I Can Finally Enjoy Sleeping with Down Again – This Luxe Duvet Eliminated My Allergy Concerns

I was very curious to test out this duvet insert. Down is often cited as wonderfully soft and luxurious filling in some of the best duvet inserts and comforters, but as a person with allergies, I tend to avoid down products due to their propensity for collecting dust mites. However, Boll & Branch outlines a comprehensive cleaning and manufacturing process that greatly reduces that concern for folks like me, so it seemed like something I should put to the test.

The Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert

The Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert arrived quickly, and as soon as I opened the box, I was impressed by the stylish packaging and high-quality zipper bag that will be useful for storage during warmer months. This duvet insert comes in three weights: lightweight, midweight, and ultraweight. I chose the midweight for our moderate Pittsburgh climate, and found it to be a nice compromise between summer blankets and heavy winter duvets.

I personally tend to sleep hot, but love the feel of snuggling deep into fluffy duvets and comforters, which can be a difficult order to fill, so I was curious to test out the thermoregulating properties of this duvet insert, as well.

I slept under the Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert for 30 nights from the end of summer to early fall, which gave me a wide range of overnight temperatures to test it out with. I’ve tested many sleep products for Homes & Gardens, so I’ve become a pro at rolling over and jotting down how I feel upon waking up each day.

I used the duvet insert on its own (without a cover), as well as with a cover. The Corner loops made it easy to set up inside the cover. After a month of careful consideration and testing, I feel confident in recommending the Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert to any sleeper looking to invest in a long-lasting, high-quality duvet. I also asked the other members of our family of six to get cozy with this duvet insert and share their thoughts – which is how my 7-year-old ended up stealing it from me.

The Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert Specifications

Who Would the Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert Suit?

No two sleepers are alike, so it can be hard to choose items like duvets, pillows, mattress toppers, and mattresses online. At the same time, the convenience of online shopping is a must for most people in today’s busy world. To help shoppers narrow down their choices, I would recommend the Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert to those who:

• Like the feel of a hefty duvet: Even though I sleep hot, I like the weight of a sturdy cover. This duvet insert strikes a great balance.
• Live in a region that has cold winters: With three weight options, there’s a version for every climate. The midweight worked for both hot August nights and chilly September evenings. The heavyweight is a great option for those in colder climates.
• Sleep warm: I experienced a few sweaty nights, but overall, the natural thermoregulation of down worked well. If you run very hot, though, a cooling comforter might be a smarter buy.
• Like to invest in items that last for years: It’s pricey, but high-end products like this can last for years, making the upfront cost worthwhile. If you have the means to invest now, it will likely translate to long-term savings.

What is the Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert Like to Sleep Under?

I am generally excited to get into bed every night, but I found myself looking forward to bedtime even more than usual while testing this duvet insert. I like to cozy up with a good book at least an hour before my planned lights-out, and the Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert is perfect for snuggling into and getting cozy as you wind down to sleep.

I’ve long been jealous of those who can tolerate down, as I enjoy the plush feel and heft of a nice down duvet. There are many down alternatives that do a great job, such as the Saatva Down Alternative Comforter that I sleep under most nights. But, despite my initial concerns, for the 30 nights that I tested this duvet insert, I did not experience any of the symptoms I typically get when mites are present. Boll & Branch says this is by design – the down is washed three times and the organic cotton cover does a great job of keeping the fill inside the duvet. It also meets International Down Standards [IDS] as well, which brings peace of mind to those who have concerns about animal welfare.

I washed this duvet insert several times as well, following the manufacturer's instructions. It held up well to repeated washing, though Boll & Branch says it should not need to be washed more than once per season. The bafflebox construction creates three-dimensional pockets across the duvet insert, which keeps the down evenly distributed. My only complaint is that the duvet insert was very wrinkled after coming out of the dryer – though since it is meant to be used with a duvet cover, this is not a major concern.

How Does the Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert Rate Online?

Customers love this product. On the Boll & Branch website, there are over 300 reviews that average 4.6 out of 5 stars. Reviewers regularly rave about the high-quality construction, fluffy feel, and thermoregulating properties. Words like 'luxurious' and 'perfect' are used in many reviews. On Amazon, the average star rating is 4.7 out of 5, though there are only five reviews thus far which all reflect similar experiences, with customers noting the quality construction and luxurious feel.

How Does the Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert Compare to Similar Products?

While I love sleeping under this duvet insert, the one drawback is the price. But this is to be expected of a premium fill such as down, with products such as the Brooklinen Down Comforter being comparable. I believe it is worth the investment if you love the feel of down and have the funds, but there are more affordable down alternatives on the market, such as the Buffy Cloud Comforter, if you're looking to spend less.

If you are interested in the Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert, though, keep an eye on when the sales are, as it will sweeten the deal if you can get some money off.

Should I Buy the Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert?

If you’re a fan of the feel and performance of down, there are few better products on the market than the Boll & Branch Down Duvet Insert. The stitching, luxe feel of the fabric, and evenly distributed fill makes each night feel like a staycation in a fancy hotel – and who wouldn't want that when they go to bed everyt night? The high-quality construction means most consumers will keep this duvet for years. If you don’t have the funds right now, it makes sense to choose a less expensive one, but it may not last as long or represent good value for money, but that’s always the gamble when deciding between price points.

How We Test Duvet Inserts and Comforters

I'm part of a team of trusted sleep experts at Homes & Gardens, whose job it is to give consumers the information they need to make smart choices. All of our sleep experts bring their own experiences and preferences to the testing process. Some of us are older with aches and pains. Some of us sleep hot, some are always cold, so between us, we are able to give you all the information you need to spend your hard-earned dollars wisely.

We test each duvet insert for a minimum of 30 nights to ensure our reviews are comprehensive. We put the duvet inserts through their paces, which involves letting our kids and pets snuggle up on them, and assessing their performance in several ways: comfort, cooling, construction, and ease of care. We consider everything from whether the stitching is high-quality to how evenly the fill is distributed, whether we notice lumps and bumps or feel too hot or sweaty during the night or on waking. We also put them through washing cycles to give us an idea of how the duvets will hold up long-term.

Then we look at online reviews to see what other customers are saying and note any common themes and conclude whether we think the product is worth the money. After that initial 30-day period, we also keep living with these products. If our opinion changes, we will let readers know. To learn more about how we test comforters, you can read our dedicated guide.