Best Down Comforters: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

A fluffy, super soft down comforter can make any sleep space feel cozy and inviting. Down bedding is available in several styles. Some have a high fill power and are ultra-warm, while others are designed to be used year-round and in milder climates. No mattress what type you are looking for, you may have some questions as you shop. To help, we outline 7 of the best down comforters of 2023 to turn your bed into a comfy oasis.

Best Down Comforters

1. Scandia Vienna White Goose Down Comforter – Best Goose Down Comforter

Scandia’s Vienna Goose Down Comforter is filled with pure Polish goose down clusters with a 750 fill power. It’s available in three different weights—light, medium, and ultra. A wider selection of weights allows shoppers to purchase a style suited to their sleep needs and environment. The light option is ideal for warm climates and summer months, while the medium is suitable for temperature-controlled spaces. The ultra weight is the thickest and fluffiest option and is best for cold climates. During the first 60 days of use, Scandia offers complimentary adjustments to the comforter’s loft and warmth.

The shell of the Vienna Comforter features 350 thread count cotton and is constructed with a batiste weave for softness and durability. The baffle box stitching pattern keeps the filling evenly distributed to reduce cold spots. Scandia offers their comforter in five sizes—twin, full, queen, and luxury king.

2. L.L. Bean Permabaffle Box Down Comforter – Best Lightweight Comforter

If you are looking for a lightweight down comforter, the L.L. Bean Permabaffle Box Down Comforter is a great choice. With a premium goose down and 600 fill power, this bedding is designed for use in all seasons. L.L. Bean ensures their comforter is hypoallergenic by implementing cleaning standards beyond those recommended by the U.S. government. L.L. Bean’s process removes all microbes and contaminates from the down.

The comforter’s exterior features 280 thread count cotton to prevent feather quills from sticking up through the material. L.L. Bean’s patented Permabaffle® construction guarantees filling will not shift during use. The comforter can also attach to your favorite duvet cover with its built-in corner tabs. The L.L. Bean Down Comforter is available in twin, full, queen, and king sizes.

3. Egyptian Bedding Siberian Goose Down Comforter – Best Egyptian Cotton Down Comforter

Egyptian Bedding’s comforter features Siberian goose down with a low fill power, perfect for year-round use. Their goose clusters are ethically sourced and certified by Responsible Down Standards (RDS). An OEKO-Tex® Standard 100 also ensures the comforter contains no harmful chemicals or additives.

With 100 percent Egyptian cotton and a 1200 thread count, the cotton shell is ultra-soft and luxurious. The battle box design offers durability and prevents separation, while the double-needle stitching prevents leakage. With 8 built-in corner loops, it is easy to secure a duvet cover without worrying about slippage. The Egyptian Bedding Down Comforter is available at an affordable price and in three different sizes, including twin, queen, and king.

4. Snowman White Goose Down Comforter – Best Cold Weather Down Comforter

Snowman has produced high-quality down bedding for over 20 years. Their popular white goose down comforter has an 800 fill power for maximum warmth—perfect for colder weather. With their patented baffle box design, each section of the comforter is filled to capacity—creating a super fluffy, high loft blanket.

The shell of the comforter features 600 thread count cotton for maximum breathability. It has 8 duvet cover tabs and reinforced stitching for durability. It is available in three different sizes, including twin, queen/full, and king. Whether you are curling up on the couch or in bed, the Snowman Down Comforter keeps you warm and cozy.

5. Puredown Luxury 800 Fill Comforter – Best Hypoallergenic Down Comforter

Puredown’s Luxury 800 Fill Comforter is designed to keep you warm and dry during the winter months. The filling is made with 93 percent white goose down and only 7 percent feathers. The higher percentage of down makes it fluffy and ultra-soft. To make their filling hypoallergenic, Puredown uses high-temperature disinfection (HTD) rather than chemicals to treat their down. They are also backed by a Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certification, guaranteeing the use of humane and eco-friendly practices.

The cover of the Puredown Comforter is made of 100 percent 700 thread count cotton. The baffle box construction and double-needle stitch ensures durability and prevents leaking. Piped edging gives the comforter a sleek, stylish look. Puredown makes their Luxury Comforter in three sizes: twin, full, and king.

6. Sol Organics Cotton Down Comforter – Best Organic Down Comforter

Sol Organics offers two down comforters, the Brome and the Chinook, each made with Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified cotton. A GOTS certification ensures the cotton has been sustainably harvested and made without harmful chemicals or additives. Sol’s Brome Comforter has a 600 fill power and is designed for use during the summer months and warmer climates. With a 700 fill power, the Chinook Comforter is lightweight, yet insulated for year-round use. Sol’s filling features 100 percent Canadian white goose down with a 75 percent cluster concentration in the Brome and 80 percent in the Chinook. No matter which style you choose, each Sol Organics Comforter is fluffy, light, and super soft.

Sol uses a baffle box design for even filling distribution. The use of long-staple cotton in the cover also makes the shell stronger and less likely to pill with use. Each style is available in three sizes: twin, full/queen, and king/California king. Sol also offers a 30-night sleep trial so you can make sure the comforter is right for you.

