Written by Riley Otis, Editorial Intern
In the market for a new duvet? You’ll first want to get clear about what, exactly, a duvet is. Many people confuse duvets with comforters, and it’s easy to see why: They’re pretty similar. Both duvets and comforters provide cozy, fluffy warmth and feature some kind of internal fill. Where duvets and comforters tend to differ is that duvets are generally intended to be used inside a duvet cover (with some exceptions).
A duvet, then, is kind of like an enormous pillow for your bed that goes inside an enormous pillowcase. Using a duvet cover can offer several perks: It lets you customize the design of your bedroom, change up that design without spending money on a whole new comforter, and easily keep your bedding clean without having to trek to the laundromat or dry cleaner. Now that you’re clear on what you’re buying, check out our list of some of the best duvets on the market.
Our Top Pick For Duvet Inserts
We chose the Brooklinen Down Comforter as our top pick for duvet inserts because it’s soft and fluffy while also being super breathable. We also love that it’s hypoallergenic.
Best Duvet Inserts
- Best Overall – Brooklinen Down Comforter
- Best Down – Peacock Alley White Goose Down Duvet
- Best Silk – Vesta Silk-Filled All-Season Duvet
- Best Down Alternative – Peacock Alley Down-Alternative Duvet
- Best Down Alternative – Tuft & Needle Down-Alternative Duvet Insert
Best Duvet Inserts Video
Best Overall – Brooklinen Down Comforter
Brooklinen Down Comforter
The Brooklinen Down comforter use natural down and is great for those looking for a really fluffy feel.
Sleepopolis Score
4.70 / 5
The Brooklinen Down Comforter is made from a 100 percent cotton sateen shell and is filled with down clusters, which makes it super cozy and soft. Attaching this insert to a duvet cover is easy due to the loops on each corner, but you can also use this comforter without a cover. Since cotton and down aren’t naturally hypoallergenic, this duvet is treated with an anti-microbial finish to make it hypoallergenic.
The Brooklinen Comforter also comes in three weight options: lightweight, all-season, and ultra-warm. You can choose whichever weight fits your sleeping preferences and climate. The all-season is a good happy medium for any time of year.
What our tester says: “This comforter feels like a classic down comforter: fluffy, cozy, and cloud-like.” — Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer
Who the Brooklinen Down Comforter is Best for
- All temperature sleepers: This duvet comes in three weight options, so you should be able to find one that suits you regardless if you’re a hot or cool sleeper.
- People with allergies: Although cotton and down aren’t hypoallergenic, the antimicrobial finish on this duvet can help curb some of the negative symptoms of allergies.
- Feather and down lovers: This comforter has the traditional feel of a down duvet and could be great for those who prefer this feel.
Who Should Avoid the Brooklinen Down Comforter
- Vegan shoppers: The down in this duvet comes from real birds, so this is not a good option for those looking to shop vegan.
Get our best deal on the Brooklinen Down comforter here. Or for more Brooklinen bedding, check out our Brooklinen sheets review or our Brooklinen weighted throw blanket review.
Best Down – Peacock Alley White Goose Down Duvet
Peacock Alley White Goose Down Duvet
400 thread count, with a soft and luxurious cover.
If you’re looking for a duvet that’s incredibly fluffy, then you may want to opt for one that’s filled with down. In the case of this duvet from Peacock Alley, the fill is sustainably sourced white goose down, resulting in feel that’s luxurious, comforting, and of course, soft. According to the brand, the duvet is lightweight despite its plushness, and can be used all year round.
What customers say: “My goose down comforter is so light and comfortable for any season. I love the puffiness [of my] bed.” — Louise M., verified five-star review
Who the Peacock Alley White Goose Down Duvet is Best for
- Lovers of luxury: Peacock Alley is known for its luxury products, and this down comforter has an extra touch of elegance, thanks to its shell made of 400 thread count cotton sateen sheeting.
- Hot sleepers: The duvet should help you stay cozy without overheating you during the warmer months of the year.
- Parents: You can machine-wash this duvet, making for easy cleanup in the event of any accidents or spills.
Who Should Avoid the Peacock Alley White Goose Down Duvet
- Budget shoppers: This is a very expensive duvet that may not be the best fit for anyone on a tight budget.
