The 6 best comforters and duvet inserts of 2026

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The right combination of the best comforter, paired with a cushy pillow and a crisp set of sheets, will make your bedroom feel like a luxurious hotel room.

After testing over a dozen comforters, also commonly referred to as a duvet insert, on performance factors like warmth and breathability, and durability, our team of sleep experts have found themselves partial to plush and lofty offerings. The best comforters should have features like a baffle-box construction to keep filling evenly distributed and loops to secure one of the best duvet covers, while filling, shell material, and weight can come down to personal preference, which we breakdown in our what to look for section.

The best comforter overall is the Brooklinen Down Comforter; it's a great pick to use year-round and has a fluffy, well-made construction. It was recently re-launched with upgrades like more loops and a plusher fill. If you are looking for a down alternative option, the Silk & Snow Down Alternative Comforter is hypoallergenic, vegan, machine-washable, and a fraction of the price of down while a cozy and durable option. Both are available in numerous weights, wether you seek something for year-round or seasonal use.

Find out more about how Insider Reviews tests and reviews home products.

Our top picks for the best comforters

Best overall: Brooklinen All-Season Down Comforter - See at Brooklinen

Best down-alternative: Silk & Snow Down Alternative Comforter - See at Silk & Snow

Best budget: Bedsure Down Alternative Comforter - See at Amazon

Best goose down: Feathered Friends Bavarian 700 Down Comforter - See at Feathered Friends

Best lightweight: Lands' End Essential Down Comforter - See at Lands' End

Best cooling: Rest Evercool Cooling Comforter - See at Rest

Best overall

If you imagine the perfect comforter in your head — fluffy, airy, and soft — you're probably picturing Brooklinen's Down Comforter. It has absolutely everything I look for in a comforter, and sleeping under it is a dream.

It feels incredibly luxurious, stuffed with Downmark-certified Canadian duck down clusters and feathers in a baffle-box construction. The baffle-box design prevents the down from clumping or shifting at night, minimizing the need to re-fluff it. It's also one of the fullest comforters I've ever tested. Brooklinen doesn't skimp on the filling, and each part of the comforter feels filled to the brim. I can't resist wrapping myself like a burrito in its puffiness every night — much to the chagrin of my partner and pets.

Brooklinen redesigned its down comforter in January 2026 and this new version holds it own compared to the previous iteration. While we won't be able to comment on longevity just yet, the original survived three years of daily use on senior home editor Jaclyn Turner's bed, so our expectations remain the same. The current design is larger, includes more loops to attach a duvet cover, and features an embroidered logo in the corner. The slightly oversized design fits snugly in my duvet cover, and I used each of the eight duvet loops (queen has six and twin has four). I've had no problems with the comforter shifting at night.

As a hot sleeper, I haven't had any issues with overheating while sleeping under Brooklinen's comforter. Many find that down sleeps warmer than other materials, though, so I'd opt for the lightweight density if you sleep very hot, which now has a lighter density to differentiate it further from the all-season and heavyweight options.

Brooklinen's comforter is subject to the brand's 365-night trial and is covered by a one-year limited warranty. Keep in mind that you can only commercially wash this comforter, so I recommend using a duvet cover to keep it safe from potential spills and stains.

Read our guide to all of our favorite products from Brooklinen.

Best down-alternative

The Silk and Snow down alternative comforter is remarkably plush with a high-quality design, featuring a baffle-box construction to ensure fill stays in place and corner loops,

The fill is made from hypoallergenic microfiber that mimics the plush and insulating factors of down with a cotton shell. Depending on the amount of warmth you require, it's available in a lightweight, all-season and winter weights measuring in at 175 GSM, 375 GSM, and 500 GSM respectively.

Our tester tried the lightweight option and remarked how it offered the perfect balance of coziness and breathability. It also retained its softness and plushness remarkably well after multiple washes. The lightweight is not quite as full or lofty, a tradeoff for increased breathability, so if you want a fluffier blanket, we'd get at least the all-season option.

Silk and Snow also offers a 100 night trial period and a one-year warranty. Although shorter than Brooklinen's one year return policy, this is more than enough time to evaluate if its a good option for you.

