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Nov 05, 2024

The Best Down Alternative Comforters We’ve Ever Tested

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. For a hypoallergenic alternative to your traditional down comforter. In This

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

For a hypoallergenic alternative to your traditional down comforter.

In This Article

Real Simple / Dera Burreson

If you love the look and feel of real down but hate the sneezing and sweating that comes with it, a good down alternative comforter will be a welcome bedding addition. That said, there’s a lot that goes into finding the best down alternative comforters—like comfort, temperature regulation, and quality, to name a few.

With these criteria in mind, we tested numerous comforters both in our lab and at home to help you determine which ones truly ranked supreme for a good night’s sleep. Our favorites impressed us with their even fill distribution, breathability, and coziness—everything you want in a comforter when you're in the market for new bedding. Here’s what you need to know about our top picks.

It has even fill distribution with reinforced, double-stitched construction.

It may need to be dried twice when washing.

The Riley Down Alternative Comforter ranks as our top choice thanks to its double-stitched durable outer edges, even fill distribution, and cooling cotton cover—all of which helped us stay comfortable while testing this product.

Available in two warmth levels (all season or extra warm), our team found this down alternative comforter to be smooth, pleasantly fluffy, and noise-free when moving around in bed (a bonus if you bed-share with a partner). There was also no odor upon opening it and sleeping with it.

While wrestling a duvet insert into a cover isn’t always the easiest task, this comforter was simple to get in and out of its cover. Washing the comforter was also a breeze, but it took two rounds to fully dry—plus a bit of fluffing—which may be time-consuming. Overall, we love this comforter for hot sleepers and couples due to its cooling effect and minimal noise.

Fill Material: Microfiber | Shell Material: Cotton | Size Range: Twin/Twin XL, Full/Queen, and King/California King | Machine Washable: Yes

It’s lightweight and breathable for all seasons.

It retains wrinkles for quite some time.

Comforters can easily turn into a big investment, but that’s not the case with Utopia Bedding All-Season Down Alternative Comforter. This inexpensive comforter comes in nine unique color options, like Plum and Sage Green, and feels like hotel-quality for a fair price point. We noted no loose threads, a soft feel, and breathable design that traps cold air inside the comforter, helping prevent any night sweats or overheating. It was also very easy to spot clean when needed.

Still, after a month of use, we found this comforter to be quite wrinkly. While most wrinkles came out on their own within the first week or two of use, some just wouldn’t budge. Although this doesn’t affect the quality or feel of the comforter, some people might find that this impacts their bedroom aesthetic and design.

Fill Material: Siliconized fiber | Shell Material: Polyester | Size Range: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and California King | Machine Washable: Yes

It has a temperature-regulating and breathable cooling cover.

It’s dry cleaning recommended, which can be impractical for many.

If you find yourself overheating all night, a cooling down alternative comforter like the Sijo Clima Tech TempTune Comforter can help regulate your body temperature. The blanket is an evenly-filled comforter that comes in a Tencel and nylon shell.

As a naturally-cooling and moisture-repellent material, Tencel fibers are excellent for wicking away sweat—something we noticed during testing. While this comforter doesn’t necessarily feel cool to the touch, we found that it kept us at just the right temperature.

Well-built with an even fill distribution, the comforter has just enough heft without being too heavy. It was silent when we moved around underneath it and kept its shape without needing to be refluffed, too. The one drawback to this comforter, however, is that the brand recommends dry cleaning it, which may not be practical (or affordable) for many.

Fill Material: CLIMA cooling tech fiber, Tencel, and recycled polyester | Shell Material: Tencel and nylon | Size Range: Full/Queen and King/California King | Machine Washable: No

It’s naturally breathable and incredibly soft.

Its heavier weight makes shifting under the sheets more difficult.

The Cozy Earth Bamboo Comforter is a high-end, luxury down alternative comforter made with your choice of bamboo viscose or silk filling. Bamboo is naturally breathable, and our team found this comforter soft to the touch and temperature-regulating throughout the night.

It’s also very quiet, which is a great feature for couples or those who bed-share (especially if you’re a light sleeper). Overall, we found Cozy Earth Bamboo Comforter well-built and noticed a significant improvement in our sleep while using it.

Keep in mind, however, that this down alternative comforter is nearly twice as heavy as most comforters on our list, which can make shifting around under the sheets a challenge, especially if you turn side-to-side while sleeping. Note as well that bamboo comforters tend to be a little more pricey than their cotton counterparts.

Fill Material: Bamboo or silk | Shell Material: Bamboo | Size Range: Twin, Full/Queen, and King | Machine Washable: Yes

It’s soft, light weight makes it perfect for hot sleepers or those living in warmer climates.

