Best Comforters: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

During the cold winter months, it’s always nice to tuck yourself underneath a warm comforter. Other comforters are thin enough for year-round use. You can curl up underneath them even in warmer summer months.

The trouble is that there are so many on the market, you may have difficulty knowing what the best comforter for you is. However, you don’t have to hunt the web or your local bedding store to find the best comforters. We compiled a list of our top recommendations for a new comforter, along with some shopping tips that can help you determine if a comforter is right for you.

1. Recover+ Comforter

The Recover+ Comforter for Amerisleep is designed for year-round use, which is why it’s our recommendation for the best comforter of 2024. Its quilted design includes a breathable mix of lyocell, polyester, cotton, and Celliant® fabric for a plush, cloud-like feel.

The Recover+ Comforter’s fabric is a near-even mix of breathable cotton with Celliant®, a material that the FDA determined has several benefits. The threads in Celliant® have thermoreactive minerals that let the fabric absorb body heat and convert it into infrared energy. This infrared energy penetrates your body and boosts your local blood flow, improving your body’s overall recovery.

The comforter’s fill also includes some Celliant® for added recovery. The fibers wick away moisture and heat, keeping you cool and dry no matter what time of year it is.

You can choose a twin XL, full/queen, or king size Recover+ Comforter. A full/queen size comforter is $290. All sizes come with a 1-year limited warranty.

The comforter’s corner ties also let it double as a duvet insert. While a duvet cover isn’t necessary to sleep well under your comforter, it will make it easier to keep the comforter clean. Amerisleep even sells a duvet cover set with two matching pillow shams.

The Amerisleep Percale Duvet Cover Set is made with 300-thread-count, long-staple cotton. Long-staple cotton has a smoother, silkier feel and resists pilling and tearing over time. Percale cotton is also well known for its crisp, cooling feel, and Amerisleep boosts the material’s crisp feel and its breathability with a single-pick insertion weave.

Amerisleep offers four different designs for their duvet covers. You can choose a solid light or dark grey, a light grey with stripes, or a dark grey with stripes. The cover’s zipper is hidden by flange edges that prevent it from sticking out or poking you, a design trick that the matching pillow shams also have. Cloth ties help keep your comforter from bunching up.

The duvet cover is available in queen and king sizes. Every cover includes a 5-year limited warranty.

2. Damask Stripe Synthetic Fill Comforter

A thick comforter is perfect for the winter months, but what if you want a lighter comforter to wrap up in once the weather starts to warm up? Cuddledown®’s damask comforter, which has a fill power of 500, might be the perfect way to stay warm during late winter and early spring. Plus, its striped design will be a striking addition to your bedroom’s decor.

The synthetic fill contains fibers that mimic down’s insulative feel, without any of the clumping or matting that down can experience.

The striped, lightweight fabric that encases the fill is made with 300-thread-count combed cotton. The comforter’s box stitching prevents the fill from moving, while reinforced seams and piping provide a lovely finish.

Cuddledown®’s comforter comes in twin, full, queen, oversized queen, king, and oversized king sizes. You can also choose from “summer,” “level 1,” and “level 2” fills:

• Summer is recommended for warm climates and room temperatures that range from 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, or for hot sleepers.
• Level 1 is best in cooler climates and rooms with temperatures between 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Level 2’s recommended range is mostly restricted to the 55 to 60-degree range, a perfect choice for cold climates.

The better option for you can also depend on how warm your body temperature runs as you sleep. A lighter fill might be best if you tend to sleep hot, even if your bedroom’s temperature is in the 55 to 65-degree range.

The comforter is certified safe by OEKO-TEX® according to the organization’s Standard 100 test. The test examines every part of a textile for harmful ingredients.

A standard queen size comforter ranges from $229 to $249, depending on your choice of fill.

3. Buffy Breeze Comforter

Buffy’s Breeze Comforter is an eco-friendly, sustainable cooling comforter. Even the thread used to sew the comforter is 100 percent recycled.

