For most people, their bed is their sanctuary and there are a few key elements that play into the creation of that. You'll need an excellent set of pillows, some wonderful bedding, a supportive mattress and, of course, the best duvet possible. The latter needs to be something that you can snuggle up under during winter nights but also something that will prevent you from overheating in the summer months. Of course, it's a lovely idea that you might have a separate winter duvet and a best for summer duvet, but the average household simply won't have the storage capacity for this. As such, the best duvets will be ones that can do both.
With sleep experts like The Sleep Council suggesting your duvet should be replaced once every five years (google ‘dust mites’ if you are curious why), there really is no better time to invest in the perfect duvet. That said, five years is the recommended average and some more expensive, high quality, machine washable duvets will last much longer.
The best duvet 2023, at a glance
- Best Duvet: Simba Sleep Hybrid Duvet, £139
- Best Wool Duvet: Floks Luxury Organic Winter Wool Duvet, £275
- Best Anti Allergy Duvet: Panda Cloud Duvet, £129.95
- Best Duvet: Dusk Goose Feather & Down Duvet Collection, £35
- Best Winter Duvet: The White Company Hungarian Goose Down Duvet, £275
- Best Summer Duvet: Simba Hybrid 3-in-1 Duvet, £249
What we are looking for: how we tested
The House & Garden team have explored, judged, tried and tested a number of duvets in the pursuit of the very best one. We've looked at the following:
- What sizes are available? Is there a big enough range?
- Material? Breathable cottons only, please.
- Filling? There's not necessarily a one-size-fits-all winner here, different options will suit different people.
- Care. Is it machine washable? Or is it a more natural, untreated filling that can't be washed.
But what makes the best duvet? With wool duvets, microfibre duvets, Hungarian goose down duvets, natural duvets and temperature regulating duvets all vying for space in the already saturated bedding market, it can be hard to know where to turn. In the name of figuring out what type reigns supreme (and, frankly, what all those terms mean), we have compiled an edit of the very best luxury duvets.
Where to buy the best duvet
There are two categories within this list: furniture shops that sell bedding, and dedicated bedding retailers. Our favourites, in no particular order, are: Simba Sleep, The White Company, John Lewis, Dusk, Panda London, Slumberdown, SilentNight and Soak and Sleep.
1. The Simba Hybrid Duvet, £139 from Simba Sleep
- Sizes: Single, double, king, super king
- Material: ‘Stratos’ fabric on one side, cotton on the other
- Filling: ‘Simba Renew’ filling made from recycled PET plastic bottles
- TOG rating: 10.5
- Machine washable? yes, at 40º
- Sleep trial period: Returns within 14 days are accepted for items in unused condition and original packaging.
- House & Garden's Rating: 5/5
The Hybrid Duvet by Simba Sleep is a high-tech duvet that uses ‘stratos’ fabric – a fabric designed by NASA to help regulate body temperature – so it's a really premium quality duvet. The side made from their patented ‘stratos’ fabric, feels a little stiffer than the cotton side when newly in use, but it loosens up after a few night. Simba's temperature regulation is particularly impressive, with smart fabric designed to cool. The icing on the cake is that it can be machine washed and tumble-dried, so it's genuinely easy to clean.
Cons/What we don't love: There's a lot of jargon to contend with on Simba's website which, ultimately, distracts from what is a great product. Our only other issue is that Simba only has one tog option for this duvet.
Customers are saying: Quality has come on leaps and bounds since original Simba products. Reviews say it is comfortable and cosy, without causing overheating.
2. Goose Feather & Down Duvet Collection, £35 from Dusk
- Sizes: Single, double, king, super king
- Material: 100% cotton percale
- Filling: 90% lightweight duck feather and 10% plump duck down
- TOG rating: 4.5 tog, 9 tog, 13.5 tog and all seasons
- Machine washable? Yes, at 40º
- Sleep trial period: No
This duck feather duvet from Dusk is one of the best duvets we've seen, but if you get chilly in winter months, you can always pile your bed high with eiderdowns, quilts and blankets. Quilted pockets mean the feathers don't move around at night, making for a much more even coverage.
