A comforter is key to keeping cozy. But if you get hot at night, sleeping under a thick duvet could cause you to overheat. As we head into summer and the days get hotter, a lightweight and cooling comforter lets you stay snug and sweat-free. Designed with breathable materials and temperature-regulating technologies to prevent you from getting too hot, cooling comforters are the solution for satisfactory sleep.
As a hot sleeper myself, I struggle with any heavy bedding, even in the winter months. However, I love interior design, so I can't a sacrifice a plush-looking bed. To find the best cooling comforters, we've tested and compared cooling properties, construction, and cost. These three best lightweight duvets will keep you at the optimum temperature all night, even during a heatwave, while still looking the part.
It's important your bedding suits your sleep needs. Make sure your mattress is the best for you too to ensure a solid night's rest. Say goodbye to night sweats and hello to waking up fresh.
Best cooling comforter 2023
You can trust Homes & Gardens. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, helping you choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Best cooling comforter overall
Why you should buy it
This is the best cooling comforter you can buy.
What we loved on test
If you're prone to sleeping hot, Slumber Cloud's exclusive ClimaDry by Outlast fiberfill is designed to regulate heat and wick away moisture. Developed by NASA, it's perfect for summer months when humidity and the microclimate of your bed need to be regulated. Our tester Jaclyn slept cool without a fan, during of a heatwave, in the middle of a steamy summer in Atlanta, Georgia. That's as tricky of a test as you can get and this comforter aced it.
Good to know
As the lightest weight duvet on this list, the Slumbercloud comforter is thinner than most. With a down-alternative fill that does flatten a little, it won't make your bed look overly plush. If you seek a weighted duvet, it's worth checking the adjustable all-season option below.
Best all-season cooling comforter
Why you should buy it
If you're a hot sleeper, but your partner isn't.
What we love on test
Instead of having one duvet that suits you in winter but not summer, and visa versa, this comforter can be customized to your needs. Made of two tog layers buttoned together, I love how you can remove the heavier side for a lightweight option or keep them together for a thicker duvet when you want it. Made of down-alternative, it doesn't trap too much heat, and kept my body temperature perfectly regulated. The separate duvets mean they fit in my small washing machine drum too.
Good to know
When I began sleeping under the Coop comforter, I didn't feel the need to detach one side. But as the summer approaches, I've taken the thicker side off, and finding somewhere to store it has been tricky.
Best cooling down comforter
Why you should buy it
If you like the feel of down but want to sleep cool.
What we loved on test
The lightweight option of this down duvet is the plushest we've felt. Lightweight duvets have a tendency to feel flat and look thin. Our tester Jaclyn reviewed this down duvet and noted that how it felt light, not oppressive. The fill keeps plump throughout the night. Unlike other down duvets, it won't bunch and get hot in one spot. It's covered in 100-thread count cotton too, which contributes to breathability. If you're worried about the ethics of down, all Brooklinen down comforters are sustainably sourced and DOWNMARK certified by the non-profit Down Association of Canada.
Good to know
You can't wash this one in the machine, so you have to spot clean or dry clean only.
How we test duvets inserts for hot sleepers
All our reviews are based on the real-life experience of using these products at home, by hot sleepers in warm climates. These cooling comforters have been slept under for at least a few months to test them in different sleep situations throughout the year. We came to our decisions by considering factors like the quality of construction, cooling properties, breathability, and ease of care.
For more insight into our hands-on review process, refer to our Homes & Gardens review guidelines.
Meet our tester
Our former sleep ecommerce editor, Jaclyn frequently tests out and stays up to date on all things mattresses and bedding. In addition to Homes & Gardens, you can find her work in Real Homes, Livingetc, Apartment Therapy, MyDomaine, and The Spruce. She lives in Atlanta, GA.
How to choose a cooling comforter
When searching for a cooling comforter, it can be easy to pick up the first one you find. But with different options on the market, having 'cooling' in the name may not mean it best suits your sleep needs. Lots of all-season options can be adjusted to a lightweight duvet when you need it, for example, and buying a lightweight down duvet may be better for your bed than a flatter polyester option. These are the three things to keep in mind:
- Cooling features: Most cooling comforters will have specially developed cooling technology to help with temperature regulation. The most common is Outlast tech, which absorbs and releases body heat as you need it through phase-changing material. Also found in mattress models, it's one to look out for if you suffer from hot flashes or wake up with night sweats.
- Breathable fabrics: This is a non-negotiable. Make sure the duvet you choose is made of naturally breathable materials like cotton, bamboo or wool, or at least features a cover with moisture-wicking capabilities
- Lightweight feel: Down or feather duvets undoubtedly have the fluffiest feel. But unfortunately, down can easily trap heat. If you can't give up the luxury that is down bedding, make sure you go for a lightweight option. You'll get the same plush look, without the heat trap.
FAQs
What is the best material for a comforter to keep you cool?
Typically, duvets and comforters are filled with either down or down-alternative, usually polyester. While some may be combined with temperature-regulating technologies, both are known to trap heat. Bamboo, silk, and wool, on the other hand, are naturally breathable, moisture-wicking, and hypoallergenic for a comforter that keeps you cool at night. If you just prefer the feel of feathers or down, then make sure you opt for a lightweight option that won't be as weighty, or bunch as you sleep and keep in the heat.
What is the best bedding for hot people?
Aside from making sure your comforter is best for hot sleepers, there are plenty of other bedding swaps you can make to keep yourself cool at night. The simplest switch you can make is changing your bed sheets to those made of breathable, lightweight materials. The best cooling bed sheets are made of eucalyptus, bamboo, or linen. Bamboo is naturally moisture-wicking and has a super silky finish that's cold to the touch. Linen bed sheets are known to be best for summer thanks to their lightweight, breezy. Cotton sheets are generally breathable and work all year round. A percale finish will ensure a cool, crisp feel, like those found in a hotel.
It's pretty common to get too hot at night, even during cooler nights. If you're really struggling to regulate your temperature, come summer – or winter – investing in one of the best cooling mattresses would be wise. Don't let night sweats get in the way of a blissful eight hours of sleep.
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