The Best Comforters for a Blissful Bed (2024)

Buffy's comforter earns our top spot for being exceptionally soft and using an innovative construction that prevents it from clumping, shedding and creating cold spots. Its down-alternative fill is a web of fibers instead of individual clusters, and its cover uses wavy stitching instead of squares to avoid compressing the layers.

Compared to other comforters, this one also has some sustainable features: Its polyester fill is made from plastic bottles, and it has a Global Recycling Standard (GRS) certification to back up this claim. The outer cover is Tencel lyocell, a material that's smooth, lightweight, responsibly sourced and temperature-regulating.

GH textile experts use the Buffy in their own homes and the unbeatable comfort stood out most to our testers, who described it as feeling like sleeping in a cloud. "I've never slept under such a fluffy comforter," one said. Also, it didn't make any crinkly noises, which is a common issue with comforters. Users also noted that it felt comfortable for year-round use; one told us, "I didn't overheat, but it still felt substantial." Keep in mind that it's only available in one warmth level.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Here's Why Buffy's Cloud Comforter is So Popular

Fill: Polyester | Outer cover: Tencel lyocell | Construction: Stitched-through | Sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full/Queen and King/California King

Not only is this a best-selling comforter on Amazon with over 125,000 reviews and an average 4.5-star rating, but it's also a total steal at a fraction of the cost of others. Don't let the low cost fool you — Amazon reviewers call it both lightweight and fluffy. Plus, it's easy to care for since it's machine washable, as long as you use a large-capacity machine.

It comes in just one all-season warmth level, and it doesn't use the most luxurious materials — both the fill and the outer cover are polyester, which isn't an ideal choice for hot sleepers. Also, it uses quilted construction instead of baffle boxes, which means the fill isn't separated as securely. But between its top-rated feedback, variety of options to fit any bedroom (including six colors and eight sizes) and unbeatable price, it's worth buying if you're looking for an affordable comforter.

Fill: Polyester | Outer cover: Polyester | Construction: Box stitch | Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Oversized Queen and Oversized King

If you're a cold sleeper and prefer the lofty warmth of real down, this luxury style checks off the boxes for a top-notch comforter, including ethically-sourced down that's certified by IDS (International Down Standard), a tightly woven cotton cover to prevent the down from poking through and a baffle box construction to keep the fill evenly distributed. It's available in three weights to match your climate and temperature preference: lightweight, midweight and ultraweight.

Our testers were unanimously impressed, giving it perfect scores for comfort and overall satisfaction. "I LOVE this comforter so very much. I think it might be the best sleep I've gotten," one said. "I'm usually a cool sleeper and despite it being in a chilly house, I was at a very comfortably body temperature all night! The whole thing was just soft and fluffy." We did notice that the outer cover was a bit crinkly in our inspections, so it's best used with a down cover. There was also a down odor at first, but the scent dissipated over time.

Fill: 650-fill-power down | Outer cover: Organic cotton | Construction: Baffle box | Sizes: Full/Queen, King/California King

This cover proves that a down alternative comforter can be just as luxurious as the real deal. Its fill is a polyester microfiber that's soft and fluffy, and the outer fabric is smooth cotton with a baffle-box construction that keeps the fill evenly distributed.

It also comes in three warmth levels: all year, lightweight and super lightweight for hot weather and sweaty sleepers. One tester who used the all-year level said it was fairly warm and may be best suited for colder months. Another added, "It was very warm and cozy to sleep under, but it also breathed well and did not cause us to sweat."

Regardless of the warmth level, testers gave it high ratings for comfort and liked that the fill didn't poke through the outer cover at all. One even noted that it's perfect for pet owners, saying, "I thought I would have to wash it sooner because we have a dog that sleeps on top of the comforter, but there is no evidence that we even have a dog."

