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Many sleepers enjoy the cozy feel of European-style duvet bed coverings, and a duvet insert is the internal component for these coverings. Normally filled with down, feathers, or down alternative fibers, this insert provides the duvet’s plush, lofty feel. A duvet insert is designed for use with a protective duvet cover, making the insert easy to keep clean. This characteristic distinguishes duvet inserts from comforters, which can serve as standalone bedding – though most comforters may also be paired with duvet covers.

Our team of experts has tested dozens of duvet inserts, as well as some comforters, to bring you the list of top picks below. The diverse testing team includes people with differing preferences when it comes to qualities like duvet insert loft, insulation, and breathability. This ensures our ratings reflect experiences for a wide range of sleepers. We also considered practical factors like pricing, ease of care, and how easily the insert can be secured to its cover.

Our Verdict – What’s the Best Duvet Insert of the Year?

Duvet inserts and comforters are essential for keeping you warm and cozy on chilly nights, though some lightweight inserts can also be suitable for hotter times of the year. Our pick for best duvet insert of 2023 — the Brooklinen Down Comforter — is available in three weights, allowing you to choose the best design based on your personal needs and preferences. We’re also recommending the comforter for its luxurious materials, approachable pricing, and generous year-long sleep trial.

Read on for detailed descriptions of our best duvet insert picks. The product profiles below include accolades for each insert that highlight areas where that product stands out from the competition. Further down, you’ll find our full duvet insert buyer’s guide. We’ll cover common materials and sizes for duvet inserts, how much you can expect to pay for different types of inserts, and cleaning and care recommendations.

Memorial Day Mattress Sales Are Still Going On

Memorial Day is over, but plenty of bedding sales are still taking place. Check out our product reviews below for discount information. You can also head to our list of Memorial Day deals and discounts to see which brands are still offering savings.

Best Duvet Inserts of 2023 Video

Watch the video below to learn more about our best duvet inserts of 2023.

Our Recommendations

Brooklinen Down Comforter

Best Overall

Brooklinen Down Comforter

Brand Logo

Price:

$249

Cover Material:

Cotton

Fill Material:

Down

Pros

  1. Available in lightweight, all-season, and ultra-warm designs
  2. Premium down clusters provide excellent insulation
  3. 365-night sleep trial

Cons

  1. Strong potential for clumping fill
  2. Not washable in a home machine

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Brooklinen products

Bottom Line

Each weight option of the Brooklinen Down Comforter was distinct in terms of cooling and insulation, but all had that lofty feel people love about down comforters.

The Brooklinen Down Comforter is made in Canada using ethically sourced down harvested from Europe and Canada. With premium, high-quality materials and multiple warmth options, the Brooklinen is an excellent and highly comfortable pick for a wide variety of sleepers who prefer down.

Made with 100% down cluster fill, the Brooklinen has all of the best features of a down-based duvet including cloud-like loft and incredible insulation power. The fill material is treated with an antimicrobial to help prevent the growth of bacteria or mold and keep your bedding fresh. The outer shell of the Brooklinen is made with soft and breathable 100% long-staple cotton sateen.

The Brooklinen also comes in more than one weight. The all-season weight is made with 700 fill power down that’s extremely warm and lofty. However, for those who sleep warm or live in a slightly warmer climate, the lightweight option contains a 650 fill power down that’s a bit cooler. The ultra-warm weight is constructed with 750 fill power to keep sleepers warm on colder nights.

The insert is designed with baffle box construction to keep the down fill in place. Loops are sewn into every corner to act as tie-in points for a duvet cover.

Brooklinen recommends spot cleaning stains. You should also periodically hang your down duvet outside on a dry day or use a dryer on the no-heat setting to dry it out. Brooklinen provides one of the most generous return policies in the industry. Most products can be returned or exchanged within 365 days for free with a full refund. Shipping is free for customers in the contiguous U.S.

