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Duvets can make your bed feel luxurious, but it can be difficult to choose the perfect option. There are a lot of different fills, features, and other factors to consider when choosing a duvet. Thankfully, we’ve done some of the work for you. While we can’t tell you which duvet will make you feel most comfortable, we can recommend some great Canadian duvets to try.

We recommend the following duvets based on a combination of our laboratory testing and detailed tester feedback. We evaluated these best duvets in Canada (and dozens of others) based on performance areas such as fill types, shell types, weights, and construction.

Best Duvets for Canadians

Why Did We Choose These Duvets in Canada?

When we evaluated each duvet on this list, we found areas where they stood out. When it came to making our recommendations, we chose the duvets on our list for the following reasons.

The best duvet in Canada overall is the Silk and Snow Down Alternative Duvet. It’s easy to care for, features a hypoallergenic microfill, and feels great throughout the seasons. It’s cool in the summer and warm in the winter, so it’s great for all sleepers.

If you sleep hot, the Hush Microgravity Duvet can help you stay cool through the night. One side of the duvet is made with phase-changing material, which helps reduce heat even for the hottest sleepers.

Finally, the Canadian Down & Feather Company’s All Season White Goose Feather Duvet is the best feather option on our list. The goose feathers help insulate the duvet, making it comfortable for those who sleep cool or need a little extra warmth.

The best down duvet in Canada is Silk and Snow’s Canadian Down Duvet. This natural duvet is made with ethically-sourced, sustainable materials. The down is animal-friendly and extremely comfortable, especially for those who aren’t allergic to natural down.

The Noa Home Down Alternative Quilt Insert is the best quilted option in Canada. The quilted lines replace baffles, reducing bulk and allowing this duvet to be as lightweight as possible. Two weight options help you stay comfortable no matter how you prefer to sleep.

QE Home’s Prestige White Goose Down Duvet is the best all-season option on our list. This medium-weight duvet is well-suited to colder nights, but it works well when you need a little extra warmth.

The Casper Humidity Fighting Duvet features a double layer of fill, which is a top layer of merino wool for moisture-wicking. The bulk of the fill is ethically-sourced down for comfort and breathability.

Simons’ Maison Boreal Duvet has the best organic cover on our list. This organic cotton is extremely light, breathable, and comfortable. It has strong stitching and lofty fill for an all-season feel and design.

The Douglas Canadian Down Duvet is a great option, and Douglas wants you to be absolutely sure. They offer one of the best sleep trials for a duvet, with 120 nights to see if it works for you. This trial is risk-free and stress-free!

The Endy Duvet is the best down-alternative duvet. It features a comfortable, lofty fill. It’s hypoallergenic and comfortable, but also has a 60-night sleep trial so you can see if it’s the right duvet for you.

Best Overall

Silk and Snow Down Alternative Duvet

Silk and Snow Down Alternative Duvet

Features:

It's Great For:

Silk and Snow is a well-known Canadian company that makes high-quality products for your bedroom. The duvets offered by this company far exceeded all of our expectations, starting with the Silk and Snow Down Alternative Duvet. This duvet doesn’t use any animal products but uses a microfibre fill that is extremely environmentally conscious. It’s made from recycled plastic bottles, so you can sleep comfortably knowing that you’re making a positive impact on the planet.

This duvet is delectably cozy, with an extremely soft outer shell made from 100% breathable cotton. There are three weight options to choose from, with different levels of fill to keep you comfortable and cool. The lightweight option is best for use during the summer. It has a fill weight of about 175 GSM. The All-season version, featured here, keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It has a rating of 375 GSM. The warmest version, the ‘winter’ weight, is 500 GSM, perfect for those who prefer a toasty blanket for those cold nights.

Whatever option you choose, you can sleep comfortably knowing that the fill is completely animal-safe and hypoallergenic. If you have allergies, this is the perfect duvet for you. The square baffle (or baffle box) construction keeps the microfibre from moving around as you sleep, meaning that it doesn’t lump or shift around too much. You’ll be comfortable no matter where you sleep. Finally, it’s completely machine washable. You can even put it in your dryer at home for a simple solution for fresh bedding.

