Duvets are classified mostly based on the type of filling. When you are shopping for a new duvet, you’ll come across fibre, feather and wool duvet among other options.
The type of duvet you buy greatly affects your sleeping experience. Some types are warmer than others, while certain varieties offer good allergy protection.
In this article, I explain the most common types of duvets available and how they differ in terms of quality, comfort and price.
Feather and Down duvets
Feather and Down duvets are great if you are looking for a duvet that will keep you toasty in bed. This combo filling traps more heat, keeping you warm no matter how cold it gets outside.
The proportion of feathers and down in a duvet determines how dense and warm it feels. More down results in a lighter and less dense feel while more feathers make the duvet heavier and warmer.
Before you get a feather and down duvet, make sure you are not allergic to either.
Hollow fibre duvets
Hollow fibre duvets are the most affordable. If you are on budget, start with these.
They are also easy to clean in a washing machine and are great for people who are allergic to feather or down.
The main downside of fibre-filled duvets is that they don’t last long. A hollow fibre duvet has about half the lifespan (around 5 years) of a duvet with a natural fill like down and feathers.
Microfiber duvets
Like hollow fibre duvets, microfiber duvets also contain a synthetic filling. But hollow fibre and microfiber are not quite the same thing.
Microfiber is designed to provide a down-like softness. The ultra-fine fibres result in a very lightweight duvet.
If you don’t like the heavy feel of wool, feather or hollow fibre duvets, try microfiber.
The main downside of microfiber duvets is their relatively short lifespan.
Wool duvets
Wool duvets are another good option for those who are looking for a duvet with a natural filling. A wool duvet is heavier than most but it’s an excellent choice for year-round comfort.
The magic of wool is that it reacts your body temperature, keeping you warm when it’s cold and keeping you cool when it’s hot. It feels perfectly comfortable all the time.
Another major advantage of wool is that it is more eco-friendly than synthetic fibre since it is renewable and biodegradable.
It’s also good for those with allergies as wool is naturally hypoallergenic.
On the downside, expect to pay more for a good quality wool duvet. But you’ll be rewarded with a comfortable sleeping experience and a lifespan of more than a decade with good care.
Silk duvets
Silk, another natural filling, has the same excellent temperature control qualities of wool.
It’ll keep you warm or cool depending on the season, making silk duvets ideal for those who want something they can use comfortably throughout the year.
Silk is considered a luxurious material so the duvets are expensive. But silk duvets last long, are hypoallergenic and are naturally resistant to allergens like dust mites.
Other types of duvets
a) By Tog
Tog is a measure used to indicate how warm a duvet is. The higher the tog, the warmer the duvet.
If you live in a cold area or you are looking for a winter-friendly duvet, get a 10.5-15 tog duvet. Look for a lower tog duvet if you want something comfortable for summer or if you are a hot sleeper.
Some duvet sets come with two duvets with different tog ratings for use in different seasons.
Here are the standard tog ratings by season.
- Summer: 2.5-9
- Spring and autumn: 6-10.5
- Winter: 10.5-15
You can also find extra-warm duvets that go up to 18 tog.
b) By Size
Most duvets are available in multiple sizes ranging from a cot and single sizes to Super King and Emperor.
Here are the dimensions for the most common sizes.
- Single: 135 x 200cm
- Double: 200 x 200cm
- King: 230 x 220cm
- Super King: 260 x 220cm
- Emperor: 290 x 235cm
c) Hypoallergenic vs. Anti-allergy
These two terms are common when it comes to duvets. They both mean that the duvet in question is ideal for allergy and asthma sufferers as well as individuals with sensitive skin. But they don’t mean the same thing.
A hypoallergenic duvet means it’s made from materials that rarely cause allergic reactions. Examples include wool and silk.
An anti-allergy duvet or pillow means it has been treated to be more resistant to allergens like dust mites.
Hi Nicky
I hope that this email finds you safe and well
I am leaving a reply to your October 18th 2019 article:
Duvet Types Explained
I have a design idea for duvets but don’t know who to approach with it, to take the idea to production