15 best winter duvets to keep the cold away in 2024, tried and tested
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The best winter duvets will keep you warm against the harsh winter gusts, while also being breathable enough to stop you from overheating. So, if you're still holding onto those lightweight summer duvets from last year and lamenting the reality of brisk winter days, there's still time to swap it out for a higher tog alternative that will keep you snug during cold snaps.
Typically crafted with materials that offer superior insulation, winter duvets are designed to keep us toasty warm. But the best winter duvets don’t just offer heat retention. Look for products that boast temperature regulation, as well as moisture-wicking properties in order to avoid night sweats. Breathability is a big factor, too, even when you’re after a snuggly feel. Some of the best quality winter duvets manage to be both lightweight and cosy warm, giving you a perfectly comfortable slumber.
It’s worth noting that we don’t all feel the cold to the same degree, and that some of us are naturally hot sleepers, even during the colder months. Which tog rating we choose then comes down to our personal preference, and of course our environment. Some all-season or hybrid products may not be listed as winter duvets specifically, but thanks to their innovative design and makeup, they can prove perfectly warm on winter nights.
SKIP TO: How does a winter duvet differ to other types of duvet? | What type of duvet is best for winter? | What is the warmest tog for a winter duvet? | What is the highest quality winter duvet? | Is a seven-tog duvet warm enough for winter? | Our full winter duvet reviews.
Meet the experts:
- Mary Love, product & sourcing director, Simba Sleep
- Hannah Shore, sleep expert, Silentnight
The best winter duvet at a glance:
- Best winter duvet overall: Simba Hybrid 3-in-1 duvet, £249, Simba
- Best affordable winter duvet: All Seasons Feels Like Down duvet, 13.5 tog, £80, Dusk
- Best feather & down alternative: Soft as Down 13.5 tog duvet, £49.50, M&S
- Best winter duvet for quality craftsmanship: Emma 4-Season Duvet, £149, Emma
- Best winter duvet for high quality with a conscience: EarthKind reclaimed natural down duvet, £145, John Lewis
What is a winter duvet?
Typically, a winter duvet is one with a tog rating of 10.5 or over, designed specifically to give you optimal warmth during the colder months. Whether made with a feather and down filling – or a synthetic mix – these extra thick and lofty quilts offer superior insulation when you need it most, giving you a snuggly cocoon-like experience no matter how chilly it gets on the outside.
The only real downside of an extra cosy winter duvet is that it can be extra difficult to crawl out from, especially on a chilly Monday morning. You have been warned.
What type of duvet is best for winter?
As diverse as the fill materials on offer are (think feather and down, wool, and a host of clever synthetic hollow-fibre and microfibres that mimic the best natural fills), there are also different types of duvet to choose from:
- The best summer duvets are lightweight and breathable, but they won’t give you that cosy warmth you’re craving during the winter. “I would not recommend duvets that are thin, have a poor-quality fill, or are made with linen fabrics, simply because they’re not ideal for the colder months,” says Simba’s Mary Love. “You may find yourself shivering in the night!”
- If you’re after a low-maintenance option, it’s worth considering an all-season duvet. These cosy quilts tend to come with a 10.5 tog rating, giving you that Goldilocks effect, keeping you perfectly warm in the winter months yet comfortably cool in the summer. Indeed, for many of us, a 10.5 tog duvet is sufficient. “Sleep comfort is subjective to each type of sleeper”, says Hannah Shore from Silentnight, so it’s worth thinking about whether you’re a particularly hot sleeper, or you’re an always-cold type that needs all the insulation you can get. We’re very much the latter!
- Some of the best duvets for the winter are in fact hybrid products that can be cleverly clipped together to give you the ideal tog rating throughout the changing seasons, Simba’s 3-in-1 Hybrid being a prime example. This one has a layer of ‘Simba Renew’, which is a greener (and very fluffy) alternative to feather & down. “With its luxurious comfort, it’s actually made from recycled PET fibres (plastic bottles) meaning it’s less allergenic and more sustainable”, says Mary. “The fibres are combed and folded into airy, downy clusters, forming a super-soft material that provides both warmth and breathability.”
What is the warmest tog for a winter duvet?
Hannah admits that different togs can be confusing for shoppers, as there are lots to choose from. “Typically, a winter duvet would be between 13.5 and 15 tog. The 15 tog Silentnight So Snug is a perfect winter duvet for anyone that feels the chill. However, we all run at different temperatures and those who tend to overheat may find a lower tog duvet more comfortable,” she says.
While a 15 tog duvet is typically the warmest, we’ve found a product that goes even further: Soak & Sleep’s Essential soft as down duvets can be clipped together to form an impressive 18 tog quilt – although that may prove too toasty, even for our always-cold bones.
What is the highest quality winter duvet?
Fill materials are everything when you’re thinking about buying a winter duvet, and there are plenty of pros and cons to consider. “The highest quality duvet is usually associated with those made from premium materials, such as high quality down alternatives and microfibre”, says Mary. A microfibre filled duvet is generally considered to be higher quality than a hollowfibre duvet.
“Plus a high thread count in your duvet casing would feel softer and more luxurious. You get what you pay for really,” Hannah explains. Filled duvets offer premium comfort, but this usually comes at a great expense with some products upwards of £600 on offer.
“A Hungarian goose down duvet is renowned for its insulating properties, which help to prevent drafts and cold spots to keep you warm and comfortable all night long, so a goose feather and down duvet is good choice for anyone looking for extremely high quality,” she adds.
Is a seven-tog duvet warm enough for winter?
“I would say a seven-tog duvet is warm enough for autumn, but it may not be warm enough for winter, especially if you are sensitive to the cold”, says Mary. “If you prefer to use a seven-tog duvet, it’s worth considering layering it with a warm blanket. Hannah agrees, telling us that “a seven-tog duvet may be enough throughout the winter for those who overheat during the night. However, we would normally recommend anything above 10.5 for those winter months.”