Get our best deal here. Our full Peacock Alley White Goose Down Duvet review is coming soon.
Best Silk – Vesta Silk-filled All-season Duvet
Vesta Silk-filled All-season Duvet
This duvet from Vesta is filled with silk and covered with cotton, making for a soft and cooling product.
The most luxurious duvet on this list has to be the Vesta Silk-filled All-season Duvet. This duvet insert is all-natural and made of high-quality materials, such as a 100 percent silk filling and 100 percent cotton cover. The silk and cotton give this duvet a super soft feel and keep it breathable and cooling. Silk is a moisture-wicking and hypoallergenic material, so it’s a great pick for hot sleepers and folks with allergies alike.
We love that this duvet comes in two color options, Space Gray and Mirage White, and that it can be used with a duvet cover or standing alone. Overall, it’s a cozy and lightweight duvet that is temperature regulating.
What our tester says: “The Vesta Silk-filled All-season duvet is certainly one of the most luxurious ones I have tested. It feels silky smooth and doesn’t trap much heat at all.” — Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer
Who the Vesta Duvet is Best for
- Hot sleepers: Silk is a great material for hot sleepers because it is breathable, cooling, and moisture-wicking.
- People with allergies: Silk is a hypoallergenic material, which people who struggle with allergies may appreciate.
- People wanting a silky smooth feel: This duvet has the classic luxuriously smooth feel of silk that is super soft.
Who Should Avoid the Vesta Duvet
- Those seeking a “cloud-like” feel: If you want a super fluffy and high-loft duvet, this may not be what you are looking for.
Looking to deck your bed out in silk? Check out our reviews of the best silk sheets.
Best Down Alternative – Peacock Alley Down-Alternative Duvet
Peacock Alley Down Alternative Duvet
Soft and cozy duvet meant to mimic the feel of goose down.
As comfortable as down can be as a material, it also tends to activate sleepers’ allergies. Luckily, Peacock Alley has a down-alternative duvet that’s filled with a Dacron blend meant to replicate down without making you sneeze, itch, or get runny eyes. You’re likely to experience it as soft, fluffy, and compressible.
What customers say: “My husband is always cold, and in the summer, I need my bedding light. This solved the problem.” — Diana F., verified five-star review
Who the Peacock Alley Down-Alternative Duvet is Best for
- Sleepers of all temperature: This duvet is designed to be warm without overheating. Several reviews comment on how it’s a good fit for hot sleepers and cold sleepers alike.
- Luxury shoppers: The sateen shell of the Down-Alternative Duvet gives it an ultra-luxurious feel.
- Parents or sleepers with pets: You can machine wash this duvet on cold, which makes cleaning up spills and accidents fairly easy.
Who Should Avoid the Peacock Alley Down-Alternative Duvet
- Budget shoppers: Although not as pricey as the standard White Goose Down Duvet, this is still a fairly expensive product.
Get our best deal here. Our full Peacock Alley Down-Alternative Duvet review is coming soon.
Best Down Alternative – Tuft & Needle Down-Alternative Duvet Insert
Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Duvet Insert
The Tuft & Needle Down Alternative duvet insert is available in two weight options. It features a cotton shell and polyester down-alternative fill.
If you’re seeking the feel of down but don’t want the authentic bird down material, consider the Tuft & Needle Down-Alternative Duvet Insert. Instead of using real down, this duvet insert has a 100 percent cotton shell and a polyester fill. You can easily attach a duvet cover using the corner loops and it’s also machine washable. This duvet comes in two weight options — light and medium — so you can pick which works best for you.
What our tester says: “The Tuft & Needle Down-Alternative duvet insert feels really versatile to me. I found it to be really cozy and for under $200, it’s a solid deal, too.” — Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer
Who the Tuft & Needle Down-Alternative Duvet Insert is Best for
- Vegan shoppers: This duvet does not contain real bird down, so it’s a great pick for those wanting a vegan product
- Hot sleepers: Sleepers who run hot at night may enjoy the lightweight option to avoid overheating.
- Cool sleepers: Those who get chilly at night can appreciate the extra warmth the medium-weight duvet provides.
Who Should Avoid the Tuft & Needle Down-Alternative Duvet Insert
- People who want an all-natural product: The down-alternative fill used in this duvet is polyester, which is a synthetic material.
