The best comforters of 2025, tested and reviewed

I did this all in the name of sorting out which duvets were worthy of my (and your) nightly regimen. Sleep on the job? Someone had to do it — and that someone was me.

A note before we dive in: As I touched on above, I'll use the words "comforter," "duvet" and "duvet insert" interchangeably throughout this piece. You can use this type of bedding by itself or with a washable duvet cover. While I tested some different sizes, the prices throughout are for queen sizes for easier comparison. And if you’re considering a bigger bedroom update, can I interest you in a new bed frame?

Table of contents

Best comforters for 2025

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Factors to consider when choosing a comforter

Here are some things to think about when deciding which comforter (or duvet) is right for you:

• Size/weight: The size of the comforter should typically match that of the bed, though you may want to size up in the case of particularly high mattresses or bed frames (or in the pursuit of extra billowiness). The weight of a comforter typically comes down to the material it’s filled with, and to what capacity (or density). Those we tested fell in the 5- to 20-pound range (more on this below in the FAQ section).

• Construction:

  • Fill: Down comforters typically contain feathers from a goose or duck. They combine warmth and loft, but tend to shed and cost more. Down alternatives contain a fill that mimics that of (feather) down, often using recycled polyester blends. These tend to be more dense and therefore less lofty, but they're usually the most cost-efficient. They can also be better for people with allergies.

  • Cover: Cotton covers are typically soft and breathable, with percale variations slightly cooler-feeling (and more durable). Lyocell, Tencel and bamboo tend to be more eco-friendly and slightly silkier/smoother. Sateens feel the smoothest and silkiest of all, but are most susceptible to creasing.

  • Stitch: Through-stitching locks filling into place and keeps it contained so the comforter remains even. The box stitch is among the most common stitching styles, known for creating big, pillowy square pockets.

• Certifications: Oeko-Tex 100 is a certification given to textiles that have been tested (and cleared) for the presence of more than 100 harmful substances. If you're buying a down comforter, look for Responsible Down Standard (RDS) or Downmark certifications, which signify a down product has met certain criteria regarding the treatment of geese and ducks in the feather removal process.

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How we tested comforters

We evaluated each comforter upon arrival to account for any design snags (such as loose threads or shedding) and overall feel (softness/coziness). After weighing and measuring each one, we put it through a round of tests to evaluate design integrity and durability:

• Shake test: We shook each comforter aggressively to gauge how well the fill (down or otherwise) stayed in place.

• Spill test: We took a dropper of water to each comforter — the quicker the water spreads, the better the comforter's sweat-wicking abilities. We also looked for water resistance in case of spills.

• Laundry test: Unless it was marked "dry clean only," we put each comforter in the washing machine and dryer (on tumble dry low), then reassessed to see if it retained its size, shape and color saturation.

• Sleep test: We took each comforter for a proper slumber to assess how comfortable (and, depending on the category, how warm or cooling) it was throughout the night.

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Other comforters we tested

Brooklinen All-Season Down Comforter, Queen ($399): Though this offered a similar look and feel to our top down comforter pick, it isn't machine washable and doesn't come in color options. It had a 700 fill power, so I'd recommend it to someone who prioritizes a little more warmth but likes a cool outer shell.

Garnet Hill Light Down-Alternative Duvet, Queen ($269): I found Brooklinen’s All-Season Down Alternative Comforter (our best comforter overall pick and also the best down-alternative comforter we tested) to be slightly plusher than this duvet. The outer shell is covered in a faint-but-not-invisible Garnet Hill logo, so I’d definitely use a duvet cover for this, but I like how it's Oeko-Tex certified and machine washable. It's also fairly cooling.

Casaluna Premium Down Comforter, All-Season, Queen ($180): This down comforter looked and felt like our top down comforter pick, with a 600 fill power (duck down) and similar sweat-wicking abilities. It packs slightly less cushiness at a slightly heavier weight (and I wish there was more info on Target’s site about sourcing), but it’s hypoallergenic, Oeko-Tex certified and a generous size, all at a competitive price.

Bedsure Comforter Duvet Insert, Queen ($50): This down-alternative duvet insert from Bedsure is similar in stitch style to the Casaluna Bamboo Comforter from our best comforter set, but with a slightly less silky feel and a little less “oomph." It's thin, so I’d consider it a better fit for hot sleepers and warmer months. I don’t like putting thinner duvets inside duvet covers as I’ve found they don’t fill out the covers in the same way and can be more likely to flop and shimmy, so I’d probably choose my favorite of the 15 colors and use it as-is.

