Best duvet inserts and comforters 2024 – for all seasons and budgets

A bed isn't complete without a comforter. Along with a fresh set of sheets and a supportive pillow, the right duvet insert is an essential aspect of your bedspread. The best comforters are light and fluffy – and, since they come without a cover, they're wrapped in soft and stylish shells.

Before we begin, it always helps to define our terms. The difference between a comforter and a duvet is that a comforter can stand alone, while a duvet insert needs a duvet cover. If you're struggling to decide between the two, then you're in luck: we've weighed up the pros and cons of duvets vs comforters.

As H&G's specialist sleep expert, I lead a team of expert testers in the search to find the world's best duvet inserts. I've narrowed it down to my top six to suit every season, every budget, and every style of sleeper. For the sake of a fair fight, each duvet insert is assessed against the same criteria: comfort; cooling; ease of care; and the all-important price. You might be able to get it for less when you shop the Black Friday bedding sales.

Best duvet inserts 2024 − 6 tested options, at a glance

Below, you'll find a bite-size summary of each insert, outlining who it suits, what it costs, and the most important pros and cons. To learn more about a particular insert or comforter, keep scrolling, or press 'read more below' to shortcut to that section. There, I've listed the need-to-know specs, including fill type and density, before diving into the details of our testing experience.

The best duvet insert overall

The Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert offers something for everyone, whether you sleep hot or cool in a Twin bed or a California King. This comforter comes in three warmth weights to suit all seasons and sleep styles. I recommend the Lightweight for hot sleepers and warmer climes, the Ultraweight for cold sleepers and cooler climes, and the Midweight for everybody in between. Each insert comes with corner loops for easy attachment to duvet covers.

The clue is in the name: this duvet insert is filled with duck and goose down. This might raise alarms for animal lovers, but take heart that Boll & Branch down is sourced from American farms and certified by the IDFL Down Standard. That means every stage of production, from farm to factory, is investigated by an independent organization to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare.

I love the look and feel of the Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert. It's by far the most luxurious of any insert on this list. All that down creates natural loft which makes for a beautiful bedspread. It's the sort of insert I'd expect to see in a high-end hotel or luxury spa. If in doubt, opt for the lighter weight: customer reviews indicate that the Down Duvet Insert errs towards the weighty side.

Admittedly, the Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert is on the more expensive side: we're talking more than $400 for a Lightweight Queen. If you're looking for a down comforter, but you're working with a tighter budget, then I suggest you shop the Brooklinen Down Comforter, instead.

• Back to the top⤴

The best down alternative duvet insert

I started testing the Buffy Cloud Comforter back in the spring, but it's really come into its own this summer. Where down duvet inserts tend to trap heat, down alternative inserts are more breathable, and the Buffy Cloud Comforter made a great lightweight layer to get me through the heat and humidity.

Each Cloud Comforter incorporates and upcycles the materials from approximately 50 plastic bottles to minimize waste and maximize warmth. I was worried that I'd be able to feel the plastic shards through the shell of the comforter, but I can't. The plastic is spun into super-thin, super-soft fiberfill that looks and feels a lot like real down, without the animal produce.

The Buffy Cloud Comforter comes in 11 shades to complement any color palette. I opted for classic white, but you could choose between soft blues, bright pinks, and fresh greens. If you'd rather use it as a duvet insert, you can: the Buffy Cloud Comforter comes with corner loops for quick ties.

For a down alternative comforter, the Cloud feels exceptionally light and fluffy. Although it can't hold quite as much air as a real down comforter, it comes close. I'd recommend the Buffy Cloud Comforter for hot sleepers, eco-conscious shoppers, and anyone working with a tighter budget: this is one of the most affordable comforters on the market, starting at $116 for a Twin.

• Back to the top⤴

The best down duvet insert

There's a difference between down clusters and duck feathers. Clusters are just the fluff, while feathers have the filament. Where most down comforters are filled with individual feathers, which can poke through the shell to scratch your skin, the Brooklinen Down Comforter is stuffed with down clusters for a fluffier feel. It's my favorite duvet insert for a nice, lofty bedspread.

As down comforters go, this one is pretty animal-friendly. Brooklinen sources their down sustainably from Canadian farms and meets the Downmark standard for quality assurance (that's not quite as big a deal as the International Down Standard, but it counts for something). Still, if you prefer to purchase vegan products, you'd be better off with the best down alternative comforter.

