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Indulgent. Comforting. Double-stuffed. We aren’t just describing the best type of Oreo; we’re talking about the best duvets. However you take your top layer — linen that gets softer over time, design over textile, superthin insert, no flat sheet in sight — the options are vast. To help you narrow the search, we spoke to a few experts on what to look out for when finding the icing on top of your sleep situation. Below, our favorite duvet covers, all listed with their queen-size price.
FAQs
When should someone buy a duvet over a comforter?
“The choice between a duvet or a comforter comes down to personal preference,” says Hannah Samlin, a senior buyer for home textiles at Quince. Duvet covers encase duvet inserts (filled with down or a down alternative), while comforters are similar to quilts and meant to stand, or lie, alone. Practically, Ariel Kaye, founder of Parachute, says that opting for a duvet “offers the added convenience of removing it to wash or to switch up the design of a space.”
Importantly, Samlin says the “comfy as a cloud” effect can really only be achieved with a duvet. If you want it extra fluffy and can take the heat, double the inserts. For those who have lost their shit one too many times while trying to stuff the bedding genie back into the bottle, you may enjoy the simplicity that a comforter can bring.
What makes for a great duvet cover?
“Material is the key foundation for a great duvet cover,” says Samlin. “[It] greatly impacts the design, color, and durability of bedding.” She says certain companies, such as the one she works for, emphasize sourcing high-quality fibers that are made without the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides. A marker of this kind of focus is an Oeko-Tex certification like the Standard 100.
What’s the best duvet-cover fabric?
Kaye explains that linen is antimicrobial, durable, and insulating: “[It] keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.” Percale offers that hotel feel, she says, and is crisp, cool, and ideal for hot sleepers. Finally, she notes that brushed cotton would be “best for cool sleepers who are looking for something with a lived-in, soft feel.” You’ll also find textiles made from eucalyptus and bamboo, which tend to be silkier and cooling.
How do I keep my insert in place inside the duvet cover?
Samlin called out two elements that set a great duvet cover apart: the hidden corner ties for keeping your insert in place and an elegant closure for keeping things tucked nice and neat. Closures can be zippers, ties, or buttons, so it’s up to your personal preference (and level of patience).
Best Duvet Covers
The Light-As-Air Linen
Material: European flax | Sizes: Twin/twin XL, full/queen, king/Cal king | Closure type: Buttons
This cover from Parachute may be at the top of everyone’s bedding wish list, and it’s all in the details: The Oeko-Tex certification, unique colors, corner ties, pretty buttons, and the fact that it genuinely gets softer with each wash are just some of the reasons you can’t get away from it on Instagram. Plus, if “hot” is how you’d describe your nights‚ and not in the biblical sense, linen should be your M.O. The flax linen not only has an open weave, but the fibers are actually hollow, all of which make for a lighter, more breathable experience.
The Goldilocks Duvet Cover
Material: Long-staple cotton | Sizes: Twin/twin XL, full/queen, king/Cal king | Closure type: Buttons
Percale tends to be a happy medium for those who don’t run particularly hot or cool at night. It’s crisp and is generally what people think of when looking for a hotel-like bed. Brooklinen makes a top-rated option; this duvet cover has nearly 6,000 reviews, 80 percent of which have five stars. It’s made of 100 percent cotton (percale is often mixed with synthetic materials), is Oeko-Tex certified, and has corner ties and especially large buttons for closing the sheets. We’re particularly into this limited-edition print that will give your bed all the charm and cozy of a quilt — and none of the smother.
The Luxe Linen Without the Alienating Price Tag
Material: European flax | Sizes: Twin, full/queen, king/Cal king | Closure type: Buttons
Quince’s best-selling European Linen Duvet Cover is at least half the cost of some other popular linen options, and it doesn’t skimp on quality. Just ask the 1,000-plus reviewers who have given the product an overall 4.8-star rating. If that weren’t enough, it’s woven from European flax, is Oeko-Tex certified, has corner ties, and comes in 19 colors and designs. A major plus if you’re into duvet covers for their flexibility. Samlin also loves that the linen is breathable and has a relaxed, lived-in look — a kind of sprezzatura for your bedroom.
The Best on a Budget
Material: 95 GSM Microfiber | Sizes: Twin, full/queen, king/Cal king | Closure type: Zipper
A classic print with a full cover and pillowcase set? For under $50? If you are lucky enough to have an extra room, this is the ideal duvet cover for guests. There are corner ties and a zippered closure for easy use, and it does come with those shams as well as oversize buttons to close up the duvet cover.
