Best Duvets in Canada

We have years of experience in the Canadian sleep industry. From mattresses to pillows, sheets, and frames, we’ve looked at every part of the sleep experience. When we started looking at duvets, we devised extensive tests in our test lab to help rank each duvet appropriately. After that, we sent each duvet home with our team of testers, who provided excellent, detailed feedback about them. Together, this information was used to recommend the best duvets in Canada.

Here are some of the performance areas we looked at when choosing our duvets.

• Fill Type. The most important duvet feature is the type of fill used. We looked at a variety of different fill options and found great duvets across a variety of different fills.
• Shell. We looked at the shell construction and materials when making our choices. Most of our duvets use pure, breathable cotton shells that are comfortable and smooth.
• Weight. The weight of the duvet tells you when it’s best to use it – during the summer, winter, or all seasons. We tried to choose a spread of options for those who live in different climates.
• Construction. The construction of the duvet can determine how much fill moves around throughout the night. We looked at how each duvet was constructed, including what type of stitching was used.

Duvet or Comforter?

If you’ve never had a duvet before, you might be wondering how it differs from a comforter. While both cover your bed, they are a little different. A duvet is usually solid white. It’s filled with down or a down alternative, among a few other, rarer fill types. You have to slot the duvet into a duvet cover for better durability, much like a pillow inside a pillowcase.

A comforter, on the other hand, is a single piece that is usually filled with some type of polyester filling. Comforters are comfortable, and some are heavier than others. However, they do not require a duvet cover and often need to be replaced.

Duvets are a little more durable and variable. You can get duvets that are thicker for colder months, but you can also choose more breathable options if you sleep hot. Placing the duvet into the duvet cover allows it to last longer, and you can change the duvet cover to match your bedroom décor.

Let’s take a look at how to choose a duvet for your bedroom.

Canadian Duvet Basics

Now that you know you want a duvet, it’s time to get some basics out of the way. Here are some of the basics you should consider before you purchase a duvet.

Shell Materials

The shell material is one of the most important factors to consider. This material can determine how easily the duvet slides into a duvet cover, how comfortable it is, and even how secure the duvet will be inside the cover.

Most duvets use a 100% cotton cover. Some use organic cotton only, and some might use other materials. However, breathable 100% cotton is the most common. Cotton is extremely durable and helps the fill breathe, making it more comfortable overall for most sleepers.

Polyester covers are also common in less expensive duvets. Polyester isn’t as durable and won’t have a thread count, but it can help you sleep comfortably anyway.

Even if you plan on using a duvet cover, you should still pay attention to the shell of the duvet. The cover can make the duvet cooler or more comfortable, which can help enhance the features of your duvet cover.

Thread Count

The thread count of the shell will tell you how durable it is, as well as how soft it is. A lower thread count can be soft, but it’s often more durable. Higher thread counts are more expensive and extremely soft, but they won’t last very long.

That’s because thread count is the measure of the number of threads in one square inch of fabric. A higher thread count leads to a tightly-oven fabric, which can be stiff and warm (even if it is soft!). A lower thread count is more breathable in general.

Duvet Cover Loops

Most duvets have built-in loops at the corners. These loops help secure the duvet into the duvet cover. Without these loops, the duvet will move around a lot. However, these loops must be durably attached to the duvet. If not, moving around too much can cause them to break. Fixing them isn’t possible, either, because most duvets have a set construction to contain fill.

Make sure that you choose a duvet with durable, secure loops that will help your duvet stay put.

Fill

There are a few different types of fill available in duvets. Here are some of the most popular options in Canada you can choose from.

• Down and feathers. Down is extremely soft, and insulating. It’s the fluffy ‘undercoat’ that birds grow for use in colder weather, and it’s extremely soft. Down is usually harvested ethically, but make sure that the company says this directly. You should also look for 100% down products, because without this modifier, other fill may be used. Down is not suitable for people with allergies or those living a vegan lifestyle. Feathers are often used alongside down. Feathers have the same properties with less insulation overall than standard down.
• Down alternatives. If you’re allergic to feathers or down, a down alternative might be better. This includes polyester, rayon, or microfill. These synthetic materials are made to feel just like down, but without the allergies or animals involved in the process. They are less expensive overall but might end up being less breathable and a little heavier overall.
• Wool. Wool is another natural down alternative. Wool is great at regulating temperature, so it’s great for year-round use. It’s sustainable and biodegradable, as well as animal-friendly. Plus, it has great moisture-wicking properties.

