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Jackie Reeve is a writer covering all things bedding. She has also reported on towels, rugs, and chicken coops (with help from her 20 backyard pets). Pregnancy Pillow
We’ve added long-term-testing notes to all of our picks.
Most good comforters will keep you warm. But an exceptional comforter should also be as light as air, with a soft outer shell that keeps feathers and fluff sealed inside.
After trying dozens of comforters—sleeping with them for hundreds of hours—we’ve chosen six that we like for their loft, construction, warmth, and availability. We think they’re absolutely dreamy.
The higher the volume, the higher the fill power. High-fill-power down is lightweight and warm but not heavy.
This is the catch-all term for any non-down filling that doesn’t come from geese or ducks (usually polyester-cotton blends or PrimaLoft).
These terms are often used interchangeably. But technically a comforter doesn’t need a cover, whereas a duvet is intended to go inside a duvet cover.
This third-party certification guarantees that textiles are free from harmful substances, such as formaldehyde and heavy metals.
Our current picks include an all-around great down comforter, a budget down comforter, a budget down-alternative comforter, a cloud-like luxury down comforter, a ready-to-use down comforter, and an affordable goose-down comforter. This guide also includes some other good comforters that we liked and may fit your needs.
I have written almost all of our bedding guides, including those for sheets, blankets, and pillows. And I’ve spent years researching fabrics, weave patterns, construction, and fabric care. I’ve also been a quilter for nearly 20 years and have published several quilt patterns.
This high-quality down comforter is fluffy, lightweight, and very warm on a chilly night. The shell is slightly more crinkly than those of similarly priced comforters.
If you’re ready to invest in a high-quality down comforter, we really like the 700-fill-power Brooklinen All-Season Down Comforter. It’s lovely, and it has remained consistently available, even when other picks have been out of stock.
It’s lightweight, fluffy, and warm. At just under 6 pounds for a king size, this comforter weighs slightly less than the airy, more expensive Feathered Friends comforter we recommend. The Brooklinen comforter features baffle-box construction, which makes it lofty and warm to sleep under without overheating. And unlike some of the heavier comforters we’ve tried, this one doesn’t slide off the bed.
It’s durable and has a good warranty. The smooth cotton sateen shell kept all of the down in place during our shake tests. This comforter comes with a one-year return policy and a two-year warranty.
It comes in three different weights. All three available weights (Lightweight, All-Season, and Ultra-Warm) are Oeko-Tex–certified (this guarantees that textiles are free from certain harmful substances). And each one is made with a different kind of feather: The 650-fill-power Lightweight model is filled with recycled feathers, collected from down-filled bedding and apparel; the All-Season contains duck down; and the 750-fill-power Ultra-Warm contains goose down.
It’s made with traceable down feathers. None of these comforters carry the more-common RDS certification for ethical down. But they are made with down from Feather Industries Canada, which provides a traceable number to source its down.
Brooklinen comforters also have a Downmark certification from the nonprofit Down Association of Canada (the president of Feather Industries Canada sits on its board). And the Brooklinen website says the All-Season weight we recommend is made with duck down from Hutterite farmers in Canada; Hutterites are communal people belonging to a peace-driven Anabaptist sect.
We’ve been using the All-Season version since early 2021. It’s maintained its loft, and we’ve had only minor problems with leaking feathers. It has also remained in stock; availability can be an issue with down comforters in general.
This comforter kept us nice and warm without overheating. One of the most affordable picks on our list, it’s made with RDS-certified duck down, but availability is less reliable.
If you’re conscientious about how your down is sourced, but you can’t or don’t want to splurge on one of our pricier picks, the Target Casaluna Premium Down Comforter All Season is one of the most affordable down comforters on our list.
This affordable comforter is made with ethical down feathers. The Casaluna is RDS-certified for having ethical down. Also, it’s normally less than half the price of the Brooklinen comforter and about a third of the price of the Feathered Friends comforter. And it’s Oeko-Tex–certified. Although many of our picks are either Oeko-Tex–certified or RDS-certified, the Casaluna and Feathered Friends comforters are the only two picks on our list that have both certifications. And because Casaluna is one of Target’s “owned brands,” it’s covered by a one-year return policy, instead of the company’s usual 90 days.