It may not be warm enough for colder weather.

Whether you sleep hot or live in a warmer climate, a lightweight comforter like Saatva Lightweight Down Alternative Comforter can keep you cool throughout the night. We found this comforter light but just warm enough, paired with a touch of softness for a comfortable sleep. Plus, if you struggle with figuring out which way your comforter should lay on the bed, this product comes with a nifty “foot of bed” tag to ensure your comforter is facing the right direction.

We found it hard to find anything to dislike about Saatva Lightweight Down Alternative Comforter. However, if you live in a colder climate or prefer a comforter for all seasons, this comforter may probably be too light for your taste. It also has a slightly higher price point than many down alternative comforters on our list, which is something to consider as well.

Fill Material: Down alternative fiber and lyocell | Shell Material: Cotton | Size Range: Twin/Twin XL, Full/Queen, and King/California King | Machine Washable: Yes

It refluffs quickly and maintains its form with ease.

It’s somewhat noisy and difficult to fit into a home washing machine.

If you’re in the throes of winter, or simply looking for something snuggly to cuddle under in your bed, a warm blanket like Crane & Canopy Ultimate Luxe Down Alternative Comforter is an excellent choice. The thick, plush fill was evenly distributed which we appreciated, and despite the comforter’s heft, we didn’t feel too hot sleeping under it. Its thickness also helped give our beds some dimension, but the comforter was tough to fit into a home washing machine.

One drawback that we noticed while testing this comforter was that it’s somewhat noisy when shifting under it. This especially becomes a nuisance if you bed-share or if you’re a sensitive sleeper. However, if you’re a heavy sleeper, this slight con may prove to be a non-issue, especially if you’re in need of a comforter that provides extra warmth.

Fill Material: Microfiber | Shell Material: Cotton | Size Range: Twin/Twin XL, Full/Queen, and King/California King | Machine Washable: Yes

It’s cozy and oversized for extra comfort.

Its large construct makes it slightly difficult to get into a duvet cover.

Sustainably-minded individuals may want to opt for an eco-friendly comforter like Boll & Branch Down Alternative Duvet Insert, which is made with traceable materials and in certified factories that pay and treat employees fairly. Our team enjoyed the oversized nature of this comforter, which was pleasant to snuggle with and kept us warm (but not too warm) throughout the night.

It’s also well-constructed with an even fill distribution, and only produced minimal noise when moving around. However, as much as we loved its slightly oversized construct, iInserting the duvet into its cover was slightly cumbersome.

This becomes even more of an issue if you have a larger duvet size like a king or California king, requiring either a lot of moving around or the help of another individual. Due to its oversized build, you might also find that the duvet insert bunches up slightly in its cover.

Fill Material: Primaloft down alternative | Shell Material: Organic cotton | Size Range: Twin/Twin XL, Full/Queen, and King/California King | Machine Washable: Yes

It comes in over 10 color options, allowing for more customization compared to other comforters.

It’s somewhat thin with low loft, which may not be suitable for colder sleepers.

If white comforters are too uninspired, the Bedsure All-Season Down Alternative Comforter comes in a kaleidoscope of 14 colors including red, purple, green, and more. As one of our more lightweight bedding options, this comforter runs on the thin side with low loft (thickness), which may be a pro or con depending on how warm you prefer to sleep.

Nonetheless, the material felt light and cool on our skin, and we appreciated that the comforter made no noise when we tossed and turned. Those sensitive to smells may want to air out this down alternative comforter for a day or two, as it had a slight plastic scent that could have been from its packaging.

It didn’t bother us much, but you may want to err on the side of caution and let the comforter breathe before using it. If you find the smell to be too much, know that this comforter is machine washable, making for easy maintenance.

Fill Material: Polyester | Shell Material: Microfiber | Size Range: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, Oversized Queen, King, California King, and Oversized King | Machine Washable: Yes

The Riley Down Alternative Comforter came in as our overall best pick for a down alternative comforter because of its sturdy, double-stitched construction, cooling cotton cover, and easy-to-follow care instructions. For a more budget-friendly pick, we also recommend the Utopia Bedding All-Season Down Alternative Comforter, which is lightweight and breathable for year-round use. Just note that it does have a tendency to wrinkle.

To find the best down alternative comforters, we tested multiple options in our lab and at home for breathability, comfort, quality, and design. First, we carefully checked the construction of each comforter and duvet insert, noting the quality of the seams, even fill distribution, and plushness.

Then, we laid under each comforter and duvet insert and shifted around to check for any noise (such as crinkling sounds) and odd odors. We observed each blanket for comfort, softness, and texture, determining whether it felt fluffy or flat.

