We rounded up options that fared well during our Lab testing—in addition to previous rounds of at-home testing–in terms of quality, texture, breathability, durability, and care requirements. During lab testing our testers not only laid under each comforter to evaluate its overall feel, plus its maneuverability and loft, but also took thermal readings to evaluate each comforter’s warmth. Our top pick is the Brooklinen Down Comforter, which combines a lightweight feel with incredible warmth that doesn’t trap body heat. Here are the best down comforters on the market. Our home tester gave Brooklinen’s Down Comforter a perfect 5-out-of-5 overall score, noting the super-soft shell and warm feather fill. In addition to the ethically sourced down, she liked that the long-staple cotton is Oeko-Tex-certified and treated with antimicrobials to minimize allergies and odor-causing bacteria growth. With fill power ranging from 650 to 750, depending on your selection, this comforter is a great choice for everything from brutal winters to year-round use. And thanks to the baffle-box construction, the fill should stay in place without clumping. We could not wash this comforter as part of our durability test, as it’s listed as dry clean only, but it performed well against a coffee stain. It didn’t soak up any of the coffee, and any residual moisture was easily cleaned up. Material: Long-staple cotton, down | Sizes: Twin/twin XL, full/queen, king/Cal king | Fill Power: 650, 700, 750 | Certifications: Oeko-Text, DOWNMARK, and Ultra-Fresh | Care: Spot clean or dry clean | Return Policy: 365 days During testing, we immediately noticed how high-quality this comforter was: the box-pleated construction on the side seams of this comforter felt luxe and tailored, and the long-staple cotton sateen cover has the traditional dobby stripe pattern for a soft and smooth feel. However, the fill texture left something to be desired: rather than the pillowy fill one might expect, this comforter has a medium loft that got lumpy when rolled out completely. Unlike some other options, this comforter is machine-washable and stain-repellent. After washing, it only shrank one inch, and it effectively repelled a coffee stain that our tester easily wiped up. While lying under this comforter, our tester noted that it warmed up quickly but did not become overly stuffy, making this a great option for year-round use. The included corner tabs for a duvet cover and R. monogram contribute to the overall luxe feel, but we were still left wishing for more fluff, especially considering the high price point. Material: White goose down, long-staple cotton sateen | Sizes: Twin/twin XL, full/queen, king/Cal king | Fill Power: 700, 750 | Certifications: Responsible Down Standard | Care: Machine-washable, tumble dry low heat | Return Policy: 60 days Our at-home tester put the medium-weight option to the test, and found it to be surprisingly lightweight but also incredibly warm—potentially too warm for climates that don’t see distinct seasonal weather changes. “This comforter is…incredibly lightweight,” she said. “We’re not sure we’d ever been this warm under something so light.” She was impressed with the overall quality and loft; this is definitely one of the fluffier options on our list, making it great for those who like that look. This comforter fared well during our in-lab wash test and only shrank slightly. We were able to blot a stain away with a damp cloth, preventing it from soaking through to the down. Backed by a lifetime warranty and high praise from all our testers, this down comforter certainly justifies itself as a splurge item—just note that the warranty is considered void if you’re not using this comforter with a duvet cover. Material: Cotton, goose down | Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king, Cal king | Fill Power: 700+ | Certifications: Oeko-Tex, Responsible Down Standard | Care: Machine-washable, dryer-friendly | Return Policy: 30 days A piped edge and double stitching reinforce the outer edge of this insert and baffle boxes keep the fill evenly distributed throughout. Our tester said there were no loose threads or stitching when she evaluated this comforter’s overall design and also said the fabric had a cool-to-the-touch feel in addition to its softness. While we appreciate this comforter’s loft, we’re concerned that the 5 percent of feathers that make up its fill could poke through the fabric cover over time. This comforter’s online listing is also somewhat confusing to read through, so we suggest taking your time to thoroughly review it before purchasing. Material: Down fiber and feather fiber fill with down and feathers, long-staple cotton | Sizes: Twin, queen, oversized queen, king, oversized king, super king, California king | Fill Power: Not listed | Certifications: Not applicable | Care: Dry clean | Return Policy: 30 days During our coffee stain test, this duvet did absorb much of the spill and it wasn’t fully lifted with a Tide pen, but our tester thought the rest of it should come out in the wash. This insert did shrink slightly, so we recommend pairing it with a cover to prevent the need for frequent washing. Overall, our tester said she would love to purchase this insert for herself because it’s lightweight and allows for plenty of airflow, while still being well-made and reasonably priced for its quality. Material: Down fill, cotton shell | Sizes: Twin/twin XL, full/queen, king/Cali king | Fill Power: 600 | Certifications: Responsible Down Standard | Care: Machine-washable, tumble dry low | Return Policy: 30 days Like some down