There’s nothing better than sinking into bed after a long day and burrowing under a duvet so deliciously soft and comfortable, that you fall immediately into blissful, uninterrupted sleep. To that end, not all duvet inserts are created equal. Some are plush, some are cooling, and some are crafted in luxurious fabrics. One thing’s for certain, though—finding the right duvet insert can definitely help you drift off to dreamland.
First things first: What’s the difference between a duvet insert and a comforter, anyway? The real answer is, not much. “A duvet insert is typically thinner than a comforter and is placed into a duvet cover to create the top bedding piece,” says sleep coach Kelly Murray of Kelly Murray Adult Sleep Consulting. The biggest thing to keep in mind is what you want your duvet insert to do for you. Do you want it to keep you cool, warm you up, be used year-round, or be changed out seasonally?
Experts In This Article
- Kelly Murray, sleep coach and functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner
Keep reading to get all your burning (or cooling!) questions about duvet inserts answered, and check out our top 10 picks for the best duvet inserts currently missing from your bedtime routine.
The best duvet inserts, at a glance:
- Best overall: Buffy Cloud Comforter, from $145
- Best budget: Utopia Bedding Quilted Duvet Insert, from $26
- Best down: Quince Lightweight Premium Down Comforter, from $150
- Best for cold sleepers: Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert, from $409
- Best for hot sleepers: West Elm HydroCool Cooling Down Alternative Duvet Insert, from $229
- Best all-season: Saatva All-Year Down Alternative Comforter, from $235
- Best down alternative: Brooklinen Down Alternative Comforter, from $159
- Best cotton: Pottery Barn Luxury 700FP European White Goose Down Duvet Insert, from $429
- Best luxury: Cozy Earth Down Alternative Comforter, from $419
- Best washable: Ettitude Down Alternative Comforter, from $264
What is the purpose of a duvet insert?
Above all, a duvet insert should keep you comfortable while you sleep. You may sleep hot or cold, you may like a heavy comforter or one with a lighter weight. The choice is really up to you. “The main function of a duvet insert is to provide extra warmth while allowing for customization in material and versatility in washing and drying options,” Murray says.
What to look for in a duvet insert
“Duvet inserts are great for sleepers who prefer customization,” says Murray. This is because—as the name suggests—you place them inside a duvet cover, so you can change them out with the seasons or your other design whims. Before shopping for a duvet insert, consider the following:
Fill
Duvet insert shells tend to be made of wool, cotton, synthetic fibers (like polyester), and silk. Like the outer cover, the fill can also vary. You may find duvet inserts with any of the following fills:
- Wool. “It’s naturally moisture-wicking, fire-resistant, mold-resistant, and dust-mite resistant,” Murray says.
- Long-strand mulberry silk. In addition to being moisture-wicking and both mold- and mite-resistant, it’s also hypoallergenic and breathable.
- Cotton. This lighter-weight fill is also breathable and hypoallergenic.
- Down feathers. “They expand, allowing air to circulate, which helps with thermoregulation,” Murray says. “It’s also very cozy and comfy.”
The fill can often be down or down alternative—so if you’re allergic to down or want a more ethical option—there are still options out there for you.
Your body temperature
“Choose a natural fiber fill that errs on the cool side to ensure your body doesn’t get too hot in the night, as overheating causes sleep disruptions,” she recommends. This is because natural fibers (vs synthetic fibers) are more breathable and thermoregulating, perfect for hot and sweaty sleepers. “No matter how breathable the outside cover is, if the filling traps heat, the whole piece of bedding is going to keep you hot.” She recommends looking for fills in wool, long-strand mulberry silk, or kapok fiber since these natural fibers tend to be the most thermoregulating and breathable.
Construction
Duvet inserts tend to be crafted one of two ways—with box stitching, which helps keep the fill evenly distributed, or baffle box construction, which connects the outer layers and keeps the down from shifting. “Baffle box construction is ideal for higher fill power duvets, as it maximizes warmth and maintains an even distribution of down,” Murray says.
Ready to drift off to dreamland? We thought so. Keep reading to find your new favorite duvet inset for (many) a good night’s sleep!
Shop 10 of the best duvet inserts
Best overall: Buffy Cloud Comforter, from $145
Available sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full/Queen, King/Cal King
I’m not one for platitudes—but this Buffy duvet insert had me sleeping like a baby the moment I draped it across my bed. The outer shell is crafted in sleek 300-thread-count sateen, and its wavy stitching is unique to other duvet inserts and comforters on the market. This duvet insert is hypoallergenic and lofty, which may be a bit too warm for hot sleepers—but, since I sleep cold, I was an instant fan. It has sturdy corner loops to easily fit inside a duvet cover is and is designed with 105 even stacks of ultra-fine fill layers to prevent bunching and shifting. The shell is also designed in eucalyptus Tencel that’s both biodegradable and compostable, and the fill is upcycled with plastic bottles. Talk about a good night’s sleep.
