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Best Comforters

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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Buffy Buffy Breeze Comforter
Buffy
Buffy Breeze Comforter
Cool & Eco-friendly

A high-end, temperature regulating comforter that is made from 100% plant-based materials.

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Cool & Eco-friendly
Bottom Line

A high-end, temperature regulating comforter that is made from 100% plant-based materials.

Pros

The 300-thread count sateen shell and filling are crafted from lyocell, a fiber sourced from eucalyptus. Soft to the touch. Lightweight and breathable, this comfortable is temperature regulating — an ideal choice for hot sleepers or summer months.

Cons

Expensive for a comforter with no cover — the king-size comes in at nearly $240.

Best Bang for the Buck
Brooklinen Down Comforter
Brooklinen
Down Comforter
All Season Comfort

With a soft 400-thread count and 3 different fill options, this comforter provides ultimate comfort at any time of year.

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All Season Comfort
Bottom Line

With a soft 400-thread count and 3 different fill options, this comforter provides ultimate comfort at any time of year.

Pros

Soft, 100% sateen cotton shell with down cluster fill. Hypoallergenic and treated with antimicrobials. Ethically sourced down from Canadian farms. Baffle box design provides higher loft and evenly distributed fill. Three warmth options: Lightweight, All-Season, or Ultra Warm.

Cons

Reports of a strong smell. Some say comforter is too hot for sleeping.

Ienjoy Home All Season Premium Down Alternative Comforter
Sheets & Giggles
Eucalyptus Comforter
Bargain Pick

An affordable, high-quality down alternative comforter that is sustainably made and doesn't skimp on comfort.

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Bargain Pick
Bottom Line

An affordable, high-quality down alternative comforter that is sustainably made and doesn't skimp on comfort.

Pros

Constructed from recycled polyester and naturally sourced eucalyptus fibers. Lightweight, all-season design. Moisture-wicking, temperature regulating, and hypoallergenic. Features corner loops for duvet cover ties. Machine washable.

Cons

Some users agree it's hot to sleep with and feel that it traps in their body heat.

Lacoste Meribel Colorblocked Reversible Comforter Set
Lacoste
Meribel Cotton Comforter
Trusted Brand

A luxurious set that includes the comforter and 1 standard pillow sham.

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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

A luxurious set that includes the comforter and 1 standard pillow sham.

Pros

Consumers appreciate the versatility of the reversible comforter. Has a soft cotton shell with high-loft polyester fill. Warm enough to forgo additional blankets in colder weather. Contemporary, inviting design. Machine washable for easy maintenance.

Cons

A few reports that the comforter, which is machine washable, didn't wash as well as expected.

Utopia Bedding Comforter Duvet Insert
Utopia Bedding
Comforter Duvet Insert
Great Density

A tailored comforter with soft, dense filling that provides a great sleeping experience at an affordable price.

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Great Density
Bottom Line

A tailored comforter with soft, dense filling that provides a great sleeping experience at an affordable price.

Pros

Superior softness with siliconized fiberfill that's cozy, dense, and warm. Well-constructed with box stitching, corner tabs, and piped edges. Machine-washable and safe for the dryer. Comes in a variety of attractive colors. Warm yet lightweight.

Cons

Some don’t feel it’s as breathable as they’d like.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

First Reviewed
November 11, 2021
30
Models
considered
12
Hours
researched
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Buying guide for best comforters

Jennifer Blair
Written by Jennifer Blair

Updated August 2023

The art of sleeping has become a science — just look at the plethora of mattress companies out there, all promising the best night’s snooze ever. But it’s not just what goes beneath that counts. Choosing the right comforter is key, and that means figuring out what size, weight, warmth factor and filling is best for you. Depending on where you live, you may even need different duvets for summer and winter.

