The Best Down Alternative Comforters

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Down Alternative Comforters and hope the blog can help you.

Skip the feathers and get comfortable and cozy in the best down alternative comforter.

If down’s high price tag and potential for triggering allergies have you shopping for new bedding, a down alternative comforter might be your answer. Down alternative mimics the insulation and softness of down without the expense and potential for allergies. These comforters are also easier to care for and come in a wider range of colors and patterns.

The term “down alternative” encompasses several filling options, from microfiber to various types of wool. Before jumping into bed with a new comforter, consider the climate, the sleeping temperature you prefer, and the look and feel that best fit your style. The best down alternative comforter will do more than make your bed look cozy and inviting—it will turn the bedroom into a haven that’s hard to resist.

1. BEST OVERALL: EASELAND All Season Down Alternative Comforter
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Linenspa All-Season Down Alternative Comforter
3. BEST FOR HOT SLEEPERS: DOWNCOOL Goose Down Alternative Quilted Comforter
4. BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: HOMBYS Lightweight Cooling Viscose Comforter
5. BEST ECO-FRIENDLY: Woolino Premium Australian Washable Wool Comforter
6. BEST REVERSIBLE: HIG 3pc Green Down Alternative Comforter Set
7. BEST FLEECE-LINED: Amazon Basics Ultra-Soft Micromink Sherpa Comforter
8. BEST BAMBOO: Cosy House Collection Luxury Bamboo Comforter
9. BEST ORGANIC: New York Mercado 100% Organic Cotton Comforter
10. ALSO CONSIDER: Utopia Bedding Down Alternative Comforter

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Down Alternative Comforters

Down alternative comforters are made in different sizes, weights, and materials that affect their warmth, feel, and loft (or height). Everyone has their own preferences, so the right one for you depends on if you get warm when you sleep and the temperature in your bedroom. There are other factors to consider as well.

Size

The best comforter will fit the size of your bed with a little room to spare. Down alternative comforters are made in standard bed sizes, including twin, full, queen, and king. Some comforters may also come in less common sizes like king XL, California king, full XL, and twin XL.

Most people buy a comforter that corresponds to their mattress size, which usually leaves enough comforter to cover a standard 12 to 16-inch mattress on top of a standard 8- to 10-inch foundation. However, if you have an extra-tall mattress or foundation, you may want to order a size up from your mattress to better cover the bed.

Fill Material

A variety of fill materials can be used as an alternative to down. Two of the most popular options are polyester and microfiber, as both emulate the properties of down while maintaining a good loft.

• Polyester: Also referred to as fiberfill, this synthetic material insulates well and can be made to mimic down’s feel and insulating properties. Additional materials like gel or silicone added to the polyester can reduce allergens or provide extra insulation.
• Microfiber: This lightweight synthetic fiber makes for soft comforters that mimic the softness and loft of down. Microfiber can be made from polyester, but it may also be made from nylon, Kevlar, or other materials.

There are also several fill options made with natural and organic materials, including:

• Cotton: Cotton naturally wicks away moisture and offers great breathability. However, it doesn’t have the same insulating power as some of the synthetic fills or wool, so these comforters fall on the cooler side.
• Wool: Sheep and alpaca wool naturally insulate and regulate temperature because they trap air within their fibers. Wool also adds weight to the comforter while remaining breathable, making it a good choice for those who like a heavier comforter.
• Silk: Silk’s airy lightness brings added loft to the bed, making for the best fluffy comforter. However, it doesn’t insulate as well as other fill types.

Fill Weight

The best down comforters have a fill weight that corresponds with their warmth and loft. Higher fill weights indicate a warmer comforter, while lower fill weights offer a cooler option. Down alternative comforters are also available in different fill weights to meet different temperature and comfort needs.

Down alternative comforters include a fill weight measured in GSM, or grams per square meter. However, fill weight and warmth vary by the comforter’s material. Cotton, wool, polyester, and microfiber comforters with a fill weight of 300 to 600 GSM are typically suitable for all seasons. Higher GSMs work well for winter comforters, and lighter GSMs are a suitable choice for the best summer comforter.

Outer Fabric

The outer fabric or shell of the comforter is just as important as the filling. Cotton is one of the most popular shell materials because it wicks moisture and breathes well. The best down alternative comforter may have long-staple cotton, a cotton with long fibers that make it softer and more durable.

Other shell materials include microfiber, wool, and silk. Microfiber and silk are lightweight, though they have different textures. These two materials work well for cooler comforters. Wool is breathable and is an excellent insulator, making it a common shell material for winter comforters.

Also, keep an eye on the shell’s thread count, which tells you how many threads are in one square inch of material. Higher thread counts result in softer, more durable material. A thread count between 300 and 600 is more than enough for a durable comforter and may make it softer.