To top it all off, Silk and Snow features a 100-night sleep trial to make sure that the duvet is right for you. If you’re in doubt, don’t be afraid to try it out!

The Highlights

The Silk and Snow Down Alternative Duvet is completely machine washable, including tumble dry, so it’s really easy to care for. There are three weight options available, including lightweight, all-season, and winter. You can choose the option that’s best for you and your sleeping style. The fill is a hypoallergenic down-alternative microfill, so those who are allergic to animal down can sleep comfortably. It uses built-in corner loops so the duvet won’t move around inside the cover.

  • Machine washable
  • Three weight options, including lightweight, all-season, and winter
  • Hypoallergenic down-alternative microfill
  • Corner loops ensure the duvet doesn’t move around inside the cover

From Our Test Lab

“This duvet was perfect for some of our testers, especially those who hadn’t used a duvet before. It’s well-balanced and extremely comfortable!”

Best for Hot Sleepers

Hush Microgravity Duvet

Hush Microgravity Duvet

Features:

It's Great For:

The Hush Microgravity Duvet is a vegan, hypoallergenic, down-alternative duvet cover that features some of the best cooling technology in Canada. This duvet uses a double-sided cover. One cover keeps you cozy on cold winter nights, while the other side keeps you cool throughout the seasons. The side of the duvet that uses hexagonal print is made with phase-changing material. Once the blanket reaches a certain temperature, it begins wicking away moisture to keep you cool.

The colder side often feels cold to the touch, which is great for those who usually overheat as they sleep. If you get too hot at night (or if the temperature is going to be higher), you can flip the duvet to the cooler side to stay comfortable. It’s like having two duvets in one.

It’s a lightweight duvet, with a weight rating of about 250gsm. That means it’s a great duvet for warmer months. It feels comfortable and fluffy. The 100% cotton shell helps provide a smooth, comfortable feel no matter which side you’re using.

It’s easy to clean the cover, too. Just undo the snaps on the inside of the cover and wash it according to the care instructions. The cover is OEKO-TEX 100 Certified and all of the materials used within the duvet are vegan and hypoallergenic. If you have allergies, this duvet won’t trigger any of them.

The Highlights

The Hush Microgravity Duvet features a dual-sized design that offers a cool, phase-changing material on one side. You can easily make your bed cooler by flipping the duvet. Inside is a hypoallergenic down alternative that is vegan and allergen-free. This fill lends the duvet a lightweight and fluffy feel that feels great on your bed. Plus, it’s easy to clean!

  • The dual-sided design offers cooling on one side
  • Hypoallergenic down alternative
  • Lightweight and fluffy
  • Easy to clean

From the Test Lab

“The dual-sided design for this duvet makes it comfortable for hot sleepers, but also great for those nights when you need a little extra warmth. Our testers loved how versatile this duvet was for them.”

Best Feather

Canadian Down & Feather Company All Season White Goose Feather Duvet

Canadian Down & Feather Co. - All Season White Goose Feather Duvet Queen Size - 233 TC Shell 100% Cotton - Oeko TEX Certified

Features:

It's Great For:

The Canadian Down & Feather Company is well-known for its collection of excellent duvet options, with a wide range of fill types and materials. The All-Season White Goose Feather Duvet fits right into this lineup, with a 100% white goose feather fill that’s lofty, insulating, and comfortable. This all-season duvet works to keep you comfortable year-round. It’s warmer in the winter months when it helps hold your heat and keep you warm. In the summer months, it’s also cool enough to keep warmer sleepers comfortable.

The 100% cotton shell on this goose feather duvet has 233 thread count, which means that it’s breathable and fresh. It’s soft enough to be smooth, but it’s durable as well. Most importantly, the shell is down-proof. This means that the down and feathers will stay inside the duvet where it belongs.

