Duvet vs. Comforter: Your Ultimate Guide to Cozy Comfort

Though their names are often used interchangeably, these two cozy cornerstones of bedding are actually completely different items. Both offer a comfy surface layer to our beds, but they have different functionalities and characteristics, and knowing their differences is vital for creating your dream sleep space.

So, which one is right for you? Read on to learn how to top off your ideal bed!

Cozy fun under a QE Home Duvet.

Feel like keeping it simple? If you just need the short version of what makes each layer unique, here’s a quick rundown of their differences:

Duvet and comforter comparison, made easy.

What is a Duvet?

Duvets feature a stitched fabric shell filled with either down, silk, or an alternative filling, and are often dressed with a duvet cover. Stemming from the French word for “down,” duvets have had a storied, international career. Rumoured to have been used as early as 5000 years ago in China, duvets were a staple in Northern Europe throughout the 18th-19th centuries, but only hit the Western mass market in the last 60 years.

This global bedding staple goes by many names - doonas or quilts in Australia, continental quilts or eiderdowns in the UK, and - most confusingly - comforters in the US. No matter its moniker, a duvet is the ultimate piece of luxury bedding. They offer superior comfort to cater to each individual's needs, important health benefits, and versatility of style.

Duvets are the ultimate luxury in personalized bedding.

Features of a Duvet

• Personalized solutions: The right duvet made with the right material will fully meet your individual needs, keeping you comfy cozy all night. For example, a duvet filled primarily with down over feathers is well suited for those who sleep cool and don't like a weighted feeling. Meanwhile, silk is better for those who live in a humid climate, sleep hot, suffer from allergies, or sleep with a partner with a different body temperature.
• Healthy sleep: High quality duvets are blissfully breathable yet insulating for fresh and healthy sleep year-round. Duvets made from alternative materials are also hypoallergenic to support soothing sleep, especially for those with sensitive skin.
• Duvet cover: The use of a duvet cover means that you can change your duvet ‘fit as you see fit - whether you’re opting to swap fabrics for colder seasons, keep up with the trends, or evolve your personal bedding style! Duvet covers also take the brunt of the spills and wear on your bed, and are machine washable and easy to care for.
• Ease of care: Besides our silk duvets, QE Home duvets are machine washable for easy care. Washing your duvet is rarely needed, however, as it can easily be protected with a washable duvet cover. And with the right care, duvets only need to be washed once every 5-10 years! 

What is a Comforter?

Now, to drift off - or, onwards - to comforters! A comforter typically features a lightly quilted shell with a soft, plush polyester filling, to create a pre-patterned bedding layer. Comforters often come with playfully stylish and thoughtfully designed patterns.

The outer shell of a comforter is generally made of polyester or microfiber and sometimes cotton. Comforters can be filled with a natural or synthetic material, and their patterned stitching keeps it put. 

Comforters can add a trendy and fun layer to your bed.

Features of a Comforter

• A guest and kid-friendly option: Comforters are easy to use, dress, and layer, and can go straight from the store to your bed. This makes them useful for guest bedrooms, spare bedding, or summer cabins - anywhere you may be dressing multiple beds at once. They’re also an excellent option for kids or college students, as comforters bring a touch of fuss-free style at a lower price point.
• Convenient care: Comforters are generally machine washable and super easy to care for, making them an ideal layer for a simple and quick bedding refresh.
• Simple styling: Comforters are an easy, pre-patterned layer that can be used to refresh your bedding style whenever you’re craving a new look.

Layer up with a duvet or comforter (or both)!

Duvet or Comforter: Which Should I Get?

Duvets and comforters serve different purposes, and you may decide you need both! Comforters offer trendy (often budget-friendly) designs, making them an excellent option when you need to quickly dress and care for multiple beds. A great spare layer for the little ones (or the messy ones), comforters are a simple, easy-going bedding solution.

Duvets are unique because they cater to the individual needs of every sleeper, with duvet covers offering a chic way to refresh your bedding while prolonging its life. Besides adding luxuriously cozy comfort, duvets are also naturally temperature-regulating and offer heightened health benefits like moisture-wicking breathability and allergy-friendly fills. They are a time-tested investment piece for the soundest, highest quality sleep.

Though the choice between a duvet and comforter can be tricky to navigate, we hope this guide helps you decide on the right one for you and your sleep space. Looking for more tailored advice? Consult with one of our sleep experts to get all your bedding questions answered.

To learn more about all things sleep, check out our Pillow Talk Blog or chat with our sleep experts at any of our 70+ locations across Canada.