The Best Duvet Covers

One of the best mattress toppers for you can purchase for your bed is a nice, comfortable duvet to help keep you warm and cozy in the winter or comfortably cool during the summer months. Duvets are also referred to as comforters sometimes, although they are slightly different. Most duvets are sold much like a pillow—requiring a duvet cover to keep them protected and to add a pop of color or style to a room’s décor. There are numerous designs, colors, and styles of duvets and covers available on the market today. Learn more about what to look for in a duvet, as well as some of the best duvet cover options on the market today.

---

Our Picks for the Best Duvet Covers

Keep in mind, we did not include duvet inserts in this roundup. Duvet inserts are widely available online and in stores at places like Target, Amazon, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Additionally, many comforters can double as duvet inserts. Check out our top picks here.

---

What is a Duvet?

A duvet is a type of bedding that is essentially a soft bag filled with down, feathers, silk, wool, cotton, or synthetic materials. A duvet insert is protected by a duvet cover, while a comforter is made as one piece. A comforter doesn’t need a cover and is machine washable, in most  cases, allowing you to place it in the wash with the rest of your bedding.

Duvets were originally developed Europe and were created as a top layer thermal insulator for beds. While comforters are typically used over a top flat sheet with the option of a blanket, duvets were originally used without top sheets or blankets, although some people prefer to use a top sheet with their duvet. In fact, one company we love, Primary Goods, invented a duvet cover that comes with a top sheet that snaps on so you never have to battle with that pesky top sheet during the night. See our review of the Primary Goods duvet here.

Whether a duvet is used atop of a cover sheet or not, its cover should be washed frequently to avoid dirt, fur, and dust buildup. Because a duvet cover must be washed frequently, it’s important to be well-versed in the technique of putting a duvet cover on.

How to Put on a Duvet Cover

If you are a visual learner, we’ve got you covered. Click here to see our video tutorial of how to put a duvet cover on.

Putting on a duvet cover is a bit more complicated than putting a pillow inside its case. Duvets are much larger, longer, and flatter than pillows which can make the task seem a bit tricky—much like trying to fold fitted bed sheets. (Ever wondered how to do that? We’ve got you covered. Check out our tutorial here.)

The larger the duvet is, the more difficult it can be to put in its cover. The good news is that knowing how to put a duvet cover on can save a great deal of time and struggle. We’ve laid out a 7-step process that makes putting a duvet cover on as easy as possible. If you follow these steps you should be a pro at putting on your duvet cover in no time. For duvets that are king-size, you may find it easier to use the cake roll method for putting on your duvet cover, which we’ve broken down to an 8-step process.

While it may seem like a daunting task to continually take off a duvet cover to wash it and put it back on again, there are many benefits having a duvet cover will bring, including:

• Added protection for the duvet
• It’s easy to clean
• It keeps bedding simple as there’s no need for any other sheets or blankets
• It’s easier to make the bed with just a duvet on it
• It makes the down a more effective insulator when there are fewer layers of bedding
• Duvet covers can really make your bedroom look stylish and put together, and it’s easy to change out a duvet cover with each season or new design choice without having to purchase a new comforter.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Duvet

Choosing the best duvet is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It is going to be the primary covering on your bed when you sleep, so you should choose to purchase a duvet model that combines a variety of the following qualities that are best suited for your unique needs and preferences.

Price

When you set out on your search to choose a duvet and cover best suited for you, price is certainly something to take into account. You don’t want to simply go for the cheapest duvet on the market, but you definitely don’t want to pick an option that is going to break the bank either. Therefore, you’ll have to put a little research into finding a duvet of quality that fits into a reasonable budget while simultaneously checking off all other qualities you want in a duvet (style, material, maintenance, etc.). If you are on a tight budget while shopping for a duvet, it may make more sense to opt for a more affordable duvet insert, while purchasing a duvet cover of high quality, such as a high thread count Egyptian cotton duvet cover.

Care

When it comes to deciding which duvet insert to buy, you will want to consider what’s needed to care for your duvet. How you care for the duvet insert versus the duvet cover will differ.

Your cover will need to be washed frequently. Depending on the material of the duvet cover, whether it be linen, silk, cotton, or something else, will determine the level of care required and if it needs to be professionally dry cleaned. You’ll also need to consider the maintenance required for your duvet insert, as well. Although the insert won’t need to be washed as frequently, in the instance an accident occurs, you will have to know how to clean it periodically. Be sure to check the tag on your chosen duvet insert for care instructions, as many duvets are dry-clean only.

We mention “care and maintenance” as I factor to consider when buying because the level of involvement required may impact you purchase decision. The lifestyle you lead will be the primary driver of this decision. If you want to be able to throw your duvet in the washing machine, it may benefit you to buy one with a machine washable fill. Just note that since duvets are so large, you will likely have to use a larger washer to care for it than is standard.

Polyester

The climate where you live and whether or not your body runs hot or cold during the night will influence the degree of warmth you seek from a duvet. This should influence the type of material you choose to have your duvet filled with, as well as the fill power. Fill power refers to the level of fluffiness and warmth your duvet will provide. The higher the fill power, the more insulating the duvet will be.

If you sleep hot or in a warm climate:

For the summer months, hot sleepers, or warm climates, it’s recommended to go for a lower fill power. If you’re seeking a lightweight duvet that isn’t too warm for the summer months, it may be best to choose a fill power of 400.

If you sleep cold or keep your thermostat set to 65 degrees Fahrenheit:

For those who live in cold climates that require substantial warmth from a duvet, a fill power of 750 or above is going to be the best choice.

Materials that suit any climate or type of sleeper:

Wool and down duvets are both great for winter and summer months as they keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

For those who are looking for a hypoallergenic duvet, fillers like cotton or synthetic materials will be less likely to trigger allergies. Another great option is a down alternative comforter.

Style

When it comes to choosing the style of your duvet, there are several options to choose from. There are various choices of stitch style to consider for the duvet inserts, as well as various colors and materials to choose from when it comes to choosing a duvet cover. The various different stitch options to choose from include:

• Panel: This is a stitch that consists of vertical lines down the length of the duvet. This is a basic form of duvet construction that allows for the filling to shift down the length of the duvet.
• Gusset: This form of duvet makes for the thickest, fluffiest duvets. It has a large gusset around the edge of the duvet with baffle box style of stitching.
• Box: This type of duvet has stitching in a horizontal and vertical manner that creates the look of boxes stitched across the duvet.
• Baffle Box: This is similar to box construction, however, there are also strips of material that are sewn in as walls between the front and back of the duvet—allowing for more filling.

Other considerations to make when it comes to style include the material of the duvet shell. Shells tend to be made of cotton, polyester, or a cotton/poly blend. Cotton is the softest, most breathable material. If you choose cotton, you will also want to consider the thread count of the cotton.