Traditionally, comforters are made with cotton and filled with goose or duck down, and these still make up a large portion of the market. However, the polyester or synthetic filled duvets are much better for anyone with allergies and won’t clump after washing (as well as being cruelty-free.) In either case, a cotton shell will provide the best breathability and baffle-box stitching helps stop the contents of the comforter from shifting.

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It’s a good idea to air out your comforter for several hours outdoors at least twice a year.

What to look for when buying a comforter

Shell material

The materials used for a comforter’s shell determine how breathable it will be. For the shell material, it’s best to choose a natural fiber, such as cotton, silk, or wool.

  • Cotton

Cotton is a natural fiber that has a smooth, soft feel. It’s also extremely breathable and wicks sweat and moisture away from the body for a cool night’s sleep. Cotton is the best option if you tend to be a hot sleeper.

  • Silk

Like cotton, silk is a natural, hypoallergenic fiber that breathes very well. It has a soft, luxurious feel, but it is still warm enough to keep you comfortable at night.

  • Wool

Another natural fiber, wool effectively retains natural body heat to keep you warm. But excess heat passes through wool, too, so you’ll also be comfortable in the summer.

  • Cotton-polyester blend

A cotton-polyester blend is a combination of synthetic and natural fibers. Polyester isn’t breathable, so it can be too warm for your bed in the summer. It can also stick to your skin if you sweat at night, which can be uncomfortable.

Fill material

When it comes to fill material, goose and duck down both keep you warm at night. Goose down comforters tend to be fluffier than duck down styles, though goose down will cost you more.

  • Goose down

Goose down is a very common filler material for comforters. It makes a comforter extremely fluffy, so high-end styles usually use it.

  • Duck down

Duck down is the most commonly used filler material for comforters made in North America. Duck down comforters aren’t as fluffy as goose down comforters and are usually less expensive.

  • Down cluster

Down cluster comforters use the fluffiest part of duck and goose feathers, found beneath the main feathers, making them extremely warm. Manufacturers usually list the down cluster percentage used in the filler — the higher the percentage, the higher the quality of the comforter.

  • Down alternative

Instead of down, some comforters use cotton fibers, gel fibers, or cotton-polyester blend fibers. Gel fibers are the highest quality alternative filler as they make for the fluffiest, softest comforters. Down alternative is the best fill option if you tend to have allergies.

Fill power

Fill power is the amount of space that one ounce of down or down alternative takes up inside a comforter. The fill power determines how insulated and fluffy a comforter is.

  • Up to 400

Comforters with a fill power up to 400 are soft and provide lightweight warmth.

  • 400 to 599

Comforters with a fill power between 400 and 599 provide warmth that’s appropriate for all seasons.

  • 600 to 799

Comforters with a fill power between 600 and 799 tend to be warmer but still have a lightweight feel.

  • 800 and Up

Comforters with a fill power of 800 and up offer the highest insulation, so they work very well for providing warmth in the winter.

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Did you know?
Fill power is the measure of the amount of space that one ounce of down takes up inside a comforter. The higher the fill power, the fluffier and more insulating the comforter will be.
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Size

The comforter’s size should match the size of your mattress. Comforters are sold in the common twin, full, queen, and king sizes. You can find extra long twin and California king comforters as well. While you probably already know the size of your mattress, it’s a good idea to measure it for the exact dimensions. Check a comforter’s specifications to ensure that it’s the right fit for your mattress.

If you can’t find a comforter that matches your mattress exactly, always opt for a larger option rather than smaller. In fact, you may want to purchase your comforter in a size up from your mattress so it covers the sides of your bed if you don’t use a bedskirt. If two people sleep in the bed, a larger size can also ensure that both sleepers have enough blanket to sleep comfortably at night.

Thread count

Thread count is the number of stitches that bedding has per square inch. The higher the thread count, the softer the comforter will feel. A higher thread count is especially important for down comforters because the tighter weave helps keep the down contained.

  • 300 to 500

For a fairly durable, soft comforter with a budget-friendly price tag, choose one with a thread count between 300 and 500.