The Brooklinen Down Comforter comes in Lightweight, All-Season, and Ultra-Warm to suit every style of sleeper. Where the Boll & Branch Duvet Insert comes up pretty heavy, the Brooklinen Down Comforter feels pretty light: I'd only recommend the Lightweight option for seriously hot sleepers or summer use. I tried the All-Season insert, which still felt a little thin at the start of spring and end of summer, but I'm finding it much more comfortable now we're heading towards winter.

• Back to the top⤴

The best duvet insert for hot sleepers

The best cooling comforter for night sweats is filled with wool. Hear me out: I was skeptical, too. Before I sampled the Woolroom Organic Washable Wool Comforter, I thought of wool as the stuffy, scratchy stuff that made up my old school sweaters. As a hot sleeper who suffers from night sweats, especially over the summer, I couldn't think of anything worse.

Turns out, wool is a natural thermoregulator and an excellent moisture-wicker. According to the 2024 Woolroom Clean Sleep Report, wool can hold up to 33% of its weight in water before it evaporates first thing in the morning. I first slept under the Woolroom Organic Washable Wool Comforter on the Woolroom Sleep Retreat, and I couldn't believe the breathability: so much better than my old down alternative duvet.

Fun fact for eco-conscious sleepers: the wool in the Woolroom Organic Washable Wool Comforter is totally traceable. When I scanned the QR code on my care tag, I could identify the exact farm and flock of sheep that made my wool. It's great to see this sort of transparency from a major bedding brand.

This wool comforter comes in four weights: Lightweight; Medium; Warm; and All-Season. I sleep best with the All-Season insert, but bear in mind that the price of the product increases with its weight. Also, the Woolroom Organic Washable Wool Comforter only comes in Twin, Full, Queen, and King sizes.

• Back to the top⤴

The best duvet insert for cold sleepers

Not everyone is a hot sleeper. As we head into winter, you might appreciate one of the best warm comforters to keep you cozy. The Saatva Heavyweight Comforter is filled with a unique blend of down alternative and thermoregulating lyocell fibers to keep you just the right side of warm and dry.

For a down alternative duvet insert, the Saatva Heavyweight Comforter has a lot of loft. That'll be the thick, fluffy handfuls of fiberfill, stuffed into the comforter and held in place via baffle-box construction. That means no lumps, no bumps, and no cold patches. Still, nothing compares to the natural loft of the best down comforter.

The Saatva Heavyweight Comforter is wrapped in a cotton percale shell to boost breathability. Our expert tester, Jaclyn Turner, tried it out as the Atlanta weather turned from winter to spring. 'I'm a hot sleeper, but I still like to sleep with a layer,' says Jaclyn. 'I like cuddling up in cozy season, but I don't want to overheat. I was pleasantly surprised to find I could still sleep comfortably in milder temperatures, though I wouldn't want to sleep under the Heavyweight Comforter in summer.'

Retailing at $345 for a Queen, the Saatva Heavyweight Comforter is on the more expensive side, but that's the price you pay for such heaped handfuls of fiberfill. For an affordable, all-season alternative, consider the Saatva All-Year Comforter.

• Back to the top⤴

The best organic duvet insert

'Down alternative' is a catch-all term that encompasses everything other than feathers. I've slept under comforters filled with breathable bamboo, smooth silk, and even sheepskin. For eco-conscious customers looking to try something new, I recommend alpaca wool.

Shearing the alpacas doesn't hurt them − in fact, getting rid of all that excess wool helps their skin to breathe. It's much better for the environment to buy an organic duvet insert that incorporates animal produce than it is to buy a cheap, synthetic comforter that will only end up in landfill.

Alpaca wool is naturally antimicrobial, so it should slow the spread of bacteria, mold, and mildew while keeping bed bugs and dust mites at bay. As H&G's resident Sleep Editor, and a hot sleeper, I'm always raving about the natural benefits of wool: it's thermoregulating and moisture-wicking to keep us cool and dry, all year round.

While the Avocado Alpaca Duvet Insert is neither machine-washable nor dryer-safe, it's relatively easy to clean. Avocado recommends spot-cleaning to tackle smaller spills or stains and hanging the comforter in direct sunlight to restore freshness.