Product page photo of the Silk & Snow Down Alternative Duvet Insert

Best Value

Silk & Snow Down Alternative Duvet Insert

Brand Logo

Price:

$120

Cover Material:

100% cotton

Fill Material:

100% down alternative microfiber

Pros

  1. Available in three weights to accommodate sleepers in different climates
  2. Sewn-through baffles distribute the fill and minimize clumping
  3. All orders include a 100-night trial period

Cons

  1. Fill is prone to bunching up
  2. Down alternative may not be as durable as true down

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Silk & Snow products

Bottom Line

Silk & Snow’s Down Alternative Duvet Insert checks a lot of boxes for shoppers on a budget who want a covering that will keep them comfortable year-round. Lightweight and winter designs are available, but we recommend the all-season insert if you’re looking for a balance of coziness and breathability.

A duvet insert that effectively regulates temperature based on the current conditions is key if you are an exceptionally hot or cold sleeper. With the Silk & Snow Down Alternative Duvet Insert, you get the best of both worlds at an approachable price. Plush down alternative fill retains minimal heat, and the cotton shell promotes breathability. You shouldn’t feel uncomfortable on hot or humid nights, but the insert is cozy and lofty enough to keep you warm during chillier times of the year. As an added bonus for people allergic to real down, the fill is 100% animal-free and shouldn’t trigger any symptoms.

You can also choose from three different weights based on your personal preferences and local climate. The Lightweight design’s fill consists of 175 grams per square meter (GSM), so this insert is best suited to dry, arid areas and people who don’t need thick covers to sleep comfortably. If you’re looking for maximum heft, the Winter design contains 500 GSM of fill and insulates exceptionally well. The All-Season design with 375 GSM of fill is ideal if you want something in the middle, or if you live in a place with mild, temperate weather throughout the year.

The baffle boxes are sewn through, creating compartments to hold the fill and evenly distribute it across the insert. This minimizes clumping, so you shouldn’t have to fluff the insert too often. Corner loops also allow you to secure the insert to a duvet cover. We recommend using a cover because machine washing the insert can be a hassle — especially if your household washer is too small — and dry cleaning can be somewhat expensive. 

Twin/twin XL, full/queen, and king/California king sizes are available. All three options are oversized to provide ample coverage for your sleep surface. Price depends on the size and weight you select. Silk & Snow offers free ground shipping for all orders in the contiguous U.S. and provincial Canada. Your purchase comes with a generous sleep trial that runs for 100 nights, and you’ll also receive a 1-year warranty if you decide to keep the Down Alternative Duvet Insert.

Best Luxury

Cozy Earth Bamboo Comforter

Brand Logo

Price:

$469

Cover Material:

100% viscose from bamboo

Fill Material:

Viscose from bamboo fibers

Pros

  1. Two weight options
  2. Breathable and soft bamboo-derived viscose composition
  3. 100-night sleep trial

Cons

  1. Luxury pricing
  2. Thin design may not appeal to sleepers seeking a lofty comforter

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Cozy Earth products

Bottom Line

The Cozy Earth Bamboo Comforter is a luxuriously soft pick that we found is suitable for year-round use. The comforter is produced with sustainability in mind, which eco-conscious shoppers should love.

The Cozy Earth Bamboo Comforter is one of two comforter options available, both of which offer exceptional breathability. The bamboo version is composed entirely of viscose derived from bamboo, a material touted for its luxuriously soft feel that can soothe sensitive skin. All of Cozy Earth’s products are made from sustainably sourced materials, making the comforter a great choice if you’re willing to spend more on an eco-friendly product.

Bamboo-derived fabrics are known for their cooling and moisture-wicking properties that cater to hot sleepers and people living in warm or humid locations. You can also opt for a silk version of the comforter for a fluffier, down-like feel. Both the bamboo and silk models come in two fill volume options: standard and extra. The standard option is lightweight but insulates a comfortable amount of warmth, so we recommend it for year-round use. The extra weight is excellent for winter use or if you live in a cooler climate.

The comforter is fully machine-washable. Cozy Earth recommends only using a rinse cycle and drying on low heat with a few tennis balls to prevent the fill from clumping. Three sizes are available – twin, queen/full, and king – and all are intentionally oversized to fit most mattresses.

If you live in the contiguous U.S, you’re eligible for free shipping. Cozy Earth offers a 100-night sleep trial with your comforter purchase, during which you can return it for a full refund. The Bamboo Comforter is backed by a 10-year warranty against structural defects.

