When all you want is a comfortable, soft, lightweight and breathable duvet, down is always your best bet. Goose and duck down are renowned for their high moisture absorbency, top thermal power and low weight.
But how do you sort through the many different duvets on the market? In other words, which duvet is best? You’ll find the answers right here.
Our top 9 has been put together using the combination of feedback from over 16,000 customers and 11 years of bedding experience.
The best duvets of 2022
- Our best duvet choice – Ducky Dons Taurus all seasons duvet
- Beste value for money – 90% goose down duvet premium
- The Consumer Association’s choice – Vandyck Excellent DUO duvet
- Best rated – Kaufmann dekbed Prinzessin 800
- Best duvet for well-insulated bedrooms – 90% duck down duvet all year light
- Beste 4-seizoenen dekbed – Vandyck superior duo donzen dekbed
- Best winter duvet – Duvet dore platinum duvet
- Best summer duvet – Vandyck summer down duvet
Carry on reading to discover how to pick the perfect down duvet. We’re also going to show you this year’s best available options.
1. Our best duvet choice
We think the Ducky Dons’ Taurus All-season duvet is an excellent example of the best value for year-round luxury.
Enjoy double the luxury, with this 2-piece duvet. Used together or separated, it covers your duvet needs every season. Stay fresh and cool in the warmest months and cosy and warm through the winter.
Even as a double duvet, the Taurus All-season has a relatively low fill weight, so you can move freely.
Both parts of this All-season duvet have the added attraction of baffle box construction – long, high compartments which give down extra room to fluff up. We call this the down’s ‘loft’. With more space, more warm air is trapped between the tiny down filaments. This means an excellent CUIN measurement – how many cubic inches (CUIN) an ounce of down can cover at its maximum loft.
Containing high-quality down with a fill power of 720 CUIN the Taurus All-season is highly moisture absorbent with excellent air circulation.
Only the best materials are used, so it’s no surprise the Dutch Consumer Association gives this duvet very high marks!
- The perfect duvet, whatever the season.
- Lightweight for easy movement.
- High-quality goose down filling for the best in moisture absorbency and air circulation.
- Scores an impressive 7.1 with the Dutch Consumer Association .
- Filled with Downpass-certified goose down (90%) and small goose feathers (10%)
2. Best value for money
Tukker’s All Year Premium 90% goose down and 10% small goose feather duvet is a very light, body-hugging, high-quality, very reasonably priced option.
With a tog rating of 10.5, it can be used throughout the year, although it’s not the best option if you are very sensitive to the cold or heat.
It’s manufactured in the Netherlands by a company who chooses not to invest in high-spec advertising or expensive showrooms and pass on these savings to customers. That means you get more for your money with this goose down delight.
The fill weight for the 140×200 cm size is 600 grams. Covered with soft and supple 100% cotton ticking, it’s the ultimate in soft down bedding for a very reasonable price.
- Can be used throughout the year.
- Made in the Netherlands.
- Goose down provides excellent moisture absorbency.
- Goose down and feather filling allows for a high degree of air circulation.
3. Beste donzen dekbed volgens de Consumentenbond
So many customers base their final choice on the feedback of others and/or the results of consumer testing. So which duvet does the Dutch Consumer Association recommend?
It’s ‘best down duvet’ winner is Vandyck’s Excellent Duo duvet.
How did it reach that decision?
The Dutch Consumer Association looked at 3 different criteria:
- Insulation: a duvet should warm up quickly and stay warm
- Moisture absorbency: a duvet should absorb sweat and keep it away from the body, before allowing that moisture to evaporate into the surrounding air
- Weight per square metre: you should hardly notice the weight of your duvet and be able to move easily underneath it
Down is the best duvet filling exactly because it fulfils all three criteria.
The Consumer Association tested 8 down duvets designed and manufactured by different brands.
Vandyck’s Excellent Duo duvet scored a total of 7.7, taking the number one spot in the All-season duvet category.
