The Best Comforters, At-Home Tested by Certified Sleep Science Coaches

The best overall comforter needs to go above and beyond the standard bedding call of duty, and that is precisely what the Cozy Earth Silk Comforter did. My colleague Kenny Timper, a certified sleep science coach, was absolutely smitten with this high-quality comforter, saying, “It is so silky that I can feel it even when it is inside a duvet cover. It is just really smooth and comfortable.” After testing it at home for several weeks, Kenny gave it a 5-out-of-5 rating in: materials, feel, and temperature regulation. 

This luxury comforter is available in twin, full/queen, and king sizes, as well as with standard and extra mulberry silk filling (the extra filling increases the price by approximately $50); Kenny opted for the standard. “The amount of filling in the standard version is generous enough to keep you warm without overheating,” he said. “Since it was pretty warm where I live when I tested it, I appreciated that the bamboo viscose shell helped regulate my temperature. I slept coolly despite the southern heat.” He advised that those living in cooler climates may want to opt for the extra filling.

To protect the comforter, Kenny put it in a duvet cover. He appreciated the interior snap closures, which helped keep the insert in place, preventing it from scrunching up.

Considering that this comforter’s shell is made from bamboo and the filling consists of mulberry silk, it is not surprising that it is pricey. We deducted several points because its price point isn’t budget-friendly. However, given its superior materials, durability, and cooling capabilities, we still believe this super-soft, splurge-worthy comforter earned its best overall rating due to its excellent return on investment. 

However, if you’re looking for a machine-washable comforter, this Cozy Earth option is not the one. It is dry clean only, which can certainly be a hassle. However, by putting a duvet cover on it like Kenny did, you can save yourself the trip to the dry cleaners. Kenny said, “Even if you opt for a non-silk cover, you will still be able to feel how soft and comfortable this cover is.” 

My husband’s body temperature rockets to roughly that of the Sahara Desert when he tucks himself in at night. However, I think it is close to a sin not to sleep with a fluffy, cozy comforter. Needless to say, I am always on the lookout for bedding accessories that can satisfy both of our needs. After reading product expert Nicole Davis’s review of the Brooklinen Down Alternative Comforter, I knew that it deserved the spot for best comforter for hot sleepers. 

Nicole gave this comforter a perfect score of 5 out of 5 in temperature regulation after testing it for several weeks. She said, “Even when it started to heat up outside, this comforter’s down alternative kept us cool. It’s more breathable than down filling, and hot sleepers will enjoy it through all seasons.” However, she noted that if you share a bed with someone who doesn’t heat up as much as you, your partner may need to add an extra layer, like a quilt, when the temperature drops.

In addition to its stellar cooling properties, it also performed well in our materials and feel evaluations, earning another 5 stars. It features a sateen shell and hypoallergenic microfiber fill, and Nicole agreed with Brooklinen’s description of this comforter, which states it is as fluffy as a cloud, soft, and swaddle-worthy. “This comforter just feels nice, and it is more breathable than a down comforter,” she said. “We actually didn’t put a duvet on it because we enjoyed how it felt so much.” 

However, be cautious if you also opt to go sans duvet, as while you can spot clean it, it will require dry cleaning if you have a larger spill or stain. Although a duvet will add to the $269 price (MSRP/queen-size), it will likely extend the life of your comforter and save you money on dry cleaning in the long run. 

Even factoring in additional costs, Nicole’s positive experience with this duvet prompted her to say, “After using this comforter for two months, I definitely think it is worth it, especially if you are a hot sleeper.”

If you opt for the Brooklinen comforter, we wanted to point out that while Nicole did not experience this issue when she used it, we did see several 1-star reviews stating that the comforter became lumpy over time as the fill shifted around. However, even with these ratings, this comforter still earned a 4.3 from the customer reviews on the Brooklinen website.

After my colleague and fellow sleep science coach Livvi DiCicco tested the Silk & Snow Down Duvet Insert for several weeks, it found a permanent home on her bed. Livvi gave it a 4 out of 5 or better in price, materials, feel, and temperature regulation. How could I not select the down comforter that earned a place in Livvi’s heart and bedroom as the best?

Livvi appreciated that although it is an all-season down comforter, it had generous filling and a cotton shell that was so soft that Livvi didn’t even use a duvet cover during testing. “I used the insert for months without a cover because it was so comfy and cozy on its own,” she said.