7. Topsleepy Goose Down Comforter – Most Affordable Down Comforter

The Topsleepy Down Comforter is the most affordable option on our list because all sizes, including the California king-size, are under $100. This is a great option if you want to experience the comfort of down at a price that won’t hurt your budget. The Topsleepy filling features 50 percent down clusters and 50 percent feathers, with a 500 fill power. The combination of down and feathers makes the comforter light and airy for all-season use.

With 100 percent 600 thread count cotton, the shell of the comforter is both durable and soft. It is also machine washable and made with a reinforced double needle stitch. The Topsleepy Comforter is available in four sizes, twin, queen, king, and Cal king. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

What is a Down Comforter?

Down comforters consist of two parts, the filling and the shell. The filling is made with either duck or goose down, while the shell is typically made of cotton, silk, or polyester microfibers. In most cases, down comforters are white and paired with a duvet cover. Duvet covers come in various colors and patterns and are designed to keep the comforter clean.

Since down bedding is often paired with a duvet cover, these comforters can sometimes be referred to as a duvet.

What to Consider When Shopping for a Down Comforter?

When shopping for down bedding, there are several things to consider, such as price, warmth, durability, and maintenance. To help you find the perfect comforter for your needs, we outline how each of these factors can determine quality and comfort.

Filling

Down comforters are made with either goose or duck down, and feather fibers. As you shop, look at the percentage of down to feathers. The higher percentage of down, the fluffier and warmer the comforter will be. Comforters with 100 percent down are made with only down clusters and no feathers or quills. Pure down comforters are often the softest and highest quality. However, they are also the most expensive.

Those with a 75/25 or 50/50 down cluster to feather ratio won’t be as fluffy but may be more suitable for year-round use. Plus, they often have a more affordable price point.

Goose and Goose Down

Pure down clusters are made of the soft plumage from the underside of geese and duck feathers. Down acts as insulation for the animal during the cold winter months and helps cool them down in the summer. This unique quality makes down an ideal filling for a comforter because it can keep us warm and insulated in cold weather, yet it is airy and breathable in the summer.

Before down clusters and feathers can be used as a filling, they undergo a rigorous cleaning process to remove microbes and allergens. However, some individuals may be allergic to the down itself. If this is the case for you, it is best to avoid down bedding and opt for a down alternative to prevent a reaction.

Fill Power

A comforter’s fill power refers to the cubic inches one ounce of filling takes up. Essentially, the fill power indicates how much loft or fluffiness the bedding will have. A comforter with a higher percentage of down clusters to feathers will naturally have a higher loft. Those with a 50/50 cluster to feather ratio often have a 500 fill power, suggesting a medium loft.

Below, we outline the most common fill power ratings and how they can affect the comforter’s warmth.

• 400 or less: A fill power of 400 or less has a lower loft and lightweight feel. These comforters are the best option for warmer weather. Hot sleepers often prefer lower loft comforters to reduce night sweats and overheating.
• 400 to 600: Comforters with a fill power between 400 and 600 have a medium loft suitable for year-round use. However, in cooler climates, sleepers may want to pair these down comforters with an additional blanket for added warmth.
• 600 to 800: Down bedding with a fill power between 600 and 800 is suitable for all seasons. These comforters are often warm enough for winter months, yet light enough for warmer months.
• 800 and above: A fill power over 800 suggests a super high loft. These comforters offer the most warmth and are ideal for colder climates.

Fill Weight

Fill weight is the total weight of the comforter’s filling. For example, if the blanket has a 60-ounce fill weight, the filling alone weighs 60 ounces. A higher fill weight can be a suggestion of warmth. However, feathers naturally weigh more than down clusters, so this does not always indicate quality. The percent of down clusters to feather fibers and the fill power gives a more accurate estimation of how warm the comforter will be.

Shell

The shell of the comforter is the exterior casing holding the down in place. The shell can be made of several different materials that determine the softness and feel of the comforter.

Cotton

Cotton is the most common shell material used for down comforters. This material is affordable, sustainable, and durable. Plus, cotton offers breathability in hotter climates and warmth during the winter.

As you shop for a comforter, you will notice shells made with cotton in several different thread counts. The thread count of the cotton refers to the number of threads per square inch of material. The higher the thread count, the softer and more durable the material. However, if the cotton is not made with long-staple cotton, such as Egyptian cotton, a higher thread count could cause the material to deteriorate quickly. In most cases, a thread count above 250 is suitable.

Polyester

Polyester is an affordable, synthetic, and extremely durable material. Comforters shells made with polyester tend to last for several years without pilling or deterioration. However, polyester is not as breathable as cotton and may cause uncomfortable night sweats.

Cotton-Polyester Blend

Shells made with a cotton-polyester blend are durable and strong, but also offer breathability. This material is less likely to shrink or wrinkle during washing when compared to cotton.

Construction

The comforter’s construction determines the durability and how well filling stays distributed throughout. We break down the most common methods of construction and explain which are most likely to last longer.

