The Best Comforter for Every Sleeper: A Guide
As its name suggests, a comforter is one of the coziest bedding pieces available—and there are so many options to choose from! Light or extra-warm, cotton or linen, solid color or pattern—if you find yourself stumped by the selections, you can put those worries to bed: our handy guide will help you find the best comforter for your best rest, whether you sleep hot or cold, have allergies, or prefer to snuggle your pup while you snooze.
The Best Comforter for Your Preferred Sleeping Temperature
All of our down comforters—and many of our down alternative options—are available in weights ranging from super light to extra warm. To select bedding for sleepers whose preferences sit on either end of the spectrum, consider the ideal sleeping environment, the season, and comforter weight.
Those who sleep hot may find that a down or down alternative comforter is too heavy for hot seasons, but one of our super-light comforters may be just right for cooler nights. When temperatures fall, up the warmth to light or medium depending on your local climate. No matter the season, hot sleepers should choose a comforter with a crisp, cool cotton percale shell and pair it with lightweight, breathable sheets for the best comfort.
If shivers interrupt your sleep, the best comforter for you will be one that’s cozy and warm. Cold sleepers should narrow their search to medium-weight or extra-warmth comforters with a warm sateen shell; a medium comforter can work year-round if layered with blankets and warm sheets, or swap it for an extra-warm comforter when winter comes.
Compromise is key when choosing the best comforter for couples. To satisfy different sleeping preferences, try a split or dual-weight comforter that allows each partner to select their preferred weight. Another option? Meet in the middle by layering a lightweight comforter with throws or blankets on half of the bed to up the cozy factor for the cold-natured partner.
What Is the Best Comforter for People With Allergies?
Finding bedding that won’t aggravate allergies is essential to restful sleep. The best comforter for people with allergies is one that’s made with hypoallergenic materials—inside and out.
- First, consider comforter fill—the RDS-certified fill in our down comforters undergoes a rigorous cleaning process to ensure it is free from dust and allergens, but our PrimaLoft™ and LoftAIRE™ down alternative comforters are also hypoallergenic.
- A comforter’s shell also plays a part in bidding irritants adieu. Choose shells made from breathable, natural materials like cotton, rayon made from bamboo blends, or TENCEL™ Lyocell.
- If you’re especially sensitive, up the protection with an allergy-proof comforter cover designed to keep out bed bugs, dust mites, and dander.
How Do I Find a Pet-Friendly Bed Comforter?
Shedding hair, dirt stains, snagged threads—pets can be hard on your bedding, but for dog and cat lovers, it’s worth it. The best comforters for pet owners are durable and easy to clean. Here are a few things to consider:
- The best comforters to repel dog (or cat) hair are made from tightly woven fibers or are silky to the touch so hair can’t get trapped—think cotton sateen, rayon made from bamboo, or TENCEL™ Lyocell. Bonus: Durable, tightly woven fabrics are less likely to snag on cat claws or puppy teeth.
- Consider color when choosing a pet-friendly comforter. Look for bedding that will hide fur as well as dirt tracked in from outdoors. A pattern comforter can help disguise smudges between washes. For the best camouflaging capabilities, choose dark tones, like navy blue, for dark-haired pets or light colors if your pet has white or gray hair.
- With a machine-washable comforter, keeping your bedding clean and smelling fresh is a simple task. Most of our down and down alternative comforters are machine washable, so check each item’s care instructions before making your choice.
- You can slip your comforter into a duvet cover for extra protection against dirt and fur—toss the duvet cover into the wash when it needs a refresh, and save your comforter the wear and tear that comes with extra laundering.
How Do I Choose the Best Comforter for My Kids?
Whether you’re helping select the best bedding for a college student or looking for a comforter for your elementary-age child, the same considerations apply. You want a comforter that hides stains and spills, is easy to clean, is versatile enough to grow with them, and will stand up to heavy use.
Kid-Friendly Comforters
When decorating a kid's bedroom, you want to choose a comforter that will not only be cozy enough for snuggles but also stand up to messes, spills, and stains.
- Most of our kids’ comforters are made with an organic cotton shell so they’re soft and durable—and free from harmful chemicals. Plus, they're filled with lofty, synthetic polyester fill and are machine washable, so they’re easy to clean when inevitable messes occur.
- Choose colorful patterns or bold solids to complement kids’ personalities. Playful printed comforters are perfect for small children, but bright colors or bold stripes may be better for older elementary schoolers, pre-teens, and teens.
- Decorating a room you hope will grow with your child? Go with a solid comforter that you can accessorize in different ways as their interests change.
What's the Best Comforter for College Students?
When you’re sending your kid off to college, remember that their bedroom will also double as a kitchen, dining room, living room, and study. Help them select the best comforter for the dorm room with these considerations:
- White comforters look lovely in hotels, but they are often impractical for college students. Opt for a solid-colored comforter instead, or choose one with a subtle pattern. Plus, solids are more likely to coordinate with a roommate’s bedding.
- Double check the dorm mattress size—college mattresses are often five inches longer than regular Twin beds, so a Twin XL comforter will fit best. (A Twin comforter can work in a pinch, but will be slightly too short.)
- They can create a customized bedding set when they pair the comforter with matching or coordinating pattern sheets—then use complementing blankets and throw pillows to add personality, texture, and dimension.
- College students will likely be lugging their comforter to the laundromat (or back home to you), so make sure they choose one that’s easy to clean—we recommend a machine-washable comforter with a durable cotton shell.
With so many options available, there’s a comforter to suit every sleeping preference. Use these same principles to choose sheets, duvet covers, blankets, and other bedding layers to create a space for rest and comfort. For more tips on choosing bedding, explore our other Guides.