Cons/What we don't love: No trial and no guarantee means that ordering this duvet might feel like a bit of a shot in the dark. It's received raving reviews online, but if you're particularly fussy, that might be a deal breaker. Delivery also isn't the quickest around, but we are certain it is worth the wait.
Customers are saying: Very happy with the purchase, majority of reviews are five star.
3. Hungarian Goose Down Duvet, £275 from The White Company
- Size: Single, double, king, super king
- Material: 329-thread-count cotton jacquard
- Filling: 90% Hungarian goose down, 10% Hungarian goose feather
- TOG rating: 4.5 or 10.5
- Machine washable? Yes, but professional cleaning is recommended
- Sleep trial period: 30 day return window for unopened items
- House & Garden's Rating: 4/5
Pros/Why we love it: Your duvet is personal to your sleeping habits, so the best duvet for you will depending on a number of individual factors. However, we are willing to bet that anyone who loves the drape and hang of a down duvet will be pleased as punch with The White Company's Hungarian Goose Down Duvet. It's filled with 80% super soft goose down and 20% goose feather, making it breathable and lightweight.
What makes it extra special though, is its 329 thread count cotton cover, which is top stitched with a box construction to keep the down evenly distributed throughout the night. With all of that, you barely need a duvet cover. What's more, it is available in two different togs – 10.5 and 4.5, so you simply need to decide which is best for you.
Cons/What we don't love: Whilst the duvet can be machine washed and tumble dried, it still takes a long time to wash and dry this duvet. Dry cleaning is recommended, so bear that cost in mind too.
Customers say: Nicely packaged delivery, good for year round use.
4. Natural Duck 3-in-1 Duvet, £210 from John Lewis
- Size: Single, double, king, super king
- Material: 100% cotton
- Filling: 90% duck down 10% duck feather
- TOG rating: 4.5, 9 and 13.5
- Machine washable? Yes, at 40º
- Sleep trial period: Unopened products can be returned up to 35 days after purchase
- House & Garden's Rating: 4/5
John Lewis's 3-in-1 duvet is a fantastic option. It features two duvets of varying togs, that can be used on their own or clipped together to provide more or less warmth depending on the time of year. Perfect for the upcoming winter months (though if you’re still cold you can always invest in an electric blanket!). This duvet has been crafted to be suitable for machine washing at 40°C, making it easy to have on standby in spare bedrooms or kids rooms.
Cons/What we don't love: Understandably, juggling all those layers is a little frustrating. It seems like an ingenious way to adapt to the changing seasons, but would you really remove and add layers of duvet each time you wash it?
Customers are saying: Some customers have commented that the duvet can be a little noisy.
5. Floks Luxury Organic Winter Wool Duvet, £275 from John Lewis
- Size: Single, double, king, super king, emperor
- Material: 100% cotton
- Filling: 100% traceable British Cheviot wool and certified organic cotton
- TOG rating: 4-5, 8-10 and 12-14
- Machine washable? No. Air outside to regenerate the wool.
- Sleep trial period: 30 night sleep trial.
- House & Garden's Rating: 5/5
With winter, summer and year round options, there's something for everyone from Floks' duvet range. Supporting small and sustainable is an easy way to sleep a little better at night. The wool is 100% traceable, all the way down to the farm the sheep live on right here in the UK. Wool is also 100% biodegradable, making it one of the best materials for bedding.
Customers are saying: It's positive reviews all round from Floks customers, with most people remarking on the premium quality and lightweight nature of the wool.
6. Simba Hybrid 3-in-1 Duvet, £249 from Simba Sleep
- Size: Single, double, king, super king
- Material: ‘Stratos’ fabric on one side, cotton on the other
- Filling: ‘Simba Renew’ filling made from recycled PET bottles
- TOG rating: 3.5 tog and 7 tog make 10.5 tog
- Machine washable? Yes, at 40º
- Sleep trial period: Returns within 14 days are accepted for items in unused condition and original packaging.
