The 9 Best Comforters of 2024, Tested and Approved | SELF

Nov 06, 2024

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Is there any better feeling than crawling under your comforter at the end of an absolutely exhausting day? Rubbing your feet together in bed, turning on the newest Netflix rom-com, conking out before the opening credits even finish—that’s what life is all about. But in order to live out this dream scenario, you have to actually like your bedding. What separates good comforters from the best comforters depends on the way you feel about factors like fill, cooling features, and care instructions.

To bring you recommendations that will suit every kind of sleeper, our experienced testers and SELF editors tucked themselves in with a variety of comforters from top brands like Brooklinen, Saatva, and more. We also consulted multiple medical experts for need-to-knows about this essential piece of sleep gear. The only downside? Getting out of bed just got harder.

Coop Sleep Goods

Why we picked it: This silky-soft comforter earned perfect scores across all of our testing categories, including temperature regulation and washing ability (learn more about these factors in our methodology). Its quilted construction helps evenly distribute the feather fill to help prevent bunching. And according to one of our testers, the weight felt light enough to prevent overheating without compromising on down’s famous puffy, fluffy quality: “It was thin enough to be breathable but thick enough to satisfy my brain's itch of needing to feel covered,” she says.

Our fave features: The Comphy’s durable construction means there’s no need for a duvet cover (though, it has corner loops for attaching one if that’s your preference). And since it’s machine-washable, it’s pretty convenient to keep clean. One tester has run it through the machine multiple times and says it has “held up really well.”

Who it's for: Hot sleepers. Our tester’s top concern for bedding is temperature, and she says this pick feels airy; even her dog’s “furnace”-like presence in bed was no match for the Comphy.”I sleep extremely hot, but even when I’m burning up and sweating, I need some sort of blanket over me to comfortably fall asleep,” she says. “The Comphy provided the perfect amount of comfort with the plushness of the thin layer of down but without trapping heat.”

Other winning options: If this comforter’s price is steeper than you’d prefer, check out the Comphy Down Alternative Blanket, which costs $120 less for a queen-size bed.

Product specs

Shell material: Cotton | Weight: Lightweight | Fill: Down | Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low

Luxome

Why we picked it: If night sweats are your mortal enemy, the Luxome ClimaSense could be your hero. It uses 37.5 Technology, which is designed to adjust to your body temperature, in its shell and fibers. While research has yet to corroborate that material’s cooling claims, anecdotally, we’ve found that they hold up. One tester, a hot sleeper, says the Luxome “didn't feel any warmer” than her previous duvet insert, which was thinner and lighter-weight. “I like that I can add some plushness to my bed without worrying about overheating due to the extra fluff,” she says.

Our fave features: The pillowy quilting of the ClimaSense is substantial and full-looking, which lends itself to an upscale aesthetic. “I've had a hard time recreating that ‘hotel look’ with my bedding before, and think this comforter was the missing piece,” our tester says, adding that it looks full and plush inside her duvet cover. To that end, she loved that the comforter has side loops—in addition to the standard one on each corner—to help keep it in place: “It's the worst to have one side of your duvet end up completely flat and empty because the ties came undone,” she says.

Who it’s for: Anyone who loves to get cozy under a heavier blanket, but hates heating up like a furnace as a result, will be into the Luxome ClimaSense. If you sleep hotter than hot, however, you may still want to switch to something thinner in the summer. “I think a heavy comforter that is truly cooling might be my white whale,” our tester says. "The Luxome isn't a miracle piece of bedding that prevents me from sweating at night completely, but it's pretty dang comfy and I've been happy to replace my old comforter with it.”

Product specs

Shell material: 80% cotton, 20% 37.5 polyester | Weight: Medium-heavyweight | Fill: 75% polyester, 25% 37.5 polyester | Care: Spot clean or dry clean

Original testing photo

Saatva

Why we picked it: This Saatva comforter impressed our tester straight away; she says its fill, which is a blend of down alternative fibers and moisture-wicking lyocell, was heavy enough to deliver a “snug as a bug” sensation. She also says the “All-Year” comforter lives up to its name:: “Rain or shine, summer or winter, hot or cold, this comforter is versatile enough to please everyone,” she says.

