot number of any RDS-certified piece into Allied Plume + Downwards's TrackMyDown to trace the down back to its source. If yous would like to learn more about ethical down, we have written a whole post on the topic.
What to look forward to
Care and maintenance
Here's the expert consensus: Use a duvet embrace to protect your investment. An exposed comforter will accumulate more than body oils, causing the down and shell to deteriorate more rapidly. Down-alternative comforters are the to the lowest degree fragile and can generally be washed like most other bedding; follow the care instructions on the label. Down comforters, including about all of our picks, tin can be washed at habitation or at the laundromat with extra care.
Most recommendations we've seen say to wash your down comforter in one case a year. Only comforter-repair specialist Jack Sukalac said if it's not stained, soiled, or smelly, you could really wash it every 3 to 5 years. Washing a down comforter as well oft, especially at high temperatures, can shorten its lifespan by damaging the down or the bamboozle-box walls (which are made of a finer fabric than a comforter's trounce). "I tell people when I sell them a new comforter that maybe once every three to 5 years is adequate," Sukalac said. "If y'all wash information technology every twelvemonth, information technology's simply going to send you back to become [a new comforter] sooner." Employ a duvet cover on your comforter to maximize the time needed between washings.
Sukalac too strongly advises confronting dry cleaning a downwards comforter, even though many care labels we've seen say "dry make clean only." He said dry cleaning "ruins" a comforter because the chemicals are besides harsh and volition accept the oils out of downwards. Tread carefully here, though, because even though our experts may recommend that you wash your comforter, you could void its warranty if yous do.
When your comforter does need to be cleaned, retrieve to be extra-gentle. Ideally you should use a front-loading washer, since these make clean bulky items more effectively. If you have a pinnacle-loader, try to keep the load balanced—it's easy for comforters to become tangled or possibly torn on an agitator. Or take your comforter to the laundromat and use a machine that'south intended for oversize items. Use mild soap, and choose the delicate setting. Sukalac has washed comforters in all h2o temperatures—depending on the stains—only he said cold water is best if your comforter is non heavily soiled. The important thing is to make certain all the soap is rinsed out and so it doesn't soak into the fill and cause bug. Sukalac likes to run one washer cycle with soap and and then a second, shorter bike without lather, to be sure the comforter is thoroughly rinsed make clean.
The dryer is really the identify where grit mites and pathogens will be killed off. And if you need to disinfect your comforter, Sukalac recommends that yous dry out information technology on high for 20 minutes and then lower the dryer temperature, leaving the comforter in until it is completely dry. If you lot have a strong allergy to dust mites, he said you could kill them off by putting your comforter in the dryer every iii weeks, for 20 minutes on high heat, without washing it. This is also where sewn-through comforters accept an advantage over baffle-box ones: Because the down doesn't shift, sewn-through comforters dry out more evenly. If you have a bamboozle-box comforter, Sukalac said you should take information technology out of the dryer a few times to milk shake it and attempt to redistribute the down as it dries.
Other expert comforters
Down comforters
If it's available: The L.L.Edible bean Baffle-Box Stitch Goose Downwardly Comforter, Warm is another former top pick. And, side by side to the Feathered Friends comforter, this is the best ane we've e'er tried. Only it'due south constantly sold out. In fact, nosotros downgraded information technology from being a top choice to a runner-up in 2019 because of these supply issues. We contacted 50.Fifty.Bean in summertime 2021 to see whether the comforter might exist available this year, and the company said information technology didn't anticipate 2021 being any ameliorate for supply with this comforter. This comforter hasn't been discontinued—it'southward but hard to get. So if y'all do happen to see it in stock in the size y'all need, catch it (as of this writing, it was bachelor to buy with a three- to iv-week wait fourth dimension).
If you demand a down comforter for a more than-extreme hot or cold climate: We recommend the all-season weight of the Brooklinen Downwards Comforter because information technology's lofty and warm for near climates. But if you live somewhere with milder temperatures (or very chilly winters), Brooklinen makes Lightweight and Ultra-Warm versions that we too tested. The quality of the shell is just every bit high as that of the all-season version, and both are light and fluffy. The lightweight version is fabricated with recycled down, and the ultra-warm uses goose down from Hutterite farmers in Canada (the all-season version we recommend uses Hutterite duck downwards).
If our other picks sell out and you're willing to put upwards with possible delays: The Riley White Goose Down Comforter is our former meridian choice, and we still recall information technology'due south a fantastic comforter if one of our other picks is unavailable. But we've seen Riley struggle to meet customers' expectations in the past. The comforter is heavier than the Brooklinen, and information technology isn't as lofty as the Feathered Friends. But the Riley is warm and durable, and it's held up beautifully in testing, with no feather leaks or damage. In 2020, though, this comforter was plagued with supply issues and shipping delays, and Riley'south customer service team at the time was too pocket-size to meet the needs of frustrated customers. Riley has since expanded its customer service team and supply chain, and it has bodacious united states things accept gotten ameliorate (Riley is a smaller company that grew apace). Nosotros have seen improvements over the past twelvemonth, with fewer and fewer readers notifying united states of bug. However, nosotros've moved the comforter off our list of picks while we scout how the visitor handles the upcoming winter flavor.
If you want luxury and don't mind waiting for Garnet Hill'south frequent sales: The Garnet Hill Signature White Down Comforter was among the best we've tested in the past few years. It'due south lofty and warm just not too hot, and information technology feels super-light to sleep under. But it's about $100 more than our Brooklinen option. If you lot're looking to invest in something that is a step higher up the Brooklinen, we think you'd be amend off going with our Feathered Friends choice, which feels much loftier. However, Garnet Hill has frequent sales throughout the year, and its return policy is i of the best out there (a lifetime guarantee). If you can wait until this comforter is discounted, the Garnet Hill is an absolute steal for the quality.