But we selected the Superior duvet of the same brand listed in our top 10. Why? The Consumer Association also took pricing into account. We didn’t.
4. Top rated duvet
The Prestige duck down duvet is an affordable and popular buy. That combination of natural down and price is the secret to its popularity. There are lots of reviews out there … most of them very positive indeed.
As a All-season duvet is composed of two separate duvets, you can adjust the tog rating according to your needs or according to the time of year. Remove the higher tog duvet for luxury, cool summer bedding, remove the lowest tog section to leave behind a spring and autumn, or clip both duvets together during the coldest months.
The filling is 90% duck down and 10% duck feathers. There’s very little difference in quality between duck and goose down. With a fill power of 618 CUIN, the Prestige is highly absorbent with good air circulation.
Pure cotton ticking surrounds the 100% natural filling. The dense weave of the ticking stops dust mites in their tracks. For a hypoallergenic, high-quality, affordable duvet, pick the Prestige.
- Composed of 2 detachable duvets, the Prestige can be used throughout the year.
- The right choice for anyone with a dust mite allergy.
- Excellent value for money.
5. Beste luxury duvet
Looking for a duvet that reminds you of a 5-star hotel? For the ultimate in luxurious comfort, you want the Kauffmann Prinzessin 800 down duvet. Whether you’re a Prince or a Prinzessin, you can’t fail to sleep like a King.
Filled with 100% German goose down of the highest quality filled to a power of 800 CUIN, this down duvet will never let you down. In fact, it boasts the highest fill power of any duvet in our selection.
Even with such huge fill power, the Prinzessin’s fill weight is a mere 380 grams for the 140×200 cm size. That’s incredibly light. With Mako-Batist ticking – a very strong, light and airy Egyptian cotton weave – you’re guaranteed the best in luxury hotel quality.
- Highest quality, German manufacture duvet.
- All year duvet – from winter to summer.
- Lighter than a feather – you’ll hardly know it’s there.
- Feel the gentle softness of the filling through top-quality ticking.
- Excellent thermal value that holds your body heat tight
6. Best duvet for well-insulated bedrooms
The beautiful 90% duck down Premium All Year Light duvet fulfils every dream – even the one about the price tag.
With a fill weight of 550 grams for the 140 x 220 cm size, this duvet is as light as a cloud. That makes it ideal for well-insulated bedrooms in modern houses and apartments.
The 100% cotton ticking might not feel as smooth as other duvets in our collection, but it’s still deliciously soft.
With sewn through construction that keeps the down spread equally inside, you can forget about cold spots. Instead, snuggle under the Premium All Year Light’s continuous insulation and lightweight comfort without overheating.
- Especially suited to well-insulated bedrooms
- Filled with 90% ethically-sourced (Downpass-certified) down
- Perfect for dust mite allergy sufferers.
- High quality at a temptingly affordable price.
7. Beste 4-seizoenen dekbed
Looking for the best All-season duvet money can buy? That’s the Vandyck Superior Duo, the ultimate in year-round luxury with the highest 760 gram fill power in our All-season selection. Composed of one summer duvet and one spring/autumn duvet connected by press studs, you’ll never need a spare.
Filled with 100% pure-white Bohemian goose down, each separate duvet is sewn through to create compartments that keep that exquisite-quality down in place.
The ticking is just as luxurious, made of 100% cotton satin – a butter-soft, supple fabric. Perfect for dust mite allergy sufferers, as the dense ticking weave won’t let even the tiniest mite through.
- Superior thermal value and air circulation.
- The perfect duvet for every season.
- Easy separation and attachment of duo duvets thanks to a handy press-stud system.
- Downpass certified: ethical down and feathers meet the strictest animal welfare criteria.
- TüV-approved for duvet sizing, down quality, down density and thermal insulation.
Can’t envision your bed through a forest of pillow options? Discover your perfect Sleep Mate in 4 simple steps with our pillow test.
8. Best winter duvet
Our personal recommendation for the best winter duvet is filled with 100% goose down. The thick filling means a tog rating of 12, a toasty duvet ideal for cold winter nights.