Construction

Construction features like stitching and corner loops make a difference in warmth and durability. Baffle box, squares, and gussets are construction features that help evenly distribute the comforter’s filling.

Baffle boxes have an additional layer of material between the shell layers to prevent bunching. Stitched squares, diamonds, and other patterns serve the same purpose. The filling may settle to one side of the box or the other, but it prevents it from pooling at the bottom of the comforter. Gussets are a border of material and filling that helps the rest of the comforter maintain its loft and shape.

Corner loops let you tie a duvet cover to the comforter, which can protect the comforter and make it easier to keep the comforter clean. Some comforters have loops in the corners only, while others have them in the corners and at the center of each side.

Care

Read the comforter’s washing instructions carefully. Some comforters are machine washable, making them easy to maintain at home. Others, like silk and wool comforters, may be dry clean only.

Be sure to check whether the comforter can go in the dryer, and if it can, also note the proper temperature settings. Heat can damage many of the materials used in down alternative comforters. Even low heat can damage treatments on the fill or shrink the shell.

Our Top Picks

The best down alternative comforters contain high-quality filling and shell materials. The comforters and brands on our list balance performance with price. We’ve included comforters for different comfort levels as well as models to fit different design aesthetics.

Best Overall

EASELAND All Season Down Alternative Comforter

The EASELAND All Season Quilted Down Alternative Comforter is packed with whole-piece polyfill sandwiched between the durable brushed fabric. Brushed fabrics have shorter fabric fibers removed to create a smoother, softer surface. Whole-piece polyfill resists clumping, reducing the chances of cold spots developing while asleep.

This comforter has four corner ties for use with a duvet cover. However, it’s also usable without a cover. It gets top marks for cleaning ease, as it’s machine washable in cold water. The EASELAND offers all-season warmth without adding too much weight to the bed. Because of its lightweight and whole-piece filling, this comforter isn’t as fluffy as some people like. Don’t expect a cloud-like appearance.

Product Specs

• Fill material: Polyfill
• Machine washable: Yes
• Corner ties: Yes

Pros

• Machine washable with cold water and gentle cycle
• Whole-piece polyfill and box stitching resist pooling and bunching
• Corner ties allow use with a duvet cover
• Lightweight yet warm

Cons

• Not fluffy
• May be too warm for mild climates

Get the EASELAND All Season Quilted Down Alternative Comforter on Amazon.

Best Bang for the Buck

Linenspa All-Season Down Alternative Comforter

The Linenspa All-Season Down Alternative Quilted Comforter is filled with a polyester microfiber down alternative that’s 300 GSM. A box-stitch design keeps the filling in place, avoiding shifting and cold spots. Versatility is another bonus here, as this comforter is available in eight sizes and 13 color combinations, including solids, patterns, and reversible options. It also has eight loop ties to keep a duvet cover in place.

Finally, the Linenspa comforter is machine washable in cold water on gentle with a tumble dry. However, it could take a few times through the dryer for larger sizes. The manufacturer also recommends against washing it in machines with an agitator.

Product Specs

• Fill material: Polyester microfiber
• Machine washable: Yes
• Corner ties: Yes

Pros

• 8 duvet ties
• Lots of color and pattern choices
• Good all-season warmth for the price

Cons

• Not recommended to wash in washing machines with an agitator

Get the Linenspa All-Season Down Alternative Quilted Comforter on Amazon, at Walmart, or at Linenspa.

Best for Hot Sleepers

DOWNCOOL Goose Down Alternative Quilted Comforter

Although the DOWNCOOL Goose Down Alternative Quilted Comforter offers all-season warmth, it’s cooler than the competition, making it an excellent option for hot sleepers. They still get the comfort of a comforter, but breathability and the right balance of heat retention prevent too much heat buildup. A soft microfiber shell cuts down on noisy rustling during nighttime movement.

The DOWNCOOL has 11 color options, including some that are reversible. While the comforter can be used on its own, corner ties let users change the look with a duvet cover. It’s also machine washable, but it should be hung to dry. Due to its light weight, this comforter has very little loft, making it our choice as the best comforter for hot sleepers. Expect it to be flatter than average.

Product Specs

• Fill material: Polyester microfiber
• Machine washable: Yes
• Corner ties: Yes

Pros

• Lightweight and breathable for warm sleepers
• Corner ties allow for use with a duvet cover
• Machine washable

Cons

• Lacks loft

Get the DOWNCOOL Goose Down Alternative Quilted Comforter on Amazon.

