Down Duvet
Synthetic Duvet
Your Health
However, some people may have an allergic reaction to the down or feathers - a reaction that does not happen with the synthetic materials.
Additionally, if you know you'll need to wash your duvet frequently for some reason, then a down duvet is not a good option. Washing a down duvet is a complicated task, and is better not performed very often.
Not breathing, the synthetic duvet will keep your body warm, but not dry - as the fibres do not absorb and pull the moisture away.
A synthetic duvet is a good choice for people who are allergic to natural fillings or need to wash their duvet often, as a down duvet is not easily washable.
Comfort
Down duvets are made of the soft underlayer of feathers from the breast of a duck or goose. It provides excellent insulation and has no quills. The higher the percentage of down in the duvet - the softer, warmer, lighter and more comfortable it will feel.
On the other hand, natural duvets are more susceptible to the filling "shifting", which renders the duvet less comfortable.
Synthetic duvets of better quality feel nicer and are very comfortable. The advanced fibres of the newer and more expensive duvets are lightweight and soft almost as the good down duvets.
The materials, however, are usually not breathable, which means that while the synthetic duvet will keep you warm, it won't keep you dry.
Price
A down duvets is still one of these products where it is true that the more you pay - the better quality you get. High quality down costs more and has bigger clusters that retain heat better.
A duvet with better down or higher down percentage will be warmer and lighter. However, it will be more expensive than other, low grade, cheap down duvet. The cheap down is flat and you will find that eventually it doesn't fluff any more.
The higher price tag of down duvets is somewhat offset by the fact that they last longer than synthetic ones.
Durability
The lifespan of a down duvet depends on proper care, and down duvets are more demanding than synthetics in this respect. Repeated laundering can shorten a down duvet's life, and lying or sitting on it may cause the down to compress so much that it will no longer trap air effectively.
It is also worth noting that natural down duvets are more susceptible to the filling "shifting", which renders the duvet less comfortable. Buying a down duvet and taking care of it properly is like buying a mate for life.
Unlike down duvets, the synthetic ones are easily laundered and cared for, and repeated washing will not shorten their lifespan.
Caring Ease
A duvet isn't something that gets dirty often, but if it does, you will need to look at the care instructions. Some down duvets can be laundered, but if they are - they usually require professional washing.
It is extremely important to ensure that all the detergent is washed out from the down, or the duvet will lose its fluffiness and effectiveness. It is also very important that all moisture leaves the duvet - for the same reason.
Some duvets are more specifically suited for washing than others, and If you plan on washing your duvet a lot (perhaps because of an allergy condition) you should try and get one of those.
Unlike the down duvets, no fluffing up is normally required.
Warmth
There are many types of down duvets, and the warmth depends on the quality of the down used. This means that less filling can be used to achieve the same warmth and so the better the down's quality - the lighter the duvet will be.
All in all, when shopping for a down duvet that's soft, light and warm - you need to find one with a high down content.
Down is a breathing material, which means that down duvets not only provide excellent warmth, they also absorb your sweat so that you remain dry.
Lightweight
Down duvets that contain feathers in addition to down are generally heavier. Some people find it better suits them, as they like to feel the extra weight when lying down. Such duvets are usually cheaper, as they are considered lower quality.
Goosedown duvets are extremely light and warm. For a duvet that is soft, light and also warm, you really need to buy one with high down content.
The older synthetic duvets used to be quite heavy, because they were made of fibres that weren't insulating very well. Therefore, more material was required.
Other non-down duvets were made of cotton and wool, which you may still find nowadays. However the new fibres are very efficient and this is usually no longer an issue with synthetic duvets.
Down Duvet
Synthetic Duvet
Down Duvet
based on 56 customer reviews
Feel factor: 9
It's ok.
(Score 3/5)
Warmer than expected for a lightweight down comforter. It is by far NOT down proof fabric. So expect to have loose down "strays" that come out of the fabric. Even with the duvet I have on it. But it is warm and cosy. I bought it last year and I'm already looking for another one to replace it.
Posted on: 2009-12-19
By CJB
Like sleeping under a cloud!
(Score 5/5)
Love this comforter! Received it in record time. No real odor like others have commented on. A few shakes here and there and it was fluffed out and ready to go. So light in weight and it is like sleeping under a cloud. Can lay on my back with my toes up and it doesn't weigh them down. Even though it is light weight, it envelopes my entire body with a nice comforting even warmth. I look forward to hopping in bed at night and sleeping under it. I got the queen size for my queen bed and it stays nicely in place. A VERY quality item for sure for a great bargain price! LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!
