Best duvet inserts and comforters 2024 – for all seasons and budgets

I've ranked and reviewed the world's best duvet and inserts and comforters, with down and down alternative options to suit every sleep style

The world's best duvet insert, the Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert, on a bed with white pillows and green blankets against a green wall.
(Image credit: Boll & Branch)

A bed isn't complete without a comforter. Along with a fresh set of sheets and a supportive pillow, the right duvet insert is an essential aspect of your bedspread. The best comforters are light and fluffy – and, since they come without a cover, they're wrapped in soft and stylish shells.

Hot sleepers will appreciate a lighter layer, while a heavyweight comforter is more suitable for cooler climes. Down comforters are filled with real feathers, which creates natural loft to make a beautiful bedspread, though vegan shoppers might prefer a down alternative option. In short, there are so many duvet insert types that it can be difficult to know where to start.

That's where I come in. As H&G's specialist sleep expert, I've tested some of the world's best duvet inserts. I've narrowed it down to my top six to suit every season, every budget, and every style of sleeper. For the sake of a fair fight, each duvet insert is assessed against the same criteria: comfort; cooling; ease of care; and the all-important price. Follow my comforter buying rules and you won't go wrong.

Best duvet inserts 2024 − ranked + reviewed

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.

Before we begin, it always helps to define our terms. The difference between a comforter and a duvet is that a comforter can stand alone, while a duvet insert needs a duvet cover. If you're struggling to decide between the two, then you're in luck: we've weighed up the pros and cons of duvets vs comforters.

The quick list

If you've already got a particular insert in mind, you can skip straight to that section using our navigation menu. If you'd rather take stock of your options, then you can browse our picks for the best duvet inserts and comforters below.

The best duvet insert overall

Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert against a beige background.

(Image credit: Boll & Branch)

1. Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert

The world's best duvet insert with plenty of puff

Specifications

Sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full/Queen, King/California King
Density: Lightweight, Midweight, Ultraweight
Fill: IDS certified down
Shell: Cotton

Reasons to buy

+
Range of weights to suit each sleeper
+
IDS-certified down
+
Comes with corner loops

Reasons to avoid

-
On the more expensive side

The Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert offers something for everyone, whether you sleep hot or cool in a Twin bed or a California King. This comforter comes in three warmth weights to suit all seasons and sleep styles. I recommend the Lightweight for hot sleepers and warmer climes, the Ultraweight for cold sleepers and cooler climes, and the Midweight for everybody in between. Each insert comes with corner loops for easy attachment to duvet covers.

The clue is in the name: this duvet insert is filled with duck and goose down. This might raise alarms for animal lovers, but take heart that Boll & Branch down is sourced from American farms and certified by the IDFL Down Standard. That means every stage of production, from farm to factory, is investigated by an independent organization to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare.

I love the look and feel of the Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert. It's by far the most luxurious of any insert on this list. All that down creates natural loft which makes for a beautiful bedspread. It's the sort of insert I'd expect to see in a high-end hotel or luxury spa. If in doubt, opt for the lighter weight: customer reviews indicate that the Down Duvet Insert errs towards the weighty side.

Admittedly, the Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert is on the more expensive side: we're talking more than $400 for a Lightweight Queen. If you're looking for a down comforter, but you're working with a tighter budget, then I suggest you shop the Brooklinen Down Comforter, instead.

The best down alternative duvet insert

Cloud Comforter against a beige background.

(Image credit: Buffy)

2. Buffy Cloud Comforter

A down alternative comforter for vegans and sustainable shoppers

Specifications

Sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full/Queen, King/California King
Density: Lightweight
Fill: TENCEL eycalyptus lyocell
Shell: TENCEL lyocell

Reasons to buy

+
Incorporates recycled materials
+
Suitable for vegans
+
Comes in wide colorways

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacks a little loft

I started testing the Buffy Cloud Comforter back in the spring, but it's really come into its own this summer. Where down duvet inserts tend to trap heat, down alternative inserts are more breathable, and the Buffy Cloud Comforter made a great lightweight layer to get me through the heat and humidity.

Each Cloud Comforter incorporates and upcycles the materials from approximately 50 plastic bottles to minimize waste and maximize warmth. I was worried that I'd be able to feel the plastic shards through the shell of the comforter, but I can't. The plastic is spun into super-thin, super-soft fiberfill that looks and feels a lot like real down, without the animal produce.