It’s comfortable and warm. Compared with the Brooklinen or Feathered Friends comforters, the Casaluna comforter is not as fluffy, and the fabric isn’t as smooth. But it’s comfy, warm, and well made for the price. It’s made with 600-fill-power duck down, and even though the Casaluna feels heavier than the Brooklinen or Feathered Friends comforters, we didn’t notice that extra weight once we were sleeping under it. When we opened the windows on a night that was around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the Casaluna comforter kept us perfectly warm (without making us sweat). It’s available in three weights—Lightweight, All Season, and Heavyweight. But we recommend the All Season for most climates and seasons.
It’s well constructed and easy to launder. The Casaluna comforter’s cotton sateen outer shell is thick and well sewn, and it was one of the only budget options in our testing that didn’t release tufts of fluff in our shake tests. (We did find that it starts to shed some feathers after about a year).
Due to this comforter’s sewn-through construction, the down won’t shift or clump as much in the wash as the down in baffle-box comforters, and (according to some of our experts) that makes it easier to launder at home. So if you prefer to wash your comforter frequently, this factor might make the Casaluna comforter a better choice.
Despite the feather leaks that one of our testers experienced, they said, “I’m totally planning to keep using the Target.” They added, “I like it for the loft, and I’ve never had the money to sleep with anything besides [our down-alternative pick], so it still feels fancy to me.” The shift from a synthetic comforter to an affordable down comforter was noticeable, and that offset any feather frustration.
This down-alternative comforter is warm and very affordable, and it’s relatively breathable. But it has no warranty, and it sells out often.
For comfort, loft, and breathability, real down fill is hard to beat. But if you try to avoid using animal products, are allergic to down, or don’t want to spend the money, the Utopia Bedding Quilted Comforter is the best under-$50 option we’ve ever tried.
It’s breathable and soft. This comforter was better at regulating heat than several higher-priced down-alternative comforters we tried, including those from Brooklinen and Snowe, and the outer shell was softer than those of many competitors. Most down-alternative comforters don’t breathe well, but when we slept with the Utopia, we rarely woke up because we were too hot (or too cold). With competing down-alternative comforters, we often woke up halfway through the night, sweaty and eager to toss off the covers.
It’s well constructed and inexpensive. We tested a range of budget down options, and we’ve eliminated many of them because they were substantially lacking in quality. But this was not the case with the Utopia comforter: It has sturdy sewn-through stitching with piped edges and lofty, fiber-filled boxes. Plus, all sizes cost less than $50, so we think the Utopia would be a great, non-down choice for a child’s bed or in a guest room. Like the Garnet Hill Essential Down Comforter, the Utopia comforter comes in several colors, which implies it may be fine to use without a cover. But the Utopia comforter’s fabric isn’t as thick, so we still recommend using a duvet cover to extend its life (it has loops on the corners for attaching one).
A Wirecutter editor purchased these comforters for her kids in 2018, and she said that after years of use, they’re of much better quality than she’d expected for the price. “I’ve washed and machine-dried them many, many times,” she told us. “They haven’t stained, the cover is still soft, the fill is fluffy and hasn’t clumped. The corner tie tabs are also in great shape. For the price I’m amazed at the quality.”
This gorgeous (and pricey) down comforter is much loftier than any other comforter we’ve tried—imagine being enveloped in a luxurious cloud. But it’s often sold out.
If you want a high-end, luxurious comforter—one that’s fluffy and light but also incredibly warm—the Feathered Friends Bavarian 700 Down Comforter Medium is the one to get (or to save up for).
It’s one of the softest, quietest, and lightest comforters we’ve ever tried. No other comforter we’ve tested feels as cloud-like as the Bavarian 700 Medium. At just over 5 pounds for a queen size and just under 6 for a king, the Bavarian is one of the lightest—yet still very warm—comforters we’ve ever tested. It’s made of 100% goose down and has a durable, sewn-through construction. This comforter’s other details are up to snuff too. It features generous oversize dimensions and a long-staple-cotton cambric (plain-weave) shell—one of the softest and quietest we’ve come across.
