What's the difference between a duvet, duvet cover, and a comforter?

There seems to be some confusion surrounding duvets and duvet covers. In the US, we often misuse the term duvet and refer to it as a duvet cover and a comforter as a duvet. While this mix up might not seem like the most pressing issue, it definitely can cause annoyance. To eliminate any misconceptions let’s take a closer look at the difference between duvets, duvet covers, and comforters.

Duvets

A duvet is a soft flatter version of a comforter made with down, feathers, or synthetic fiber, and is intended to be used as an insert. While similar duvets and comforters have distinct differences. Most duvets are white in color, not quilted, or decorative. They can be a bit more expensive as most are dry clean only. Duvets are great at keeping you warmer without having to use extra blankets and bedding. Duvets are almost always sold separately from duvet covers, giving the purchaser the freedom to mix and match their bedding.

Duvet Cover

Duvet covers are like a giant pillowcase for your duvet. The duvet cover protects your duvet from dirt, body fluids, damage, and spills. Duvet covers come in a variety of colors, prints, fabric, and styles. Usually, duvets are enclosed with buttons or a zipper and should include corner ties to hold your insert in place. Duvets and duvet covers are great if you hate spending a lot of time making the bed and don’t like sleeping with a top sheet. The majority of the best duvet covers are easy to remove, machine washable, and easy to store.

Comforter

How do comforters differ from a duvet? Generally, comforters come with less stuffing than duvets do. Because they tend to be less fluffy and heavy on colder nights, you may still need an extra blanket or additional bedding. Comforters are decorative and often come as a set with coordinating pieces like shams, decorative pillows, sheets, and matching curtains. Buying a comforter set or a bed-in-a-bag makes styling your room convenient and easy.

Duvet or Comforter, what one is right for you?

If you're still undecided what option is going to work best for you try taking some of these points into consideration.

Warmth: Are you a hot or cold sleeper? If you’re a cold sleeper, a duvet may be the way to go, fluffier and heavier, it can keep you warm and comfortable all night long. Comforters are traditionally thinner and you may need additional blankets and bedding during the colder months, however, some find them to be a perfect weight all year round. 

Style: If you like to change the look of your bedding or the type of fabric you sleep on often a duvet and duvet cover could be the choice for you. Swapping out a cotton duvet cover is easy and more cost-effective than buying a whole new comforter set and accessories.

Cleaning and ease of use: Duvet covers are nice and convenient when it comes to washing and storing them, but they can be a pain to put on over your duvet. If you prefer minimal set up a comforter might be the smart choice.

Price: Duvets, comforters, and duvet covers come in a range of prices. While at first, a duvet might cost more upfront, using a duvet cover can save you money in the long run. A duvet cover keeps cleaning costs down, extends the life of your duvet, and gives you the ability to change your style by only replacing a cover. A comforter/comforter set could save you in the beginning but may end up costing you more as time goes on.