Best Comforters (2023): Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

A comforter is a popular type of blanket and the perfect addition to complete any bedding set. Comforters are soft and fluffy, wrapping you up for a cozy feel and may ensure a deeper sleep. They come in many sizes and lofts (thicknesses) to accommodate personal preferences.

Depending on the brand, comforters can be made strictly for cold weather, warm weather, or year-round use. Comforters are designed to enhance comfort and may provide a relaxing atmosphere for better sleep.

Best Comforters of 2023

1. Amerisleep Recover+ Comforter

Our favorite comforter is Amerisleep’s Recover+ because it’s designed to promote better sleep and help you wake up feeling rested.

Most sleep products are advertised as “sleep-boosting,” but Amerisleep’s Recover+ Comforter actually has the science to back it up. The Recover+ Comforter contains Celliant®, a fabric that’s been FDA-determined to regulate your temperature and promote more peaceful sleep.

Celliant® bolsters better sleep by recycling the body heat you emit to infrared energy, which is then reabsorbed by the body, resulting in an increase in local blood flow. The increase in blood flow prevents you from overheating, ultimately warding off night sweats. We recommend the Recover+ Comforter to anybody looking to get a better night’s sleep, but it is especially useful for hot sleepers.

The Recover+ Comforter doesn’t just contain Celliant®, either—it also contains a breathable blend of cotton to wick away moisture and further prevent night sweats. It’s not as heavy as a weighted blanket, but it does weigh between 6 to 9 pounds, so it offers some weighted comfort.

Amerisleep even sells its Percale Duvet Cover Set, available in light or dark grey, to complement their Recover+ Comforter. The cover sets have a 300-thread count and feature soft-to-the-touch long-staple cotton.

You can find both the Recover+ Comforter and the Percale Duvet Cover Sets on Amerisleep’s website and in their showrooms. Regardless of how you buy, both products come with free shipping.

2. Saatva All-Year Down Alternative Comforter

If you want a comforter that can feel cool in the summer months and warm in the winter months, the Saatva down alternative comforter can just be what you need. Snuggle up underneath no matter the time of year for undisturbed rest!

The shell of the comforter is organic cotton, a heat-wicking material that lets airflow through the fill. The fill itself is down alternative fiber and moisture-wicking lyocell, giving the comforter a plush and cool feel. A box-quilted design keeps the fill from clumping up uncomfortably.

Aside from its year-round cozy feel, Saatva’s comforter is also a good choice for shoppers seeking hypoallergenic bedding. There are no feathers to irritate the senses, while the cotton fabric is gentle on most skins.

Maintaining the comforter is also a breeze. The Saatva comforter can be machine washed on a gentle cycle with cold water, then tumble dried on low heat. There are cover loops for anyone who wishes to pair the comforter with a duvet cover.

The Saatva comforter includes free shipping, a 45-day return policy, and a 1-year warranty.

3. Buffy Cloud Comforter

The Buffy Cloud Comforter is another great comforter to consider. We love how eco-friendly this lightweight comforter is with its recycled polyester fill and hypoallergenic shell.

The Buffy Cloud features a unique polyester fill made of recycled plastic bottles. The company claims to save landfills from over 50 plastic bottles with each manufactured comforter. We also like that the company uses individual fibers instead of clusters for even fill distribution.

Even though the fill is recycled plastic, we love how light and fluffy the Buffy Cloud Comforter feels. Some customers claim that sleeping on this comforter is similar to sleeping on a cloud. The lightweight and airy feel is perfect for hot sleepers and those who experience mild winters. It’s insulated for cool weather, but breathable to reduce night sweats.

The hypoallergenic shell contains eucalyptus—a material softer than cotton and naturally resistant to dust mites and mold. You’ll like how plush and cool the Buffy comforter feels thanks to the 300 thread count.

For added convenience, the Buffy Cloud Comforter also has corner loops, so that you can use it as a duvet insert instead.

4. Utopia Bedding Comforter Duvet Insert

The Utopia Bedding Comforter Duvet Insert is an excellent choice for customers with limited resources. This budget-friendly option provides luxurious, long-lasting comfort without breaking the bank. You can score a queen size for just $29.

We love how it can stand alone as a comforter or fit nicely inside a duvet cover—the Utopia Comforter comes with four corner loops to hold it in place.

