Best Down Comforters, Tested and Reviewed by Certified Sleep Experts 

We chose the Riley White Goose Down Comforter as our best overall pick because of its cooling capabilities.

For some hot sleepers, a down comforter might be the last thing they want on their bed — a thick, fluffy shroud that only contributes to further night sweats. But some down comforters are made with less fill and crisp covers to accommodate those who want the luxuriously plush feel of down without the accompanying warmth. That was our experience with Riley White Goose Down Comforter. 

My colleague Kenny tested this comforter and rated temperature regulation at a 4.5/5. “If you live in a warmer climate and generally are a hot sleeper, but still want something durable, cozy, and premium, I could see this working for you,” he said. His entire experience with the comforter also resulted in a final rating of 4.5/5 overall.

Kenny chose the all-season option of this comforter and found it “overall pretty soft and lightweight.” He’s usually a hot sleeper, but actually thought this comforter could use even more stuffing for the cozier feel he prefers. If you’re a hot sleeper who’d rather be cool than cozy, that sounds like good news. “Sleepers who need a little more fill-firepower might want to opt for the Extra Warm version of this comforter,” Kenny added.

Because of this lack of fill, Kenny knocked a point off the materials score, calling it “less generous” than that of other comforters. Otherwise he found the stitching and cover of the comforter to be comfortable and durable. “I don’t anticipate this comforter being easily punctured or falling apart,” he said.

This comforter is spot-clean only, so Kenny recommended using a duvet cover with it, which is fairly standard for most comforters. Its price is also fairly standard, at $525 for a queen size of the all-season option. The Extra Warm version of the comforter will tack on $125 more for the added fill power. With the quality of the product and both of these options coming in at 700 and 750 fill power respectively, you’re still getting quite a lot of bang for your buck. 

It’s also backed by a 3-year warranty; while I expect the comforter to outlive that, it’s nice to know there’s a fall-back option should anything go awry. Kenny found the brand to be very communicative during the shipping process, appreciating the automatic updates. “It’s very easy to get in touch with customer service,” he said.

If you’re worried about committing to a high price tag, Riley does accept returns within 60 days, which gives you two months to try out this comforter before you commit. The brand accepts used products, but you will have to pay a small handling fee. 

Want something a bit more affordable? Check out the Silk & Snow Down Duvet Insert.

Some folks get particular about what type of down they like. If you’re looking for high-quality goose down, known to be thicker and more insulating than other down types, check out the Feathered Friends 700 Fill Power Bavarian Down Comforter. Feathered Friends’ initial mission was to provide handmade-with-love outdoor gear like coats and sleeping bags from responsibly sourced down, but the company has since expanded to offer a wide range of down bedding. Its comforter is no exception to this rule, as my fellow tester Kenny Timper experienced firsthand. He called this comforter “durable, fluffy, and cozy,” and his test notes yielded an overall product score of 4.4/5.

Kenny’s first test was to evaluate the comforter’s feel, and he did this by doing a thorough check to see if there were any gaps or thinning in the down fill. “Every square felt fluffy and packed,” he said. The stitching on either side was also neat and tidy. “I don’t anticipate that it will tear or pill very easily,” Kenny added, giving the comforter a perfect 5/5 score for materials. 

When it came to the comforter’s sleep performance, Kenny called it “perhaps a little too cozy for most, but that’s my preference.” Kenny tested the mid-range Medium option; there’s both a “Summer” and “Light” option which may be better-suited to sleepers wanting a more airy feel. “I think this is a good fit for you if you sleep in a really cool room or in a colder climate,” Kenny said.

More than just being handmade, this comforter has certifications speaking to the ethical gathering of the down and GOTS-certified organic cotton in the shell. With this in mind, it’s not surprising that this comforter retails for over $550 for a queen-size — price shifting depending on the fill you choose. We think the luxury and considerate craftsmanship warrant the price, but it’s worth noting that this isn’t the most budget-friendly option on this list. If you’re a luxury shopper and looking to support a smaller business, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed by the quality and performance of this comforter.

Despite being a smaller operation, Feathered Friends offers an in-house repair and cleaning service for its products if your comforter gets damaged or you’re worried about washing it yourself. Getting in touch with the company might be a bit tricky as it has limited hours, but that’s because the number you call is actually a brick-and-mortar store in Seattle. No middlemen here. You can also reach Feathered Friends via email or Facebook. While some might want more convenience in contacting the brand, other shoppers should appreciate “that personal touch,” as Kenny put it.