If yous need an affordable comforter that comes in dissimilar weights: The Target Casaluna Light Weight and Ultra Weight down comforters were just as well made as the Mid Weight. But we didn't think they offered the right level of warmth for yr-circular use by nearly people. They could, however, piece of work for people who live in very cold or very hot places. The Light Weight version left us reaching for extra blankets on a 50-ish degree Fahrenheit dark, and the Ultra Weight comforter made united states of america sweat uncomfortably.
If yous demand a comforter for your kid, teen, or college pupil that comes in a twin XL and an array of colors: Like the Garnet Colina Essential Downwardly Comforter nosotros recommend, The Company Store's LaCrosse Down Comforter doesn't need a duvet cover, and it's a fun option for kids. We've also tested the thinner, coating version of the LaCrosse (for our guide to bed blankets) and the down-alternative version (for this guide), and overall we adopt the Garnet Hill because of its lower price, feel, weight, and construction. But the LaCrosse is available in more than colors, and many of them are brighter (and change throughout the year). If your kid has an absolute favorite hue, and yous don't mind paying a little more than, nosotros uncertainty they'll observe the slight differences in quality. Plus, the LaCrosse comes in a longer, twin XL size for dorm rooms (different the Garnet Hill).
The competition
Downwardly comforters
The Allied Home Deluxe White Down Comforter, some other upkeep option, scored the lowest overall in our 2020 upkeep-comforter testing: It leaked clusters of down in our shake tests and lacked corner ties for attaching a duvet encompass. It is made with RDS-certified down (a plus), with 550 fill power. But nowhere on the packaging or the label did information technology specify duck or goose downwards. Target'south product-description page says duck, and we're sure that's true given the price, withal this was an odd omission since most companies clearly specify the animal origin on the label.
We retested the Snowe Downward Comforter in late 2019, subsequently ii years without testing it. This one should have been a decent deal for the price, considering it'due south stuffed with 750-fill-power RDS-certified duck down and has a soft, 330-thread-count Oeko-Tex sateen cover. But when we retested this comforter, information technology lacked a lot of the loft that made the earlier version a dandy comforter. The diminished quality, along with issues we've had with Snowe'south customer service in the past, make it impossible for us to recommend this comforter.
We liked how light and warm the Parachute Down Duvet Insert felt during our preliminary tests. Just at $400 for a queen, it costs more than many of our picks, which are also of college quality.
The Casper Down Duvet is constructed with long, horizontal boxes that will almost definitely lead to uneven fill up distribution and cold spots. Plus, its noisy beat out bothered us.
The Balichun Goose Down Comforter had a scratchy beat out and so little fill up inside that it felt similar ii pieces of cotton fiber were just sewn together. To say at that place wasn't enough loft would exist an understatement.
Nosotros idea the Crane & Canopy Classic Goose Down Comforter (now discontinued; the new version is called the Supreme Goose Downwards Comforter, which we have non tested) appeared to be well made. But we're leery of whatever comforter with a 30-24-hour interval return policy, especially ane that says the comforter must be unused and unwashed.
In past years we have also tested the following at present-discontinued comforters: the Target Fieldcrest Comforters (the mid-weight was a quondam budget pick), the IKEA Hönsbär and Sötvedel comforters, and the Downlite Hotel & Resort European Down Comforter.
Down-culling comforters
The Visitor Store's LaCrosse Dual LoftAIRE Downward Alternative Comforter costs as much every bit many real down comforters we tried, but it ran much warmer and didn't breathe nearly equally well as the Utopia (though its construction and materials were of higher quality). The medium weight made u.s.a. sweat, so consider the lightweight option, even if you live in a cold climate.
Riley's Downwards Alternative Comforter felt every bit adept as many downwards comforters we've tried. Its shell was pretty noisy, though, and its polyester fill was flatter than those of other comforters. Nonetheless, this comforter felt light, a rarity for downwardly-alternative comforters.
We tested both the Buffy Cloud and Breeze comforters, and we even slept for a night with the Cloud. But we found they were both extremely heavy and didn't breathe at all. Waking upward drenched in sweat and trapped under the Cloud was awful.
In past years nosotros too tested the now-discontinued JCPenney Home Classic Low-cal-Warmth Downward Culling Reversible Comforter, the Target Warmest Down Alternative Comforter by Fieldcrest, and Target'south Made by Design Down Alternative Comforter.
Wool comforters
Authenticity50's Comfort Temp Duvet is the only wool-filled comforter we've tried so far, and it is significantly heavier than the down comforters we tested in fall 2020. All the same, during testing in winter 2019–20, we institute that it was breathable while however very warm and cozy. It isn't fluffy and lofty like our picks because information technology'southward essentially a slab of wool sandwiched between two outer layers of cotton, instead of a bamboozle-box or sewn-through structure. Because of this, nosotros thought it looked smoother and more polished when folded back at the foot of the bed. Information technology also didn't trigger whatsoever allergic reactions in our testers (including 1 who is allergic to pretty much everything). Information technology's in the United states and slightly less expensive than our picks, just during the pandemic stock has been unpredictable because of manufacturing plant shutdowns.
Sources
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Jack Sukalac, engineer and down comforter expert at All About Down, interview , Oct 16, 2020
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Top-Rated Comforters, Sleep Like The Dead
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Ashley Poskin, No Demand to Dry Clean: How to Launder A Downward Comforter, Flat Therapy , June 5, 2019
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Shannon Maher, interim dean, Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Engineering science at Style Establish of Technology, interview
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David Sweet, and so-president of the American Down and Plumage Council, interview
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Daniel Uretsky, president of Allied Plumage + Down, interview
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Gary Peterson, general manager at Western Mountaineering, interview
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-comforter/
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