- House & Garden's Rating: 5/5
Another great hybrid option is Simba's newest duvet offering, the Hybrid 3-in-1 creation, which transcends the seasons and solves the problem of the brand's other duvet only being available in one tog weight. Made up of two duvets, a 7 tog and a 3.5 tog, you can then double them up using the popper fastenings to make a 10.5 tog duvet, fit for winter. It also features the same high-tech ‘stratos’ fabric that Simba's other duvet is made from.
Our favourite part about this duvet is that it's solving the problem of synthetic duvets feeling more uncomfortable than natural materials. The most common complaint with synthetic duvets is that they can cause ‘night sweats’ and overheating thanks to the fine-combed plastic strands that make up the duvet filling. Simba's Hybrid is filled with 100% recycled plastic bottles (and constructed in a monitored factory no less), yet manages to regulate temperature expertly.
Our review: It's a clever and convenient system that saves buying multiple duvets. When reviewing this duvet, it successfully kept us cool in the midst of last year's summer heatwave, which we were very impressed by. Now, in mid-January, the duvet is proving just as good at keeping us warm. It's lightweight, but effective.
Cons/What we don't love: It still requires storing a duvet out of season, although it's easy to pack away in the storage bag. Sometimes you can feel the poppers through the duvet cover too, but it's rarely noticeable or a huge issue.
Customers are saying: It's so comfortable and light, it's the best duvet they've ever tried, and you won't need another duvet.
7. Panda London Cloud Duvet, £129.95 from Panda London
- Sizes: Single, double, king, super king
- Material: 100% bamboo
- Filling: 50% bamboo, 50% nano-microfibre made from recycled water bottles
- TOG rating: 10.5
- Sleep trial period: Customers are given 30 nights to try their Panda duvet. Anyone unsatisfied with the product can return it. The best part? Panda will pay for the postage.
- House & Garden's Rating: 4/5
Bamboo is one of the most eco-friendly, sustainable materials you can opt for in a duvet. It uses less water than cotton and produces more oxygen, all while absorbing more C02 than hardwood trees. The leader of the bamboo pack is the Panda Cloud Duvet–a hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking and antibacterial pick that is perfect for everyday use. If you're looking for something that has all the characteristics of down without the environmental footprint, this is the best duvet for you.
The best anti-allergy duvet on our list. This sustainable pick is mostly made from bamboo, a material that helps to wick away moisture whilst stopping allergens in their tracks. Even better, this duvet is vegan friendly too. Panda also offer the best trial period of everyone in this guide.
Cons/What we don't love: This duvet is on the more lightweight end of the scale, meaning those who feel the cold might not find this duvet the cosiest pick.
Customers are saying: Speedy delivery, great customer service and an all round brilliant buy.
8. EarthKind Reclaimed Natural Down Duvet, £105 from John Lewis
- Sizes: Single, double, king, super king
- Material: 100% cotton
- Filling: 70% recycled down, 30% recycled feather
- TOG rating: 4.5
- Sleep trial period: Unopened products can be returned up to 35 days after purchase
- House & Garden's Rating: 4/5
John Lewis's EarthKind™ Reclaimed Natural Down Duvet is filled with, as the title suggests, pre-loved down and feather. This is a brilliant option for those concerned with the decreasing amounts of natural resources, and it helps reduce the amount of material unnecessarily headed for landfill. We noticed the duvet's reclaimed filling creates surprisingly little noise, making for a very quiet night's sleep.
Cons/What we don't love: There have been some complaints of ‘off-gassing’ smells where these duvets are concerned. However, it doesn't seem to be anything that a few days airing can't fix.
Customers are saying: The duvet is a brilliant alternative to buying new down products. It's soft and cosy.
