7 Best Down Comforters for Sounder Sleep, According to Reviewers
Updated: Mar. 20, 2024
Customers give these down comforters a big thumbs up.
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There’s nothing like cuddling up under a down comforter. Made of light and fluffy goose or duck feathers, it offers an almost cloudlike experience, providing warmth without weight.
Although people tend to think of down comforters as winter bedding—they do make ideal gifts for people who are always cold!—the truth is they’re great all year ’round, thanks to their loftiness and breathability.
On hot summer nights, try sleeping with cooling sheets underneath you and a light down comforter on top. They’re a cozy, classic alternative to best weighted blankets, and best electric blankets, and make some of the most reliable warm blankets to keep on hand when the weather dips.
Even if you already have the right mattress, the best sheets and the best pillows, a down comforter can elevate your sleep. Rest assured there’s one here for you.
How to choose the best down comforter for you
When narrowing down your selection of comforters, focus on a few key qualities.
Fill power: The first thing to consider is just how warm you want to be. Down comforters often come in different densities—lightweight, all-season, and warm—to help make your decision easier. In general, goose down offers more warmth than duck down, and the higher the fill power (a number that indicates loftiness and insulating efficiency), the warmer yet lighter the comforter will be. A 600-fill power will actually feel heavier and less fluffy than a 700-fill power.
RDS certification: You may want to buy a comforter that’s Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified, which means the down comes from animals that have not been subjected to harm.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification: This important certification shows that the comforter is free of dangerous substances that might harm your health.
Washing method: If you don’t want to bring your down comforter to the dry cleaner, make sure you buy one that’s machine washable. (More of the DIY type? Here’s how to clean a down comforter). Although down comforters look great on their own, they’ll stay clean and last longer when placed inside a duvet cover. That’s why you’ll sometimes see them called duvets or duvet inserts.
Whatever you call them, here are seven down comforters that are truly the stuff of dreams.
Best overall down comforter
Riley Goose Down Comforter
Want to make your bed instantly cozier? Toss on the bestselling Riley down comforter. There are so many reasons this is the world’s most awarded and acclaimed comforter. It’s everything a down comforter should be: cozy, lightweight, fluffy and responsibly sourced. Plus, it’s available in two densities: the 700-fill power All Season and the 750-fill power Extra Warm.
Handcrafted with a tailored baffle box construction to prevent the fill from shifting, Riley’s comforter has hundreds of five-star reviews praising both its style and substance. Verified buyers call it “the perfect comforter” and a list of reviewers agree it’s the best comforter they’ve ever purchased.
Pros:
- RDS certified
- Five-year warranty
- Baffle box construction
- Sewn-in loops attach to your duvet cover to keep the comforter from slipping
Cons:
- Somewhat expensive, but worth the investment
Best sustainable down comforter
The Company Store Company Conscious Down Duvet Insert
The Company Store is well-loved for its collection of high-quality down comforters. This Conscious Down duvet insert from the brand’s eco-friendly line is environmentally conscious, caring for both you and the planet. The cozy down fill is made from 50% recycled materials. A sateen-woven shell is made of cotton and Tencel lyocell, a sustainable and hypoallergenic fiber that’s soft, temperature-regulating, and resistant to dust mites.
Verified buyer Joseph says it’s “The only duvet insert I buy. It’s lightweight, warm but cool, and super soft. My cat doesn’t want to get off of it.” As an added bonus, it’s machine washable—just pay attention to the laundry symbols before tossing it in. P.S. Learn the difference between a comforter and duvet.
Pros:
- Environmentally friendly
- Available in twin through king sizes
- Quilted design promises bunch-free sleeping
- Machine washable
Cons:
- It’s a lightweight style that appeals to most in temperate climates, but if you’re dealing with Arctic-level freezes you may need something heavier
Best organic down comforter
Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert
Sure, the Boll & Branch down duvet insert is super soft and fluffy, but you can really sleep well knowing that every part of this down duvet insert is responsibly sourced and made by workers who are paid and treated well.
It comes in three densities, all of which feature baffle box construction and corner loops. Wrapped in 100 percent organic cotton and feeling warm but nearly weightless, Boll & Branch’s down duvet insert has received hundreds of five-star reviews. Browse these nontoxic mattresses for more products you can sleep well on, knowing they’re toxin-free.
Pros:
- RDS certified
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
- Available in three weights to suit every type of sleeper and climate
- Down-proof fabric that prevents feathers from poking through
- Baffle box construction
- Loops on all four corners attach to your duvet cover to keep the comforter from slipping
Cons:
- Only full/queen and king/California king sizes are available
Best heavyweight down comforter
Brooklinen Ultra-Warm Down Comforter
If you get cold easily or like to keep the window open for a little fresh air even in winter, this is the comforter for you. Sustainably made from down clusters, which are better than feathers at retaining heat, Brooklinen’s Ultra-Warm option lives up to its name yet remains comfortably lightweight. Add in with your best flannel sheets, you’ll be toasty all night.
