Sleep Number Essential Down Alternative Comforter Review

| Updated:

February 26, 2025

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Sleep Number is a well-known bedding company that sells beds, mattresses, and a variety of bedding items— including their Essential Down Alternative Comforter Set. If you’re on the search for a new comforter, and pillow shams, that are lightweight, yet warm, then the Essential Down Alternative Comforter Set could be exactly what you’re looking for! Interested in learning more about this lofty, down-like comforter? Read my full review to learn what this comforter is made of, how it feels, and who I’d recommend it to. In a hurry? No worries, skip down to my review summary to save time.

Sleepopolis Score

4.80 / 5

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What is the Essential Down Alternative Comforter Made Of?

The make of a comforter and its materials can vary quite a bit, so I always like to kick off my reviews with a section on what this specific product is made of. To learn more about the variety of comforter options out there, check out our best comforter roundup. The Essential Down Alternative Comforter has a 100% cotton percale cover and a 100% polyester fill.

The Sleep Number comforter has a cotton cover and polyester fill.

This comforter’s premium hypoallergenic polyester fiberfill makes it feel just like down, while being an alternative — which can help lower the price tag a bit! This comforter also has a STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX certification, which means its materials are free from harmful substances. Aside from the materials used to fabricate a comforter, you also want to pay special attention to its thread count. Thread count refers to the number of threads woven into each square inch of fabric. In general, the higher the thread count, the higher the quality of the comforter. The Essential Down Alternative comforter by Sleep Number has a 300-thread-count cover. I would consider this thread count to be on the lower side of an average thread count, but still in good standing for high-quality material. As a rule of thumb, I would not recommend buying anything under 200 and over 800 thread count.

What Does the Essential Down Alternative Comforter Feel Like?

When testing out the comforter myself, I felt it had a happy medium feel — not too light and not too heavy. In alignment with its 300-thread count cotton cover, this comforter was not ultra-soft. I felt as though the comforter had a crisp feeling — I could crinkle it in my hand and leave behind some wrinkles. If you are looking for a super soft comforter, I recommend taking a peak at our best microfiber comforter roundup, which includes some microfiber down alternative options!

A close-up view of the Sleep Number comforter

Is the Sleep Number Essential Down Alternative Comforter Good for Hot Sleepers?

There is no designated cooling technology with the Essential Down Alternative comforter, but to me it feels pretty breathable. As I mentioned earlier, it’s a pretty medium feeling cover that’s not suffocating, nor too light. In the warmer months I think this all-season comforter would be breathable and lightweight, and in the colder months I think that it would be great paired with a throw blanket for an extra layer if desired!

Sleepopolis Score

4.80 / 5

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How Durable is the Down Alternative Comforter?

Durability is always something to consider when looking for a new comforter (or really anything). I found this comforter to have a very high-quality feel — with the right care I think it could last years! It’s backed by Sleep Number’s 1-year limited warranty, so the brand thinks it’ll hold up too. In order to keep this comforter in its strongest condition, Sleep Number gives a few care instructions. Machine wash on a gentle cycle in cold water with mild detergent. Tumble dry on low heat. Do not iron, steam, or dry clean this comforter. It is also recommended to use a front load large capacity washer and dryer.

Resting under the sleep number comforter

Is the Sleep Number Essential Down Alternative Comforter Good for You?

Now that we’ve gone through the details about the Essential Down Comforter by Sleep Number, it’s time to look at the big picture of whether or not this comforter is a good fit for you. While I can’t make that decision for you, I’ll provide some recommendations, as well as complaints, to help you get there on your own.

Who should try the Essential Down Alternative comforter

I would recommend this comforter to folks that are sensitive to down feathers, but love a lofty and fluffy feel.
I think this comforter is great on it’s own, but also could serve as a great filler, or duvet insert, if you have one you already love and don’t want to get rid of! The comforter comes with corner loops to attach to a duvet cover and prevent it from moving inside!
I would recommend this comforter to busy folks. The Logic Label at the bottom right corner of the comforter makes it quick and easy to put this comforter on.