9. 100% New Zealand Wool Duvet, £349 from Soak and Sleep
- Sizes: Single, double, king, super king
- Material: 100% cotton
- Filling: 100% New Zealand wool
- TOG rating: Choose between 3, 4.5, 7.5, 10.5, 13.5 and 15.5
- Machine washable? Yes, at 30º
- House & Garden's Rating: 4/5
An ideal solution for those with allergies and those who need help with regulating body temperatures. A wool duvet (as you can read below) is a sustainable and recyclable option that does as much good for you as it does for planet. It's breathable, hypoallergenic and ideal for hot sleepers as well as those who like to cosy up under their duvet. This is another design for all seasons, and is made up of a thicker duvet and a thinner one for summer. Tie them both together with the little tie fastenings for the ultimate cosy winter duvet.
Why we don't: Some customer reviews say it's quite heavy, especially when the two duvets are tied together.
10. Emma Cloud Duvet, £135 from Emma Sleep
- Sizes: Single, double, king, super king
- Material: Microfibre
- Filling: Microfibre
- TOG rating: 6.7
- Machine washable? Yes, at 60º
- Sleep trial period: 14 nights
- House & Garden's Rating: 4/5
It's in the name, it's nice and light but feels like you're wrapped in a cloud. The microfibre filling also helps regulate body temperature and the structure of the design prevents bacteria too.
Why we don't: It only comes in one tog weight, which could be limiting if you prefer something heavier for the winter.
11. The Organic Wool Duvet, £100 from Naturalmat
- Sizes: Single, double, king, super king
- Material: 100% cotton cambric casing
- Filling: British organic wool filling
- TOG rating: N/A, for information about why, head to our piece on wool duvets
- Machine washable? Dry clean only
- Sleep trial period: Not available, head to a showroom to test
- House & Garden's Rating: 4/5
When they launched back in the 90s, Naturalmat became the first bedding company to use organic material as standard across all of their products. They pioneered the wool bedding movement, creating mattresses, toppers, duvets and pillows from the finest British wool. Their duvet is just as good now as it was then, efficiently and effectively regulating temperature year round. Thanks to its air retention abilities, wool is brilliant at wicking moisture away from the skin and reducing humidity–something feather, down and silk aren't nearly as good at.=
Why we don't: No sleep trial means you have to head in store if you want to try before you commit.
Quick fire tog round:
What is a tog rating?
We'll start with the basics. A duvet tog rating is how the thermal resistance, or warmth, of a duvet is measured. The higher the number, the warmer the duvet and the scale runs from one to 18. Within our edit, we've found the best duvets for every tog rating.
What is the best tog duvet for all year round?
If you want a duvet to be suitable all year round, you need to consider more than just tog rating. At a very basic level, look for a rating of between 7 and 10–that's the closest to a ‘one size fits all’ duvet you'll get. However, the material is also very important. Wool is the most breathable option and best organic material for temperature regulation, so we'd opt for that. Look for a cotton cover, rather than a synthetic one too.
What tog is best for a summer duvet?
For high summer you can go as low as 1 and as high as 4.5. Any higher and you're creeping into mid season territory.
What tog is best for a winter duvet?
A duvet between 12 and 13.5 tog will take you from November to early March without trouble.
What duvet filling should I choose?
You can broadly break down duvet quality by filling. Natural fillings are more expensive than synthetic fibres, though they last longer and feel much more luxurious. There are four basic types: down filling and feather duvets, wool duvets, silk duvets and synthetic duvets.
Silk duvets
At the most premium end of the scale are silk duvets. Silk is the most luxe option of them all, but it’s also quite high tech. Silk is one of the best duvet fillings for temperature regulation.
If you're hunting for something a little more luxurious than a temperature regulating duvet, we recommend looking for a silk duvet, which will have a little more breathability and prevent overheating. Thanks to its naturally aerated quality, silk is one of the best duvet materials for hot sleepers.
Our favourite example is The White Company's Eiderdown Duvet. Yes, it comes with a slightly ludicrous price tag but if you want a made to order, super soft, temperature regulating duvet that comes with a 10 year guarantee, this is the ultimate piece.