Cover: Tencel lyocell shell
Fill: 100% GRS-certified, BPA-free, recycled PET
Colors: 1
- 7-night trial before buying, and a 50-night return policy
- Crafted with sustainable and eco-conscious materials
- Super plush and sleek
- Unique stitching design
- May be too warm for hot sleepers
- Only comes in one weight
Best budget: Utopia Bedding Quilted Duvet Insert, from $26
Available sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Queen, King, Full, California King
Lightweight, cozy, yet still substantial—that’s this Utopia Bedding duvet insert in a very comfy nutshell. For a duvet insert with such an exceedingly appealing price point—even the California King is only $44—it’s still packed with features to offer sleepers an enjoyable night of rest. It’s designed with a polyester shell and siliconized fiber filling, and the box stitching keeps the fill from shifting. It also has four corner tabs to help wrestle it into a duvet cover. It’s machine washable—and I can attest to the queen-size fitting easily into a standard washing machine. I’ve actually bought this duvet insert three times, for three different apartments, and it holds up amazingly well.
Cover: 100% Polyester
Fill: Siliconized fiber
Colors: 11
- Very affordable
- Comes in a variety of colors and sizes
- Cozy and lightweight
- A bit smaller than some others in this guide
- Only one fill level
Best down: Quince Lightweight Premium Down Comforter, from $150
Available sizes: Twin, Full/Queen, King/Cal King
This plush, fluffy comforter from Quince is the stuff dreams are made of. It’s designed with corner loops, sewn-through construction, and a sleek cotton sateen shell. It’s also filled with responsibly sourced, lofty down with an impressive 650 fill power. This comforter is set apart by the fact that it has three different warmth levels—lightweight, all-season, and ultra—so whether you sleep hot or cold, you can find one that works for you.
Cover: 100% cotton
Fill: 650 fill power down
Colors: 1
- Three different warmth levels
- High fill power
- Classic box stitching
- Relatively affordable
- Loftier silhouette may be tough to get into a duvet cover
Best for cold sleepers: Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert, from $409
Available sizes: Full/Queen, King/Cal King
For a duvet insert that combines luxury with a quality night’s sleep, look no further than this one from Boll & Branch. Yes, it’s expensive—but, since you likely spend a considerable amount of time in bed, that’s not necessarily the worst thing. It’s crafted in three different weights to help support your ideal sleep temperature, so whether you sleep hot, cold, or somewhere in between, there’s a weight for you. The down fill is ethically sourced from farms in the United States and triple-washed for a cleaner, longer-lasting loft. Its shell is designed in organic cotton, and it has a baffle-box construction to keep the fill in place while you get your Zzz’s. Plus, the brand offers a 30-day sleep trial, so you can truly decide if your sleep is better once it’s on your bed.
Shell: 100% organic cotton
Fill: IDS-certified down
Colors: 1
- Three warmth levels
- 30-day sleep trial
- Ethically-sourced down fill
- Luxurious look and feel
- Pricey
- Fewer size options than others in this guide
Best for hot sleepers: West Elm HydroCool Cooling Down Alternative Duvet Insert, from $229
Available sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full/Queen, King/Cal King
Hot, sweaty sleepers rejoice—this West Elm duvet insert is here to save the day (or night, as it were). The brand’s proprietary HydroCool fill is moisture-wicking to keep you—you guessed it—cool overnight, since the fibers absorb and evaporate moisture. Choose from All Season (lighter weight to sleep cool year-round) or Extra Warm (higher density to sleep warm in colder climates). The cover is crafted in 230-thread-count brushed organic cotton which is OEKO-TEX certified, and the fill is hypoallergenic. It also has corner loops that tie to a duvet cover, too.
Shell: 100% organic cotton
Fill: 100% HydroCool® polyester
Colors: 1
- Two warmth levels
- Moisture-wicking fill is ideal for hot sleepers
- Made with organic materials
- Fewer sizes available than other options on this list
Best all-season: Saatva All-Year Down Alternative Comforter, from $235
Available sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full/Queen, King/Cal King
Plush, substantial, and somehow airy at the same time, this Saatva comforter does it all. It has a soft 200-thread-count cotton percale shell and hypoallergenic down alternative fill that’s crafted with a blend of 3D down alternative and sustainable lyocell. The fill has a mid-weight of 340 GSM, so you can use this breathable comforter year-round—though super-hot sleepers may want to opt for the brand’s lightweight version. It’s finished with box quilting and corner loops.