Our fave features: This down alternative comforter will please folks who prefer animal-free products, allergen-friendly bedding, or an easy wash-and-dry routine. We also love that the Saatva has a label on each end to designate the “head” and “foot” sides, so you never need to worry about mixing up the long and short edges of your bedding again. Our tester adds that because the comforter arrives neatly in a tote bag, it’s not hard to maneuver to your room. “I appreciated that this packaging meant the comforter was relatively contained and easy enough for me to lug from my mailroom to my apartment by myself,” she says.

Other winning options: If temperature is a hot-button issue in your home, the All-Year Down Alternative could work for you. “I'm a hot sleeper, and I have not felt overheated with this comforter,” our tester says. “I don't think it's as cooling as other sheets and pillows I've tested, but it feels breathable and airy.” For a lighter option, try Saatva’s Lightweight Down Alternative Comforter, which has a thinner fill than the original and is designed to offer even more breathability.

Product specs

Shell material: Percale cotton | Weight: Medium-weight | Fill: Down alternative fibers and natural lyocell | Care: Machine-wash cold, tumble dry low

Layla

Why we picked it: This comforter’s fill is designed to mimic down and might be more plush than the real deal—it’s the “poofiest” on our list. Our tester says its large, hexagonal pattern looks “snazzy” and helped keep the airy, floaty filling in place—no matter how much they “thrashed around” during the night.

Our fave features: In addition to being allergen-friendly (thanks to its down alternative fill), the Layla is Oeko-Tex Certified, a.k.a. it’s chemical- and toxin-free, baby.

Just so you know: Our tester says that while this comforter isn’t super stuffy, you may want to breeze past it if you’re an intensely hot sleeper in favor of “something less dense.” “It definitely has that ‘cool side of the pillow’ feel,” our tester says. “Sleeping under it isn't quite as cool, but it's not too warm either.”

Product specs

Shell material: Cotton | Weight: Lightweight | Fill: Down alternative | Care: Machine-wash cold, tumble dry low

Silk & Snow

Why we picked it: The key difference between a duvet and a comforter is that you can use the latter on its own while the former is made up of two pieces: an insert and a cover. Thanks to loops that’ll hold a duvet cover securely in place, this insert from Silk & Snow is perfect for anyone looking to zhuzh up their bedroom’s aesthetic with a certain color or design. Duvet covers can also be helpful for anyone who needs to wash their linens all the time (like dog owners dealing with muddy paw prints on the bed or sweaty sleepers who hate top sheets), because it’s generally simpler to wash a cover than a whole puffy comforter.

Our fave features: You have three buying options for this duvet insert: lightweight, all season, and winter. One tester, who has the all season version, says its outer shell feels “sleek and luxurious” as well as “cool to the touch.” She could tell it was a high-quality choice from a distance too, giving kudos to the comforter’s appearance even without a duvet cover.

Just so you know: While our tester says she’s had “some of her best sleeps ever” with the Silk & Snow Down Alternative, she does say that it makes a crinkly noise that could be disturbing to some sleepers. “If your partner tosses and turns a lot and you tend to wake up easily, this may not be the option for you. It's possible the noise will disturb your sleep," she says.

Product specs

Shell material: Cotton | Weight: Multiple options available: Lightweight, all season, or winter (our testers spent the most time with all season) | Fill: Down alternative microfill | Care: Machine-wash cold, tumble dry low

Cozy Earth

Why we picked it: Cozy Earth’s comforter is a standout thanks to its breezy bamboo viscose fabric, which has a silky sheen and a frosty feel. Our tester says it nailed the (unofficial) three Cs of bedding: cozy, comfy, and cooling.

