Selecting a duvet insert is one of those things that is completely left up to personal preferences, but when shopping for the right duvet, here are some things to look for:
Choose the right fill
The most common fill options for duvet inserts are down and down-alternative. Regular down filling is typically made with lightweight goose or duck plumage feathers, while alternative-down is usually filled with synthetic materials, such as polyester, and is often considered hypoallergenic, which is great for those concerned about dust and allergens.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more natural fill option, there are quite a bit of duvet inserts on the market made with bamboo, eucalyptus, wool, or even silk filling. Since natural fibers tend to be more breathable, you can have the best of both worlds with a super-plush blanket that doesn’t leave you overheated.
Find the right weight
Duvets are notoriously known for being pretty warm—which isn’t exactly great for hot sleepers. But the good news is there are different duvet weight options to choose from, so if you tend to have sweaty snoozes but still want that fluffy duvet experience, then you can (literally) rest assured that there’s a lightweight or cooling duvet for you. Typically, you can find duvet inserts available in these weight levels: lightweight, heavyweight, or all-season.
Lightweight options are great for warmer months and hot sleepers, while heavy duvets are fantastic for colder months and cool sleepers. And all-season duvets are exactly what they sound like—duvet blankets that are suitable for year-round use, thanks to their temperature-regulating fill. If you want to get really fancy with it, some companies offer two or three different weight options to really help you customize your sleep experience.
Consider the care instructions
Since duvet inserts are meant to be put inside a duvet cover, they typically only need to get washed every four to six months. However! Spills can and do happen, and getting your duvet professionally laundered can be expensive (not to mention a pain). If you have pets or kids (or just happen to be v spill-prone), consider skipping the spot-clean-only or dry-clean-only duvets for something you can easily toss in the wash at home.