Buying guide for best comforters
The art of sleeping has become a science — just look at the plethora of mattress companies out there, all promising the best night’s snooze ever. But it’s not just what goes beneath that counts. Choosing the right comforter is key, and that means figuring out what size, weight, warmth factor and filling is best for you. Depending on where you live, you may even need different duvets for summer and winter.
Traditionally, comforters are made with cotton and filled with goose or duck down, and these still make up a large portion of the market. However, the polyester or synthetic filled duvets are much better for anyone with allergies and won’t clump after washing (as well as being cruelty-free.) In either case, a cotton shell will provide the best breathability and baffle-box stitching helps stop the contents of the comforter from shifting.
What to look for when buying a comforter
Shell material
The materials used for a comforter’s shell determine how breathable it will be. For the shell material, it’s best to choose a natural fiber, such as cotton, silk, or wool.
Cotton is a natural fiber that has a smooth, soft feel. It’s also extremely breathable and wicks sweat and moisture away from the body for a cool night’s sleep. Cotton is the best option if you tend to be a hot sleeper.
Like cotton, silk is a natural, hypoallergenic fiber that breathes very well. It has a soft, luxurious feel, but it is still warm enough to keep you comfortable at night.
Another natural fiber, wool effectively retains natural body heat to keep you warm. But excess heat passes through wool, too, so you’ll also be comfortable in the summer.
A cotton-polyester blend is a combination of synthetic and natural fibers. Polyester isn’t breathable, so it can be too warm for your bed in the summer. It can also stick to your skin if you sweat at night, which can be uncomfortable.
We evaluate the stitches of comforters, noting the pros and cons of baffle box, gusseted, diamond-quilted, ring-stitched, and sewn-through designs. While stitch design comes down to aesthetic preference, some designs create more fill “shifting” than others.
The material of a comforter shell determines how breathable it is. We look for comforters made with breathable shells of cotton, silk, and wool.
We look at goose down and duck down comforters in our quest to find the best. Goose down is expensive and often found in high-end comforters. Duck down is less fluffy but also more affordable.
For consumers with allergies, it’s best to go with a down alternative filled with cotton fibers, gel fibers, or cotton-polyester blend fibers. Gel fibers are often the fullest and softest option.
We look at comforters that are machine washable as well as those that require dry cleaning. However, we keep in mind the fact that most consumers prefer something they can wash at home.
We consider the size of each comforter in our research. Consumers should opt for a larger comforter than the size of their mattress so it comfortably covers all sides.
Since fill power (the amount of space one ounce of down takes up inside a comforter) determines how insulated and fluffy a comforter is, we tend to prefer comforters with a fill power between 400 and 800. The higher the fill power, the warmer the comforter will be.
Thread count reflects the number of stitches per square inch. We look at comforters with thread counts between 300 and 1,500, noting that a higher thread count renders a softer blanket.
Some comforters are lightweight; others are bulky. We note the heaviness of each comforter on our research list.
For consumers who want maximum warmth, we recommend getting a comforter with a down cluster fill. Down cluster is made from the fluffiest part of duck and goose feathers.
Fill material
When it comes to fill material, goose and duck down both keep you warm at night. Goose down comforters tend to be fluffier than duck down styles, though goose down will cost you more.
Goose down is a very common filler material for comforters. It makes a comforter extremely fluffy, so high-end styles usually use it.
Duck down is the most commonly used filler material for comforters made in North America. Duck down comforters aren’t as fluffy as goose down comforters and are usually less expensive.
Down cluster comforters use the fluffiest part of duck and goose feathers, found beneath the main feathers, making them extremely warm. Manufacturers usually list the down cluster percentage used in the filler — the higher the percentage, the higher the quality of the comforter.
Instead of down, some comforters use cotton fibers, gel fibers, or cotton-polyester blend fibers. Gel fibers are the highest quality alternative filler as they make for the fluffiest, softest comforters. Down alternative is the best fill option if you tend to have allergies.
Fill power
Fill power is the amount of space that one ounce of down or down alternative takes up inside a comforter. The fill power determines how insulated and fluffy a comforter is.
Comforters with a fill power up to 400 are soft and provide lightweight warmth.
Comforters with a fill power between 400 and 599 provide warmth that’s appropriate for all seasons.
Comforters with a fill power between 600 and 799 tend to be warmer but still have a lightweight feel.
Comforters with a fill power of 800 and up offer the highest insulation, so they work very well for providing warmth in the winter.
Did you know?
Fill power is the measure of the amount of space that one ounce of down takes up inside a comforter. The higher the fill power, the fluffier and more insulating the comforter will be.
STAFF
BestReviews
Size
The comforter’s size should match the size of your mattress. Comforters are sold in the common twin, full, queen, and king sizes. You can find extra long twin and California king comforters as well. While you probably already know the size of your mattress, it’s a good idea to measure it for the exact dimensions. Check a comforter’s specifications to ensure that it’s the right fit for your mattress.
If you can’t find a comforter that matches your mattress exactly, always opt for a larger option rather than smaller. In fact, you may want to purchase your comforter in a size up from your mattress so it covers the sides of your bed if you don’t use a bedskirt. If two people sleep in the bed, a larger size can also ensure that both sleepers have enough blanket to sleep comfortably at night.
Thread count
Thread count is the number of stitches that bedding has per square inch. The higher the thread count, the softer the comforter will feel. A higher thread count is especially important for down comforters because the tighter weave helps keep the down contained.
For a fairly durable, soft comforter with a budget-friendly price tag, choose one with a thread count between 300 and 500.
For a more durable, even softer comforter with a mid-range price tag, opt for one with a thread count between 500 and 800.
For a very durable, luxurious comforter with a high-end price tag, select one with a thread count between 1,000 and 1,500.
Did you know?
If you choose a comforter with a high thread count, it’s less likely the down filler inside will slip out.
STAFF
BestReviews
Stitch design
Comforters come in a variety of stitch designs. Choosing a design is based mainly on aesthetic preference, though some designs allow for more fill shifting than others.
With a baffle box comforter, pieces of fabric known as baffles are placed between the top and bottom layers to form compartments to hold the comforter’s fill. A baffle box box design makes for very fluffy, cushioned comforters.
Gusseted comforters feature walls around the outer edges that connect the top and bottom layers, which makes for a fluffy comforter.
A diamond-quilted comforter’s top and bottom layers are sewn together in a diamond design to prevent the fill from moving around.
Karo-step comforters feature cross stitches that form open compartments to keep the fill from shifting too much, while still allowing for some movement.
A ring-stitch comforter’s top and bottom layers are sewn together with small circles to keep the fill from moving too much.
The top and bottom layers of sewn-through channel stitch comforters are stitched together in vertical or horizontal rows. This design allows for some movement of the fill.
The top and bottom layers of sewn-through box stitch comforters are stitched together in a box pattern, which prevents the fill from moving.
Did you know?
It can take up to three days after taking a comforter out of its packaging for it to fully expand and reach its maximum fluffiness.
STAFF
BestReviews
Cleaning and care
Choosing a comforter that’s easy to clean makes it much easier to care for and maintain your bedding.
Many comforters are made of machine-washable fabrics, so you can easily throw them in the washing machine. Other comforters are dry clean only, which can make cleaning them more of an ordeal.
Make sure to check the manufacturer’s care instructions to ensure that you properly clean your comforter.
Comforter prices
Comforters vary in price based on their size, shell material, fill, and thread count, but you can typically expect to pay between $40 and $400.
Inexpensive
For a budget-friendly queen-size comforter with a thread count of 300 or less, you’ll usually pay between $40 and $65.
Mid-range
For a quality queen-size comforter with a thread count between 300 and 400, you’ll pay between $100 and $150.
Expensive
For a high-quality queen-size comforter with a thread count over 400, you can expect to pay between $250 and $400.
Comforter tips and tricks
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for washing your comforter. In most cases, a front-loading washer works best for machine-washable styles.
You can protect your comforter — and make it last longer — by placing a duvet cover over it.
During warmer weather when you may not need a heavy comforter on your bed, store it in a breathable bag. A plastic bag can cause mildew.
While down is more expensive and typically higher quality, you can find excellent down alternative comforters, which may be better for people with allergies.
FAQ
Q. Is fill power or thread count more important in a comforter?
A. Both measurements are important, but it comes down to personal preference in determining which one matters more. Fill power is most important if you’re concerned about the comforter being too warm or not warm enough. Thread count is most important if you’re concerned about the comforter being soft enough.
Q. Can I use a down comforter if I have allergies?
A. Allergic reactions with a down comforter typically occur due to dust mites, and all bedding, including your mattress, sheets, and pillows, can harbor mites. To prevent allergies, choose a comforter filled with hypoallergenic down or a down alternative, and wash it regularly to limit possible dust mites.
Q. Are comforters machine-washable?
A. Many comforters can be washed in a washing machine, but it depends on the materials. Some are dry clean only. Always consult the manufacturer’s care instructions to ensure that you’re cleaning your comforter properly.