The comforter’s outer shell and fill contain eucalyptus, a more breathable and cool material than polyester or down. The eucalyptus is grown in Austria, requiring 10 times less the amount of water it would take to grow cotton. Once harvested, the eucalyptus is turned into fibers through a waste-free process.

Eucalyptus lyocell is a durable material that can last for years, so you can expect many nights of sleeping well with your new comforter. Plus, eucalyptus repels mold and dust mites, so the comforter should remain close to pristine between cleanings.

Buffy does recommend having your comforter dry cleaned instead of washing it at home, and suggests minimizing runs to the dry cleaner by using a duvet cover. If you want a comforter that’s simple and inexpensive to care for, you might want to reconsider a Buffy comforter.

The Breeze Comforter comes in twin/twin XL, full/queen, and king/California king sizes. A full/queen is $219.

All Buffy comforters come with a 7-day trial period. Once the trial period has passed, you will be charged for your comforter. Buffy also provides a 30-day return policy, starting from the day your order is placed.

4. Pottery Barn Supreme Down Duvet Insert

Pottery Barn’s luxurious down comforter truly does live up to its label of “Supreme.” The soft down provides a fill power of 650 so that even on the coldest of winter nights, you should feel toasty warm tucked under it.

The comforter has a marginally oversized design to promote a fuller and thicker loft. Its baffle box construction keeps the down in place, limiting shifting that could reduce your comfort.

Pottery Barn’s down fillings are inspected by an outside party to ensure that the fill meets Responsible Down Standards (RDS) requirements for certification. The down goes through a Freshness Assured™ cleaning process, ridding the down and feathers of any dust and odors that might trigger allergies.

The insert’s outer shell is 100 percent cotton sateen with a 300 thread count. The sateen features a soft, breathable feeling and a clean, white look.

Pottery Barn’s duvet insert is available in full/queen and king/California king sizes. A full/queen is $439, with 30 days after you first receive it to return your comforter (receipt required). You can also add a cambric cotton duvet protector to your shopping cart, to keep your insert spotless.

5. Feathered Friends Bavarian 700 Down Comforter

The Feathered Friends company takes its name seriously, stuffing its comforter with goose down that’s been ethically sourced. This comforter has a fill power of 700 for a truly insulating material.

The comforter’s cambric cotton shell has a 400 thread count, and a single-ply weave for more softness and durability. Its seams are double stitched with a piped edge. Fabric loops let you use the comforter as a duvet insert.

You can choose a comforter in twin, full, queen, king, and California king sizes. There are also three weights to pick from—light, medium, and Arctic.

Light is described as the best choice for anyone in a warm climate or who tends to sleep hot. Medium is the most popular option and works well in most temperate climates. Arctic is a good choice for cold bedrooms.

A queen size comforter costs between $459 to $599, depending on your chosen weight.

6. Permabaffle Box Goose Down Comforter

L.L. Bean’s warmest down comforter is stuffed with goose down for a fill power of 600. The comforter’s signature Permabaffle® gate system keeps the down in place, so you shouldn’t find any spots where the fill clumps or gets too thin. This thick comforter will help you block out the chill if your bedroom gets cold during the winter months.

The comforter’s corner ties make it easy to secure inside a cover, letting you dress up the comforter and extend the time between washing it. The cover’s fabric shell is 280-thread count cotton, with a weave designed to prevent any feather quills from poking through the cover.

This cream-colored comforter is available in twin, full, queen, and king sizes. A queen size comforter is $509. L.L. Bean gives you a full year to return the comforter if you’re not satisfied with it. There is a slight charge to return an item by mail, but free returns are offered at L.L. Bean stores.

7. Alberta™ RDS Certified European Down Baffled Comforter

The Company Store’s Alberta Euro Down Comforter has a 600 to 650 fill power, with a 300-thread-count sateen cotton cover for more softness.