Posted on: 2009-11-07
By Up and Over
Very Fine Blanket
(Score 5/5)
This is a great quality comforter at an incredible price. Don't let the "lightweight" label fool you. It is plenty warm. I live in Kentucky and enjoy definite four seasons. The weather changes very quickly and it can get (way too) cold in winter. I think this comforter will be just right for three-quarters of the year. I'm sure I will have to visit Amazon again to get something lighter for summer.You warm weather shoppers should look for something else.
Posted on: 2009-11-02
By Caroline K. Reece
Good value
(Score 4/5)
This comforter is very lightweight and would only be good for warmer winters or as a summer comforter. However, it has been washed and after it dried properly there was no smell and it looked just like new. No dry cleaning bills.!!! It is good for guests or as an extra comforter. I would not be happy with something so lightweight as my only comforter for cold winter nights. Overall a really good buy at this price. It will certainly be used and enjoyed.
Posted on: 2009-10-02
By Janice Schwartz
So comfy!!!
(Score 5/5)
We've been using this comforter for a few months now and it just keeps getting more comfy. It's been too warm for me because I get hot easily (it's been summer as I write this), but my wife uses it every night. When it's cold it's so great. It's like pulling a big puffy cloud stuffed in a blanket on top of me. Aaaahh. I've actually kind of been looking forward to winter just so that I can use the comforter more. We had some UNBELIEVABLY comfortable down comforters when we lived in Austria and honestly this one can't match those. But for the price it is very comfy and pretty warm for the thickness.
Posted on: 2009-09-18
By B
Synthetic Duvet
based on 22 customer reviews
Feel factor: 6
Awesome for the price!
(Score 4/5)
I received the duvet today for my king size bed in the sage color. And I really shopped around the stores in my area and found nothing. This is exactly what I was looking for. The only reason I give it 4 instead of 5 stars is I was hoping it was a little softer than it is, but it's pretty perfect. It's a little more "nylony" rather than "microfibery" (I wouldn't call it a windbreaker like I saw someone say) but still very soft and lightweight, and quite thin. But that's what I wanted. People complain about how thin it is, but I like that for a down comforter because it doesn't weigh down the loftiness. I'm in Phoenix so I didn't want something heavy and really warm. I just wanted something thin, lightweight, soft, and pretty to protect my comforter, and that's what I got!
Posted on: 2009-07-17
By K. Waters
Love it
(Score 5/5)
This is a great duvet cover...it works great in summer and winter in Colorado. Best one I have purchased.
Posted on: 2009-06-27
By J Colorado
Microfiber mini duvet cover
(Score 5/5)
Despite all the negative reviews I read about this product--probably by people expecting honey and silk, cherubs and ectasy for ten bucks--I went ahead and purchased this product ($19.99). It arrived today and I am very pleased with it. It is not silk or satin. It is 100% polyester. It fits on my comforter just fine and it serves its purpose well. A great deal for the money.
Posted on: 2009-04-16
By R. Troxler
more than i expected for the price
(Score 5/5)
I absolutely love this product. The material is kinda silky, and it's very comfortable. I do not use a top sheet, I have nerve damage in my legs and we have been looking for something that is kinda silky without having to spend the money on silk or satin sheets. Regular sheets irritate my legs terribly, and cause me great pain, so I was sleeping with no top sheet and a fleece blanket my sister made me. I got a light weight down comforter and saw these duvets and thought for the price I would try one, I have since ordered two more sets. They wash up well, and as long as you take them out of the dryer as soon as they are dry there is no wrinkling. I expected for the price I was going to get exactly what I paid for, but I was wrong. I am going to attempt to get all the colors except black, as long as they have them available. I wouldnt mind having black but I have animals and it would just look like a giant fur ball. These are my summer duvets, as I originally ordered another one, but its much to heavy for summer use. I recommend this product to anyone that is looking for a reasonably priced duvet.
Posted on: 2009-04-14
By redneck girl
Love it!
(Score 5/5)
A really great product! I bought this cover to protect my feather blanket, and have been so happy with it. The fabric is so soft & the sage is a really pretty green as well. I also like the big buttons used to close the open end. Very happy with it, and at an excellent price as well!
Posted on: 2009-03-30
By Libertie Smith
