Duvet Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Duvet for You

This duvet buying guide will walk you through the essentials. You’ll learn what to look for in a duvet based on warmth, weight, breathability, and allergy considerations—so you can find the perfect match for your sleep preferences and seasonal needs.

Understanding TOG Ratings

What does a duvet TOG rating mean?

When it comes to choosing a duvet, warmth is one of the most important factors—and that’s where TOG ratings come in.

TOG (Thermal Overall Grade) measures how well a duvet retains heat: the higher the TOG, the warmer the duvet. Knowing what this number means can help you choose the right duvet based on the season, your comfort preferences, and the temperature of your bedroom. Here’s your quick duvet TOG guide.

How to Choose the Right Duvet for Every Season

Summer

For warm nights, a lightweight duvet helps prevent overheating and promotes better sleep. TOG ratings between 1.0 and 4.5 are best suited for summer, but there's a slight difference depending on your needs.

A 1.0 to 2.5 tog duvet is ultra-light and ideal for hot sleepers or very warm bedrooms—it offers just enough coverage without adding any noticeable warmth. A 3.0 to 4.5 tog duvet provides a bit more insulation, making it a better choice if you like a light layer but still want a gentle touch of warmth.

Look for breathable materials like cotton, linen, or moisture-wicking blends to help regulate temperature and keep you cool through the night. If you want one summer option that works across a range of warm conditions, a 4.5 tog duvet is a versatile, lightweight pick.

Spring/Autumn

For transitional seasons like spring and autumn, a duvet with a 4.5 to 7.5 TOG rating offers just the right amount of warmth for milder nights. It provides moderate warmth—enough to keep you cozy when temperatures dip, but still breathable for nights that aren’t too cold.

If your bedroom tends to run chilly or you feel cold easily, a 7.5 to 10.5 TOG duvet with a little extra insulation may be a better option.

A 7.5 TOG duvet is often a great year-round choice for moderate climates or well-insulated homes. It’s a versatile pick if you don’t want to swap out your duvet as the seasons change.

Winter

When temperatures drop, you’ll want a duvet that keeps you warm and cozy through the night. A 10.5 to 13.5 TOG duvet offers ample warmth for most people during the winter months—especially if your home is well-insulated or you tend to sleep warm.

For very cold climates, drafty rooms, or if you feel cold easily at night, a 13.5 to 15.0 TOG duvet delivers maximum coziness and insulation. This is the warmest option and best suited for those who want that extra toasty feel without the need for layering.

Exploring Duvet Fillings

The duvet filling plays a major role in how a duvet feels, how warm it is, and how well it performs over time. There are two main types of duvet fillings: natural and synthetic. What’s the best material for your duvet? Each type has pros and cons, depending on your sleep preferences, sensitivities, and budget.

Let’s start with natural fillings—these tend to be breathable, long-lasting, and luxurious in feel.

Natural fillings

Down

Down is the soft, fluffy layer beneath ducks' or geese's feathers. It’s lightweight and incredibly insulating, and it gives duvets that cloud-like loft many people love. Goose down is generally considered higher quality and warmer than duck down, though both offer excellent warmth without weight.

For premium comfort, the Royal Sovereign Down Duvet and Prima White Down Duvet are top choices known for their softness, loft, and warmth.

Feather

Feather-filled duvets use the outer feathers of ducks or geese, which are heavier and more structured than down. They are firmer and less lofty but offer good insulation and are usually more affordable than pure down. Some duvets combine down and feather to balance comfort and cost.

The Luxurious White Down & Feather Duvet offers the perfect blend of structure and softness at a more accessible price.

Wool

Wool is a naturally temperature-regulating material that insulates in winter and breathes in summer. It also wicks moisture and is naturally resistant to dust mites, making it a great choice for allergy sufferers. Wool duvets tend to feel heavier and are often preferred by those who like a more weighted, grounded feel.

Consider the Luxury Wool Duvet for year-round comfort and breathable, natural warmth.

Silk

Silk-filled duvets are naturally hypoallergenic, lightweight, and effective at regulating temperature. They drape closely to the body and offer gentle, even warmth—ideal for hot sleepers or those who want a light but luxurious duvet. Silk is also a great option for people with sensitive skin.

The Empire Silk & Synthetic Duvet combines the softness of silk with the durability of polyester, offering a luxurious yet practical option for everyday comfort.

Synthetic fillings

Microfibre

Microfibre is a soft, lightweight synthetic fill that mimics the feel of down without using animal products. It’s a great option for those who want a plush, airy duvet that’s easy to care for and typically more affordable than natural fillings. Microfibre duvets are also hypoallergenic and machine washable, making them practical for everyday use.

For cozy, easy-care comfort, the Night Spa Duvet and Microfibre Duvet both offer softness and warmth without the use of animal-based materials.

