The lowdown on down comforters
There’s nothing like cuddling up under a down comforter. Made of light and fluffy goose or duck feathers, it offers an almost cloudlike experience, providing warmth without weight.
Although people tend to think of down comforters as winter bedding—they do make ideal gifts for people who are always cold!—the truth is they’re great all year round, thanks to their loftiness and breathability. On hot summer nights, try sleeping with cooling sheets underneath you and a light down comforter on top.
Even if you already have the right mattress, the best sheets, and the best pillows, a down comforter can elevate your sleep. Rest assured there’s one here for you.
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How to choose the best down comforter for you
Following the philosophy that the customer is always right, our choices for the best down comforters are based on the reviews of verified buyers. We’ve read thousands of comments from people who have actually used these comforters, and we’ve selected the ones with the most five-star reviews.
When narrowing down your selection of comforters, focus on a few key qualities.
Fill power: The first thing to consider is just how warm you want to be. Down comforters often come in different densities—lightweight, all-season, and warm—to help make your decision easier. In general, goose down offers more warmth than duck down, and the higher the fill power (a number that indicates loftiness and insulating efficiency), the warmer yet lighter the comforter will be. A 600 fill power will actually feel heavier and less fluffy than a 700 fill power.
RDS certification: You may want to buy a comforter that’s Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified, which means the down comes from animals that have not been subjected to harm.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification: This important certification shows that the comforter is free of dangerous substances that might harm your health.
Washing method: If you don’t want to bring your down comforter to the dry cleaner, make sure you buy one that’s machine washable. Although down comforters look great on their own, they’ll stay clean and last longer when placed inside a duvet cover. That’s why you’ll sometimes see them called duvets or duvet inserts.
Whatever you call them, here are 5 down comforters that are truly the stuff of dreams
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Best overall down comforter: Riley Goose Down Comforter
Want to make your bed instantly cozier? Toss on Riley’s down comforter. There are so many reasons this is the world’s most awarded and acclaimed comforter. It’s everything a down comforter should be: cozy, lightweight, fluffy, and responsibly sourced. Plus, it’s available in two densities: the 700 fill power All Season and 750 fill power Extra Warm. Handcrafted with a tailored baffle box construction to prevent the fill from shifting, Riley’s comforter has hundreds of five-star reviews praising both its style and substance. Verified buyer Dao L. calls it “the perfect comforter” and a list of reviewers, including Monique W. and Bethany S., agree it’s “the best comforter I’ve ever bought.”
Why we love it:
- RDS certified
- Five-year warranty
- Baffle box construction
- Sewn-in loops attach to your duvet cover to keep the comforter from slipping
US$199, rileyhome.com.
Best year-round down comforter: Wamsutta Dream Zone Year Round Warmth Goose Down Comforter
Depending on the season, some down comforters can be too hot or too cold, but this one is just right all year long. Customer Jill says it’s like “sleeping in a cloud” and calls it “absolutely the best down comforter ever.” It has a 700 fill power; is stuffed with hypoallergenic, insulating white goose down that’s washed to remove impurities; and is covered in 600-thread-count pure pima cotton that looks as good as it feels. During warmer temps, pair it with cooling or silk sheets for a sleep temperature that’s just right.
Why we love it:
- Fifteen-year warranty
- Baffle box construction
$590, bedbathandbeyond.ca.
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Best organic down comforter: Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert
Sure, it’s super soft and fluffy, but you can really sleep well knowing that every part of this down duvet insert is responsibly sourced and made by workers who are paid and treated well. It comes in three densities, all of which feature baffle box construction and corner loops. Wrapped in 100 percent organic cotton and feeling warm but nearly weightless, Boll & Branch’s down duvet insert has received hundreds of five-star reviews. Buyer Cody C. says, “This all-season duvet is so luxurious. It is nicely filled and fluffs up well when making the bed.” Cindi H. calls it “the best duvet ever (and I’ve tried a lot of different ones)!” Ready to level up other parts of your bed? Browse these nontoxic mattresses.
Why we love it:
- RDS certified
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
- Down-proof fabric that prevents feathers from poking through
- Baffle box construction
- Loops on all four corners attach to your duvet cover to keep the comforter from slipping
US$357-528, bollandbranch.com.
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Best lightweight down comforter: Parachute Down Duvet Insert
Sleeping under down is comforting even when it’s warm out, and this lightweight comforter will keep you cool and comfy. It’s made with 750 fill power European white down, prized for its superior fluffiness, and sewn in a baffle box construction for even distribution. It’s got hundreds of five-star reviews, including this one from verified buyer Ijeoma O, who calls it the “best investment I have made in bedding,” explaining, “I have always wanted hotel-luxury bedding, so I decided to splurge on this down duvet. I did my research and found Parachute’s duvet on almost every top ten list. It is absolutely wonderful. It literally feels like I’m sleeping on clouds.”
Why we love it:
- RDS certified
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
- Five-year warranty
- Baffle box construction
$349-679, parachutehome.com.
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Best new down comforter: Casper Down Comforter
With 600 fill power, this new comforter from Casper offers cozy insulation without trapping body heat, so it’s comfortable whatever the weather. The box-stitched, 100 percent cotton cover has a 370 thread count and is filled with 100 percent duck down. It’s light and airy, just like the friendly ghost who shares the company’s name. When the temperature is cold, bundle up in your warmest sheets. In summer, combine Casper’s comforter with a cooling pillow.
Why we love it:
- Machine washable
- Ideal for year-round use
- Box-stitch design
$249-349, casper.com.