The Utopia Comforter contains a 350 fill power of down alternative with box-style stitching to prevent fill from shifting. The down alternative is siliconized fiberfill, a process that stiffens fibers and makes them resistant to bacteria and dust.

This comforter is built for all-season comfort. You’ll feel cool in the summer and warm in the winter. We also like the piped edges for durability and an elegant look.

The shell is made of brushed microfiber for a soft, plush feel against the skin you’ll love. You’ll also like that the Utopia Bedding Comforter comes in four different colorways: black/gray, gray, navy, and white.

5. L.L. Bean Permabaffle Box Goose Down

If you’re looking for a comforter with more insulation, the L.L. Bean Permabaffle Box Goose Down may be for you. Though it’s one of the more expensive options on our list, many customers feel this comforter is well worth the cost. Plus, this is one of the best down comforters on the market.

We like that the L.L. Bean comforter is filled with 100 percent white goose down that has been washed and rinsed repeatedly, exceeding government standards and making it hypoallergenic. The 600 fill power gives you more insulation, excellent for colder climates and winter.

The L.L. Bean comforter uses a permabaffle® gate system. This patented interior design features baffles that run between the front and back sides, forming 3D boxes with down fill. You may appreciate how the permabaffle® gate system prevents fill from shifting and retains the comforter’s shape.

You won’t have to worry about any down poking through and escaping, a feature we love. Plus, the 280 thread count provides maximum airflow inside the comforter.

6. The Company Store White Bay Down

If you’re looking for a more versatile comforter, look no further. The Company Store White Bay Down Comforter has four warmness levels, five colors, and two sizes to choose from. No matter what you choose, each comforter contains a cotton sateen shell and is filled with European white goose down.

You can choose your warmness level, depending on your preference—super light, light, medium, and extra. We recommend super light and light if you live in a warmer climate or naturally sleep hot. Medium is perfect for year-round use, and extra is excellent for those cold winter seasons.

The Company Store comforter includes corner loops in case you decide to use the comforter as a duvet. But, if you’re looking for a comforter with more color, this option is available in alabaster, cloud blue, ivory, platinum, and white.

Something unique about this goose down comforter is that it comes in two sizes—regular and oversized. The regular options follow the standard mattress sizing. However, if you enjoy wrapping yourself in a fluffy comforter, you may prefer the oversized option. This sizing adds 8 more inches widthwise, so the comforter drapes over the sides of your mattress.

If you’re not sure, The Company Store’s lifetime guarantee may sweeten the deal. Not many comforters come with warranties, much less a lifetime warranty. At any time, The Company Store will accept returns and offer exchanges or merchandise credit.

7. Egyptian Bedding

The Egyptian Bedding comforter offers the best value. At $135 for a queen size, you can score a high-fill power white goose down comforter—a great price where other brands normally charge over $200.

As one of the fluffiest options, the Egyptian Bedding comforter is an excellent choice for any season. You’ll like the high insulation of year-round comfort with little risk of overheating.

We love the high loft from the 700GSM fill power of hand-harvested white goose down. Egyptian Bedding uses the baffle box design to hold the fill in place, so you don’t have to worry about clumping.

The shell is made of Egyptian cotton—one of the most sought after materials for its breathability and luxurious feel. With a 600 thread count, the fabric feels smooth and cool to the touch for the ultimate sleep comfort.

The Egyptian Bedding comforter is stitched together with double-needle stitching for long-lasting use.

8. Chezmoi All-Season Down Alternative

The Chezmoi All-Season Down Alternative comforter is a lighter option if you’re looking for a top blanket with less fill power. It’s perfect for layering with bedsheets and blankets or standing on its own during warmer seasons.

You’ll fall in love with the microfiber shell. The comfy material feels warm and snug wrapped around your body. Plus, the material is treated with an antimicrobial finish to repel dust mites.

The Chezmoi comforter contains poly fiberfill with a 220GSM fill power—the lower fill power means the comforter won’t be as fluffy, but it will keep you nice and warm.

We love that the Chezmoi comforter is nice and cool during the summer and cozy in the winter. It also comes with duvet tabs if you prefer to stuff it in a duvet cover.

What is a Comforter?

A comforter is a thick, fluffy blanket that rests on top of the bed. Comforters consist of a shell filled with down or down alternative fill, and pair well with bed sheets. Many comforters come in bed-in-a-bag value sets. This set includes a comforter, sheet set (one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, and two pillowcases), and two shams.