Hollowfibre

Hollowfibre fillings are made from thicker, more structured synthetic strands with a hollow center that effectively traps heat. These duvets tend to be warmer, slightly heavier, and more durable than microfibre. They’re also hypoallergenic and budget-friendly—perfect for households looking for a low-maintenance, cost-effective option.

Fill Power and Fill Weight

When shopping for a duvet, you may come across two important terms: fill power and fill weight. While they both affect how a duvet feels and performs, they apply differently depending on the type of filling.

Fill power is a measurement used for down duvet filling. It refers to the loft or fluffiness and insulating ability of down clusters—specifically, how much space one ounce of down fills. Higher fill power means larger, fluffier clusters that trap more air, resulting in better insulation.

Fill weight, on the other hand, refers to the total amount of fill material used inside the duvet. This applies to down, feather, synthetic down alternatives like microfibre and hollowfibre, and natural fills such as wool and silk. A higher fill weight usually means a heavier duvet, but not necessarily a warmer one, especially in the case of down, where warmth also depends on fill power.

This duvet fill weight chart shows estimated warmth levels based on down fill power and fill weight, using a standard double-size duvet as reference.

Note that larger sizes (e.g., queen or king) require more fill weight to deliver the same warmth.

For down duvets, the right balance of fill power and fill weight provides warmth without unnecessary bulk. For synthetic and other natural fillings, warmth is generally determined by fill weight and the material’s natural insulating properties.

Understanding how fill power and fill weight work—together or independently—can help you choose a duvet that matches your comfort needs, whether you want something light and lofty or warm and substantial. Knowing how these factors affect performance also makes it easier to find the best filling for your duvet.

Duvet Construction and Design

The way a duvet is constructed has a big impact on how well the filling stays in place—and how evenly it keeps you warm. Two of the most common duvet construction types are baffle box and stitch-through. Both influence how the filling is distributed across the duvet, which affects loft, warmth, and comfort.

Baffle box

Baffle box construction features internal fabric walls (called baffles) between the top and bottom layers of the duvet. These walls create three-dimensional chambers that allow the filling to fully expand and stay evenly distributed. Baffle box duvets tend to feel loftier and warmer, making them ideal for down or other fluffy fillings that benefit from more space to trap air.

Stitch-through

Stitch-through (or sewn-through) construction involves sewing the top and bottom layers of the duvet directly together to form pockets that hold the filling in place. This design is flatter and generally less insulating than baffle box, but it’s lighter and more breathable. Stitch-through duvets are a good choice for summer or for people who prefer a slimmer, lower-loft profile.

Duvet Sizes

Ever wake up tugging at the covers? Choosing the right duvet size isn’t just about bed dimensions—it’s also about how much room you want to stay cozy through the night. While standard sizes typically align with bed dimensions, many people prefer to size up for extra comfort and better coverage, especially when sharing a bed.

That said, your mattress size is still a great starting point.

Here are the most common duvet sizes and the mattresses they’re designed for:

Twin (65" x 88”) – Fits twin beds, ideal for kids, teens, or single sleepers.

Double (80” x 88)– Fits full beds, offers a bit more width than twin but still compact.

Queen (90” x 92”) – Fits queen beds, a popular choice for couples or solo sleepers who like more room.

King (104" x 90") – Fits king beds, great for larger beds and extra coverage.

Tip: If you want a more luxurious, tucked-in feel—or if you share your bed and often fight over the covers—consider going one size up from your mattress size. It adds visual appeal and ensures better coverage.

Hypoallergenic Duvets: What to Know Before You Buy

If you have allergies or sensitivities, choosing a hypoallergenic duvet can make a noticeable difference in your sleep quality. Natural fillings like wool and silk are naturally resistant to dust mites, mold, and bacteria. However, for many allergy-prone sleepers, synthetic fillings—such as microfibre or hollowfibre—are the safest bet. They’re hypoallergenic by design and can usually be washed at higher temperatures to eliminate allergens.

Look for duvets labeled as hypoallergenic or treated with antibacterial finishes, which help prevent the buildup of dust mites and other common allergens. If you prefer a down or feather duvet, consider using a tightly woven duvet protector to block allergens and extend the life of your bedding.

Care and Maintenance

A duvet is something you’ll use every night—and a good one is an investment in better sleep. Choosing the right duvet is important, but so is taking care of it properly to make sure it lasts as long as possible. With a little care, your duvet can stay fresh, comfortable, and in great shape for years to come.

Synthetic duvets are usually machine washable and can be tumble dried on a low setting.

Down and feather duvets often need professional cleaning or a large-capacity machine, and should be dried thoroughly to avoid clumping.

Wool and silk-filled duvets are typically dry-clean only, unless labeled otherwise.

Always check the care label before washing, and use a duvet cover to protect it from everyday wear. Fluff your duvet regularly and air it out when possible to maintain its loft and freshness. When not in use, store your duvet in a breathable cotton storage bag to prevent moisture buildup. For step-by-step tips on keeping it clean and comfortable, check out our guide: How to Wash a Duvet.