Which Duvet Filling Is Best?

With so many different types of duvet fillings available, choosing the best duvet filling for you can feel confusing. From luxurious feather and down to breathable wool, cotton and silk or easy-care synthetic options, every filling has its own benefits. In this guide, we compare the different types of duvet fillings, their pros and cons, and what they're best suited to, helping you find the perfect duvet for a comfortable night's sleep.

What types of duvet fills are there?

There are many types of duvet fills available on the market, however these are some of the most popular and widely known. Synthetic duvets are made with either microfibre or hollowfibre and are easy to care for and often a cost effective option. Duck feather and down duvets are a wonderful natural option for a duvet - feather and down are often used together as they both provide different benefits, but you can buy duck down or duck feather duvets on their own. The same is said for goose feather and down duvets - these are often made with premium Hungarian or Canadian goose feather and down, making them a wonderfully insulating and luxurious duvet option. 

Other natural duvets such as sheep's wool, cotton, and linen are often a thinner, less plump duvet option than feather and down duvets, a bit more like a quilt, giving a weighty comforting feel.

What is Duck Feather & Down?

The duck feathers and down used in duvets come from the chest, belly and flanks of ducks. The duck feather and down we use in Soak&Sleep products is a by-product of the meat and egg industry and is never live-plucked. We insist on high standards of animal welfare for all of our feather and down products.

The advantages of a duck feather and down fill is the pleasingly plump feel of a feather and down duvet without the price tag of a goose feather and down duvet. Not only that, but because duck feather and down is a natural duvet fill, it’s breathable. This means you’re less likely to overheat because of the way moisture can evaporate from your skin as you sleep.

However, there are some disadvantages to duck feather and down duvets. Duck feather is a heavier fill and can sound a little ‘crunchy’ thanks to the quills in the duck feather. Some people like the extra weight, others don’t! Some cheaper duck feather and down duvets may have a faint smell to them when new, although this dissipates quickly once in use.

What is Goose Feather & Down?

Two of the most common types of goose feather & down fills are Canadian Goose feather and down and Hungarian Goose feather and down.

FAQ's:

Is Canadian goose down better than Hungarian goose down?

There are many factors which contribute towards the quality of goose down. Generally, the colder the climate in which the birds are raised, the warmer the down. However, other factors such as the welfare of the geese and the way in which the down is processed also have a bearing on the quality of the down. Canadian goose down is generally considered to be one of the highest quality down products available, and this is reflected in its high price. 

Are goose down duvets worth the money?

A goose down duvet is a real investment in your sleep with the following benefits:

• Incredibly light. Thanks to the airiness of the down, sleeping under a goose down duvet feels luxurious, like wrapping yourself up in a cloud.
• Very insulating. Thanks to the nature of goose down, it traps warm air, helping keep you wonderfully warm as you sleep.
• Breathable. Because down is a natural fibre, it is breathable, helping prevent you from overheating. It also allows moisture to evaporate from around your body as you sleep. This means you’re less likely to wake up due to overheating.
• Longevity. A high-quality goose down duvet will last for years – our Hungarian and Canadian goose down duvets have 15 year guarantees and can be washed to keep them at their best.

What is a wool duvet?

A wool duvet is made with carded wool that’s sewn between an outer case made of cotton. Unlike traditional duvets, wool duvets have a flat profile that’s more like a quilt. Because they are made with carded wool, wool duvets are less fluffy than feather and down fill duvets and have a weightier feel that drapes over your body as you rest.

We have two types of wool duvet in our range. Our New Zealand wool duvet is made with wool from Mitchell Sheep while our British wool duvet has been made with wool from British sheep for a cosy night’s sleep without the airmiles. 

Other types of duvet fills

In addition to feather & down and wool duvets there are other choices available. These include:

Cotton

Cotton duvets are made with a carded pad of cotton sewn into an outer case. Cotton duvets are flat and not at all fluffy, more like a padded bedspread than a deep duvet. They’re ideal for warmer climates and people who overheat in the summer

Synthetic

Synthetic duvets can be made with either a microfibre or hollowfibre fill. Microfibre and hollowfibre are made with polyester that’s been processed to feel similar to feather or down fills. Synthetic duvets are affordable and easy to care for but can cause overheating and are comparatively short-lived.

Silk

Silk fill duvets are made with carded silk sewn into an outer case. Similar to cotton duvets, they’re flat and not fluffy. Silk duvets are an excellent choice for people who overheat at night because of the way the silk wicks moisture away from the skin. 

How to choose between duck down and goose down duvets?

Duvets made with goose down have very similar properties to those made with duck down. They are both temperature-regulating, breathable and lofty. However, if you're trying to decide how to choose between duck down and goose down duvets, goose down will give you a more insulative duvet, for those extra chilly nights.