Whether you prefer not to buy animal products or want to be more environmentally friendly, this is one of the best comforters combining value and comfort, plus its available in several weights dependent on your needs.

Best budget

At under $50, Bedsure’s Down Alternative Comforter is the best affordable comforter we’ve tested, thanks to its all-season feel and comfort.

It features recycled polyester fill inside a soft, brushed shell with a baffle-box construction. The polyester fill is stuffed inside individual squares to prevent shifting. I never had to refluff this comforter, but it was noticeably thinner than other comforters I tried. That said, it kept my temperature perfectly regulated, and I never slept hot or cold. I personally don’t enjoy the feel of polyester bedding, so if you’re sensitive to the feel of microfiber-type material, I definitely recommend pairing it with a duvet cover.

Putting the comforter into my duvet cover was easy, thanks to the eight loops that hold it in place. It never once shifted or came loose once tied on to the cover. Using a duvet cover makes care easier, but the comforter is already simple to wash — just machine wash it on cold and tumble dry on low.

Bedsure’s comforter isn’t as premium and full as other options on our list, but it’s also a fraction of the price. I love that it’s available in colors beyond the classic white, in case the minimalist look isn’t your vibe or you don’t want to add a duvet cover. I tried the sage green and loved that it matched my bedroom’s aesthetic. Some colors are more expensive than others, though.

Best goose down

The Feathered Friends Bavarian 700 Down Comforter is the definition of cloud-like. It has almost a weightless feel that is both airy and insulating at the same time. Tested during the unusually cold winter, I never felt overheated or too cool, it was just the right amount of warmth.

While many brands use fill power (technically a measurement of loft and an indicator of insulation) to differentiate between the warmth of its down, Feathered Friends also uses fill weight. The 700 fill power remains constant across the line up with the difference between a Medium and an Arctic down being the fill-weight of 31 ounces and 39 ounces, respectively. Despite the high fill power, the comforter still provides loft and warmth without an excess of material.

This comforter follows a Bavarian construction — Feathered Friends' signature — a sewn-through design that prevents shifting and has a puffier, quilted look. A Baffle Box construction is available as well, if you like the uniformness of the construction and concerned about cold spots, though I never noticed any on the Bavarian.

Feathered Friends uses ethically sourced and trackable European Goose down. Every down item comes with a QR code and a lot code to track its origin and material analysis. The comforter is made with 90% goose down clusters, which are light and lofty, trap heat, and resilient to compression. Compared to duck down, goose down clusters tend to be larger, softer, and better insulating, which contributes to its more luxurious feel (and price tag). I never noticed an odor and the overall material was quiet.

While stock fluctuates frequently, Feathered Friends is able to constantly restock inventory because everything is finished in its Seattle production factory. You can add your email to be notified when an item is back in stock. Interestingly, the brand compresses its blanket into the smallest box I've ever received a comforter in, and does not come with a storage bag, which is surprising given the luxury pricing. The brand also offers returns within 30 days, but a $14.95 shipping fee will be deducted for a pre-paid label. Feathered Friends backs its products with a limited lifetime warranty; however, things like dry-cleaning will void the warranty. Like most down comforters, Feathered Friends recommends washing in a commercial washer and dryer and also offers an in-house washing service you can ship your bedding to.

Best lightweight

If you sleep hot but love the loftiness of down, you'll want to consider a comforter with a lower fill power. The Lands' End Essential Down Comforter has a fill power of 550, which makes it less insulating than the 700 fill power of the Brooklinen duvet. At the same time, it's cushiony and fluffy enough that you won't miss out on the luxury of sleeping with a down comforter. It also compresses well, but again, less so than a product with a high fill power.

Out of all the down models I tested, the Lands' End has the least amount of down smell. That's because the down and feather filling is washed a couple of times to eliminate odor and dust. The International Down and Feather Lab labeled it "hypoallergenic," making it one of the best comforters for people with allergies and sensitivities.

Our testers who regularly sleep hot found this lightweight comforter the least stifling of all the contenders. In addition to being a great year-round option for warm sleepers, it's suitable to put on your summer bedding rotation (along with the best linen sheets).