Our fave features: Our tester was happily surprised to learn that this lighter blanket doesn’t compromise on coziness. “My only qualm at first glance was how thin the comforter is,” she says. But it won her over immediately after she took it for a whirl. “I even fell asleep within minutes during my first try—and for reference, I usually have to lie in bed for at least an hour before falling asleep,” she says.

Just so you know: One tester who previously owned this comforter says it was her favorite of all time. So, why did she own it (emphasis on the past tense)? She threw it in the washing machine too many times (*cough* it’s not machine-washable), and the fill became lumpy and unevenly dispersed. “So, just don’t ignore the care instructions—they’re not just for show,” she says. “A duvet cover can help too, if you, like me, need to wash your linens all the time thanks to cat vomit.”

Other winning options: While our testers tried the viscose bamboo options, the brand also offers silk and down alternative options (both of which are pricier).

Product specs

Shell material: Bamboo viscose | Weight: Medium-weight | Fill: Multiple options: Down alternative, bamboo viscose, and silk (our testers spent the most time with the bamboo viscose) | Care: Spot clean or dry clean only

Brooklinen

Why we picked it: One of our testers says the quilting of this Brooklinen Down Alternative is like a “grid of connected marshmallows,” highlighting its über-cuddly fill. The baffle-box construction—an internal stitching technique that helps evenly distribute the fill—means the fluff won’t end up bunched in one spot. This “helps minimize the covers-stealing exercise my husband and I have grown to practice on the nightly,” one tester says.

Our fave features: “The sateen finish looks luxe and inviting, and it feels smooth and cool," our tester says. The Brooklinen Down Alternative also has loops at the corners for attaching a duvet cover, which our tester appreciates, noting her bed would look “naked” without one.

Who it’s for: Anyone yearning for a sweat-free night under a puffed-up comforter. “While I often get into bed feeling cold and wanting to get warm and cozy, I'm no stranger to a 3 a.m. night sweat that leaves me kicking off all my covers—only to get cold again, rinse, and repeat,” our tester says. “After switching from a down option to this down alternative, I feel more regulated…and able to stay sweat-free without compromising that cozy, fluffy feeling I love in a comforter.”

Product specs

Shell material: Cotton sateen | Weight: Multiple options available: Lightweight, all-season, and ultra-warm (our testers spent most time with all-season) | Fill: Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (RPET) microfiber | Care: Spot clean recommended, dry clean as necessary

Puffy

Why we picked it: This comforter aims to please even the pickiest of shoppers with its allergen-friendly fill and 100% cotton shell. The details are also on point: the box quilting ensures an equal distribution of fill and the label stitched on the corner makes it easy to figure out which side is up. “This comforter feels surprisingly warm, but also lightweight,” one tester says. “It’s soft to the touch.”

Our fave features: Though it’s only “slightly heavier than a top sheet,” our tester was surprised by how “warm” and “snuggly” the Puffy feels—but thankfully not sweaty. “Getting into bed, I felt warm almost instantly—and I felt just as warm when I woke up the next morning,” she says. “The comforter is great at retaining heat, but it never felt stifling or suffocating.”

Other winning options: Puffy’s Deluxe Blanket looks and feels like faux fur—fancy!

Product specs

Shell material: Cotton | Weight: Lightweight | Fill: Down alternative fiber | Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low

Quince

Why we picked it: This quilt features four layers of gauzy, breathable cotton, and one tester says the naturally textured look (and the olive shade she chose) looks “so elevated” on her bed.

Our fave features: “I had a great experience laundering it at home,” the tester says, adding that it’s “such a win” to have a quilt that doesn’t need to be dry-cleaned. She adds that the fill remained “evenly distributed throughout” after washing as well, thanks to the intermittent stitching throughout that helps prevent bunching and clumping.

Who it’s for:The breathable long-staple organic cotton makes this comforter a good option for warmer sleepers, though our tester did kick it off a few times in the middle of night. “In general though, the sleeping experience wasn't uncomfortably hot,” she says.

