The Ultimate duvet buying guide How to Choose the Best Down Duvet to Buy in 4 Steps
Here’s your ultimate down duvet guide to help you decide which down duvet is best to buy based on its size, tog rating, fill power, material and other extras.
Down duvets are a luxury item. Because of how they are made and the impact they have on our sleep quality, they’re often considered one of the best duvets you can buy.
What is a Down Duvet?
The “down” in “down duvet” simply means the quilt is filled with the outer edges of duck or goose feathers, which is the softest part of a feather.
This makes down duvets warmer, fluffier and more breathable than other kinds of duvet fillings. For this reason, down duvets are often slightly more expensive than other alternatives, like wool, silk, polyester, feather or synthetic duvets.
What are the Benefits of Down Duvets?
If you’re wondering why you should choose a down duvet, they have many benefits which can ultimately improve how well you sleep at night.
Choosing the right quilt for you depends on many factors. What’s ideal for one person can be different for another.
A Down Duvet Guide
Choosing a down duvet requires careful consideration. The right quilt for you depends on many factors, including its size, tog, fill power and fabric.
1. Find Your Ideal Size
Most people choose a duvet that matches the size of their bed. For example, if you have a double bed, you’ll have a double-sized duvet.
However, choosing a larger duvet can be more comfortable for some people. It can also add a different aesthetic to a bedroom. For instance, a larger duvet can be better for couples who have trouble sharing the quilt evenly. It can also provide an elegant, “draping” effect over the edge of a bed.
Whichever size duvet you prefer, here’s a down duvet sizing guide to help you pick the best option for your bed.
| Bed Size | Inches (in) | Centimeters (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 54 x 79 | 135 x 200 |
| Double | 79 x 79 | 200 x 200 |
| King | 91 x 87 | 230 x 220 |
| Queen | 95 x 87 | 240 x 220 |
| Super King | 102 x 87 | 260 x 220 |
| Emperor | 114 x 92 | 290 x 235 |
2. Select Your Tog Rating
Choosing your tog rating is one of the most important parts of picking a down duvet.
The higher the tog rating, the warmer your duvet will be, so it can be the thing that ultimately decides how comfortably you sleep.
Remember, it’s important to note that just because a down duvet is warmer, it’s not necessarily heavier.
Weight depends on the fill power of your duvet, so just focus on how warm you’d like your duvet to be when choosing your tog rating.
When choosing what tog you need for your down duvet, consider:
- What the climate is like where you live
- Which seasons you’d like to use your duvet in e.g., summer, winter or all-year-round
- How warm your house gets at night
- How hot or cold you feel when you sleep
Tog ratings generally increase in 1.5 increments, so you have flexibility in how warm or cool your down duvet feels.
Here’s a general guide to tog rating down duvet.
| Tog rating | What Tog is Best For |
|---|---|
| 3.5 - 6.0 | For hot sleepers or use during summer |
| 9.0 | For use during spring or autumn |
| 12 - 18 | For cold sleepers or use during winter |
| Combined | For use during all season |
3. Pick Your Fill Power
Fill power determines how light or heavy your duvet feels. It’s completely different to tog rating, as tog means how warm your duvet is.
A down duvet with a high fill power will feel light and fluffy. Whereas a low fill power down duvet will feel heavier and more weighted.
A higher fill power is generally considered higher quality, as less material is used to offer a similar level of insulation as a low fill.
However, which one is right for you depends on your sleeping preferences.
Some people prefer a heavier duvet (with a low fill power) because it feels cosier and more secure, which can help ease stress and anxiety (source).
Whereas a lighter down duvet works better for people who want a more “cloud-like” experience when they sleep.
Remember, a heavier down duvet does not mean it’s warmer, as that depends on your tog rating.
Here’s a quick guide to choosing the right fill power for your down duvet.
| Type of Fill Power | Fill Power Measurement | How Does it Feel? |
|---|---|---|
| High Fill Power | 725-800 in3/oz 170-200 mm/30gram |
Feels light |
| Medium Fill Power | 618-675 in3/oz 155-170 mm/30gram |
Feels not too heavy and not too light |
| Low Fill Power | 500-600 in3/oz 125-150 mm/30gram |
Feels heavy and slightly weighted |
4. Choose Your Fabric Quality
Most down duvets are made from cotton because of how soft and comforting it feels when wrapped around the body.
You may find cotton down duvets labelled in NE measurements, which essentially means how tightly the material has been weaved.
A higher NE value represents a tighter weave. A tighter weave means the fabric has a more secure filling, which makes it more durable, comfortable and ventilated. It’s this reason why a higher NE value is considered better quality than a lower NE value. A lower value NE fabric is still high-quality; however, it tends to feel slightly rigid and less ventilated.
Here’s a quick guide on how to choose the best fabric quality for you.
| NE Value | Quality | How it Feels? |
|---|---|---|
| 30 - 60 | Good Quality | Soft, but can feel rigid with more air pockets |
| 80 - 100 | High Quality | Durable, comfortable and ventilated |
| 120 - 155 | Very High Quality | Extreme durable, comfortable and ventilated |