Contents hide The Best Down Comforters of 2019 Comforter Buying Guide When looking for the best comforter, you’ll hardly find anything better than down models. Among their qualities, they have excellent performance and warmth, but … Read more
When looking for the best comforter, you’ll hardly find anything better than down models. Among their qualities, they have excellent performance and warmth, but at the same time, they are also lightweight and soft. However, many models are available on the market, and finding the best product can be difficult. Our list of the best down comforters in 2019 and a buying guide will help you choose the right model when going shopping.
Features
The Topsleepy offers the most affordable comforter with a much less intimidating price that most customers can afford without making any sacrifice in terms of features such as warmth. It uses a combination of down feathers along with other feathers that don’t have the same insulation as down. Topsleepy Luxurious Comforter is lightweight and has a fill power of 500+, which is enough for most seasons. However, keep in mind that you might need another cover or blanket during the coldest period of winter. The price makes it an ideal choice for people who can’t afford a 100% down model, and don’t want a down alternative.
Features
The Tuft & Needle Down Duvet Insert is one of the best comforters you can find. With its features, it has everything you need in a product, and it is affordable. The down was humanely-sourced in North America, and you can rest freely at night knowing that you’re getting high-quality natural down. The baffle box stitching stops the shell from reducing the loft and compressing the fill. This model also has a soft cotton shell with moisture-wicking abilities. The fill weight is great for all seasons, even in colder weather that usually requires additional cover. Apart from these features, Tuft & Needle offer a 100-day sleep trial to try out the product.
Features
This Egyptian Bedding Comforter with goose down is the best heavy-duty model you can find on the market. It is made from 100% Siberian goose down with a 750 fill power, 70 ounces of fill weight, and 100% Egyptian cotton with a 600 thread count. The material has excellent loft because of the baffle-box stitching that keeps everything in place and ensures exceptional warmth. The product also comes with a 30-day guarantee of satisfaction that will allow you to test it out.
Features
Our best all-season model is the Snowman Goose Down Comforter. The white goose down has a fill power of 700 that will have enough warmth for winter, and it is also suitable for summer. The baffle-box construction keeps the down in place, while the individual loops make sure it is adequately placed inside the duvet cover. The 100% cotton shell has a 600 thread count that ensures durability and smoothness of the product.
Features
With its baffle box construction, thick cotton shell, and hypoallergenic down, the Sol Organics down comforter is suitable for individuals who have sensitive skin or allergies. The organic shell prevents down from spilling out and reduces irritation while offering the perfect balance of warmth and weight. The fill weight and the loft provide great comfort in all climates. Sol Organic grants 30 days of sleep trial, during which you can try the product from your home.
Features
The Parachute Down Duvet Insert has all the necessary features that offer high performance and warmth. It is made from 100% down with 750 fill power and plenty of loft that will keep you warm during the winter. There is also a lightweight version for summer and those who live in warmer climates. The 100% cotton sateen shell provides exceptional softness and comfort during all seasons. The product also has a Responsible Down Standard that guarantees the fill material was humanely sourced and made without any chemicals. The company also offers a sleep trial of 60 days that will let you try out the product and return it for a refund if it is not suitable for you.
Choosing an adequate comforter requires some knowledge about the types of fillings, stitching patterns, the prices, and similar information, and this guide will clarify these things for you.
The most crucial issue with this product is the filling material since its main feature is the warmth, which depends mainly on the material used for the making.
Down is a very popular filling because it is warm and light, as it derives from feathers. It enables the user to move freely in bed, without feeling the pressure of weight. It is also soft and comfortable, and it is easily stored. Down is durable if maintained properly.
However, feathers can cause allergies. So, people allergic to feathers should look for hypoallergenic down, which has been purified from any irritants. Also, down might be too warm for warmer climates or people who sleep hot. Another downside is the maintenance, which is much more complex than with the cotton or synthetic comforters. Finally, the disadvantage of down models is that they usually require a duvet cover, whereas cotton or synthetic variants can be used without it.
Down derives from ducks or geese, and each kind has its specific features. Generally, goose down is warmer, and accordingly, a bit more expensive. It is probably because geese have larger and fluffier down. However, it does not necessarily have to be that way, since it is not always the case that down originates from mature geese which are substantial. Then, there is the issue of the number of clusters in a comforter, because more clusters mean more warmth, so a model filled with duck down with more clusters can be as warm or even warmer than the one filled with goose down with fewer clusters.
There is also a belief that the geographic origin of down can have an impact on its size. For example, down from Chinese ducks is considered smaller, but this is not always the case, so it should not be a parameter of deciding on the quality of down.
In general, even though there are some differences between goose and duck down, any type will keep you warm.
There are some synthetic alternatives to down which are used in comforters, meant for buyers who suffer from feather allergies. They usually come at a lower price. The ones that cost less are not as warm, and others such as Primaloft or gel-fiber are puffier and softer.
