Best Down Alternative Duvets in Canada

Years in the sleep industry have helped us choose options that work for every sleeper. From in-depth mattress reviews, bed sheets, and beyond, we’ve tracked changes in the market and developed key testing methods to help you choose options that work best for your lifestyle.

To determine which options would make it onto our list of the best down alternative duvets in Canada, we tested each option through an extensive testing process at our lab. After our tests were done, we sent duvets home with our team of dedicated, detail-oriented testers. Their feedback and our test results combined helped us make an informed decision.

During our tests, we looked at some of the following categories.

• Fill Type. Since down alternative duvets offer a diverse range of fill options, it’s essential to let you know what is inside your duvet. We’ve noted what fill is used in each duvet to help you make a choice.
• GSM. Grams per Square Meter is a fill measurement that determines how full the duvet is. Higher values will be warmer, while lower values are better for all-season comfort and cooling. We’ve included the GSM (if available) for each of the duvets on our list.
• Other Materials. The shell and other materials used in your duvet can greatly impact how well it works. We’ve included information about the materials used in the shell, so you know what you’re getting.
• Construction. The construction of your duvet can determine how effective it is. We’ve outlined how each duvet keeps the fill right where it should be, so you can enjoy balanced, even fill placement throughout. 

Why Choose a Down Alternative Duvet in Canada?

Why should you choose a down alternative duvet instead of the real deal? There are a few reasons that down alternative fill is superior, especially with allergy and animal welfare concerns. Here are a few reasons to choose a down alternative duvet instead of a pure down option.

• Animal Welfare. While most down duvets are certified by several companies that ensure ethics when gathering down and feathers, you can never be sure. Since natural down is harvested from ducks and geese, knowing how they are treated is important. If you are concerned about the practices of these companies, a down alternative duvet is a great way to ease your mind.
• Cooling. Down duvets and comforters can get extremely hot. Down retains heat better than any synthetic material that might be used in its place. If you sleep hot or prefer year-round comfort, you might want to opt for a down alternative duvet.
• Allergies. If you are allergic to animal down, feathers, or any other animal products, you might want to choose a down alternative duvet. They are hypoallergenic for the most part, meaning your allergies will allow you to rest rather than flaring up right as you get comfortable. 
• Affordability. Down is expensive, and down duvets can be pricey. While they last a long time, standard down options can break the bank. A down alternative duvet can be just as comfortable without the higher price tag associated with pure down options. 

Down alternative duvets provide accessibility and better ethics to the duvet space, particularly for those who have allergies or need a more accessible option. They also provide an alternative for those who are wary of using animal products and want to promote the ethical treatment of animals. Finally, down alternative duvets can be cooler and more affordable than their 100% real down counterparts.

Should I Use a Duvet Cover?

Whether you use a duvet cover is a personal choice. However, we recommend that you use a duvet cover with any type of duvet, regardless of whether it’s filled with natural down or not. A duvet cover has a few important benefits, including:

• Easy Installation. While it may seem intimidating to install a duvet cover, it’s easier than you might think. Many duvet covers use easy-access loops and closures to help make the process simpler than it appears. 
• Easy Care. Duvet covers are easier to wash and care for than your duvet itself. When you use a duvet cover, it will get dirty – but it’s easy to take it off and wash it. Since many duvets can suffer when washed too much, a duvet cover is a perfect way to keep your duvet clean when you can’t wash it. 
• Protection. Duvet covers protect the exterior of your duvet. Most duvet covers can protect your duvet from standard damage like spills, rips, tears, and fraying. The duvet cover can also prevent the duvet fill from escaping and covering your bed. This isn’t a major problem with down alternative duvets, but it still helps. 
• Cooling. Some duvets can be extremely warm. The fill can retain heat, which is great for some sleepers. Still, most need some relief to avoid waking up too hot. A duvet cover can provide heat and moisture-wicking properties, additional airflow, and other temperature control features to keep your bed cooler.

How to Choose a Down Alternative Duvet for Canadians

Now that you are ready to purchase a down alternative duvet, what should you look for? Before you commit to a purchase, make sure to keep these important factors in mind.

Duvet Fill

Down alternative duvets, all use some form of synthetic fill. Options include materials like polyester, microfibre, rayon, wool, or even cotton. There are so many different options, and all work in similar ways. The key takeaway is that down alternative duvets use mostly hypoallergenic materials. Unlike down from ducks and geese, these materials won’t trigger allergies. You also don’t have to worry about the welfare of the animals the down comes from.

Down alternative fills can be diverse, and each has its benefits. Within each of our reviews above, we’ve highlighted the benefits of each particular type of down alternative to help you make a better choice.

GSM

There are a few different ways to measure the fill inside of a duvet, but most down alternative duvets use GSM. GSM stands for ‘Grams per Square Metre’. It refers to the weight of the fill, measuring the average among in each square metre of the duvet.

If you want a thick, durable duvet that generates a lot of warmth, choose a duvet with a higher GSM. If you need a more lightweight option because you sleep hot or prefer all-season comfort, a duvet with a lower GSM is the right option for you.

