How to choose a duvet

How do you choose a duvet that will keep you warm and comfortable at night? In this article, we'll provide you with some important tips and advice to help you choose the best duvet for your bed, showing you the main aspects you need to consider when choosing the best duvet.

Here is our handy guide to choosing a double or single duvet.

How to choose a summer or winter duvet

If you are about to choose and buy a new duvet (summer or winter), here are the main factors you should consider carefully when making your selection.

The first aspect you need to consider is the filling of the duvet. Here are the two types of down filling available on the market:

• Natural down duvet: also known as down, this type of duvet is definitely the most valuable and expensive, due to its great lightness and warming capacity. Down (feather without a feather) and down duvets are less valuable than a down duvet. The value and cost of a natural down duvet will vary depending on the different mix of natural feathers used in its production. Natural down duvets are breathable and can be stored for up to 15 years and more.
• Synthetic fibre or microfibre duvet: products made from polyester fibres. The more numerous and dense these fibres are, the warmer they will be. Obviously, microfibre duvets are less soft than natural down duvets, as well as being less durable (from a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 10 years). Synthetic fibre duvets can be washed more easily and obviously cost less than natural down duvets.

Warmth levels of a duvet

Another aspect to consider carefully when choosing a duvet is its warmth. By warmth we mean the density of the filling and the relative insulating power of the product: the higher the filling density, the more insulating and warming properties of the duvet will increase. Summer duvets usually have 1.2 warmth points (the weight of a summer duvet is very limited). Duvets with 3 warmth points are suitable for mid-seasons, while duvets with 4 or 5 warmth points are suitable for winter or generally for people who are colder.

Characteristics and features of a natural down duvet

In terms of quality, duvets made from 100 per cent natural down are certainly the best products available on the market. Obviously, the costs of these duvets are not low, but if you buy a down duvet made of natural feathers, you get a high-quality product that will last for more than a decade.

When buying 100 per cent natural down duvets for the summer season, the estimated costs are around 300, 400 euros respectively. A natural winter duvet can cost up to 800 euros. The price will vary depending on the origin of the natural down. Winter down duvets are characterised by a filling of 200 to 300 g per square metre. Spring natural duvets are characterised by a filling of between 80 and 100 grams per square metre.

Characteristics and features of a synthetic fibre duvet

The synthetic fibre duvet or microfibre duvet is a good alternative for those who do not want to spend a lot of money on a natural down duvet. These products are usually made with the help of the same materials used in the production of quilts. Obviously, synthetic duvets are available at a lower cost. Another advantage of synthetic duvets is that they require less maintenance than 100 per cent natural duvets.

A synthetic duvet suitable for the winter season can have a filling of 250 grams per square metre (suitable for very warm rooms), up to 350 grams per square metre (suitable for particularly cold bedrooms).

Natural or microfibre duvet: which to choose?

Natural or microfibre duvet? Our advice when choosing the most suitable duvet for your needs and requirements is to opt for a synthetic model if you have a limited budget. Buying a natural duvet with a low concentration of feathers means buying a product that does not meet good quality standards.

A natural duvet with less than 50 per cent down is a product that is noisy when you turn over in bed and has the disadvantage of pressure from the feather bones.

If, on the other hand, you have the budget to buy a 100 per cent natural duvet, you will have a high-quality product that is much more durable and long-lasting than a synthetic fibre product.