Just so you know: The shell of this quilt is cotton, but the fill is 100% recycled polyester.

Product specs

Shell material: Cotton | Weight: Lightweight | Fill: Recycled polyester | Care: Machine wash cool, tumble dry low or hang dry

This isn’t an eeny-meeny-miny-moe type of choice. Each detail of a comforter, from the inside out, can affect how comfortably you sleep. Beyond sleep quality, your comforter can impact your health in other ways: It can be a “reservoir” for allergens, Chirag Patel, MD, chief of allergy and immunology at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, tells SELF. So being picky is good thing!

The encasing is “probably the most important part” of picking a comforter, says Dr. Patel, who adds that covers with high thread counts are better for reducing allergen exposure. Thread count refers to how many threads are in each square inch of the cover. A higher thread count might add durability (more threads means a higher density and overall strength) and softness but also more heat, since the tightly woven threads leave less room for airflow. The number can vary, but thread count is often between 200 and 600.

Other factors matter when picking material, but are more so a matter of personal preference. For instance, crisp cotton might feel breathable but be too noisy for easily-woken sleepers, while bamboo viscose might feel silky but too chilly in the cold.

The two main types of stuffing that you’ll find inside a comforter are down and down alternative.

Down

Down fill is made with actual fluffy goose down (and often blended with duck and goose feathers). These comforters are extraordinarily fluffy, cozy, and warm—all while staying relatively lightweight, thanks to the material’s insulating properties. When shopping for a down comforter, we recommend looking for one that’s made with Responsible Down Standard (RDS) down, which means the goose farms are held to more humane expectations.

Down comforters can be especially nice if you live in a colder climate or get chilly at night. Just be sure to read the care instructions, as some require delicate detergent or dry cleaning. And if you’re worried about allergies, know this: According to one study, feather allergies are actually fairly rare. If down comforters have made you sneeze in the past, it’s more likely due to mite allergens found in feathers—meaning you should be even more diligent about cleaning your bedding. Catherine Monteleone, MD, a professor of medicine in the Allergy, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases division at Rutgers Health, adds that you can also look for a down comforter with a shell made from the same material as barrier encasings, which are protective covers typically made for mattresses, boxsprings and pillows: “These may be more impermeable to allergens.”

Down alternative

Down alternative fill is typically made with microfiber polyester, lyocell, silk, or wool. Silk and polyester fill are usually on the warmer end of the spectrum, whereas lyocell (which is made with plants like eucalyptus and wood pulp) is on the cooler end. These comforters are often less expensive than down options, but they also aren’t always as fluffy. Another bonus: Assuming you have a large enough washing machine, you can usually throw these right in to clean them. Some favorite down alternative picks from our list are the Saatva All-Year Down Alternative Comforter, the Puffy Deluxe Comforter, the Silk & Snow Down Alternative Comforter, and the Brooklinen Down Alternative Comforter.

Once you decide on a filling, think about how warm you like to be. “I prefer that my patients sleep on the cooler side, because data has shown that lower core body temperature promotes deep sleep,” Daniel Barone, MD, a New York City–based sleep medicine neurologist at Weill Cornell Medicine, tells SELF.

So if you’ve got your heart set on a big, fluffy down comforter, you should turn down your thermostat or opt for cooling bed sheets to achieve that lower core body temp. Alternatively, you can also pick a lighter, down alternative comforter or one with a lower gram-per-square-meter (GSM) count in order to sleep cool. The GSM count refers to the weight of a comforter, and the higher the count, the heavier (and warmer!) it will be. Going higher will keep you warm in, say, Northeastern winters. A lower GSM is ideal for sweaty sleepers or people who live in a warmer climate.

In addition to the weight and warmth of the comforter, we suggest looking for one that is described as having baffle-box construction or diamond stitching, which means there are sections within the comforter to keep the fill from clumping or redistributing over time.

