Quick answer
Pick the warmth for your room, then the fill
- Step one
- Match the warmth rating (tog) to the season and your room temperature.
- Step two
- Choose the fill: down, synthetic or wool, by warmth, budget and care.
- Step three
- Match the size to your bed, and check the construction for even fill.
- Save effort
- Two lighter duvets can be combined for winter instead of buying two.
Start with warmth, not brand
Most people buy a duvet by size and price, then discover it is wrong for the room. The more useful starting point is warmth, and in the UK and Europe that is usually expressed as a tog rating: the higher the number, the more heat it traps.
A duvet that is too warm is the more common mistake, because the room already runs warm. If your bedroom sits near the recommended sleep temperature, you may need less insulation than you think.
| Warmth | Typical tog | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Around 4.5 | Summer, warm rooms, hot sleepers |
| Mid | Around 9–10.5 | Spring and autumn, average rooms |
| Warm | Around 13.5 | Winter, cold rooms |
| All-season | Two duvets, 4.5 + 9 | Both — used separately or combined |
Those tog figures are the common industry ranges, not a strict rule, and a well-heated room needs less insulation than a cold one. If you are unsure, go lighter — you can always add a blanket. The all-season set is the flexible choice for people who feel the cold differently across the year.
Cold sleeper, warm partner?
A combined or all-season duvet, or two single duvets on a double bed, lets each person adjust their own side. It is one of the simplest fixes for a temperature mismatch in bed.
Fillings compared
| Fill | Feel and warmth | Care | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Down | Light, lofty, warm for its weight | Washable with care or specialist clean | Long-lasting; costs more |
| Feather / down blend | Firmer, a touch heavier | Similar to down | A lower-cost middle ground |
| Synthetic (polyester) | Good warmth, heavier feel | Usually machine washable | Best for allergy concerns and easy care |
| Wool | Warm, breathable, heavier | Often dry clean or careful wash | Temperatures well |
| Microfibre | Soft, down-like at lower cost | Machine washable | Holds less loft over time than down |
Warmth is not only about the fill; it is about how much air the construction traps. That is why a light down duvet can be warmer than a heavier synthetic one of the same tog.
Size and construction
- Go up a size for a shared bed. A duvet one size larger than the mattress covers two people more comfortably.
- Check the construction. "Baffle box" stitching creates pockets that let the fill stay lofty and evenly spread; simple sewn-through stitching can leave thin, cold spots.
- Match the cover. A correctly sized cover keeps the duvet from sliding and bunching.
- Consider the weight. If you dislike a heavy feel, choose down or microfibre over wool.
Care before you buy
The care requirement should influence the choice, because a duvet is awkward to wash and expensive to dry-clean.
- Check the label in the shop. If a machine-washable duvet matters to you, confirm it before buying rather than after.
- Plan for a large machine. Most duvets need a big drum or a launderette; overfilling a home machine leaves the middle damp.
- Dry completely. Down and synthetic fills both clump and smell if stored or used damp, so dry thoroughly and air it before use.
- Protect it. Use a duvet cover and wash that regularly — see the bedding washing rhythm — so the duvet itself needs washing rarely.
One duvet or two?
On a shared bed the duvet is a common source of disagreement, because two people rarely want the same warmth. There are three practical answers:
- An all-season set that combines two weights — one in summer, both in winter.
- Two single duvets on a double bed, so each person chooses their own warmth and nobody steals the covers.
- A blanket or topper on one side, a simpler fix if you do not want to change the duvet.
The single-duvet-per-person approach looks unconventional to some, but it solves a temperature mismatch more cleanly than any compromise on a shared duvet.
Frequently asked questions
What tog is best for winter?
Around 13.5 suits most cold bedrooms, though a well-heated room may only need mid-weight. If you run warm, choose lighter and add a blanket rather than overheating.
What is the difference between a duvet and a comforter?
A duvet is usually used with a separate cover and is available in warmth ratings; a comforter is typically a finished, covered quilt used on its own. Function is similar; the covering and care differ.
Are synthetic duvets good for allergies?
Yes — they are generally machine washable and not a feather source, which many people prefer. Regular hot washing of the cover plus a moisture-control routine keeps the whole bed fresher.
How often should I wash a duvet?
Far less often than the cover. A wash every couple of months, or at the change between seasons, is a reasonable rhythm, sooner if it is soiled or smells.
Sources and research notes
This guide covers choosing bedding for comfort and care. Warmth ratings and materials vary by brand, so check the product label for specific tog values and washing instructions.
Written and edited by the Resthearth Editorial. Each guide starts from a real bedroom decision, is checked against the sources listed above, and is updated when guidance changes. We are an independent editorial desk, not medical professionals — read how we research and update our guides.