The company offers three different warmth levels, and this one has the highest fill power and is the most insulating. It uses a baffle box construction, ensuring an even distribution of fluffiness throughout. Brooklinen’s down comforters have thousands of reviews, with buyer Fazia calling her purchase a “comforter made in heaven” and raving, “Don’t hesitate, just buy! The ultra warm comforter is the best comforter I’ve purchased. It’s like sleeping on a cloud, so warm and cozy!”
Pros:
- Designed for the coldest climates and chilliest nights
- Also available in lighter and medium weights
- Hypoallergenic
- Baffle box construction
- Loops on all four corners attach to your duvet cover to keep the comforter from slipping
- A 365-day, no-questions-asked return policy
Cons:
- Requires occasional fluffing
Best lightweight down comforter
Parachute Down Duvet Insert
Sleeping under down is comforting even when it’s warm out, and this lightweight comforter will keep you cool and comfy. The Parachute Home down comforter is made with 750 fill power European white down. It’s prized for its superior fluffiness, and it’s sewn in a baffle box construction for even distribution. The lighter weight means it pairs perfectly with all your best throws. It can even be machine washed and dried, so long as you use wool dryer balls.
It’s got hundreds of five-star reviews, including this one from verified buyer Ijeoma O, who calls it the “best investment I have made in bedding,” explaining, “I have always wanted hotel-luxury bedding, so I decided to splurge on this down duvet. I did my research and found Parachute’s duvet on almost every top ten list. It is absolutely wonderful. It literally feels like I’m sleeping on clouds.”
Pros:
- Lightweight construction that’s ideal for warm and temperate climates
- RDS certified
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
- Five-year warranty
- Baffle box construction
- Can be machine-washed
Cons:
- Somewhat pricey
- Hot sleepers may find this too hot, even if it’s lighter in weight than most down comforters on the market
Best budget down comforter
Egyptian Bedding Goose Down Comforter
You don’t have to spend a fortune to have one of the best down comforters, and this Egyptian Bedding goose down comforter is the proof. At about half the price of similar designer rivals, it offers all the warmth and coziness you could ask for in hibernation season. It even comes in five sizes and several colors and patterns.
The price may be budget, but according to more than 3,000 five-star reviews, everything else about this down comforter spells luxury. And speaking of five stars, reviewer Kat says, “It feels like I’m in a five-star hotel!” Medium weight for year-round comfort, the super-soft 100 percent Egyptian cotton is packed with 750+ fill power of ethically sourced down and is RDS certified.
Take the money you saved on the comforter and invest in a weighted eye mask to get sounder sleep.
Pros:
- Excellent value for the price
- RDS certified
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
- Premium 3D baffle box design for exceptional loft, warmth, and breathability
Cons:
- The exterior shell is a bit crinkly, so you’ll want to cover this down comforter with a high-quality duvet cover
Best down alternative comforter
Sheets & Giggles Eucalyptus Lyocell Comforter
If you want the warmth and comfort of down without the actual down, this Sheets & Giggles eucalyptus-based blanket is a great alternative. The shell is made from sustainable, 100 percent eucalyptus lyocell, and it’s filled with a mix of that same eucalyptus lyocell and a soft, recycled poly fiber. It’s heaven when paired with one of the best cooling pillows.
Hundreds of five-star reviews enthusiastically attest to the virtues of this all-seasons comforter. “The comforter is the softest bedding I’ve ever felt,” says verified buyer Cheryl Cross. Fellow customer Tanisha H. agrees, writing, “Seriously, it’s so soft, I keep petting it.” Bonus: You can toss it in the washing machine on days you wash your bedsheets.
Pros:
- Allergen-free down-like feel
- The poly fiber is made from repurposed plastic water bottles
- Machine washable
- Soft to the touch
- Twin, queen and king sizes
- Three neutral colors
Cons:
- Relatively lightweight makes it ideal for year-round use, but may require additional layers on extra cold nights
How we found the best down comforters
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQs
What is the point of a down comforter?
Down comforters are filled with soft, heat-trapping feathers that promise the snuggliest sleep of your life. They’re ideal for especially cold nights when even the warmest flannel pajamas just aren’t enough.
What is the difference between a down comforter and a goose down comforter?
The size and fill power of clusters is what separates duck down from goose down. Geese typically have warmer down clusters with significantly higher fill power when compared to ducks. Geese are larger animals, so their down clusters are usually much bigger. Also, goose down tends to come from species that live in cold climates and are best naturally insulated.
What is the best material for a down comforter?
That depends on the climate you live in and how you like to sleep. If you’re a hot sleeper, opting for a light-fill duck down with a cooling shell is probably best. Those in cold rooms can opt for heavyweight goose down blankets paired with flannel duvet covers.
Originally Published: September 08, 2021