Sold on this duvet? Click here to get our best deal. Interested in more Tuft & Needle bedding? Head over to our Tuft & Needle sheet review or our Tuft & Needle pillow review.
How We Picked
In order to sift through the hundreds of duvet options out there, we prioritized the following factors.
Aesthetics
People may prefer the look of different colors or stitching patterns, such as pinched pleats, box stitching, or diamond stitching. We included options to suit different preferences.
Of course, if you’re planning to use a duvet cover, then the aesthetic of the duvet itself is kind of irrelevant. So don’t spend extra on a particular design if you’re planning to cover it up!
Care
If you’re planning to use a duvet cover, then you won’t need to wash your duvet very often; you can just wash the cover on a regular basis.
Time Saving Tip
Duvet covers are easier to wash than duvet inserts. The cover is less bulky and usually machine washable, while the insert can be hard to fit in the washing machine, if it’s even machine washable. Using a duvet cover can make washing your bedding just a little easier.
But because some people prefer to use duvets without covers, we wanted to make sure it would be easy to care for your bedding. Most of the options on this list are machine-washable, so you can care for the duvet without having to trek to (or pay for) a dry cleaner.
Comfort
We prioritized duvets that are soft, fluffy, and comfortable. Some of these are lightweight and should provide all-season comfort, while others are warmer and meant strictly for colder months. We provided different options so you can tailor your choice to your climate and sleeping preferences.
Personalized Comfort
Remember that what feels comfortable to one sleeper may not be right for another sleeper. When choosing a duvet insert, think about the bedding you’ve loved sleeping with in the past. Was it super cloud-like and fluffy? Did it have a bit of weight to it? Prioritizing these elements can help with finding the perfect duvet insert.
Cost
Duvets can range pretty widely in price from less than $30 to over $200. We included options from both ends of that price range so you can customize your purchase to your budget.
Materials
This is one of the primary factors that distinguishes one duvet from another.
When it comes to duvet fillings, some people prefer real goose down, while others have allergies or ethical concerns about goose down and prefer to use duvets that are filled with a down alternative.
When it comes to duvet covers, some are made from cotton, Egyptian cotton, microfiber, or polyester. The material used in the cover will often affect its softness. This might not be an issue if you’re planning to use a duvet cover, but it’s something to consider.
We included duvets made from a variety of cover and fill materials so you can choose according to your preferences.
Sleepopolis Buying Tips
Hunting for the perfect duvet? Consider the following:
- Will you be using a duvet cover? Some duvets can stand alone without a cover. But if you plan to use a cover, you’ll want to consider whether the duvet has loops that will help secure it inside the cover. If you’re not planning to use a cover, you might want to choose a machine-washable duvet so it’s easy to care for your bedding at home.
- What’s your budget? Duvets can range from under $30 to well over $100, so you’ll want to think about your budget in order to narrow down your options.
- What’s your aesthetic/materials preference? Some people don’t want to use goose down because of allergies, some people love the look of pinched pleats or diamond stitching, and so on. Think about your preferences before you shop to help you filter through your choices.
The right duvet will keep you comfy-cozy through cold winters or all year round. Consider your climate, your intended use for the duvet, your budget, and your preferences around design and materials in order to settle on the best duvet for your needs.
FAQs
What is a duvet insert?
A duvet insert goes inside a duvet cover. Similar to a comforter, a duvet insert acts as a thick blanket that has some sort of filling, such as down or cotton. Some duvet inserts require a cover and some can stand alone.
What is the difference between a duvet insert and a comforter?
Comforters and duvets have a lot of similarities, but there are some key differences that set them a part. The main difference is a comforter can be used by itself and a duvet usually acts as an insert and requires a cover. However, some duvets can stand alone, too. To learn more about the differences and similarities, check out our duvet vs comforter article.
How is a duvet different from a blanket?
A blanket usually consists of just one layer of material. A duvet can be made of multiple layers and typically has some sort of fluffy filling, such as down, cotton, and polyester.
Riley Otis
Editorial Intern
About Author
Riley is an editorial intern at Sleepopolis. She’s a firm believer that there’s nothing better than a good night’s sleep. Riley is a student at Elon University and currently working towards a degree in journalism and creative writing. In her free time, she loves to paint, cook, and spend time with family (especially her pets).
Combination Sleeper