  • 500 to 800

For a more durable, even softer comforter with a mid-range price tag, opt for one with a thread count between 500 and 800.

  • 1,000 to 1,500

For a very durable, luxurious comforter with a high-end price tag, select one with a thread count between 1,000 and 1,500.

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Did you know?
If you choose a comforter with a high thread count, it’s less likely the down filler inside will slip out.
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Stitch design

Comforters come in a variety of stitch designs. Choosing a design is based mainly on aesthetic preference, though some designs allow for more fill shifting than others.

  • Baffle Box

With a baffle box comforter, pieces of fabric known as baffles are placed between the top and bottom layers to form compartments to hold the comforter’s fill. A baffle box box design makes for very fluffy, cushioned comforters.

  • Gusseted

Gusseted comforters feature walls around the outer edges that connect the top and bottom layers, which makes for a fluffy comforter.

  • Diamond-Quilted

A diamond-quilted comforter’s top and bottom layers are sewn together in a diamond design to prevent the fill from moving around.

  • Karo-Step

Karo-step comforters feature cross stitches that form open compartments to keep the fill from shifting too much, while still allowing for some movement.

  • Ring-Stitch

A ring-stitch comforter’s top and bottom layers are sewn together with small circles to keep the fill from moving too much.

  • Sewn-Through Channel Stitch

The top and bottom layers of sewn-through channel stitch comforters are stitched together in vertical or horizontal rows. This design allows for some movement of the fill.

  • Sewn-Through Box Stitch

The top and bottom layers of sewn-through box stitch comforters are stitched together in a box pattern, which prevents the fill from moving.

Content Image
Did you know?
It can take up to three days after taking a comforter out of its packaging for it to fully expand and reach its maximum fluffiness.
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Cleaning and care

Choosing a comforter that’s easy to clean makes it much easier to care for and maintain your bedding.

Many comforters are made of machine-washable fabrics, so you can easily throw them in the washing machine. Other comforters are dry clean only, which can make cleaning them more of an ordeal.

Make sure to check the manufacturer’s care instructions to ensure that you properly clean your comforter.

Comforter prices

Comforters vary in price based on their size, shell material, fill, and thread count, but you can typically expect to pay between $40 and $400.

Inexpensive

For a budget-friendly queen-size comforter with a thread count of 300 or less, you’ll usually pay between $40 and $65.

Mid-range

For a quality queen-size comforter with a thread count between 300 and 400, you’ll pay between $100 and $150.

Expensive

For a high-quality queen-size comforter with a thread count over 400, you can expect to pay between $250 and $400.

Comforter tips and tricks

  • Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for washing your comforter. In most cases, a front-loading washer works best for machine-washable styles.

  • You can protect your comforter — and make it last longer — by placing a duvet cover over it.

  • During warmer weather when you may not need a heavy comforter on your bed, store it in a breathable bag. A plastic bag can cause mildew.

  • While down is more expensive and typically higher quality, you can find excellent down alternative comforters, which may be better for people with allergies.

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Fluff your comforter when you make your bed each day to help expand the filling and keep it fluffy and soft.

FAQ

Q. Is fill power or thread count more important in a comforter?

A. Both measurements are important, but it comes down to personal preference in determining which one matters more. Fill power is most important if you’re concerned about the comforter being too warm or not warm enough. Thread count is most important if you’re concerned about the comforter being soft enough.

Q. Can I use a down comforter if I have allergies?

A. Allergic reactions with a down comforter typically occur due to dust mites, and all bedding, including your mattress, sheets, and pillows, can harbor mites. To prevent allergies, choose a comforter filled with hypoallergenic down or a down alternative, and wash it regularly to limit possible dust mites.

Q. Are comforters machine-washable?

A. Many comforters can be washed in a washing machine, but it depends on the materials. Some are dry clean only. Always consult the manufacturer’s care instructions to ensure that you’re cleaning your comforter properly.

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