This down comforter has a 12-inch baffle box construction, creating a high loft. The comforter is finished with a double-needle top stitch, with corner loops that let it double as a duvet insert.

The Company Store offers this comforter in twin, full, queen, and king/California king sizes with your choice of a light, medium, or extra warmth. You can also pick different colors for your comforter from white, ivory, alabaster, cloud blue, and platinum. The price range of a queen size comforter is $369 to $449, depending on your chosen warmth level.

The Company Store offers a lifetime guarantee. If you want to return your comforter at any time, The Company Store will allow you to exchange it or provide you with merchandise credit.

8. Snowe’s Down Comforter

This comforter from Snowe has a fill power of 750, excellent for those who live in colder climates. French white duck down fills the comforter and is encased in a 330-thread count sateen cotton. Snowe describes the comforter’s feel as like a cocoon. It’s perfect not only for your bed but also for curling up on the couch to watch some TV or read a book.

You can purchase a full/queen or a king size comforter with a lightweight or all-season fill. The lightweight comforter lets air flow through to keep you cool in warmer weather. The all-season fill has 40 percent more material than the lightweight option, providing needed warmth during the colder months.

A full/queen comforter is $250 to $300, depending on your fill’s weight. If you have a down allergy or are shopping on a budget, Snowe also offers a less expensive down alternative comforter.

9. Comfort Spaces Cooling Comforter

If you’re shopping on a tight budget and want a way to stay warm without overheating, Comfort Spaces’ Cooling Comforter might be the perfect solution. The comforter’s fill is infused with MicaX cooling fibers, which wick away moisture for a cool and dry night of sleep. The cover is a white microfiber.

The comforter comes in twin/twin XL, full/queen, and king sizes. A full/queen is currently $33.79 on Amazon, with a 30-day return policy.

What is a Comforter?

A comforter is a piece of bedding made from two pieces of fabric sewn together and filled with soft, insulative materials. A comforter may be called a “doona” or a “continental quilt” in other parts of the world.

You usually place a comforter over the top sheet, although some may slip a thin blanket in between during colder weather. Like other bedding items, comforters come in various sizes to match the standard mattress sizes. Since comforters are a loose piece of bedding, the comforter’s exact dimensions tend to differ between bedding companies.

Differences Between a Comforter and a Duvet

Customers, blogs, and even bedding companies use the terms “comforter” and “duvet” so interchangeably that you may not be aware that the two are supposed to be different pieces of bedding. The main difference is that a duvet is technically two separate bedding items, with an insert inside a fabric cover. A comforter is just one piece.

Similar to a comforter, a duvet insert is two fabric pieces sewn together and stuffed with a fill meant to keep you warm. Traditionally, a duvet insert is thicker than a comforter and replaces your top sheet and blankets.

The insert is kept covered for easier cleaning—the cover takes up less space in a washer than the thick insert. To use a cover, you simply slip it over the duvet insert, then zip or button it closed. When it’s laundry day, you remove the cover and throw it in with the rest of your washing. As a bonus, colored covers let you dress up the usual plain white duvet.

The line between a comforter and a duvet has become blurred. Many companies try to create a product that can be used as both. For example, a comforter may have corner ties that allow it to double as a duvet insert.

Comforter Buying Considerations

Choosing the right comforter will require you to consider a few features. Before you purchase a new comforter, ask yourself if its fill, fabric covering and construction, and size is right for you.

You might also want to consider the question of matching bedding with your comforter. While you can mix and match bedding items, a comforter set or a bed in a bag can provide you with all you need to redesign your bedroom.

Fill Material

Fill is the insulative material inside a comforter. Down is the traditional fill used in comforters, and it remains common even as other natural and synthetic options grow in popularity. There are pros and cons to the standard down fill, and familiarizing yourself with each can help you better decide what your ideal comforter is.