It’s made with ethical (and traceable) down. Feathered Friends has an excellent reputation for its down sourcing. Its comforters meet the Responsible Down Standard requirements, and each one comes with a tracking number, which buyers can enter at Track My Down to see the source of the comforter’s fill. All RDS-certified comforters are supposed to come with a tracking number, but we’ve found that they rarely do.
It comes with a lifetime warranty. The warranty protects against defects in workmanship or materials. If your comforter needs a repair that the warranty won’t cover (due to normal wear and tear), Feathered Friends will fix it for a fee. Take note: The warranty requires that you use a duvet cover to maintain coverage; we recommend using one for most comforters anyway to protect them from damage. We think it’s the best value of the luxury comforters we’ve considered, and with proper care and maintenance, it should last for decades (and likely longer than any of our other picks).
It comes in four different weights. The Bavarian Medium 700 is Feathered Friends’ most popular weight. But one of our editors owns and loves the Bavarian 700 Light for her Los Angeles home, and she found it to be ideal for a warmer climate. “It’s so light it feels like it’s floating over my body, but I’m perfectly warm,” she said. The Bavarian 700 also comes in an even lighter Summer weight and a warmer Arctic weight.
One of our editors has been using our original 2016 test model since February 2020 and says it still looks and feels new. “I am still obsessed with our Feathered Friends. I’ve only washed it a couple of times, and as soon as it gets chilly I’m so excited to pull it out again.” We tested a brand-new one in 2021, and it also performed well.
This warm and cozy down comforter is a smart choice for children as well as adults. It comes in a dozen colors, doesn’t need a separate cover, and is easy to wash.
The Garnet Hill Essential Down Comforter is unfussy, warm, and well constructed. It’s a ready-to-go top layer that comes in a dozen or so solid colors that appeal to both kids and adults.
It’s a durable comforter that you can use without a duvet cover. If a duvet cover seems too fussy, the Garnet Hill comforter’s dense percale shell makes it strong enough to use without one. It's also great for kids—it will help them to more easily make their own beds. We’ve washed it countless times since we first tested it; the whole comforter is simple to wash at home and rarely loses any feathers. (The Feathered Friends comforter is the only other one we can say the same about.) It’s also filled with RDS-certified down.
It comes in a rainbow of colors. The Garnet Hill comforter comes in 12 different colors, so it could be a great choice for kids or teenagers. There are no cutesy prints here, therefore it can transition with your child’s taste as they grow up. This comforter gets the stamp of approval from my own kid, who’s been using it since 2019. (Our budget down-alternative pick also comes in various colors, but we recommend using a cover with that one.)
The Garnet Hill comforter we began testing in 2019 has held up well through dozens of washes, many playroom fort campouts, and a lot of getting dragged around the house. We’re impressed with how solid the percale shell has been; this comforter gets more rigorous use than those that solely live on a bed, and we’ve seen only the occasional feather leak from it. The color (we tested faded rose) has mostly remained the same, with just some mild fading over time. Our main note is that it picked up a patina of lint as it got dragged around; our kid tester does not care.
This is one of the best budget comforters we’ve tried. It’s warm, lofty, and filled with 100% goose down, which is usually much more expensive than duck down. But you’ll need a Costco membership.
Costco’s 650-fill-power Hotel Grand White Goose Down Comforter is warm and lofty, and it has a pleasantly soft shell.
It’s filled with 100% goose down (without the high price tag). The Hotel Grand comforter is filled with goose down, which is often considered to be more desirable than duck down because the clusters are larger and fluffier. (In reality, you probably wouldn’t notice much difference between the two fills, and most of our picks use perfectly fine duck down.) The fill’s popularity typically makes goose-down comforters far more expensive. So if you have your heart set on a cozy goose-down comforter, the Hotel Grand is a bargain.
It’s reliably available. After years of testing and tracking comforter inventory, we’ve noticed that down comforters are prone to sell out—and it can sometimes take months for them to restock. The Hotel Grand comforter is more consistently available. We think it performs almost as well as the Target Casaluna (which often sells out), so if that one is unavailable, we recommend the Hotel Grand. It’s made with a baffle-box construction, and it’s a bit loftier than the Casaluna, too.
