Typically filled with duck or geese down and feathers, these comforters are warm, soft, and “can last a lifetime if cared for properly,” says Elina Winnel, the Sleep Expert & Master Sleep Coach behind The Sleep Expert. “People often enjoy the comfort of a fluffy, snuggly down comforter.” Because there are so many options on the market, we’ve researched the best picks, taking into consideration shell material, fill material, sizes, care, and certifications. We also consulted Winnel for additional insight. Overall, the best down comforter is the Brooklinen Down Comforter due to this item’s incredibly soft and comfortable feel, its breathable material, and all-season use. Here, the best down comforters. Keep in Mind: It’s not machine washable, so it requires more maintenance than some other options. The blanket features a fully down cluster fill and 100% cotton sateen exterior, both of which are soft and cozy. The material is hypoallergenic, too, which is great for those with sensitive skin and it’s lightweight despite its significant heft, making it an ideal choice for use at every time and temperature. No need to switch it out when the house gets hot or cold because this is an all-season comforter that you’ll want to sleep with all year. If you want, though, you can pick the lightweight or ultra-warm versions instead, both of which are available on Brooklinen’s site. The comforter features baffle box construction and loops on all four corners to attach it to a duvet cover. To keep it looking good, spot-clean it as needed and take it to the dry cleaners occasionally (it’s not machine washable). Note, however, that when you do need to wash the comforter, it may shed some lint and dust and require a bit of extra tidying. Price at time of publish: From $189 Product Details: Shell Material: Cotton | Fill Material: Down cluster | Sizes: Twin/twin xl, full/queen, king/California king | Care: Spot clean and dry clean if needed | Certifications: Not listed Keep in mind: Once you receive the blanket and unpack it, you’ll have to let it sit for a few hours for it to take its full shape. The comforter is offered in a few neutral colors, but it also has corner loops that help secure a duvet in place if you want to change the look. Best of all, this comforter comes in a wide variety of sizes, so you’ll undoubtedly be able to find an option that fits your bed perfectly. Unlike other options, this comforter is machine-washable, and it’s all-season, so you don’t have to switch it out in the summer or winter. Price at time of publish: From $60 Product Details: Shell Material: Cotton | Fill Material: Down, feather | Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king, California king, oversized queen, oversized king | Care: Machine wash | Certifications: Not listed Keep in mind: It’s only offered in white, so you’ll need to get a duvet cover if you want a different look. The comforter is made with tailored baffle box construction that prevents the fill from shifting. Plus, it has loops to attach it easily to a duvet cover. The durable and long-lasting comforter comes in two warmth levels: all-season and extra warm. It’s also machine washable, saving you unnecessary trips to the dry cleaner. As an added bonus, it carries the Responsible Down Standard (RDS), which ensures the down and feathers have been taken from animals that were not harmed. Price at time of publish: From $300 Product Details: Shell Material: Cotton | Fill Material: White goose down | Sizes: Twin/twin xl, full/queen, king/California king | Care: Machine wash in cold water | Certifications: RDS Keep in Mind: It’s more expensive than other options and is dry clean only, which adds an expense. The comforter has a silky softness and sateen cotton shine, as well as a 400-thread-count fabric. It’s filled with a mix of goose down and goose feather to keep you warm and cozy all night long, no matter the temperature inside or outside. This classic white comforter also features some piping for a fluffy, clean look. There are also corner loops to secure a duvet and a baffle construction meant to stop the fill from moving around. The fabric has an antimicrobial technology that helps prevent stains, mold, mildew, and smelly bacteria, reducing the chances of this comforter getting dirty. Speaking of which—it is dry clean only, so you can’t place it into the laundry machine, which is important to keep in mind. In addition to RDS, it’s also American Down and Feather Council (ADFC) certified, which means the product meets all claims and standards on the label. Price at time of publish: From $240 Product Details: Shell Material: Cotton | Fill Material: White goose down, White goose feather | Sizes: Twin, full/queen, king | Care: Dry clean | Certifications: RDS, ADFC Keep in Mind: It’s only offered in white and dry cleaning is recommended. The comforter is designed to keep you feeling cool