We also did a duvet insert test to see how easy (or challenging) it was to get inserts into their covers. Lastly, we washed and dried our blankets to see how well they held up in the wash. After evaluating all of these factors, we took into account each product’s value to determine if the cost for each comforter aligned with what it excelled at (i.e. cooling, warmth, comfort, etc.).

Real Simple / Dera Burreson

Both down and down alternative comforters come with their own set of pros and cons. Smith says traditional down comforters are known for their exceptional warmth and lightness, but these luxury buys tend to be much more expensive than their down alternative counterparts.

“Down fill also tends to clump and lose its loft over time, whereas down alternative maintains its shape and softness even after multiple washes,” Oregon textile designer John Smith says.

Another benefit of down alternative comforters is that they’re naturally hypoallergenic and often easier to care for (more on this below). Still, SensaCalm CEO Donna Chambers says down alternative comforters may be heavier than natural down and may not offer the same level of warmth or insulation.

You’ll want to select a weight, or warmth level, that suits your sleep preferences and climate. Those who live in an area that experiences all four seasons may want to opt for an all-season comforter, which will offer just enough weight balance to keep you cool through summer but warm through winter. Still, if you sleep hot no matter the weather, a lightweight comforter may be best for you.

Many comforter brands offer a trial period that lets you test a blanket risk-free for a certain number of days (such as 30 or 45) to see if it works for you. If you’re unhappy with your blanket, you can return it within that trial period. This is a great perk to look out for, especially if you’re making an expensive purchase.

Likewise, down alternative comforters will often have a warranty that helps protect your purchase in the event of any manufacturer defects. If your down alternative comforter arrives damaged or defective, you may be able to get a replacement free-of-charge. Keep an eye out for both trial periods and warranties when shopping.

The majority of down alternative comforters can be washed in a washing machine, but a handful of manufacturers recommend dry cleaning only. Drying methods also vary. Some blankets can tumble dry on low heat, while others need to be air-dried.This is ultimately a matter of convenience and budget. If you don’t mind taking extra steps to keep your down alternative comforter clean (or spending money on dry cleaning), this shouldn’t matter too much. However, busy folks or those looking for more economical blankets may want a blanket that’s easy to care for, so factor this into your decision.

Brooklinen Down Alternative Comforter: This comforter is soft and smooth to the touch yet maintains a good weight that we found sturdy and warm without being overpowering. Keep in mind the brand recommends dry cleaning this comforter only, which may not be practical.

Rest Evercool Cooling Comforter: It has a unique contouring texture that our team noted was a cross between velvet and suede, without the heaviness. However, not everyone will be a fan of the texture, which is silky and slightly slippery due to its nylon and spandex shell.

White Noise All Season Cotton Down Alternative Comforter: With its moderately thick fill that’s evenly distributed, this is a great comforter for cooler climates or those who sleep cold. Keep in mind that due to its thickness, you may need several rounds to fully dry and fluff this comforter.

Pottery Barn Hydrocool Moisture Wicking Down Alternative Comforter: This comforter is cool, crisp, and light, which allows it to keep your body temperature regulated in cold and warm weather alike. However, some pockets weren’t as fluffy as others, but this can be fixed with a bit of fluffing and patting.

Real Simple / Dera Burreson

The price range for a down alternative comforter varies greatly based on material, build, and brand. More affordable comforters can start as low as $30, while luxury buys can easily climb to $300 or more. Be sure to consider your budget and preferences before choosing a product to ensure that you buy something you know you’ll like.

The best material for you ultimately depends on your preferences. If you’re searching for a cooling down alternative comforter, look for naturally breathable materials like cotton or bamboo. Shoppers on a budget can opt for polyester down alternative comforters, which will typically be less expensive (but just as comfortable).

The closest thing to a traditional down comforter is a down alternative comforter. Not only will you save money on your purchase compared to buying the more expensive real thing, but many down alternative comforters will also have that same heft and weight that makes them so cozy to sleep under.

A high-quality down or down alternative comforter will have equal fill distribution so you’re not left with any flimsy, flat pockets. The comforter should be equally warm throughout and may also include breathable materials like cotton or bamboo to help regulate body temperature.

Real Simple / Dera Burreson

This article was written by Ashley Zlatopolsky, a bedding and bath commerce writer for Real Simple. To find the best down alternative comforters, we tested several blankets at home and in our lab, evaluating factors that matter most such as breathability, comfort, quality, and design. For expert insight and advice, Ashley spoke to Oregon textile designer, John Smith, and weighted blanket company Sensa Calm CEO, Donna Chambers.