What’s the difference between a comforter and a duvet? In short, a comforter is a one-piece bedding item, while a duvet comprises two pieces: a duvet insert and a duvet cover. Why choose one over the other? Here’s the lowdown on comforters versus duvets.
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What are duvets and comforters?
A duvet is a two-piece bedding item comprising a duvet insert and duvet cover. Sometimes, you might have two duvet inserts clipped together inside a duvet cover.
A comforter is an all-in-one bedding item sewn shut with its own cover and no zipper or button closure. Like duvets, comforters usually comprise a cotton cover and cotton or polyester filling or batting.
Comforters are a more traditional bedding choice than more modern duvets and typically overhang more on your bed. Comforters are almost always quilted to help the fill (which you can’t adjust) stay evenly distributed.
What’s in your duvet or comforter?
Comforters and duvets can be made with a range of fill materials, both natural and synthetic. For a safe, stylish, and sustainable sleep space, we recommend comforters and duvets made with an organic cotton, hemp, or linen cover and fiber fill comprising:
- Organic cotton
- Kapok
- Wool.
Most duvets and comforters are, however, made with conventional cotton covers and virgin polyester fiber fill. Some duvets and comforters are made with recycled polyester, which is an improvement in terms of sustainability but still a poor choice for good quality sleep. This is mainly because polyester creates a sweaty sleep environment. Polyester also harbors dust mites and is prone to lumpiness and uneven fill distribution.
Whichever duvet insert you choose, it’s a good idea to look for one with corner loops or ties. That way, you can pair your duvet insert with a duvet cover that also has corner ties, to keep your insert in place in the cover.
Pros and cons of comforters and duvets
Comforters and duvets have their advantages and disadvantages. The best choice for your bedroom will depend on how you plan to use the space and your (or your guests’) sleep needs and style.
| Comforters | Duvets |
|---|---|
| Easy to layer with blankets and throws | Can be lumpy under blankets and throws |
| Drape more over the side of the bed for a traditional aesthetic | Don’t overhang the sides of the bed too much |
| Easier to wash than a full duvet, but too big for many home washing machines | Hard to wash a duvet insert, but the duvet cover is easy to wash |
| Can’t change the comforter’s cover | Can switch out duvet covers whenever you want |
| A one-and-done purchase | Need to buy both duvet insert and duvet cover(s) |
| Ready to go out of the bag | Take more time and effort to insert duvet into cover and fluff out the fill |
| More flexible across seasons | Single weight duvets may be best for summer or winter only |
| Single purchase may be more cost effective | The cost of a duvet insert plus covers can add up fast |
| The whole comforter will need replacing if ripped or stained | Duvet inserts tend not to need replacing as frequently |
Comforters are easy to layer
It is standard practice to pair a comforter with a top sheet and blanket(s). This layered approach is both fashionable and flexible. Unlike a single weight duvet, a comforter can work all year round, even in places with significant seasonal temperature variation.
Comforters are also flatter than duvets, thanks to the quilting. This means any blankets or throws will sit nicely on top of a comforter. With a duvet, blankets and throws can look lumpy.
In Europe, most sleepers skip the top sheet and favor a duvet with a duvet cover. In North America, the top sheet is more common even with a duvet and cover.
Comforters are great for guest rooms
Comforters come in a range of sizes and weights and are usually (but not always) thinner than duvets. They are a popular choice for guest rooms, thanks to their flexibility, drape, and more cozy style.
Comforters are also usually easier to wash than a full duvet (but not the duvet cover), which can help reassure guests of a clean, hygienic space to sleep.
Duvets are easier to re-style
In contrast to comforters, duvets have a duvet cover you can remove, wash, and switch out for other covers. This makes duvets more flexible in style than comforters and arguably more sustainable if you tend to switch up your bedroom aesthetic fairly regularly.
Comforters are a one-and-done purchase
If you’re looking for a simple ‘bed-in-a-bag’ product, a comforter is a great choice. Usually, these bundles include matching sheets and shams to complement the comforter.
With a duvet, you usually have to buy the duvet, duvet cover, sheets, and shams separately. This can make it harder to match colors and patterns.
Comforters are simpler to use
A comforter is ready to go right out of the box or bag. There’s no need to fiddle around with a duvet insert and cover, and the baffling means you shouldn’t ever have to shimmy and shake a comforter to redistribute the fill evenly.
Comforters are harder to clean
Unless you have a huge washing machine, you may struggle to launder an adult size comforter. Many comforters won’t fit in a regular washing machine, but because you can’t remove the cover of a comforter, you’ll need to wash the whole thing.
If you anticipate spills and stains, consider a protective cover for your comforter, or go with a duvet instead.
That said, duvet inserts are almost impossible to wash in a home washing machine. As such, make sure your duvet has a protective encasement and a duvet cover if you anticipate mess.
Duvets can be fiddly
Personally, putting on the duvet cover is my least favorite part of dressing a bed. I’ve tried all the tricks but there’s just the basic physics problem of having a short arm span and a large size duvet. Even once you get the duvet into the duvet cover, there’s still shaking and fluffing to do to get things even.
To reduce fussiness and keep the insert in place, look for covers and inserts with clasps or corner ties.
Duvets can be expensive
An organic comforter might seem costly as a single item but it may actually work out less than the cost of a duvet insert and cover. The price of both comforters and duvet covers depends heavily on the materials. For organic covers and fill, or down or feather fill, expect to pay more than for synthetic materials.
Duvets may be more durable
If a comforter rips or gets seriously stained, you’ll likely need to buy a new one. If a duvet cover rips or is stained the duvet insert may still be fine. That mean you’ll only need to replace the duvet cover, not the whole duvet.
Duvets can also be more durable style-wise, given that you can easily switch the cover if your bedroom aesthetic changes.
Final thoughts on duvets versus comforters
Duvets and comforters may seem very similar but there’s just enough differences between the two to make it worth the time to consider your options when styling your bedding.
If you’re after a more traditional aesthetic for an adult guest room or bedroom, a comforter can be a great choice and is a convenient one-and-done buy. However, if you won’t be able to wash the comforter easily, a duvet might be the better choice for longer-term convenience.
FAQs
Yes! There’s nothing to stop you using a duvet cover to keep your comforter clean for longer. The trick, though, is to measure the comforter and get the right size duvet cover. Most comforters run larger than duvet inserts, so you’ll likely need a king size cover even for a queen size comforter.
You’ll want to wash a comforter at least once a month. In between, spot clean any areas that need some TLC. When you do wash the comforter, it’s best to wash it by itself. Follow the care instructions.