all night long, thanks to its cotton-blend material that’s breathable, and not suffocating. The inside is a mix of goose down and feather blend, adding even more to the comforter’s light yet ultra-cozy feel. With a classic white color and an accent of elegantly piped edges, this comforter has a design that can go with pretty much any room decor and bedding. It’s available in three standard sizes, so it can fit most beds without issue. To keep the duvet insert steady in place, the comforter comes with multiple matching white duvet ties, so you won’t have to worry about it moving around as you toss and turn. It’s important to make sure you note that you’ll need to take this comforter to the dry cleaner or air-dry if it gets dirty, as the material can’t go into the washing machine. However, since it’s less expensive than other options, you may only end up using it for a few months over the summer anyway. Price at time of publish: From $92 Product Details: Shell Material: Cotton blend | Fill Material: Down and feather blend | Sizes: Twin, full/queen, king | Care: Dry clean | Certifications: RDS Keep in Mind: The thick, quilted design may not fit into every washing machine. This comforter has a totally cotton shell with a lightly brushed finish. It’s available in classic white as well as gray and turquoise if you prefer a more vibrant look to your bedding. It comes with eight loops to attach it to a duvet cover, as well as baffle box designs to ensure the fill stays completely in place no matter how much you move around at night. And did we mention that fluffiness? Thanks to its heft, this is a seriously soft and cozy comforter that you’ll want to use even when the seasons start to change. It’s machine washable, so keeping it looking and feeling clean and fresh will never be an issue. Plus, its RDS and Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX certified, which ensures it wasn’t made with substances that were deemed harmful. Price at time of publish: From $120 Product Details: Shell Material: Cotton | Fill Material: White goose down | Sizes: Twin, queen, king, California king | Care: Machine wash | Certifications: RDS, Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX Keep in Mind: It has to be dry cleaned, which adds an extra expense. It has a medium weight that’s warm yet breathable, with a fully cotton cover that’s moisture-wicking and relatively lightweight. This comforter is made with a baffle-box construction that will keep the filling in place without shifting or bunching. It also features four corner tabs that make it easier to attach it to a duvet cover. Design-wise, the white comforter sports an understated striped pattern and double-needle stitching, along with holden satin-piped edges to give it a bit of surprise flair. And as far as durability goes, this is a long-lasting, strongly-made comforter that’s meant to be used time and time again. One small downside of this comforter is that it’s not machine washable, so you’ll need to take it to the dry cleaners or air dry it if it gets dirty. If you’re okay with that tiny hassle, though, you’ll be glad you got this all-season item. Price at time of publish: From $200 Product Details: Shell Material: Cotton | Fill Material: Goose down | Sizes: Twin, full/queen, king | Care: Dry clean | Certifications: RDS Keep in Mind: It’s also only offered in one color. It’s an all-season comforter you can use all year, providing medium warmth so you’ll never feel too hot or too cold as you sleep. It’s fairly lightweight yet still thick enough to keep you warm, and made with a breathable, natural make to help you stay cool and dry no matter the temperature in the room. This popular comforter comes in one color, though it’s an elegant off-white that could work in a variety of design styles. It has a soft, plush feel thanks to all those goose feathers, and additionally, it has a box-stitch quilting design and four corner loops to help keep the material evenly distributed. To keep this comforter looking fresh and clean, you can put it in the washing machine with cold water on a delicate cycle, or just spot clean or dry clean it as needed. Price at time of publish: From $130 Product Details: Shell Material: Cotton | Fill Material: Goose down, feather | Sizes: Twin, full/queen, king | Care: Machine wash in cold water | Certifications: GOTS, RDS, STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX Keep in Mind: It’s more expensive than other options and doesn’t include any loops to attach a duvet. This comforter is on the warmer side filled with plush white down that will keep you cozy as you sleep. The outside is an equally comfortable cotton, meant to be insulating and warm but not overbearing. The comforter also features a box-stitched design that gives it a sophisticated look. Although it’s more expensive than other options, it’s offered in three sizes so you’ll be able