Most Comfortable

Sijo TempTune Comforter

Brand Logo

Price:

$235

Cover Material:

Tencel and nylon blend

Fill Material:

Clima fiber fill

Pros

  1. Clima fill is made with phase change material to enhance temperature regulation
  2. Tencel and nylon shell wicks moisture
  3. Breathable fabric prevents excessive overheating

Cons

  1. Not available in twin or twin XL
  2. May not provide enough insulation for extremely cold climates

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Sijo products

Bottom Line

Many duvet inserts excel at trapping lots of warmth, but we found that the Sijo TempTune kept us warm without necessarily overheating. That’s the mark of a great year-round insert.

The Sijo TempTune Comforter excels at regulating temperature throughout the year, whether the weather is warm or cold. It’s a good fit if you’re looking for a comforter that keeps you warm in the winter but won’t overheat too much in warmer months.

The comforter contains specialized Clima fibers infused with phase change material, which is engineered to regulate temperature in response to your body heat. The shell is made of a Tencel and nylon fabric, which feels cool against the skin and helps keep your body at a comfortable temperature. This breathable fabric is also known for its moisture-wicking properties, which can help keep you comfortable if you sweat a lot during the night.

We recommend this comforter for co-sleepers with different temperature preferences during sleep since it’s neither too hot nor too cold. The smooth feel of the shell fabric is also great for people with sensitive skin if you choose to use the comforter without a duvet cover. You can purchase the comforter in a full/queen or king/California king size. Sijo recommends dry cleaning the comforter rather than washing at home.

Sijo ships the TempTune Comforter for free in the contiguous U.S. You’ll receive a 30-night sleep trial to decide whether the comforter is right for you.

Product page photo of The Company Store Legends Hotel Down Comforter

Best Hotel-Style

The Company Store Legends Hotel Down Comforter

Brand Logo

Price:

$329

Cover Material:

100% cotton (230 TC)

Fill Material:

600-650 fill power European white down

Pros

  1. Four weight options
  2. RDS-certified European white down has a lofty feel
  3. Sewn-in baffle boxes keep fill evenly distributed

Cons

  1. Down may emit initial odor
  2. Fill can clump over time

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on The Company Store products

Bottom Line

The Company Store Legend Hotel Down Comforter’s four weight choices ensure a comfortable option for any time of the year. The breathable cotton cover prevents you from overheating, while the down has a cozy and warm feel.

The Company Store Legends Hotel Down Comforter is a luxury option that comes in four weight options: light, medium warmth, extra warmth, and ultra warmth. Our testing found the light option excellent for hot sleepers, summer nights, or people living in warm climates. The extra and ultra warmth options were great at insulating in colder temperatures. Customers looking for a hotel-style duvet insert for year-round use should opt for the medium-weight option, which offers a comfortable balance of breathability and coziness.

The shell is made of organic cotton that is soft and facilitates airflow. European white down makes up the core, which ranges from 600 to 650 fill power depending on the weight option you choose. Baffle boxes are sewn into the insert to prevent shifting and bunching over time, and corner loops allow you to easily secure it to a duvet cover. The fill also boasts a Responsible Down Standard certification, ensuring the materials were sourced with strict adherence to animal welfare guidelines. The insert should only be professionally dry cleaned.

Customers can choose between a white or cream-colored insert, and four sizes are available: twin, full, queen, and king/California king. The Company Store offers free shipping to the contiguous U.S. on all orders exceeding $75, which covers every size of the duvet insert. All products are backed by a 90-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty that covers structural defects.

Best Temperature Regulating

Quince All-Season Premium Down Comforter

Brand Logo

Price:

$200

Cover Material:

100% cotton sateen

Fill Material:

650 fill power white down fill

Pros

  1. Down fill with 650 fill power produces lofty feel
  2. Sateen cotton shell feels silky and cool to the touch
  3. 365-night sleep trial

Cons

  1. Down can trigger allergies in some sleepers
  2. Comforter may have an initial odor due to down

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Quince products

Bottom Line

For anyone who overheats easily at night, the Quince All-Season Comforter should feel quite cool and comfortable. We also liked the smoothness of the sateen weave.