comforters, this option does crinkle when you’re adjusting it, so it may not be a good fit for light sleepers. We also wish that it was offered in twin bed sizes, but wouldn’t consider this a crucial negative toward the comforter’s overall quality and performance. And although this comforter is slightly more expensive than other options available, we believe its quality and comfort make it a worthy splurge—especially if you’re looking for a lightweight down comforter. Material: Down fill, cotton sateen shell | Sizes: Full/queen, king | Fill Power: 750 | Certifications: Responsible Down Standard, Oeko-Tex Certification | Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low | Return Policy: 60 days Our at-home tester also gave it a score of 4.8 out of 5 for overall value, noting the supremely soft and breathable lyocell shell and lightweight yet cozy vegan fill. This comforter is slightly crinkly while adjusting it, but we’d consider its noise level comparable to real down comforters. Corner loops also make it easy to secure in a duvet cover. Though the fill is polyester, it’s made of recycled materials, and the lyocell comes from sustainably sourced eucalyptus trees. This down-alternative duvet is also machine-washable and suitable for year-round use. Our tester noted minimal shrinkage (3 inches) after washing this comforter in the lab, but she said it was difficult to remove the coffee stain, which was still visible even after using a Tide pen. Material: TENCEL lyocell, polyester fill | Sizes: Twin/twin XL, full/queen, king/Cal king | Fill Power: Not listed | Certifications: Global Recycled Standard | Care: Machine-washable, hang to dry | Return Policy: 100 days To test each comforter’s texture and breathability, our testers laid under them for five minutes and considered whether: the fill felt evenly distributed, it felt easy to maneuver or fold over, or whether it felt cool or too warm. Each comforter was also weighted on a scale to consider its loft and all-season capabilities. Before washing the comforters according to their individual care instructions, our testers performed a stain test by pouring coffee on each comforter. They noted whether the coffee was easily absorbed into the comforter or pooled for easy clean-up. Finally, any comforters that were machine washable were evaluated for damage and shrinkage after washing. Our testers also noted any change in texture. With all of the physical tests complete, we lastly asked our testers to consider the value of each comforter, based on their performance, and whether they would consider purchasing it. We had also previously sent some of the top down comforters on the market to our team of home testers. After using it in their own beds for 2+ weeks, our home testers assessed each option on the basis of fabric quality, softness, temperature regulation, and thickness. We combined their insights with our editors’ and writers’ independent research to bring you this list.
Material
Beyond fill power, you’ll also want to consider the types and proportion of down being used. “The industry standard for filling down comforters is 75 percent down clusters, as these are soft and long-lasting,” says Ruthie Osswald, Senior Associate of Design and Product Development at Brooklinen. Pay attention to the shell material of your comforter, too—this is what keeps the down from poking out over time, so you’ll want to look for a tightly woven yet breathable material like cotton. This will keep your investment in top shape for years to come. Long-staple sateen cotton is a durable weave consisting of long cotton fibers that have been chemically treated for a smoother and longer-lasting finish. Our best overall, runner-up, pick, the Riley Goose Down Comforter, has a long-staple cotton sateen shell with baffle box construction to hold the down fill in place and last for many years.
Certifications
To ensure the quality of your down comforter, it’s advisable to look for a handful of certifications. The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) ensures that down and feathers come from animals that have not been subjected to any unnecessary harm. The International Down and Feather Laboratory (IDFL) certification is another label to look out for— as the largest down testing lab in the world, they regularly collect samples from retailers and manufacturers to ensure that the down they’re using meets global standards. Finally, DOWNMARK is a Canadian organization that certifies that down or feather products are genuine items that have been finished in Canada according to all standards.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland has been writing for The Spruce since 2019, where she covers bedding, furniture, and sleep essentials. For this roundup, she interviewed a sleep expert and researched the key features of comforters, including fill power, shell material, and down certifications. Before landing on her final picks, she reviewed insights from our at-home testers, pored over user reviews, combed through product specs, and considered the price, weight, and construction of dozens of options. Emma Phelps is an updates writer for The Spruce, who has written about many topics under the bedding, bath, and home decor section. To update this roundup, Emma reviewed our latest testing data from The Lab and selected new picks, as well as updating insights for the picks kept in the roundup. She researched the key specs and certifications often associated with down comforters and considered the most popular comforters on the market for background information before writing this roundup.