to find the best fit for your bedroom. Plus, it’s machine washable and can be tumble dried, saving you trips to the dry cleaner. The only real downside is that it doesn’t come up with tie loops to attach it to a duvet, so you’ll need to buy those separately if you decide to go that route. Price at time of publish: From $229 Product Details: Shell Material: Cotton | Fill Material: White down | Sizes: Twin, double/queen, king/California king | Care: Machine wash warm | Certifications: RDS, OEKO-TEX Keep in Mind: It’s only offered in white. The comforter is offered in twin, full/queen, and king sizes. The outside of the white comforter is made from cotton and polyester and is moisture-wicking, so you’ll stay dry all night long even if it’s hot in your room. The shell is stain-resistant too, so it’s easy to keep in good shape over time. If it does get dirty, just throw it in the wash with cold water and it’ll be good as new in no time. In addition to an 825-thread count, there’s also a tight box stitch construction meant to keep the comforter’s fill firmly in place as you sleep. There are corner loops, too, that you can use to attach the comforter to a duvet cover if you wish. Price at time of publish: From $120 Product Details: Shell Material: Cotton, polyester | Fill Material: Polyester | Sizes: Twin, full/queen, king | Care: Machine wash in cold water | Certifications: STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX
What To Know About Down Comforters Before Shopping
Shell material
The shell of a comforter refers to its outer material, which is typically either cotton or silk. When it comes to down comforters, cotton is the most common material you’ll find. The material tends to be softer and more breathable, which is ideal especially for all-season comforters.
Fill Material
Down comforters are usually filled with goose down or duck down. Goose is usually more expensive, but it’s excellent for trapping body heat and providing major softness. Duck down, meanwhile, is less expensive and provides less insulation, but is still quite comfortable and soft. If you go with a down alternative pick, however, you’ll likely get a comforter that has a polyester fill.
Sizes
Comforter sizes echo mattress and sheet sizes in that they typically come in twin, full, queen, and king varieties. Some comforters are available in special sizes like California king or extra long queen, though, if you have a bed that requires a different fit.
Care
Depending on the material, some comforters are machine washable (typically in cold water), while others require air drying, spot cleaning, or dry cleaning. As such, it’s important to consider how much time, money, and effort you want to put into keeping your comforter clean before purchasing the item.
Certifications
Most down comforters have Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certification, which ensures that the ducks and geese used to provide down and feathers were cared for humanely. Many comforters also have STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX certification, which ensures that the product wasn’t made with any substances that were deemed harmful by OEKO-TEX.
Your Questions, Answered
What are the benefits of a down comforter?
“Down comforters are nice and warm, insulating us and helping us to sleep better during winter,” says Winnel. “They are also highly breathable, helping to optimize temperature regulation.” Additionally, these types of comforters are usually durable and long-lasting, as well as soft, fluffy, and great for snuggling. “Synthetic materials often do not allow for the same level of breathability and can leave us hot and sweaty” as well as less cozy overall, she adds.
How do you wash a down comforter?
When it comes to washing your down comforter, be sure to double-check the manufacturer’s suggestions. Some are machine washable, while others can only be dry cleaned. If your comforter is machine washable, “it is best to wash it on a gentle or ‘delicates’ cycle, in cold to mildly warm (not hot) water,” Winnel adds. For drying, hang dry whenever possible, but if you do need to put your comforter in the dryer, add tennis balls. “It may sound strange, but the balls help to ensure that the feathers don’t form clumps, and helps it to stay lighter and fluffier,” Winnel says.
Can you use a down comforter all year?
Whether or not you use a down comforter all year depends on your personal sleep preferences. Many comforters will typically feel too hot on warmer nights due to their heavy material, though some are specifically designed to be used all year.
Who We Are
This article was written by Rachel Simon, a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens. She frequently covers home products and did significant research on down comforters for this story, including speaking to Elina Winnel, the Sleep Expert & Master Sleep Coach behind The Sleep Expert.