Fill: Polyester | Outer cover: Cotton | Construction: Baffle box | Sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full/Queen, King/California King

The perfect solution for hot sleepers, this comforter feels cold to the touch and uses a performance outer fabric that wicks sweat away. In fact, it aced the moisture-wicking tests in our Lab evaluations. It's also fairly thin and lightweight compared to traditional comforters, making it ideal for warmer weather. It's meant to be used without a duvet cover, so it may be less aesthetic for those who prioritize appearance.

Testers — especially hot sleepers — couldn't believe how well it worked. "It felt nice and made me feel secure since I always need to sleep with a cover," one said. "I never got warm, which is a major issue I have at night." A different tester told us, "This comforter feels soft and cool (almost icy even), providing much needed relief in hot weather." Another sweaty sleeper said, "I swear this comforter is magic!"

Fill: Sorona and Tencel | Outer cover: Nylon/spandex | Construction: Stitched through | Sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full/Queen, King/California King

Ideal for restless sleepers and couples that play blanket tug-of-war, this extra-large comforter provides plenty of coverage by draping over the sides of your bed. It uses soft polyester both for its fill and cover, which may feel too warm for those that overheat, but should be a good fit for the average sleeper. It also comes in 32 colors so you can use it without a duvet cover. As an added bonus, its shams are included for a complete set.

Our testers were amazed by its comfort and stay-in-place capabilities on the bed. "The outer fabric felt like I was enveloped in a cloud. It was so soft and warm," one said. "It was the best comforter I ever had!" Another told us it "gave me lots of space to roll around with it," while a user with a tall bed said it draped better than typical comforters.

Fill: Polyester | Outer cover: Polyester | Construction: Box stitch | Sizes: Super Twin/Twin XL, Super Full, Super Queen, Super King/California King

This one's pricey, but it's absolutely worth the splurge. It's made with an organic cotton shell and an ethically-sourced down fill, plus it comes in a reusable cloth bag to cut out plastic packaging. The 600 fill power is lightweight and ideal for year-round use, but it also comes in a winter-weight version with extra filling for more warmth.

It stood out to Lab analysts, who noted that its fill appeared to be more evenly distributed — i.e., no cold spots or clumps — compared to other down comforters. There were also no noticeable odors, which is sometimes an issue with down. The only callout was that the fabric sounded a bit crinkly, but it's meant to go inside a duvet cover.

Sleep testers had similar findings in real-life settings and they especially loved that the fill didn't shift, shed or bunch during use. "It’s both lightweight and warm," said one tester. "The down is full and airy, while the cotton cover feels substantial and not at all flimsy." Another noted that after a month, it felt just as great as the first day and added, "This thing feels like the duvets you use when you go to a fancy hotel with ridiculously comfortable beds."

Fill: 600-fill-power-down | Outer cover: Organic cotton | Construction: Box stitch | Sizes: Twin, Full/Queen, King

✔️ Craftsmanship: We inspect the construction for elements like stitching at the seams, corner loops or tabs for duvet cover attachment and baffle-box vs. box-stitch designs. We also note aspects like how the fabric feels upon unboxing, whether any fill is poking through the material and whether there are any odors. Analysts hold up the comforters to light (pictured here), which allows us to see if the fill is evenly spread out or has potential cold spots.

After testers complete their review, they also weigh in on whether the fill shifted during use and whether it shed through the outer fabric. If they use a duvet cover, they note whether it was easy to attach to the comforter.

✔️ Washability: Lab pros consider whether the comforters can be machine washed and if they have special care instructions. We also ask at-home users to share their experiences with laundering the comforters.

✔️ Noise level: Some comforters are constructed with noisy outer covers, so we consider how quiet the fabric is when it moves. Consumer testers also rate the noise level after sleeping under the comforters.

✔️ Comfort: This is key when it comes to bedding, so we have our testers rate various aspects like overall comfort, the feel of the outer fabric and overall satisfaction. They also provide answers to open-ended questions about anything they specifically liked or disliked.

✔️ Temperature: Our pros review cooling characteristics, and testers share whether they maintained a comfortable body temperature while sleeping under the comforter.