Quince is known for its quality bedding and approachable price-points, and the All-Season Premium Down Comforter is no exception. The comforter offers a luxurious feel and durable construction that should feel comfortable through all seasons and in all climates.

The comforter contains 650 fill power classic white down, which provides plenty of warmth for cooler nights but is also fluffy and lightweight enough to avoid overheating. The fill is encased in a shell made of breathable 100% cotton with a sateen weave that feels silky-soft and cool against the skin. Baffle-box stitching keeps the fill in place and ensures that it won’t clump over time. If you use a duvet cover, corner loops anchor the comforter inside the cover to prevent it from shifting and bunching up during the night.

If you like the feel of down but are concerned about ethical sourcing, the fill has Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certification to ensure it adheres to standards for the humane treatment of animals. You may machine wash the comforter in cold water on a gentle cycle and tumble dry on a low heat setting.

Quince offers free shipping within the U.S. Customers receive a 365-night sleep trial to try out the comforter.

Best for Couples

Boll & Branch Down Alternative Duvet Insert

Brand Logo

Price:

$348

Cover Material:

100% organic cotton

Fill Material:

PrimaLoft down alternative fill

Pros

  1. Available in lightweight, midweight, and ultraweight fill densities
  2. Breathable organic cotton cover
  3. Down alternative fill has a plush and lofty feel

Cons

  1. Twin/twin XL sizes not available
  2. Down alternative fill is prone to bunching

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Boll & Branch products

Bottom Line

Boll & Branch products are known for their high-quality materials and construction, and the Down Alternative Duvet Insert is no exception. We found the midweight model best for all-season use, but we recommend the lightweight and ultraweight options for hot and cold sleepers, respectively.

Customers looking for a duvet insert made with organic and breathable materials should look no further than the Boll & Branch Down Alternative Duvet Insert. This luxurious insert uses an organic cotton cover, and proprietary PrimaLoft down alternative fill that insulates without overheating. Those seeking a comforter for year-round use should enjoy the midweight option best, but two other weight options are also available.

Our testing found the lightweight and ultraweight models were great for sleepers who sleep exceptionally hot or cold, respectively, as well as those living in climates with extreme temperatures. The down alternative fibers create the plush and lofty feel down is known for without using animal products or triggering allergies. Baffle box construction keeps the fill evenly distributed, preventing shifting or clumping over time. Corner loops allow you to easily secure the insert to a duvet cover.

The insert is fully machine-washable, provided your appliance is large enough to accommodate it. Wash in cold water on a gentle cycle, and tumble dry on low heat. You may need to run the insert through two or three drying cycles to remove all moisture. Two sizes are available: full/queen and king/California king.

Boll & Branch ships free to customers living in all 50 states. Purchases come with 30-night sleep trials, during which you can return like-new products for a full refund minus shipping and handling.

Best Summer-Weight

Pacific Coast Light Warmth Comforter

Brand Logo

Price:

$219

Cover Material:

100% cotton (300 thread count)

Fill Material:

550 Fill power Hyperclean® down

Pros

  1. Lightweight construction ensures temperature regulation
  2. 550 fill power down has a fluffy, cozy feel
  3. Durable cotton shell keeps feathers from escaping

Cons

  1. Not ideal for sleepers with down allergies
  2. Washing in standard home machine is not recommended

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

Free ground shipping on all domestic orders with code: PACIFIC

Bottom Line

The Pacific Coast Light Warmth Comforter is the quintessential summer comforter. A breathable down design makes it perfect for regulating temperature during hot or humid nights.

Sleepers looking for top-notch breathability should thoroughly enjoy the Pacific Coast Light Warmth Comforter. The lightweight construction is ideal for anyone who lives in warm climates or runs hot at night.

The comforter is packed with less down than some of the brand’s other blankets, ensuring enough airflow to keep you cool. The 550-fill power down has a fluffy feel, and the baffle boxes distribute the fill to minimize shifting and clumping at night. The shell is composed of 300 thread count cotton with a durable design engineered to prevent down feathers from poking through.