Best cooling

Meanwhile, if you want a comforter that will actively cool you, the Rest Evercool Cooling Comforter can help alleviate night sweats, earning the coveted spot atop our guide to the best cooling comforters. It trades the loftiness of a traditional comforter for a buttery smooth blanket that wicks away moisture.

The Rest Evercool Cooling Comforter has a silky, cool-to-the-touch nylon and spandex shell and is filled with blend of natural TENCEL and Sorona, an eco-friendly fiber made from renewable, plant-based materials that is breathable and doesn't trap heat.

The design is also reversible, available in six different colors. It lacks duvet loops and is designed to be used on its own (likely so you can directly enjoy its cooling effect). Fortunately, it can be machine washed and doesn't lose its shape, clump, or stretch out.

What to look for in a comforter

The best comforters can be made of down or down alternative materials such as polyester, wool, or a combination. Depending on your preference for fill and shell materials, comforters can vary when it comes to price and weight.

Filling

Comforters are typically filled with down, synthetic materials, or wool.

• Down: Down is made from the fluffy fibers underneath the feather layer of a duck's or goose's underbelly. Goose down is considered more luxurious than duck. It's used in bedding like pillows and comforters as well as clothing and outdoor equipment like sleeping bags. It's insulating, breathable, and soft. Down comforters have that fluffiness that wool does not. Look for comforters with a Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certification, which ensures the sourcing, manufacturing, and final down product are ethical and humane.
• Synthetic materials and down alternatives: Synthetic materials are the animal-friendly alternative to down and are made to mimic the properties of natural down. Down alternative comforters are perfect for people that suffer from allergies, whether it be from wool or feathers.
• Wool: Made from sheep's fur, wool is great for layering during the winter months or for folks who are generally cold. It's naturally thermoregulating. We've yet to test wool comforters to the same degree as down or down alternative options, but Woolroom and Nest Bedding are two trusted brands that offer high-quality wool duvets.
• Silk: Silk filled bedding is lightweight, breathable, and naturally hypoallergenic, making them a great option for hot sleepers and people with allergy sensitivities who want natural fibers. We're currently testing the Cozy Earth Silk Comforter and are looking for credible options to compare it to before crowning it as a best pick.

Fill power (and fill weight)

Fill power and fill weight work together to determine how warm, lofty, and heavy a down comforter feels. Fill power measures how much space one ounce of down takes up in a cubic inch (e.g., a 700-fill power pillow takes up 700 cubic inches of space) and reflects the quality and efficiency of the insulation, with higher fill power providing more warmth with less material. Fill weight refers to the total amount of down inside the comforter and plays a major role in overall warmth and seasonal suitability. A comforter with high fill power and a lower fill weight will feel light and fluffy while still providing warmth, while one with lower fill power often relies on a higher fill weight to achieve similar insulation, resulting in a heavier, denser feel. If you tend to sleep hot, you want a product with a lower fill power. The fill power in our guide ranges from 500 to 850 fill power.

Shell material

The main shell materials to look out for are natural fabrics like cotton or bamboo, and contribute to the feel and breathability of a comforter. We recommend opting for a duvet cover, which protects your comforter from your body oils and is easier to wash. Most comforters also come with corner loops or tabs to hold duvet cover in place.

Construction

Comforter construction is important because it gives you insight into the durability of your comforter. Depending on the weave it will reflect how the filling will lay inside and how warm you will be.

• Baffle-box construction: A design that separates the top and bottom layers of the comforter with a vertical fabric layer. This maintains an even fill distribution and consistent fluffiness.
• Sewn-through construction: A design that sews the top and bottom layers of the comforter directly together, with no middle layer of separation. This can lead to uneven distribution of filling and cold spots, which is why a baffle box is generally the preferred design. Also called box-stitch or Bavarian.

Care

Maintenance can vary depending on the materials your comforter is made of or filled with, so make sure you pick a comforter that is accessible to you and your needs. If it's made from a synthetic material, it's OK to wash it in the machine with a gentle detergent. If it's made from down, many have special care requirements, such as needing to be washed in a commercial machine. It's best to only air dry or put it in the dryer on air fluff. If you are looking to clean your comforter at home, make sure you buy a comforter that isn't dry clean only.