✔️ Certifications: We check whether the claims are validated by trusted third parties when relevant, like the Responsible Down Standard (which ensures ducks and geese are treated humanely), Global Recycling Standard and Global Organic Textiles Standard.

✔️ Down standards: We also ensure that down products meet labeling standards for down and feathers, including like fill power and percentage of down in fill blends.

Down is often considered the best material for insulation and fluffiness, but the truth is that it's a matter of personal preference. Here are the top fill materials for comforters and how to choose which one is right for you:

✔️ Down: Not to be confused with feathers, down is a fluffy cluster from the undercoat of ducks and geese. It offers top-notch insulation because its lofty makeup traps in air to provide warmth without the weight. Down feels luxurious, but costs more than down alternative and can sometimes be more difficult to clean. You can also find down-feather blends for a lower cost, but they won't be as fluffy.

If you shop for down, opt for something that's certified by the Responsible Down Standard to ensure the supply chain is properly traced. This verifies that the ducks and geese are not force-fed or live-plucked.

✔️ Down alternative: Typically made of polyester, this fill costs less than down and is a great option if you prefer to shop animal-free. Sometimes polyester can cause overheating, but newer constructions can allow these materials to be more breathable and temperature-regulating. Down alternative is also typically easier to care for than real down, and you can sometimes find fills made from recycled plastic to reduce their environmental impact.

Besides the fill, here's what else you should keep in mind as you shop for your best comforter:

✔️ Stay-in-place construction: In order to prevent the fill from shifting around and clumping (which could result in cold spots), check for a baffle-box construction. This means there are vertical walls of fabric on the inside to help keep the fill in place. Less expensive comforters typically use a box-stitch construction, which means the sections are separated like a quilt. Oftentimes box stitching can be sufficient, but it can sometimes allow down fill to shift.

✔️ Downproof materials: Most down comforters have 100% cotton outer fabric, and in those cases, the thread count can be an indicator that it's tightly woven to keep the fill from poking through. If the cover is cotton and the thread count is listed, look for one that's at least 300. With other outer cover materials like lyocell and polyester, thread count won't be as relevant, but these fabrics aren't typically paired with down fills so this isn't as much of a concern.

✔️ Fill power: Also specific to down, you'll typically see a fill power listed (just like you'll find on down-insulated winter coats). The higher the fill power, the more space the down clusters take up, meaning more air gets trapped to give you warmth without adding weight. If you're looking for good warmth in winter weather, we recommend a fill power of 600 or higher.

✔️ Warmth levels: Some comforters come in just one level, while others come in two to three options ranging from lightweight to all-season to extra warm. Typically a mid-level warmth is great for year-round use, but sometimes users prefer to swap out their bedding in the summer or winter months. The levels usually vary by the amount (or weight) of fill. Warmer comforters will have more fill, while cooling comforters will be more lightweight.

✔️ Care instructions: Some comforters are dry clean only, but all of the comforters in this article are machine washable. Just keep in mind that there should be room for the comforter to move around while it's washing and drying. You may need to use a large-capacity or commercial-grade washing machine. It's also a good idea to use dryer balls and pause the drying cycle midway to manually fluff the comforter, which will help prevent clumps.

✔️ Cost: Our tests show that the best comforters typically fall in the $150 to $500 range. In general, the price of a comforter varies by size, materials and warmth level. If you're looking to spend as little as possible, a polyester comforter (including the outer cover and fill) will be the least expensive. Ones with natural, luxury and responsibly sourced materials (like cotton and down) can cost well over $300, but are certainly worth the splurge.

Technically, a comforter is intended to be used on its own, while a duvet insert is meant to go inside a duvet cover. Traditionally, comforters may be more decorative to be used on their own. That being said, the two terms are often used interchangeably while you shop. All of the comforters we recommend can be used on their own or inside of a duvet cover.

Stand-alone comforters skip the fuss of adding a duvet cover each time you wash it. On the flip side, using a duvet cover means you can wash just the cover — not the entire comforter — on a regular basis to keep it clean and protect it from wear and tear, helping it to last longer.