Silk duvets are hypoallergenic, breathable and durable, so they're a great choice for allergy sufferers and hot sleepers alike. John Lewis do a brilliant, more affordable silk duvet (the Natural Collection Mulberry Silk Duvet) which we highly recommend. It feels luxurious and acts like a much more expensive piece.
Feather and down duvets
Feather and down duvets are probably the most popular type of duvet as they feel deliciously puffy and cloud-like to sleep on, whilst keeping you nice and toasty. The best feather duvets will have a higher percentage of down than feather and will feel lightweight, while on the contrary, something with a more concentrated feather filling will be denser.
One of our favourites is Soak and Sleep's 100% Canadian Goose Down Duvet which is offered with a flexible tog range between 4.5 and 18. Alternatively, the supremely popular bedding retailer Dusk has a fantastic Goose Feather & Down Duvet which is filled with 15% goose down and 85% goose feather for a really cosy sleep. This comes in 4.5 tog, 9 tog and 13.5 tog, as well as the ‘all-seasons’ option of a 4.5 and 9 tog duvet fastened together.
Wool duvets
Wool duvets are another great hypoallergenic option and one of the most popular natural duvet fillings. They're anti-allergy, sustainable and recyclable, so they are kind to you and the planet alike. The added bonus is that, because they retain air so well, they help you regulate your body temperature better, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer. Soak and Sleep's wool duvet is our top pick in this category, with its 100% New Zealand Mitchell wool filling. It's machine washable and, in the winter, it can be clipped together with other Soak and Sleep duvets for extra plumpness. Dusk's Wool Duvet is also one of the best wool duvets we've seen and, at just £65, you will certainly get your money's worth.
Synthetic duvets
Finally, synthetic duvets. These are filled with materials like microfibre, nano-microfibre or hollowfibre (hollowfibre fillings are the most common here), which act similarly to feather duvets, mimicking their properties without the price tag. The best part about these down alternative duvets is that they're quick and easy to wash in the washing machine. We think Dusk's Feels Like Down duvet is the winner in this category, as it offers all the luxury of down but without the feathers. Instead, it's filled with light microfibre and covered in super breathable 100% cotton percale. For the smallest price tag, Marks and Spencer's Supremely Washable Duvet is the best you'll find. This would be a great pick for a spare room given its ease-of-washing status. The other great benefit of synthetic is the ease of making dual tog duvets, like Silentnight's Yours And Mine Dual Tog duvet which are a godsend if you are your partner prefer different temperatures.
What size duvet should I buy?
Most duvets come in a standard double (200 x 200cm). However, if you’re ready to upgrade to a new duvet, you should consider rethinking the size as well as the tog rating and filling. Naturally, a king size bed will require a king size duvet (225 x 220cm), a super king bed will require a super king duvet (260 x 220cm) and so on. However, if you share a double bed with your partner, you might want to think about sizing up, so there’s more duvet to go around. Single duvets (135 x 200cm) are good for children and, of course, single beds, though double duvets do have quite a luxurious feel when sleeping on a single.
What's the best duvet for hot sleepers?
Consider the filling before anything else if you tend to run hot in your sleep. Wool duvets are naturally temperature regulating and moisture wicking, so they're extremely efficient at keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
If you would rather opt for something different, the best type of duvet for hot sleepers to use would be a temperature regulating duvet like Simba's Hybrid Duvet with Stratos, or alternatively, using a summer duvet year round should do the trick. We'd opt for a lower tog, something around 4.5 or 5 tog.
Best duvet to buy 2023
Looking for more bedding content? We've got a round up of the best beds here, as well a guide to the best mattress and best mattress toppers to go alongside it. On top of that, we have a thorough review of the best pillows, best weighted blankets and best bedding (including the best duvet covers) to buy. If you want to go granular, we have compiled an edit of the best pillowcases and best silk pillowcases, too.