Shell: Cotton percale
Fill: Lyocell, 3D down alternative
Colors: 1
- Crafted from ethically-sourced materials
- Hypoallergenic
- Can be used year-round
- May be too warm for hot sleepers (who may prefer the brand’s lightweight version)
Best down alternative: Brooklinen Down Alternative Comforter, from $159
Available sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full/Queen, King/Cal King
From the multiple warmth levels to the hypoallergenic down alternative fill, cozying up under this Brooklinen comforter will certainly keep counting sheep at bay. The fluffy comforter is vegan, with a 100 percent hypoallergenic recycled PET microfiber fill and sleek cotton sateen shell. Speaking of those three warmth levels, you can choose from Lightweight (good for hot sleepers), Ultra-Warm, and All-Season, which the brand calls “the Goldilocks of comforters.” It’s finished with baffle-box construction and easy-to-use corner duvet loops.
Shell: 100% Cotton
Fill: Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (R.P.E.T.) microfiber
Colors: 1
- 3 warmth levels
- Recycled PET microfiber fill
- Hypoallergenic
Best cotton: Pottery Barn Luxury 700FP European White Goose Down Duvet Insert, from $429
Available sizes: Full/Queen, King/Cal King
Warmth, loft, European white goose down … this Pottery Barn duvet insert has it all. The shell is crafted in sleek, 400-thread-count Supima cotton, with a damask stripe design that’s so gorgeous, you may not even want to put it inside a duvet cover. The goose down has 700 fill power for exceptional plushness and thermoregulation, so you’ll stay comfortable throughout the night. The duvet insert has a down-proof weave that resists fibers from seeping, so you won’t find annoying feathers on your mattress come morning. Choose from three comfort levels: lightweight (warmer climates and sleepers), mid-weight (moderate climates and sleepers), and heavyweight (cooler climates and sleepers).
Shell: 100% Supima Cotton
Fill: 700 FP European white goose down
Colors: 1
- 3 warmth levels
- Machine washable
- Crafted with Freshness Assured™ down cleaning process and OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 materials
- Pricey
- Fewer size options
Best luxury: Cozy Earth Down Alternative Comforter, from $419
Available sizes: Twin, Full/Queen, King
The 100-night sleep trial that accompanies this Cozy Earth comforter is already enough to make us swoon. It’s really just a bonus that the comforter is so fabulous, you won’t want to take advantage of said sleep trial.
For starters, you can choose from a shell in bamboo viscose or mulberry silk, and two different fill amounts (standard or extra). It’s breathable, moisture-wicking, and temperature-regulating, so cold and hot sleepers can both find all-night comfort. And, just as a nice final finishing touch, the anchor loops match the ties in the brand’s duvet cover, too.
Shell: 100% Bamboo viscose or 100% mulberry silk
Fill: 100% Bamboo viscose or 100% mulberry silk
Colors: 1
- 2 luxe material options
- 3 warmth options
- 100-night sleep trial
Best washable: Ettitude Down Alternative Comforter, from $264
Available sizes: Full/Queen, King/Cal King
I’d long been curious about Ettitude, so I jumped at the chance to check out this super plush and washable (!) comforter. I love that it’s crafted with eco-friendly materials—the fill is made from a combination of recycled, clump-free PET and CleanBamboo fibers, and the shell is designed in CleanBamboo lyocell. It’s soft and lightweight yet has a loft and heft to it that makes it ideal for sleeping year-round. (I love burrowing under a comforter even in 100-degree summer temperatures, so I’m happy about that.) It’s finished with corner loops and sleek box quilting, and it even comes in a reusable zipper bag crafted from recycled water bottles. To sleep, perchance to dream? Yes, please.
Shell: 100% CleanBamboo Lyocell
Fill: 60% recycled PET, 40% CleanBamboo
Colors: 1
- Machine washable
- 60-night sleep trial
- Crafted with eco-friendly materials
FAQs
What’s the difference between a comforter and a duvet insert?
It really boils down to whether you want to put one inside a duvet cover or not. Many duvet inserts can actually double as comforters if you’d prefer to use them on their own. However, duvet inserts may also be thinner than comforters and stuffed with different fills. “Comforters only offer possible customization of the filling and outer shell material,” says Murray. “It can be much harder to nail down the perfect combination for sleepers this way.”
Can you wash a duvet insert?
Yes. However, the material of your duvet insert will determine exactly how it can be washed. Some materials, like wool, can be washed but not put in the dryer, so it’s important to read the care labels carefully. If you’re placing a duvet insert inside a duvet cover, you can also go longer without washing, since it won’t be touching your skin directly while you sleep.
Does the fill power of a duvet insert matter?
If you’re shopping for a duvet insert with real down fill, you’ll notice that it has a fill power—which translates to how much it fills up until reaching its maximum loft. A higher fill power means more warmth with less weight. “It’s an important aspect to consider because it directly impacts the warmth and quality,” Murray says. “Look for a range of 500-700, as this typically results in a good balance of warmth and comfort.”
You may also find that higher fill powers translate to more expensive duvet inserts—so if you’re budget-conscious, that’s something to look out for.
Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission.