Even so, the fill weight, based on the single bed size (140 x 200 cm), is only 800 grams. That’s low, especially for a winter duvet. You won’t be pinned to the mattress under a cumbersome, heavy layer, but gently covered by a deliciously warm, soft and cloud-like cocoon. All that down means this winter option is highly absorbent with good air circulation and excellent thermal qualities.
The sewn through construction means all that fluffy down stays evenly spread, no matter how much you move. No cold spots with this winter wonder! And with light and supple ticking, there’s no end to comfort.
- 12-tog, warm, lightweight winter duvet.
- A good choice for dust mite allergy sufferers.
- High absorbency, excellent thermal value and good air circulation.
9. Best summer duvet
We’ve discovered the best winter duvet. How about the best option for the summer? What about the Vandyck Summer down duvet? It contains 95% goose down and 5% goose feathers. With a fill weight of just 225 grams for the single 140x200cm size, you can’t get much lighter than this.
Even so, you get a lot of filling for your money – 700 CUIN That high fill power insulates you from the heat; it also absorbs uncomfortable summer sweat and lets it quickly evaporate away. That’s all due to excellent down and feather air circulation. The 100% combed cotton ticking also helps regulate moisture levels. Enjoy summer dreams that never rip at the seams when you spend summer nights under a Vandyck Summer down duvet.
- 4.5 tog rating – deliciously cool for the hottest months.
- High moisture absorbency with excellent insulating value.
Best ethically-sourced duvet
Yumeko duvets are organically-sourced and Fairtrade certified. Manufactured in the Netherlands, they’re filled with ethical duck down. This summer duvet has a 330-gram fill weight (140 x 200 cm), so is a great way to enjoy the luxury of down even during warmer months.
Add to this a not to be sneezed at 155 mm / 30 gram fill power and soft, supple 100% organic cotton ticking. The GOTS-certified organic cotton has such a dense weave, you won’t inhumanely crush a dust mite, either – they can’t get in. In the words of Yumeko, you can ‘change the world sleeping’. You do your bit for human welfare, animal welfare and planet welfare.
- Downpass-certified – ethically-sourced down
- 100% GOTS-certified organic ticking
3 determining factors for duvet quality
A duvet’s quality and comfort level are determined by the following 3 factors:
- Filling: duck down, goose down, wool, kapok or synthetic fibres. (Down quality is primarily determined through fill power).
- Number of compartments and the way in which these compartments are sewn (sewn through or baffle box construction).
- Ticking: the finer the weave, the greater the air circulation. Often expressed as an Number metric (Nm) value, the higher the Nm, the higher the quality of the ticking.
Let’s look at these 3 factors in more detail.
1. Fillings
Different duvets contain different fillings with different characteristics. To help you decide on the perfect duvet, here’s a list of the pros and cons of the most common fillings.
Down
The best and most popular luxury duvet filling. Composed of goose or duck down.
- Good moisture regulator
- Retains body heat
- Soft to the touch
- Relatively low environmental impact
- Natural, durable and sustainable
- Difficult to wash at home
- Huge variations in quality.
- Without Downpass certification, down could be sourced from inhumane live pluck methods.
Synthetic fibre / down alternative
A popular lower-budget choice due to cheap production methods. Polyester-filled duvets can also be washed in a washing machine.
- Cheaper than down
- Machine or hand washable
- Not so good at regulating moisture levels – can feel sweaty
- Not a good insulator
- Synthetic fibre duvets are heavier than down duvets
Wool
Like down, wool has high moisture absorbency capabilities. Wool also feels soft and holds the heat – sometimes too much. Wool duvets can be heavy and aren’t suitable for the summer.