It has an excellent return policy. The Hotel Grand comforter comes with Costco’s 100% satisfaction guaranteed return policy, which refunds you the entire purchase price anytime; that’s the best return policy of any of our picks.
One staff member with a queen-size bed who has been testing a king-size Hotel Grand comforter noted, “The king size actually seems to be the right fit for complete down envelopment in the winter.” You may want to consider sizing up, too, if you like that extra-cozy feel.
Our tester hasn’t noted any ongoing problems with down escaping, so we think it could just be an issue with vigorous movement—you may notice some shedding when you change the duvet cover or when you wash the comforter, but not as you use it every day.
Anyone who lives anywhere other than the tropics likely already has a comforter. The real question is: Do you need a new one? Though many high-quality comforters will last 10 years or longer, down can clump and shift, leaving cold pockets. Eventually, down clusters may even fully disintegrate. If you regularly find that you’re cold, it may be time for a replacement comforter. See the graphic below on how to choose the appropriate weight.
Before you make a purchase, however, give your existing comforter a wash and dry—you may see it magically return to its former fluffy glory. (See our care and maintenance section for more details about cleaning.)
Over the years, we’ve considered more than 90 comforters and interviewed five experts—some of them more than once. Though we don’t apply any hard-and-fast rules when deciding which comforters to test, we do look for models that ideally meet the following criteria:
We have a slight preference for:
We inspected each comforter to gauge the feel, the stitching, and the weight and loft, and we washed them to check for feather leaks and shell durability. We shook each one vigorously to see whether down clusters or feathers escaped.
We paid attention to how noisy the shells were. And we spent time under each one to gauge warmth—in 2022, I began using an infrared thermometer to more accurately measure the temperature differences of the comforters during these warm-up sessions. Then we sleep-tested the most promising ones (a total of about 19 comforters).
We focused on using the comforters as most people would use them in their own homes, spending a night or two under each one. And we used five sleep testers—including an 8-year-old child—over the course of two years.
To find out what makes an excellent comforter, we spoke with down expert Jack Sukalac on two different occasions when writing and updating this guide. Sukalac is an engineer who started repairing down comforters more than 40 years ago. And he turned it into a business, All About Down, making and repairing down comforters in his Seattle basement. We also consulted David Sweet, president of the American Down and Feather Council at the time of our interview. And we spoke with Shannon Maher, who was chairperson and assistant professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology at the time of our interview.
Many comforters, including three of our picks, are available in multiple weights, so you can choose one based on the amount of warmth you need. Although there’s no industry-standard warmth rating in the US, most companies break it down simply: light, medium (often called “all season”), and heavy. Here’s a guide to help you figure out your ideal comforter weight:
You can also fine-tune the warmth of any comforter by changing the type of cover you use (see our duvet-cover picks here). To make a comforter warmer in the fall and winter, add a flannel cover, and for spring and summer, opt for a lightweight linen or percale cover.
All comforters consist of two outer layers of fabric with an insulating material (like down) sandwiched between them. Most are stuffed with clumps of fill (such as down, feathers, or polyfill) that are evenly distributed in channels throughout the entire comforter. There are two ways to do this: the sewn-through method and the baffle-box method, illustrated by the comforter cross-sections below.
What it means: Sewn-through comforters may have boxes, channels, or other patterns; these sew together the top and bottom of the comforter and prevent the fill from shifting. This construction method is low-maintenance, and it makes a comforter easier to wash because the down inside each smaller pocket doesn’t have much space to move around. David Sweet, formerly of the American Down and Feather Council, told us that if you’re not interested in having to maintain something, go with a sewn-through comforter. “You’ll never have to worry about fill shifting,” he said. The drawback to sewn-through comforters is that some cold air may seep through the sewn-through seams, and the comforter may be slightly less lofty overall.
What it means: Baffle-box comforters are constructed with vertical strips of fabric that separate the top and bottom layers of the outer shell, creating three-dimensional walls. The baffles help keep the down lofty and therefore trap and retain more heat. But because the bigger boxes can also allow the down clusters to shift around, it’s a good idea to shake out your comforter, to keep the down evenly distributed and fluffy. Baffle-box construction is more labor-intensive and tends to be regarded as being of higher quality. But we found that many of the sewn-through comforters we tested—including the luxurious Feathered Friends comforter—were just as warm and fluffy as baffle-box comforters.