The Light Warmth Comforter has blue cording along the perimeter that creates a sophisticated look, and loops anchor the comforter to your duvet cover. Twin, full/queen, and king sizes are available. Pacific Coast recommends bringing the comforter to a dry cleaner for care, though if you have a commercial-sized washing machine, you may be able to launder it at home in cold water with gentle soap.

Shipping is free within the contiguous U.S., and the comforter is backed by a 30-day refund policy. You will be responsible for return shipping costs.

Best Cooling

Buffy Breeze

Brand Logo

Price:

$249

Cover Material:

Lyocell from Eucalyptus

Fill Material:

Eucalyptus-Based Fiber Fill

Pros

  1. Eucalyptus-based shell and fiber fill ensure excellent temperature control
  2. Materials harvested from sustainable regenerative forests
  3. Wave stitching prevents fill from shifting or clumping

Cons

  1. May not offer enough insulation for year-round use
  2. Insert must be dry cleaned

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Buffy products

Bottom Line

Our entire testing team remarked on how cool and breathable the Buffy Breeze felt. This is the perfect comforter for summer nights when you need just a bit of covering.

The Buffy Breeze is made from a plant-based, eucalyptus fiber that’s cool to the touch. Recommended for those who sleep hot or live in a warm climate, this duvet insert has excellent temperature regulation.

The Buffy Breeze contains 100% eucalyptus fiber fill encased in a 100% eucalyptus fiber shell. The fiber for the fill is made using the wood pulp from eucalyptus trees while the shell is made with eucalyptus lyocell, a type of rayon similar to bamboo-based fiber. All of the eucalyptus fiber in the Buffy Breeze is OEKO-TEX certified to ensure it contains no harmful substances.

The 300 single-ply thread count shell fiber gives the duvet insert an extremely soft feel. The Buffy Breeze is constructed with a wave stitch pattern that helps keep the fill materials evenly distributed throughout the duvet insert. It also contains sewn loops on each corner to accommodate duvet cover ties and help keep your duvet insert in place.

The only downside to the Buffy Breeze is that it’s not easy to clean. While some duvets can withstand machine washing, Buffy recommends that you dry clean the Buffy Breeze. Using the Breeze with a duvet cover will help to extend the amount of time before you’ll need to clean it again.

Your purchase of the Buffy Breeze comes protected with a 7-day trial. If you choose to return the Buffy Breeze within the trial period, you won’t be charged for your purchase. You also have 30 nights from the time your order was placed to initiate a free return for a full refund.

Softest

Parachute Down Duvet Insert

Brand Logo

Price:

$399

Cover Material:

100% cotton sateen

Fill Material:

European white down 750-fill power

Pros

  1. Authentic down creates an exceptionally plush and lofty feel
  2. Available in three sizes and two weights
  3. RDS certification ensures ethical animal treatment and living conditions

Cons

  1. Frequent fluffing may be required to maintain a full shape
  2. No returns allowed

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Parachute products

Bottom Line

People who enjoy the cloud-like feel of down but prefer not to buy it due to allergies or ethical concerns should look no further than the Peacock Alley Down Alternative Duvet. The duvet is made from Dacron, a fiber that mimics down’s natural plushness without animal products.

If you enjoy ultra-soft bedding, the Peacock Alley Down Alternative Duvet is right up your alley. Plush faux down fill coupled with a cotton sateen shell make this insert feel exceptionally soft, even compared to other comforters and duvets. 

The fill is composed of Dacron, a synthetic fiber that matches the feel of real down. People with down allergies won’t need to struggle through sniffly nights in bed, and the Dacron should also appeal to those opposed to buying and using animal-based products. The shell is smooth and gentle if you have sensitive skin, and sewn-in baffles mean you shouldn’t need to fluff the duvet too frequently.

The duvet is available in twin/twin XL, full/queen, and king/California king sizes, ensuring compatibility with any standard-size mattress. Weighing between 24 and 40 ounces, the design should be lightweight enough for hot and humid weather without sacrificing insulation when the temperatures dip. Cording along the edges helps prevent the fill from escaping, which helps extend the product’s lifespan. Peacock Alley does not recommend machine-washing this product at home. Instead, you should either dry-clean it or launder it in a commercial washer. Dry on low heat for best results.