- Holds onto body heat, sometimes a bit too well
- Very moisture absorbent
- Usually too hot for the summer
- Heavy
- Difficult to wash
- 3,5 x the environmental impact of down (Higg-index)
Cotton
- Plant-based
- Cheaper than wool or down
- Easy to wash
- Excellent air circulation
- Lower thermal value than wool or down – not suitable for winter months
2. Duvet quality
When you want to know more about the quality of a down duvet, look at its fill power. The higher the fill power, the higher the thermal value. But when the thermal value of a filling is high, less is needed to provide the correct level of warmth. This means high quality down duvets are often lighter in weight than lower quality ones.
Prefer a lightweight duvet? Look for the combination of high fill power and low fill weight – you can still feel deliciously warm under a lightweight down duvet.
3. Ticking
Ticking is the fabric casing that surrounds a duvet’s filling. We advise you to opt for cotton ticking. Not only does it feel soft, it’s strong and absorbent. It helps the duvet to breathe, allowing absorbed moisture to evaporate into the surrounding air.
100% cotton ticking should have a dense weave to stop the hard shafts of tiny down feathers from piercing through. The number of yards a single piece of cotton yarn can be stretched over to produce 1 pound of ticking thread has the measurement unit Ne (short for new English). The higher the Ne value, the finer the yarn. A high Ne also means very supple, soft ticking. Our webshop offers quality ticking from 41 Ne upwards. That’s not 41 yards of thread per kilogram … that’s 41 x 840 yards or close to 20 miles! The highest quality duvets have an Ne value of 59 or more.
4. Stitching
Once duvets have been filled and the ticking has been selected, the next step is stitching. Duvets can be stitched in various ways. Stitching patterns keep the down inside smaller spaces, stopping it from piling up in the corners or shifting as you sleep. When a duvet is stitched into compartments, you won’t need to shake it out to even out the filling. Stitching improves the thermal value of your duvet. You won’t get cold feet or cold spots in the middle of the night that wake you up. While there are lots of different stitching patterns, we’re going to look at the two most common.
Sewn through construction
Just like the name implies, a sewn through duvet has stitching which sews duvet ticking together through both sides. The duvet is sewn through both horizontally and vertically, creating a series of closed compartments. This keeps down in place and stops it piling up in one corner. Each compartment holds onto your body heat, no matter how much you move during the night.
This construction method is low-maintenance. The downside is that cold air can come in through the stitching. Even so, the quality of the filling means sewn through construction can work well in all but the coldest bedrooms.
The size of the compartments also has an effect. The smaller the compartments, the more stitching there is and the cooler the duvet. A good year-round duvet should have larger compartments than a summer duvet.
Baffle box construction
Rather than stitching through the ticking to create compartments, baffle box construction adds vertical pieces of ticking fabric between the two duvet sides. These strips stand like flexible walls that run along the length and breadth of the inside of the ticking.
Baffle box construction means much deeper and larger compartments that give down plenty of space to fluff up. The more down can fluff up, the more air it can trap. And the more trapped air a duvet contains, the more body heat your down duvet can cold onto. This makes baffle box construction a good choice for winter duvets.
Duvet maintenance
We often get asked about duvet maintenance. To keep the filling in top condition, just give your duvet a daily shake. It’s also a good idea to hang your duvet outside every now and again to air. Don’t do this in strong sunlight (or in the rain!).
Keep both your bed and your bedroom well ventilated. Push the duvet back when you wake up and open the bedroom window for at least half an hour.
Whether you should clean your duvet depends on a lot of factors. Washing too often or using the wrong methods damages the filling. Always check the care label to see if you can put your duvet in the washing machine. Many can only be taken to the dry cleaner. Regular airing is much more important than washing.
Can I wash a down duvet?
Down shouldn’t be washed as it could shrink. That said, we have several down duvets in our selection which can be machine washed at 40 or 60 degrees centigrade. You can see this information in each duvet’s list of specifications. Always check the care label for the right machine programme and temperature.
Sources:
- https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-comforter/
- https://www.downandfeathercompany.com/pages/how-to-choose-fill-power
- https://supercomfysleep.com/top-10-best-goose-comforters/
- https://www.realmenrealstyle.com/quality-down-comforter/
