The 6 Best Lightweight Comforters That’ll Keep Hot Sleepers Cool All Night
Updated: Feb. 01, 2024
Snuggle up without breaking a sweat with these lightweight comforters!
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Whether you’re naturally a hot sleeper or you’re preparing for summer slumbers, the heat makes it challenging for many people to sleep. Cooling pillows and bed sheets are helpful solutions to this problem, but some want to make their beds a bit more cozy. Luckily, lightweight comforters offer extra weight and comfort without the concern of overheating at night.
“Temperature significantly affects sleep quality,” says Jeff Kahn, CEO and co-founder of Rise Science, makers of the sleep and energy tracker app RISE. “The body’s core temperature needs to drop slightly to initiate sleep, so an overly warm or cool environment can disrupt this process, leading to restless sleep or difficulty falling asleep.”
The best comforters for hot sleepers usually have temperature-regulating technology and are made with breathable materials. They’re also available in down or down-alternative options, at a variety of price points and aren’t bulky and heavy like typical comforters.
To find a lightweight summer comforter, you’ll want to look for those qualities, as well as a product’s grams per square meter (GSM). Anything with a GSM above 700 is better for the winter months, so consider a GSM between 200 and 700 for summer. Pair it with the best cooling mattress pads and cooling blankets to stop waking up sweaty and finally get some proper shut-eye.
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Saatva Lightweight Down-Alternative Comforter
Finding lightweight comforters that surpass Saatva’s down-alternative comforter is a challenging task. The brand’s temperature-regulating comforter proves to be an excellent product for hot sleepers or individuals who reside in warmer climates. Crafted with a 100% cotton shell boasting a thread count of 200, it perfectly complements the moisture-wicking lyocell fill, ensuring optimal breathability. And the wave quilting ensures the fill stays evenly distributed. Plus, it’s hypoallergenic, which helps reduce the presence of allergens, such as dust mites, pollen and pet dander.
Pros
- Cloud-like 3D down-alternative fiber and lyocell fill
- 100% cotton shell with long-staple percale cotton
- Corner loops to attach inside a duvet cover
- Hypoallergenic
- Machine washable and dryer-safe
- Ethically sourced materials
Cons
- Doesn’t have a silky-smooth feel
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Best budget lightweight comforter
Amazon Basics All-Season Down-Alternative Comforter Set
Budget-friendly comforters don’t have to look cheap. In fact, with its pinch-pleat design and piped edges, this Amazon Basics down-alternative comforter looks incredibly chic. Plus, it has over 20,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, so you can rest easy (pun intended) that this lightweight comforter delivers on all its promises. Even more to love: It comes with two pillowcases!
“Better than I imagined. I love this comforter! It’s very regal-looking and so soft to the touch. Lightweight and cozy. I highly recommend this product,” says verified purchaser, Reece Abbott.
Pros
- Wallet-friendly price
- Comes with two pillowcases
- 85 GSM microfiber shell with down-alternative poly-fill
- Stylish design and 10 color options
- Oeko-Tex certified to meet high safety and environmental standards
Cons
- Pleats may loosen in the wash
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Best moisture-wicking lightweight comforter
Cozy Earth Comforter
The bamboo viscose variation of the Cozy Earth comforter is the pinnacle of all lightweight comforters. The material’s breathability and moisture-wicking ability easily regulate body temperature in any season. Its thinner profile is soft and body contouring without adding extra weight. Pair it with a window air conditioner and summer won’t stand a chance.
Verified purchaser, Teresa, says it feels “so soft against my skin,” and adds that it’s a splurge, but “you can’t put a price on a good night’s sleep.” She continues, “I don’t think I will ever be able to sleep as well with anything other than Cozy Earth. The bamboo is so cool and breathable.” We agree—we’ve tried it!
Pros
- Breathable fabric feels degrees cooler than cotton
- Made of premium bamboo viscose material
- Specially designed weave prevents pilling
- 100-night sleep trial
- 10-year warranty
- Free shipping and free returns
Cons
- Pricey
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Best down-alternative lightweight comforter
Brooklinen Down-Alternative Comforter
If you’re searching for sustainable lightweight comforters that won’t weigh you down, this Brooklinen pick is a prime option. What earns it a top spot? For one, it makes you feel like you’re snuggled up in a cloud, thanks to its breathable down-alternative filling and 100% sateen cotton outer layer. It’s also made from recycled fibers repurposed from plastic bottles. Plus, this lightweight comforter features baffle-box construction, which means the fill won’t clump up and instead stays evenly distributed.
Five-star reviewer, Jose, raves, “I prefer sleeping on the cool side and usually kick away part of my comforter while asleep. This keeps me at just the right temperature and always tucked in for a good night’s sleep.”
Pros
- 100% hypoallergenic, recycled microfiber down-alternative fill
- Super-soft cotton sateen shell
- Baffle box construction for even warmth distribution
- Comes in other warmth options
- Won’t break the bank
- Vegan-friendly
Cons
- Not machine washable
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Best luxury lightweight comforter
The Company Store Olympia Down Comforter
The Legends Luxury Olympia comforter is truly the ultimate in lightweight luxury. The Company Store describes it as the “forever comforter,” a sentiment echoed by reviewers. No more tossing your blanket a couple of years after having it! This lightweight down comforter boasts an incredibly soft combed 100% cotton sateen shell. It’s filled with Responsible Down Standard (RDS)-certified Hungarian white goose down, which is light as a feather, yet provides exceptional warmth. To top it off, it’s expertly finished with a double-needle top stitch.