Although Livvi said that the traditional baffle-box construction lends to frequent fluffing, it wasn’t burdensome. “I found fluffing all the down clusters up to be more fun than frustrating,” she said. “I liked trying to get all the individuals cubed to the same size.” She also noted that despite being filled with feathers, it still had some heft to it: “My queen comforter didn’t blow away when I had a fan on, but instead it remained steadfast when I put it on top of my mattress.”

Livvi also appreciated its ability to keep her both cozy and cool. “I live in the Midwest, so in the span of a week, I can experience a foot of snow, sweltering heat, and a tornado or two,” she said. “I figured a down comforter would keep me warm, but as someone who is prone to night sweats, I worried if it would make me too hot, despite claiming to be all-season.” 

Although she felt it was warming up at times, she was able to combat this with her favorite cooling sheets. Given that she considers herself a hot sleeper, Livvi thinks most people would be fine with this comforter’s cooling abilities. However, those who get extremely hot and sweaty may want to opt for the lightweight version of this comforter, and possibly even pair it with a mattress designed for temperature regulation.

The lightweight version will also save you a little money, as a full/queen retails for $270, and the all-season option costs $325 for the same size. While this is pricey, Livvi said, “Even though it costs a good bit and I find the dry clean only care instructions a little irritating, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy this quality comforter again — at full price.”

If you, like me, love the feeling but not the filling of down, you will want to check out the Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Comforter — our pick for the best down alternative comforter. My biggest issue with down is that the feathers are constantly attempting an escape. Down alternative typically stays inside the comforter’s shell better, but it is also hypoallergenic, cost-effective, and an ethical alternative to traditional down. 

When product expert Livvi DiCicco tested this comforter at home, she gave it 4 or more stars in materials, feel, temperature regulation, wash care, and customer service, proving that this offering from Coop Sleep Goods is a solid, versatile choice for those looking for a down alternative. 

As soon as she took it out of its packaging, Livvi was taken with this comforter set’s unique design. It comes with a crisp, cotton sateen base and two “half panels” so that you can mix, match, or layer one side or the whole bed. This adjustability allows you to use it year-round, and it can help couples with different temperature preferences agree on a single comforter.

Livvi now uses this durable comforter in her spare room and has received no complaints from her guests. She said, “My second room gets the least amount of AC, so I only put the base layer on the bed. However, my friends found creative ways to use the extra panels; one propped it under their pillows for a little extra height, while another who was bunking on the couch used it for some extra cushioning, giving the sofa a pillow-top feel.” 

Livvi did note that even with the additional panels, she worries that it won’t be warm enough for those in colder climates. “If you’re looking for a lot of warmth, you may want a thicker comforter,” she said. “At the very least, those in colder climates will want to use the additional panels and maybe throw on some flannel sheets.”

However, whether you’re in the sunny Southwest or the frozen Northeast, Livvi thinks that everyone will agree that a comforter that can be machine washed is a welcome forecast. Although Livvi was a little uncertain if the biggest panel would fit comfortably in her washing machine, she thinks that those with a large-capacity washer should be all set. 

When you want to snag a great comforter using the speedy benefits of your Amazon Prime account, look no further than the Buffy Breeze Comforter. Product Expert Kate Meier snuggled up with this comforter for a few weeks on her bed at home. She said, “This is a high-quality comforter that feels heavenly against your skin.” 

Kate gave this durable comforter with a sustainable lyocell shell a perfect five out of 5 in materials, feel, temperature regulation, and customer service. A hot sleeper who lives in the humid South, Kate was happy to find that the Buffy Breeze provided her with cool comfort. “I live in a warm climate, and I get hot during the night, so I steer clear of comforters that provide that warm and cozy feeling,” she said. “I felt that this one really helped regulate my temperature, and I even tested it when I was using flannel sheets because I wanted to see if I would overheat. I didn’t — at all. That’s shocking! And, awesome!”

If that praise isn’t enough, Kate rates this comforter as great value. She admits that while the $250 (queen size) may give you some sticker shock, it is an “amazing comforter.” Kate notes that it has top-notch craftsmanship and feels light, yet “weighted” at the same time, meaning your temperature doesn’t skyrocket, and you still feel covered. “I don’t normally like comforters because of the heat factor, but this is now what I sleep with every night,” Kate said.

The one dent in this comforter’s armor is its wash care. It is dry-clean only. “I know lugging a comforter to the dry cleaner is a pain for most people,” Kate said. She points out that frequent trips can be limited by putting a duvet cover on the Breeze comforter, but acknowledges that this is an additional cost.