The Down Alternative Duvet is eligible for free delivery to all 50 states. Peacock Alley offers a 30-night trial, during which you may return the duvet in good condition as long as you haven’t laundered it. Returns are free of charge during the trial period.

Why You Can Trust Us

Our team of experts tests bedding products to help you create the perfect sleep environment. We've tried dozens of comforters and duvet inserts and narrowed them down to our top picks based on thorough in-person evaluations.

How We Evaluated These Duvet Inserts

Each member of our testing team has extensive experience reviewing sleep products and they understand which factors are important to our readers. In our sleep lab, the product testers personally use each duvet insert and examine its insulation, fill, airflow, and durability. The sleep product experts have different body types, sleep styles, and personal preferences. This diversity allows us to provide you with recommendations that are specifically catered to your needs.

What is a Duvet Insert?

A duvet, derived from the French word for down, is a type of bedding that consists of a duvet insert and a duvet cover. The duvet insert is made up of an enclosed fabric shell filled with a soft, lofty material. While the traditional choice for fill material has always been goose or duck down, it’s now easy to find duvet inserts made with a variety of materials from synthetic options to other natural choices like wool and silk.

Duvet inserts typically come in a neutral color such as white or cream. Similar to a pillow and a pillowcase, duvet inserts are placed in a duvet cover. The cover protects your duvet insert from body oils and stains. For this reason, many choose to forgo a top sheet when sleeping with their duvet.

Duvet inserts come in a wide variety of sizes, weights, and materials. The best duvet insert for you will depend on your personal preferences and the level of warmth you need from your bedding. It’s also important to note that the quality of the materials you choose will have a significant impact on the durability and overall performance of your duvet. We’ll help you determine how to choose the best features for your needs and the best materials for your budget.

What’s the Difference Between a Comforter and a Duvet Insert?

Bedding terminology can be confusing and many people mistake duvet inserts for comforters or believe that the two terms are interchangeable. However, there are a few key differences between these two types of bedding.

First, let’s address the similarities. Both comforters and duvet inserts are commonly filled with down or synthetic materials and are meant to keep you warm at night.

Now the differences. The most important differentiator between comforters and duvet inserts is that comforters are designed to be used without a case or cover. That’s why comforters are often available in more colorful options and are commonly paired with a top sheet for protection.

How to Choose a Duvet Insert

A duvet insert makes up the core of a duvet, a unique style of bedding designed to keep you warm on cold nights. Originating in Europe, a duvet consists of a duvet insert, a fabric shell filled most commonly with down, and a duvet cover, an additional fabric layer that protects the duvet insert from dirt and can be removed for easy cleaning

As you search for a new duvet insert, you’ll be presented with a wide variety of options. Here we’ll discuss the most important factors to consider as you shop for the best duvet insert.

What to Consider When Purchasing a Duvet Insert

When shopping for a duvet insert, you may start to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of options you have to choose from. Additionally, bedding companies can sometimes use misleading language that makes it difficult to decipher the most important differences between products.

We’re here to help you cut through the noise and figure out which duvet insert is best for you. The key factors to consider are the materials, size, weight, design, price, and temperature regulation.

