Duvet Buying Guide: How to Choose a Duvet Insert and Cover

From the benefits of a duvet to tips for choosing a cover and insert, learn everything you need to know about buying a duvet in our comprehensive guide. Pairing a duvet insert with a duvet cover creates one of our favorite bedding options: a two-piece top layer that’s equally suitable for an elegant main bedroom or a playful kids’ room. 

What Are Duvet Inserts vs. Comforters?

Although they are similar top bedding layers—both are down or down alternative-filled shells made with durable fabric—and their names may be used interchangeably, the main difference between a duvet and a comforter is how each piece is used. Comforters stand alone, while duvet inserts are intended to be paired with a cover. As a result, comforters often feature decorative or colored shells, while duvets are typically white. The benefits of using a duvet include: 

  • Customizable Comfort: Duvet inserts are available in a range of weights, warmth levels, and fills, making it easy to customize your bedding to suit your sleeping preferences. 
  • Versatility: If you change your mind or prefer to update your bedding with the seasons, you’ll love the versatility of a duvet cover. You can change it as often as you’d like, and it requires minimal storage space. 
  • Ease of Use: A duvet cover renders a top sheet unnecessary, making a duvet-and-cover pairing a popular option for those who dread making the bed—especially kids. 
  • Washability: A duvet cover protects a duvet insert from spills, soil, and stains, and is easier to wash than bulky inserts or comforters. 

What to Consider When Choosing a Duvet Insert

Choosing a duvet insert is similar to choosing a comforter. You’ll need to consider variables including shell material, fill type, and construction to decide which type of duvet insert is best for you. 

We offer down and down alternative duvet inserts. RDS-certified down is a favorite choice for premium bedding, but our synthetic down alternatives are also hypoallergenic and equally lofty—an excellent option for those with sensitivities to down, or who prefer down-free bedding.

Our down and down alternative duvet inserts are available in a range of warmth levels to suit the season and your individual sleeping preferences. 

  • The best duvet inserts for warm weather are the same as those that suit hot sleepers—opt for a lightweight insert. 
  • For year-round comfort, we recommend a medium-warm duvet insert. 
  • For cold temperatures and cold sleepers, an extra- or ultra-warm insert offers the most warmth. 
  • Partners who prefer different sleeping temperatures can customize their comfort with a dual-weight duvet insert. 

The fill power of a down duvet insert indicates the amount of air an ounce of down can trap, and therefore its insulating ability. Higher fill powers offer more warmth for the same weight, creating a light but warm duvet. We offer duvet inserts with fill powers between 500 and 700. 

Our duvet insert shells are tightly woven from soft, durable, breathable cotton or TENCEL™ Lyocell and are typically plain white, although some feature subtle jacquard or damask patterns for added elegance. Thread count is an important indicator of a well-made duvet insert. The higher the thread count, the more tightly woven the fabric and the better it will keep down clusters contained. 

Look for duvet inserts with a baffle box or sewn-through box construction to keep the down from shifting or bunching. Which is best is a matter of personal preference. Baffle-box duvet inserts feature internal fabric walls that separate the top and bottom layers of fabric to offer exceptional loft and distribution of fill, while sewn-through construction provides a pillowy aesthetic. 

Duvet inserts coordinate with standard mattress sizes, from Twin to California King. We also offer oversized duvet inserts for Queen and King beds. Slightly wider than duvet covers of the same size designation, these inserts create an ultra-lofty, extra-sumptuous look without extra weight or warmth. 

How to Choose a Duvet Cover

A duvet cover is a protective and decorative outer layer that slips around a duvet insert or comforter like a pillowcase. Ours feature corner ties to attach easily to an insert’s loops—preventing shifting and bunching—and a buttonhole closure along the bottom edge. Duvet covers come in a range of colors, fabric choices, and designs to suit your preferences. Choose a duvet cover that matches the size of your insert. 

Styling Tip: Want a fluffy look? Try stuffing your duvet cover with two inserts instead of one. Another option is to use a smaller sized duvet cover with a larger comforter (for example, a king size comforter with a queen size duvet cover).

Choose the Right Duvet Cover Fabric

When choosing a duvet cover, consider which fabric best suits your preferences. Our duvet cover material options include:  

  • Cotton Percale – crisp, cool to the touch
  • Linen – airy, moisture-wicking
  • TENCEL™ Lyocell – lightweight and breathable
  • Jersey Knit – breathable yet warm
  • Cotton Sateen – heavy, warm, buttery soft
  • Flannel – warm and cozy, fuzzy, super soft

We take great care in crafting high-quality bedding that meets standards of ethical and environmental responsibility. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option, consider pairing your insert with an organic cotton or sustainable TENCEL™ Lyocell duvet cover. 

Coordinate Your Duvet Cover with Sheets and Other Bedding

Whether your bed is the focal point of your room or you prefer to let your decorative accents shine, a duvet cover should coordinate with the other elements in your space. Our duvet covers are sold individually and in sets with matching pillow shams, so you can create a cohesive bedding look or mix and match layers to your heart’s content. 

Once you know what to look for, choosing a duvet insert or cover is as simple as selecting any other bedding. For more bedding tips and tricks, explore our other Guides.