Each corner has a secure loop that helps it sit comfortably inside a duvet cover. You should always use a cover when using this duvet, as it helps it stay durable and keeps all of the fill right where it belongs. This duvet comes in four sizes, including Twin, Full, Queen, and King.

The Baffle box construction keeps the fill in small boxes, preventing it from moving around too much. This construction helps the feathers loft well, which means it’s softer, more breathable, and better for most sleepers.

The Highlights

The Canadian Down & Feather Company All Season White Goose Feather Duvet features an all-season weight, perfect for those who need a little extra warmth from their duvet. The fill is 100% insulating goose feather, which is comfortable and lofty. The soft, comfortable cotton shell is durable and slides easily into a duvet cover. This duvet is comfortable for most sleepers, especially those who don’t sleep too warm.

  • All-season weight for those who need extra warmth
  • 100% insulating goose feather fill
  • Soft, comfortable cotton shell
  • Comfortable for most sleepers, especially those who don’t sleep warm

From Our Test Lab

“This duvet was extremely comfortable and smooth. Our testers loved how it felt when it was cold and when it was warmer.”

Best Down

Silk and Snow Canadian Down Duvet

Silk and Snow Canadian Down Duvet

Features:

It's Great For:

Silk and Snow makes great down-alternative duvets, but it also uses some of the best ethically sourced down to create a comfortable duvet for those who want to experience it. All of the Hutterite duck down is traceable and transparent, sourced ethically, and animal-safe. You can rest assured that you can snuggle down into this duvet without an ounce of guilt.

The 100% Canadian duck down is extremely insulating. Though this is an all-season version, there is a lightweight version as well. The all-season version features an extremely high 700 fill power, whereas the lightweight version is significantly less for sleepers who are prone to overheating. You can choose the option that best suits your sleeping style.

Every ounce of down used in the Silk and Snow Canadian Down Duvet is collected in The Great White North, with environmental consciousness as the top priority. These down farms are ethical, and you can see the patch of production on the listing page. From gathering to manufacturing, Silk and Snow do everything they can to make this duvet comfortable and clean.

Like the down alternative version, you can try the Silk and Snow Canadian Down Duvet for 100 nights before deciding if you want to keep it. During this time, make sure to get cozy with the all-season design!

The Highlights

The Silk and Snow Canadian Down Duvet is made with ethically-sourced Canadian Hutterite duck down. Silk and Snow offers a transparent process, so you can see where the down is coming from and how the manufacturing process happens. These duvets are made with entirely sustainable methods, so you can rest assured that there is as little impact as possible with your duvet. This duvet features a 700 loft factor (or fill power), which makes it cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. It’s good for all seasons!

  • Made with ethically sourced Canadian Hutterite duck down
  • Transparent process from farming to manufacturing
  • Made naturally with sustainable methods
  • 700 loft factor/fill power, great for all seasons

From Our Test Lab

“This duvet was warm, but it felt soft and comfortable. It felt perfect for most of our testers, especially those who loved the feel of the down.”

Best Quilted Duvet

Noa Home Down Alternative Quilt Insert

Noa Home Down Alternative Quilt Insert

Features:

It's Great For:

A quilted duvet can offer a uniquely fluffy texture while keeping the fill in place. The Noa Home Down Alternative Quilt insert prevents fill from shifting around inside using quilted lines, which neatly separate the fill. The lack of baffles helps reduce the bulk of the duvet, too. Without the extra fabric, this duvet can be extremely lightweight.

The lightweight option has a GSM of 200, meaning it’s great for the summer months. It’s also perfect for those who usually sleep hot or want to stay comfortable in humid weather. This option feels comfortable as a throw blanket, too. The all-season weight, on the other hand, offers 350 GSM. This option provides nice warmth for the fall and winter, but it’s still good for a heavier summer blanket.

