Duvet vs Comforter: What’s the Difference?

When you are looking to get new bedding, all of the new terms can be overwhelming. Pillow shams, coverlets, quilts, euro style, thread counts etc. One of the most commonly confused bedding items are the comforters and duvets. When a bed is made, they often look exactly the same.

Which leads to the question. What is the difference between a comforter and a duvet? We will answer that question as well as some of the pros and cons in order to help you determine which is better duvet vs comforter.

Looking for the best sheets? Click the link to view our favorite sheets and bedding reviews.

What is the difference between a comforter and a duvet?

The main difference between a comforter and a duvet, is the construction. They are both fluffy top layers for bedding. Although, a comforter is one piece while a duvet is typically made of an insert and a cover. Keep reading for more details.

What is a Comforter?

When you purchase a comforter, typically what you are getting is an all in one bedding cover. It is typically made with a polyester fill, covered in a decorative fabric that is sewn in as one piece.

What is a Duvet?

A duvet consists of two parts. It is a duvet insert, made with many different kinds of fillings and cover materials. All meant to be covered with a second removeable duvet cover.

The duvet cover is the decorative piece, which can be removed for easy cleaning. While you can use a duvet insert like a comforter, by itself, it is meant to be covered to keep it cleaner and easier to clean as well.

Check out our review for the original Buffy comforter in our post: Buffy Comforter Review

Duvet vs Comfort – Which is better?

Duvet vs Comforter – Price:

Typically, a comforter initially appears to be the more cost effective choice between the two. This is because when you initially buy your bedding it is often cheaper to purchase a comforter than a duvet & cover. However, if you start to think long term, the duvet is the better option for saving money.

The duvet cover can be more easily washed than the comforter. The majority of comforters can only be washed at a dry cleaner. If you stain for your duvet cover you can buy a new one. Or if your style changes and you want a new look, you can simply purchase a new cover while keeping your duvet insert.

This saves much more cash than dry cleaning and/or replacing and entire comforter. Comforters win for short term price, while duvets are more cost effective overall.

You May Also Enjoy: Top Cooling Comforters For Hot Sleepers

Duvet vs Comforter – Comfort:

If you are looking for a fluffy blanket to cuddle with in bed, either of these options will work for you. However, if you really want to tailor the comfort of your cover to work best for you, then you should get a duvet. Comforters are often made with polyester filling and have no options for different filling or outer material.

If you want to make your bedding extra warm, or ecofriendly, or super breathable. You can accomplish any/all of this by handpicking what your duvet insert and cover are made out of. This way you get the weight, and warmth you desire.

Looking for high quality accessories for your bedroom? Check out our post: Top 15 Avocado Green Mattress Accessories

Duvet vs Comforter – Cleaning:

When it comes to ease of cleaning, the duvet wins hands down. Simply take off the cover and throw in the wash with the rest of your sheets. This is about as easy and simple as it gets.

Most comforters are not machine washable and require dry cleaning only. This turns even the smallest of spills or accidents into quite the hassle. Plus, you have to use a flat sheet or else your comforter gets covered in sweat and oils from your skin.

Making it unhygienic, unless you are getting it dry cleaned very regularly. (Which can be costly on the environment with all of the chemicals they use.)

While it does take some extra effort to put on and take off the duvet cover, it is well worth how simple it is to keep nice and clean.

Do you have trouble keeping your mattress clean? Check out our post: Mattress Care: Cleaning A Mattress & Keeping It Clean

Duvet vs Comforter – Making the Bed:

The comforter easily wins when it comes to ease of making the bed. Simply shake out your comforter evenly and you’re finished. One of the only real downfalls to the duvet, is that it can sometimes be a bit of a pain when it comes to putting on the cover, and having the cover stay on properly.

If you do not have ties in the corners of the comforter, the duvet insert tends to roam around within the cover. Leaving you with a tangled mess. Thankfully most duvet covers have fixed this frustration with convenient ties.

There are also new ingenious ways to easily put on a duvet cover that does not involve climbing inside the duvet cover. Click the link below to learn more about this bedding hack.

Struggle to keep your bedroom clean? Get our top tips including how to easily put on a duvet cover in our post: A Guide To Changing and Washing Your Sheets

Duvet vs Comforter – Appearance:

This is of course a difficult category as it is very subjective. Both options can look great, or less than fabulous depending on which comforter or duvet insert you purchase.

The great news with a duvet is that you can very easily change up the style by switching out your cover. If you prefer to switch up your home décor often, then a duvet is going to be a better fit for you. However, if there is a pattern in a comforter that you just adore, then go with the comforter. Choose whatever works best for you and your style.

Create a luxurious looking bedroom, without spending a fortune. Click the link to find out how in our post: Glam Bedroom On A Budget

Which would we recommend, duvet or comforter?

When it comes down to it, we would recommend purchasing a duvet & duvet cover for your bedding needs. The main reasons being that a duvet has higher quality, comfort, and they are customizable. You can choose a duvet insert that is made from all organic cotton or wool and then pair it with whatever cover you choose. Giving you the ability to customize your comfort and the appearance of your bedding.

Unfortunately, a comforter just doesn’t give you the same ability to choose the materials, comfort, and appearance. We also find that a comforter is far more difficult to keep clean than a duvet.

The duvet cover is so easy to take off and wash right in your machine at home. Meanwhile, most comforters require a trip to the dry cleaner in order to be made fresh and clean. At the end of the day we prefer a duvet over a comforter.

Looking for a cooler sleeping duvet insert? Check out our review over the Breeze Comforter in our post: Buffy Breeze Comforter Review

Our Favorite Duvets, Duvet Inserts & Comforters:

Even the bedding industry has a hard time classifying a comforter vs duvet/insert. Many of the below recommendations for duvet inserts even come up as “comforters” on the sites – which they all are technically, but they are also only white or natural in color and have loops for attaching to a duvet cover. While the comforters we have selected offer a variety of color options and don’t have loops.

Favorite Duvet Sets:

• Best Overall Duvet Cover Selection
• Top Natural & Organic Duvet Covers
• Favorite USA Made Duvet Covers

Top Duvet Inserts:

• Fluffiest/Best Year Round Duvet Insert
• Lighter/Best for Summer Duvet Insert
• Warmest/Best for Winter Duvet Insert
• Best Natural Down Insert

Comforters We Crave:

• Classiest Colors & Textured Comforters
• Most Natural & Beautiful Comforters
• Largest Selection of Comforter Sets

 

Duvet vs Comforter: Final Thoughts

The main difference between a duvet and comforter is the two-part design in the duvet. While there can be a few complications cause by having a blanket with a cover, for the most part we prefer how easy it is to care for and customize. Meanwhile most comforters are filled with cheaper materials and are more difficult to take care of.

If you have any questions or comments we would love to hear them! Feel free to Contact Us. We will be sure to get back to you as soon as we can.