Best Lightweight

HOMBYS Lightweight Cooling Viscose Comforter

Taking comfort to the next level is the HOMBYS Lightweight Cooling Viscose Comforter. Smooth viscose that feels cool to the touch combined with lightweight polyester filling result in a silky comforter that feels feather-light on the body while providing all-season warmth.

The polyester fibers are designed with air pockets that enhance breathability. Eight corner and side ties help a duvet cover stay in place, allowing users to switch up the look if desired, although the HOMBYS comes in white, gray, or sage green for those who’d prefer to skip the cover. It also comes in six sizes, accommodating the most common bed sizes. This comforter has also received the OEKO-TEX Standard 100, certifying that the final product is free of harmful chemicals.

While this comforter is machine washable, it doesn’t do well with frequent washing, which can cause pilling.

Product Specs

• Fill material: Polyester
• Machine washable: Yes
• Corner ties: Yes

Pros

• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification that it’s free of harmful chemicals
• Silky viscose bamboo shell
• Corner ties for use with duvet cover
• Lightweight, breathable polyester filling

Cons

• Pills with frequent washing

Get the HOMBYS Lightweight Cooling Viscose Comforter on Amazon.

Best Eco-Friendly

Woolino Premium Australian Washable Wool Comforter

The Woolino Premium Australian Washable Wool Comforter contains a natural 400 GSM wool filling covered in a 300 thread count cotton shell. The sateen cotton shell has a slight sheen and thicker weave than percale to add durability and softness. This comforter is also OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified to be free of harmful substances.

Wool can also absorb up to 30 percent of its own weight in moisture without becoming damp or wet, which helps this comforter keep sleepers insulated without overheating. The Woolino has corner ties, and the company recommends using a duvet comforter to protect the materials and prolong its lifespan. One downside is that the Woolino rustles loudly, which may disturb light sleepers.

Product Specs

• Fill material: Wool
• Machine washable: Yes
• Corner ties: Yes

Pros

• Wool filling naturally regulates the temperature and absorbs moisture
• Breathable shell and filling improve breathability
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified free of harmful substances

Cons

• Cotton shell may be too noisy for some people

Get the Woolino Premium Australian Washable Wool Comforter on Amazon.

Best Reversible

HIG 3pc Green Down Alternative Comforter Set

With 11 reversible color options that include matching shams, the HIG 3-piece Green Down Alternative Comforter Set is a great choice for those who like to switch up their style. Box stitching keeps the polyester filling in place, while the microfiber shell offers ventilation without trapping too much heat.

Siliconized fiberfill helps provide a down-like sleep experience, helping the comforter maintain its loft and shape. Designed for all-season use, this comforter’s light weight and breathability make it usable even in warmer climates. The HIG is machine washable on cold for easy maintenance, too. However, it comes in limited sizes, and some people find that the comforter is too small for a regular-size mattress, so consider sizing up if possible.

Product Specs

• Fill material: Siliconized fiberfill
• Machine washable: Yes
• Corner ties: Yes

Pros

• Bright color options
• Siliconized fiberfill resists bunching and maintains loft
• Box stitching keeps the filling in place for even warmth
• Lightweight and breathable for all seasons

Cons

• Limited sizes
• Runs small
• Thin sham fabric

Get the HIG 3-piece Green Down Alternative Comforter Set on Amazon or at Walmart.

Best Fleece-Lined

Amazon Basics Ultra-Soft Micromink Sherpa Comforter

The Amazon Basics Ultra-Soft Micromink Sherpa Comforter takes comfort to a new level with plush, soft micromink on one side and warm sherpa on the other. It’s a cozy style statement that offers 24 color and pattern options, and it includes two shams with the same materials. This comforter is reversible, so users can decide which inviting side suits their room best.

Everything from the sherpa shell and micromink to the filling is polyester. The comforter is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, as is the facility it’s made in, assuring that the product is free of harmful substances and that it’s made according to strict environmental safety standards.

Though it feels luxurious, this comforter is machine washable. However, watch out for the shams, which occasionally arrive with some stitching issues. Also, this comforter only comes in three sizes—full/queen, twin, and king—so those with unconventional mattress sizes might need to look elsewhere.

Product Specs

• Fill material: Polyester
• Machine washable: Yes
• Corner ties: No

Pros

• Micromink feels soft and luxurious
• Reversible to fit different decor styles
• Easy to wash and maintain
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified

Cons

• Limited sizes
• Stitching issues with the shams

Get the Amazon Basics Ultra-Soft Micromink Sherpa Comforter on Amazon.

Bamboo down Alternative

Cosy House Collection Luxury Bamboo Comforter

The Cosy House Collection Luxury Bamboo Comforter’s shell contains a 60 percent bamboo-microfiber ble