Shell Materials

 Most of the best down alternative duvets in Canada use cotton shells. The shell is the exterior of the duvet, which is the part that you’ll be interacting with most. Some duvets have a thread count listed for the shell, but this is less important here than it would be in sheets or other bedding. The thread count shouldn’t be more than 300, as you probably won’t be sleeping directly under the duvet. This is especially true when you plan to use a duvet cover.

While cotton is the most common shell material, you can also find options that use synthetic alternatives or other materials. You can find linen duvets, silk duvets, and even polyester blends. While they might not be as common as cotton shells, each of these materials can provide different benefits.

Sizes

What size duvet should you choose for your bedroom? This is a trickier question than it appears. While it’s simple to choose the duvet that matches your mattress and sheet size, it might not be the best option. Do you prefer your duvet to hang over the sides of the bed? Do you want a little bit of extra blanket to work with when your partner hogs the duvet? If so, you might want to choose a duvet that is one size up from the size of your mattress. If you have a Queen-sized mattress, for instance, you could choose a King-sized duvet to create some lush overflow.

Of course, you may not prefer to have an extra blanket hanging around. Whatever size you decide on for your bed, you must make sure that you purchase a corresponding duvet cover. Keep in mind that some duvet covers aren’t measured to mattress standards, so double-check the dimensions to ensure that you are getting a duvet cover that fits.

Construction

The way the duvet is constructed can determine how effective it is. The construction of the duvet refers to the way that it is stitched together. Since the duvet has loose fill, there are some measures required to keep the fill from sliding around inside the duvet. Without any interior construction, all the fill can pool on one side of the duvet, or clump at the edges.

There are a few different types of effective duvet construction to consider.

• Baffle Box Construction. The baffle box is one of the most common construction types when it comes to duvets. It uses interior fabric ‘baffles’ to separate fill into smaller pockets. The fill can still move around within these pockets, but there won’t be a huge shift to one end or the other. The baffle box also provides a loftier feel than the other options. 
• Quilted Construction. A duvet with quilted construction doesn’t use interior fabrics to keep the fill separated. Instead, you’ll find quilted lines that go all the way through the duvet. This keeps the fill in place effectively, but it works best for lightweight duvets. 
• Channel Construction. Channel construction is like baffle box and quilted options. Instead of having square pockets, it is stitched to have long channels full of fill. These can run the entire length or width of the duvet, which allows some shifting to one side or another. If you prefer your fill to settle more naturally over time, this can be a good option for you.

The construction of your duvet might not be the first thing you consider, but it’s important to note. Choose the option that sounds most appealing to you based on your sleep needs.

Temperature Control Features

Duvets can get hot. If you usually wake up overheating, choosing the right duvet is essential. If you want to get a good night of sleep without waking up or becoming too hot, you should aim to choose a lightweight duvet. Lightweight duvets have a fill power of 400 or less. If the duvet measures fill in GSM, you should choose the lowest GSM possible. The interior of the duvet in these options isn’t as thick as standard options. They won’t retain as much heat.

There are two material types to consider when it comes to the breathability of your duvet. You should consider the shell material first. Breathable materials are best, as they can determine whether the duvet allows for essential airflow. Cotton is best for this.

Second is the fill itself. Pure down duvets are usually very hot, but down alternative options can avoid using materials that retain heat. Look for looser materials like polyester fill, but your best option is to choose a duvet that has a lower fill power or GSM.

Care Instructions

Caring for your duvet doesn’t have to be difficult. Because down alternative duvets can come in a range of fill types, following the care instructions is especially important. Most duvets are machine washable, but some might require very specific instructions. Following the instructions ensures that the duvet will last a long time. If there are special care instructions, you should follow them as closely as possible to extend the life of your duvet.

The best down alternative duvets in Canada are machine washable for the most part. There are a few options that are recommended for dry cleaning only and finding out which option is best for you can be daunting. If you don’t have the time or resources to have your duvet dry-cleaned, you should steer clear of those that need professional cleaning. While you can go a few months without washing your duvet, cleaning it is essential to maintaining the freshness of your sleeping space and the integrity of the duvet.

If you choose to use a duvet cover with your duvet, you can wash the duvet less often. However, you will still need to wash it a few times a year.

Sleep Trials

When you purchase a duvet in a retail store, you can see how it feels for yourself. You can touch it and experience the materials before you decide to take it home. When you purchase online, you don’t have these opportunities. Thankfully, many online retailers use sleep trials to help you try the duvet before you commit to a purchase.

You’ll buy the duvet first. When it arrives at your door, the sleep trial will start. Sleep trials may last from 30 nights to 120 nights depending on the retailer, so make sure to read over the terms and conditions of your sleep trial.

During this time, you can return the duvet for any reason. You’ll get a full refund of your purchase price. It’s a risk-free option that allows you to test the duvet before you decide to keep it. While some companies offer sleep trials, others might not have this option. Make sure to check to see if the duvet you want has a sleep trial.