Bare Home Duvet Insert Comforter, Queen ($50): This washable down-alternative comforter has a box-stitch weave, lighter, flatter cushioning and a soft cotton feel. The outer shell wasn't quite as crisp, and the fill not quite as lofty as our top comforter pick. (While I didn’t test it this go-around, I’ve also been eyeing this Bare Home comforter set for its elevated color and pattern range.)

Utopia Down Alternative Duvet Insert, Queen ($43): The outer shell of this down insert didn’t feel quite as cool or silky as my top picks (think: a little more "polyester-y"), but the fill is cushy and the box-stitching similarly pillowy. It's a good, affordable option for someone who runs cold and uses a duvet cover.

Buffy Breeze Comforter, Queen ($250): This comforter boasts the same sateen feel and temperature-regulating abilities as the cooling Buffy Cloud Comforter, but with a different stitch pattern — in this case, like flowing waves. I liked the additional billowiness and color range of the Cloud comforter, which is why this wasn't a top pick.

Cozy Earth Bamboo Viscose Comforter, Queen ($425): I found Cozy Earth’s Bamboo Comforter to be similar in feel to the Buffy Cloud, but with slightly more silkiness. I like how it includes interior snap closures to reduce shifting and is naturally breathable (I didn’t have any issues with sweating) — it felt like heaven on my skin. I wish it came in more colors than just white, as I can’t imagine concealing this material with a duvet cover. At over $400, this is definitely a luxury item.

Rest Evercool Cooling Comforter, Queen ($229): Rest’s Evercool has received a lot of accolades, so I was eager to take it through its paces. The fill is a blend of eco-friendly Sorona and Tencel; the outer a special fabric that is indeed very cool and silky (almost slinky) to the touch. I like that it’s hypoallergenic and Oeko-Tex certified, and think this would be great for a very hot sleeper, especially in summer months. But it's ore like a blanket than a comforter.

Home Smart Weighted Comforter, Queen ($148): This comforter is heavy (at 20 pounds, the heaviest I tried), but that’s kind of the point, right? The outer shell feels soft and of light-to-medium thickness. Under it, I felt stable and cozy — but not trapped, as I was concerned I might be. I personally prefer a little more loft for that “cloud-like” comfort, though this proved sweat-wicking and durable (it's also machine washable) in my testing.

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Comforter FAQs

What are comforters made of?

A comforter’s construction is usually made up of an inner fill (or cushioning) that dictates most of its warmth and loftiness and an outer shell (the softness, silkiness or coolness you feel when you touch it).

“Down” is used to describe comforters that contain feathers, typically from geese or ducks, while “down alternative” fills typically consist of cotton, polyester and/or recycled materials.

Cotton covers are typically soft and breathable, with percale variations slightly cooler (and often stronger). Lyocell, Tencel and bamboo tend to be more eco-friendly and slightly silkier/smoother. Sateens tend to feel the smoothest and silkiest of all, but are most susceptible to creasing.

What is the best comforter fill?

Down comforters are revered for their loftiness and warmth, which is determined by the quality and amount of feathers used (also referred to as its “fill power” — more on this below). Look for certifications, such as those by RDS or another reputable organization, to ensure animal practices are regulated and feathers are traceable.

Down alternatives are another good fill option. Look for comforters made with sustainable materials and marked Oeko-Tex certified products, which means they have been vetted against more than 100 harmful chemicals for added safety.

What is the best down comforter weight?

The weight of a comforter typically comes down to the material it’s filled with, and to what density: Lighter weights usually indicate lighter coverage, while heavier weights tend to offer more warmth. Most of the comforters we tested weighed between 5 and 7 pounds; the warmer comforters weighed about 9 pounds.

In the case of down comforters, fill power can also be used to gauge warmth and coziness: For context, Brooklinen refers to its 650-fill-power comforter as “lightweight” and “perfect for hot sleepers” and its 750-fill-power comforter as “ultra-warm." Brooklinen's 700-fill-power (All-Season) comforter falls in the middle, and is therefore most optimal for use year-round.

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We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.