The world of down comforters has its own language, and it can be confusing. Here’s a breakdown of what the terms mean and (more importantly) how they might factor into your decision-making process.
Fill power: This is the volume of 1 ounce of down measured in cubic inches—the higher the volume, the higher the fill power. Voluminous, high-fill-power down is lightweight, making a comforter warm but not heavy. High fill power can also mean higher-quality fill. Jack Sukalac told us that the Federal Trade Commission allows manufacturers to use as little as 75% down in an all-down comforter—the rest can be cheap feathers. This mix is more common in lower-priced and lower-fill-power comforters. For an entry-level down comforter, 600 to 700 fill power is plenty.
Goose down or duck down: The down in comforters comes from either ducks or geese. Duck down is generally not as fluffy as goose down because most of it comes from small ducks with small puffs of down. Both goose down and duck down can make excellent comforters, though, so there’s no reason to turn your nose up at a down puff’s provenance.
Down alternative: This is a catchall term for any non-down comforter filling. At the low end, it’s a polyester-cotton blend that comes in sheets like batting. It goes up to gel-fiber filling or a patented material called PrimaLoft (a lightweight, breathable fill that can increase the price of a down-alternative comforter by 15% to 20%).
Fabric weave and thread count: Most of our experts recommend a dense, plain-woven fabric, such as cotton cambric or percale, to help keep down inside a comforter’s shell. Many high-quality comforter shells are made from sateen (a softer, shinier weave, usually of cotton) or jacquard, which often has a decorative weave pattern. Thread count also plays a role, but don’t pay attention to super-high numbers; 300 to 400 is ideal. Anything higher won’t give you better down retention and is likely just marketing hype.
Duvet or comforter: Technically, a comforter is a bed covering that is filled with some kind of insulation and sewn shut; it usually features a color or pattern and does not require a cover. A duvet typically contains down or down-alternative fill and is made to be inserted into a duvet cover. However, according to a 2016 interview with Shannon Maher, then chairperson and assistant professor at Fashion Institute of Technology, in the US these terms have become interchangeable.
Oeko-Tex–certified: Oeko-Tex–approved items (cotton, in the case of most comforter shells) are certified as free from substances that are potentially harmful to humans and the environment, such as formaldehyde, heavy metals, and plasticizers. However, Oeko-Tex–certified items are not explicitly organic.
Ethical down: It’s difficult to sort out exactly where down is coming from, let alone whether it was collected using the inhumane practice of plucking a live duck or a live goose. Thankfully, some comforter companies are trying to use humanely harvested down only. The Responsible Down Standard certifies the traceability of down and verifies that no animals have been live-plucked. The RDS seal appears on items from companies that are operating within the standard’s requirements and whose products are audited and certified by Control Union. You can enter the lot number of any RDS-certified piece into Allied Feather + Down’s TrackMyDown to trace the down back to its source.
If you’re concerned about animal welfare, it’s worth taking a close look at the down products you buy. We walk you through the certifications to look for.
Here’s the expert consensus: Use a duvet cover to protect your investment. An exposed comforter will accumulate more body oils, causing the down and shell to deteriorate more quickly. Down-alternative comforters are the least delicate and can generally be washed like most other bedding; follow the care instructions on the label. Down comforters, including most of our picks, can be washed at home or at the laundromat with extra care.
Most recommendations we’ve seen say to wash your down comforter once a year. But down expert and comforter-repair specialist Jack Sukalac said if it’s not stained, soiled, or smelly, you could really wash it every three to five years. Washing a down comforter too often, especially at high temperatures, can shorten its lifespan by damaging the down or the baffle-box walls (which are made of a finer material than a comforter’s shell). “I tell people when I sell them a new comforter that maybe once every three to five years is adequate,” Sukalac said. “If you wash it every year, it’s just going to send you back to get [a new comforter] sooner.” Use a duvet cover on your comforter to maximize the time needed between washings.