• Back to the top⤴

How we test duvet inserts

As H&G's resident sleep writer, I lead a 10-strong team of product testers. Together, we represent a wide range of ages and sleep styles, and we live all across the country, from hot and humid cities in the South to cooler climes in the Pacific Northwest. We sleep under comforters for a minimum of 30 days in our own homes to give an accurate indication of long-term performance. To learn more about how we test at Homes & Gardens, consult our expert guide.

We assess each duvet insert or comforter against the same criteria: comfort; cooling; and ease of care. To assess comfort, we lie beneath the comforter and consider the weight and the feel of the fill, watching out for any sharp feather filaments or clumps of fiberfill. To assess cooling, we switch off our AC and sleep beneath the comforter, making note of any nights we wake up in a sweat. We follow the cleaning instructions on the care tag to wash and dry the comforter, monitoring how it feels and how it looks before and after each wash.

We also consider the practical aspects of buying a duvet insert or comforter, from the range of sizes available to how it looks on the bed. We like to compare our findings against verified reviews to pick up common customer concerns. Finally, we bring it all back to the price of the product to help you determine value for money.

How to choose a duvet insert

Fill type

There are two categories of duvet fill: natural and synthetic. Natural duvets feel lighter and fluffier: they're better for thermoregulation, but they're less suitable for vegans or anyone who suffers from allergies.

• Down: made from the fluffy part of feathers (the quills), down duvets feel light and airy, and they offer the best level of warmth. You might read about Hungarian, Swedish, or Canadian down, which is naturally designed to keep warm in cold weather. I recommend down duvets for cool sleepers and winter weather.
• Feather: heavier than down, a feather duvet is filled with both quills and barbs (the filament of the feather). These duvets are stronger, more robust, and often less expensive, creating weight and warmth for less.
• Silk: if you're allergic to feathers, but you still want to sleep under a natural duvet, then silk could be a good option. Like down, it's lightweight and thermoregulating, but it's often more expensive.
• Wool: another natural alternative, wool is an excellent moisture-wicker. According to the Woolroom Clean Sleep Report 2024, wool can hold up to 33% of its weight in water (or sweat). It's highly absorbent to keep your bed and body dry.

Synthetic duvets are better for sleepers with sensitive skin, but they lack a little of the natural loft that makes a beautiful bedspread.

• Microfiber: filled with extra-fine fibers, these duvets feel ultra-lightweight.
• Hollowfiber: these filaments feel thicker, more wiry and durable than microfiber. They're often coated with a hypoallergenic treatment to soothe sensitive sleepers.

Tog rating

You might see the term 'tog' plastered over the duvet packaging or printed on the care tag. 'Tog' stands for 'Thermal Overall Grade' and it's measured on a scale from 1 to 15.

The higher the tog, the warmer the duvet. You might like a lighter duvet for summer (somewhere between 1 and 7 tog) and a warmer one for winter (10 tog or above). You could buy an adjustable duvet to see you through all four seasons or opt for an all-season weight (from 7 to 10 tog). If you're wondering, 'what duvet tog do I need?', I suggest you consult our expert guide.

Sizes

Your average duvet insert or comforter comes in all the standard sizes, from Twin to California King, but they're designed to be longer and wider than your mattress. Most manufacturers follow the 12-16 rule: that a duvet should be 12 inches longer and 16 inches wider than the mattress.

If you want to create an oversized drape, you can always size up. If you share a bed with a partner, but you'd rather sleep with separate duvets, then I suggest you shop for two Twin XLs rather than one Queen.

FAQs

What duvet inserts do hotels use?

Most hotels use goose-down duvet inserts. They're light and fluffy, suitable for all seasons, with plenty of loft to make a beautiful bedspread. If you're interested, I've interviewed top hoteliers and head housekeepers to work out: 'which bedding do luxury hotels use?'

Where is the best place to buy comforters?

I've compiled a list of the best places to buy comforters. I've even picked out my favorite comforters from specialist sleep stores, such as Saatva and Brooklinen, to streamline your shopping experience.

Once you've bought one of the best duvet inserts, it's time to dress the rest of the bed. I've ranked and reviewed 12 sets of the best bed sheets to suit every style of bedroom and every size of budget.