Inside the duvet is a comfortable 100% hypoallergenic microfiber fill. This fill is eco-conscious and affordable, but it also ensures that those who have allergies can rest easier. This fill is just as fluffy as down, but it won’t trigger your allergies.

The cover is a lovely, smooth cotton sateen shell. No matter what type of duvet cover you choose to use on this duvet, it will slide smoothly and easily inside. The loops at the corners will help keep it secure so it doesn’t move around too much, but it won’t snag, either.

This duvet is available in Queen and King sizes, so it’s perfect for larger mattresses. It’s a great option for those who want a lighter option that doesn’t use down as fill.

The Highlights

Noa Home’s Down Alternative Quilt Insert offers two different weight options to choose from (Lightweight and All Season). You can choose the option that best fits your sleeping preferences. The shell is made of a soft, silky cotton sateen weave. The quilted construction means that the fill is kept inside smaller compartments to prevent shifting. The hypoallergenic microfibre fill is more comfortable for those with allergies, as it won’t trigger any irritation.

  • Two weight options to choose from (Lightweight and All Season)
  • Soft and silky cotton sateen shell
  • Quilted construction keeps the fill in place
  • The hypoallergenic microfibre fill is more comfortable for those with allergies

From the Test Lab

“This quilted duvet offered great options for us. The lightweight option was perfect for those humid summer nights.”

Best All-Season Duvet

QE Home Prestige White Goose Down Duvet

QE Home Prestige White Goose Down Duvet

Features:

It's Great For:

The QE Home Prestige White Goose Down Duvet is one of the best all-season options on our list. This medium-weight duvet has a fill power of around 600 or more, creating a lofty, fluffy duvet that will keep you warm throughout the winter. It’s breathable as well, ensuring that you’ll stay cooler in the summer, too. It is constructed using a baffle box construction, with allows the down to stay where it’s meant to be. If it shifts around too much, it can create cold spots or thicker areas within the duvet, but this construction prevents that.

The cover is a smooth cotton sateen weave. It’s completely down-proof, so the down won’t be poking out of the duvet or coming out at the seams. This cover has a 420-thread count, so it’s one of the softest around. Together, the cover and the filling help to create heat-regulating properties. If you often overheat, you’ll find that you sleep a little more comfortably with this duvet.

The down inside is white goose down, which provides excellent insulation and year-round comfort. This duvet is made for the colder months, but it can also be great for cooler nights throughout the summer. It’s Downmark certified, too. Downmark upholds ethical practices when it comes to down, and it also ensures quality guidelines are met. This is just one of the ways you know you’re getting the best possible duvet.

Eight separate anchor loops help this duvet stay in place while you’re using a cover. They’re securely fastened to the duvet, so they are unlikely to pull away. The edges of the duvet feature double-piped binding, creating better durability for the edges and preventing any down from leaking out around the edges.

The Highlights

The QE Home Prestige White Goose Down Duvet features a medium-weight fill power of about 600. This means that the duvet has a lot of loft and fluff. The edges are double piped, meaning that they are more durable and prevent down from working its way out. The baffle box construction keeps down from shifting inside the duvet, which may create cold spots or uneven fill distribution. This duvet is Downmark certified, which means it meets quality and ethical guidelines associated with down.

  • 600+ fill power creates a medium-weight, lofty duvet
  • Double-piped bound edges for durability and style
  • Baffle box construction prevents fill shifting around inside the duvet
  • Downmark certified, meaning the down inside meats quality guidelines

From the Test Lab

“This comfortable was thick enough and comfortable enough for work throughout the seasons. We loved it!”

Best Moisture-Wicking

Casper Humidity Fighting Duvet

Casper Humidity Fighting Duvet

Features:

It's Great For:

The Casper Humidity Fighting Duvet is available in two weights: medium and lightweight. This is the only duvet on our list that uses two different layers and types of fill. First, there’s an additional layer of merino wool. This layer is naturally comfortable and moisture-wicking, so it’s best for those who have issues with temperature. This is especially comfortable for those who sleep hot.