Sukalac also strongly advises against dry cleaning a down comforter, even though many care labels we’ve seen say “dry clean only.” He said dry cleaning “ruins” a comforter because the chemicals are too harsh and will take the oils out of down. Tread carefully here, though, because even though our experts may recommend that you wash your comforter, you could void its warranty if you do. We’ve machine-washed the dry-clean-only Brooklinen comforter for testing purposes, and it worked beautifully, but Brooklinen does not advise doing this.
Cleaning your comforter can be a big job, but a proper wash every few years should keep it lofty and fresh. Here’s how to do it right.
If you want a great goose-down comforter that’s almost as nice as our Feathered Friends pick: The L.L.Bean Baffle-Box Stitch Goose Down Comforter Warm is a former top pick. And, next to the Feathered Friends comforter, this is the best one we’ve ever tried. But it’s often sold out. We still think it’s well worth the investment if you don’t need it right away.
If you’re looking for a wool comforter: Coyuchi’s Climate Beneficial Wool Duvet Insert is the best of the two wool comforters we’ve tested. It is warm enough for winter but breathable enough to use in summer on cooler nights. You can machine-wash this comforter, on a delicate cycle, but it needs to air-dry. I spread out the tester over an ironing board and left it for a couple of days, and it dried completely with no wet animal smell (which can happen with wool or down if damp). It’s normally nearly $600 for a queen size, though. And since we’ve tested just two wool comforters, we’re not ready to declare one of these pricey investments a pick until we’ve tried a few more. But if you want a wool comforter now, so far we think this one is excellent.
If our other picks sell out and you’re willing to put up with possible delays: The Riley White Goose Down Comforter is another former top pick, and we still think it’s a good comforter: It’s warm and durable, with no feather leaks or damage in testing. But the comforter is heavier than the Brooklinen, it isn’t as lofty as the Feathered Friends, and it’s often sold out.
If you and your partner sleep at different temperatures: We initially thought The Company Store’s LaCrosse Premium Down Light to Medium Warmth Down Comforter was a gimmick, but it seems to work. The comforter is split down the middle, and one side has less fill and smaller sewn-through boxes than the other, to keep it cooler for hot sleepers. It’s available in a light/medium and medium/extra weight. If you don’t like the idea of using separate twin comforters, European-style, this could be a good alternative.
If you want luxury and don’t mind waiting for a sale: The Garnet Hill Signature White Down Duvet – Medium was among the best we’ve tested in the past few years. The medium weight is lofty and warm but not too hot, and it feels super-light to sleep under. But it’s usually about $100 more than our Brooklinen pick. If you’re looking to invest in something that is a step above the Brooklinen comforter, we think you’d be better off going with our Feathered Friends pick, which feels much loftier. However, Garnet Hill has frequent sales throughout the year. If you can wait until this comforter is discounted, it’s an absolute steal for the quality. It also comes in Light and Winter weights.
If you need a colorful comforter in a twin XL: Like the Garnet Hill Essential Down comforter we recommend, The Company Store’s LaCrosse Premium Down Light Warm Comforter doesn’t need a duvet cover. Overall we prefer the Garnet Hill comforter because of its lower price, feel, weight, and construction. But the LaCrosse comforter comes in a longer twin XL size for dorm rooms (or tall teenagers), and it’s available in more colors (which change throughout the year).
The version of The Company Store’s Legends Hotel Premium Alberta Down Comforter (a former pick) that we most recently tested was of much lower quality than those we’ve tested in the past. And all of our picks felt and performed better. We also tried the Alberta comforter’s Light option, and it felt too thin.
The shell of The Company Store’s Legends Hotel Organic Cotton Down Comforter felt like it was made from very low-quality cotton, and the stitching looked shoddy. It was lofty but also heavy on our bodies.
The Snowe Down Comforter lacked a lot of the loft that made an earlier version great. The diminished quality, along with issues we’ve had with Snowe’s customer service in the past, make it hard to recommend this comforter.
We liked how light and warm the Parachute Down Duvet Insert felt during our preliminary tests in 2017. But at that time, it was more expensive than any of our picks. Now, it’s similar in price to a lot of comforters we like, so we may retest it.
