Interior designer Brandi Bashcombe always asks her clients what their sleeping preferences are when working on bedrooms: “If they tend to kick off the covers, I go with something lightweight,” she says. “If they snuggle in or keep their house cold at night, a warmer comforter is quite cozy.” Our top pick, the L.L. Bean Permabaffle Box Goose Down Comforter, has multiple warmth options, sizes, and is long-lasting. Here are the best comforters to keep you warm. One of our tester’s favorite features was how well the comforter kept its shape. It’s made of 16 individual boxes with a border around the entire comforter, which ensures that the goose down stays in place and doesn’t accumulate in just one spot. The comforter also has loops at each corner, so your duvet cover—if you choose to use one—will stay secure night after night. L.L. Bean recommends washing this comforter in a commercial machine, although our tester was able to wash it at home using the bulk setting on a large washing machine. Fortunately, it is a neutral off-white color and looks great on its own if you don’t want to add a cover to the already expensive cost. Price at time of publish: $499 This comforter is machine washable. It also comes in seven colors and six sizes, including twin XL and California king. Like many other options, there are tabs on the corners to secure a duvet cover, if you choose to use one. When delivered, the comforter comes in a plastic zipped case and does need some time to fluff up. The same is true after it goes through the wash cycle. Price at time of publish: $37 The Cloud Comforter is filled with a down-alternative material that’s derived from recycled plastic bottles. This comforter is also machine-washable—so you won’t have to worry about any messes or spills (or long trips to the dry cleaner). You can try it for a full seven days before deciding if it is for you. Another note: if you really like the outer material, you can get the same feel from Buffy’s Breeze Duvet Cover, which is also made from cooling eucalyptus. Not only will this protect the comforter, but you can add additional style, as well. Price at time of publish: $129 Our reviewer liked the transparency in the list of materials, including the exact farms where the fibers are grown. The comforter is made from long staple cotton and down fill. It has a baffle box design to ensure that the down stays exactly where you want it and doesn’t shift with use. You will need to dry clean, although you can spot treat as needed. Our tester noted that it is easy to stain, especially if you don’t use a duvet cover. Fortunately, the comforter has corner tabs to tie a duvet cover in place. Price at time of publish: $269 Spot cleaning is easy for small messes but you will need to take this comforter to a laundromat with a commercial-sized washer and dryer for the best clean. Our reviewer noted that the comforter wrinkles easily so make sure that you fold it well on your return trip home and plan to steam the wrinkles out if they will bother you. It is lightweight but still provides plenty of warmth as well as a lot of luxurious fluff. It does tend to pill, especially over time. Price at time of publish: $36 It is dry clean only, so we recommend using a duvet covert to cut down on the expense of getting it professionally cleaned. It has corner loops to secure a duvet cover. For being an expensive comforter, we would have expected more than just loops at each corner, however. It is one of the few comforters out there to have an OEKO-TEX certification, although many do follow the same steps. Price at time of publish: $220 This is an expensive comforter but it amazingly can go right in your washing machine at home. If certifications and materials are important to you, however, this is one of the best options you can get. It is OEKO-TEX certified and Certified Nontoxic and doesn’t include harmful materials. Pottery Barn also ensures that they follow safe labor practices and that each comforter is responsibly made. Price at time of publish: $219 The comforter has loops on the corners for duvet covers. If you buy a duvet cover from The Company Store, they line up perfectly although most other retailers’ duvet covers will also work. The comforter comes with a lifetime guarantee, making the expensive price well worth it in most cases. Price at time of publish: $439 Our top pick is the L.L. Bean Permabaffle Box Goose Down Comforter. It is well-made out of cotton and hypoallergenic goose down, as well as available in multiple weights and sizes. The Permabaffle keeps the down in place for even comfort. For a budget-friendly option, look at the Utopia Bedding Down Alternative Comforter for a comforter that is easy to care for and super comfortable.
Loft
Also known as fill power, a comforter’s loft indicates the amount of space one ounce of filling takes up. Comforters with a higher loft are fluffier and have better insulation. If you like something lightweight, a fill power below 500 will suffice, while if you’re looking for a year-round option, choose a comforter in the 500-600 range. If you’re looking for something even warmer, opt for a loft higher than 600.
Box Construction
Box construction refers to the way a comforter is stitched to keep the filling evenly dispersed. There are two main types: sewn-through box and baffle box. In sewn-through box construction, the top and bottom layers of a comforter are sewn together in a box pattern. In a baffle box construction, strips of fabric are sewn between the top and bottom layers to create compartments. Baffle box construction is more expensive but more effective at keeping the fill in place.
Certifications
You’ll come across a few common certifications when shopping for the best comforter, the most common being OEKO-TEX and RDS. OEKO-TEX is an international association of 18 independent research and test institutes that sets standards for safer textile products. If a comforter is certified by OEKO-TEX, it means it’s been produced without the use of harmful chemicals and meets the requirements of OEKO-TEX’s sustainability standards. RDS is a certification you might come across when shopping for a down comforter, and it stands for Responsible Down Standard. It means the down has been sourced from a certified farm that adheres to strict animal welfare principles, so you can sleep soundly knowing the duck or geese that produced the down were raised humanely.
Standout Features
High-Quality Shell
Even though your comforter will likely be covered with a duvet, choosing one with a high-quality shell only increases your comfort. Look for shells made from breathable 100 percent cotton or smooth eucalyptus fabric—both options are great at helping you stay cool through all seasons.
Temperature Regulation
When it comes to temperature regulation, down comforters are an excellent choice because they’re lightweight and breathable. However, if you’re opting for a synthetic fill, you can look for a comforter with temperature-regulating features like moisture-wicking fibers and a cool, breathable shell to help keep you comfortable.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Katie Melynn, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. To find the best comforters for your needs, Katie pored over reviews from both our own home testers and third-party sources. She also spoke with Brandi Bashcombe, an interior designer who makes recommendations for everything from bedrooms to nurseries. Katie has been writing for The Spruce since 2019, and has personally tested a number of comforters on this list. You can find more of her writing on VeryWell Family, The Spruce Eats, and more.
