Down comforters are one of most luxurious yet practical household items. The special warmth and softness of the best down comforters symbolize hearth and home for many. Quality matters a lot with these wonderful blankets, because a lot can go wrong. The down can be wispy or clumped or under-stuffed; it can poke you with quills. The baffles can tear, and there may be pockets without stuffing at all. It might smell.
There’s a worldwide market in down comforters, so plenty of real value is out there. You just need to wind your way around the marketing to the right materials and construction. You can spend many hundred of dollars for handpicked downy clusters–and they can be worth it–but you can find suprising quality for much, much less.
In this article, we’ll go over the features of a quality comforter, and review a selection of top high-value models currently on the market.
Okay, but what is a Down Comforter?
Comforters are likely named for the feeling you get when nestled in layers of soft down. Down is the innermost soft, wispy feather-hair under a bird’s hard outer feathers, and as a filler it makes an amazingly soft and warm blanket. Real down comforters are made of down from geese or ducks.
Comforters made from down are lightweight in relation to the amount of insulation they provide when fluffed. Synthetic insulation has come a long way in recent years, but natural down is still the lightest and warmest insulation available.
Best Down Comforters – Comparison Table
Image | Product | Features | Rating |
---|---|---|---|
![]() ![]() ![]() | EGYPTIAN BEDDING Luxurious Siberian Goose Down Comforter | Goose Down mix (10% feathers) Durable baffle box design 1200 Thread-count | 4.6 out of 5 |
![]() ![]() ![]() | COCOON 750+FP Organic Siberian Goose Feathers Comforter | Durable no-escape construction Hypoallergenic 750+FP | 4.5 out of 5 |
![]() ![]() ![]() | SNOWMAN White Goose Down Comforter | Durable construction Hypoallergenic White Goose Down mix (10% feathers) | 4.4 out of 5 |
![]() ![]() ![]() | TOPSLEEPY Goose Down Comforter | High Insulation Hypoallergenic Durable baffle box design | 4.4 out of 5 |
![]() ![]() ![]() | ROYALAY All Seasons Lightweight White Goose Down Comforter | Durable no-escape construction Hypoallergenic 600FP Goose Down (25% feathers) | 4.4 out of 5 |
![]() ![]() ![]() | EASTWARMTH Summer Spring 650+FP White Goose Down Comforter | Lightweight Goose Down (25% feathers) 100% Organic Cotton | 4.6 out of 5 |
![]() ![]() ![]() | PINZON All-Season Down Comforter | Durable no-escape construction 75% Duck Down mix (25% unstated material) Baffle box design with Duvet Loops | 4.3 out of 5 |
![]() ![]() ![]() | PUREDOWN 800FP Natural White Goose Down Comforter | 93% 800FP White Goose Down (only 7% feathers) 100% 700 thread-count Organic Cotton cover Durable baffle box design with Duvet Loops | 4.7 out of 5 |
Best Down Comforters Buyer’s Guide
Properties of Down
Down is a special kind of feather designed by Nature to keep birds warm—and it does just as well for people. Down forms a fluffy layer beneath the outer feathers, trapping air and body heat efficiently to provide the world’s best thermal insulation. The bottom layer of down contains the puffiest feathers, called clusters, that are typically mixed into high-end filling for extra loft.
Loft provides insulation as well as fluffiness. A down’s loft is measured as Fill Power (FP): the volume occupied by an ounce of down fiber under standardized pressure.
Both duck and goose down is used for consumer comforters. Duck down is smaller and generally provides less loft and insulation than goose down.
Fill Power
Down is graded by Fill power (FP). This is typically noted somewhere on the comforter and its packaging. Fill Power ranges from a low of 500 to a high of 900.
700+ FP ratings are given to down with the longer shafts and well-developed clusters of older geese. The lower 500s are typically from younger geese, which have shorter down feathers which mat more easily. Most duck and goose down comes from young birds slaughtered for meat.
The inevitably more expensive High Fill grades are often collected humanely from nests. There are some breeding operations that supply the High Fill down market with down from older geese. In Scandanavia there are specially nurtured outdoor nesting areas where High Fill quality down is collected without disturbing the birds.
Mixture
It can be hard to separate the marketing from the truth about a down comforter. In the US, a comforter marked “100% Down” must include only down feathers; if it only claims to be “Down,” the filler can be mixed with short feathers.