My Essential Down Alternative comforter complaints

Personally, I need a comforter that is not going to wrinkle so easily. Whether I end up letting my pet sleep with me, or for some reason fall asleep on top of the comforter, I don’t want to have to steam it to get wrinkles out — which is not advised for this down alternative comforter!
I love supporting USA made products, and the Sleep Number Essential Down Alternative comforter is not one of them. The bedding set is made in China.

Sleepopolis Score

4.80 / 5

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Sleep Number Essential Down Alternative Comforter Prices, Sizes, and Colors

As a reminder, Sleep Number’s comforter set includes a comforter and two pillow shams. Below you’ll find a pricing chart showing the different sizes, ranging from a twin to California king. Be sure to click on one of the coupons in this article to get the best deal. Price listed will be before discount or offer for each size.

Size	Dimensions	Price
Twin	68″ x 86″	$149.99
Full/Queen	88″ x 96″	$199.99
King	107″ x 96″	$249.99
California King	100″ x 100″	$249.99

If you’re anything like me, a variety of colors is something you look for when choosing a new comforter. Even if you just stick to plain white, having pictures of the comforter in other colors really helps to see the product! The Essential Down Alternative Comforter comes in a variety of vibrant colors and patterns such as pewter, dark blue geo, white, nickel, dark blue, nickel geo, aqua, aqua stripe, dune, and pewter stripe. The comforter set pictures the comforter folded back with a different color sheet showing, which is a look I love — my two cents: the dune comforter looks great with the Sleep Number Essential Fit Cotton Sheet Set in white!

Sleep Number Essential Down Alternative Comforter Policies and FAQs

How does the Down Alternative comforter ship?

Sleep Number offers free shipping.

Does the Sleep Number comforter come with a sleep trial?

Yes! You can try the Essential Down Alternative comforter for 30 nights. If you don’t love it, feel free to exchange it!

Does the Sleep Number comforter come with a warranty?

Yes. Sleep Number stands behind their Down Alternative comforter with a 1-year limited warranty.

How do I clean the Essential Down Alternative comforter?

The comforter is machine washable — wash on a gentle cycle in cold water and mild detergent. Tumble dry on low heat. Front load large capacity washer and dryer recommended. Do not iron, steam, or dry clean.

Sleep Number Essential Down Alternative Comforter Vs

Sleep Number offers a wide variety of products, each designed for different sleepers. It can be helpful to see other comforter options from the brand to find the best fit for you. Take a look at my comparisons below.

Essential Down Alternative Comforter vs Premium Down Comforter

The main difference between these two comforters is the down fill versus down alternative fill material.
The down alternative is going to provide lofty, down-like comfort, whereas the down comforter is going to provide luxurious, classic down comfort.
The premium down comforter offers three different thicknesses: light warmth, medium warmth, and extra warmth. These separate fill powers can provide more or less fluff, depending on your preference.
The premium down comforter does not come as a set like the essential down comforter does.
Due to the finer quality inside the 700-fill down comforter, its price tag is a bit higher than the essential down alternative.
If you are interested in learning more about down comforters, check out our best down comforter roundup.

Essential Down Alternative Comforter vs Honeycomb Duvet Cover

The Honeycomb duvet cover could go hand-in-hand with the Down Alternative comforter as an outer layer in case you wanna change styles or protect your comforter!
The duvet cover has a circular weave pattern that offers a bit of dimension, and offers the fun color of soft lilac!
The duvet cover is cheaper than the comforter.
If you’re after a duvet cover, check out our best duvet cover roundup.

Other Products from Sleep Number

Curious to see what else Sleep Number has to offer? Here’s a few other products we have tested:

Take a look at my star ratings for the Sleep Number Essential Down Alternative Comforter below.

Materials
Comfort
Value
Cooling
Trial
Warranty

4.3

Sleepopolis Team

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