Ready to take the plunge? Feathered Friends doesn’t offer an official sleep trial, but it does offer a return period of 30 days (for unused products with their original packaging). Just note you’ll have to pay for shipping. On a positive note, Feathered Friends guarantees its products for life and will do its best to satisfy customers if they have any complaints.

Are you looking for something more lightweight? Check out Boll & Branch’s Down Duvet Insert. 

Sometimes you don’t want to be trapped beneath a boatload of down, no matter how comfortable it is, but you still want a plush and fluffy feel. If this sounds like you, take a look at the Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert, our pick for a lightweight down comforter.

Boll & Branch offers this comforter in lightweight, midweight, and ultraweight options, and my fellow tester Riley Otis spent months testing the lightweight option. She found it lived up to the descriptor with its soft, airy nature, and her testing resulted in an overall score of 4.3/5 for the product.

Given its lightweight nature, it’s no surprise that this duvet insert regulated temperature well. Riley felt that it had a more breathable feel than most down comforters and did a nice job of maintaining its fluffiness without making her feel too warm. “I think this would be a great choice for hot sleepers or people living in warmer climates,” she said, giving it a temperature regulation score of 4/5.

Riley also loved the quality of the down filling of this mattress. “It’s super light and fluffy; I love the way it feels between my fingers when I squeeze the duvet,” she said. The box stitch also looked to be of good quality, and Riley commented that it didn’t seem likely to tear. 

However, the surface fabric posed a bit of an issue. It had a more crisp feel than silky smooth and soft like Riley would have preferred. “It makes a crumpling sound whenever I move, coming from the outer shell,” she said. After washing, the cover softened up a bit, but it still made noise. Riley recommends using a duvet cover with this insert for a more comfortable and noise-free sleep environment.

Speaking of washing, this is the rare comforter that you can actually machine-wash. The directions say you can wash it on the gentle cycle in cold water, as well as tumble-dry it on low. Boll & Branch recommends using dryer balls to help keep the fill evenly distributed, but Riley thought the box-quilt construction did a fine job of keeping everything in place. As long as you can fit the insert in your laundry machines, you won’t have to bust out a spot treatment or head to the dry cleaners for your bi-weekly bedding refresh. 

Just note that if you want this lightweight comforter, it’ll cost you $409 for a queen and $269 for a king size. Unfortunately there’s no sleep trial or warranty to further sweeten the deal. Boll & Branch offers a 30-day return window after delivery, but no refunds for any extra fees for shipping and handling.

Not a fan of lightweight bedding and looking for a super-stuffed comforter? You might like the 700 Bavarian Down Comforter from Feathered Friends. 

If you’re a sleeper with allergies or have a tighter budget, you don’t have to give up your dreams of owning a down comforter. Down alternatives are a great way to get the feel of down without the side effects or high price tag. Our pick, the Brooklinen Down Alternative Comforter, is stuffed with synthetic microfiber fill that should be cushy and fluffy without causing sniffles. 

My fellow colleague Nicole Davis, who tested this comforter, agreed with the brand’s description of it being “fluffy as a cloud, soft, and swaddle-worthy.” She gave this product high marks in every test category, resulting in a total score of 4.7/5.

Nicole tested the all-season version of this comforter, which retails at $269 for a queen size — much lower than most traditional down options. Right away, she noticed the quality and thought the price was plenty reasonable. “You’ll probably have to buy a duvet cover on top of this, which is an added cost, but so far, it’s worth it,” she said. The cotton sateen shell on the comforter itself, though, is plenty soft for those who go cover-free. 

As for the claims of it being all-season, Nicole thought that was spot-on too. She’s been using this comforter for a few months now, even with the weather starting to warm up. “It does feel quite nice and is more breathable than a down comforter, so you don’t overheat at night,” she said. 

She also noted that if you get too cold, you can throw a blanket over top no problem. But as a hot sleeper herself, she didn’t need any extra layers. If you’re a cold sleeper in a colder climate and worried about bundling up, you can opt for the ultra-warm iteration of this comforter. There’s even a lightweight option if you’re worried about heat.

If you’re unsure about which option to choose, Brooklinen offers returns within a 365-day period, so long as you bought the product through the brand’s site. Just know you’ll have to pay a flat fee of $10. There’s no warranty, but if you have a problem, you can submit a “quality guarantee” to resolve any issues or get a replacement for defective products.

The one true negative about this product is that, like most traditional down comforters, you can’t shove this guy in the washer. Brooklinen lists this comforter as spot-clean recommended, but you can dry clean it if necessary. Some customers have also reported the comforter ending up “lumpy” or with unevenly distributed fill, but Nicole hasn’t experienced any issues like this over the years she’s been using it.

Still want real down? Take a look at the Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert.