Buying guide for best down comforters
When you’re trying to get a good night’s sleep, having the right bedding can make all the difference. Down comforters are some of the most luxurious blanket options for your bed, and because they’re available in a variety of weights, they can work as part of your bedding year-round.
Extremely durable and breathable, a down comforter is filled with down feathers that give the comforter a light, fluffy feel that many people prefer. If you crave the best sleep possible, though, you’ll need to choose the right one. That means finding the correct size, selecting the right type of down and shell material, determining the proper fill power, and deciding what other features will make a comforter as cozy as possible.
With such a wide array of down comforters on the market, selecting which one to buy can be confusing. That’s where our shopping guide comes in handy — it has all the tips and product recommendations you need to select the perfect down comforter for your bed.
Key Considerations
Size
Choosing the right size for a comforter is usually pretty easy — you simply match it with the size of your mattress. Down comforters are available in all standard bed sizes, including twin, full or double, queen, king, and California king.
Type of down
While down comforters are traditionally filled with feathers, there are several different types of down to choose from.
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Goose down is the most widely used filling for down comforters. It’s made up of small undercoat feathers that help insulate the goose in cold weather. Goose down is available in both white and gray options, though white goose down is usually more popular, because it doesn’t show through a white shell.
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Duck down is usually more affordable than goose down. It typically features down from a duck’s undercoat but includes feathers from other parts of the bird as well.
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Synthetic down is an ideal option for anyone with allergies who might be triggered by natural down, or for those who prefer not to use animal products. It’s not made from actual feathers, and instead uses a blend of cotton, wool, and polyester for a hypoallergenic comforter.
Shell material
In addition to the down filling, the material that a down comforter’s outer shell is made of can be an important consideration. Some common materials for down comforter shells include the following:
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Cotton. This is the most common shell material for a down comforter. It is extremely soft, durable, and easy to care for. Most people find it to be more breathable than other options, too.
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Silk. A smooth, breathable material that has a very luxurious feel for a down comforter shell. However, it’s more costly than cotton and harder to care for as well.
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Wool. This has an extremely soft, warm feel and is effective in wicking away moisture, too. However, it can be fairly pricey and heavy, so it may not be the most comfortable option for warmer climates.
- Synthetic blends. These feature a combination of cotton and polyester or another synthetic material. Mixing a synthetic material with the cotton gives a comforter’s shell even more breathability and makes it more moisture-wicking.
Features
Fill power
A down comforter’s fill power measures the volume that one ounce of down takes up in the comforter. Comforters with a higher fill power typically offer more warmth and have a fluffier feel. However, if you’re buying a comforter for the summer or simply prefer lightweight blankets in general, you may prefer an option with a lower fill power to stay cool.
Here are some guidelines to help you determine the best fill power for your down comforter:
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A fill power of 400 and below provides a lightweight feel and light warmth, so the comforter works best in hotter climates or for use in summer.
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A fill power of 400 to 600 is an ideal option for comfortable warmth no matter what the season. But some people may not find these options warm enough for winter depending on where they live.
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A fill power of 600 to 800 provides significant warmth but still has a lightweight feel. It works well for winter or climates that are particularly cold.
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A fill power of 800 to 1,000 provides the most warmth you can get from a down comforter. It offers superior insulation, so it’s an ideal option for winter or an extremely cold location. A down comforter with this type of fill power tends to be fluffier and more durable, too.
Thread count
Just as with your sheets, a down comforter’s thread count is an important feature to consider. Not only does a higher thread count mean a softer comforter, but it also provides a tighter weave that keeps the feathers in your comforter from coming loose.
For a down comforter, choose an option with a thread count of at least 300 to 600, which is usually sufficient to contain the down and provide a soft feel.
Construction style
Down comforters are stitched together using several different construction styles. Each style can have its benefits depending on your bedding preferences.
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Baffle-box construction is one of the most common options for down comforters, because it features strips of fabric that hold the top and bottom comforter layers together. These strips, or baffles, create larger compartments for the down that helps spread it out for even insulation throughout the comforter.
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Box stitch is another common construction type, which stitches the top and bottom layers of the comforter together in a box-like pattern for even distribution of the down.
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Diamond-quilted comforters are similar to those with a box-stitch construction, but instead of sewing the top and bottom layers of a down comforter together in a box pattern, a diamond pattern is used.
- Gusset construction means the top and bottom layers of a down comforter are sewn together along the outer edge to increase the comforter’s loft. The middle section of the comforter is then sewn together with either a baffle-box or box stitch.
Price
Down comforters vary in price based on their fill power, thread count, and size. Most king-size down comforters range from $70 to $440. Prices for smaller-sized comforters are typically lower.
Inexpensive
The most affordable king-size down comforters are lightweight models with a lower thread count. They usually have a fill power of around 400 and a thread count of at least 300. You’ll typically pay between $70 and $130, sometimes less if they are on sale.
Mid-range
Typically ranging from $130 to $280, mid-range king-size down comforters are usually lightweight models that have a fill power between 400 and 700 and a thread count between 300 and 500.
Expensive
The most expensive king-size down comforters are extremely warm, durable models with a fill power between 700 and 1,000 and a thread count of 500 or higher. They have an extremely luxurious feel, are usually filled with goose down, and are ideal for extremely cold temperatures. They usually cost between $280 and $440.
Tips
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The best way to protect a down comforter is to use a duvet cover with it. Duvet covers are much easier to wash, so you can just clean the cover every week or two rather than having to wash your comforter.
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Depending on the size of your down comforter, it may be too large to wash in your home washing machine. Consider taking it to a dry cleaner with laundering services to have it washed in a commercial-sized washer.
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When washing a down comforter at home, use cold water to prevent shrinkage.
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It may take multiple cycles in a home dryer to completely dry a down comforter. Adding a few dryer balls or clean tennis balls to the dryer with the comforter can speed up the process.
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If your down comforter develops an odor, hang it outside on a dry day to air it out.
FAQ
Q. How long does a down comforter last?
A. It depends on the quality of the comforter that you purchase and how well you care for it. If you purchase a comforter with a low fill power and thread count, it can lose most of its down quickly and only last a year or two. However, if you purchase a well-filled comforter with a high thread count to keep the down inside the shell, your comforter can last ten to 15 years.
Q. What kind of maintenance does a down comforter require?
A. Each morning before you make your bed, shake your comforter out to make sure that the down is evenly distributed. Remove your duvet cover at least once a month to wash it. Check the comforter for stains and spot clean if necessary once or twice a year. Every two to three years, wash the comforter itself to keep it clean.
Q. Can a down comforter cause allergy issues?
A. Some people do experience allergy symptoms with a down comforter. It’s usually not an allergy to the down itself, but dust that’s left behind on the feathers even after they’re washed. If you or a family member suffers from allergies, a synthetic down comforter is usually your best bet.
