How To Find the Best Duvet Insert

The right duvet insert can be the difference between a blissful sleep and a night of endless tossing and turning.

But how do you choose one that's right for you? With so much information available, figuring out what you should look for in a duvet insert can feel like a chore in itself.

To make your life easier, we've identified some of the most important factors when considering duvet inserts. If you're in the market for one, here's what you should keep in mind.

Touch & feel

Like with most bedding, the touch and feel of your duvet insert are important factors in comfort. Qualities like the texture, weight and fabric type need to suit your personal preferences, but here's generally what you should look out for:

Good weight

One of the first things you'll probably notice about a duvet is how heavy or light it is. This quality is determined by a duvet's fill weight, which is often measured in GSM, or grams per square metre.

The weight of a duvet plays a huge role in how it feels. Sleeping under a soft, weighty duvet can feel very relaxing for some, but it's not for everyone!

Duvets can be categorised into a few different weights:

• Lightweight, 150 - 300 GSM: Lighter styles of duvet, perfect for layering with other blankets or for those who prefer a lightweight option for their bedding. One drawback is they may not feel as cosy.
• Mid-weight, 300 - 500 GSM: The middle range of duvet weights are flexible, can easily be layered and are great for use throughout the seasons, whether you tend to sleep warm or cool. They feel cosy but are still breathable.
• Heavyweight, 500+ GSM: These are some of the heaviest duvets, ideal for those who like to feel cosy, tucked away and secure while sleeping.

It's important to remember that heavier doesn't always equate to warmer. The warmth of a duvet comes from a range of factors, including weight, filling materials, fabric and insulation.

Softness

As with most bedding, a soft duvet insert is a must for comfort, and that softness can come from a few different factors.

One thing that makes duvet inserts feel soft is being fabricated from a soft material. These kinds of duvets can be comfortably used without a duvet cover for an increasingly popular minimalist bedding style.

Soft fabric shells may also be a little quieter than rough or crisp duvet shells. With less contact friction between the duvet shell and other bedding materials, soft duvets generally sound less 'crunchy' in their covers than duvets with a rougher or stiffer outer shell.

Duvet inserts can also feel softer or firmer based on the loft and rise of the duvet filling. For feather-down duvets and other products, this loftiness is measured by 'fill power', with higher ratings meaning fluffier, softer duvets.

Duvet inserts made from other natural materials or synthetic fill types can also be very soft, provided the duvet fillings are light and airy.

High-quality materials

When you're looking for the best duvet insert for your bed, opt for high-quality materials for both the duvet filling and the shell.

Traditionally, duvets have been made with down feathers from ducks and geese which provide excellent warmth and insulation, but generally take more effort to maintain. Today, there are plenty of down alternative duvet insert materials, including natural fibres like wool and silk, as well as synthetic materials like polyester.

Each type of duvet material has its benefits and drawbacks, so it's important to pick one that suits your needs.

For example, high-quality lyocell is an excellent material for fluffy duvet inserts, thanks to these attributes:

• Temperature control: Lyocell is a breathable fabric and a natural temperature regulator. This makes it a perfect filling material and fabric shell for flexible, year-round duvet inserts.
• Hypoallergenic: Lyocell has anti-bacterial and moisture-wicking properties, which helps to prevent mildew and mould from taking root in your bedding. Even in small amounts, mildew and mould can affect allergy sufferers, leading to poor quality sleep and discomfort in bed.
• Vegan down alternative: Lyocell is plant-based and made of regenerated wood fibres. This makes it 100% vegan and cruelty-free, unlike feather-down duvets or some wool products.
• Durability: High-quality lyocell is a long-lasting, durable fibre and can last for years with proper care.

Fit for all seasons

The best duvet insert is one you don't have to swap out multiple times a year. Flexible, breathable duvet inserts that keep you cool in the summer months and warm in the winter are also a great choice for your wallet and your linen closet.

For a flexible, all-seasons duvet insert, look out for these features:

• Box stitch: This pattern helps keep the duvet filling evenly distributed and ensures it doesn't bunch up on one side of the insert. There's nothing worse than waking up freezing cold in the winter months under a patchy duvet! Box stitch is also the preferred option for all-season duvet inserts over baffle-box construction, as the latter is generally much more insulating and can easily overheat in warmer climates.
• Medium-weight: Medium-weight duvet inserts can be a good option for comfortable bedding throughout the year, by providing the right balance of warmth and airflow. Medium-weight duvets can also be layered with a throw or bed cover to increase warmth, or used without a flat sheet in the warmer months.
• Breathable materials: When made using breathable materials, duvets help to regulate your body temperature throughout the night, making them suitable for cold sleepers and hot sleepers, as well as year-round use.

Good value for quality

Finding a luxurious duvet insert that's good value and excellent quality might take a bit of careful searching, but in the long run will save you a lot of time and money and help you get a better night's sleep, every night. Here's what to look out for in a good-value, high-quality duvet:

Avoid cheap down alternatives

While feather-down duvet inserts are the traditional choice, and for good reason, there are plenty of alternative duvets on the market. Of course, not all down alternatives are created equal, however.

Cheap synthetic down alternatives tend to trap body heat, causing night sweats, restless, disrupted sleep and being generally uncomfortable to use. Opt for duvet inserts made from high-quality organic materials, like wool or lyocell. These materials provide much more breathability and a soft feel, making them a great option for a snug, cosy bedding set.

High-quality stitching

One of the most important factors in a good-value, long-lasting duvet insert is high-quality stitching. Proper stitching helps prevent the duvet filling from becoming lumpy or patchy. Good stitching can also prevent rips and tears during regular use and washing, helping the duvet last much longer.

Optimal duvet weight

A good quality duvet can be the only duvet you need, so it's important to aim for the optimal duvet weight for all-season use. Look for a duvet with enough fill weight and insulation to be warm and snug in the winter, while being light enough for summer use. If you need some extra weight and warmth in the cooler months, light and medium duvets can also be layered with a blanket or bed throw to give a little extra warmth.

Easy to care for

The perfect duvet insert should be a dream to care for when it comes to laundry day. Down-alternative duvets like those made from wool, synthetic materials or lyocell can often be thrown in the washing machine for a no-fuss clean when it's time to wash your bedding.

When washing a down alternative duvet insert, always use a cold water cycle and a mild detergent to prevent damage to the filling materials. When it's time to dry, hang them up outside or in a well-ventilated room and ensure they're dry all the way through before remaking the bed.

Want to learn more about duvet inserts? Check out our comprehensive guide here.