The other layer of fill is made of ethically-sourced down fill, though it could be any combination of feathers and natural down. It’s certified by the RDS, the Responsible Down Standard, so it’s guaranteed to be natural and animal-safe. Either way, Casper’s duvet is a lofty medium-weight, which makes it great for use year-round.

Instead of using a baffle box construction, the Casper Humidity Fighting Duvet uses a chamber design. These smaller boxes create a more balanced duvet. The fill has less room to shift around, so it doesn’t bunch up or fall to one side or the other. This helps you sleep a little better, with a more balanced feel throughout the night.

Between the temperature-control wool and the balanced fill, this duvet works hard to keep you comfortable and asleep all night long. You can try it with Casper’s 30-night risk-free sleep trial to see if it’s the right duvet for your bedroom.

The Highlights

The Casper Humidity Fighting Duvet features a sewn-in chamber construction that helps create smaller pockets, which prevents fill from moving around. A layer of merino wool rests on top of the ethically-sourced down, both of which help with temperature control. The medium-weight also helps reduce overheating throughout the night. This duvet is easy to care for because you can wash it in the washing machine and put it straight into the tumble dryer.

  • Sewn-in chamber design creates smaller pockets to keep fill from moving around
  • A layer of merino wool on top of an ethically-sourced down
  • Medium-weight for those who sleep hot
  • Easy to care for, with machine wash and tumble dry options

From Our Test Lab

“This duvet was perfectly balanced, and our testers reported sleeping better overall.”

Best Organic Cover

Simons Maison Boreal Duvet

Simons Maison Boreal Duvet

Features:

It's Great For:

Simons Maison’s Boreal Duvet is made with certified responsible down, which ensures that it’s soft, lofty, and comfortable. The cover is made with the finest organic cotton Simons could find, emphasizing the environment and keeping you cool throughout the night. This breathable cover is stitched in a baffle box construction, ensuring minimal movement from the fill itself.

The 550 fill weight makes it great for most seasons, especially due to its lightweight nature. The organic cotton cover features a 280-thread-count, which is affordable and soft while still maintaining durability. This duvet has it all, including Twin, Queen, and King sizes.

This duvet cannot be washed at home, as has to be cleaned professionally. To avoid wearing down your duvet, make sure you purchase a duvet cover. The hooks on the corners of the duvet will help secure it into the duvet cover, making it easier than ever to move around without the blanket shifting as well.

This comfortable, lightweight duvet only comes in white, but it’s compatible with a ton of duvet covers that will fit your needs. Don’t be afraid to try it out!

The Highlights

Simons’ Maison Boreal Duvet is made with responsible duck down fill, as well as an organic cotton cover. The duck down is a medium fill weight, with power or loft of about 550 cubic inches per ounce. This allows the fill to be warm but lightweight at the same time. The box stitching design ensures that the fill doesn’t shift around, so there’s always an equal weight across the duvet.

  • Responsible duck down fill
  • Organic cotton cover
  • Medium fill with a fill power of 550 cubic inches per ounce
  • Box stitching ensures that fill doesn’t shift around

From Our Test Lab

“Our testers loved this soft, simple duvet. The fill power made it great for testers in all parts of Canada.”

Best Sleep Trial

Douglas Canadian Down Duvet

Douglas Canadian Down Duvet

Features:

It's Great For:

Worried that you won’t have enough time to test your duvet? The Douglas Canadian Down Duvet gives you enough time to make sure that you love it. The 120-night sleep trial is standard for mattresses and bed frames but isn’t usually implemented for other bedding and sleep items. Douglas wants to give you plenty of time to test your duvet, so you’ll never feel like you’re stuck with it.

There are two different weight options available for this duvet. The lightweight option uses less down overall, which is perfect if you sleep hot at night. If you often find yourself waking up sweaty and uncomfortable, this duvet might be the best option for you. The all-season version uses thicker fill to retain heat, keeping you warm during colder nights.