Comforters come in many colors and designs. Unlike duvets, comforters don’t need a cover and stand on their own. Some comforters can be used as a duvet and may fit nicely inside a cover.

Comforters are also easier to maintain. They’re machine washable and can either be air-dried or placed in the dryer.

What is the Difference Between a Comforter and a Duvet?

Like a comforter, a duvet also acts as a blanket. Duvets are flatter than a comforter and are designed to fit inside a duvet cover. The cover acts as both protection and a flat sheet replacement. Unlike comforters, most duvets are dry clean only. However, duvet covers can be tossed in the washing machine for easy cleaning.

Duvets originated from Europe, where a typical bedding set features a duvet and a fitted sheet.

Duvets are more versatile than comforters. Customers can save money by buying duvet covers in different colors and patterns instead of having to buy another duvet, unlike the comforter. You can also mix and match without being tied to a set.

Other Alternatives to Comforters

Aside from a fluffy duvet, there are other ways to stay warm at night than what a cozy comforter offers. Some are traditional pieces of bedding while others are more modern.

There are quilts, which are similarly padded pieces of bedding and thicker than a standard blanket but aren’t quite as padded as comforters. Quilts and comforters are both typically the topmost pieces of bedding, so sleepers usually use one or the other.

Electric blankets are another item you place on top of a made bed. They can be plugged into a nearby outlet and heat up the sheets before you slip under the covers.

Heated mattress pads are unlike any of the other items, as they go on underneath most bedding to create a warm sleep surface. Nonetheless, they function quite similarly to an electric blanket, offering various heat settings.

What to Look For in the Best Comforter

To find the best comforter, look at fill power, stitching, fill types, shell material, size, price, and thread count. These factors will steer you in the right direction towards a high-quality comforter built to last.

We also recommend reading verified customer reviews. They give first-hand experience about a specific comforter and may help you decide which comforter to choose.

Fill Power

Fill power refers to the amount of space one ounce of filling takes up. Fill power is measured by grams per square meter (GSM). The higher the fill power, the higher the insulation and warmer the comforter will be.

Customers who live in warmer climates may prefer a comforter with a 400GSM or less. A lower fill power makes the comforter less lofty and more breathable.

An all-season comforter usually has a 400GSM to 600GSM to keep you warm during the winter and cool in the summer.

A comforter with 600GSM or higher is perfect for cold seasons. The higher loft with more fill has higher insulation, keeping you warm during those winter months.

Stitching

Stitching methods determine how the comforter holds its shape and prevents clumping by evenly distributing fill. There are four types of stitching to look out for:

• Sewn Through

Sewn-through stitches are found when the front and back sides are sewn together, holding the filling in a 2D square.

• Baffle Box

A baffle box is an extra piece of material sewn between the front and back sides, creating a 3D space for fill. Baffle box stitching creates a higher loft than sewn-through stitching.

• Gusseted

A gusseted stitch connects the comforter’s front and back sides through a strip of fabric around the edge, causing the fill to expand upward and create more loft.

• Diamond Quilt

The front and back sides are stitched together in a diamond pattern, creating compartments and preventing fill from bunching or moving.

Fill Types

Fill is the material a comforter contains. There are two fill types: down and down alternative. Consider the benefits and drawbacks to each. For example, down may cost more, but down alternatives may have less breathability than down.

Down

Down is the soft fluff found underneath a bird’s feathers. Birds rely on down for insulation. Unlike feathers, down are fluffy clusters without sharp quills and considered one of the best fill material for comforters. Not only is down super soft, but it’s also light and breathable, perfect for year-round comfort.

Down comes from duck or geese. Goose down contains larger and stronger clusters than duck down, providing a better fill power. As a result, comforters containing goose down will cost more than those with duck down.

Some down comforters may include sharp quills from feathers. Keep in mind that the more down a comforter contains, the higher the price tag. While a comforter with mostly feathers may cost less, customers may not like the sharp feel of quills poking through.

Down Alternative

Down alternative refers to any material that can imitate the feel of down, including cotton, rayon, and polyester. Down alternative comforters are less expensive and easier to clean. They’re also excellent options if you have allergies. Most down alternative materials are hypoallergenic and won’t accumulate dust and bacteria like down comforters.