Fill Power

Fill power and weight indicate how well a duvet will work for different temperatures and conditions. Fill power is referred to in several different ways, and there aren’t any standards for the industry. Here are just some of the metrics you’ll see when it comes to filling power.

• Ratings between 400 and 800. These number ratings often refer to how much space one ounce of down occupies. It’s used to rate the density of the fill. A lower number (400 and below) means that the duvet is a lightweight, summer option. As this number climbs, duvets get denser. A rating of over 600 is for winter use and helps during colder weather. It’s important to note that these ratings and ‘cubic inches per ounce’ ratings are interchangeable, and the same rules apply. Some companies refer to this rating as ‘cubic inches per ounce, while others don’t bother to specify. These numbers tend to range a lot higher than the other method used, GSM.
• GSM. GSM is used to refer to ‘grams per square metre’. GSM is an exclusive measurement for non-down fill. It refers to the weight of the quilt filling. A rating of up to 250 GSM is great for summer, whereas 450 GSM and above is best for winter weather in Canada.

All of the duvets you encounter should have one of these values, as it can determine the quality and thickness of your duvet. Make sure to look for this number or value to help you make a choice.

Weight

The weight of the duvet matters when it comes to how comfortable you’ll be as you use it. There are a few different options, and these ratings often reflect on the fill and fill power in each duvet. There are a few different weight options, and most duvets have more than one option to choose from.

• Lightweight: A lightweight duvet is more suitable for summer use. It’s also a great option for those who regularly sleep hot, as it’s more breathable and comfortable for warmer sleepers. It uses less fill and a higher loft to create more breathability.
• Medium weight: A medium-weight duvet is often referred to as an ‘all-seasons’ duvet. This duvet has a better chance of being exactly what you need. It’s cool in the summer and warmer in the winter. The medium loft and fill density make it comfortable for a wider variety of sleepers.
• Heavy: A heavy duvet is the warmest option. It features a denser fill, a higher fill power, and a lower loft overall. These duvets aren’t suitable for those who sleep hot. However, if you need more warmth on cold nights, a heavy duvet is the best option for you.

Weight is often tied to the fill power represented in each duvet. Both of these factors can help you determine which option is best for you.

Duvet Construction and Stitching

The construction of a duvet and stitching pattern has a lot to do with how comfortable the duvet is. There are a few different common construction options, each of which helps keep the fill right where it is. Without a stitched construction, the fill will easily move around, making the duvet unbalanced.

Duvet constructions include:

• Baffle box. Small fabric barriers keep the fill in small, box-shaped compartments instead of allowing it to move around. This helps hold the fill down, but still gives it enough room to loft properly. This construction uses fabric baffles within the duvet, which allows for better separation in duvets with more loft.
• Quilt Stitching. Quilted duvets keep filling separated without the fabric barriers. It’s less expensive and works best for duvets with lower fill power or loft.
• Channel. Channel-stitched duvets have parallel seams. Down often shifts toward the bottom of each channel with this construction, and there’s more freedom to move with this option.
• Gusset. A gusseted duvet has separate channels around the sides, which gives the middle of the duvet more loft and height. They also have baffle box stitching.

Most of the construction types across the duvets in our list fit into one of these categories. Each type of construction lends the duvet a different feel.

Size

The size of your duvet matters, especially the size of your mattress. There are two different options for you. You can choose a duvet that matches the size of your mattress, or you can choose a larger duvet. It depends on what you want and who you share a bed with.

A duvet that matches your mattress size will be less expensive, but it may also be better if you and your partner are great at sharing blankets. If you have a deep mattress or sleep with a cover-stealing partner, choose the next size up. This is also perfect if you want the duvet to drape over the sides of the mattress a bit more.

Whichever you choose, make sure to choose a size that will work for you for years to come.