“Goose Down” can contain as little as 10% goose feathers.
Best Down Comforters Reviewed
EGYPTIAN BEDDING Luxurious Siberian Goose Down Comforter
This popular comforter has wide appeal for cold-weather use, and has an excellent 750FP rating. The 1200 thread-count cover is comfortable and durable.
Though the fill is advertised as “Siberian Goose Down,” be aware such talk is marketing speak. It’s just plain goose down, which means it’s mixed with 10% regular feathers too.
Duvet loops keep the comforter situated correctly, instead of shifting or wadding itself to one side. The main complaint is a rustling noise from the corner tabs, though not everyone is bothered by it.
This is a nice, basic warm comforter that offers good value. The blanket’s performance is on the shy side of the numbers, but it’s still a quality buy.
Pros
- 750 FP
- Goose Down mix (10% feathers)
- Durable baffle box design
- 1200 Thread-count
Cons
- Mild Noise
- Uneven filling reported
- Some feather leakage
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DOWNCOOL 100% Cotton Quilted White Goose Down Comforter
This light comforter has a 100% cotton cover and allergy-free filler. It’s well made, with box-stitching to keep feathers well distributed. It isn’t prone to leakage.
As a warm season blanket, the cotton cover and the filling are on the thin side. It has limited loft, the cover isn’t super soft, and it crackles lightly but audibly.
It’s hard to beat the value, though. This is a good economical choice if you don’t want too much insulation but prefer the comfort of down, or just don’t want to sleep in a marshmallow.
Pros
- Durable no-escape construction
- Box stitching
- Duvet loops
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Noise
- Low loft
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ROSECOSE Hypo-allergenic 750+FP Goose Down Comforter
This is a popular mild winter blanket with hypoallergenic goose down. It has a comfortable cotton shell with competent box-stitching to keep feathers evenly spaced and fairly quiet.
The pictures don’t do the comforter justice, though: the loft isn’t as fluffy as the image suggests. The photos also don’t show leaking feathers, which some users report. It’s a medium blanket with modest stuffing, which can be fine, but don’t expect real 750FP performance.
Lightweight at 7 lbs, this is a comfortable blanket without any glaring faults (though you might want to keep a vacuum around for errant tufts). It’s a nice value if you’re looking for a comforter with some warmth that doesn’t steam you alive.
Pros
- 750+ FP
- Box stitching with Duvet Loops
- Hypoallergenic
- Goose Down mix (10% feathers)
- 1200 Thread-count
Cons
- Mild Feather Leakage
- Medium Loft
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COCOON 750+FP Organic Siberian Goose Feathers Comforter
This is a high-quality 750+FP comforter for cold nights. It’s well-made 3-dimensional baffle-box construction features both corner tabs and duvet loops. The cover is a 1200 thread-count cotton.
This is a nice overall blanket that checks all the boxes for comfort, low-odor, low shedding, and quality construction.
Be aware this blanket offers serious insulation. It has a lot of quality, but, if you’re throwing the blanket off 6 times a night, the comfort factor becomes moot. If you’re looking for a comforter to keep you warm, this is a contender.
Pros
- Durable no-escape construction
- Hypoallergenic
- 750+FP
- Goose Down mix (10% feathers)
- Durable baffle box design
- 1200 Thread-count
Cons
- Mild Noise
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SNOWMAN White Goose Down Comforter
This is a white goose down comforter has a standard baffle-box design that offers a degree more quality than most economical comforters. It doesn’t boast inflated FP ratings or claim to be from “Siberian” Geese, but it does have a reputation for satisfying users.
The manufacturer provides information about their facilities and processes, and explains their operations in China. At least, that’s their story: and, since many consumers react negatively to Asian products, it’s refreshing to have such apparently forthright information.
Take note this is a warm blanket, not a summer coverlet. It has some crinkle, too. If you’re looking for a warm budget comforter with a bit of actual quality, this Snowman model has a lot of fans.
Pros
- Durable construction
- Hypoallergenic
- White Goose Down mix (10% feathers)
- Baffle box design with Duvet Loops
Cons
- Mild Noise
- Medium Loft
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TOPSLEEPY Goose Down Comforter
This warm goose down comforter has a cotton cover that’s easy to clean: just pop it into the washer. The size lists as 106 x 90 inches, slightly larger than a standard 90-inch square. It’s substantial if not heavy, and provides enough insulation to keep you cozy in a cold room—or miserable in a cool one.