The Cozy One
Material: Microfiber | Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king, Cal king | Closure type: Buttons
As Kaye mentioned, a brushed option works well for those who want to sink into something supersoft at the end of a long day (ahem, all of us). This set features a microfiber duvet cover and matching shams for about $25. As per usual with Amazon, the price is unbeatable. It has around 63,000 five-star ratings on Amazon with reviewers stating that it’s extremely durable, doesn’t wrinkle, is Oeko-Tex certified, and includes corner ties along with a button closure. The downside? The material isn’t particularly breathable or lightweight, so it’s unlikely to work for those who run hot or who live in toasty climates.
The Happy Middle
Material: 70 percent viscose from bamboo, 30 percent linen | Sizes: Twin, queen, king | Closure type: Ties
If you and your partner agree to disagree on the best type of bedding, consider this duvet the mediator. It’s a blend of the je ne sais quoi look of linen and the luxe feel of viscose from bamboo. The latter softens the overall fabric, which is especially appealing for the person who likes the idea of linen but finds it too abrasive. There are also a few unique features, such as snap (not tie-off!) corners, deeper colors fit for a moody bedroom, and a zipper closure — which may also save you on a few arguments down the line.
The One That’ll Charm the Pants Off You
Material: European flax | Sizes: Twin, queen, king/Cal king | Closure type: Buttons
You can think of Piglet in Bed as Parachute from across the pond. The West Sussex–based company specializes in stonewashed linens with an irresistible charm; there are warm ginghams, ticking stripes, and rich dyes you won’t find anywhere else. The duvet covers (and bedsheets) are linen made from European flax, manufactured in Portugal, Oeko-Tex certified, and all but ensure you wake up quite chuffed.
The Bathrobe for Your Bed
Material: Organic cotton | Sizes: Full/queen, king/Cal king | Closure type: Zipper
Nothing counters the chill of cold bathroom tiles quite like being enveloped in a warm, weighty bathrobe. Even better if it’s a cozy waffle weave. This gets you that … in bed. Boll & Branch is a luxe bedding company that uses organic cotton to create duvet covers and bedding that look straight out of an Architectural Digest home tour. These will keep you toasty warm and add an understated panache to your bedroom.
The Slinky One
Material: Tencel Lyocell | Sizes: Twin, full/queen, king/Cal king | Closure type: Buttons
Hot sleepers, unite. Buffy may be known for its airy duvet inserts, but you won’t want to stop there if you’re a fan of sleeping in a cloudlike environment. The brand uses Tencel Lyocell, which is said to be more environmentally responsible (the fibers are harvested from sustainable eucalyptus). The material is also supersoft and naturally moisture-wicking, which means you’ll have a better chance of not waking up in a pool of sweat.
The Sleepy Status Symbol
Material: Organic cotton | Sizes: Queen, king | Closure type: Buttons
Much like the other top-quality textiles on this list, Tekla makes its duvet covers in Portugal out of 100 percent organic cotton. That’s where your déjà vu should end, though. The Danish brand differentiates itself with notice-me patterns and colors — even the standard shades are elevated. We’ve had our eye on the Mallow Pink Stripes for months, but like much of Tekla’s products, get used to turning on your back-in-stock notifications. It’s not just aesthetics: Tekla’s duvet cover is lightly stonewashed (so it’s crisp but comfortable), has corner ties and secure button closures, and is Oeko-Tex certified.
The Amazon Pick
Material: Polyester | Sizes: Twin/twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king | Closure type: Buttons
Soft-grain linen not enough texture for you? Allow us to introduce you to Amazon’s tufted top-rated duvet cover. The set, which includes two pillow shams, has nearly 9,000 five-star ratings and has some personality in the way of an embroidered geometric pattern all across the top. The set comes in 25 colors (which is ideal if you’re shopping for a hyperspecific kid or teen), and there are eight corner ties and a zipper closure to make things easy to assemble. The best part? Reviewers say that thanks to the raised design, this duvet is practically wrinkleproof.
The One All Over Pinterest
Material: 100% washed cotton | Sizes: Small, medium, large
Available in an array of color combinations (we’re partial to this thin stripe pink one), this incredibly soft duvet cover is made from 100 percent washed cotton is probably most aesthetic duvet cover you will find. We recommend really comparing the size of your bed to their size guide since they don’t operate with the usual twin, full, queen bedding sizes.
Our experts:
- Ariel Kaye, founder of Parachute
- Bianca Nieves, senior shopping editor at the Cut
- Hannah Samlin, senior buyer for home textiles at Quince
- Shanna Shipin, Cut Shop contributor and former shopping director at Condé Nast