The Buffy Cloud Comforter comes in 11 shades to complement any color palette. I opted for classic white, but you could choose between soft blues, bright pinks, and fresh greens. If you'd rather use it as a duvet insert, you can: the Buffy Cloud Comforter comes with corner loops for quick ties.

For a down alternative comforter, the Cloud feels exceptionally light and fluffy. Although it can't hold quite as much air as a real down comforter, it comes close. I'd recommend the Buffy Cloud Comforter for hot sleepers, eco-conscious shoppers, and anyone working with a tighter budget: this is one of the most affordable comforters on the market, starting at $116 for a Twin.

The best down duvet insert

Brooklinen Down Comforter against a white background.

(Image credit: Brooklinen)

3. Brooklinen Down Comforter

Filled with ethically sourced down for guilt-free sleep

Specifications

Sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full
Density: Lightweight, All-Season, Ultra-Warm
Fill: DOWNMARK certified down
Shell: Cotton sateen

Reasons to buy

+
Range of warmths
+
Responsibly sourced down
+
Great for hot sleepers

Reasons to avoid

-
Unsuitable for vegans

There's a difference between down clusters and duck feathers. Clusters are just the fluff, while feathers have the filament. Where most down comforters are filled with individual feathers, which can poke through the shell to scratch your skin, the Brooklinen Down Comforter is stuffed with down clusters for a fluffier feel.

As down comforters go, this one is pretty animal-friendly. Brooklinen sources their down sustainably from Canadian farms and meets the Downmark standard for quality assurance (that's not quite as big a deal as the International Down Standard, but it counts for something). Still, if you prefer to purchase vegan products, you'd be better off with the best down alternative comforter.

The Brooklinen Down Comforter comes in Lightweight, All-Season, and Ultra-Warm to suit every style of sleeper. Where the Boll & Branch Duvet Insert comes up pretty heavy, the Brooklinen Down Comforter feels pretty light: I'd only recommend the Lightweight option for seriously hot sleepers or summer use.

The best duvet insert for hot sleepers

Organic Washable Wool Comforter - Light against a white background.

(Image credit: Woolroom)

4. Woolroom Organic Washable Wool Comforter

Natural moisture-wicking to stop the night sweats

Specifications

Sizes: Twin, Full/Queen, King
Density: Light, Medium, Warm, All-Season
Fill: Organic wool
Shell: Organic cotton

Reasons to buy

+
Thermoregulating
+
Moisture-wicking
+
Organic

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited size range

The best cooling comforter for night sweats is filled with wool. Hear me out: I was skeptical, too. Before I sampled the Woolroom Organic Washable Wool Comforter, I thought of wool as the stuffy, scratchy stuff that made up my old school sweaters. As a hot sleeper who suffers from night sweats, especially over the summer, I couldn't think of anything worse.

Turns out, wool is a natural thermoregulator and an excellent moisture-wicker. According to the 2024 Woolroom Clean Sleep Report, wool can hold up to 33% of its weight in water before it evaporates first thing in the morning. I first slept under the Woolroom Organic Washable Wool Comforter on the Woolroom Sleep Retreat, and I couldn't believe the breathability: so much better than my old down alternative duvet.

Fun fact for eco-conscious sleepers: the wool in the Woolroom Organic Washable Wool Comforter is totally traceable. When I scanned the QR code on my care tag, I could identify the exact farm and flock of sheep that made my wool. It's great to see this sort of transparency from a major bedding brand.

This wool comforter comes in four weights: Lightweight; Medium; Warm; and All-Season. I sleep best with the All-Season insert, but bear in mind that the price of the product increases with its weight. Also, the Woolroom Organic Washable Wool Comforter only comes in Twin, Full, Queen, and King sizes.

The best duvet insert for cold sleepers

Saatva Heavyweight Comforter.

(Image credit: Saatva)

5. Saatva Heavyweight Down Alternative Comforter

Ideal for vegans, cold sleepers, and cooler climes

Specifications

Sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full/Queen, King/California King
Density: Heavyweight
Fill: Down alternative
Shell: Cotton percale

Reasons to buy

+
Suitable for vegans
+
Thermoregulating
+
Luxurious loft

Reasons to avoid

-
On the more expensive side

Not everyone is a hot sleeper. As we head into winter, you might appreciate one of the best warm comforters to keep you cozy. The Saatva Heavyweight Comforter is filled with a unique blend of down alternative and thermoregulating lyocell fibers to keep you just the right side of warm and dry.