The filler has nice construction quality using mid-grade down, which provides about 2 inches of loft. Some find it has a slight odor, but there are no major dings. PRO TIP: Safely neutralize down odors by machine washing with a cup of white distilled vinegar.
You aren’t getting hand-combed clusters, but this comforter delivers loft, warmth and economy. This is a good choice for colder climes.
Pros
- High Insulation
- Hypoallergenic
- Durable baffle box design
- Medium Loft
Cons
- Mild Noise
- 50% feather mix
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ROYALAY All Seasons Lightweight White Goose Down Comforter
This is a cozy comforter that’s lightweight but still quite warm. The double-stitched, all-cotton cover, rated as 600FP, is attractive and easy to clean. There are Duvet Loops on each corner.
The filler is white goose down with 25% feathers that supply a little extra loft. The construction on this blanket is good, with piped seams and batten-box stitching to keep the down inside. The boxes are fully stitched; though, not very full.
This is a bargain as a warm and comfortable blanket you can throw in the wash now and then. It runs a bit hot for warmer areas, but it’s light so you won’t feel like you’re under a heavy tarp.
Pros
- Durable no-escape construction
- Hypoallergenic
- 600FP Goose Down (25% feathers)
- Pipe seams; double-stitching
Cons
- Mild Noise
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EASTWARMTH Summer Spring 650+FP White Goose Down Comforter
This is a light, airy comforter made with 100% Organic cotton and hypoallergenic white goose down. Weighing less than four pounds, its 650+FP mix provides warmth and loft despite the skimpy filling. The box stitching has piped seams with corner tabs for attaching to a duvet.
The manufacturer recommends dry cleaning only, a little extreme. The filling is distributed well, though there isn’t a whole lot: this is an especially light down comforter.
This is a nice choice for a light cover to keep the chill away on cool nights, but one that lets you breathe, too.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Goose Down (25% feathers)
- 100% Organic Cotton
- Hypoallergenic
- 650+FP
Cons
- Mild Noise
- Low Loft
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PINZON All-Season Down Comforter
Pinzon is a formerly secret brand of luxury towels and bedding made by tricky, tricky Amazon, and the collection includes a selection of down comforters in the price range we’re reviewing.
The good news is their All-Season comforter doesn’t have any major faults. The 100% Cotton exterior has piped seams and corner Duvet Loops … and includes 2-way snaps so you can add more comforters. This helps with the problem of over-heating, since each comforter is lightweight.
The filling uses inferior duck down and 25% of “something” else. No FP rating is given. The construction is “shed-resistant” to help the tiny feather bits from escaping, which addresses one of the main problems with small feathers and bits. With a bit of luck, you’ll never know how cheap it really is.
This popular Pinzon model satisfies the comfort and light insulation many customers prefer. It’s a good choice as a starter model, and is well-priced as a utility blanket. Also, if you like the brand, there is a wide selection of different blankets and styles.
Pros
- Durable no-escape construction
- 75% Duck Down mix (25% unstated material)
- Baffle box design with Duvet Loops
- 2-way Snaps
Cons
- Mild Noise
- Rough 300 thread-count cover
- Low Loft
- Dry Cleaning recommended
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PUREDOWN 800FP Natural White Goose Down Comforter
If you’re looking for a marshmallow cloud of a blanket, this medium-heavy Downright comforter has some extra quality for a bit more expense. It’s filled with 93% white goose down mixed with just 7% feathers, and has a 700 thread-count Egyptian cotton cover.
The fill lists as 800FP, which it probably isn’t, but it does deliver comfort and heat aplenty. This isn’t a light blanket, and won’t suit hot sleepers or summertime temps. The quality baffle box construction keeps the feathers in, and Duvet Loops keep the padding in place.
There isn’t a mention of whether the feathers are hypoallergenic—but they do conform to the Responsible Down Standard for humane and environmentally-sound processing.
This is a popular cold-weather comforter with a higher grade of down mix than bargain models. You might want to keep looking if you’re subject to down allergies, but this is a great choice for keeping warm while sleeping in a cloud.
Pros
- 93% 800FP White Goose Down (only 7% feathers)
- 100% 700 thread-count Organic Cotton cover
- Durable baffle box design with Duvet Loops
- Odorless
- Compliant with Responsible Down Standards
Cons
- Higher cost
- Not stated as hypoallergenic
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