How we test comforters

We spoke to four experts to learn more about the most important features of a comforter: Chelsea Nightengale, the general manager of The Restoration Hotel; Dale Fox, the founder and CEO of Foxden Hospitality; Sarah Abitbol, the CEO of bedding brand Riley; and Katie Elks, the Director of Design and Product Development at Brooklinen.

We evaluated each of our comforter contenders on the following criteria:

Performance: We slept with each comforter for at least three nights, paying attention to the comfort and feel, breathability, and sizing. We noted whether the inside material shifted during the night, whether the comforter had corner loops and any other special features. When possible, we invited family members test each product for at least one night.

Cleaning and durability: We washed and dried each product according to brand instructions and noted whether the filling bunched up or fell out and if there were any loose threads. We didn't consider any dry-clean-only products since we believe you can get a great comforter that is machine washable.

Return policy: Beyond comfort and durability, we only considered products with a minimum 30-day return policy. Since bedding purchases are very personal, you must have the freedom to return your comforter if it doesn't meet your expectations.

Comforter FAQs

What's the difference between a comforter and a duvet insert?

A comforter and duvet are similar, and the terms are used interchangeably today. Technically speaking, a duvet is just the insert and doesn't have a fabric shell over it. It requires a duvet cover for both protection and aesthetic purposes.

A comforter contains both the insert and a fabric shell, so you can lay it directly on your body if you want.

What is the easiest way to put on a duvet cover?

We recommend the "burrito" method: Turn your duvet cover inside out, then lay your comforter on top of it. Fasten the duvet cover ties to the comforter's corner tabs.

Roll the duvet cover and comforter together like a burrito towards the duvet's zipper or buttoned opening. Fold the duvet cover opening around each corner and zip or button it. Unroll the burrito bundle back towards the opposite end.

For another method, start with the same steps of turning your duvet cover inside out, then lay your comforter on top of it. Fasten the duvet cover ties to the comforter's corner tabs. Reach into the opening, grab the farthest corner on either side, and pull it out of the opening. Repeat this step with the other side.

What is down?

Down is the soft, light, and fluffy clusters of fiber from the underbelly of a duck or goose. It's highly insulating, breathable, and lightweight, which is why it's used to make bedding like comforters and pillows, as well as outdoor clothing.

According to the American Down & Feather Council, a comforter must contain at least 75% down cluster to be labeled as a down product. The remainder of the bedding usually has feathers, and you can check the label of your comforter to find the exact percentage breakdown of down and feather.

What's the difference between down and down alternative?

While down is a natural fill made from the soft clusters found beneath a duck's or goose's feathers, down alternative is a synthetic fill, typically made from polyester fibers designed to mimic the loft of down. Down comforters tend to feel lighter, fluffier, and more breathable than most alternatives, while down alternative comforters are generally more affordable, hypoallergenic, and easier to care for, often being machine-washable.

Is goose or duck down better?

Duck and goose down are both insulating and durable, but duck down is generally cheaper and less fluffy. Because geese are larger birds than ducks, they have larger down clusters, which loft more, take up more space, and compress to a smaller size.

Goose down also doesn't smell as much as duck down.

If you want the lightest, fluffiest, and warmest comforter — and you don't mind paying a little more — look for goose down. Still, duck down is an effective option that we also love and recommend.

Is down ethical?

Since down comes from birds that are already being raised for food, it is a sustainable byproduct.

Look for the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) logo on down products. The certification ensures that the Five Freedoms of animal welfare (which include access to fresh water and food, comfortable shelter, and freedom of movement) are followed, prohibits live-plucking and force-feeding, and evaluates the entire process from farm to final product.

What's the best comforter for couples?

Couples may want a king-sized comforter, even if you sleep on a smaller bed. A king-sized comforter offers ample coverage for two people and limits blanket hogging throughout the night.

If blanket hogging remains an issue, or if you and your partner have vastly different sleeping temperatures, we recommend getting two separate, smaller comforters so each person can sleep exactly how they like.