I tried out winter duvets from high street shops – the winner has an amazing hidden feature
JUST the same as any pillow or mattress, investing in the right duvet can have a huge impact on the quality of your sleep.
The Sleep Council says a duvet should be replaced every two to five years so you’re probably due an upgrade.
But with so many on offer, it can be hard to know which one to choose?
You can pick from different fillings such as duck feather – even recycled plastic bottles. And does spending more guarantee you a better nights’ kip?
Lynsey Hope has reviewed some of the best-selling winter duvets for 2024. Here, she reveals her top buys:
Dunelm 13.5 Tog Supersoft Duvet
£14 single, £18 double, available at Dunelm
Machine washable: Yes
Lynsey says: “This feels super thick at first and initially I felt a bit suffocated. It’s very heavy but if you feel the cold and like a fluffy, pillowy duvet, this is a brilliant and very budget friendly option.
“Both the cover and filling are 100 per cent polyester. It has a slightly strange feel, it feels a bit slippery, but once you put a cover on it you don’t really notice that. For £18, it’s a bargain.”
Value: 6/10
Comfort: 4/10
Total: 10/20
Habitat Duck Feather 13.5 Tog Duvet
£40 single, £45 double, available at Argos
Machine washable: Yes
Lynsey says: “I’ve never got on with duck feather duvets in the past, but this is better. It’s cosy and warm without being too heavy.
“It’s filled with ethically sourced duck feathers and provides breathable warmth, perfect for the coldest of winter days. It is machine washable and suitable for the tumble dryer.
“It’s worth nothing the cover is 65 per cent polyester and 35 per cent cotton. For those that sweat, 100 per cent cotton would have been better.
“I thought it was good value at just £45 for a double. Touching it, I would have thought it was a higher end product.”
Value: 9/10
Comfort: 7/10
Total: 16/20
Slumberland All Seasons 9+4.5 Tog Duvet
£49.99 single, £59.99 double, available at Bensons for Beds
Machine washable: Yes
Lynsey says: “Loved that you can alter this to three different togs, effectively creating three duvets in one. It’s a great option for those who don’t have tons of storage space.
“You can go from a 4.5 tog in the summer to a 9 Tog for winter, then combine them together for 13.5 Tog for the coldest winter days. It’s easy to do just press the studs together.
“The filling is 100 per cent polyester and it felt cosy and warm. It also comes with a free 1-year guarantee. The perfect year round duvet.”
Value: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10
Total: 19/20
Simba Hybrid Duvet 10.5 Tog
£139 single, £199 double, available at Simba Sleep
Machine washable: Yes
Lynsey says: “Gosh this is expensive coming in at nearly £200 for a double. Honestly though, I put it on and didn’t want to get out of bed. It’s actually quite thin for a warm duvet so if you like a fluffy duvet, it might not be for you.
“It’s not that soft but it has quite a luxurious feel and the warmth was lightweight without being too heavy.
“The cover is made from 100 per cent cotton and the filling is soft down-like filler which is made from recycled plastic bottle fibres and then gently combed into airy layers.
“It even has innovative ‘cool touch’ technology to help you sleep better. It’s a dream and I guarantee you’ll sleep like a baby in this – the only downside is the price. And the high price tag is the only reason it hasn’t scored full marks.”
Value: 5/10
Comfort: 10/10
Total: 15/20
Silentnight Warm and Cosy Duvet – 15 Tog
£52.99 single, £67.99 double, available at Silentnight
Machine washable: Yes
Lynsey says: “This is one big, heavy duvet. Honestly I found it too big and heavy to sleep but if you get super cold, you might like it. It does feel soft and snuggly and literally cocoons around you.
“It’s great for especially cold nights but it’s quite big so you’ll need a decent space to store it the rest of the year.
“It’s filled with hollowfibre and is covered is a soft microfibre fabric, which does feel incredibly cosy and nice. It’s robust too, and comes with a five year manufacturer’s guarantee.”
Value: 5/10
Comfort: 6/10
Total: 11/20
Belledorm Luxury Microfibre Duvet 10.5 Tog
£64.80 single, £82.80 double, available at Belledorm
Machine washable: Yes
Lynsey says: “One of my favourites. This is filled with a premium microfibre filling and it feels really soft and cosy.
” Not only is it suitable and a great option for allergy sufferers, but it’s also one of the only duvets that can go in a 60degree wash.
“The soft down like filling is tightly woven and it alco comes in a 100 per cent cotton percale jacquard cover. It had warmth but with a featherweight feel. Quite a good year-round option.”
Value: 8/10
Comfort: 9/10
Total: 17/20