Down clusters are harvested from ducks and geese, with duck down as the more common option for comforters made in North America. European comforters are more likely to have goose down, which creates a fluffier comforter than one filled with duck down.

Down is usually one of the more expensive fills, so it might not be the right choice for you if you’re shopping on a tight budget. Clumps of down can also harbor allergens such as dust mites and pollen. Down alternatives are less likely to trap allergens.

However, genuine down is often thought of as both more insulating and more breathable than many other down alternatives. If you want to keep cool on a warm night and warm on a cool night, down can be a good choice.

Common down alternatives include cotton, polyester, and gel fibers.

Fill Power

Fill power can be a confusing term when you first come across it, but it’s a fairly simple concept. The comforter’s “fill power” refers to how much room an ounce of down occupies in the expanded comforter. Higher fill power usually creates a thicker comforter with more loft.

The average comforter usually has a fill power of around 600. Higher fill powers are also associated with greater insulation.

If you want a warmer comforter, look for one with a fill power between 600 to 800. Conversely, if you want a comforter with a lighter profile for a warmer climate, look for one with a fill power around 400.

Fill power and fill weight are two separate measurements but should be considered when determining how much loft a fluffy comforter will have. For instance, a high-quality comforter with a 600 fill power and 40 ounces of down fill will likely have a greater loft than one with a 700 fill power and 35 ounces of down.

Comforters with down alternative fills may also have a listed fill power. These different materials may not have the same loft of a down comforter even if they share the same fill power.

Outer Fabric Materials

All comforters have a fabric covering or shell that encases the comforter’s fill. A comforter’s fabric should be soft, durable, and breathable so you can have a good night’s rest for many years.

Coverings are often made with cotton, polyester, or a blend of the two:

• Cotton promotes air circulation to remove excess heat and moisture. Most cotton fabrics are easy to care for, and their feel can differ depending on their weave.
• Polyester is often less expensive and more elastic than cotton. The trade-off is that polyester does not breathe as well as cotton. A comforter with a polyester cover can trap heat and moisture.
• Cotton-polyester blends often provide the strengths of each. The material has more stretch than cotton and promotes better airflow than polyester.

Less common cover materials include wool, silk, and eucalyptus.

Thread Count

A thread count measures how many horizontal and vertical threads there are in a square inch of fabric. As a general rule, a higher thread count can mean a softer material, but only to a certain extent.

Higher thread counts often contain finer yarns and may have a tighter weave to help fill a fill.  However, a too high thread count can mean that the yarns are brittle and prone to fraying and breaking down. A good thread count range is 200 to 800; be cautious of thread counts that exceed 1,000.

Sewing Construction

Comforters need certain constructions to keep their fill in place. Otherwise, your fluffy comforter’s fill can shift around, leaving you with cool spots and areas where the fill clumps.

Two common methods for sewing the filling onto the comforter are the sewn-through and baffle box designs. The sewn-through method has the comforter’s two sides sewn together to hold the fill in a near-flat square. A baffle box construction adds an extra piece of fabric between the comforter’s two sides, giving the filling room to rise and create a more three-dimensional design.

Of the two, a baffle box is usually preferred because it expands the comforter, providing more loft. A simpler variation on the baffle box is the box stitch construction, which typically costs less to produce but can’t match the loft of a baffle box design.

Size

Comforter sizes lack the standardization of mattress sizes, so you often find their dimensions vary from company to company. Furthermore, the advertised length and width can be misleading if the comforter has a higher loft. More fill will cause the comforter to expand upward rather than outward. So, a fluffier comforter may hang less over the side of your bed.

There are two methods that can help you find the right size comforter. The simpler method is to look for a comforter that’s at least 16 inches wider and 12 inches longer than your mattress. If you have a queen size mattress that measures 60 inches wide and 80 inches long, you would be looking for a comforter that’s at least 76 inches by 92 inches.

