What Is the Difference Between a Duvet Insert and a Comforter?

At a glance, a duvet insert and a comforter are almost the same thing. Both are fluffy, cozy bed toppers filled with down or down alternative. The key differences between the two come down to features and intended use: A comforter is designed to be used on its own as a finished top layer, while a duvet insert typically features corner loops and goes inside a decorative cover. In this post, we’ll break down what exactly duvet inserts and comforters are, how they compare, and how to decide which is best for your bed.

A duvet, also called a duvet insert, is a soft, insulating top bedding layer made with down or down alternative fill. Stitched chambers hold the top and bottom of the shell together and keep the fill in place so it stays evenly warm and lofty. Duvet inserts come in a range of warmths and weights, and they are designed to be used inside duvet covers, similar to how a pillow goes inside a pillowcase.