Here’s a handy guide to help you know which material might be best for you, based on how hot you run:

Comforters usually have very specific washing and drying instructions. Comforter care can impact not only the look and longevity of your purchase but also your health, as inhaling allergens (like dust mite fecal matter—yuck) can lead to symptoms like nasal congestion, Dr. Patel explains. Learn more about comforter care below.

Dust mites can be found “even in the cleanest of homes,” says Dr. Monteleone. You should wash your comforter about once a week if you’re not using a duvet cover or protective encasings, Ryan Steele, DO, board-certified allergist-immunologist and assistant professor of clinical medicine at Yale School of Medicine, previously told SELF.

But, eep! The inconvenience of washing (and drying) a comforter once a week may seem super overwhelming—which is where those handy covers and top sheets come into play. Lauri Leadley, CCSH, RPSGT, clinical sleep educator and president of Valley Sleep Center, says once or twice a month should do the trick when a protective layer is involved, since a comforter “doesn’t really touch the skin like a fitted or flat sheet.”

Dr. Patel recommends washing your comforter in hot water of “at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit” to most successfully kill dust mites and therefore reduce allergens. Then, he says, dry them at a high temperature for best results.

Some comforters are strictly dry-clean-only, while others allow for spot cleaning, meaning you can wipe away individual spots of dirt with a damp cloth. Machine-washable picks may feel like an easier choice, but some do require tumble drying on low, as many of the comforters on our list show. This might lead to a few sequential dryer cycles (and a higher electric bill)—and is less recommended for allergies, as noted above.

Our testers have reviewed hundreds of sleep products in our labs and at home to help you find your match. We dive deep into each comforter’s coziness, warmth level, and more so you can make the right choice for you. Here are three factors we zero in on when testing comforters:

Temperature regulation

Even if a comforter feels warm and toasty—or ice cold—at first, its materials and fill power (how full and fluffy the inside is) can act as their own fickle thermostats, changing up how hot or chilly you feel throughout the night. Testers score this category by rating their own experience (and also share whether they’re hot or cold sleepers by nature, so we can contextualize their scores).

Washing ability

All comforters come with care instructions, but putting them to the test ourselves is the only way to truly know how they’ll survive a wash cycle. Fill could become clumpy, edges could fray, covers could tear—the works. Apart from machine washes, testers score a comforter’s spot-cleaning capabilities to measure ease or difficulty of maintenance: Do liquids sink in or swipe right off? We also note if a comforter is strictly dry-clean-only, so you can decide if it’s worth that extra cost (or if you want to grab a washable duvet cover).

Breathability

Testers settle in under the comforters to see how much, and how quickly, they overheat. The stuffier they feel, the less breathable we rate a comforter.

For more on how we test all sleep products, check out our full methodology.

Let’s get back to basics. Get the lowdown on comforters below with quick answers to the most frequently asked questions.

This is highly dependent on the person using it. “I can’t really endorse one [material] over the other,” says Dr. Patel. Those who have allergies might choose a comforter with a tightly woven cover to reduce the number of dust mites camping out, while a super hot sleeper might seek out bamboo for its cooling properties, for example.

Some people (and even some bedding brands) see “comforter” and “duvet” as a “you say ‘tomato,’ I say ‘tomahto’” situation, but they are not the same. The main difference is that a duvet features two pieces, an insert and a cover, while a comforter can be used on its own. Many comforters do have duvet loops, meaning you can easily attach a cover.

There is no standard size for a comforter. The most common sizes are twin/twin XL, full/queen, king, and California king. Your mattress’s size and depth can help determine which you need. Pull out the tape measure to double-check before ordering.

While price can be a hint toward the quality of a comforter, you can find awesome options at a range of prices. The comforters on our list range from just over $100 to $300-plus, depending on the size.

“Technically, any time is a good time to buy a comforter,” says Dr. Patel. If you want to score a killer deal, however, bedding tends to go on sale around big shopping holidays like Labor Day weekend, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday.

With reporting from Sarah Madaus

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