  • Quality Materials
    The type of materials used in the construction of your duvet insert will have the greatest impact on its overall performance and durability. This includes both the fill material and the shell material. Down is the traditional choice for duvet insert fill material. It also tends to be the most expensive and durable fill material available. However, high-quality forms of synthetic down alternatives such as Primaloft can rival the loft and warmth of down. When it comes to the shell material, cotton and polyester are both quality fabrics, but polyester tends to be more durable.
  • Size
    Duvet inserts are typically available in sizes that are compatible with the most common bed sizes including twin, twin XL, full or double, queen, king, and California king.
  • Weight
    The weight of your duvet insert is an important consideration and will depend on the climate you live in and your own personal preferences. For cold sleepers in cold climates, a heavyweight insert is the best choice. If you live in a warmer climate but enjoy the comfort of a plush duvet, consider a lightweight duvet insert. You can also purchase different duvet inserts for different seasons and rotate them throughout the year.
  • Design
    Duvet design refers to how the insert was constructed in terms of its stitching. Although this may seem like a purely aesthetic detail, the design has a significant impact on how the fill material and therefore heat insulation is distributed throughout the surface area of your duvet insert.
  • Price
    The price you pay for your duvet insert can vary significantly and will depend largely on the type of fill material you choose as well as the size. Prices can range from $100 up to $1,000. At the lower end of this range are duvet inserts that use synthetic or synthetic blend materials. The top end of the price range consists of ethically harvested down and organic wool.
  • Temperature Regulation
    Although duvets are meant to keep you warm at night, no one wants to wake up in a sweat. Certain materials are better at regulating your body temperature throughout the night, especially if you tend to sleep hot. Down is the most insulating fill material and is more likely to allow heat from the body to build up during the night.The best duvet inserts for hot sleepers and the best cooling duvet inserts tend to be made from materials that are more breathable than down including silk, cotton, and synthetic fibers.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Duvet Inserts?

Duvet inserts are one of the warmest bedding options available, but they can be difficult to clean. Let’s take a closer look at the most significant pros and cons of duvet inserts.

Pros Cons
  • Duvets offer higher insulation than many other types of bedding. They also typically come in higher lofts, so you won’t need to pair them with extra sheets or blankets.
  • Duvet inserts don’t require frequent cleaning. The duvet cover, which can be removed and cleaned, protects the duvet insert from stains and body oils.
  • Although duvet inserts are usually plain in color, you can switch out duvet covers with different patterns and styles.
  • Duvet inserts have many options for fill material depending on your needs. Gone are the days when down was the only game in town. Now you can find duvet inserts made from synthetics, other natural fibers like wool, and even ethically sourced down.
  • Duvets can be difficult to clean and may require dry cleaning or other costly professional cleaning options. Unlike a blanket, if your duvet becomes badly stained, you may need to replace it.
  • The additional cost of a duvet cover adds to the overall expense of using a duvet insert.
  • Duvet inserts can be tricky to place inside their cover and are prone to bunching up inside their covers after repeated use.

What Types of Duvet Inserts are Available?

Different types of duvet inserts can be categorized by the fill or the material inside the duvet insert that gives the bedding its loft. In terms of fill material, the overall quality of the material matters more than the material itself. However, certain materials are considered more of a luxury, a feature reflected in the price tag of premium duvet inserts. Additionally, different types of materials have different advantages and disadvantages. Here we’ll take a detailed look at the different types of fill materials commonly used in duvet inserts.

Down: This is the traditional choice for duvet insert fill material. Many people associate down with the feathers of a duck or goose. While quilled feathers are water-resistant and help these birds fly, down actually sits below the feathers.

Down is light and fluffy and provides insulation and warmth in cold conditions. Duvet inserts made with down can be more expensive, but if you live in a cold climate, down filling is often the best choice. Just be aware that for certain sleepers, down may trigger an allergic reaction.

Synthetic Down Alternatives: Aside from down, synthetics are the most common fill material used in duvet inserts. Polyesters and other synthetic fabrics are designed to mimic the fluffy feel of down. For those with allergies or who prefer to stay away from animal products, synthetic down alternatives offer a good compromise. Synthetics can be less expensive than genuine down, but the lower in price you go, the more you’ll sacrifice in terms of durability and overall quality.

Wool and Silk: If you’re looking for a natural material, you can also find duvet inserts made from wool or silk. Wool provides a warm, moisture-wicking alternative to down, but it won’t provide the same loft. Silk is perfect for those living in warmer climates or as a lightweight duvet for the summer months.

Although your duvet will be wrapped in a duvet cover, the shell material can still have an impact on performance. Cotton and polyester are the most common shell materials. Both are affordable, but cotton tends to be more breathable while polyester can be more durable. For the best of both worlds, try a cotton-polyester blend, a fabric that offers the best features of each material.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a duvet insert?

A duvet insert is a type of blanket that’s meant to be used with a cover. Typically, an insert has two parts: an insulated fill and a shell that wraps around it. Down is perhaps the most widely known type of fill, but you can also find duvet inserts that feature synthetic down alternatives, wool, silk, or blends.