Whichever option you choose, this duvet uses great insulation in the form of 100% Hutterite duck down. It’s extremely light, breathable, and fluffy. This down can help you stay warm when it’s colder, but it’s also extremely breathable so you won’t overheat. The down used in this duvet is eco-conscious and ethically gathered. It meets both the rigorous standards of Downmark and the ethical guidelines of the RDS (Responsible Down Standard). You can rest guilt-free.

The Douglas Canadian Down Duvet features a ton of helpful features, including baffle box stitching to help keep the fill where it belongs. The seams are double-needle stitched, which helps prevent down from leaking or poking out. You won’t have down all over your room, meaning there’s less cleanup for you!

Everything about this duvet is cozy and intuitive. Douglas used every avenue to help ensure that this duvet was as comfortable as possible, regardless of your sleep preferences.

The Highlights

The Douglas Canadian Down Duvet is treated with ultra-fresh antimicrobial technology, which helps keep your duvet clean and hypoallergenic for longer. There are two duvet weights to choose from, including a lightweight option and an all-season option for warmer months. You can try either during the 120-night risk-free sleep trial, which gives you plenty of time to test it out. This duvet and the down used to create it are Downmark and RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certified, meaning this duvet is a high-quality option that was created using ethical practices.

  • Ultra-Fresh antimicrobial technology keeps your duvet clean for longer
  • Two duvet weights to choose from, including lightweight and all-season
  • 120-night sleep trial allows you to test it for yourself
  • Downmark and RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certified

From the Test Lab

“Both of the weight options felt luxurious. This duvet was extremely breathable, too – we’re glad we tried it.”

Best Down Alternative

The Endy Duvet

The Endy Duvet

Features:

It's Great For:

Endy makes a great mattress, but their duvet is definitely something to write home about. This duvet comes in four sizes, including combined Twin/Twin XL sizing, a Full, a Queen, and a combined King/California King size. Each is filled with a polyester down alternative that is soft and extremely kind to those with allergies. The 100% cotton shell features stain piping, making the seams durable and the cover more comfortable overall.

This duvet is the perfect weight for year-round comfort. No matter where you live, this duvet will help keep you warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s warm. The anti-bunching baffle box stitching helps keep the fill distributed evenly, so you can keep that same temperature-controlled environment throughout the night.

This duvet is vegan and prevents bunching, ensuring that you sleep more comfortably throughout the night. When it’s time to wash, simply throw it in the washing machine at home. It’s safe for your tumble dryer as well, so washing is entirely stress-free. Endy allows you to try the Endy Duvet for 60 nights after purchase, during which you can return the duvet if it’s not the right choice for you.

The Highlights

The Endy duvet uses a hypoallergenic down alternative fill, so it’s vegan and safe for those who have allergies. The shell is 100% breathable cotton, so you’ll be comfortable throughout the year. Between the fill and the shell, you’ll have year-round comfort for every Canadian season, so you can be cool in the summer and warm in the winter. To see if it’s right for you, you can try it during the 60-night sleep trial.

  • Hypoallergenic down alternative
  • 100% breathable cotton shell
  • Year-round comfort for every Canadian season
  • A 60-night sleep trial

From Our Test Lab

“The Endy Duvet is just like the mattress – comfortable, simple, and durable. We loved trying it out!”

Why Trust Us?


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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Because there are so many different types of fill available for duvets, it’s difficult to say when you should replace your duvet. It’s heavily dependent on what type of fill (and even what species the fill is). Duvets can last anywhere from 5 to 25 years!

Some experts recommend buying a larger duvet to cover your mattress, but we recommend purchasing a duvet that matches your mattress size. However, if your mattress has deep pockets or you prefer having more of your duvet available, choose a duvet that is slightly larger than your mattress size.

For the most part, every duvet should use a duvet cover. This helps your duvet last longer and stay fresher. Plus, you can easily change the duvet cover if it gets damaged or no longer matches your bedroom décor.