Apart from down, feathers can also be used as a filling. Even though they are also light, they are less warm than down. That is why they are sometimes mixed with down.
Cotton is one of the materials which is often mixed with down. While cotton and down blend reduces the price of the comforter, this mixture is not as warm as a 100% down. Environmentally conscious people also care about whether the cotton is organic because conventional producers use a lot of pesticides and chemicals, which not only harms human health but our environment as well. Organic cotton shells can also be found easily nowadays since it is becoming more and more popular, but the price of organic products is a bit higher.
Even though wool is rarely mixed with down in a filling because it is heavier than down and its production is costlier, it retains warmth well and wicks moisture.
Silk is as light as down, but it is not nearly as warm, so it is usually used in comforters meant for summer use or warmer climates.
Apart from the type of filling, what determines the quality of a comforter is the fill power, which is measured by the space one ounce of down is taking. The more space it takes, the warmer it will be. So, the fill power is an important issue to be taken into account. That is why we should clarify this point in more detail.
If it has less than 400 fill power, it will not be warm. That is why such items can be used during the summer. Models with fill power from 400 to 599 are also more suitable for summer, but the 600 fill power might be used in mild winters. The 600 to 799 fill power product will provide enough warmth for a fair price. 600 to 700 range will serve better in less cold climates, but 700 to 799 is suitable for real winters. 800 or more fill power will retain a lot of heat, so it will keep the buyer warm and last long as well.
The outside material, also called the shell can be made from a variety of materials.
Wool is soft, warm and wicks moisture well, but it is heavy and expensive, so not the usual shell material.
Silk is smooth and prevents overheating, but harder to care for and much more expensive, so again, not a frequent choice for comforters.
The most popular shell material is cotton because it is soft, durable, and cheap. Nevertheless, it may feel too hot for some users, and some even consider it not breathable enough.
Just like with fillings, blends are possible in the shells, too. Cotton is usually mixed with synthetics to enhance its breathability and moisture resistance.
The number of yarns per square inch of the fabric, or thread count, is one of the features important for the quality of the shell material. Higher thread count means smoother and more durable material, but the producers are known to manipulate it by increasing the count through calculating two-ply yarns double. Thread counts between 300 and 600 are strong enough to hold down and are more probably authentic, whereas higher counts may have been double counted.
The comforters also differ by the stitch method. They can be sawn-through by stitching the top to the bottom to make tiny sections containing down. This way, the filling doesn’t move inside, but the restriction of movement means it will be less puffy. The stitching in the shape of a diamond is rather common. Gusseted stitch gives a solid form to the item, as the top and bottom are stitched together on the outside of a comforter, giving it a sort of an edge. In the baffle box stitching method, the top and bottom of the item are connected by a small piece of fabric, which heightens the sections holding down, so the down is puffy. It is warmer that way, but it needs additional fluffing to rearrange the down.
Sizes may vary, even though there is a standard size. The fact is that some producers regard the standard dimensions to fit the bed exactly, whereas others leave some space to go over the edges. It is wise to check the sizes thoroughly before buying.
As for the colors and patterns, the majority of down comforters are produced in white color, since they are supposed to be used with a duvet cover, which can be combined in color and pattern with other bed sheets and there is a variety to choose from on the market.
To prolong the life of your model, you need to take proper care of it. It needs to be shaken regularly, to fluff the down inside. You need to check occasionally whether there is any material coming out from the product, to make sure you repair any potential damages.
Cleaning should be done according to the manufacturers’ instructions. Some can be machine washed, but not in hot water and only using mild detergents. Machines loaded from the top are not a good choice for cleaning down comforters, as they apply more twisting pressure on the filling. Some producers recommend dry cleaning, but it can sometimes damage the product, so this is a matter to check before buying.
Down models need to be stored folded in dry places, such as closets, in a cotton bag which will allow the air to flow so it can stay fresh. You should not stuff it tightly in a limited space or a plastic bag, because it will compact down and trap moisture.
Price is often a restrictive factor when buying products of any kind, but sleeping well is important for health, so the priority here should be the quality.
Down is more expensive than other fillings since its production process is long, starting from harvesting, purifying and other preparations and because people are more likely to buy down products as reliable natural products, it brings up the demand. So, the solution is to look for discounts or choose blend options.
Finally, an issue worth mentioning when it comes to down comforters is animal protection, since down is harvested from ducks and geese. Some people are sensitive to whether down was obtained humanely. Down is today deriving from a supply chain which is free of cruelty. There are even suppliers who display their supply chains in public. Also, some certifications confirm the Responsible Down Standards, but it does not comprise all the humane producers, just the ones applying for it.
Iva is an art historian and an art lover who always had a passion for writing and sleep! When she is not researching and testing new mattresses on the market, you can find her binge-watching TV shows, eating tons of junk food or playing with her dog Bart.
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