What separates a duvet insert from a comforter or other type of blanket is that it’s intended to be used with a cover. This allows you to go longer between washes, which can be particularly helpful for inserts that are dry clean only. A cover also allows you to easily change the look of your bedding since they are often compatible with a wide range of inserts.

What’s the best way to wash a duvet insert?

The exact method for washing your duvet insert will vary depending on what it’s made out of as well as the manufacturer’s recommendations. The fill and shell materials will dictate how to appropriately care for your insert, as some are machine-washable while others require dry cleaning. Which size you choose is also a factor, since larger inserts may have too much volume for a home washing machine and will require a commercial washer.

Using a duvet cover is one of the best ways to help preserve your insert’s lifespan. Covers are usually made from washable fabrics that help decrease how often you have to launder your insert. Because the cover is what comes into contact with your skin rather than the insert, some sleepers choose not to use a top sheet.

How do you insert a duvet?

We’ve found the easiest method for putting a cover on your duvet insert is the inside-out method.

1. Lay your duvet insert on top of your bed.
2. Turn your duvet cover inside out, slide your arms inside the cover. With your arms inside the cover, grab the bottom corners of the cover.
3. Still holding the corners of the cover, also grab the top corners of your duvet insert.
4. Making sure to hold on tightly, begin to flip the duvet cover right side out and over your duvet insert. It may take a bit of shaking and fluffing before the cover falls down to encase the entire length of the insert.
5. Let go of the corners, and finish by stuffing the opposite corners of your duvet insert into the open side of your cover, checking to see that everything is aligned.
6. Zip or button your cover closed.

How can you keep a duvet insert in place?

Duvet inserts typically use buttons, ties, loops, or snaps to help fasten the insert to the cover at all four corners. For example, a duvet insert with loops and a cover with buttons can easily be attached when you push the buttons through each corner loop. Since lots of sleepers mix and match their covers and inserts, many models are equipped to work with different fasteners.

Some duvet covers lack internal ties to keep the insert in place. You can use small safety pins to secure the top corners of your duvet insert to the inside corners of your cover before putting on the cover. Matching the cover and insert at each corner ensures that the insert doesn’t migrate or bunch up during the night.

How much do duvet inserts cost?

A duvet insert may cost as little as $50 or upwards of $1,000. The price will vary greatly depending on the type of materials used, the quality of those materials, and the construction. Duvet inserts that use synthetic fill tend to be more affordable than duvet inserts made with down.

The source also matters. Expect to pay more for anything containing organic cotton or wool and ethically-sourced down.

How long do duvet inserts last?

A quality duvet insert should last for several years for most sleepers, often up to or beyond 10 years. Duvet inserts tend to last longer than pillows as they lay on top of the sleeper and don’t need to support your body weight. Keeping your duvet insert protected with a frequently washed cover will help extend its lifespan.

The lifespan of your duvet insert is directly affected by its materials and construction. Synthetic duvet inserts tend to lose their loft and ability to insulate faster than down-based duvet inserts. In fact, well-made and well-maintained down duvet inserts can typically last upwards of a decade or more.

Lastly, your sleep habits can also affect the longevity of your duvet insert. Sleepers who toss and turn consistently or sleep on top of their duvet will wear out its loft and insulation more quickly.

Which size duvet insert is right for me?

Purchase a duvet insert that corresponds to the size of your mattress. Inserts are typically available in standard sizes from twin up to California king. If you prefer extra bedding material or own a high-profile mattress, consider going up one size from your mattress size. Couples who toss and turn or who have different sleep temperature preferences should also consider purchasing two smaller duvet inserts and covers so each person can have their own bedding.

Where can I buy a duvet insert?

Duvet inserts are easy to find online and at big box stores. While some shoppers enjoy the hands-on experience of shopping for bedding in person, shopping online will give you the most options to choose from. Plus, most reputable online bedding retailers today offer generous return and warranty policies.

Still have questions?

Our product experts have extensive experience testing just about every sleep product on the market. Send an email to [email protected] or call us at (877) 672-8966 with your questions and we'll help you find exactly what you're looking for.

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