For a down alternative duvet insert, the Saatva Heavyweight Comforter has a lot of loft. That'll be the thick, fluffy handfuls of fiberfill, stuffed into the comforter and held in place via baffle-box construction. That means no lumps, no bumps, and no cold patches. Still, nothing compares to the natural loft of the best down comforter.

The Saatva Heavyweight Comforter is wrapped in a cotton percale shell to boost breathability. Our expert tester, Jaclyn, tried it out as the Atlanta weather turned from winter to spring, and she was pleasantly surprised to find she could sleep comfortably in milder temperatures. Even with the best warm comforter, you don't want to overheat.

Retailing at $345 for a Queen, the Saatva Heavyweight Comforter is on the more expensive side, but that's the price you pay for such heaped handfuls of fiberfill. For an affordable, all-season alternative, consider the Saatva All-Year Comforter.

The best organic duvet insert

Close up on the Avocado Alpaca Duvet Insert.

(Image credit: Avocado)

6. Avocado Alpaca Duvet Insert

Breathable, durable, sustainable

Specifications

Sizes: Twin, Full/Queen, King/California King
Density: Lightweight, All Season
Fill: Alpaca fiber
Shell: Organic cotton

Reasons to buy

+
Thermoregulating
+
Moisture-wicking
+
Made from organic materials

Reasons to avoid

-
A little high-maintenance

'Down alternative' is a catch-all term that encompasses everything other than feathers. I've slept under comforters filled with breathable bamboo, smooth silk, and even sheepskin. For eco-conscious customers looking to try something new, I recommend alpaca wool.

Shearing the alpacas doesn't hurt them − in fact, getting rid of all that excess wool helps their skin to breathe. It's much better for the environment to buy an organic duvet insert that incorporates animal produce than it is to buy a cheap, synthetic comforter that will only end up in landfill.

Alpaca wool is naturally antimicrobial, so it should slow the spread of bacteria, mold, and mildew while keeping bed bugs and dust mites at bay. As H&G's resident Sleep Editor, and a hot sleeper, I'm always raving about the natural benefits of wool: it's thermoregulating and moisture-wicking to keep us cool and dry, all year round.

While the Avocado Alpaca Duvet Insert is neither machine-washable nor dryer-safe, it's relatively easy to clean. Avocado recommends spot-cleaning to tackle smaller spills or stains and hanging the comforter in direct sunlight to restore freshness.

How we test duvet inserts

A close-up on the Cozy Earth Bamboo Duvet Cover tied to Bamboo Comforter.

(Image credit: Future / Emilia Hitching)

I put a lot of thought into how we test duvet inserts. From our pool of expert testers, I select the right sleeper: hot sleepers for cooling comforters, cold sleepers for warm comforters, and so on. For the sake of a fair fight, we assess each comforter against the same criteria: comfort; thermoregulation; ease of care, and the all-important price. We test each duvet insert for months, ideally through several seasons, in order to monitor its thermoregulation throughout the year.

FAQs

What duvet inserts do hotels use?

Most hotels use goose-down duvet inserts. They're light and fluffy, suitable for all seasons, with plenty of loft to make a beautiful bedspread. If you're interested, I've interviewed top hoteliers and head housekeepers to work out: 'which bedding do luxury hotels use?'

Where is the best place to buy comforters?

I've compiled a list of the best places to buy comforters. I've even picked out my favorite comforters from specialist sleep stores, such as Saatva and Brooklinen, to streamline your shopping experience.

Final thoughts

Once you've bought one of the best duvet inserts, it's time to dress the rest of the bed. I've ranked and reviewed 12 sets of the best bed sheets to suit every style of bedroom and every size of budget.

Emilia Hitching
Sleep Editor

Emilia is our resident sleep writer. She spends her days tracking down the lowest prices on the best mattresses and bedding and spends her nights testing them out from the comfort of her own home. Emilia leads a team of testers across America to find the best mattress for every sleep style, body type, and budget.

Emilia's quest to learn how to sleep better takes her all around the world, from the 3Z mattress factory in Glendale, Arizona to the Hästens headquarters in Köping, Sweden. She's interviewed luxury bedding designers at Shleep and Pure Parima, as well as the Design Manager at IKEA. Before she joined Homes & Gardens, Emilia studied English at the University of Oxford.