Duvets are available with so many different fillings, all with different tog ratings, making the task of choosing the best duvet for you a difficult and sometimes frustrating one. Here’s some advice that we hope will help…

In general terms, duvets fall into one of two categories:

natural or synthetic, although there is also some luxurious middle ground too, eg the Silk Sensation duvet (filled a combination of hypoallergenic natural silk and polyester).

As far as price is concerned, it's fair to say that the LIGHTER and SOFTER a duvet, whether natural or synthetic, the more expensive it will be relative to the other duvets within the same category.

So, if you actually prefer a HEAVY DUVET, for that ‘tucked-in’ bed feeling, well, quite frankly - you’re laughing as these tend to be rather cheaper than their lightweight counterparts! If this is your preference then I’d simply skip straight to the natural Duck feather and down duvet or the hypoallergenic hollowfibre duvet product pages for more information.

In terms of LIGHTWEIGHT DUVETS, traditionally, only a natural duvet had the ability to be blissfully light yet wonderfully warm. Today, however, synthetic duvets are able to provide both the lightweight feel and all the warmth of natural down duvets, with the added bonus of being allergen-free and easier to take care of too, so they’re perfect for everyone to enjoy.

 

Synthetic duvets

One type of synthetic duvet, the micofibre duvet, has many qualities you would expect from any high quality natural down-filled duvet. Though slightly more expensive than other hypoallergenic types of polyester duvets, such as hollowfibre duvets, the microfibre duvet certainly emulates the wonderfully soft, lightweight feel of a duck or goose down duvet. What is more, microfibre duvets have the added benefit of being machine washable up to 60°C, the temperature that kills dust mites, making them the best duvet for allergies. Other types of duvet, whether natural or synthetic normally have a recommendation to be washed at only 40°C.

So, if you are looking for a lightweight, hypoallergenic duvet then we would highly recommend a microfibre duvet. The following duvets are filled with microfibre:

Spundown duvet
The Spundown duvet is our best-selling duvet. It’s 100% silky-soft, fine and light microfibre filling and casing makes it lighter than the 60% goose down duvet and 23% lighter than a standard hollowfibre duvet. Furthermore, the revolutionary, highly compressible microfibre filling enables every size and tog available to be washed in a domestic washing machine at 60°C. It is the ultimate machine washable duvet, no wonder it won the Queen’s award for design and innovation.

Cotton Embrace duvet
The Cotton Embrace duvet benefits from a 100% pure coton casing, for  touch of luxury.
 
So Soft duvet
The So Soft duvet is the best duvet for you should you not wish to pay the prices of the Spundown duvet, but still require a light-weight duvet, which provides exceptional softness and durability.

For those looking for the best duvet, in terms of a slightly HEAVIER WEIGHT, HYPOALLERGENIC DUVET, then we would recommend a hollowfibre duvet.


Middle Ground: Synthetic and Natural Comination Duvets

The following duvets are filled with a combination of microfibre and a breathable fibre. These duvets are therefore able to absorb and disperse excess humidity, creating a synthetic duvet that allows your body to 'breathe' so you feel cool, fresh and comfortable all night long. These duvets are therefore the best duvets for those looking for a lightweight, hypoallergenic and breathable duvet, ie the luxurious middle ground between synthetic and natural duvets.

Perfect Balance Duvet
The Perfect Balance duvet is filled with wonderfully soft, fine and light, Lysoft© microfibre, (85% microfibre, 15% Lyocell). Lyocell is an advanced breathable fibre, created from natural raw materials, that is softer and more breathable than Egyptian cotton.

Silk Sensation Duvet
The Silk Sensation duvet is filled wth a luxurious blend of down-like microfibre and pure natural silk..

 

Natural duvets

Natural filled duvets can look very similar but prices differ greatly, so what is the difference?
Starting with the down-proof cotton case, these vary in quality, the best ones being made from densely woven cotton cambric constructed fabric. The duvet's box-construction holds the filling in place so that there are no cold spots. Next the filling, this is usually goose (or duck) feathers, goose (or duck) down or a combination of the two. Adding feathers to a duvet makes it cheaper but also heavier. The best duvets are filled only with only pure white goose down, such as a premium goose down duvet. Even better than these are the duvets filled with down from geese bred in the coldest parts of Europe and Canada, eg a Hungarian goose down duvet. These birds are left to mature until the down is at its prime to ensure the lightest softest down possible.

A cheaper alternative to a goose down duvet is a duck down duvet and a cheaper alternative to a or goose feather and down down duvet is a duck feather and down duvet, these offer similar characteristics but are just that bit heavier than their goose down / feather counterparts, simply due to the smaller size of the down and feathers and consequently their smaller capacity to insulate. More duck down or feathers are therefore required to provide the particular level (tog rating) of insulation.

Should you require a hypoallergenic natural duvet then we would highly recommend a Mulberry silk duvet. Silk is an excellent alternative of duvet filling for those who are allergic to feathers and yet require a 100% allergen-free duvet.