Shell Material

A shell is the outside material that encases the fill. Materials are usually soft and breathable, including cotton, cotton-polyester, silk, and wool.

Cotton

Cotton is a natural material that’s soft and breathable. Depending on the thread count, a cotton shell may have a smooth or crisp feel. Cotton is an excellent material for all-year use.

Cotton-Polyester Blend

Combining cotton with other fibers results in a stretchier feel. Cotton-poly blends may feel softer and are less expensive.

Silk

Silk has a smooth, sleek feel, cool to the touch. Silk is breathable, but it’s more expensive than other material types.

Wool

Wool is naturally resistant to bacteria and wicks away moisture. It feels soft and warm to the touch, but like silk, it may also come at a higher cost.

Size

Comforter size follows standard mattress sizing, providing enough blanket to drape over the sides. Some brands have strictly standard sizes, including twin, queen, and king. Other brands construct their comforters to fit more than one bed, like twin/twin XL, full/queen, and king/California king sizes.

Price

The average price for a comforter is between $35 and$400+. Cost depends on the material, fill power and size.

Budget options usually contain down alternative only and a fill power less than 400GSM.

The average cost will get you down and down alternative options with fill power between 400GSM to 600GSM. Down choices may contain mostly feathers, but there are a few pure-down options too.

High-end comforters may be made of pure down with little to no feathers. They have a high fill power of at least 600GSM and may include cooling features, like an organic cotton cover.

Thread Count

Thread count refers to how many threads are woven into one square inch of fabric. A common misconception is that material with a higher thread count has higher quality. In reality, fabric with a thread count higher than 800 should be avoided.

This type of material contains flimsy threads that break down quickly, like fraying edges after one to two washes. Comforters with higher thread counts may feel smoother, but they restrict airflow, causing heat retention.

Instead, look for a comforter with a thread count between 300 and 500. The fabric has a stronger weave and can better withstand wear and tear over time. This thread count also allows better airflow, reducing the risk of overheating, especially for hot sleepers and customers who live in a warmer climate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a good comforter?

A good comforter provides you with the best comfort. It’s not enough to choose a comforter because it’s warm—also take into account your surroundings. For example, if you live in a warmer climate with mild winters, a microfiber comforter with a high fill power may feel too hot.

Microfiber, while a very soft material, doesn’t breathe as well as cotton. Plus, a higher fill power means more down or down alternative filling, leaving less room for airflow.

In contrast, a better option is a lightweight, low to medium fill power with a cotton shell. This type of comforter still provides a cozy feel, but it won’t trap as much heat and cause night sweats.

How long should you keep a comforter?

Comforters can last a long time if properly taken care of. The average comforter can last between 15 to 25 years. Regularly washing your comforter keeps it nice and fluffy.

A cover may extend its lifespan, protecting against spills and stains. If your comforter looks flat or if the filling starts to leak out, it might be time for a new one.

What is the warmest type of comforter?

If you live in a colder climate or experience cold winters, you may want to invest in a warmer comforter. A warm comforter may reduce heating costs and provide you with a cozy sleep atmosphere. As one of the warmest materials available, down is a perfect choice.

Down comes from the underside of geese or duck feathers. These down clusters are excellent insulators and regulate temperature. While it may come at a higher cost, down comforters provide the perfect combination of warmth and breathability.

Can I use a comforter as a duvet insert?

Yes. Many bedding brands create their comforters to also serve as duvet inserts. There’s not much of a difference between a comforter and a duvet. Both are toppers to any bedding set and may contain the same materials.

While a duvet doesn’t need a top sheet, it does require a cover to protect it. Comforters stand on their own and are usually included in bedding sets. If you’re not sure if a comforter option can act as a duvet insert, check the product description or ask a customer service representative if the comforter comes with corner loops—this is what keeps a duvet in place. If the comforter has corner loops, it can be used as a duvet insert.

Conclusion

Comforters are excellent additions to any bedroom atmosphere. Their soft and fluffy features wrap you in cozy comfort and may improve your sleep quality.

A high-quality comforter is filled with down or down alternative, without uncomfortable quills poking through, and stitched to keep the fill evenly distributed and prevent leaking. There are plenty of options out there to accommodate your personal preferences, including comforter size, loft, or warmth level.