If you want a comforter that hangs beautifully on your mattress, measure your mattress’s thickness. Take that measurement and add it onto your mattress’s length to determine a good length for your comforter.

To find your ideal width for a comforter, multiply your mattress’s thickness by two. Then, add the answer to your mattress’s width.

When you’re considering sizes, you may see companies selling comforters designed to fit two sizes, such as twin/twin XL, full/queen, or king/California king comforters. Smart shoppers should remember to do the math to make sure those dual-sized comforters are right for them. Otherwise, they might buy a comforter that hangs too long or too short on their bed.

Comforter Sets and Bed in a Bags

If you’re shopping for new bedding, it can be time-consuming to pick out each item. You might want to save yourself the trouble of mixing and matching sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and comforters with a bed in a bag or a comforter set.

A comforter set is a more basic option. It usually includes just a comforter with a couple of matching pillow shams. Deluxe comforter sets may include a bed skirt or decorative shams and throw pillows. This set is a good choice if you’re happy with your current sheets and want to dress up your bed a little.

A bed in a bag, sometimes called a bedding ensemble, is more inclusive with its bedding choice. Aside from the comforter, it’s likely to include:

• A fitted sheet
• A flat sheet
• Pillowcases
• Pillow shams

A bed in a bag is an excellent way to simplify your shopping if you’re upgrading your mattress to a larger size or redecorating your bedroom.

Washing and Caring for a Comforter

The first thing to do with any new comforter is to review its care instructions. It’s common for a comforter to be machine washable, but a few are hand wash or dry clean only. Most bedding companies also list a comforter’s care instructions on their website, so you can always double-check if your comforter will require special care before buying it.

Even a machine washable comforter isn’t the easiest piece of bedding to clean. Many comforters are inconvenient to wash and dry because they’re so bulky. Some comforters are so large that they won’t fit inside a standard household washing machine. Instead, you may need them professionally cleaned.

To wash your comforter, follow any temperature-specific instructions and use a gentle detergent. Try to avoid using bleach since the harsh chemical can damage a comforter’s fill and outer covering. Comforters that require hand washing can be soaked in a laundry sink or bathroom tub.

If your comforter is safe to go through your dryer, run it through on a lower heat cycle. You may need another cycle for the comforter to completely dry, but it’s better to dry your comforter instead of damaging its materials slowly.

Does your comforter look a little flat? You might want to toss in some clean tennis balls or wool dryer balls to give the comforter a good fluffing in the dryer. Alternatively, hanging the comforter outside on a clothesline for a few hours can help redistribute the bedding’s downy fill.

You can also give your comforter a good fluffing with just your hands. Just straighten out the comforter and press down on any lumpy areas with the palm of your hand. The best way to prevent your comforter from going flat is to avoid lying down on top of it.

Using a Cover

Pairing your comforter with a duvet cover is an excellent way to limit how often you need to wash your comforter. Many owners use a variation of the “burrito trick” to avoid wrestling with the cover and insert. The steps for this trick are as follows:

1. Turn your duvet cover inside out and lay it down flat on your bed.

2. Place your comforter on top of the cover. If the comforter has corner loops, secure the cover’s ties to them. Otherwise, you can improvise with safety pins in the cover’s and comforter’s corners to prevent bunching.

3. Starting from either the cover’s head or foot, begin rolling the insert and cover together like you’re rolling up a burrito. Rolling up a larger comforter may be easier with a second person.

4. Once the comforter and cover are completely rolled up, fold the cover’s opening around the burrito. Fasten up the opening with its buttons or zipper.

5. Roll out your bedding bundle, fluffing where it’s needed.

If you choose not to use a cover, a top sheet can be a shield between you and your comforter. However, it will not provide the full protection that a cover can offer from spills and other accidents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a comforter the same as a blanket?

The difference between a comforter and a standard blanket is how many layers the two have. While a blanket is thicker than a sheet, it is still one piece or “layer” of fabric. A comforter is three layers, with two pieces of fabric sandwiching a warm and fluffy fill.