The Casper Down Duvet is constructed with long, horizontal boxes that will almost definitely lead to uneven fill distribution and cold spots. Plus, its shell was noisy.
The Company Store’s Company Conscious Down Comforter is made with a mix of recycled down and brand-new down (also called “virgin” down). We love the idea of recycled down, but this comforter ended up shedding terribly. After using it for about two weeks, I started to remove the duvet cover, and the fluff tumbling out onto my bedroom floor was so prolific I had to take the whole thing outside. I also had to turn the duvet cover inside out and shake out a significant amount of down before washing it.
The L.L.Bean Classic Colors Down Comforter has 600 fill power and great reviews, but it’s so thin that it feels more like a summer-weight comforter.
Cuddledown’s 700 Fill Power Sateen Down Comforter felt too small and cool, and Cuddledown’s 600 Fill Power Primary Down Comforter was a skimpy 88 by 92 inches. It’s expensive considering it doesn’t have a true sewn-through design—the stitching stops 2 inches before the edge, allowing the down to shift around the edges.
In past years we have also tested the following now-discontinued comforters: the Allied Home Deluxe White Down Comforter, the Target Fieldcrest Comforters (the mid-weight was a former budget pick), the IKEA Hönsbär and Sötvedel comforters, the Crane & Canopy Classic Goose Down Comforter, the Balichun Goose Down Comforter, and the Downlite Hotel & Resort European Down Comforter.
The Company Store’s LaCrosse Premium LoftAIRE Down Alternative Light To Medium Warmth Comforter is the down-alternative version of the split “light to medium” down comforter in our other good section. It costs as much as many real down comforters we tried, but in past tests it ran much warmer and didn’t breathe nearly as well as the Utopia.
Riley’s Down Alternative Comforter felt as light as many down comforters we’ve tried. Its shell was noisy, though, and the polyester fill was flatter than that of other comforters.
We tested the Buffy Cloud and Breeze comforters, but they were both extremely heavy and didn’t breathe at all—we woke up drenched in sweat
The Snowe Down Alternative Comforter felt too warm during our preliminary rounds of testing, and one of our testers noted that theirs had a slight vinegar smell.
We eliminated the Linenspa Down Alternative Microfiber Comforter early in our tests because its outer shell felt awful right out of the bag. Also, the comforter was heavy and felt flat.
In past years we also tested the now-discontinued JCPenney Home Classic Light-Warmth Down Alternative Reversible Comforter, the Costco SleepBetter Beyond Down Alternative Comforter, Bed Bath & Beyond’s Microfiber Down Alternative Comforter, the Target Warmest Down Alternative Comforter by Fieldcrest, and Target’s Made by Design Down Alternative Comforter.
Authenticity50’s Comfort Temp Duvet is one of only two wool comforters we’ve tried so far, and we preferred the weight and feel of the pricier Coyuchi Climate Beneficial Wool Duvet Insert. This duvet has also had significant stock problems.
This article was edited by Daniela Gorny and Christine Ryan.
Jack Sukalac, engineer and down comforter expert at All About Down, interview, October 16, 2020
Shannon Maher, chairperson and assistant professor at Fashion Institute of Technology, interview, May 18, 2018
David Sweet, president of the American Down and Feather Council, interview, December 16, 2016
Jackie Reeve is a senior staff writer covering bedding, organization, and home goods at Wirecutter since 2015. Previously she was a school librarian, and she’s been a quilter for about 15 years. Her quilt patterns and her other written work have appeared in various publications. She moderates Wirecutter’s staff book club and makes her bed every morning.
An air conditioner is the obvious best fix for a hot bedroom. But if you don’t have one, there are some relatively simple and affordable steps you can take to keep your bedroom cool.
After spending almost 100 hours testing 16 duvet covers, we recommend five to style your bed for every season.
by Courtney Schley, Alex Arpaia, and Katie Okamoto
After testing dozens of heated mattress pads and blankets over the years, we found the best ones to keep you cozy at night.
Here’s every set of sheets we recommend, from breezy summer linen to cozy winter flannel, from neutral solids to quirky prints.
Leg Pillow Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).