Baffle Box

Baffle box construction is the most common for down comforters because it allows the clusters to expand and create a higher loft. This method involves sewing pieces of material inside the comforter to connect the two sides of the shell.

In most cases, each square stitched on the comforter is reinforced with a baffle box, creating multiple three-dimensional boxes throughout the comforter. However, baffles can also run in long channels down the length of the comforter.

Box Stitch

A box stitch is the most popular stitching method for down comforters. This design is done by stitching through the top and bottom of the shell in a box pattern. Each square section of the comforter is filled with the same amount of down and feather fibers to create a uniform feel. This method also ensures the filling stays evenly distributed throughout the comforter.

Panel Stitch

Similar to a box stitch, the panel stitch is sewn through the top and bottom of the shell. However, a panel stitch pattern runs in vertical lines along the comforter. Although this method is aesthetically pleasing, it can often cause the filling to clump together and slide around.

Gusset

Comforters with a gusset have a two-inch piece of fabric sewn around the edge. Instead of stitching the two pieces of the shell together on the sides, the gusset or “wall” connects the two pieces. Comforters with a gusset have a three-dimensional look and often have a higher loft.

Care

Most down comforters can be cleaned in a washing machine. However, depending on the comforter’s size, you may want to opt for an industrial size washing machine such as those found at a laundromat.

Before cleaning a down comforter, be sure to read the care instructions. Some comforters, such as those with a 100 percent down cluster filling, may require dry cleaning.

Duvet Covers

Some down comforters have “down proof” or “ticking-proof” shells. This means they can be used as a stand-alone comforter, and quills won’t stick up throughout the shell and irritate the skin. These comforters do not need to be paired with a duvet cover.

However, a duvet cover can protect the comforter from dust, dirt, germs, and bacteria. Plus, they can help you create a decorative theme in your bedroom. Duvet covers can also dress up an occasional-use mattress in a guest room.

Cost

Down comforters are available in a wide range of prices. Comforters with a higher percentage of down clusters (75 percent or more) can cost upwards of $500. Those with a higher fill power and an organic cotton shell may also cost over $350.

Comforters with 50 percent down and 50 percent feathers tend to be more budget-friendly.

Return Policy and Warranty

Most high-quality bedding comes with a 1 to 2-year warranty. Plus, many are available with a 30 to a 60-day trial. A trial period allows you to test out the comforter at home to determine if it’s right for you. If you are not happy with the bedding’s warmth or construction, the company will provide you with a full refund.

Alternatives to Down Comforters

While down comforters are cozy and fluffy, they are not necessarily for everyone. Perhaps you’re sensitive to down feathers, or perhaps you simply want a less bulky item of bedding.

Quilts and comforters aren’t quite the almost interchangeable items of bedding that comforters and duvets are, yet they serve roughly the same purpose. A quilt is just much less padded than a comforter, though it’s still thicker than a standard blanket.

Electric blankets are another popular item that sleepers cover themselves with. They’re plugged into an outlet and programmed to automatically switch off after a set time passes, providing plenty of warmth as you get ready for bed.

You don’t just have to look at coverings. One way to stay warm at night is to slip a heated mattress pad underneath all of your other bedding, then turn it on to a heat setting of your choice. This will warm up the surface of your bed, letting you curl up in cozy comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of comforters do hotels use?

Hotel guest beds have a comforter made with a cotton shell and a down or down alternative filling. In some cases, one top sheet is placed on top of the comforter, and another is placed beneath. This creates the look and feel of a duvet cover, but it is easier to wash and maintain.

What is the best size comforter for a queen bed?

Queen size beds measure 60 inches wide by 80 inches long. Therefore, a queen size comforter should be between 86 and 88 inches wide and 96 to 100 inches long to accommodate a queen-size bed. These dimensions allow the comforter to hang an equal distance on each side and at the foot of the bed.

How should I store a down comforter?

If your comforter is designed for winter months, you may want to store it over the summer. You can do so by placing the comforters in an airtight plastic container away from heat and moisture. Before storing your comforter, be sure to clean and dry it thoroughly first.

Can you wash a down comforter?

Down itself is washable; however, the shell’s materials or the stitching may not be. Therefore, it is always best to read the care instructions before purchasing a down comforter. For easy maintenance, look for bedding that can be machine washed.

Should I use a duvet cover with a down comforter?

Some comforters are designed to be used without a duvet cover. However, a duvet cover protects the comforter from collecting dust, bacteria, and other contaminants. The best duvet covers are made with cotton or a cotton-poly blend, which allows you to wash just the cover rather than the entire comforter. Duvet covers are available in many different patterns and colors, so they are also a great way to add style and personality to your sleep space.

Conclusion

Regardless of which style you choose, a down comforter can make your sleep space feel luxurious and inviting. Although bedding doesn’t necessarily improve your sleep quality, it can help you relax and drift off to sleep quickly. As you shop, be sure to keep your climate and sleep needs in mind. This will keep you from selecting something too warm or not quite warm enough for your environment.