How do I pick a good comforter?

The most crucial consideration when you’re looking for the perfect comforter is how warm you want it to be. Do you want a comforter that’s light enough to be used in the summer months, or do you want one thick enough to curl up with on a cold night?

Then, you want to consider materials. You don’t have to choose the classic down fill as there are plenty of excellent down alternatives. The comforter’s shell should be a breathable fabric to prevent moisture and heat from accumulating.

What is the best comforter for hot sleepers?

If your body temperature naturally runs a little high, you might want to look for a lightweight comforter. Shop for a comforter with a lower fill power under 600, or even under 400. Natural materials such as cotton, down, and eucalyptus are usually breathable enough to keep you cool.

Do hotels use comforters or duvets?

Hotels often use an uncovered comforter because they are easier for laundry staff to throw in the wash. Comforters are also used with sheets and blankets while duvets traditionally are not. So hotel guests can decide how much or how little bedding they want. If your hotel bed is too warm, it’s easier to remove a comforter and sleep with sheets and a thin blanket.

Is it better to buy a duvet or comforter?

The terms are used so interchangeably that it almost doesn’t matter what you buy. We recommend that regardless of whether it’s called a comforter or a duvet, you’ll want to buy a cover to help your comforter/duvet last longer. Before buying, check if the comforter has corner loops to help it stay inside a duvet cover.

How can I make my bed more luxurious?

The first step to creating a luxurious bed is to take a look at your mattress. Is it just the right balance of plush and support, or does it show wear and tear? Now might be the perfect time to upgrade your mattress with a new one. If you don’t have enough money just yet, consider a mattress topper to improve your bed’s feel while you save up for a new mattress.

Once you’re sure you have the best mattress for you, consider your pillows and bedding. Your pillow should be supportive enough to keep your head and neck aligned with your spine, but soft enough to provide a cloud-like feeling. Your bedding should keep you warm, but also contain breathable materials to prevent overheating and excess sweating.

How often should I wash my comforter?

Your bedding should be at least washed once a week, according to scientists. How often you need to wash your comforter will depend on whether you use a cover or not.

An uncovered comforter should be washed weekly with your sheets and pillowcase—which can be inconvenient if you have a large comforter. Covering your comforter can let you limit cleanings to every two or three months, as long as you throw the comforter’s cover in with your weekly wash.

Should I get a white comforter?

A classic white comforter can be a good choice. White can brighten up a room, plus it goes with almost any other decor or bedding. And if you’re ever in the mood for a more decorative piece, you can slip a colorful cover over your white comforter.

Can you sleep with just a comforter?

You absolutely can sleep with only a comforter if that’s what helps you sleep well at night. This is even the basic idea behind a duvet, which is thicker than the traditional comforter because it’s meant to replace your other bedding.

You might want to purchase a separate cover for your comforter to stretch out the time between washings. Otherwise, you’ll have to throw your comforter in a washing machine about once a week to keep it clean.

How do you store a comforter?

When your comforter isn’t on your bed, you’ll want to fold it away somewhere where it stays clean and dry. A closet shelf is a perfect place to store a comforter for many. If that’s not an option for you, try a storage bag that you can stow under your bed.

We strongly recommend against placing a comforter in a plastic bag for long-term storage. The bags can trap water and moisture inside, giving mold and mildew the conditions they need to thrive.

You’ll want to avoid keeping an unused comforter in attics, sheds, and garages. All too often, these places expose your comforter to pests and moisture.

Conclusion

Finding the right comforter can make a cold winter’s night bearable or even enjoyable. Consider its size, fill material and fill power, fabric covering, and stitch construction. You can buy a comforter on its own, or purchase it as part of a larger bedding package.

You can also use a comforter outside of your bedroom. Try curling up underneath it on your couch when you’re relaxing during a winter evening.