Duvet vs. Comforter: What Is a Duvet + Key Differences

Differences Between Duvet and Comforter

The main difference between duvets and comforters is that duvets use a cover and comforters do not. Comforters use the same materials as a duvet, but duvets are thicker than comforters. Retailers sometimes use “comforter” for “duvet” and vice versa, which can prove confusing. 

While duvets may require more pieces than a comforter, their design can save you time as they are easier to clean due to their removable covers. With a duvet, you simply remove the cover and wash it, whereas comforters are full of materials, so washing them can be time-consuming and problematic.

Duvet Cover Size vs. Comforter Size

While duvets appear fuller on your bed, they actually tend to be slightly smaller than comforters, providing a “flush” fit. In comparison, comforters are designed to hang over the sides of your bed slightly. Both duvets and comforters are available in every mattress size.

Use the table below to better understand duvet and comforter standard sizes:

Sizes for duvets and comforters can vary slightly based on manufacturers. Many manufacturers size up or down from the norm by a few inches so be sure to confirm sizes per option. 

It’s also important to know your mattress size when selecting bedding. If you have a thicker mattress, opt for a larger duvet or comforter to ensure proper coverage around the edges.

How To Choose The Right Duvet vs. Comforter

There are a variety of options for duvets and comforters, which all satisfy different wants and needs. Your final choice needs to suit your particular sleeping style and preferences.

Use this guide to choose the right duvet or comforter for you.

1. Material

Stuffing material is a crucial factor, especially if you want to use your duvet or comforter year-round. For example, hot sleepers might prefer a down alternative as this material is more temperature-regulating, while cold sleepers might prefer down.

The primary choices for duvet insert or comforter filling include:

• Down alternative (usually a polyester material): comfy, durable, temperature-regulating, easy to wash
• Down: fluffy, comfy, some are machine-washable
• Down and feather blend: fluffy, comfy, some are machine-washable
• Wool: breathable, soft, some are machine-washable
• Polyester: less breathable, more durable, easy to wash

2. Size

To determine your blanket’s size, measure your bed. Your duvet insert or comforter should be larger than your bed’s dimensions. Manufacturers may use “queen size” to describe their duvet inserts, but it’s not always consistent between brands.

First, ensure your blanket is longer and wider than your mattress. Then, consider your mattress height and how you want to style your bed. A properly sized duvet or comforter should cover the sides of your mattress without touching the floor.

3. Warmth

You may have seen “fill weight” and “fill power” used to describe down or other types of filling. A fill power score indicates how fluffy a down filling is on a scale of 300-900, with 900 being the highest quality. A high number means high-quality insulation, with 600 and upwards typically denoting a high-quality option.

Fill weight tells you how heavy a down filling is, but it’s less reliable for measuring warmth. You can use fill weight to find your preferred density, but fill power is better for determining the quality of a blanket’s insulation.

A high-quality filling lets you enjoy a duvet or comforter year-round. Purple’s TempBalance™ Duvet uses a special temperature-regulating material for this purpose. Our down alternative provides all the comfort and convenience you need for a good night’s sleep.

4. Convenience

Those who dislike the process of properly inserting a duvet into its insert may find using a comforter more convenient. However, you’ll have to use a top sheet with a comforter to avoid washing a comforter as often. 

Additionally, if you want to switch your comforter seasonally or for aesthetic reasons, you’ll need more storage space than you would with duvet covers.

Duvet covers and inserts have a reputation for moving around, but this shouldn’t happen if you secure them. The best duvet inserts allow you to secure the duvet covers and inserts at each corner. 

The common options for securing duvets are:

• Ties
• Clips
• Loops

Metal or plastic clips are easy enough to secure, but they can be bulky due to their material. Most duvets come with ties or loops, but this varies by brand.

Purple’s soft-touch Velcro is the best of both worlds. Soft-touch Velcro keeps your duvet insert from moving without the need for bulky clips or fussy ties.

5. Cost

Duvet inserts can cost anywhere from $50-$1,000, depending on the filling materials, fill weight, size, and brand. Pricier inserts use down, while less expensive options usually use synthetic materials, like polyester.

Purple’s duvet inserts range from $229 for a twin/twin XL size to $279 for a king/California king. Every insert uses our down alternative for superior comfort at a friendlier cost.

Comforters may be a bit more expensive, ranging from $30 to over $500. However, you’ll have to replace the entire item instead of just the duvet cover if it gets damaged or stained.

6. Cleaning

When it comes to duvet vs. comforter care, the duvet takes top place for ease of cleaning. A duvet cover eliminates the need to wash the bulky duvet insert. The cover is easy to remove and wash making maintenance of your bedding much more effortless.  By contrast, a comforter requires additional cleaning since it doesn’t have a protective cover. Getting a bulky comforter into a washing machine can be a Herculean task, most often requiring a trip to the dry cleaners. Additionally, replacing a duvet cover is much easier than replacing an entire comforter.

What Is the Best Duvet Insert for Hot Sleepers?

The best duvet insert for hot sleepers is one filled with temperature-regulating stuffing. Down-stuffed inserts with a high fill power and low fill weight can provide comfort without trapping too much heat.

Purple’s TempBalance™ Duvet is the perfect duvet insert for hot sleepers. Our easy-to-use soft-touch Velcro makes cleaning your duvet cover a breeze, and our down alternative gives you all the warm, cozy benefits of down without pokey feathers.