Duvet Buying Guide

If you’re unsure what to look for in a duvet, Hannah Shore, our Head of Sleep Science, has put together this duvet buying guide to help you find your ideal duvet.

Choosing the right duvet is key to a good night's sleep. A well chosen duvet helps control your body temperature, keeping you warm but not too hot.

When buying a duvet, consider these three key factors:

• Tog rating: Determines the warmth and thickness of the duvet
• Filling: Affects the feel of the duvet - whether it’s light and airy or warm and weighty
• Size: Match the duvet to your bed size, or go larger if your partner tends to steal the covers

How to choose the best duvet

While a duvet may not affect your comfort levels as much as a mattress or pillow, picking the right duvet can make all the difference to your sleep. Choosing the right duvet is key to a good night's sleep, ensuring you stay comfortable throughout the night. Get it right, and you’ll sleep better and wake up feeling more refreshed.

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What does tog mean in duvets?

A duvet’s tog rating indicates its thermal insulation. The higher the tog number, the warmer the duvet. However, it’s important to remember that tog ratings are a general guide for how warm you will be.

UK tog ratings typically range from 4.5 to 15, but can go as low as 1 tog for ultra-light summer duvets and as high as 20 tog for extreme warmth.

When choosing a duvet, consider your room temperature, as a cooler environment supports better sleep. Your body temperature needs to drop slightly to help you drift off, so finding a duvet that balances warmth and breathability is very important for a good night's sleep.

What tog duvet do I need?

To sleep comfortably throughout the year, it’s a good idea to switch your duvet with the seasons.

What tog duvet is best for summer?

For a cooler and more comfortable sleep during the summer months, we recommend a duvet with a tog rating of 7 or below.

What tog duvet is best for winter?

For a cosy and warm sleep during winter, we recommend a duvet with a tog rating above 7.

If you often overheat, opt for a lower tog rating within these ranges. It’s also wise to keep in mind home insulation as modern homes generally retain heat better than older properties.

What tog duvet is best for children?

• For cots: The maximum recommended tog is 4.5
• For full-sized children’s beds: A tog of around 10.5 is ideal

Children tend to overheat more easily than adults, so it’s important to choose a duvet with a lower tog rating. Keep in mind that some children are more sensitive to texture, and while some may prefer a heavier duvet, others prefer a lighter one. The material of the duvet affects its weight, so consider this when buying. For instance, natural materials like down and wool are heavier than polyester.

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A guide to duvet types

Duvets come with either natural or polyester fillings. Your choice depends on factors like:

• Warmth
• Weight
• Breathability
• Allergies

Polyester duvets

Polyester duvets are a popular choice due to their price and ease of care. There are two types of polyester duvet – hollowfibre and microfibre. Polyester duvets are designed to emulate natural fibres, and can be made using recycled plastic materials. Most polyester duvets are easy to wash at home, helping to keep your sleeping environment fresh. Many are also treated to prevent dust mite build-up, making them ideal for allergy sufferers.

Hollowfibre duvets

Each fibre in a hollowfibre duvet is made from plastic chips, creating a soft and airy filling. This hollow centre traps heat, helping to keep you warm, yet maintains its breathability. 

Microfibre duvets

Microfibre duvets are made from polyester, with much finer fibres tightly woven together. This design creates a smooth, soft feel similar to natural materials like down. Microfibre duvets are also breathable, allowing air to flow through and helping the duvet to dry quickly for a fresh, comfortable sleep.

Pros and cons of polyester duvets

Pros	Cons
Easy to clean and maintain	Lighter than natural duvets, so aren’t ideal for those who like a heavy duvet
Maintains shape and fluffy feel well	Not as ‘plush’ as natural materials
Good for allergy sufferers	Not as long lasting as natural materials

Natural duvets

Natural duvets are made from 100% natural materials. The most popular are duck or goose feathers and down. However, wool is becoming an increasingly popular choice. Natural duvets are seen as more premium, but they do require more upkeep than polyester. The natural fillings can ‘settle,’ meaning they may need shaking to redistribute evenly. If you suffer from allergies, check which materials are used in the filling to avoid worsening symptoms.

Feather and down duvets

Feather duvets are filled with feathers from ducks and geese and come with a ‘quill-proof’ cover to stop any sharp points poking through. Pure feather duvets generally feel slightly heavier than polyester, yet still offer breathability alongside warmth, with an air of luxury.

Wool duvets

Wool duvets are becoming more popular thanks to their natural ability to regulate temperature, keeping you comfortable all year round. Made primarily from sheep's wool, they can adapt to your body temperature, wicking away moisture when you’re warm and keeping you cosy when it gets cooler.

The sheep’s wool varies depending on the climate. Sheep from colder, hillier regions, for example, often have coarser wool, while those from milder, flatter areas, like Hampshire, produce a softer fleece.

Pros and cons of natural duvets

Pros	Cons
Moisture wicking to keep you at the ideal temperature	More expensive than polyester
Long lasting and durable	Can aggravate allergies
Temperature regulating year round	Usually heavier than polyester duvets, so aren’t ideal for those who like a lighter duvet

Anti-allergy duvets

If you suffer from allergies, choose a duvet with dust mite repellent treatments, such as ProShield®.

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Duvet size guide

People usually choose a duvet that matches their mattress size. But, if you share a bed with someone who hogs the covers, it’s worth considering sizing up.

Duvet Size	Mattress Size (Imperial)	Mattress Size (Metric)
Single	3' x 6'3"	90cm x 190cm
Small double	4' x 6'3"	120cm x 190cm
Double	4'6" x 6'3"	135cm x 190cm
King	5' x 6'6"	150cm x 200cm
Superking	6' x 6'6"	180cm x 200cm

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Whether you’re set on a cosy natural duvet or prefer a polyester duvet, discover our range of duvets to find the one that suits you.

Shop all duvets