Pros
- Lifetime guarantee
- 400-thread count 100% premium combed cotton sateen shell
- 600-fill power RDS-certified Hungarian white goose down
- Ethically sourced hypoallergenic down
- Comes in other warmth options
- Corner loops to attach inside a duvet cover
Cons
- Washing in a top-loading machine isn’t recommended
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Best cooling lightweight comforter
Pottery Barn Hydrocool Duvet Insert
The best lightweight comforters are comfortable, keep you dry all night long and help you get a deeper night’s sleep—something we all need! This Pottery Barn pick does just that. It’s made with Hydrocool, which is an amazing performance-down alternative that has moisture-wicking technology. Double-needle stitching sewn throughout the box quilting distributes fibers evenly and prevents the fill from shifting. It’s also beautiful with its 300-thread count cotton damask stripes. Pair it with a bed cooling system and say farewell to sweaty slumbers.
Pros
- Hydrocool yarns pull moisture away from the skin
- 100% cotton shell for cool and dry comfort
- Oeko-Tex-certified to be free from 400+ harmful substances
- Hypoallergenic
- Corner loops to attach inside a duvet cover
- Machine washable
Cons
- Designed to be paired with a duvet
What to look for when buying a lightweight comforter
“Consider material, breathability, moisture-wicking properties and your personal sleeping temperature,” explains Kahn. “These factors contribute to thermal comfort, affecting sleep quality.” Don’t forget to also consider weight, type of fill, weave, stitching, the GSM and thread count. You’ll also want to take into consideration whether you’re buying a lightweight summer comforter or searching for something more appropriate for year-round use. Of course, your sleeping type and personal preferences will also play a factor.
Additional considerations include the comforter’s price, aesthetics, size, color and design. While you want it to feel good, style influences many people’s purchases. Art and design have a significant impact on mental health, as recognized by feng shui practitioners. Choosing something pleasing to the eye helps promote a more restful night’s sleep.
Types of lightweight comforters
- Down: Down is known for its excellent insulation properties while still being lightweight. It offers cozy and plush comfort without feeling too heavy or bulky.
- Down-alternative: Down-alternatives are made from synthetic materials that feature increased airflow. They’re typically hypoallergenic, making them suitable for people with allergies.
- Wool: Wool is an organic option that regulates temperature well. Moisture-wicking properties make this fill a viable option for warm weather.
- Cotton: Cotton is a natural fiber known for its breathability, softness and moisture-wicking properties. Comforters with cotton fill are affordable, which also makes them popular.
- Silk: Silk has natural thermoregulation properties. Plus, it is light and airy, and easily wicks away moisture.
Why You Should Trust Us
Spencer Kildare has years of experience in consumer goods, as well as working with new homeowners, newlyweds and more in order to find the items they need the most and the gifts worth attaching their names to. To ensure that we were keeping cool sleep top of mind, we spoke with Jeff Kahn, CEO and co-founder of Rise Science, makers of the sleep and energy tracker app RISE, who is eager to share the importance of sleep and how it impacts our lives.
How we found the best lightweight comforters
To find the best lightweight comforters on the market, we gathered dozens of consumer-loved picks. Then, we analyzed them for material, quality and price point. Not everyone is going to enjoy the same sort of lightweight comforter. As Kahn says, “Comfort and thermal comfort are highly subjective.” So we gathered a healthy variety in order to cut down all those options into a solid six picks.
FAQ
What is the lightest material for a comforter?
“Materials like cotton, bamboo or certain synthetic blends known for breathability and moisture-wicking properties are often recommended. The ‘best’ material varies based on individual comfort and temperature preferences,” Kahn says.
Silk and eucalyptus are other top options for lightweight comforters, as the luxurious, soft fabrics have moisture-wicking properties for cooling comfort.
What is the best bedding for hot sleepers?
The best bedding for hot sleepers usually features cooling and moisture-wicking technologies that evaporate sweat. Comforters within a GSM of 200 to 700 that have lower fill power optimally serve hot sleepers. Bedding with lower thread counts also helps keep the body cool by allowing more air to pass through the materials.
What is the coolest type of comforter?
Thinner comforters that have lower fill powers and GSM numbers are the coolest type of comforter. Comforters made with bamboo, lyocell, cotton and linen are known to be breathable and moisture-wicking. Percale is another cool choice with a crisp, lightweight feel that provides comfort for all seasons. A sateen weave creates a smooth and shiny silk-like surface, another popular pick for the best lightweight comforters.
About the expert
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Jeff Kahn: Jeff Kahn is CEO and co-founder of Rise Science, makers of the sleep and energy tracker app RISE. He has worked with elite athletes and Fortune 500 companies, teaching them how sleep can improve their performance.
Originally Published: May 18, 2023
