The best duvets for 2024, tried and tested at home
How do you choose the best duvet?
The best duvet should keep you cool and comfortable in the summer months and warm in winter. This is called thermoregulation and it’s the key to a good night’s kip.
“Down is really very light,” says Emma Casson of The Bed Expert. “Feather-and-down is cheaper and a bit heavier – and some people like a bit more weight. Then you’ve got your synthetics, like microfibre. You can have really good quality synthetics nowadays. They’re really breathable.”
If you are allergic to feathers, you may want to opt for a synthetic duvet. These are usually filled with microfibre (a fine polyester yarn) or hollowfibre (which is very similar, but slightly warmer), but you may see them called, ‘soft as down’ or ‘down alternative.’
There are other natural duvet fillings out there, including wool, which Casson says is rising in popularity, “because it’s breathable, it’s good for heat and regulates your body temperature so in the summer it keeps you cooler, and it’s natural and hypoallergenic.”
Other options include silk and linen, but down and feather remain the most popular for their warmth and breathability. Casson herself sleeps with a down duvet from luxury German brand Mühldorfer, “as it’s the lightest and most luxurious.” (Mühldorfer duvets are used in luxury hotels in over 100 countries, which answers the common question, “What duvet do hotels use?”)
What tog duvet should I buy?
The warmth of a duvet is measured in togs, which span from a light 1.5 tog to a thick, warm 15 tog duvet. “Tog rating is a very UK thing – I don’t know if anyone truly understands them,’ says Casson. “Those in Europe laugh at us.”
However, it’s the easiest way of working out a duvet’s warmth here in the UK. “10.5 tog is a good mid-range that should last for most of the year, unless your house is very warm,” says Casson. “Otherwise, 4.5 tog is most common for summer and 13.5 tog is for winter.” Another option is an all-seasons duvet which consists of two layers which can be buttoned together.
What is the best quality duvet to buy?
That comes down to your personal preference. Natural-fill duvets are generally more breathable and can be recycled when you’re done with them. But they may not be suitable for those with allergies, plus they’re more expensive than microfibre or hollowfibre duvets.
How do I clean and care for my duvet?
Duvets should be washed once a year as a minimum, but ideally every two to three months. Most duvets can be washed in a washing machine or washer-dryer at home, in fact many have a specialised duvet setting. You should always wash your duvet according to the care label but as a general rule, wash at the hottest temperature suggested (often 60C) and use a liquid detergent. If tumble drying, do so on a low heat or, better, hang it out to dry in the sunshine (even if that is a rare occurrence in the UK).
How often should I replace my duvet?
The Sleep Council recommends replacing your duvet every two to five years but a good quality duvet could last up to 10 years, if well looked after. The White Company duvets come with a 10 year guarantee, for example. You can even buy a duvet protector which sits between the duvet and cover for extra protection.